Libby greeted them and asked the way to the nearest bathroom.Once she’d relieved herself, she headed to the office.
“Kia Orana,” Libby said to the woman behind the desk.“Is Mr.Hehu here, please?”
“Kia Orana.Dad’s gone to fetch his delivery.Can I help?”With a cheerful smile, the woman turned her full attention to Karim.“AndKia Orana, gorgeous boy.What’s your name?”
Despite the woman’s sunny gaze, Karim rubbed his head shyly against Libby’s shoulder, but he couldn’t hide his little side smile for long, amused and intrigued by the woman’s round and happy face.
“Say, key-ah-o-raah-nah, honey.Kia Orana.”Libby had practiced the Cook Islands greeting for Hello with Karim many times.The literal translation was,May you live a long and fulfilling life.Which was just the loveliest thing to say to someone.Karim babbled his own version ofKia Orana, and Libby kissed his head.“Good job, honey.”She turned to the woman.“I’m Libby, and this is Karim.”
“Nice to meet you both.I’m Serita.You having a lovely holiday, little man?”When Karim nodded, Serita’s face bloomed even more.“I heard the flight from Auckland was delayed,” she continued.“My son works at the airport, and Dad said you and your husband arrived late last night.”
“That’s just it, Serita.That guy isn’t my husband.There’s been a mistake.”Libby explained all that had happened.“He said his mother was supposed to be here, so I’m assuming she’s Mrs.Jones.I’mMissJones.No relation.”
“Ah, right.”Serita’s smile didn’t fade, even though her brow had puckered into what might look like a frown on most people.“Let me check the books.You reserved online, didn’t you?”
“Yes, two days ago.”
Serita typed into her computer and clicked on a few things.
“A Mr.and Mrs.Jones have the bungalow booked until January 3rd.But hold on.There’s a note here saying they won’t actually check in until Wednesday, which is tomorrow.”Serita did her version of a frown again and drummed her fingers on the desk.“I think there’s been a mix-up.”
Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, Libby pushed up a smile.“I can understand how your father could think I was Mrs.Jones last night, but where’s the room I reserved?Can I move into it now?”
“I’m afraid we’re fully booked, and we have been for a couple of weeks.”
“Then how did my reservation get confirmed?”
At that moment, the old man shuffled in, carrying three large pineapples.
“Delivery from Atiu,” he announced.
“Dad, have you been using the computer again?”
Mr.Hehu waved his daughter off and smiled at Libby.“Mrs.Jones, how did you sleep?”
“Not very well, I’m afraid, Mr.Hehu.”
“Yes, the storm.It’s over now.Blue skies for you from now on.”
“I hope so, but you, um, put me in the wrong room last night,” Libby said, glancing awkwardly at Serita.
Thankfully, Serita took the hint and explained to her father that there’d been a mistake.
“So you share,” the old man said.“He already paid, so it’s free accommodation for you.”He let out a wheezy laugh at his own joke but was soon hushed when Serita spoke some curt-sounding Maori words to him.He replied in Maori, which—going by the old man’s happy shrug—Libby translated to,So?It’s no big deal.
In the grand scheme of the world’s problems, sharing a pre-paid honeymoon bungalow with a former British athlete on a tropical island really wasn’t a big deal.
Just an extremely awkward and inconvenient one.
And she didn’t think for one minute that Cranky would appreciate it either.
Mr.Hehu ambled off toward the kitchen with his pineapples.Karim wriggled on Libby’s hip, wanting to get down.She lowered him to his feet and held onto his hand.
“I’m so sorry,” Serita said.“Let me make a few calls.I’ll find you someplace else.”
“That’ll be awesome.Thank you.I’ll have a look, too.”Libby asked for the Wi-Fi details.“And one more thing.Do you know if Mr.Jones is expecting anyone else to join him here, other than his mother and aunt?Someone called Isabella, perhaps?”
“Nope.”Serita shook her head.“The bungalow only sleeps three people, anyway—two in the double, and one on the pull-out sofa bed, so it’ll be cozy enough when his other guests arrive.”
