My chest clenches. It hadn’t even occurred to me that the guys might want to put some roots down, which is quite blinkered now I think about it, since that’s exactly what I’ve recently decided I want to do. The timing is bloody awful though.
‘Guys, listen.’ I pause until they’re all looking my way. ‘There’s something I have to tell you all, and it’s not good news.’
I pull up a seat, and there’s a series of loud clangs and scrapes as the others do the same. When we’re sitting in a rough circle, I take a deep breath. ‘There are some problems with tourism. Brexit, the local economy here and whatnot have caused some uncertainty, and after the collapse of BeachLuxe Holidays a couple of weeks ago, fewer Brits are travelling abroad. The hotels are getting nervous and the Sunseeker Leisure chain have cancelled all our shows. I expect a few more may follow suit. Things might get tight for a while.’
I look around the group, making eye contact with each of them in turn. Ant’s face is twisted with either sadness or anger, Pauw looks sulky, Marcus is staring at his shoes, Hugo looks confused and Sammy expels a puff of air, causing his lips to blow a frustrated raspberry. Jay is looking directly at me with the most hopeful expression of the lot.
‘Kat, don’t worry. We’re all fit and healthy – we can get day jobs if we need to, can’t we, lads?’ He looks around the circle, trying to rally support. The others nod along, some more enthusiastically than others.
‘Yes, yes we can,’ I say, trying to sound positive. ‘There’s also the competition, and even if we don’t win, it will give us more exposure and maybe score us some gigs at new venues. We’re going to be fine.’
‘You’ve never let us down before, Kat. I trust you,’ Marcus says.
‘Thanks, Marc – we’ll be okay, I’m sure. I just wanted to keep you all up to date. Let’s go and get some rest, and put on a kick-ass show tonight!’
They amble out, all slumped shoulders and shuffled steps. I know it’s come as a shock to them after everything has been going so well, but we’ll get through it.
‘Kat?’ I turn around to see Jay pulling on a fresh T-shirt. It glides over his defined torso like silk.
‘Everything all right?’ I ask.
‘Yeah, I just wanted to check on you – that didn’t look like an easy thing to have to say. Fancy a walk?’
I check my watch. An hour wouldn’t hurt. ‘Okay then. Where to?’
‘Beach?’
We step outside into the bright sunlight. After being in the windowless cabaret lounge, it almost burns my retinas. One of these days I will remember my sunglasses. We walk through the pool area in silence past sunbathers and their cocktails, the children in the little pool with their buckets, and the waiters buzzing around collecting discarded glasses. Living here, I don’t often feel the need for a holiday like this, but right now, the idea of being as carefree as these people is appealing. We cut through a gate to the private beach and sit on a lounger. The tide is coming in and waves crash against the sand. It’s one of my favourite sounds.
‘I feel that we’ve not had much chance to catch up recently and wanted to make sure everything is okay with you. You’re always looking after everyone else and nobody ever really looks out for you.’ Warmth courses through me.
‘I’m the Heavenly Hunks’ manager. It’s part of the job description, I guess,’ I say light-heartedly, though it’s one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever said to me. I’m starting to cherish this new friendship with Jay. It’s a comfort I never knew I needed.
‘Don’t worry about the cancellations. I meant it about day jobs. We all love working in the Canaries and we’ll do what it takes to make it work.’ He smiles reassuringly.
‘I can’t help but pin my hopes on this competition. If we win, at least you lot will have a bit of cash to tide you over.’
‘We will.’
‘Sorry?’
‘Well, you have things to pay for too. If you’re planning to split the money, it should be split seven ways.’
‘I don’t want any of the money. I’ve let you all down.’ I glance down at my balled-up hands.
‘Don’t be daft. It’s not your fault tourism is struggling. Unless you’re secretly that corrupt CEO guy from BeachLuxe Holidays and have been siphoning cash for the past seven years, that is? In which case, you definitely look better without the beard.’
I chuckle. ‘Hmm, don’t get me started.’
