It was a lads holiday, but only because there were two of them, and they were lads. They'd got a good deal on the package and managed to get a two bed, ground floor apartment in a decent looking complex in a destination that had been touted for its debauchery and loose morals; they'd been there for four days now, waiting for this place to live up to the hype, but were starting to lose faith.
They'd chatted up loads of girls, but it seemed that all of them were either attached, or looking for the kind of hunks they'd seen on TV; Craig and Todd weren't athletic types, so the pickings, for them at least, were slim, and they'd both returned to their rooms alone.
On the fourth night, at around 1am, they found a Karaoke bar. Todd was feeling a little the worse for wear, having switched from lager to shorts about an hour earlier, so he found a table while Craig went to the bar for some drinks and the song book.
When Craig got to the table, Todd was sat down with his head resting on the top, he jumped when Craig slammed the drink, a Red Bull & vodka, next to his head. "This should wake you up a bit!" He shouted over a group of drunk girls murdering 'Papa Don't Preach', then he sat back and scanned through the list.
There were a few songs on the sheet that he'd sung before at his local pub, so he chose these, not wanting to show himself up too much; he wasn't really looking for a holiday fling now, but you never knew, there might be a girl who'd fall for his voice, if not his looks.
He was called up to sing ten minutes later, the crowd was thinning; those left in the bar were all in good spirits and even joined in with the chorus. Although there were free seats available, there was a couple sat on their table. Todd had found his second wind and was talking animatedly with a lad of around 20, his girlfriend was staring at the stage, at Craig, with a wry smile on her face, one hand on her drink and the other on her bare thigh.
The song finished to a smattering of applause as Craig left the stage and rejoined Todd at the table. Todd introduced his new friends as Ryan and Millie, Craig shook their hands, Millie's gaze was piercing, he felt like her green eyes were looking into his soul, but at the same time he didn't feel uncomfortable; quite the opposite in fact as he kissed her cheek.
Noticing their glasses were empty, Craig offered to buy them a drink; Millie started to say something, but Ryan butted in, asking for two double JD and Cokes, Todd said he'd have the same, Millie looked dejected. At the bar, Craig ordered the drinks and was only half listening to the barmaid whilst looking back towards the table at Millie. Both Todd and Ryan were laughing and slapping each on the back; Millie was sat with her chin resting in her hands, her elbows on the table, occasionally glancing towards the bar.
"That'll be 30 Pesetas love!" The barmaids voice brought him back to the present. "Quite pretty isn't she? Shame about the dick she's with. Engaged to the creep, by the look of that cheap ring on her left hand. He's dragged her in here every night so far."
Craig looked at the barmaid, bemused, he pulled out two notes from his wallet, handed them to her and looked back at Millie. She was pretty; he hadn't really got past her eyes, but now he had a good view, he took her in. Her hair was shoulder length and mousy brown, she had a slight frame and her breasts were small but perky, her legs were slender and tanned. She wasn't the type he'd normally go for, but the type he was normally attracted to, weren't attracted to him here. "Any port in a storm." He thought.
"Hey! Daydreamer?" The barmaid was back with his change, she folded it into his hand. "You've got a good voice." She said, "I sometimes duet with the decent singers in this place. You fancy a sing? Might get her a little worked up!"
"Er, yeah." He replied, "You know 'Somethin' Stupid'?"
"Ooh, you smooth bugger!" She winked, "Five minutes. I'll let DJ Dave know."
He took the drinks back to the table, Ryan snatched his and swigged it. Millie took hers and thanked him. Todd restarted their conversation, something about a group of girls in the far corner and what they'd do to each of them. Craig looked at Millie and smiled, she smiled back with a smile filled with sadness and Craig's heart melted, he wanted to pick her up and whisk her away. They chatted like friends, ignoring the increasingly bawdy conversation of the other two.
In what felt like seconds, DJ Dave announced the next singers, "Craig and Marina!" Craig looked to the stage and saw the barmaid beckoning him, he got up, his new and old friends shocked as he took to the stage to sing with a woman 25 years his senior.
The song went well, Marina connected with Craig like they'd been singing together for years, there was a chemistry between them and the audience seemed to notice.
Millie noticed. Craig could see her pouting every time he looked in her direction, her arms were crossed, her knees together, her eyes had darkened.
Marina gave Craig a kiss on the cheek as they left the stage and went their separate ways. Craig approached the table with some trepidation, Millie glared at him as he sat opposite her. Todd and Ryan barely noticed she was there until she stood up and stormed off to the toilet. "What's got into her?" Ryan asked nobody in particular, Craig just shrugged his shoulders.
She returned ten minutes later, her cheeks tear stained, but she was smiling as she sat down and looked at her empty glass. Craig smiled at her, asked if she wanted a refill, then went to the bar. "Is she okay now?" The barmaid asked as he got there.
"She's fine." He said. "I think the drink must be getting to her."
"It's not the drink getting to her, it's you, you daft lump!" Marina laughed. "I've seen them in here every night and he just ignores her. You're the only one who's paid her any attention.
"And she collared me in the lav." She continued, "Wanting to know why I was flirting with you on stage? You're nice an' all, but you're a bit young for me! That's what I told her anyway. She's nice, but I think that feller of her's has sent her a bit, you know?"
