‘That wasGary,’ he says, to which I tell him I’ve arrived at the beauty salon and need to go.
After leaving Jeff to his balloons, I push open the door to find Rose on a chair in reception, flicking through a copy ofGood Housekeeping.
She looks up and laughs. ‘Let me guess – spray tan?’
‘You too?’
‘Oh yes. Nora’s just left and Lisa’s in there now. It’s like a production line. We should have asked for a group discount.’
A door opens and Lisa steps out. She is the colour of a mahogany sideboard. Rose’s eyes widen.
‘Sheswearsthis will wash off,’ Lisa says ominously, as her phone pings and she looks at it. ‘Oh God, this has literally not stopped. After all the things I’ve had to organise at home and in the office for this holiday, I might just collapse for three days when I finally get there.’
I can sympathise on the work front. After our terrible market research meeting, half of my colleagues have gone into a tailspin, desperate to prove how incredibly competent they are. As a result, my inbox has literally never been so full. But as I sit waiting for my turn, that’s not the only thing playing on my mind. Now, it seems I have the added complication of having to go on a weekend break with the one person I have been determined to stay away from.
I try to look on the bright side. It’s not like I can avoid Sam altogether. And I’ve made it clear that what happened was a mistake, never to be repeated. While spending several days in the same resort is not something I’d choose to do, it might at least underline that I’m capable of being civilised. Friendly, even. And keeping my distance should be at least possible when there are eight other people there and the men are in a different apartment altogether. This is not going to be a problem. It is not going to ruin my holiday. I absolutely refuse to let it.
Chapter 33
Things are awkward from the moment Sam and I exchange a hello at the airport and he tells me with a friendly smile that I’m looking ‘well’.
‘You’ve obviously been playing a lot of tennis, Jules,’ he adds. ‘I think you’ve caught the sun already.’
I keep my distance in the line to board, chatting to any member of our group but him. At one point, he is clearly heading my way but a woman starts struggling to get her buggy down some steps and he diverts to help. She’s flustered and grateful and there’s something about this tiny act of heroism that makes my heart surge, then irritates me no end.
A text from Gavin arrives just as I’m taking my seat on the plane, next to Nora and a safe distance from Sam a few rows in front. It’s a selfie, taken in a bathroom mirror, in which he’s topless and proudly displaying his latest ‘gains’. I have no idea how many press-ups he’s done today, but from this angle he has bigger boobs than me.
‘Have a wonderful trip! See you when you get back! X’
I am wincing as I compose a response.
‘Someone’s clearly been hitting the gym today! Thanks Gavin. See you soon!’ I leave off a kiss and add a smiley face at the end instead, though I couldn’t exactly tell you why.
It’s the early hours of the morning when we step off the plane, but the dry Spanish heat hits us like a wall. There’s a short drive to the resort, which has a five-star hotel and three championship golf courses, though it’s too dark to see anyof those right now. Instead, we drive along wide, quiet roads flanked by palm trees and whitewashed villas, lit up by the soft glow of street lamps. We pass a cluster of shops and tapas restaurants then check in to the hillside complex where we’ll be staying. After showers and a chat on the balcony, I head to the twin room I’m sharing with Nora to find Frankie has texted.
‘So how is Spain? I’m so glad you decided to go! X’
‘Hot! But we only arrived late so I haven’t seen much yet. Excited about the tennis tomorrow though x’
‘I wish we’d co-ordinated things better so I could see you,’ she says.
‘Why, is everything okay?’
‘Of course. Just missing you, that’s all, mummy dearest xx’
I smile at the last two words, which are ironic. She started calling me ‘mum’ at three years old, the first of many small acts of defiance.
‘Well, I miss you too. Lots. xxx’
‘Glad to hear it. Listen, have an amazing time. And MOST importantly. . .’
There are a few undulating dots before her last message comes through. ‘No hitchhiking okay???x’
I think that’s her idea of a joke.
I turn off the phone as Nora and I slip into each twin bed and chat for nearly half an hour, about all manner of random subjects. Like the night sweats she’s started getting recently and how her daughter’s getting on at uni and why people are suddenly obsessed with apple cider vinegar.
‘I’ve been sent a link about it twice this week,’ she says, shaking her head. ‘One about how it can reduce cholesterol, the other about using it to clean windows. I’m trying to work out how those two things are compatible.’
