The Love Resort (20 page)

‘Really, Ed, really?’ Anne-Marie looked delighted.

‘I promise. They were perfectly behaved,’ he continued.

As they left the house to go to the office, he wondered how Lily was. Last night she’d returned and told him about the strange events. They had been baffled as they tried to work it out. But they couldn’t dwell on it; they’d had to fabricate a romantic report for Anne-Marie, which had taken them hours. Ed was sure that the truth would have killed her.

At the office, Lily was already at her desk.

‘Good morning,’ Lily said to Anne-Marie and Ed.

‘Ah, tell me, how was last night?’ Anne-Marie asked, before she had even sat down.

‘The report’s on your desk. Again, another perfect romantic evening. Those two should be role models for marriage.’

Ed wondered how Lily could keep a straight face. He was struggling.

‘Thank you, dear. As Ed told me, our reprobate winners were also well-behaved. I hope that it’s a turning point.’

‘Perhaps we can make sure that it is.’ Ed didn’t like to take anything for granted, but he was feeling optimistic.

‘Right. Good. The interviews. I’ve prepared a list of questions for you. I see you scheduled Jimmy and Emily first, Thea and Tim second and Lee and Carla last. Then we have the group interview. After that, you take them on to the photographer. Have you briefed him?’

‘Yes, as discussed. Emily and Jimmy on the sandy beach, him carrying her into the water. Thea and Tim on a love seat, with the orchid garden in the background. Carla and Lee on a catamaran, holding each other and laughing.’

‘Perfect.’

Perfectly hideous, Ed thought. He bit his lip.

‘Is there anything else I can do?’ Lily asked as Ed buried himself in work.

‘Just make sure that the questions get asked and answered properly. I wouldn’t put anything past those idiots. However, when you come back to me with their answers, I am going to edit them anyway.’

‘Are you sure that’s a good idea?’

‘Oh, what, so I should let Tim say the best thing about this resort is how easy the bar is to break into? Let alone what the others might come out with. You think I should let them do this?’ Her voice had risen an octave.

‘Of course not.’ Lily gulped. ‘I was just thinking—’

‘Lily, dear, listen to me.’ Anne-Marie bared her teeth. ‘You do the fucking job I fucking overpay you to do, and leave me to do the hard work. As usual. And if you ever, ever question me again, I’ll send your scrawny arse all the way back to America, where you will never, I repeat, never, get a fucking job again after the reference I plan to write for you. Is that clear?’

Lily nodded. Ed saw she was close to tears. His wife could be such a bitch. But at least her outburst reminded him not to feel so guilty. He tried to smile reassuringly at Lily. He didn’t trust himself to speak; he was afraid that if he did, he would definitely give the game away.

‘Right Lily, are we ready to go?’ Anne-Marie handed her a Dictaphone.

‘Of course.’ Lily pulled herself together.

*

‘So, darling, is there anything pressing for today?’ Ed asked politely.

‘Not really. I am still worried about those winners. I know they behaved themselves last night, but, Ed, as far as I’m concerned, they’re on probation. One more complaint about them and I’m throwing them out.’

‘I agree, darling,’ he concurred. ‘But we have to ensure that they are not in a position to come back to us and give the resort bad publicity.’

‘Of course. Ed, you know my book is ruined.’

‘Can’t anything be salvaged from it?’

‘Well, of course the lovely Katie and Todd are still my main characters. And I think now that it’s about a group getting stranded on an island. But, the supporting cast, well, I don’t know. They’re not right. Not right at all.’ For once, instead of shouting, she sounded downcast. She was hoping the interviews would save her book, but she was still unsure.

‘How about you use their looks and invent their personalities?’

‘What do you mean?’ It sounded like more work than she intended. So far she had enough material from Lily for a good few chapters and she could even use some about the competition winners—not much, but some. She was hoping that she’d have more, and the book would write itself. Now that looked increasingly unlikely.

‘OK. Tim, good-looking, blonde, is the wit of the group, leave out the drinking. Thea, who looks a bit on edge all the time, in reality is the female version of Tim. They are the couple who make everyone laugh while being hopelessly in love with each other. Carla is slightly vulnerable, insecure, while Lee is always trying to protect her. Jimmy is the traditional tall and handsome man, and Emily is a young innocent, who’s in love for the first time.’

