‘What’s happened? You’ve gone very white, sweetheart.’ She knelt down by the chair and held Charlotte’s hand.
‘Bloody Doug’s in reception.’ Sofia paced up and down. ‘I’ve got a good mind to go down there myself and give him a piece of my mind. How dare he invade her space like this? I’ll give him two-year affair!’
‘No!’
Charlotte’s wan face took on a determined look as she rose from the chair.
‘You will not go anywhere, please, Sof. I need to sort this out myself.’
Maddie stroked her friend’s back.
‘Too right. Sof, don’t leave this room. Be useful and get a glass of water, please.’
Sofia’s snort told them what she thought about being grounded.
Maddie lowered her voice.
‘Are you sure you’re up to this?’
‘Yes. It had to happen sometime; it might as well be now. Don’t worry, I won’t bring him up to my room. I’ll take him to that little café down by the port where it’s nice and quiet.’
Sofia’s anger was slightly muted by the time she returned with the water.
‘Sorry about my outburst, but the way Doug has treated you just makes me see red.’
Charlotte gulped down the glassful before speaking.
‘I know, Sof. But I’ve got to deal with this in my own way. He must have bullied the name of the hotel out of one of the boys. I gave them the details in case they needed me urgently.’
Maddie had a sudden pang at the thought that no one needed her anymore, urgently or otherwise, but quashed it quickly.
‘Are you ready to go down?’
Charlotte nodded.
‘OK, we trust you to follow your heart. And if you need us, just message and we’ll be straight on it.’
‘Yes, we can kick his ass with the best of them.’
‘Hopefully, that won’t be necessary, Sof.’
Maddie pulled Charlotte into her arms.
‘The best of luck, my love. Group hug.’
Charlotte held on tight to the two of them, before turning on her heel and heading for the lift.
The sorry sight that greeted her in reception was almost comic, if it weren’t also a little bit sad. Doug looked like a typical Englishman abroad in an old movie, red faced and dishevelled. He still had his straw hat on, and his chinos and polo shirt were crumpled beyond belief.
She had a moment to herself before he saw her. She tested out her feelings and realised that the predominant one was confusion.
His face when he did see her was like than of an expectant child who’d done something momentous, like learn to use the potty.
‘Darling!’
He was up, out of his seat and rushing towards her before she had time to respond. The other guests stared in fascination.
Charlotte submitted to a sweaty kiss on the cheek. It would look very strange to turn away. She wanted the least fuss possible until she could get him away to a quieter spot.
