by S J Crabb
Another door leads into a huge bathroom, all marble and chrome, with the biggest walk in shower and slipper bath. This room also has double doors leading out onto the balcony with the same view of the bay.
This is the best moment of my life. Sad really, but true. I never want to leave this place. I’m in paradise and could live here forever. Maybe the man on reception is my guardian Angel in disguise. At this moment I think I love him because the thought of a whole week living like royalty is one memory I will keep with me forever.
I start to unpack and carefully unfold all of my meticulously packed clothes. I straighten them out on the hangers and stow the suitcase away. My toiletries are lined up precisely in the bathroom in the correct order of use. All the labels are facing forwards and I check for any leakage from the pressure on the aircraft. Everything seems to be intact so I grab my wet wipes and set about disinfecting the room.
Then I check the bed for any bugs or unmentionables before giving the bathroom a quick wipe - paying particular care to the toilet seat. There! Now I can fully relax, safe in the knowledge everything is exactly as it should be.
I quickly change into a skirt and off the shoulder top and head to Marcus’s room.
Let’s get this party started.
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 8
The room is full of the crew and I take a drink from the makeshift bar on the dressing table and grab a spot next to Rachel. I feel smug as I notice that Marcus’s room is half the size of mine and nowhere near as opulent. His view is of the street below, not the amazing view of the bay that I am going to enjoy for the next seven nights.
Rachel nudges me and points to Jo.
“Look, she couldn’t get further away from Pete if she tried.”
I stifle a giggle as I see them at opposite ends of the room. Both looking pointedly away from the other and yet conscious of every move the other one makes. Rachel giggles.
“I’m going to make it my mission to get them back together this trip.”
I nod in agreement.
“Yes, this is all silly if you ask me. They are obviously made for each other and could be having a romantic trip away together if they weren’t so stubborn.”
Jenny comes and sits down next to me on the other side and looks around her fearfully.
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this place. My room is right in the middle and I have checked the fire escape plan and it would take me longer than most to reach my exit. The only way out appears to be at either end of the corridor and I’m in the middle. The lifts would be out of bounds and I’m right by them. It’s too high up to jump to safety and I can’t see an easy way out.”
Rachel and I share a grin and she says kindly.
“I’m sure it will be fine. This is a five-star hotel and they will have made sure they have every certificate going. I’m sure the sprinkler system is a good one and the alarms would sound in plenty of time if there was even a hint of smoke in the building.”
Jenny looks unconvinced.
“But I’ve heard that people die due to carbon monoxide poisoning in these resorts. What if the silent killer is lurking in the air vents and I never wake up? I can’t sleep with the balcony door open because of the midges. They could infect me with lime disease as well as that new one they are all talking about. What’s it called?”
“Zika virus.” I say, thinking she may have a point.
Rachel looks at us with exasperation.
“Stop it, both of you. Nothing is going to happen except that we are going to have an amazing trip.”
Suddenly, we hear Barry shout.
“Remember to check under your beds for bugs. These foreign countries harbour all sorts under them.”
I share an agonised look with Jenny as Marcus says loudly.
“He’s right. I haven’t even checked mine yet. Come on everyone, do me a favour and check under every available surface for me.”
The room erupts into a bug searching frenzy and then we hear Jenny’s agonised shriek
“AAAARRRGGHHH!”
She jumps on the bed and turns as white as the sheets she’s standing on. She stutters,
“Under here. I think there’s a snake.”
I quickly join her on the bed and Pete races over like a superhero. I feel pure terror fill my whole body as he says in a whisper.
“Nobody move, there is something there.”
He reaches under slowly and carefully and you could hear a pin drop in the room. Jo clutches her hand to her chest and looks at him with terror-filled eyes. Then he slowly removes his hand from under the bed and says in a loud voice.
“Got it!”
Then he throws the offending reptile at the terrified crew all jostling for position on the now overcrowded bed.
The screams are off the scale as we all await the inevitable. Pete, Barry, and Marcus however, dissolve into hysterics and we look down at the plastic snake residing innocently on the bed.
Jo screams, “You stupid idiots. How could you think that was a good idea? Look at Jenny, she’s ready to die on the spot. You’re so immature and don’t ever think of the consequences of your actions.”
She glares at Pete as she says it and he has the grace to look ashamed as Jenny shivers uncontrollably, tears running down her face.
We pull her down and Rachel and I put our arms around her shoulders.
“It’s ok, Jenny. Just the guys being guys. There aren’t really any bugs.”
Jenny tries to stop but anguished sobs rack her body as the shock takes hold.”
Jo glares at Pete with a look that says he should be dead right now.
“Get Jenny a double gin and make it snappy. This is all your fault you stupid idiot. You’ve ruined a good evening with your stupid prank and Jenny will probably have nightmares because of it.”
Pete looks suitably chastened and quickly does as she says.
He hands Jenny the drink and smiles kindly.
“I’m sorry, Jenny. It was just a prank. I didn’t think.”
Jo snarls. “You never do, imbecile.”
