The Love Resort (19 page)

‘Just tell me why you spent all your time with her.’ Despite trying to be brave, she was fighting tears.

‘I felt sorry for her. You know, without Jimmy there. But I realise now that it was insensitive of me and I am sorry.’

‘Is that it? You just felt sorry for her?’ She desperately wanted to believe him; although Carla wasn’t stupid and deep down she knew that there was more to it. But she decided to accept things. She couldn’t help but think that it was Emily’s fault. She had been wearing a tiny, revealing dress, which, seeing as she wasn’t with Jimmy, Carla thought was a bit slutty of her. Then she’d definitely been making eyes at Lee, Carla had noticed that. She couldn’t bear not to have a man fawning over her, so as hers was absent, she’d taken someone else’s. Carla really disliked Emily and vowed that she would keep Lee out of her way from now on.

‘I promise, and I’m really sorry for humiliating you.’

‘It’s OK,’ Carla said quickly. She would make it work, of that she was determined, as she concentrated on the programme that Lee had finally selected.

‘No, babes, it’s not. I swear that it won’t happen again. From now on, you’re the only girl I dance with.’ He leant over and engulfed her in a bear hug and she giggled into his shoulder.

*

‘Em, we need to talk,’ Jimmy said. He stood with his hands in his chino pockets by the end of the bed, on which Emily was lying, reading a magazine.

‘What about?’ She didn’t look up.

‘You seem really unhappy, and I don’t know why.’ He felt totally lost, as she finally looked up at him.

‘It’s just a bad hangover, but I’m sorry, I shouldn’t take it out on you.’

‘I shouldn’t have left you last night.’

‘You were ill.’

He felt frustrated with himself. Why on earth was he apologising for being ill? Why did he feel that it was his fault?

‘I know but the atmosphere today, the warning, and no one will tell me what happened...’

‘Oh, Jimmy, I’m sorry, it’s just a bit embarrassing. You see, because you weren’t there Lee asked me to dance and Carla got a bit upset. I mean, it was a mixture of drink and everything.’

‘Lee fancies you?’ Jimmy felt that he’d hit the nail on the head.

‘No, of course not. He just felt sorry for me. But Carla took it badly and started crying. That’s all, really. I guess they had words.’

‘So what about your shoes?’ He wasn’t sure that he was getting the whole story.

‘Well, I told you I was drunk and I just got frustrated because Carla wouldn’t believe that it was innocent. I think I threw them but I can’t be sure.’ She looked down at the bed. ‘What must you think of me?’ A tear rolled down her cheek.

‘I think that you’re gorgeous.’ He went to her and took hold of her hand. Poor Emily. She’d been on her own, and Lee, who Jimmy didn’t trust, had obviously taken advantage of her. He couldn’t blame Carla for being upset, but then she should have spoken to her own boyfriend, not blamed Emily. Women always blamed other women, he knew that from TV. He was glad that they were on their own now because otherwise he would have wanted to punch Lee. Not that he’d ever punched anyone in his life. From now on, it would be a romantic holiday for him and his future fiancée.

‘Jimmy, you’re the best. I love you.’

‘Hey, how about we sit outside and watch the stars?’ He smiled his little-boy smile.

‘That sounds lovely.’ She held him close as he led her to the terrace.

*

Todd had woken early with a burst of energy and set to work, leaving Katie asleep. His mind wasn’t as focused on the script as it had been the previous day; he was focused only on Marcus’s offer. The carrot had been dangled and although he told himself that he wouldn’t go, that he couldn’t go, it was making him want to even more. Katie’s betrayal provided him with his only justification. Was it enough?

His thoughts were interrupted by the clip-clop sounds of Katie’s expensive shoes.

‘Morning,’ she said, smiling.

‘Hey.’ He returned the smile.

‘Have you had breakfast?’ She looked at him and then at herself. He followed her gaze. Today she was wearing the tiniest hot-pink bikini yet with a pair of Jimmy Choo sandals; Todd thought the shoes were gorgeous, but he couldn’t share his thoughts with her.

‘No. Shall I order it now?’ She nodded and he went to the phone.

‘Mary says I should keep out of the sun today,’ Katie said, as she sipped her coffee.

‘Well, is there something we can do inside?’ Todd cringed as he realised what he’d said.

