‘What are you doing?’ Tiffany asks abruptly, sitting up straight in bed. She leans over to the porthole and pulls on the blind, which fills the room with early morning sun. Astrid remains gently snoring and oblivious.
She’s caught me red-handed. ‘Packing some things away,’ I say, hesitantly picking up my clothes from the drawer.
‘Why?’
‘Because with all of the mess you two make, I can’t find anything.’ I sweep my hand around the room, the piles of their clothes heaped on the floor, the underwear draped over every surface and the copies ofJust SeventeenandMore!magazines strewn around. It’s as though a crazed gorilla were let loose in the cabin. ‘It’s easier to keep my clothes in my case so at least I know where they are.’
Tiffany flops back against the pillows. ‘It’s Astrid’s fault. Those hair crimpers, that scorch mark on the dresser and those hair scrunchies are nothing to do with me. Nor is that stain from her bottle of Dune. She’s a messy tart and that’s all there is to it.’
Astrid appears to wake at the mention of her name. Sitting bolt upright, she yells, ‘What? Who?’
‘Nothing,’ I say. ‘I’m just explaining why I’m packing some of my things away.’Lying is so stressful.‘If you’re both awake, I’ll dry my hair before breakfast service starts.’ I close the bathroom door behind me and exhale slowly. I need my wits about me today. I take in my deathly pale skin, the dark circles and the bloodshot whites of my eyes. This is not the look of a professional bookkeeper.
* * *
For once, the guests decide to help themselves to the buffet breakfast, which gives me a bit of free time, between customers, to rummage around in the cupboards and drawers of both bars. I have reinstated the Mallet Method so every time someone orders a drink, I can write a receipt and get them to sign their name before sliding it over the nail. I’m just admiring what a simple, effective system it is when Shaun leans on the bar. ‘Where’s Gee Man?’
‘Who?’ I refuse to acknowledge Garry’s stupid nickname. It’s petty, I know, but still.
‘Gee Man. As in Garry. As in your supervisor?’ Shaun is smiling, although his tone is brittle.
‘Oh, him.’ I pretend to think. ‘Maybe he’s skiving off as usual. Or maybe he’s busy getting customers to sign for drinks they haven’t had. Who knows?’ I go back to searching for evidence to hang him with.
I hear Shaun tut. ‘Well, if you see him, tell him the diving excursion planned for today will have to be cancelled. The dinghy has a puncture. We’ll stop off by the caves outside Selimiye Bay tomorrow morning and me and Tiff can take a group diving there instead. Okay?’
‘Okay. But honestly, you’re better off telling him yourself.’ I stand up. ‘I doubt I’ll see him. I’m not his favourite person at the moment.’
He hesitates a fraction. ‘Fair enough. And thanks for covering for me and… you know.’ I notice his cheeks glow pink. ‘Tiff would be furious if she found out.’
‘Then why do it? Why string two women along? They both obviously care about you. Why can’t you just pick one?’ The controlling bossy one or the psychopathic deceitful one. Can’t be that hard, surely? I’m sick of men thinking they can treat women however they like. As though we don’t have feelings. As though we aren’t worthy of respect or honesty or the truth.
He looks at me with a blank expression as though the thought had never crossed his mind. ‘Because… well, because why would I settle for one when I can have my cake and eat it? Besides, they’re both grown-ups. They know what’s going on. It’s harmless fun,’ he scoffs before he ambles away.
I am blown away by the sheer arrogance.
‘What were you two talking about?’ Astrid leans over the bar. At least she’s talking to me again.
‘Nothing.’
‘It wasn’t nothing. You both had words coming out of your mouths.’
‘He was looking for Garry, that’s all.’
‘Was he asking about your huge row with him?’
‘No. And how do you know about that?’ I could have done with her around last night. ‘Did Shaun tell you Garry was very threatening? Did he tell you Garry almost tried to throttle me?’
Astrid makes a jokey face. ‘If we’d known, we would have formed a queue.’
Very witty. Under normal circumstances, I would have laughed. But I am still very sleep deprived and exhausted. ‘Have you seen Garry? Did he tell you what we argued about?’
‘No. I overheard you rowing from the top deck. I did happen to see you come out of the dining room with that nice-looking giant Chicken fella though.’ Astrid smirks. ‘And I’m not surprised Garry lost his rag. He’s furious you’ve basically charmed the whole family and taken all of his tips.’
‘That is totally not true.’
‘You didn’t get to bed till very late,’ she says, accusingly.
I literally can’t remember coming to bed, so I’ll leave that one hanging.
