Rude but sadly… also true.My libido became insatiable to an almost psychotic degree last night and was clearly out for a good time to spite me and my vow of abstinence. I open my mouth to counter his argument, but he turns abruptly around and walks away.
Oh. My. God. What is with these self-centred, arrogant pricks? Where are all the decent men? The ones who don’t lie, cheat (yes, you, Dillon) or force me to sail off into the middle of the Aegean Sea with a bunch of idiotsjustto protect their own job?
* * *
The minibus ride back from the Sunrise Five Diamond Beach Hello conference centre is thoroughly miserable. Everyone is complaining and no one is even speaking to me, but at least I am dropped off first at my aparthotel. Erika barks at us not to be late reporting to the marina in Gumbet to meet the captain of theLove Ahoy!gulet boat – my new prison for the next week. To be honest, I’m just relieved it doesn’t have ‘happy’ in its name.
As I get off the bus and jump down from the final step, I look pleadingly at Erika. ‘Please don’t make me do this. If I can’t work at head office, then I’d be a great asset to Bodrum North. I’m sure of it.’
She sweeps a disappointed gaze over me and declares, ‘Coming from you, princess, that means very little. I want you to succeed, I really do, but you’re not making it easy. You failed to turn up to the welcome party. You’ve had more complaints than any single employee we’ve ever hired. You were clearly out all night getting stoned. You were late getting onto the bus this morning. You reek of kippers. Do I need to go on?’
‘I can fix my hair and look smart and even… even… help you with managerial tasks.’Hello? My degree in accounting? My assertive way with people? My positive mental attitude?
‘Could you though? From what I’ve seen so far, you’re a much better fit with…’ She slides her eyes towards the Bodrum South team, now engaged in what looks like an argument over an abandoned flip-flop. Her cutting remark really gets to me. I bite my lip to stop it wobbling.
‘But I’m sure you’ll manage to whip this lot into shape,’ she booms, loud enough for them to hear. ‘They obviously need you more than my team. Good luck.’ The bus door hisses loudly, drowning out a fresh barrage of complaints.
I stare after the bus. How will I be able to turn this situation around? I will be stuck with a crew of reps who actively dislike me for a whole week.
My soul droops.
If only it were possible to project-manage animosity like you can someone’s accounts. I blow out my cheeks. Mathematics may not teach us to add love or subtract hate, but at least it gives us hope that every problem has a solution.
12
I push through the glass doors to the reception just as Banu is breezing through from the back in a cloud of cigarette fumes. She greets me with a wide innocent smile as though she didn’t sabotage my first night here with that schoolgirl costume. ‘Key, please,’ I say frostily, refusing to meet her gaze. This is meletting it goas per Erika’s instructions this morning.
She spins round to retrieve the key from the board of hooks on the back wall. All the rooms are clearly numbered and the only nod to security, it would seem, is the lift-up flap at the end of the reception desk. Anyone could walk round and steal a room key while she’s taking a cigarette break out the back. She drops it with a clang onto the desk just an inch in front of my outstretched hand.So rude.
‘And I’ll need a taxi for an hour’s time. Can you book one for me, please?’
She gestures in a friendly manner, but I can’t decide whether she is genuine or not. ‘Okay. Sure. Where are you going?’
‘The marina.’
‘Which one?’
‘Gumbet.’
‘Quicker to walk.’ She looks me up and down. ‘Exercise is good for you.’
‘Look. Just book me a taxi. I have a heavy suitcase.’
‘Good for arms. I carry heavy things all day, every day.’ She points to a trolley of neatly stacked pool towels. ‘Good for toning weak muscles.’ Again, she indicates my arms as though they are puny and in need of building up. ‘We have gym here at hotel.’
‘I’m perfectly aware of the importance of exercise, thank you. I’m just tired… and now, thanks to this rather exhausting exchange I’m in even more of a rush.’
‘What are you going for?’
‘None of your business,’ I snap.Seriously?Aren’t receptionists supposed to do what the customers ask?
‘Then I can’t tell the taxi where to take you.’
After the crappy day I’ve had, I’m finding Banu’s low level of customer service pretty infuriating.
‘Why not?’
‘One side of marina is for small daytrip boats. Far side is for big commercial yachts. Different road to get there. Taxi drivers don’t speak English but if you don’t want to tell me that’s your choice. I will book it for you now.’
