‘The man needs an ego check and he doesn’t like it that I won’t bow down to him.’
‘OK, but why? What are you beefing about?’ Michel has concerns about Xavier’s motivations with the resort, but it feels more personal than that.
‘Beefing?’
‘Beefing,’ I confirm.
‘Do you want me to “spill the tea”?’ Michel says in a ridiculous attempt at a British accent.
‘Is that supposed to be funny?’
‘Yes. I just don’t like the guy any more.’
‘Any more – which means you once did?’
‘They were best friends growing up,’ Joji helpfully adds. ‘But that all changed and here we are. The two are at loggerheads every chance they get.’
‘They should have listened to you, Harper,’ Mariola says with a grin. ‘To talk about their feelings…’ The trio burst out laughing.
I make a face. ‘I stand by that suggestion.’
Michel puts the beer in the fridge and we all find a spot on the sofa as the giggles take over. And then I’m reminded about what Xavier asked. ‘Are we not allowed to use the streaming service?’ I ask.
Jogi grins. ‘Nope! And now you see, even Mariola breaks the rules around here sometimes. We have to log in under a guest name and use guest Wi-Fi but of course it’s forbidden. Wouldn’t want the staff having too much fun in their downtime.’
I shake my head. Streaming and Wi-Fi is free for guests so it’s not like anyone is getting hurt by it. ‘Is this why we never meet in my suite? You didn’t want to get me in trouble?’
‘Didn’t know if we could trust you, more like. You and Xavier with all those long looks, the fluttering of your eyelashes, hand on your chest, like you’re about to swoon.’ Joji takes great delight in demonstrating my alleged swooning.
I scoff. ‘I did no such thing.’
Mariola raises a regal brow, while Michel feasts his eyes on her like she’s a goddess come to life.
‘I didn’t!’ I reiterate, all the while wondering why Mariola doesn’t see what’s happening right in front of her. Or is she pretending she doesn’t? Michel plays the flirty jokester with everyone in his path, but not for Mariola. The way he looks at her is pure love… I’ve seen this play out in the books, too many times to count. I’ll have to broach it with her when we’re on our own and get her take.
32
Meet Turt Vonnegut
Today we have another funny story about our resident Aldabra giant tortoise! This one goes right back when Turt first wandered into the resort back in the late seventies. There he was sunning himself by the newly installed pool, soaking up those rays and enjoying the shrieks of guests as they swam. He’d been there so long that guests thought he was a statue until he started snoring! It was then signs were introduced around the hotel to be careful of Turt, the resident tortoise, in case anyone sat on him, thinking he wasn’t real! These days old man Turt stays close to the Barefoot Bookshop – we think that’s because he likes soaking up the literary atmosphere and enjoys listening to lively literary debates. Did you know that Aldabra tortoises have a long lifespan? Jonathan, another Aldabra giant tortoise, is 190 years old, so Turt still has a bit of living to do…
Recollection shared by a man who only wants to be known as Mr Hotel California.
Have you booked your holiday to Seychelles yet? We have day beds on the terrace and hammocks under the palm trees just waiting for readers to sink into. Cocktails are half-price at the Cabana Bar and the sunsets are free… What are you waiting for?
Come and visit the Barefoot Bookshop!
33
My phone beeps with a WhatsApp message but Xavier’s visit is imminent and I don’t want to be caught using my phone again. I do the only adult thing and drop to my knees under the safety of the counter and swipe open WhatsApp to see a message from Lily with a photo attached. I internally groan as it takes an age to load.
Lily
Have a look at this! Tia just posted this across all her socials. What the actual…!
I stare furiously at the screen, but nothing appears. There’s a rustle at the door and I fling the phone under the counter like it’s on fire. ‘Xavier!Bonzour!’ I have to stifle a stream of unnecessary words that threaten to spill, as my guilty conscience takes over. Then I remember my shift hasn’t officially started so I’m quite within my rights to use my phone. I stand up and pull my shoulders back.
‘Bonzour.’ He hands me a coffee and takes a sip of his bright green smoothie, which probably has a name like Gym Junkie, or Green God Fuel.