‘Oh, Todd, there’s plenty we can do inside,’ Katie laughed. ‘But what do you want to do?’ She licked her lips provocatively.

Todd coloured. He had dug himself into yet another hole. How long could he use work as an excuse?’

‘Uh, do you play backgammon?’ he asked, mainly out of desperation.

‘No.’ Katie narrowed her eyes.

‘Chess?’

‘Do I look like a chess player?’

‘Not dressed like that.’ Again he cringed. He’d put his foot, his leg, his whole body in his mouth. ‘What games do you play?’ He felt like crying. Why was his mouth betraying him? He was trying to be nice, without being too nice, and the results he knew, as Katie started doing that thing she did with her eyelashes, was that he was unwittingly encouraging her.

‘Strip poker?’ she suggested, giggling.

Todd was literally lost for words.

In the end, he persuaded her that it would be fun for her to learn more about the character she was set to play in the film. He managed to flatter her into thinking it was a great idea. Todd decided that he could use work as an excuse for the whole honeymoon and he might need to. He was getting tired of it. Tired of watching her pout at him, flick her hair, shove her breasts in his face. Most men would give anything to be where he was, and in his situation. Most straight men, that is. He needed to come up with a plan. He needed some space. Katie the predator was both scaring and suffocating him.

*

‘What exactly do you mean, you have to go out?’ Katie asked, the sweetness slipping out of her voice with each word.

‘Katie, please, I need to go, OK? As long as everyone thinks we’re together, we’re in the clear. Believe me, no one will know. I promise.’ He was begging her, desperate to get out. He battled with his conscience, he battled with reason, but now all he wanted to do was to see Marcus.

‘Where are you going?’

‘Out. Look, order room service, tell them that I’m in bed sick, or something. I won’t be late.’ This last statement was a lie; he hoped to be very late. He felt guilty. Katie looked hurt, but he couldn’t help that. She had married him for her career, she knew all about him, she had to accept things, the way he’d had to.

‘Fine.’ Katie stormed off.

Lily was on the way to the bungalow for her second night’s spying on the film stars when she literally ran into Katie. ‘Hello,’ Lily said, surprised to see her out.

‘Oh, hi.’ Katie looked embarrassed, Lily noted. ‘I just took a walk on the beach before dinner. It’s nice there. Anyway, I’d better get back.’

‘Where’s Todd?’ Lily asked, concealing her binoculars. ‘Oh, he’s back at the villa. He’s got a bit of a headache. Anyway, see you later.’

Lily watched her leave, and left a certain amount of time before she followed. Glad that she didn’t have to watch the competition winners, she scrambled up the bank, the same way she’d done the first time she’d been charged with watching the honeymooners, and climbed over the back. However, this time, it was more important, as Anne-Marie said that her book now hinged on the reports that Lily gave her about Todd and Katie—at least until they found a way of making the competition winners behave.

Lily made her way to the bushes, but there was no sign of either of them outside. Sighing, she moved closer, trying to ensure she was out of sight. Finally, she positioned herself by the patio doors, behind a tree in a pot. She knelt down and then looked inside. The sight that greeted her wasn’t what she expected.

‘Oh, Mary, thank you so much,’ Katie said, as Lily saw them both sitting on the sofa with champagne glasses in their hands. She moved the tree a bit nearer to the open door, so she could hear more clearly.

‘It’s OK. You seem to cry too much for a honeymooner.’

‘But it’s not real.’

‘No, but most things aren’t what they seem.’ Mary took Katie’s hand; Katie gripped it tightly. Lily wondered what the hell they were talking about. What wasn’t real?

‘You think?’

‘Yes. Out there you talk about these couples, so normal and in love, but you don’t know. Behind the scenes no one is who they seem. You mark my words.’

‘How on earth did you get so wise?’

‘Ah, you flatter me, ma’am.’

Lily wanted to jump out and ask them to explain themselves, but she knew that she couldn’t. Had Katie and Todd had another row?

‘No, Mary, no, and please, call me Katie. Anyway, do you know what I’ve done for him?’

‘No, Katie, but I think you’ve done a lot.’ Lily watched Mary drain her glass and offer it to Katie to be refilled. Was she hallucinating?

‘I have, Mary, I have done a lot. I even had my pubic hair shaped and dyed as the American flag.’

‘You did what?’ Mary nearly choked; if Lily had had a drink, she would have done too.

