BREAK ME FREE (14 page)

Tanya held Serge’s hand as they walked down the coastal street. The large granite buildings towered above them and cast long shadows over the historic fishing port of Aberdeen. Seagulls glided on a coastal gale, their hungry eyes waiting for the trawlers to unload their catches of North Sea cod.

Inside the cavernous white marble hotel lobby, a large queue waited at the reception desk. Serge noticed a sign for the gents and glanced at Tanya. “While you book in, you mind if….”

“No, go on.”

“Great.”

A member of staff walked the line and stopped at Tanya. “Waiting to check in, Madam?”

“Yes”

“Booked online?”

“I have.”

“Unfortunately we are experiencing some technical problems with the E-booking system.”

Tanya sighed and glanced away. “All right.”

Tanya sat on the leather couch while she waited for her complimentary drink.
A young couple slumped on the couch in front of her. Tanya picked her teeth with her blood red nail as she waited for Serge to return.

“Just arrived?”

Tanya saw a fresh-faced young man. She pointed to herself. “You talking to me?”

“Yes.”

“Sorry, I was in my own world. My partner and I just arrived this minute. You?”

“Please forgive us for the delay. We aren’t fully open yet as the restoration work in the East Wing is ongoing. I guess the builders cut the connection again.”

“Oh.”

“Apart from this, everything else works great.
I’m Malcolm, the owner. This is my wife, Julia.”

Tanya thought him to be younger than herself. “The owner
… you look like you left school yesterday!”

Malcolm glanced at his wife as he laughed. “I was fortunate to make my money young. I played tennis professional
ly for five years.” He sighed as he rubbed his knee. “Damaged my knee ligaments in the gym, which put an end to me living the dream.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, sport is full of such sob stories.”

“But, still sad though.
”

“
I picked myself and invested in this place, I married Julia and am now happier than ever.”

Tanya watched the couple hold hands. “Sound quite a positive character.”

“Sulking gets you nowhere.” Malcolm stroked the back of Julia’s neck. He glanced at Tanya. “Your name is?”

“I’m Tanya and my boyfriend is Serge.”

Julia smiled at Tanya as she rubbed Malcolm’s thigh. “Where have you come from, how long are you staying?”

“Just the two nights. I’m from London.” Tanya covered her mouth as she yawned. “Well, we’re living north of Perth at the moment.”

“Oh, so you could call yourself an expat?”

“Guess so, I do feel as though I’m in foreign surroundings.”

Seemingly interested in his new acquaintance, Malcolm moved to the edge of his seat. “London to Perth, that’s quite a change of scenery. What do you do for a living?”

“Model
… well, I used to.”

“Easy to believe.” Malcolm winced as Julia pinched his thigh.

“Now I actually help my boyfriend farm.”

Julia’s smile lacked substance. “Good for you, Tanya.”

“Thanks.”

“Doing something with a bit more soul than
modelling.”

* * * *

Serge walked out of the toilet. He sighed once he spotted Tanya and the couple conversing. He stepped up to couch and sat by Tanya’s. He put his arm around and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Checked in?”

“There’s a problem with the booking system.”

Malcolm leaned over the coffee table to shake Serge’s hand. “Serge, I’m Malcolm Monrose, the owner of the hotel.”

“Hi.”

“Sorry for the delay today, it’s caused by the ongoing work. It’s still our off season. We’re desperately getting ready for May.”

“Don’t worry, I think it’s a lovely place.”

Julia smiled at Serge. “Your lovely girlfriend told me that you’re a farmer.”

“Did she?”

“You must be quite a novelty in your community.”

“I don’t follow.”

“The accent. Clearly not a native of Perth.”

“No
… No I’m not.”

A receptionist declared the booking system was up and running, causing Serge to jump from his seat like a scalded cat.
“Please excuse us, we really need to get into our room.”

* * * *

Julia watched Tanya and Serge walked towards the reception. She turned to face Malcolm. “I’m sure I recognise her, you know?”

“Really? I’m not sure if I do.”

“I wonder from where?”

“They say the harder you think, the further away you get.”

Julia watched as Tanya stood behind Serge at the counter. “I won’t be able to rest until I find out where she is from.”

“Don’t stress about it.” Malcolm sniggered as he put his arm around Julia. “She’s not an ex of mine.”

“I’m not bothered if she is. Just stop looking at her arse.”

“I’m not.” Malcolm rubbed his arm after being elbowed by his wife. “OK.”

“I know what you’re doing even before you know yourself.”

“He isn’t as friendly as she is.”

Julia folded her arms as she stared at the Serge. “I know, he’s quite abrupt really. I think she’s in for an earful when they get back.”