I pick at a pimple on my arm and watch a seagull swoop down over the water. ‘The seagulls in England are lazy now – you don’t really see them hunting, do you?’
‘I can’t say I’ve paid all that much attention. Though we don’t get many in Manchester.’
‘They’re not bothered about catching fish anymore. They swoop in and nick poor unsuspecting folks’ chips and ice creams instead.’
‘Kat.’
‘What?’
‘Don’t worry about the money and the shows.’
‘I’m not worried – I just want to make sure you’re all okay. That we’re okay.’ I add the last part to spare another lecture about looking after myself.
‘Good. Then we’d better get rehearsing for this competition!’ With that, he stands up. ‘Are you coming?’
I lift my head and smile at him. ‘No, I’m going to sit here for a while.’
He nods and gives a wave before he leaves, and I sit, pondering for a moment. I’ve always felt a sense of responsibility to the guys that extends way beyond the expectations of a boss. I’ve got ten years of life experience on some of them. Even the older ones don’t really seem any further evolved if I think about it, but Jay is different. He treats me like a human being and not someone there to make sure his laundrette bag is collected or chuck him a few aspirins after a heavy night. He takes an interest in me and I’m not used to that. When we’re together, I feel like I could stay talking to him forever. I find myself wanting to spend more and more time in his company.
Chapter 10
Just before our first Gran Canaria show kicks off, I gather the guys around to let them know I’ve officially entered the Heavenly Hunks into the competition.
‘The first auditions are in Maspalomas the day after we were due to leave, so I’ve changed our ferry and accommodation bookings so we can stay for it. We have to condense our show into fifteen minutes so I want you all thinking about what we should include – the parts that really get the crowd going. I have some ideas but I want this to be a team effort. Now get out there and show ’em what you’re made of!’
I’ve taken on board Jay’s comments, about looking out for myself too, and I think we should all take ownership for the competition – that way if we win, we all win; if we don’t then we’ll have all given it our best together. I’ve also been thinking about how a fifteen-minute segment will work. It should be easy to condense if we have some overlap. Marcus singing whilst Hugo plays piano and then maybe some grand jetés from Ant and so on. The set starts to build in my head and I know we can make it work.
After my intro, I watch the set and scrutinise the audience, looking for the bits that get them excited versus the parts that have them checking their phones or heading to the bar – thankfully there isn’t much of that, but it happens from time to time. Whilst there are always whoops when the shiny torsos come out, it’s the more talent-driven aspects that have the crowd’s bits a-fluttering, and the eye contact is a winner – I can practically see their hearts race as each one of them gets to feel like the only woman in the room for a second or two.
My phone vibrates and I sneak a peek in my pocket. It’s a message from Alonso.
I’m going to be in Gran Canaria at the end of the week (work trip). Would you like to meet for a drink? I’ll be over for a few days xx
My throat tightens. He never mentioned a work trip when he texted last. Surely he knew then? Do work trips to coincidental places tend to pop up out of the blue?
***
‘You nearly ready or what?’ Ellie shouts through the
cubicle door.
‘I’m trying to have a wee, but I can’t do it if you’re at the door listening.’
‘Stage fright? Don’t worry, it’s a thing. Anyway, hurry up! It’s five p.m. and it’s Friday!’ The excitement coming from her is infectious.
‘I know, I’m coming.’ I haven’t been out for drinks after work for a long time. Everyone else seems to do it every week, including Iain, but I always seem to have things to do. I flush the chain and open the door.
‘Finally!’ Ellie groans. ‘Here, try this lippy.’
I smear on the dark pink stain and pout in the mirror. It seems weird getting ready to go out in the loos at work. It sort of reminds me of my uni days.
Ellie turns me to face her. ‘Love it!’
My chest fizzes with excitement at my new friendship. I finally feel like I’m putting down some roots in this town.
‘Okay, let’s go.’
We walk into reception giggling because Ellie wobbled over on her ridiculous heels and a figure in front of the revolving doorway stops me dead in my tracks.
