Page 89 of Benidorm Again

Nacho looks concerned. ‘Connie. He wants to speak with you.’

As I make my way over, he lets out a strange noise. ‘Ah sorry. I have sent wrong photo.’ He shows me the screen. It is a photoof me and Luke on stage at Voices. We look very cosy. We decided because things were going so unbelievably well that we would treat the crowd toMi Amore Mi Amore. We look about to kiss.

‘Is that from last night?’ barks Tash. ‘Is that who you replaced us with?’

‘Of all the singers, you chose your stalker?’ Big Mand is not happy.

‘Singing isn’t all that they appear to be doing!’ snaps Liberty. She has grabbed the phone from Nacho to get a closer look.

‘Connie,’ yells Ged. ‘What were you thinking?’ He snatches the phone from Liberty. ‘Look at the way he’s making cow eyes at you. For Christ’s sake. He’ll think you’re interested in him again.’

‘Oh my God,’ I shout back. ‘You lot dropped me in it. What else was I supposed to do at such short notice?’

Everyone quietens down just enough for us to hear Matteo’s muffled voice coming from the phone. Ged gingerly holds it to his ear, nods his head a few times and passes it back to me. ‘He says he’d like to speak with you.’

How much has he overheard?

I take the phone. All eyes pinning me to the spot. ‘Hi Matteo. It all looks and sounds much worse than it is. Andthe good news is that Nacho is no longer the father of Cherry’s baby.’

My attempt to change the subject does not work, and Matteo is wondering why all nine of us are travelling to the airport.

‘Well, er, because we’re all coming to Las Vegas… to surprise you,’ I finish lamely.

Liberty grabs the phone out of my hand. ‘We’re coming over for work if you must know.’

Ged grabs it from Liberty. ‘No. Matteo, we’re coming over to celebrate mine and Liam’s special pre-moon spree. We’re hoping you can…’

He doesn’t get to finish because Tash’s long talons appear from nowhere to grab it off him. ‘Matteo, honey, we’re also coming to celebrate Sister Kevin’s BIG birthday. So, if you could get us VIP tix to –’

I grab the phone off her.

‘Can everyone stop grabbing my phone, please?’ I yell. I’m getting so angry with them all. Matteo is on the receiving end of far too much information. Information that I should have had the guts to tell him two weeks ago.

‘Hi, Matteo. It’s me. Sorry about all of that…’ I say hurriedly. I’m surprised he doesn’t just cancel on me right hereand now. I listen quietly to what he has to say. ‘Uh-huh. Yep. Sure. Yes. And again, I’m sorry.’

I click off that call and immediately accept another, holding it up high. ‘He wants to facetime us.’

We gather round the phone. All of us huddled close.

Matteo takes one look at us. He looks shocked. I forgot to warn him that we are all wearing blonde ponytail wigs and Barbie costumes. ‘Hi everyone,’ Matteo says, recovering quickly. ‘It’s great to see you all. Nice outfits.’

I sigh in relief as we all shout back. Matteo now looks unfazed by it all.

‘He’s so fucking fit,’ Liberty says, shaking her head. She smiles over at Nacho. ‘You’re like Hemsworth Hotties.’

Nacho grins back. He has no idea what she means, but he does look smitten with her.

‘So, Connie will message me all the details of all the celebrations going on. It sounds like I will need to pull some strings to see if we can make this week extra special for all of you. Just let me know what’s on the wish list.’

Everyone erupts into cheers while I melt, because Matteo is the loveliest guy on the planet.

‘But,’ he says firmly. ‘Connie and I are also going to need time together… alone. I hope you all understand that.’

I gobright red while the others make cooing noises and obscene suggestions.

‘Sorry we hijacked your romantic break,’ yells Cherry. ‘Of course you two should have time together.’

Tash sighs. ‘Yeah. That was on me, Matteo. I thought I was helping by getting the flights paid for. Sorry. I didn’t think to ask first.’

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