Page 17 of Another Lucky Number (Lucky Number #2)

Chapter Sixteen

A fter dinner, we wander along the beach, sandals off, feet in the water, enjoying the rhythmic breaking of the waves, the sound of which seems amplified by the quiet of the evening.

‘What’s on the “schedule” for tonight then?’ I ask, still not entirely convinced that the ‘company research’ part of my prep plan isn’t more about Amber wanting her nights out than getting me interview ready.

‘There’s a dance group at the beach,’ says Amber. ‘We’ll do a pit stop there and then head to The Cave where there’s live music on.’

‘OK, sure.’

We trace the bend of the resort’s private beach until the beach bar comes into view, lively music and intermittent cheers floating across the sea breeze towards us.

‘Sounds like it’s already started.’ says Cat.

We increase our pace, and as we get closer, I can make out a female dance group performing on the beach in front of the feet-in-sand bar tables.

They’re dressed in carnival style outfits in a kaleidoscope of bright colours, with elaborate plumes sprouting out of their headdresses: the clear intention being to enhance the visual experience of their act.

They’re moving in perfect sequence to lively Caribbean-style music, the resort guests in the bar enthusiastically clapping along to the beat.

On reaching a free table we sit down and are immediately sucked into the experience.

‘This is amazing ,’ Cat calls across to us over the loud music.

‘It really is.’ I call back, already shifting to the beat.

We watch in awe as the women energetically perform dance after dance, none of them appearing to even break a sweat. They’re obviously used to the climate, but I still can’t help wondering how they do it. The evening is warm and balmy: it’s a bit like doing a workout in a greenhouse.

After about twenty minutes, the performers wrap up their act to loud, appreciative applause.

‘That was brilliant!’ I declare through my enthusiastic clapping. ‘They definitely do things a level above at this resort.’

‘Useful insight for sure,’ Amber agrees. ‘Right, let’s get moving.’

We vacate our table and head for The Cave, which isn’t far away.

‘Ladies, good evening.’ The same hostess from our last visit greets us when we arrive. ‘Are you here for the live music?’

‘Yes, please. It’s just the three of us,’ says Cat.

The hostess gives a nod of acknowledgement and leads us to a table in the indoor part of the bar, where there’s a band set up but the live music doesn’t seem to have started yet. We’re then handed drinks menus by another member of staff.

‘I’m going to stay off the booze tonight and just have a club soda and lime.’ I cast mine aside, looking around at the décor which matches that of the terrace outside, giving the place a very cave-like feel.

‘Me too.’ Cat lays her own drinks list on the table. ‘This afternoon was enough. ’

‘I’m with you.’ Amber does the same, triggering Cat and I to share a surprised but relieved look as the waiter returns.

‘Have you heard anything more from James since last night?’ Cat asks me, once our order is in.

‘No, and I’m not sure how much he’ll be in touch now he’s away on his own trip. Guess it’ll depend on his Wi-Fi access and…’ I trail off with a grimace.

‘And what?’

‘Whether he becomes “otherwise occupied”.’

‘I told you not to think about that,’ says Amber.

‘I haven’t been… until now.’

‘I bet he can’t stop thinking about you.’ Cat gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.

‘That’s not what you said before.’

‘Well, I’ve changed my mind. I think he’ll be so focused on you, he won’t even notice the other women around him.’

‘Oh, OK.’ I’m cheered by this, despite there being no rational reason for this. Sometimes blind faith is all we need to get us through.

Our drinks arrive and we sip at them quietly, lost in our thoughts, until the attractive and elegantly dressed lead singer introduces herself, and she and the band and kick off their set with Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight .

‘Wish I could sing like that.’ I lean on the table, gazing dreamily at the singer, whose voice is smooth and melty as butter.

‘Bet the punters in the karaoke bar the other night wished that too.’ Amber quips, and I jovially flick her with a napkin.

‘It got me noticed by Sébastien, didn’t it?’

‘Yeah, though I’m not sure anyone within a one-mile radius would have missed that yowling.’

‘And you were so much better? Hurling yourself around like you were possessed. ’

We continue our sibling-like bickering until we’re interrupted by Cat.

‘ Children … You might want to pipe down. Look who’s just arrived.’

We follow Cat’s gaze and our eyes land on Sébastien – who’s looking heart-stoppingly handsome in an open collar linen shirt and causal dinner jacket.

He’s at the bar talking to two staff members – one male, the other female.

They’re laughing and smiling. It’s obvious they have a lot of respect for him, but there’s something more to their behaviour.

It’s like they’re fawning over him, in the way people do when they’re drawn to someone – and not necessarily sexually.

It seems Sébastien’s magnetism can pull in anyone and everyone.

The male waiter pours him a glass of white wine and Sébastien appears to thank him, before turning and toasting the singer – who offers him a flirtatious smile in return.

He then scans the room and I’m caught between wanting him to notice us and hoping he won’t.