‘Iain?’ My stomach clenches. Is everything okay? Is my mum okay? In the split second it takes for him to answer, all sorts of scenarios play out in my head.
‘Hi.’ He smiles sheepishly and I take a breath. Obviously, nothing terrible has happened. ‘I thought we’d said we’d meet for dinner tonight?’
‘Iain, I told you I was going out for drinks tonight,’ I say softly before glancing at Ellie who’s doing a good job of inspecting the fire safety poster on the wall.
‘I think I’d remember,’ he says, cocking his head to the side. ‘We had a whole conversation about eating at that new Italian place. Look, if you don’t want to go, it’s fine, I’ve got a shitload of work to do.’
I remember the conversation. He’d told me a new place had opened and we said we’d go but not tonight. There’s no way I’d have agreed to tonight because this night out has been on the calendar for weeks.
‘Iain—’
‘Forget it.’ He throws his arms in the air. ‘Have fun on your night out.’
‘Iain, please. It’s a misunderstanding, that’s all. We can go another time.’
‘Yeah. Anyway, these are for you.’ He hands me a bunch of white lilies. My favourites.
‘Hang on,’ I say, before turning to Ellie.
‘Ellie, you don’t mind if I give tonight a miss, do you?’
She looks at me for a minute like she’s trying to determine if I’m being serious. When I don’t flinch, she replies wearily, ‘You go. There are plenty of other people going out tonight.’
‘Thanks, Ellie, I’ll be out next time, I promise.’
She rolls her eyes and heads for the door.
Chapter 11
I haven’t replied to Alonso. I want to speak to Andrea first. The sludgy feeling of unease I have about him coming over here probably stems from the fact I don’t like surprises. I hate them and the thought of someone springing themselves on me makes me wary. I won’t get rid of the niggling seed of doubt until I know this is a normal trip for him, that he isn’t just making excuses to see me.
The phone rings three times before she picks up.
‘Andrea, hi,’ I say as soon as she answers.
‘Kat? Is everything okay?’ I hear a puff as she takes a drag of her cigarette.
‘Yes, fine. No.’
‘Oh?’
‘It’s Alonso. He’s coming to Gran Canaria.’
‘That’s great – the two of you should hook up,’ she says with indifference.
‘Why is he coming?’
‘Work, I guess. He has two bars over there, so he goes all the time.’
That’s the answer I wanted to hear. ‘So, this last-minute trip is normal for him?’
‘Of course. Staffing problems, training, premises review, marketing and that sort of thing. He has to go to his other bars at the drop of a hat sometimes. He has to be visible to his staff or they’ll take advantage – I’m always here, aren’t I?’
‘I suppose so. It just seemed like too much of a coincidence. I wasn’t sure if he booked the trip especially to see me, and it felt a little too much too soon, that’s all.’
‘I think things like that only happen in the movies.’
‘You’re right. I’m an idiot. Don’t tell him I had this mini-egotistical-meltdown, will you? I’m mortified enough that you had to listen to it.’
‘I get it. Dating is new to you.’
‘Kind of.’ Andrea doesn’t know the whole story and it will stay that way. One of the reasons I instantly clicked with her is that she never asked me why I got divorced – when I told her I’d left my husband, she gave me a knowing nod and poured me a glass of sangria. From that moment on, I knew I could start afresh without judgement.
‘Relax. Have a drink with him and see how you feel. Take it at your own pace. Listen, I have to go – one of my waitresses has just dropped a tray of tea lights, not lit, thankfully. Speak soon. Mwah.’ The line goes dead.
‘You missed the after-show huddle.’ I turn around and see Paul emerging from the hotel entrance.
I wave my phone at him. ‘Had a call.’
‘I’ve had ten missed calls off Phil. Probably can’t find the corkscrew or something.’
I raise my eyebrows in mock-seriousness. ‘Better call him back ASAP then. He’ll be tearing his hair out.’
He laughs. ‘What hair?’
‘Good point.’
‘Jay did the after-show talk-down. He was terrible. I think your job is safe.’ He winks and puts his phone to his ear.
