‘Yes!’ I said, eyes shining. ‘Ideally with a global megastar.’
‘Or Mark’s boss,’ Abi suggested.
‘That’s more yourrevenge shagterritory,’ Kat said, sounding like a used car salesman. ‘In which case you’d be better off with his brother – or his dad.’
I shook my head. The whole thing was too surreal.
‘When was the last time you went on holiday?’ Abi asked. ‘Would it help to book a few days off work?’
‘I’ve got a fortnight off the week after next, but I’m dreading it. The thought of going on holiday alone, like a sad old spinster, is too much. I haven’t even booked anything yet.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Abi said. ‘Solo travel is the best! You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Sleep in, read books, eat ice-cream all day – indulge yourself entirely.’
‘Hmm, that does sound nice, I guess. Mark did tend to be quite bossy on holiday. He wasn’t one to deviate from his itinerary.’ I thought back to our last holiday where we’d played tennis in the rain, because it was in the plan.
‘This time you can make it all about you, but there’s no rush to decide,’ Abi said.
‘Sorry girls, I don’t know what I’m doing. I can barely decide what I’m having for breakfast these days, let alone organise a holiday. Dad has been looking after the dogs on my weeks while I sort myself out, but everything feels hard, you know? I need a spa day. Or spa week, or month, until I feel better. A full body massage and some healthy food. Actually – unhealthy food would be better. And bottomless margaritas.’
‘Hang on – I’m gettingdéjà vu. I had this same conversation with someone recently.’ Abi massaged her temples to summon the memory. ‘Yes! It was Emma Stone.’
‘The actress?’ Kat piped up.
‘The very one. She was in make-up telling me about the most unbelievable forest retreat she’d been to in Norway called… flying something. No, hang on, I’ll think of it… fiery something.’ She snapped her fingers. ‘Firefly!’
‘Interesting.’ I picked up my phone and typed in ‘firefly’, ‘retreat’ and ‘Norway’ and up it came. Firefly Forest, a family-run retreat nestled among the fjords, close to theFolgefonnaglacier. Two hours from Bergen.A hidden gemwas scrawling its way across the homepage, followed by a carousel of stunning Norwegian scenery. Drone shots winding through the fjords showcasing the lush greenery either side. Wooden lodges tucked in among the conifers, camouflaged by the forest. Reindeer chilling in the sunshine, huskies sledding through the snow and wild swimmers in enormous waterfalls decorated with rainbows. It looked calm, clean and fresh. Idyllic.
Abi was still talking. ‘Yeah! She said it was like nothing she’s ever experienced before. Amazing treatments, hot springs and Michelin-star food.’
‘Really?’ I said, swiping through the photos. It was beautiful, but I wouldn’t have pegged it as an A-list hotspot. It wasprobably one of those places only the PRs knew about. I tapped through to the booking page to check out dates. Sold out, sold out, sold out. Of course it was.
‘Ever heard of it?’ I asked Kat, who was piling up a cracker with brie.
She shook her head. ‘I can ask at work though and get you some other recommends?’
A spa trip wasn’t a bad idea at all. I wouldn’t feel strange being there on my own and I could hide behind my sunglasses. People might mistake me for a reclusive celeb. I could do that. Hmm, yes… I could absolutely do that.
