Tossing the phone back in my bag, I checked my make-up one last time and moved towards my door. Upon opening up, Tony stood to attention. “Mr. Belatoni told me of your planned night out.”
Closing my door behind me and heading for the stairs, I said, “Yeah. What of it?”
“Please, Clara. You can’t go out tonight. Luca would have a fucking hernia.”
I stopped at the stairs momentarily, trying to calm myself. I turned to a flustered Tony. “Listen, I appreciate your concern, but it really is none of anyone’s business what I do—least of all Luca’s.”
I could hear Tony’s loud footsteps behind me as I carried on my journey. Seeing Belinda at the foot of the stairs, I smiled. “Are you ready?”
Belinda held out her arm to me and smiled. “As I’ll ever be. Samantha can’t come, but Tammy said she would meet us there.”
Turning to Tony, I squeezed his arm. “Goodnight, Tony. I may or may not see you when I get back.”
Hearing Tony cursing, Belinda and I laughed all the way outside. I knew Tony had instructions to keep me in my castle, but all of them also had strict instructions not to touch me. Where did that leave them when it came to stopping me from doing anything? Not with much I thought. It didn’t stop them doing what a lot of them did next, however. Halfway up the road in the taxi, I spotted Tony and some others climbing into another car. I guessed I was going to be tailed and stalked all evening. No rest for the wicked.
“Wow, you both look great.” Tammy was waiting outside Club Med wearing an elegant, black, knee-length dress and the most gorgeous high-heeled shoes.
Kissing Tammy on both cheeks, I smiled. “You look great, too. Come. Let’s go in now before the mob turns up.”
Looking confused, Tammy just shook her head and tagged along. The music was booming, and it was welcome. Club Med was having an eighty’s night, and I loved eighty’s music.
After ordering our drinks, we were about to head over to a table and chairs when a security guy came marching over. “Excuse me, Miss Murphy?”
All the girls shrugged their shoulders. “Yes?”
“I have a VIP table upstairs for you and your lady friends.” The security guy eyed both Belinda and Tammy, and then his look turned to one of hunger.
“Okay. Lead the way, McDuff!”
Laughing inside, I knew full well who was responsible for this. Even now, he was getting his own way. I wasn’t going to say no, though. I wanted to be with my girls more than anything tonight.
Walking into the plush, cosy room, I experienced a sense of comfort. It was well put together with comfortable sofas and a big-arsed TV screen taking up the expanse of the room. On one of the tables by the balcony—which overlooked the dancers below—was a bottle of champagne and three glasses.
Shaking my head again, I sighed in disbelief. “I can’t believe he’s done this.”
The security man nodded. “I shall leave you ladies to it. Unless I can get you anything else?” His leering eyes were still roaming over Belinda and Tammy.
“No, this is fine, thank you.” With a little bow, the security guy was out the door.
“What the hell is all of this?” Tammy looked around the room in awe.
I sighed and looked at Belinda for a moment. “It seems I have a lot to tell you.”
Settling down in our seats and helping ourselves to our drinks, I began telling the full story to Tammy. She sat, listening attentively with occasionally widening eyes and a few cheeky grins. It seemed she was just as amused as everyone else had been.
“I can’t believe Rachael did that.” Tammy looked pissed.
Shaking my head, I completely agreed with her. “I know. I really didn’t think she felt as strongly as she did. It was quite uncomfortable—the whole experience was.”
“I bet it was,” Belinda interjected. “She’s always been a little strange. At times, I thought she may have been bipolar or something. Her moods were all over the place.”
Feeling this conversation was getting a little too deep, I decided to change the subject. “So, Tammy. You and John. How’s that going?”
Smiling, Tammy put her drink down. “We’ve set a date. Well, a roundabout date”
“Really?” Belinda’s posture picked up. “When?”
“We were hoping for mid-June. It will be two years since we met by then.”
Squeezing her hand tightly, I smiled. “That’s so sweet. I hope you’re going to invite us all?” Biting her lip, she looked a little apprehensive. “What is it sweetie?”
“I wanted to ask you something, and I didn’t know how you would feel about it.”