Chapter 20 #2
‘No. Absolutely not.’ I give Madge a nice smile. She’s trying to say the right things. It’s not her fault she’s not my mother. She seems nervous to meet me and she’s clinging to my dad like he’s a horse ready to bolt at any second.
‘I could see that the two of you weren’t getting along. When your mother didn’t like who she was singing with, she’d eat a whole bulb of garlic before she went on stage.’ My dad chuckles to himself. ‘She’d reek for days, but it was worth it.’ His eyes are full of amusement at past memories.
‘I didn’t know that.’ I’m suddenly aware that, for the first time in ages, I’m not distraught at the mention of her. It’s comforting getting to hear snippets about her that I never knew. ‘Oh, look.’ I dig out the locket from my cleavage and open it for my dad to see.
His face clouds over. ‘That was her first ever performance. She was so nervous, she vomited over my shoes before she went on.’
We all laugh.
‘Who gave you that? It’s a beautiful gift,’ he asks.
‘Luke gave me it. But it was Dolly’s idea.’
‘Well, technically, it was the Maestro who gave me the photo, and I said it would make a nice gift and then Luke had the idea to put it in one of his family heirlooms,’ Dolly says, coming to stand next to us.
There’s a lot for me to unpack here but I don’t get the chance.
Dad’s eyes pop at Dolly’s glamorous transformation.
He kisses her on both cheeks. ‘That was very kind of you all. Ah, Dolly. What would we ever do without you? You’ve been with us through thick and thin.
Sorry we’ve lost touch these past few years. ’
They share a knowing look. The past few years have been harrowing, but because of their joint bizarre makeovers (Dolly’s high hair and Dad’s botched Botox situation), only their eyes carry the sadness. He clears his throat. ‘This is Madge… my, erm, my…’
‘His friend,’ she finishes for him, receiving a bright smile in return.
‘I’m very happy for you, Geoff,’ Dolly says. ‘Now, let’s get everyone to this party.’
‘We’ll let you young ones enjoy it,’ says Dad.
Dolly sounds chuffed. ‘I’m nearly forty.’
‘That’s nothing these days,’ says Madge. ‘You’re in your prime. Have a great time.’
‘I’m so proud of you, Connie. Your mother would have been over the moon to have seen you on stage. You look just like her, darling. I’m glad you’re doing it. It makes me…’ His eyes are glassy with tears. ‘When I see you up there on stage, it makes me feel like she’s still here with us.’
Yikes. I guess that’s me not telling him that it’s very likely I’ll be sacked after tonight because of all the trouble I’ve caused this week.
I give him a huge hug. ‘Thank you, Dad. I love you so much.’
‘By the way, Connie, babes,’ Cherry interrupts, yelling over the music. ‘Nancy said she sent you the itinerary for Vegas a few days ago.’
Christ, did she?
‘An itinerary would be great. Will there be a hot-air balloon or any other occasion to wear high-concept casuals?’ asks Liam. ‘Because Ged and I have invested in some matching gold, glittery dungaree hotpants.’
Of course. Of course they have.
‘And what did Matteo say about us all coming over?’ Ged says, folding his arms and tilting his head to the side expectedly.
They wait for me to answer.
‘He’s fine with it, is he?’ Ged probes. ‘He’s fine with having to share you with your work commitments and your best woman duties? Did you tell him that we’ll not be taking up all of your time?’
‘And we can combine some of the activities such as when he arranges the celebrity meet ’n’ greets,’ enthuses Liam, his head bobbing with excitement. ‘I hope Harry Styles is in town. Can you ask if he knows anyone who knows anything?’
‘I’d be happy with a casino full of drunk, emotionally illiterate millionaires,’ chips in Liberty. ‘Ask him if he knows any, will you, Connie, pet?’
We are all fully aware that while impossibly handsome and kind, Matteo is also the dark-eyed, brooding sort who doesn’t suffer fools.
He has little patience when people – in other words, me and the Dollz – occasionally let others down professionally due to our amazing ability to wreak havoc wherever we go.
‘Yes. Yes, of course. It’ll be fine. I’ll send you the itinerary first thing tomorrow. There are just a few little things I need to confirm first.’
Lies upon lies upon lies.
I must tell Matteo that we are all coming to Las Vegas. I must. But I will leave it until the end of the Sinfonia farewell party. He is about eight hours behind, so he will get my message when he wakes up.
The thought of seeing him sends an excited shiver right up my spine.
‘Oh, and Nancy says Eddie from Talent Star needs us to do him a favour while we’re over there. Some sort of birthday surprise,’ says Big Sue.
‘What do we have to do?’ asks Tash.
Big Sue shrugs. ‘She didn’t say.’
I notice my dad is looking concerned. ‘As long as you’re safe, love.’
‘Of course, Dad. I’d never do anything stupid. It’ll be perfectly above board. Probably.’
He takes a moment. Most likely chewing over the fact his daughter has pretty much made a fool of herself in public every single day this week. ‘I just worry that’ – he casts a quick glance around the room – ‘that this is all a bit much for you. It’s all happening very fast.’
He’s right. It is all happening too fast and I am thriving on it. ‘I’m fine, Dad. Don’t worry. I’ve got it all in hand,’ I say, ushering everyone out of the dressing room.
Famous last words.