Page 14 of Another Lucky Number (Lucky Number #2)

Chapter Thirteen

A fter a leisurely lunch at the cafe, during which Amber, Cat and I chatted some more about my interview prep plan, we make a pit stop at Cat’s suite to pick up her iPad, before heading to the cocktail bar to start ‘work’.

Once settled at a table in the shade overlooking the mammoth-sized swimming pool, we order some cocktails and Amber disappears to the ladies, while Cat gets connected to the Wi-Fi.

I pass the time with some people watching and a thought strikes me: will any of these fellow holidaymakers be at my presentation on Monday?

Before I know it, I’m assessing their potential for giving me a hard time.

There’s a small group of middle-aged women deep in conversation, with positive, affectionate body language.

I can imagine them smiling encouragingly, trying to put me at ease.

Yes, I’d be happy enough for them to be there.

Then there are two mature couples sitting together quietly.

The men – both wearing cowboy hats – seem to have nodded off, while their other halves converse in almost a whisper, most likely to avoid disturbing their dozing spouses. They can definitely come too.

My ears then tune into raucous laughter, and my gaze lands on what appears to be a large family gathering: eight adults, a handful of excitable children, and a couple of awkward-looking teenagers engrossed in their phones.

One of the men in the group – clearly the alpha from the way he’s behaving – catches my attention.

It’s nothing more than an instinct, but straight away there’s something that makes me uneasy about him.

He’s telling a story, his companions transfixed, and he’s so loud that it’s impossible not to pick up what he’s saying.

‘And that’s when I’d had it ,’ he all but bellows. ‘Who does she think she is? She’s a bloody maid , she’s there to serve me .’

Shocked by this pompous, superior air, I study the man more carefully. He’s greying, probably early to mid-sixties, with an American accent and an unhealthy redness to his face: more the product of years of overindulgence, than being light-handed with the factor thirty.

‘I called for the duty manager,’ he continues. ‘She’d better deal with it properly so that girl remembers her place in the pecking order. Makes me wonder who they’re hiring here.’

My shock turns to indignation. This man isn’t just pompous, he’s vile. What’s worse is that the other adults of the group are nodding along, making similar derogatory comments. Who the hell do they think they are? I imagine myself striding up to the man and putting him firmly in his place.

While lost in this vengeful daydream, I forget that I’m still watching him.

‘Can I help you, ma’am?’ He suddenly interrupts my thoughts, voice dripping with arrogance.

‘Um… no, sorry…’ I stutter. ‘I was… miles away.’

Flustered, I bang my knee painfully against the table, and it takes every ounce of my willpower not to cry out in agony. Then I hear the man mocking me.

‘Nosey one, she is. If it’s not the staff then it’s the other darn guests. We should think about going somewhere else next time. ’

Flinching at the viciousness of his words, I feel a sting I know I shouldn’t allow from a total stranger.

‘You OK, honey?’ Cat gives me a little nudge.

‘Yeah, fine.’ I re-focus my attention on her. ‘Is that you on the Wi-Fi?’

‘I am, yes. It wasn’t working at first but I’m connected now.’

Amber returns just as our drinks arrive, and within moments, my unfortunate encounter is forgotten.

‘Cheers, ladies.’ I clink my glass against theirs. ‘To what will probably be a very productive, enlightening – and slightly terrifying – few days.’

‘And to hopefully bagging the job of your dreams.’ Cat rebounds with another clink.

I grin at my friends and take a long refreshing sip of my Rum Punch.

‘I’ve got one.’ Amber thrusts her Bahama Mama into the air, nearly soaking Cat in the process. ‘To Emma being rejected by the sexiest man on earth.’

Cat and I put our cocktails down and look at Amber in bemusement.

‘ How is that something to toast? ’ I say. ‘I was trying to forget it ever happened.’

‘Look at it this way: if the two of you had got it on, you wouldn’t now have the best career opportunity of your life. You’d also be a complete pain in the arse, agonising over whether you’d ruined your chance with James – again . I consider that a win for all of us.’

‘OK, thanks for that, Amber.’ I furrow my brow, feeling slightly wounded. ‘Guess if you strip everything back then that’s the bare-faced truth.’

‘You’re welcome.’ She looks undeservedly smug.

‘So, I guess we should get going with this then?’ I say.

‘Can we start in five minutes?’ Cat pleads. ‘I’m dying to hear about your Messenger chat with James last night. ’

‘Does my schedule allow for that?’ I ask Amber with an angelic face.

‘Go on then.’ She nods. ‘There had better be something interesting in there though. And when I say interesting, I mean dirty ,’

‘I know exactly what you mean. And I’m afraid, like every other time, you’ll be sorely disappointed.’

She pulls a bored face, sits back and angles her face at the sun.

‘There’s not that much to tell…’ I lean in towards Cat, who pushes her iPad aside. ‘Though he does seem to be hoping I won’t have a holiday fling.’

‘Ooh, that’s interesting,’ she says.

‘He’s also leaving for his own holiday today, and generally we just seem to click – in a way I’ve never experienced with another guy.

Certainly not with Dave. I mean, we talk about nothing, but it’s so enthralling.

