Page 84 of Benidorm Again

‘I can’t see why they wouldn’t go for it,’ he says. ‘Is the guy any good?’

‘He’s great. But I don’t know if he can sing anything other than classical songs. I’ll ask him when he gets here, which should be soon. Can you look out for him, please?’

‘Sure. I’ll let my mother know there’s a change of plan.’

I race upstairs and fling myself into the shower, getting ready in double time. I’m not in the slightest bit sure about this but it’s the only solution presenting itself at the moment. As soon as I’m ready, I go back downstairs. The bar is already filling up with people coming for Bongos Bingo and to see The Dollz perform. They are going tobe so disappointed. I am really going to have to sassy up my act to deliver something as lively and sexy as they do. Unfortunately, not much can be done with only an hour to go, so they will have to make do with a few changes to my set list. I’m just flicking through my playlists with Jolly Murs when we are aware of someone next to us.

I see Luke’s jaw fall open. ‘You… you look, erm,’ We wait for him to land on the perfect adjective. ‘… professional. Very professional.’

I look like a two-bit stripper. ‘It’s intentional,’ I explain. ‘The Dollz have dropped out of this evening’s performance. And I need to cover their show and mine.’

‘Ah. I see. And you need me to be your support act?’

‘Kind of. I thought we’d just do the whole lot together. What do you say?’

Luke looks shocked. ‘Me? Singing covers?’ He surveys the bald heads and the crowds pouring through the doors. ‘Here?’

I nod. Christ, I hope he knows some Ed Sheeran songs or Coldplay at least, or anyone from this century would do.

‘Does that mean you forgive me?’ he asks hopefully.

‘Yes,’ I say. I’m desperate. ‘Now, do you think youcan do it?’

He suddenly breaks into a half-smile. ‘I wasn’t karaoke king three years in a row at university for nothing.’ He rolls up his shirt sleeves and whips out his phone. ‘Show me the setlist. Here’s one of mine. I can Bluetooth the songs over. And where’s the kit? I need to warm up my voice.’

Jolly Murs and I exchange relieved glances. While Bongos Bingo roars to a conclusion in the main bar, Luke and I, sitting outside, have agreed on a lively and sexy setlist that should please the growing crowd. He seems overjoyed that I have accepted his apology at last and is full of enthusiasm.

‘Ready?’ I ask Luke once we’ve done a quick sound check.

He stands on the circular stage with his legs wide apart, a microphone in one hand and the other ready to grab some air. He flicks hair from his eyes and winks at me. ‘I was born ready.’

‘Fucking hell. You’re not going to make me regret this are you?’

And before I know what’s happening, Luke is launching into the best rendition of ‘Let Me Entertain You’ that I’ve ever heard. The crowd stop what they’re doing. Drinks are paused on lips. Martha’s head pops up from behind the bar. Everyone wants to see who this fantastic voice belongs to. Halfway through the song he begins to sing the wordsto another song over the same tune. It’s very clever and obviously well-rehearsed, and it drives the crowd wild.

When he finishes the song, he is so comfortable on stage that he introduces himself as Count Nikolai, third in line to the Norwegian throne, twelfth in line to the throne of Sweden on his mother’s side and second cousin once removed to our own Royal family.

‘We’re like rabbits,’ he jokes, and the crowd love him even more. ‘But seriously. It is a pleasure to be here tonight as the guest of the esteemed and extremely talented Connie Cooper. We have just finished a tour in England with the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Some of you may have heard of it.’ He pauses to allow the crowd to laugh. No one has heard of it. ‘And we thought you’d appreciate a few highlights this evening.’

OMG.He has them eating out of the palm of his hand. I hear the opening notes of our aria.

‘Okay. So, we’re really doing this, are we?’ I say, an involuntary thrill running down my spine. I would rather not look forward to singing with him, but there’s no denying that we make incredible music together.

Luke welcomes me on stage, and seconds later, we are blowing their tiny minds with the show to end all shows. By the end, everyone is up dancing and singing along.Luke and I have bantered our way through the evening and shared laughs and jokes with the crowd. Even Dan joined in at one point. We decide to end the night withMi Amore Mi Amore.

Huge mistake.

I’m not sure whether it’s the euphoria of a successful show, or the fact that Luke and I appear to be getting on well, or his overwhelming crush on me, because right at the end, when he’s declaring his undying love for me, his lips hovering over mine as per the theatrical want of the piece, Luke leans in a fraction too far, so that for a brief nanosecond, our lips make contact. And because we’re mid-song, there’s not much I can do about it other than pull back immediately and keep singing.

‘What is wrong with you?’ I hiss when it’s all over.

Luke gulps. ‘I lost my balance?’

What a feckin liar.

Chapter 30

‘How did it go last night?’ Ged asks me the following day. We have started gathering in the villa kitchen as per my instructions. He is looking me up and down. ‘Did you pick up the right size? I think you might be wearing Big Sue’s dress.’

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