‘Yes, well, I know that Todd’s very patriotic. And I always wear pink.’

Lily adjusted herself, trying to be silent. Her legs were going to sleep but she couldn’t leave. What she was hearing wouldn’t be much use to Anne-Marie, but she was gripped. There was no sign of Todd, and no one had mentioned his whereabouts, not while she’d been listening, anyway. Where the hell could he be?

‘Mary, have you ever been to Los Angeles?’ Katie asked, as she poured more drinks.

‘I’ve never left the Island,’ Mary replied.

‘Maybe you should come and stay with me?’

‘What about my husband and my children?’ Lily thought Mary looked as shocked as she was by the offer.

‘Bring them. Mary, I think you’re like family to me, like the mother I never had. I mean I did have one but she wasn’t very nice. And she wasn’t wise like you. So, you could all come. Oh please say you will.’

‘I will! I will!’ Mary bounced up and down on the sofa as Katie went to refill the glasses.

‘Oh dear, I think we’ve finished another bottle of Cristal.’ Lily looked and saw two empty bottles on the floor.

‘I don’t know what this stuff is, but it’s darn good,’ Mary said, before resuming her bouncing.

Lily really had seen everything now.

*

The car that drew up had blacked-out windows, but Todd felt safe as Marcus had informed him of the licence plate. He was relieved that he obviously understood his need for privacy and secrecy. As he sat in the back and the car began to wind its way around the bumpy island roads, he felt alive for the first time in ages. For the first time since he’d been told to start ‘dating’ Katie. This is what he’d been warned about. That he’d die inside, lose himself, if he continued to be someone he wasn’t. And he felt dangerously close to doing just that.

They pulled up outside a hotel, a small, plain place. He automatically felt nervous; as if he was doing something wrong. But he wasn’t—this wasn’t wrong. He went to get out of the car, but the driver stopped him and handed him a key.

‘I’ll be waiting to take you back when you’re ready,’ he said, before he drove off.

Todd told himself that it only seemed seedy because of the need for extreme secrecy, as he made his way to room twenty-four. The place was quiet and deserted, apart from a tired-looking concierge who purposely didn’t acknowledge him. He unlocked the door and stopped. Sitting on a small armchair facing the door was Marcus. And he was completely naked.

*

‘It must be hard for you living here,’ Todd said, as he stroked the hair on Marcus’s chest.

‘It’s not so bad. Only when I fall for a famous film star, then it’s hard.’

‘Because we have to keep it secret?’

‘Because we do, and you have a wife, and you are staying where I work. That just about makes it as hard as it can be.’

‘But we can do this again?’

‘I don’t think so.’

‘Why? What was wrong?’

‘Oh, nothing was wrong, but what if your wife called for me? I don’t have this time off. I took a risk. It could cost me my job and my reputation.’

‘So, if we want to be together again we have to find a way of meeting at the resort.’ Todd panicked suddenly. It wasn’t as if he believed he’d found the love of his life, but he had begun to find himself again, and that was important to him.

The same car dropped him home. He was shown how to get into the resort from a back way, so no one would see him. He breathed a sigh of relief as he made his way into the bungalow, then stopped. Mary was on the sofa, her head back, her mouth open and emitting a quiet snore. And with her head in her lap was his wife, emitting a louder one.

17

Time
For
Each
Other

The Love Resort offers you and your loved one the chance to spend quality time together. Your privacy will be respected, giving you the golden opportunity for romance. Our rooms are designed to make you feel relaxed, so you can enjoy each other when you want to be alone.*

Remember, although there are activities for you, you must also make time for each other. Enjoy each other; indulge the person you love in this peaceful and tranquil setting.

Guest
Handbook

* We do not offer room service as part of a normal package, but if you wish to have a meal in your rooms, this can be arranged with a twenty-four-hour notification. We cannot guarantee it, but we will do our best to accommodate you.

*

‘Not one complaint. They went to bed after dinner. Nothing else to report.’

‘Their own beds?’ Anne-Marie tapped her manicured nails on the table nervously.

‘Yes, their own beds.’

Even Ed had been surprised by their restraint. After dinner he’d followed to ensure that the competition winners were in their own rooms and they were. He’d gone back to tell his wife, but she’d been asleep, so he’d gone to Lily’s bungalow to await her return.