I take in his worried features and my heart melts for him. It’s not often he is this vulnerable. ‘Don’t worry. I’ve got this. Everything will be okay.’
PING. The seat belt signs come on, causing Liam to prise his eyes open. Ged immediately holds his hand for landing, and I see them exchange a sleepy loving look.
Deep breaths.
Deep breaths.
I can do this. I’ll tackle one issue at a time. My gaze is drawn to the window. Dry, parched, dark brown mountain ridges and vast patches of yellow earth give way to neat squares with row upon row of houses and tree-lined streets. Cars, like ants, file neatly along roads and highways as they criss-cross the land, all leading to one magnificent patch of high-rise hotels, fountains and shopping malls, their windows reflecting the sun. It really feels like we are going to land right in the middle of it. And somewhere, as we touch down and trundle past a life-size Egyptian pyramid, in the terminal up ahead, is Matteo. My heart flutters as I close my eyes and picture him. His dark moody eyes, the strong jawline peppered with stubble, the bottom lip fuller than the top, the soft dark hair that isn’t too long or too short. But most of all, it’s the kind look in his eyes when he talks to me, and the way he rarely smiles as though he’s saving them only for me.
3
As soon as the plane lands on the tarmac and comes to a stop, the Dollz pile through the curtain full of excitement.
‘What’s going on?’ I am flabbergasted. Surely first class is not so amazing an experience that it has the power to reverse their collective mountain of bitterness, regret and resentment in a single journey? But apparently so.
‘Oh, my God,’ announces Tash, reaching up to retrieve her bag from the overhead bins. ‘That was so good.’
‘Unbelievable,’ agrees Liberty. ‘Best experience ever.’
‘I feel 100 per cent recharged,’ adds Cherry.
Even Big Mand and Big Sue appear relaxed and refreshed. They are smiling. They keep looking at one another and giggling.
‘Who would have thought it possible?’ says Big Mand with an incredulous air.
Big Sue beams at her. ‘I think that was the best thing I’ve ever seen.’
‘What’s going on?’ Liam asks me. ‘They look so… so…’
‘Rejuvenated. Glowing. Peaceful,’ Ged finishes for him.
I search their faces. Every single Doll has a dreamy glint in her eyes. Tash gives me a wide smile and sighs happily. ‘Better than anything.’
‘What? What is better than anything?’ Liam demands. He and Ged are sick with envy at them all disappearing into first class, and this is not helping.
The Dollz stop dragging bags from the overhead lockers to gaze at one another. Still dressed in the mismatched Barbie and Ken outfits, with wild hair and running make-up, they are an incredible sight. They lift their arms and make a love heart sign with their hands to each other before yelling, ‘Swifties forever!’
‘We’ve just watched the whole ofThe Eras Tour,’ gushes Liberty. ‘It was fucking incredible.’
‘Insane,’ adds Big Mand. ‘Mind-blowing.’
‘So incredibly life-affirming and real. She makes you want to be more,’ says Big Sue. ‘To be brave, adventurous, risk-taking. Just more, you know?’
‘And whatever else happens, you are strong enough to deal with it,’ says Cherry, sounding much more like herself. ‘I am so cutting a leg out of all of our bodysuits. It’s such a strong look. And sequins. We need loads more of them. I am definitely in my sequin era right now.’
‘Oh,’ I say, taken aback. ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it so much.’ I inspect their eyes for signs of intoxication, but they all seem genuinely high on life. High on Taylor Swift magic. I make a mental note to watchThe Eras Touron the way back instead of getting stuck down an Instagram rabbit hole of watching people fold clothes. (It’s simply hypnotising. Unbelievable to think I’ve been folding my own clothes wrongly all these years.)
Ged and Liam seem delighted that this high-octane, vibrant mood has nothing to do with being in first class and immediately start to feed off the positive energy.
Sister Kevin is the first to jump up to help Tash with her bags. ‘Sorry, babe. Whatever I said or did, I’m sorry.’ He has no clue what he has done but it doesn’t appear to matter. Tash plonks a kiss on his lips, radiating charm.
‘Me too. I can get a little sensitive around booze and how little others drink of it. But don’t worry, I’m in my forgiveness era.’
At least for now, it seems as though we can disembark as a relatively happy group. While I’m packing away my phone and travel pillow, I make eye contact with Liberty. She regards me for a moment before coming over.
‘He’s on board,’ she says simply. ‘I tried to warn him off, but he wouldn’t listen. He says he had no idea you were coming to Las Vegas and that he’s here for work and it’s just a coincidence. I mean, who would believe that? I think he’s going to be trouble.’ She must see my face drop. ‘But don’t worry. We’ve got your back, hun. Isn’t that right, lasses?’ While the Dollz shout a variety of agreements, she nods to the curtain. ‘And sorry I’ve been such a pain but I’m totally over it now. Besides, I’m after a billionaire cowboy with a moustache and a very large Stetson. And by Stetson, I mean…’ She winks at me. ‘Yeehaw, baby!’
I stare back at her. She is a veritable force of nature. Strong and powerful and beautiful, and she does not care a hoot what anyone thinks of her. ‘Thank you,’ I say, a little awestruck. ‘That means a lot.’