Jenny takes a sip of the drink and coughs.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overreact.”
Jo just rolls her eyes and the others grab their drinks and carry on chatting. Jenny takes a gulp of air.
“I hate this. I don’t know why I’m so anxious all the time. I wish I could shake it off but it’s getting worse, not better.”
Rachel says gently.
“Well, we’re here to help you. This trip is just what you need and we will make it our mission to help you unwind. Put this unfortunate incident out of your mind and start again. I’ll come back to your room later and check it for bugs. We will also map out an escape plan and I will ask at reception when the air conditioning unit was last inspected. You can then sleep well with the knowledge you will wake up in the morning.”
Jenny looks at her gratefully and Jo pulls me to one side.
“I could kill Pete. He never thinks. It’s always about getting a cheap laugh with him. I wish he had never joined this trip. Look at Jenny. She’s been set three steps back because of him. I say we try to avoid him for the rest of the trip.”
I nod and let her vent about Pete for the next twenty minutes. This is going to be a long night. I need to get those two back together and fast, for my own sanity’s sake.
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 9
We all head out to grab some dinner. As is typical of these trips we move around enmasse and get lots of strange looks.
I walk with Jo, Jenny, and Rachel and laugh to myself at the daggers Jo throws into Pete’s back as he walks on ahead.
We end up at a nice restaurant that appears to specialise in all sorts. There are some waiters on the door who hand us all a shot of tequila to get us on our way. I forgot about this. Tequila shots are like glasses of water here in Mexico. I know they water them down but you could still get extremely drunk before you’ve even ordered your starter.
We sit down at a huge table and order our meals. As usual, the drinks are off the scale and it doesn’t take long for our table to become extremely raucous.
I love this. Being with my friends on a working holiday. It’s why we endure the back-to-back flights to Europe and the twelve-hour days. Every so often we get a trip away which makes it all worthwhile.
Before we grab dessert, there is an almighty racket as the waiters start banging drums and shouting. I watch as they carry a birthday cake through the packed restaurant and stop by our table.
“Who is Meez Rachel?”
We grin and Marcus points Rachel out.
“There she is, the birthday girl.”
Rachel turns as red as a Matador’s cape as the whole restaurant starts singing Happy Birthday. I grin at Marcus as he takes her photo. This is typical. Every night it’s someone’s turn to be the birthday boy or girl. Nobody knows except the designated chooser - in this case, Marcus.
Rachel grins as we all stuff the gorgeous chocolate cake into our mouths.
“Where are my presents?” Rachel shouts and everyone throws their napkins at her.
The waiter brings another round of tequila shots and we all bang them on the table together and down them in one.
Even Jo is looking happier, although she has positioned herself well away from Pete at the other end of the table. I keep on seeing him look at her with a pained expression and feel sorry for him. I’m sure there’s no such person as Margaret but the damage has been done.
Once we head back, it’s just time for a nightcap in the crew room before calling it a night.
Finally, I’m alone in my superior room. I take a moment to look at the bay from my balcony. The lights twinkle all around the dark expanse of water and its breath-taking. I wonder if Luke is looking at this same view now. I hope I find him soon because I can’t relax until I know he is definitely here. Maybe something will happen with him. I certainly hope so.
It’s those thoughts that I take to bed with me in my bed the size of a small country. As I lie width ways - because I can, I drift off into a deep sleep.
The sun peeks in through a crack in the blinds and just for a minute I forget where I am. Then it all comes flooding back and a warm feeling spreads through me. This is it. The first day of a glorious week. Lots of rest and relaxation followed by party nights and bad behaviour. Perfect.
I pull on some shorts and a vest top and make myself look presentable for breakfast. I take extra care in case I see Luke. I can’t ignore the feeling of excitement that fills me at the thought of seeing him again. I think I dreamt of him last night because when I woke up I had this warm glow all over me. Either that or the air conditioning unit was playing up.
As soon as I enter the dining room I scan it looking for a familiar face. Ok, I’m shamelessly looking for Luke but then I hear, “Becca, over here.”
Looking in the direction the voice is coming from, I smile as I see Rachel and Jenny sitting at a table in the corner.
Taking my seat, I grin at their happy faces.
“This place is amazing, isn’t it?”
Rachel nods, her eyes shining.
“You can say that again. I can’t believe that we managed to engineer this trip. It’s incredibly sought after and everyone always requests it. The fact we all got it is amazing.”
Jenny nods.
“Yes, I must have pestered crewing for a month to get on it. I think they did it to stop me from hounding them 24/7.”
I sit back and look around, taking in the calm, peaceful atmosphere of the restaurant.
Jenny nods towards the ‘help yourself buffet’ at one end of the room.
“Who wants to come with me and grab some of that delicious looking food?”
I seize the chance for another scan of the room and smile happily.
“I’ll come with you.”
Rachel smiles.
“I’ll keep our table and look out for Jo. Who knows what trouble she is concocting for poor Pete as we speak?”
Laughing, I follow Jenny to grab some food.
