Page 83 of Benidorm Again

‘Who’s next? Who wants to try on their costumes?’ Cherry asks, trying to smile through the dark circles around her eyes, the pale skin and the sad expression.

Big Mand lets out a muffled cry, scrapes back her chair and runs off.

With a huge, elaborate sigh, Liberty informs us that she too, would rather not try on costumes. ‘Read the room, babe. What’s the point anyway?’

‘Wow. Rude,’ says Ged, as we watch Liberty sashay away, bum cheeks bouncing like a pair of jellies.

Cherry looks forlorn as I feign enthusiasm. ‘It’s fine,’ she says. ‘I only spent two whole weeks making them. Every minute of every bloody day. I missed my child’s first birthday and my own wedding anniversary, but who cares, right?’

‘Cherry, I’m so sorry…’ I say, as she bursts into tears and races off. I can’t even say it’s pregnancy hormones because I’d be upset too, if everyone simply threw my efforts back in my face.

Ged and Liam look gutted. ‘We might give tonight a miss if you don’t mind, Connie, love.’

‘Sure. Not at all. Sure. No. I totally understand. But hey, listen. Everything will work out. I promise. We just need toget through tonight’s gig, and things will be better in the morning. We’ll sort everything out before we fly to Vegas.’

They nod sadly and disappear through the patio doors back to their love nest. I put my head in my hands. How has everything fallen apart so quickly? My nerves are fraught enough as it is.

PING. Big Sue is dropping out of the performance tonight. She has to try and explain things to her parents, her family, her friends and work colleagues who suddenly think that she has been leading a double life and are hurt and confused as to why she thinks they would not understand and be supportive.

PING. Big Mands is dropping out. No reason is given.

PING. Cherry is unwell and will not be making tonight’s performance.

PING. Tash argues that she feels uncomfortable leaving Sister Kevin alone when he has only just arrived.

PING. Liberty says we are forgetting what it is like to be SINGLE. She accuses us all of being too wrapped up in our own happy love lives to care about single people and their worries.

I stare at the text.

Looks like I will have to tell Martha that The Dollz have cancelled.Christ Almighty.Nancy! She will be furious. I let my forehead drop to the table. It reminds me of Luke.

Oh my God.That’s it. Luke. My head springs up. I grab my phone and dial his number.

He answers very quickly. ‘Hello, who is it?’ he says.

‘It’s me. Connie,’ I say.

‘Erm, oh. I erm… did I… I wasn’t….’

‘Listen. I haven’t got time for the Hugh Grant,’ I say quickly. ‘You wanted me to forgive you, yes?’

‘Why I… erm, that is to say…’

‘I’ll take that as a yes. Have you left Benidorm yet?’

‘Ah, right. Well, the thing is I can explain. You see the flights… erm, well, I know I promised…’

‘Forget that. I’m dropping you the pin of a place called Voices. I need you to go there. I need a favour.’

‘I well, erm, yes of course. I…’

‘See you there in half an hour.’

I click off the call. Needs must and I am desperate. I examine the pile of costumes and grab myself a Barbie wig, pink gingham dress, tights, pink love heart glasses and a pair of size six white platform sandals and race out of the villa. That’ll have to do. We are due at the airport tomorrow morning for our flight to Las Vegas. I will messageThe Dollz once the gig is over. There’s no way in Hell that I’m missing my flight because of all their drama. I will arrive back here at the villa first thing, suited and booted and ready to drag them all kicking and screaming onto the bus… or die trying.

I arrive at Voices panting and sweating. Jolly Murs is there behind the bar as I race towards the apartment door.

‘Oh good. You’re here,’ I say before launching into my back-up plan for tonight’s show.

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