‘Guys – this is Dahlia Jackson, our new head of entertainment and all-round legend. I managed to poach her from The Bellagio, and we go waaay back.’
Dahlia laughed. ‘Now, now. What happens in Vegas, remember…’
‘Yes, that’s as much as you’ll ever know,’ Brooke said with a mischievous grin.
Leo, Zach, and Arlo had followed us in and there were now six of us standing inside the door. It was decidedly plush with its polished floors and mirrored tables, and a cocktail bar that ran the full length of the room. Barb surveyed the situation from the stage, then pointed a pink talon at me.
‘You don’t work here. I’ve got a nose for the staff and I’ve sniffed them all. Explain yourself.’
‘We’re here with head office,’ I replied breezily. ‘We’re your PR agency.’
‘For now,’ Leo murmured, with a twinkle in his eye.
I ignored him. ‘And you must be this season’s star?’
‘Barbie Queue, at your service. Loves a good banger.’ She slut-dropped then twerked her way back up. ‘Singer, dancer, compère – you name it, they’ve got me doing it. For no extra pay, obviously.’
‘Queen of the Cabaret,’ Heidi said. ‘We’ll be cheering you on from the front row.’
Not another one. How many queens did one boat need?
‘NO PHOTOS!’ Barbie Queue shouted, as Zach clicked away. ‘Flamin’ ’eck! No one wants to see this Hokey Cokey abomination. One leg in and one leg out. Delete them right now and come back when I’m in full hair and make-up.’
‘Apologies,’ Zach said, raising his hand.
Arlo coughed politely to remind us he was waiting. ‘If I can show you all to your rooms? There’ll be plenty of time to meet and greet the team once you’re settled in.’
‘Sorry, Arlo, sweetheart,’ Brooke said. ‘Come on you lot, he’s got a boatload of people to onboard; we shouldn’t waste his time.’ As if it wasn’t her faffing about and gossiping with Dahlia. She gave her one last hug then ushered us back to the door. ‘This way, everyone. Out we all go. See you gals later.’
The corridor was pine-scented with a velvet pile carpet, soft and thick underfoot. Everything was so shiny and new. Some might sayuntested. I tried not to think of theTitanicagain, but it was like trying not to imagine an orange elephant – the mind could be very annoying when it wanted to be. I closed my eyes and tried to gather myself. Panicking was pointless; I was here now and had to get on with it. Besides, I’d be panicking a hell of a lot more if we didn’t win this pitch.
Arlo stopped next to a sign that saidSuitesand I was back to feeling excited again.
‘Ms Harris, you are staying in our presidential suite, which is in this lift, straight to the top floor and on the right.’
‘Thank you kindly, Arlo, that sounds about right.’
Brooke pressed the button and the lift doors pinged open to reveal a smiling bellboy in a white shirt and navy chinos.
‘Ms Harris? Welcome on board theEsmeralda,’ he said, with a quick salute. ‘Look after her and she’ll look after you.’
‘Why thank you so much, sailor. And you are…?’
‘I’m Oliver and I’ll be your bellboy, your butler, and everything in between during your stay with us.’ The Aussie accent went perfectly with his windswept curls and dark tan. There was a free spirit trapped in that staff uniform, and by the looks of his bulging arms and legs it was trying to get out.
Brooke glanced back at us and giggled. ‘This is me then. Off I go! Arlo will settle you all into your rooms.’ Oliver took her bags and she snuggled into the lift with him. ‘Let’s meet on the Sun Deck in an hour, shall we?’
‘Sounds good,’ Leo said.
Brooke was eyeing Oliver up, like a hungry polar bear. ‘Actually, make it two.’
Leo and Zach exchanged a look while Arlo sped us to our rooms. Now head office were taken care of, he was less concerned about the chilled vibe.
‘Here we are. Ten eighty-five for Amplify times two,’ Arlo said. ‘And ten eighty-six for you ladies.’
I’d foolishly assumed with such an enormous ship, we’d be on a different floor to the boys, or at least in a different wing. But no, we were next door to each other. All four of us. The neighbours from hell.
‘Pop over anytime,’ Leo called, as he disappeared inside with Zach in tow.