I load up with fruit, pastries, and yoghurts and look around me the whole time. There is no sign of Luke anywhere and I try to push down the feelings of disappointment.
Jenny frowns as she looks at the array of delights in front of us.
“Do you think these are safe to eat? I mean, the fruit may have been washed in the water. It’s the golden rule when in a foreign country - don’t drink the water or get ice cubes in your drinks due to contamination.”
I sigh to myself. Here we go again.
I just smile kindly.
“I think we’ll be ok. The fruit is probably natural and hasn’t been washed. The pastries should be fine and the yoghurts are pre-packed. I don’t think you can go far wrong with this.”
She still looks unconvinced but braves a slice of melon and a sealed pot of yoghurt.
As we head back to the table, I scan the room again and feel mildly irritated that Luke wasn’t waiting for me. Come to think of it, I would have expected to have seen him last night waiting around in reception. This happy ever after of mine is not going to plan.
When we get back, I see that Jo has joined us looking absolutely amazing in a pretty sundress. Her hair is swept back, and she looks the epitome of chic. As we sit down, I look at her in admiration.
“Jo, you look amazing. That colour really suits you.”
She looks smug.
“It’s new. I intend on looking amazing at every opportunity on this trip to wipe all thoughts of Margaret from Pete’s mind. By the end of this week, the only name he will want to hear is mine.”
Rachel looks interested.
“Have you decided to forgive him then?”
She shakes her head.
“No, not yet. I just want him to see what he’s given up. He will regret the day he let that woman into his head when he sees what it’s cost him.”
Rachel looks at me with a worried expression and I shrug.
“He may be telling the truth though. What if he is and you are giving up on a happy future with the man of your dreams?”
Jo snorts.
“I doubt that. Have any of you ever spoken another man’s name when in the throes of passion? I don’t think so. In fact, the more I think about it the more I believe it. I didn’t think anything when he joined our local Conservative club last month. He’s always been a Tory, and I thought he was just doing his civic duty. Maybe he has always harboured a secret crush on Margaret Thatcher.”
We all burst out laughing and Jo shakes her head.
“You may laugh but I’ve heard of this happening all the time. Some men love a dominant woman and there’s none more so than the iron lady herself. Perhaps he has always had a fixation for a strong powerful woman and joining the party helped satisfy his need. If you ask me, it’s all weird and I’m well out of it.”
I quickly stuff a slice of melon in my mouth before I burst out laughing. Jo looks so serious and convinced she is right, despite how ridiculous she sounds.
Jenny sighs heavily.
“I wish I had someone to argue with, let alone call me by another woman’s name. I would even be happy with that if it meant I had someone who loved me.”
We all look at each other and my heart reaches out to the lost soul in front of me.
Poor Jenny. She has lived with her mum all of her life and to my knowledge has never had a serious boyfriend. They used to do everything together and it must have been devastating when her mum got cancer. Despite her phobias and nervous disposition, Jenny is the sweetest, kindest girl you could ever meet and is a real credit to her mum.
Rachel looks at her kindly.
“It must be hard, honey. You aren’t alone though. You have the three of us and we won’t let you down. You are always welcome to stay at our house and I’m sure in time you will meet a man who will love you more than the moon and stars.”
Jenny smiles tremulously.
“I hope so. It’s all any
of us want - isn’t it? To find our soul mate and live our lives together as a team. I want that more than anything.”
I look at her wistfully.
“We all do, Jenny. When you think of it though, Rachel is the only one of us who has found it so far. We are all in the same boat and the clock is ticking. Well, let’s just make sure we make the most of our trip here and who knows what it may bring.”
Jo looks thoughtful and Rachel looks - well strange if I’m honest. She looks out to sea and I note her shoulders have slumped and her body language defensive. Something definitely isn’t right there. I make a vow to discover what’s bothering her because something definitely is.
We carry on with our breakfast and then we hear a terse, “Thanks a lot, Jo.”
Looking up, I see a disgruntled Pete standing at our table glaring at Jo. While she looks restful and totally amazing, he looks as if he hasn’t slept a wink all night. He hasn’t shaved and the black circles underneath his eyes tell of a night without sleep. She smiles at him sweetly.
“Good morning, Peter. I trust you slept well.”
She grins as he looks at her angrily.
“Not really. In fact, I think I only got about one hours sleep all night. For some reason I had a wake-up call every hour. It appears that Margaret was waiting for me in the gym, the restaurant, reception, by the pool - you name it, she was there. No prizes for guessing who set up those calls.”
Jo just shrugs and looks at him innocently.
“If that’s what you want to believe.”
Pete looks at her with frustrated eyes. He runs his fingers through his dishevelled hair and growls.
“We need to talk - urgently.”
Shaking her head, Jo picks up a piece of papaya and eats it slowly while looking at him innocently. When she finishes, she shrugs.
“I don’t think we have anything left to say. Now, if you’ll excuse us, Pete, you look as if you need a strong cup of coffee and twelve hours sleep. Don’t let us keep you.”