Anne-Marie looked at Ed in surprise. ‘Edward, darling, I think you might have something. Why didn’t I think of that? Oh my goodness, I may have just saved my novel. I must go and tell Abigail.’ Feeling positive, once again, she swept out of the office.

*

‘Aabbiigaail,’ Anne-Marie trilled. She found her publisher on the terrace, with André, her butler, clearing away the breakfast dishes. Anne-Marie leant in to air-kiss her friend. ‘I hope he’s not disturbing you.’

‘No, darling, not at all. Thank you, André,’ she smiled at him; he nodded and left.

‘Well, that all sounds great,’ Abigail said when Anne-Marie finished telling her her new plans.

‘The winners didn’t turn out to be the way I thought, or hoped, but I am so terribly adaptable.’

‘Which is why you’re such a star.’

‘Oh, thank you. Now what should I do about them, because apart from their looks I really don’t need them any more?’

‘Anne-Marie, you can’t send them away, darling. They would go to the papers and you’d look like an ogre.’

‘But what if I told my side—you know, how they turned up drunk at the dinner I gave for them and talked about anal sex? I mean, how insulting to have that bandied around at your dinner table?’

‘Oh, I agree, but you understand what the media is like; they would unfairly take the couples’ side. Six young people against the famous, talented and wealthy Anne-Marie Langdale. I’m sorry, darling, but you know it’s true.’

‘So I should let them stay.’ Anne-Marie pouted. She didn’t want them around any more. Not after they’d got the interviews done and she had enough information for her book. Not only did she have no further use for them, but she was also worried about what they might do next. Her book, and her nerves, were fragile enough without them sapping her inspiration further.

‘I don’t see what else you can do.’

‘Well, tomorrow we have the big American magazine here to interview Todd and Katie. Thank goodness they turned out to be everything I expected.’

‘So, you’re going to start writing now?’ Abigail looked hopeful.

‘Soon, darling, soon. You know you can’t rush the creative process.’

*

Thea was up early and she left Tim sleeping as she went to take a walk on the beach. It was such a treat to be able to stroll in the sun, watching the sea, just feeling free. That’s what she felt. The setting was so beautiful, as the waves lapped around her feet, and the sun spread its warmth. She enjoyed the sensation of the soft sand between her toes.

Last night had been uneventful. After their chat, Tim had opened a bottle of wine that seemed to come from his wardrobe, and they’d watched the film. Thea had fallen asleep halfway through it, and for the first time in ages, she’d slept soundly.

Although last night had been quiet, she’d been grateful for it. There was no way they were in trouble, for once, and she hoped from now on, the rest of the holiday would provide her with much-needed relaxation. No more worrying, she told herself. It wasn’t doing her any good. She wanted not to worry for the rest of their stay.

*

‘Do you want to come to breakfast?’ Jimmy asked.

He was close to despair. Last night, after they’d watched the stars for a while, Emily had led him inside and started undressing. She initiated making love with an intensity that proved that she loved him. She had been so tender and loving; he had been happier than ever. But this morning, she was distant again. He thought that maybe she was upset because he hadn’t proposed to her yet. He had hinted at marriage before they left Devon and she had hinted that she liked the idea. Maybe it was because she had expected a proposal from him; he should probably have asked her under the stars last night. He cursed himself for being such an idiot. He kept missing opportunities. When they were engaged, he knew that everything would be back to normal; they would be stronger than ever. He needed to do it soon.

‘Sure.’ Emily replied unenthusiastically.

Jimmy smiled at her, willing her to smile in return, which she did, although he found it unconvincing.

‘Hey, we’ve got the interview with Lily today, which should be fun.’

‘Yeah, and then we’ll be in the magazine.’ Emily perked up.

Jimmy kissed her. Not only would they be in the magazine, but they’d be using the article to announce their engagement. Maybe he was better at this romance lark than he thought.

*

Carla felt humiliated, although she thought she’d managed to make a joke out of things. Last night, after the film, she’d got into bed, wearing her sexiest nightgown: black, see-through and very revealing. She was sure that Lee would be all over her in no time. But instead he’d turned away, barely glancing at her. He soon started snoring so she was sure that he didn’t hear her crying herself to sleep.

