I have no idea what they are talking about.
‘I know we asked you to ask Matteo to pull strings but…’ Liam stops to catch his breath. ‘This is something else.’
The pair of them are gibbering wrecks. ‘What do you mean?’
Before either of them can answer, their faces drop and I find myself staring right into a pair of electric-blue eyes. ‘Hi. I hear congratulations are in order. You and Matteo. He also tells me you ladies are the hottest show in town.’
We all blush at the praise. The Dollz are rooted to the spot. He makes eye contact with them all.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing you perform.’
We have no words. We stare unblinking at our pop idol. It’s definitely not Barry Styles this time.
‘We’re all totally, like, obsessed with you,’ says Liberty. ‘But we’ll have to catch you later. Lasses, let’s get on stage.’
Liberty is very keen to begin showing off for Eddie. Her enthusiasm is infectious and because we are all high on adrenaline from meeting a pop icon and avoiding jail, our confidence is through the roof.
‘For the Dollz,’ says Big Mand, stretching her hand out. We form a circle, each putting a hand over hers. She gives me a knowing smile. ‘Once a Doll, always a Doll.’
My heart swells a thousand times too big for my chest. This moment of powerful friendship is overwhelming. Tears prick at my eyes.
‘For fuck’s sake, Connie.’ Cherry huffs with laughter. ‘This isn’t Benidorm all over again, love, is it?’
‘It is actually,’ I say, wiping a stray tear away. ‘You were there for me then, and we’re all here for each other now. To friendship.’
‘To friendship,’ we all chant as we stride onto the stage to give the show of a lifetime.
28
As we stand looking out at the audience, the atmosphere is electric. The DJ has whipped everyone up into a frenzy with his banging tunes. Jets of cold-water vapour are bursting from the DJ booth to cool down the bikini-clad revellers, and from the stage roof, streams of ticker tape and coloured smoke bellow out at regular intervals.
Hundreds of people are dancing by the pool, lounging on inflatables, being squirted with foam jets, relaxing on the private cabanas under straw-roofed parasols and, generally, just having an amazing time. I’ve never seen anything like it. Palm trees dot the surrounding area with huge swathes of bunting and balloons strung between. There’s a giant bird of paradise in the air with a brightly painted trapeze artist dangling from it, doing an amazing acrobatic routine. Giant screens show partygoers splashing around in real time.
Every now and again, Eddie flashes up on screen, clinking glasses with people. Mostly women. Young, hot, gorgeous model-types. I chuckle to myself. If anything will trigger Liberty, it will be that. Those girls won’t stand a chance against her. Then the screens show us on stage, lined up and ready to go. We take a final look at one another, a silent message ofGood luck, let’s sock it to them. This party ambiance is highly infectious, and we can’t wait to be a part of it. The DJ introduces us to a roaring cheer.
We stride to the front and take our positions. I’m first to lead, a cappella. I lift the microphone to my lips and belt out the opening line. There’s a brief moment of silence where everyone in the place turns their attention to the stage, before the DJ blasts out our opening track. The whole place jumps at the same moment, hands reaching for the sky, hair flying, cocktails in the air as we take over.
Matteo, Eddie and Sister Kevin are standing to the side of the stage. They have a perfect view. Matteo and Eddie have been in deep discussion between numbers. As talent promoters and producers in the music industry, they must have much in common. Every now and then, Liberty runs up to Eddie during a number to give him a kiss. He seems delighted with the attention. I, myself, am behaving professionally and am not allowing my libido to run away with me. Even Tash has resisted the urge to dry-hump Sister Kevin. I have, however, noticed them exchanging tender looks and knowing smiles, so hopefully they are over whatever spat they were having. Once we are off stage and over at Ged and Liam’s cabana, all is revealed.
‘Soooooo, me and Kev have a bit of an announcement to make,’ says Tash. She takes his hand and swings it back and forth like you do when you’re four years old. She has a goofy grin on her face.
‘So do we!’ blurts Big Mand, taking one of Big Sue’s hands in both of hers. Big Sue baulks at this shock announcement and immediately goes the colour of the Skanky Lady cocktail she is holding.
‘Hold your horses there, lasses. Me and Eddie would like to say a few words first.’ Liberty is beaming up at Eddie and he is beaming at her.
‘Right after I make this toast,’ Ged says. ‘About our pre-moon.’
‘It’s like announcement Top Trumps,’ Matteo murmurs in my ear, causing me to giggle. Ever since we ironed out all the misunderstandings, it has been like a weight has lifted. ‘I have to ask you something.’
‘Sure, what is it?’
‘How do you like surprises?’
I don’t get the opportunity to answer him because Ged raises his glass. ‘Can I just say that this week has been…’ But he doesn’t get the chance to finish because a loud squeak from the PA system almost deafens us. The DJ stops playing.
‘Party people, we have a special surprise for the birthday boy. Where is he? Eddie, if you can, give us a wave.’
Eddie swivels round and is caught on the big screen. He frowns playfully. This must be a genuine shock to him.