As Paul wanders off chatting to Phil, I tap out a reply to Alonso.
Sounds good. When you arrive, let me know what free time you have available and we’ll work something out. X
I have to put myself out there. I stuff my phone in my pocket as the guys start to filter out.
‘Great show tonight, team,’ I say as they approach me. ‘I have some good ideas for the auditions but I want to hear whatever thoughts you have too.’
‘I’m happy with your judgement, Kat. You get to see the show from our point of view and the audience’s. You know what works,’ Ant says.
‘Totally your call, Kat. You see more of the show than we do – just tell us when we look good.’ Jay winks. Heat floods my cheeks. He carries on talking about some of the bits he thought worked well when he saw us in Tenerife. When Jay looks me in the eye, I realise I’d stopped listening. He could have introduced unicycling were-rabbits and I wouldn’t have the foggiest. I give my head a subtle shake.
‘Don’t you think?’ he says.
‘Er …’ I’m pretty sure I know him well enough to be confident he didn’t introduce a unicycling were-rabbit, and the first half of it all was exactly what I’d envisaged. I can only say yes or no (or admit I wasn’t listening). ‘Yes, great!’ I say.
‘Perfect. Anyone else got any ideas?’ Jay looks around the group, obviously picking up on the fact I’d lost concentration a little. There are headshakes and a few mumbles of ‘Sounds good to me’, then they say their goodbyes and disperse. Jay stays behind.
‘I hope I didn’t sound like I was taking over just then. I got a bit carried away.’
‘No, I may have been inclined to put Deep Heat in your coconut oil if I thought you were.’ I hand him my notebook with all my ideas jotted down.
‘Well, there you go, you’d already thought of everything,’ he says, scanning the pages. ‘Are you walking back?’
‘What?’ I glance at him. ‘No after-show drinks or allowing yourself to be chatted up by the fans?’
He furrows his brow. ‘I told you, I’m not like that.’
I give him a suspicious look but don’t question it any further. It’s none of my business really, is it? We set off towards the apartment.
‘Just because I’m a stripper, doesn’t mean I want to take a different woman home each night,’ he says, clearly catching my look.
‘You’re an exotic dancer,
’ I correct him and he laughs.
‘My updated CV says semi-clothed professional titillator, actually.’
‘Oh dear God, triple Z-lister fame has gone to your head already,’ I tease and he laughs.
There’s definitely more to Jay than just a hot body and awesome dance moves. The simple fact he manages himself for a start and doesn’t rely on me to cluck over him, but also, he doesn’t take himself too seriously and I really don’t think he has a clue how good-looking he is. I’m so used to looking after the dancers, and used to them letting me, that Jay stands out. He doesn’t seem to need me to look out for him and there’s something quite nice about that. He’s an equal.
‘Yeah, maybe a little. Anyway, I love being a Hunk; I shouldn’t need a CV.’
‘Until you’re past it,’ I tease.
‘Hey, I’ll be exotic dancing right up until the point in time I need a hip replacement and after that … Naked waltzing is a thing, isn’t it?’
‘I think it’s frowned upon in these parts.’
‘Damn.’
We chat for so long, neither of us realise that we’ve passed the turning for our apartment complex. When we realise we giggle and turn around, blaming each other for the distraction.
‘How did the date go?’ Jay’s question takes me by surprise.
‘With Alonso?’
He nods. ‘Andrea mentioned it after you’d gone – I’d gone back to pick up my hoodie a few hours after rehearsals.’
‘It went well, a lot better than the last one that’s for sure. He’s a nice guy and didn’t put any pressure on me for anything more than drinks, which I appreciated.’
Jay shoots me a raised-eyebrow look. I find myself wanting to carry on so stop walking before we reach the apartment. Jay stops too.
‘As I said back in Tenerife, I haven’t ever dated and I don’t really know what I’m doing. Since that date with Mike, I read a load of horror stories about Tinder dates that had gone wrong. It seems people expect far more from a first date nowadays, which goes some way to explaining Mike and his behaviour. Dating still terrifies me.’
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