They’d cleared the air, so why had he shunned her? Lee prided himself on being a red-blooded man—well, last night proved otherwise. It was her, obviously. He didn’t want her. What could she do to rectify things?

She looked at him sleeping and decided to get up. She’d make coffee and then they’d go to breakfast. Today she would ensure that they were back on track. No, more than that, she would ensure that their relationship flourished, like it said in the brochure.

*

‘Oh my God, what happened to me?’ Mary screamed.

Todd stood in front of her with a cup of coffee; Katie was in her lap. Todd tried not to laugh at the horrified look on Mary’s face.

‘I guess my wife happened to you,’ Todd reassured the terrified woman. Last night, he’d seen Katie in a slightly different light. He’d left her and she’d turned to Mary once again. Bereft of her entourage, she was vulnerable and he hadn’t taken that into account. He felt guilty and vowed to make it up to her. And poor Mary probably had no idea that the champagne they were drinking cost over two hundred dollars a bottle, probably her monthly wages. He shook his head.

‘Katie, Katie, wake,’ Mary lifted her head gently.

‘Mary, you stayed with me, you really stayed with me.’ Katie sat up and flung her arms around her. Then she looked at Todd.

‘Hey. Sorry for leaving you alone last night.’

‘We had a good girls’ chat, didn’t we?’ Katie smiled.

Todd could only imagine what they’d talked about.

‘I am worried that they will sack me,’ Mary said.

‘Why on earth would they do that?’ Katie asked, slightly hysterically.

‘I am meant to be staying in my quarters.’

‘But you are on call to us twenty-four hours a day, so, therefore, we called you,’ Todd pointed out.

‘You will tell them?’ Mary asked.

‘Of course, if anyone asks us. And, Mary, I think Katie and I can manage fine without you today. Take some rest.’

‘Katie?’ Mary looked at her uncertainly.

‘You take the day off, and, Mary, think about coming to visit me in America. I really meant it.’ Katie hugged Mary again and kissed her warmly on the cheek. Todd hid a smile; his wife was full of surprises.

Todd called Marcus to organise breakfast. Against all reason, he was desperate to see him again.

‘Hi,’ Katie said as she sat down opposite Todd.

‘I really am sorry about last night.’

‘Todd, we’re grown-ups; you are allowed to go out.’

‘I know, but, well, it wasn’t fair on you.’

‘I was with Mary. You know she’s so wise and so caring, and she has so little. Don’t you think that’s amazing?’

‘I do.’

‘I want to do something for her, Todd, can you help me?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘She listened to me talking about myself all night and all she did was comfort me. There was nothing in it for her apart from some champagne, and she’d never heard of Cristal. She was nice for the sake of it. I mean, she’s never seen a film with us in; in fact, the last film she saw was
Gone
with
the
Wind
. So she didn’t want anything from me. Todd, that’s never happened to me before.’

He looked at her with surprise. ‘What, never? Not even before you were famous?’

‘No, Todd, not even then.’

Todd hated himself for thinking it, but was this another of her tactics? It was definitely the kind of thing she would do; although if she was acting she was giving the performance of her life. Could she really have changed in a few days? He wasn’t sure, but there was definitely something going on.

Todd reached over and squeezed her hand. She glanced up at him in surprise, and he saw that there was humanity in her eyes. He tried to convey that he understood with his. They were interrupted by Marcus, putting a tray down loudly on the table.

‘Sorry.’ He sounded anything but.

‘Morning,’ Todd said, taking his hand away.

‘Smells lovely,’ Katie added, looking at them suspiciously.

‘Katie, would you mind dishing up breakfast? I forgot to ask Marcus to do something.’ He followed the butler out.

‘Marcus, wait.’ Todd caught up with him just before he reached the main resort.

‘What do you want?’ Marcus scowled.

‘I was just comforting her. Why did you look at me as if I’d done something wrong?’

‘I was jealous, I guess,’ Marcus replied.

‘Don’t be. She’s a bit mixed up and lonely. I was just being nice.’

‘Nothing more than that?’

‘No.’ Todd needed Marcus to believe him.

‘Look, Todd, when I got back last night there were questions and it wasn’t easy to deflect them.’