“Why? Do you think we’ve caused her some trouble?”

“I can smell a story.”

“Don’t you think he is a farmer, then?”

Julia threw herself back into leather couch. “I thought it was bloody obvious.”

“Really?”

“Why would she be with a man twice her age, if he’s just a farmer? Secondly how many Russian famers do you know who farm in Scotland.”

“Even if he is a business man with an escort? You know that won’t sell copy, though. It happens all the time.”

“I know.” Julia scratched her chin. “But he’s more than that”

“You think he is an oil baron?”

“He’s got something to hide, that’s for sure. And I think it’s more than just a dirty weekend.”

Malcolm sniggered to himself. “You can tell you want to be an investigative journalist.”

“I think we need to bump into those two again.”

Tanya swiped the card and the door unlocked. Excited, she burst through the open door and flung herself down onto the bed
, then glanced about the plush room. “The place is amazing.”

Dropping the case on floor, Serge collapsed at her side. “God, I could sleep for a week.”

Tanya rolled on top of Serge, pressing her lips against his. “I’m so excited.” She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. “Love you.” With a smile on her face, she whispered, “I don’t know where to start.”

“A blow job is never a bad way to begin.”

“I was thinking about a swim. Could relax in the sauna afterwards.”

“What about holiday sex?”

“I prefer the term lovemaking.”

“Ok, lovemaking then?”

Tanya rolled off Serge and lay at his side.“Tonight, babe, tonight.”

“Promise?”

“Yes.” Tanya took hold of Serge’s hand. “Coming for a swim then?”

“Mind if I skip the swim, and meet you in the sauna in an hour?”

“You just want to get rid of me so you can sleep.”

Serge closed his eyes. “Bruce has really been getting his money’s worth. Think I paid for this trip just in overtime.”

“Mind if I go my own then?”

“Of course not.”

* * * *

Rooting through her luggage, Tanya pulled out her blue bikini. Tanya felt Serge’s gaze as she climbed out of her clothes. She smiled and tossed her knickers at him. “Hey, cheeky.”

“Can’t resist.”

“Sure you don’t want to come?”

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay with me?”

“I can’t wait to get in the pool.” She put her hand on her stomach. “I’m fighting my belly.”

“Fine, go and have your swim. Just stick to rules.”

“I do.”

Serge’s voice was layered by a serious tone. ”You already told them two nosey gits that I’m a farmer from Perth. That’s bang out of rights.”

“Sorry.”

Serge sat up so he could stare directly into Tanya’s eyes. “Look, that’s the sort of thing that can make our life even more difficult.”

“I’m sorry. I just got excited at talking to new people.”

“Never mind.” Serge fell back on to the bed. “Sorry for snapping, I’m just in need of some sleep.” He yawned. “Anyway, we’re here to relax. So go and have fun.”

* * * *

Malcolm surfaced from the water. Two manicured feet stood at the edge. He brushed his hand across his face, clearing it of excess water. “Hey, Tanya. Good to see you again.”

“Hi, Malc
.”

Settled in OK
?”

“Yep.”

“Don’t mind me. Just de-stressing myself with some exercise.” Malcolm climb out of the pool and sat on the edge. “Where is Serge?”

“He is asleep. He worked late all week. So I thought I would check out the facilities for myself.”

Malcolm glanced into the crystal turquoise pool. “It’s quite a nice pool, isn’t it?”

“Amazing.”

Malcolm laughed and pointed at the large marble statue. “I do believe that is the Greek god Poseidon, God of all waters and the oceans…. Just in case you thought it was me.”

“You might have a figure, but you’re not quite God like.”

Malcolm shook his head as he gazed into the turquoise water. “Nothing like honesty to bring a man back to earth.”

“So how did you come to buying this place?”

”I’m a local lad you see. Never saw the place open, apart from this gym. After I had my injury I did a lot of my rehab here.”

“This place must have cost a fortune to buy, it’s massive.”

“I got it at a really good price. Catch was, it needed a lot doing to it.”

“Looks magnificent now.”

“Apart from the East Wing, it’s looking how we imagined it to be. We haven’t stopped working on it since we bought it.” Malcolm stood up. “That’s three years next month. As you can see, a lot of love and care has gone into it.”

“This pool is fantastic. It reminds me of the one where I used to live.”

“A woman of some affluence, I see.”

“Me
…? You’re joking.”

Malcolm folded his arms and stepped up
to Tanya, “To have a pool, you must have had a few bob. You become more interesting with every conversation.” He watched as she bit her tongue.

