Our group continues to be called up. Cameron next with ‘Faith’, Lucas with ‘Party in the USA’ and Brian singing ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, which despite my aversion, seems to go down well with everyone else on board. Evelyn wasn’t lying: he is very good.
‘Another drink?’ Ellis asks. I point to my Electric Lemonade, which has swiftly become my favourite cocktail of the trip. I know my tongue will be bright blue, but I don’t care. Smurf tongue is a small price to pay.
When Mia is called, she marches to the stage with purpose, her face deadpan while she’s given the microphone. I nearly fall off my seat as she starts to sing ‘Rehab’. She sounds exactly like Amy Winehouse. The cursive singing, the depth, the control, everything spot on and not a hint of a German accent. I see Cameron and Lucas look at each other, mouths agape before getting to their feet in support.
‘She’s so good!’ I say to Dieter, who nods in acknowledgement.
‘My wife is very talented.’
Ellis returns with my drink. ‘Bar was really busy,’ he tells me. ‘So I got you two.’
It’s like this man knows my soul.
Mia receives a rapturous applause. I pity the person who has to follow that.
‘Next up we have Sophie Smalls and Ellis Simon!’
Excuse me.
My table all turn to see my confused, yet horrified face.
My head shakes frantically as I turn to Ellis. ‘But I didn’t. . . Ellis?’
He’s smiling. Why the fuck is he smiling?’
‘I figured we could both say yes to something new.’
‘Sophie and Ellis, can you make your way to the front, please.’
‘Ellis, what the fuck have you done?’
There’s no time to respond. Ellis takes my hand and starts pulling me towards the stage. ‘Our first duo of the night!’
Why is my stomach tying itself in knots? Calm down, Smalls, this is nothing. This is inconsequential. This is singing a song in front of drunk people.
This might be more terrifying than the skydiving. Why doesn’t Ellis look nervous?
I try to calm myself. Deep breathing. Ellis gives my hand a squeeze before letting go. I feel my stomach flip in a different way. I turn to the screen to see which dreadful song, that I don’t know any of the lyrics to, will appear.
‘Jackson’, Johnny Cash and June Carter.
As the guitars start, he smiles and winks at me. He remembered.
I think this is the moment that I fall for Ellis Simon.
Chapter 49
At midnight, karaoke is over. Those who have had enough to drink admit defeat and head to their rooms. Those who intend to drink the bar dry leave in droves towards the nightclub.
‘You want to dance, don’t you?’ Ellis asks. It’s the first time I’ve seen him drunk.
‘Maybe,’ I reply. ‘Though I’m not sure I can stand another terrible playlist.’
‘I’m not sure I can stand. But let’s do it.’
I giggle. ‘You sure? People might see you.’
‘If you can parasail over shark-infested waters, I can dance.’