But before I can register what’s happening, Amber’s caught his eye and beckoned him over to join us.

Returning her invitation with a broad grin, he sets off in our direction.

‘What did you do that for?’ I say. ‘He’s like my potential boss-to-be. I can’t relax if he’s sitting with us.’

‘This is a bonus research opportunity.’ Amber waggles her eyebrows at me. ‘Let’s see what “intel” we can glean from him to help with your prep. Plus, he’s great eye candy… Sébastien , how are you? Please come and join us. Can’t have you sitting by yourself again.’

‘ Mesdames, bonsoir …’ Sébastien makes his way around each of us, this time offering double cheek kisses to all and an oxytocin-inducing waft of his aftershave. ‘You are all looking radiant. Emma, it is good to see that you have taken my advice.’

‘I have indeed.’ I beam back at him, automatically switching into best behaviour mode. ‘And such good advice it was too. ’

I sense Amber prickling from Sébastien getting the credit when she and Cat had already put the plan he suggested in place. And I can’t help but enjoy it a little.

‘I was glad to be of assistance.’ He takes off his jacket and hangs it over the back of his chair, before sitting down to join us. ‘How is your evening? Where did you dine?’

‘At Tide. It was magical ,’ says Cat.

At first, I wonder if she’s remembering the experience accurately – it was lovely, but I wouldn’t call it ‘magical’ – until I realise, she too has fallen under Sébastien’s spell.

‘It’s a lovely setting being over the water like that,’ I pitch in. ‘ C’est une experience nue .’

On saying this, I tune into the singer, who’s now crooning an impressive rendition of Shakira’s Underneath Your Clothes , and it dawns on me that ‘dans la nature’ was the term I was looking for – which means I’ve just mixed up my rusty French and… oh no … did I just talk about eating dinner naked?

I glug at my mineral water to cover up my embarrassment, however Sébastien either misses my faux pas, or he’s too polite to let on that he heard it.

‘ D’accord .’ He nods thoughtfully. ‘It is a pleasant experience, dining with the water around you. You speak a little French, Emma?’

‘I… erm… un petit peu ?’

‘Very good. We all must start somewhere.’

I’m at a loss for what to say next, my cheeks still burning from my error, so I shoot Amber a silent SOS, which she acts upon immediately.

‘Sébastien, I noticed from the brochure in my suite that you have several resorts in the Caribbean. Seems to be a hotspot for your company. Which is your favourite?’

He rubs his chiselled jaw with us following his movements like hypnotised serpents.

‘I think my favourite is this resort,’ he says.

‘For two reasons. It was the first I purchased in this part of the world, so it is… I think you might say… close to my heart. But also, I have put some of myself and my roots into it. Par exemple … this very bar was inspired by the area where I grew up which has many caves that one can visit. They are spectacular… feats?’

‘Feats, yes.’ Amber confirms correct use of the term.

‘ Bien . They are spectacular feats of nature.’

‘Yes, they are.’ I finally come back to life. ‘I remember visiting one on a school trip years ago. La Grotte de la Salamandre … I think that’s what it was called anyway.’

‘Ah, yes, I know this one.’ Sébastien looks wistful for a moment. ‘It is very impressive.’

‘The singer is really good, Sébastien,’ says Cat. ‘Is she a regular entertainment act here?’

‘That is Lola.’ Sébastien glances across at her, catching her eye, as if she was waiting for him to notice her. ‘She has been with us for the last seven years.’

We simply nod by way of a response and focus our attention on Lola, who is continuing to do justice to her ballad.

A handful of couples are up dancing, making the most of the romantic ambience, and I feel a pang for how amazing it would be to enjoy this experience with a significant other.

Maybe James? Or Sébastien, my mind offers me unexpectedly. I quickly shake the thought away.

‘It’s lovely seeing those people up there, all so in love.’ Cat props her chin up with her hand and it’s obvious she’s engaged in a similar romantic fantasy about Mike.

‘Do you like to dance, Sébastien?’ Amber asks.

‘I do.’ He nods. ‘It is something I have always enjoyed. But not something I manage often, working as I do.’

‘That’s sad,’ says Cat. ‘There must be lots of women – or men – here who would be willing to dance with you.’

Sébastien seems amused by Cat’s added inclusivity clause. ‘I prefer to dance with women, but that is just personal taste. ’

‘I’m sure Emma would be happy to dance with you,’ says Amber.

My eyes widen at this statement and I give her my laser beam stare, urging her to retract her statement. Unsurprisingly, she doesn’t.

‘You are fond of dancing also, Emma?’ Sébastien asks me.

‘I’m… eh… not sure I’d say that.’ I give an awkward chuckle. ‘My dancing isn’t much better than my karaoke.’ I’m hoping this is enough to put him off, but it seems it’s not.

‘I can teach you if you would like?’

Before I can answer, Amber hijacks our interaction with a gleam in her eye. ‘What a lovely offer, Sébastien. Isn’t it, Emma? Off you go then.’