“Not my money.” Tanya’s laugh was nervous. “A former boyfriend lived in a lavish complex that had a gorgeous pool. He had a few bob
all right.”

“Brings back old memories, huh?”

“Nothing better than a few long lengths in the morning.”

“What?” Malcolm burst out into laughter, stepping back, he held his muscular abs as tried to catch his breath. “Sounds like Serge has his hands full with you.”

“Oh that came out wrong, sorry…. Grow up Malcolm.”

“Sorry, I’m very childish when it comes to things like that.” Malcolm took a deep breath and composed himself. He watched as Tanya took off her towel and laid it on the lounger. Feeling awkward, Malcolm didn’t know where to look as Tanya tied back her blonde hair. His eyes
marvelled at her athletic figure tucked inside a navy blue two piece bikini.

Tanya walked to the edge of the pool. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Malcolm. “Getting back in?”

“No, no. Been in long enough.” Malcolm showed Tanya the palm of his hand. “See, all my fingers are pruned.”

Tanya giggled and dived into the pool. She cut through the water like a mermaid, reaching the far side of the pool like an Olympian swimmer.

Malcolm collected his towel and paperback book from his lounger. He dragged his feet as he walked to the exit and was thus happy when Tanya stopped for a breather. Walking to the edge of the pool, Malcolm threw his towel over his shoulder. “We finished our own suite last.”

“Good for you.”

“We have invited a few friends over. Why don’t you and Serge join us? ”

Tanya rubbed the chlorine water from her eyes. “Oh, you don’t need to.”

“Look at it as a sorry for messing up your booking. If you need a little persuasion, we have the old grand suite, basically the whole top floor of the East Wing.”

“Really, the whole top floor?”

“Yeah, most of the stuff is Victorian. It was like a time capsule when we found it. There are all kinds of preservation orders on it and last tenant couldn’t afford to renovate it.”

“I’ll ask the boyfriend then.”

“Just dial the room number into the phone. It’s 105.”

“I’ll never remember that, sorry
—dyslexic.”

Malcolm sighed as he tore a page from his book. “There you go,
room 105…. See, the main character is called Malcolm, too.”

“Really?”

“Just call it fate.” Malcolm watched as Tanya laughed out loud, her white teeth reflected the pool lights.

“Thanks.” Tanya kicked off the wall and swam backstroke.

“I’ll put it with your towel then.”

“OK
.”

Malcolm gazed at Tanya’s body as she gracefully stroked through the pool. “I hope to see you both tonight.” He shook his head and turned to walk away.

* * * *

Lying on the bed, Serge rubbed sleep from his eye while he watched Tanya dry her hair with a towel. “That must have been a deep sleep.”

“Ah, you’re awake, I can put the dryer on.”

“Great.”

Serge could see Tanya’s smile as she dried her hair with the dryer. “What are you so happy about?”

“That nosey couple you were talking about earlier.”

“Oh you didn’t bump into them again?”

“Well, I bumped into Malcolm.”

Serge sat up and rested his back against the head board. “I saw a ring on his finger before you get any funny ideas.”

“Oh no, he’s too flashy for me.”

“Too flashy for you? You dated Vladimir for years. His middle name was flash.”

“I was young and stupid.” Tanya winced as her comb caught a knot. “Where was I
… Oh yeah, they have invited us for tea tonight with some of their friends.”

“What? We’re invited out?”

“Yes.”

Serge sighed as he rubbed his face. “Why can I smell trouble?”

“Please. I think it will be a nice change for us to socialise.”

“We do have friends. You’re forgetting about Beatrice and Bruce.”

Tanya switched off the hair dryer and turned to face Serge. “I’m not forgetting about Beatrice and Bruce. I’m grateful to know them and everything they have done for us. But….”

“But what?”

“Just, these are young, like us.”

“Like you, you mean.”

“Like us.”

Serge’s whined like a spoilt child. “But I thought this weekend was about me and you.”

“It is.”

“So?”

Tanya grabbed Serge’s shoulder and stared into his eyes. “I don’t mind just me and you. But it would nice to have few drinks with fresh faces. Just for a weekend, we could forget our worries…. Just this weekend.”

“But people ask questions
… Questions get us into trouble.”

“You like history.” Tanya kissed him on his cheek.
“They live in an amazing historic suite. Malcolm said it’s like a time capsule.”

“You sound like you’re getting bored of me.”

“I’m not.”

“Right, just this once. OK?”

“Thanks, Serge.” She rubbed his chest. “I’ll make it up to you a few ways.”

Serge’s face suddenly smiled. “Oh, I wonder at what you mean.”

“By doing the ironing … obviously.”