“I did.” Stella chuckled as she eyed the banner that looked a little amateurish in the graphic design department. It didn’t matter; it was all about the fun. “I told him it would never work, that it’s only something children would take part in, and we don’t have any kids here. But he kept insisting our guests would love it, so I finally let him have a go.” She turned back to Dave and sighed. “I doubt anyone will show up for it, but he works hard and he’s so full of enthusiasm that I didn’t have the heart to say no. He’s convinced the first prize of a dinner at his cousin’s restaurant will draw people in.”
“So, he’s basically promoting his cousin’s restaurant. Is he even allowed to do that?”
“No reason why he can’t. People are here all-inclusive, so it’s not like we’re losing money when they’re not here. In fact, we’re better off if they dine out.”
“Good point.” Dave turned when he heard voices coming from the back door. Five men walked out with their towels, all wearing matching yellow Speedos. “What the hell is that?”
Manuel shot Stella an ‘I told you so’ look, and she gasped in surprise when a group of four women came out too.
“Where’s that dive-bombing competition?” One of them shouted, and then there was an avid discussion about how they could easily take on the men waiting by the pool fence. More people followed and when Manuel finally opened the poolside, at least thirty people headed for the table he’d set up earlier.‘Sign up here!’It said in clumsy handwriting on a sheet stuck to the front of the table.‘Biggest splash wins a romantic three course candlelit dinner for two in the heart of Benidorm. Including a bottle of wine.’
“I guess I underestimated him,” Stella said, shocked by the number of guests who had turned up.
“I have a feeling that bottle of wine may have something to do with it.” Dave snickered as he watched the contestants stretch and warm up while they challenged each other. On the pool facing balconies, people were watching from their rooms, and more guests were settling on the loungers with cameras. “How can he even pick a winner when it’s not determined by scale, measuring tape or stopwatch?”
“I have no idea. I suppose the audience will decide.” If anything, this was the biggest turnout they’d had for an outdoor activity since she’d started working there, and Stella realised she wasn’t prepared, so she put on her red lifeguard vest and got up. “I guess that means I’m on lifeguard duty.” She turned on her walkie-talkie and said: “Florence, please leave your current station and come over to the poolside. People have actually showed up for this ridiculous splashing competition, so I need an extra first aid officer just in case.”
Florence’s loud laugh made the device crackle. “Got you. I’ll be there in two minutes. Don’t let them start without me; I don’t want to miss a second.”
With an amused smile, Stella made her way to her lifeguard chair where she perched on the edge and got her whistle ready. Convinced the event wouldn’t take off, she hadn’t even gone through the script with Manuel, and she regretted that now as he got up from his table and reached for the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first ever adult Paradise dive-bomb competition. The only one in Benidorm! That means, if you win, you will be the official Benidorm champion for a week, and the honour to wear the crown is yours.” Manuel held up a plastic crown he’d purchased at a toy shop. “You’ll also get free drinks on Paradise for the remainder of your stay.”
Stella rolled her eyes at his silly joke, but the audience was cracking up with laughter.
“And best of all,” he continued, “you will enjoy the perfect dinner for two. If you’ve been planning on asking your spouse to marry you, this romantic venue will give you the perfect opportunity.”
Stella wasn’t convinced Manuel’s cousin’s restaurant was romantic enough for a marriage proposal but again, that wasn’t really the point. The point was, that thirty or so adults had gathered and that for the duration of the competition, they would feel like a kid again and have great fun. And that meant good reviews. She winced at his next announcement but decided to let him off the hook.
“Extra points for a belly flop and a long and dramatic dead body float at the end!”
46
“It’s looking good.” Lisa followed Marcy, the contractor, through the poolside doors into the building where the reception desk had been taken out. They were building a circular bar. Half of it was inside and the other half was outside, accessible to staff through the sliding glass doors that opened fully.
“Yes, we’re going full steam ahead. It’s a great idea, extending the bar to the patio,” Marcy said, then pointed to the pool that was drained now. “We’ll start on the pool in a couple of days. We’ll rip out the mosaic and replace it with a white liner. It’s cost effective and it will look really clean.” She kneeled and patted the rounded edge of one of the grey tiles that framed the pool. “And these will be replaced by simple terracotta tiles leading all the way around the pool and up to the bar. It will take a week, give or take. Once that’s done, we’ll move on to the kitchen, the lounge and the indoor restaurant.”
“You’re moving fast.” Lisa had been surprised that the contractor was female, and she was grateful for Marcy who was easy going, efficient and reliable. Ten days in and she’d expected to find that they were already behind on the work as so often happened with refurbishments but instead, the bar was well on its way to looking finished.
“I have good people and I don’t like to waste anyone’s time. My whole team is on the job.” Marcy looked her over. “You look familiar. Every time we meet, I keep thinking I’ve met you somewhere before…”
Lisa narrowed her eyes as she studied Marcy in return. “Yes, you look familiar too, actually. Do you live in Altea?”
“No, but my mother lives there, so I visit her regularly. She’s got some of her work in a gallery and I often meet her there for drinks.”
“Ah, that’s where I recognise you from. Are you Delia’s daughter by any chance?”
“Yes, that’s my mum! You know her?”
“Not well, I only spoke to her once,” Lisa said. “But we say hello in passing and I must have seen you hanging out with her, enjoying the red wine.”
“Of course.” Marcy chuckled. “Yes, Mum enjoys a glass of wine. So, how did you end up here?”
“Oh, it’s a long story...” Lisa waved a hand. “I was only meant to stay for two months but while I was here, I met someone special and now I’d like to stay for as long as I can, so I’m grateful for this job, even if it’s just temporary.”
“How romantic. What’s the lucky guy’s name?”
“Her name is Stella,” Lisa said with a grin. She was aware of her love-struck expression, but she couldn’t help herself.
