Much Ado About Nothing by Jenny Oldfield

Author:Jenny Oldfield
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A&C Black
Published: 2011-12-06T05:00:00+00:00

As you can see, things are moving fast. I’m roaming the villa with my Lite crew, picking up the next scrap of scandal when we come across Pedro chatting with Benedick, Claudio and Leonato in the hot tub.

‘As soon as you’ve tied the knot, I have to leave,’ Pedro tells Claudio. ‘I’ve got a meeting in Aragon with the head of the Italian football league. Ben, do you wanna come along to keep me company? You’re still fancy-free, I take it?’

‘Er, not totally,’ Benedick mumbles.

Pedro gives him a long, meaningful look. ‘Hmm, now I think about it, you do look a bit more serious than usual.’

‘Maybe he’s in lurve!’ Claudio crows. Nudge nudge, wink wink!

‘Never!’ Pedro gasps. ‘He’s lost money on the horses, that’s all.’

‘I’ve got toothache.’ Benedick gives the worst excuse ever.

The others carry on ribbing him something rotten.

‘Yeah, go ahead and laugh,’ Ben says. ‘It’s different when you’re the one in pain.’

Claudio is like a dog at a bone. ‘Definitely in lurve!’ he laughs.

Pedro sets off another chain of quick-fire banter. ‘He doesn’t look like a man in love.’

‘Yeah, he does. He’s begun to care about the way he dresses for a start.’

‘Has he restyled his hair?’

‘He’s had a shave!’

‘That does make him look younger,’ Leonato cuts in.

Pedro nods. ‘And he’s wearing aftershave. You can smell it a mile off.’

‘Oh well, that’s all the proof you need. You’re right, he’s definitely in love.’

‘Plus, he’s gone all moody on us.’

Claudio grins and gives Benedick a shove. ‘So, who’s the lucky lady?’

‘It’s got to be someone who doesn’t know him and his moods,’ Pedro says.

Benedick can’t take any more. He gets out of the hot tub, wraps a towel round his waist and asks Leonato to follow him into the house.

‘Did you hear that, Leonato?’ Pedro chuckles. ‘I’d bet a lot of money that your niece, Beatrice, is in the frame here!’

Leonato nods and smiles as he goes after Ben.

It’s all turning out well for the lads until John turns up to spoil their fun. The atmosphere always changes when this creep is around, like a shadow coming over the sun.

He says he needs a quick word with Pedro and Claudio. ‘About your wedding,’ he explains to our soccer hero.

Claudio doesn’t seem bothered. He tells John to fire away.

Deep breath from the creep, then he begins. ‘I know you don’t think of me as a mate, Claudio, and I know you’ve used my brother to help set things up between you and Hero, but I’m here to tell you that the girl is both a cheat and a liar!’

‘Who, Hero?’ Claudio whispers.

‘Yes, Hero!’ John’s stare is intense. ‘It’s worse than you think, and if you meet me tonight under her bedroom window, I’ll prove it. Remember, this is the night before your wedding. If you still love her after what I have to show you, then go ahead and marry her. But personally, I’d advise against it.’

‘Can it be true?’ the gullible kid asks.

Pedro says it’s impossible.

‘Just let me show you!’ John urges.

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