As I walk back through reception, I’m aware of a hubbub of noise coming from the direction of the bar. I stroll over, curious to see who’s in there and what’s going on.
It’s the group of women who smiled at me in the pool yesterday. They’ve all got cocktails in front of them and are laughing away at something one of them has said.
‘Hey, gorgeous, want to join us for a pre-dinner drink?’ one of the women calls, flashing me a brilliant smile. Her accent sounds Transatlantic American and she, like the rest of them, is clearly well monied judging by the way she’s dressed and styled.
I pause for a second, wondering whether it’s a good idea. But they all seem genuinely friendly and welcoming, and I’m definitely in need of a diversion right now, so I decidewhat the hell.
‘Sure. I’d love to,’ I say, strolling over to where they’re sitting.
The woman with perfectly styled red hair points to a free chair next to her. ‘Come sit with me,’ she purrs.
Walking round to the chair, I pull it out and sit down, turning to smile at them all in turn. There are seven of them in total.
Lucky seven.
‘Are you here on a hen do?’ I ask.
They all laugh uproariously at that. ‘Divorce party. Well, a week-long celebration of Tana finally getting free of her limp-dick of an ex-husband,’ the woman with a long shiny sweep of dark hair says, giving me a slow wink.
‘Are you from New York, by any chance?’ I ask with a grin.
She grins back. ‘Sure are. How about you, honey?’
I lean back in my chair and fold my arms. ‘London. I’m based in South Kensington right now but I’m selling up and moving out.’
‘Oh, yeah? Where to?’
I shrug. ‘I don’t know yet. I’ll probably stay in central London but I’m taking some time out to think about it.’
‘Bad break-up?’ the woman with a sleek, honey-blonde bob asks me, her expression a mixture of sincere concern and intense curiosity.
‘Pretty bad. We were going to get married. It was her choice to end it.’
There’s a general murmur of condolence. ‘Sorry to hear that, sweetie.’
‘But now you’re here with your beautiful new girlfriend?’ a woman with shocking pink lipstick says from across the table.
I frown at her, confused. ‘Sorry?’
‘The woman you were with at the pool yesterday. Is she not your partner?’
I huff out a laugh, a strange sense of longing rushing over my skin. ‘She used to be. A long time ago. Not any more.’
They all look at me with surprise and curiosity on their faces. ‘Shame. You make a gorgeous couple,’ the redhead says.
‘I always thought so,’ I agree.
‘Ooh. There’s a story in there somewhere. Care to share it with us? We love a bit of gossip!’ the blonde says.
Again, I pause. But maybe talking about all this with a bunch of friendly strangers is exactly what I need right now.
It feels good to be the centre of attention anyway.
‘Let me get myself a drink and you all another round and I’ll tell you all about it,’ I promise, rising from the table and heading over to the bar.
* * *
Chloe
