The car pulled up along the circular gravel drive, to the large white marble columned entrance with a huge fountain with a statute of Venus with flowers. The driver opened the doors and the two women made their way to the hotel reception. As Felicity checked the room bookings a tall, very suave tanned man made his way over to them and tapped Tamara on the shoulder. She swung round to face him. Her face lit up.
“Oh my God! Paul!”
“Hey what are you doing here?” Paul smiled.
“My friend Felicity is launching her own magazine!” said Tamara, pointing at Felicity.
“Congratulations” Paul smiled. Felicity nodded.
Paul turned back to Tamara.
“How about you? What a coincidence! Seeing you twice in one week!” said Tamara.
“Yeah. It must mean something.” Said Paul. He continued. “My friend is giving a speech for the new Golf courts they are opening on the hotel. So I came down to accompany him.”
“Ha! Well same goes!” Said Tamara.
“I am here to give Felicity some moral support. Not that she needs it.”
The receptionist handed over the room keys to Felicity, who turned to face Tamara, still engrossed in conversation with Paul.
“I am going to head up to the room. It is 207.” Felicity smiled at Tamara.
“I will meet you up there.”
Felicity crossed the marble hallway, with a crystal chandelier hanging in the centre. Large vases filled with vast arrays of different flowers hung magnificently from the walls. Gentle classical music infused the air and Felicity at last began to feel more excited than nervous.
Just moments after she had entered her hotel room, there was a knock at the door.
“Your bags mam.” Said the hotel porter as Felicity popped her head around.
“Just call reception if you need anything.”
“Thanks.” Said Felicity.
She lay down on the bed, tired from the journey and her apprehension. Without intending it, she drifted into a light sleep, only to wake to Tamara excitedly poking her and bouncing on the bed.
“You will NEVER guess who is here.” Said Tamara.
“Who?” asked Felicity as she opened her eyes, somewhat dazed and wondering where she was.
“Mick. Mick Green. YOUR ex BOYFRIEND!”
Felicity didn’t say anything. She thought for a moment that she felt something, but she wasn’t sure what.
“Well!?” said Tamara.
“Well what?” Felicity replied.
“Well, you haven’t seen him for years and he was the love of your life!” exclaimed Tamara.
Felicity stayed silent.
“I just have too much to think about right now.” She said quietly. “I don’t want any distractions.”
Tamara took a long look at her and raised her eyebrow but did not say anything.
Chapter 2
The midday sun shone brightly over the gardens as Felicity and Tamara sat on the room’s balcony drinking tea.
“ So anyway.” Said Felicity. “Who is this Paul? You seemed very happy to see each other.”
“I know!” Squealed Tamara excitedly. “I can’t believe he is here! I was even going to tell you about him, but I haven’t seen you – I mean, it’s nothing, yet, you know. We met at a wedding in France last week and spent lots of time talking, but I didn’t even think I would ever see him again! Oh my God! Isn’t he goooooorrrrrrgeous!”? Tamara excitedly pulled out her bikini as Felicity laughed.
“Yeah, he is cute.” She said.
“Shall we go down and check out the spa?” said Felicity.
“I want to have a steam and a swim.”
Tamara ran over to the suitcases on the floor, throwing out clothes and make-up and magazines.
“Aha!” She found her bikini and held it up triumphantly.
The girls put on their robes and headed down to the spa.
“Oh my God! He is in the Jacuzzi!” Said Tamara as she spotted Paul in the Jacuzzi. She squeezed Felicity’s hand excitedly.
“I’m going to swim a few laps before I Jacuzzi.” Said Felicity. “See you
Anne Easter Smith
Sahara Foley
Louise Penny
John Helfers
Jack Heath
Jonathan Valin
William Deverell
Linda O. Johnston
Anne Hillerman
Jessica Gray