I’m like a giggly teenager. He teases me…

in an affectionate way. And he’s really funny. I haven’t laughed so much in ages.’

‘That’s so great. There’s obviously a strong connection between the two of you.’

‘I told you that weeks ago,’ Amber grumbles.

‘I know you did.’ I playfully ruffle her hair and she bats my hand away. ‘You were right. I just wasn’t ready to hear it then.’

‘So, where’s he off to on holiday?’ Cat asks me.

‘All he said was he’s going to the east coast of the US with some friends.

So maybe Boston, New York… Philadelphia?

I must admit, I’m a little apprehensive about what a group of single guys will get up to when surrounded by hot American women.

But he has every right to “shop around” – as I almost did myself.

I want to believe that he won’t, especially with him being open in his concern about me doing it, but once he’s there…

’ I screw up my face as an unwanted image of James chat ting up a gaggle of beautiful, slim, flirty women pops into my head.

‘Whatever goes on, chances are you’ll never know about it,’ says Amber. ‘So, no point in giving it much thought.’

‘That doesn’t help.’

‘Wasn’t meant to. It’s called realism.’

‘What do you think, Cat?’ I ask. ‘Do you think he’ll hook up with other women on his trip?’

She grimaces at the weight of this question. ‘Honestly, honey? I don’t know. He doesn’t seem like a player and he’s obviously keen on you, but what someone intends to do and what happens in the moment can be two different things. I know that’s not what you want to hear, sorry.’

‘Don’t apologise. I’d rather you were honest with me.’ My heart sinks a little.

‘But I do think Amber’s advice is good,’ she adds. ‘I’d put it out of your mind, because it’s out of your control. You’ll find out in time if he’s the right guy for you. And right now, all the signs are positive.’

‘They are, aren’t they?’

‘Yes. They are. Just keep reminding yourself that he’s not Dave. He’s a totally different person. Seems much more respectful.’

‘Thanks, Cat. That makes me feel a bit better. And Mike? He’s still missing you like crazy?’

‘Yes.’ She sips at her drink with a bashful smile. ‘Sends messages to that effect every couple of hours.’

‘Aww… that’s so sweet.’

‘Aww… that’s so barf .’ Amber rolls her eyes. ‘Right, I’m calling time on this. Not the slightest bit of action in any of that, so let’s get to work.’

Cat and I share a look of she’s-just-jealous and reluctantly shift our focus to my prep.

Two hours later, we’re mildly sozzled and I’ve planned out the (high level) content of my presentation, which is looking pretty good if I may so myself. And that’s not the drink talking.

‘OK, that’s enough of that side of things,’ says Amber. ‘You’ve got a solid foundation there.’

‘And in case you haven’t noticed, you’ve come up with all of it yourself,’ says Cat. ‘Amber and I have just been a sounding board. That must surely give you some confidence that you can be ready for this by Monday.’

‘Yeah, maybe,’ I say, scrolling back through my notes on Cat’s iPad. ‘But that wasn’t the hard part. It’s about how I come across on the day.’

‘I know, but from what I’ve seen here, I’d hire you. Wouldn’t you as well, Amber?’

‘Only if Emma agreed to G&T Thursdays – every week,’ she says. ‘Failure to attend would result in immediate disciplinary action, and likely dismissal.’

‘That’s a yes.’ Cat laughs. ‘High praise from all involved. Now, let’s get onto the fun bit. What can you do to give your presentation that extra je ne sais quoi ?’

‘I see what you did there.’ I give her a toothy smile before considering her question. ‘I’m drawn to the idea of taking things from a fresh angle.’

‘That sounds good. What do you have in mind?’

‘That’s the problem. I have no idea. I’ve been chewing on it since this morning, but I can’t seem to come up with anything.’

‘What about a theme of some sort?’ says Cat. ‘Though I’m not sure what.’

‘How about a Caribbean twist of some sort, or… I know…. beach party,’ says Amber. ‘You could present in your swimwear to keep with the holiday vibe. Might earn you some extra points with Sébastien the sex god too.’ She gives me a sly wink .

I stare at her in disbelief. ‘I don’t even know where to start with that. I thought you were meant to be useful.’

‘I’m trying to help you think creatively. Nothing should be off limits at this point – it’s the process that’s important. Consider even the most far-out ideas and you might have a moment of genius.’

‘Fair enough,’ I concede. ‘But I do not want to stand in front of a sea of strangers essentially in my underwear. That’s the stuff of nightmares – like when I dream I’m at work and I’ve forgotten to put my trousers on.’

‘I’ve had that one.’ Cat wrinkles her nose. ‘It’s horrible. Only with me it happens on a date.’

‘That’s surely related to our insecurities: mine being work and yours being men. Anyway, now we’ve done bikinis and missing trousers, what else could… hang on… that’s it! I’ve got it. I know what angle I’m going to take. Amber, you’re a genius.’ I get up and pull her into a bear hug.

‘ Oi! Get off ,’ she complains, trying to escape me.

I quickly fill them in on my thinking and then we kick back to enjoy some well-deserved down time.

‘So, a successful first outing for the “School of Amber and Cat” then.’ Amber looks mighty pleased with herself as she slugs at her drink. ‘Sexy Sébastien’s not going to know what’s hit him.’