‘I’ll be in charge of keeping everyone awake,’ says Big Mand. ‘I’m used to shift work and staying up all night. I once stayed awake delivering babies for four days straight. I’ve got this, Big Guy.’
‘Can everyone stop calling me Big Guy just because I’m in charge of the itinerary?’ I say desperately.
Big Mand grins. ‘Okay, Big Guy. Calm down.’
I give up.
‘Right. Check in to your rooms. Freshen up but do not lie down on the beds. Meet at the…’ I consult my notes. ‘At the giant love sign in the lobby. The one everyone posts on Instagram. Apparently, you can’t miss it.’
‘You need to give an ETA,’ adds Big Sue from behind dark sunglasses. Her head is slouched to one side, her hands resting between her legs as though she’s about to start rapping. ‘A specific meet time. In zero hundred hours. An MO. A ten four. Capeesh?’
Tiredness sweeps through my entire body.What the fuck is she talking about?I inwardly lament. ‘Meet in exactly one hour from now. At the love sign. Everyone understand?’
I receive enthusiastic nods from them all. Matteo is grinning at me. It instantly boosts my spirits. I have a whole week in his company, and seven glorious days to enjoy time with my friends. I suddenly feel very lucky.
‘Great. Let’s have the best time ever!’ I raise my glass.
The party mood very much returning, everyone clinks glasses. It’s a lovely shared moment. Very mindful.
‘Sorry. Can we do that cheers again because I need to get it for the video of us arriving?’ I remember. It’s bad enough keeping us all to schedule, never mind the responsibility of capturing it all on camera for the Netflix-level behind-the-scenes documentary that Ged and Liam seem to expect from me at the end.
‘And can you send the clip to me for my socials, please?’ Tash asks.
‘No, sorry. This footage is restricted to our pre-moon. You can have it afterwe’veposted it,’ Ged says firmly, which pops the lovely ambiance instantly.
I let out a deep sigh.When will this mood yo-yoing ever end?I need to find a way to bring us all together. Something to unite us that’s bigger than the sum of our various issues and gripes with each other.
‘Is that Luke?’ booms Big Mand, pointing her finger towards the front of the queue of taxis and limos waiting at the entrance. We crane our necks to peer out of the windows. ‘Too late. He’s gone.’
‘Is that a confirmed sighting?’ asks Big Sue.
I hold my breath.Please no. Please no.
‘Copy that, ten four.’
FFS, what does that even mean?
Big Mand gives me a sympathetic half-smile. ‘It’s a confirmed sighting. Yes.’
My eyes fly to Matteo. He shrugs in a reassuring way. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll take care of him if he starts any trouble.’
* * *
Finally, our limo pulls into the unloading bay at reception. At the very least, the Luke situation has momentarily distracted everyone, and has resulted in much positivity towards me, and how they all have my back. Cherry even stopped stuffing jellies in her mouth to pat my knee in a comforting way. We pile out of the limo. Me first, so I can capture the moment on camera.
Ged and Liam emerge with utter joy on their faces as they take in the grand entrance, its towering golden pillars reaching towards the sky and the breathtaking enormity of it. The paintings above us on the arched dome covering the doorway could belong in a museum. The boys are speechless as they cling to each other, exhilaration blooming from their faces. As the Dollz clamber out, a little worse for wear after all those free drinks, and Cherry, high as a bath full of cocaine with all the sugar, they stop to gaze up and around. Stunned into silence.
‘This trip is going to be epic,’ Liberty whispers, a huge grin on her face.
‘Wild,’ agrees Big Sue.
‘Totally fucking awesome,’ adds Big Mand.
‘Un-fucking-forgettable,’ coos Cherry.
‘And savage,’ says Tash. ‘Totally and utterly savage.’
Matteo visibly gulps. I offer him a weak smile. ‘In a good way. Unforgettably savage in a good way.’
