Page 66 of Girls Just Want to Have Sun

He promptly sets about giving instructions to the guys leading the camels. They immediately turn them around andlead them to the stage where we are performing. When I shout up the new plan to the Dollz, they begin fluffing their hair ecstatically and batting heavy eyelashes while simultaneously live-streaming their arrival on a procession of camels. It does look impressive. Nancy should at least be pleased.

‘Won’t your girlfriend mind you coming with us?’ I say as Matteo and I set off behind them. I try not to show how disappointed I am. ‘Alex is your girlfriend as well as your business partner, isn’t she?’

When he half-smiles back and stares at me for a second too long, I know for certain that he’s a taken man. ‘Not my girlfriend,’ he says, ‘but it’s complicated.’

No,I think.It really isn’t.

A few minutes later, we arrive, the Dollz slide easily down from their camels as though they are abseiling down a mountain, and we are quickly ushered backstage to set up. Within seconds they have magically sobered up and are ready to go out and give the performance of their lives.

Matteo and I stand at the side of the stage to help them set up and to fix microphones to the back of their costumes, but before either of us know what’s happening, the Dollz ambush us into a group hug.

‘Luvoo, Connie. Luvoo, Matteo. Thanks for getting us here, babes.’ Tash kisses me on the cheek.

‘We owe you one,’ says Cherry. ‘Love you.’

‘Pretty fucking brilliant, the pair of you. We owe you one.’ Big Sue pats me on the back.

‘I literally just said that,’ Cherry says, turning to Big Sue.

‘Love you,’ says Liberty, doing a heart shape with her hands.

‘And that.’ Cherry gives her a disbelieving look.

‘Fuck off, Cherry,’ says Liberty.

‘Fuck off yourself, pet.’

‘Come on, bitches. Keep it professional,’ Tash barks, winking at me.

It isn’t until they break free and run onto the stage that I realise they have handcuffed me and Matteo together.

What did I say about false imprisonment and kidnapping charges?

22

As the Dollz run onto the stage to tumultuous applause, I look down at our wrists shackled together.

Why have they done this to me?

Matteo is staring at me open-mouthed. He’s probably expecting an explanation, and the evidence is stacked heavily against me. I have done nothing but throw myself at him, albeit by accident most of the time, since we landed in Spain. He is bound to think this was my idea.

‘I don’t suppose you have the key to these, do you?’ he asks, raising his wrist and taking mine with it. ‘I need to be at the main stage in ten minutes.’

I shake my head wearily.

‘I guess they’ll unlock us before you go on stage though, won’t they?’ he asks, swinging his head round wildly as if expecting to see a passing locksmith.

I chew my lip and try to appear positive.

‘It’s just I have an actual job to do here.’ He sounds annoyed. He does seem to take his work very seriously, I’ll give him that.

‘I had no idea they’d do something like this,’ I say. ‘I’ll try to get the girls’ attention. They’ll set us free. I’m sure of it.’

Matteo does not seem convinced. After we stand in awkward silence for what seems like a week while we repeatedly fail to catch their eye, I attempt some conversation.

‘They make it look so easy. They have the crowd eating out of their hands before they even open their mouths.’

‘I doubt you’ll have any problems winning the crowd over either,’ he says.

---