Page 30 of Another Lucky Number (Lucky Number #2)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

A fter dinner, we head to the cocktail bar for our evening of ‘company research’.

According to Amber, there’s a Caribbean steel drum band playing there this evening, which sounds divine.

James and his friends, not yet put off by our dysfunctional friendship group, decide that they’ll join us for this.

While wandering along the path towards the main resort building, James slips his hand into mine, sending a lovely, tingly sensation through my arm.

I look up at him and he gives me a little wink: one that seems to say ‘how amazing is this, you and me here together’.

Suddenly, it’s as if the stars are shining brighter and the air is fresher and more wonderful.

It’s such a beautiful intimate moment that I almost don’t want it to end.

We reach the cocktail bar with its lively evening buzz and I have no choice but to shift my attention to the night ahead, which isn’t exactly a chore.

‘Company research’ is my favourite part of my interview preparation schedule – other than when it involves standing behind the reception desk looking like a deflated beach ball. Ugh .

We grab a free table overlooking the pool, and James and Rob go hunting for extra chairs. Amber manages the drinks order, which has somehow expanded by six tequila shots, a salt shaker and a pile of lemon wedges by the time it arrives at our table.

‘This is your initiation, lads,’ Amber declares, as James, Tyler and Rob groan loudly, but are too polite to decline. ‘Emma, Cat…’ She then looks at us expectantly.

‘Did you not say you wanted me in good form tomorrow morning?’ I say.

‘One won’t do you any harm. You can go onto water after.’

‘I’d rather just sip some wine and not have to switch to water so early.’

‘Fine. Emma gets a pass. The rest of you, get it down you.’

Seeing me let off the hook, Cat tries her own escape strategy. ‘Amber, I need to be in good form tomorrow too for helping Emma—’

‘Not a chance, Cat. Emma’s got a proper excuse. We’re just the support team. Ever been to work with a hangover?’

‘Well, yes, but—’

‘Then you know how to do this.’

Cat looks gutted as I sit back, relieved at having dodged the alcoholic bullet. The rest of our group obediently shake salt on the backs of their hands, clink their tiny glasses together, and go through the motions, making pained noises as they do.

‘ Yuck, I hate that stuff ,’ Cat complains.

‘You know what they say: a tequila a day helps the holidaymakers play,’ singsongs Amber, her eyes glinting wickedly in the artificial light.

I frown. ‘That’s not a saying.’

‘It is now.’

‘So, when is this band playing, Amber?’ James asks.

‘Think it said nine on the entertainment timetable. ’

‘It’s nine now.’

‘ Huh . That’s weird.’ She illuminates her phone screen to double check the time, and as she does this, the sound of distant steel drums carries across the breeze.

‘I can hear them,’ I say. ‘Have we maybe got the wrong venue?’

‘No, it definitely said here,’ says Amber. ‘And listen… The sound is getting closer.’

I crane my neck in the direction of the music and gasp with delight. ‘There they are! They’re coming this way.’

We stand to catch the action and watch, hypnotised, as the steel drum band rhythmically circles the pool and climbs the steps to the cocktail bar.

The wonderful soothing yet cheerful sound grows louder the closer they get until the group of perfectly synchronised musicians emerge onto the terrace, drums hanging in front of them, held up by wide leather straps around their necks.

They deposit their instruments onto waiting drum stands that we didn’t spot before, barely missing a beat in the process.

Then, less than a minute later, they wrap up the tune they’re playing to rapturous applause.

‘They’re so slick,’ I holler to my table mates over the clapping and cheering. ‘I’m really going to have to be at the top of my game on Monday.’

‘I thought you had an interview, Emma, not a scheduled performance,’ says Rob.

‘I’m presenting to staff and guests as part of it,’ I reply and his eyes widen. ‘I know. I’m as terrified as you think I should be.’

‘You’re braver than me. How are you going to win them over? Fire eating while playing rake and scrape on a banjo?’

‘There’s an idea.’ I giggle. ‘Nothing quite as impressive as that, I’m afraid.’

‘No point in asking her about it,’ says James. ‘I tried earlier and got palmed off. Apparently, it’s on a need-to-know basis only.’

‘ Ooh, burn .’ Tyler chuckles. ‘You’ll make it into the inner circle yet, James.’

‘I can hope.’

‘Aww, don’t take it to heart.’ I pat James’s shoulder affectionately. ‘It’s not personal.’

‘Do we get to come to your presentation at least?’ Rob asks. ‘Would be great to see you in action.’

‘Sorry, no. Sébastien – that’s the guy that owns the resort – is managing the attendees list and I expect it’ll be in a conference room of sorts.’

‘I’ll be filming it so you can watch it later, Rob,’ says Amber.

‘ Eh… no you won’t .’ I pierce her with warning stare.

‘Not like you can stop me. Plus, it’s another great learning opportunity. Think how much you can gain from watching back your own presentation.’

‘That is true, and it did work before, as excruciating as it was… OK, fine. But it’s my call whether it goes into wider circulation. That’s not your decision.’

‘Deal.’ Amber reaches across and shakes my hand to lock in the agreement.

We fall silent as the steel drum band starts up again.

They really are incredible. It’s an experience I know I’ll think about in the future when I’m back home in beautiful-but-not-remotely-tropical Scotland.

And it’s made all the better by James clutching my hand tightly throughout, while we intermittently steal infatuation-filled glances at each other.

After about thirty minutes of performing, the band announce a short break.

‘Perfect timing,’ I say, getting up from my seat. ‘I need to make a trip to the ladies.’

‘I’ll come with you,’ says Cat.

We weave our way across the terrace and into the main atrium by reception to the same ladies ‘powder room’ I changed in that morning ahead of my slot on reception.

‘How are things going with James?’ Cat asks, when we reach the safe haven of the toilets. ‘You guys looked so cute together in the pool earlier.’

‘ So great .’ A dreamy smile blossoms on my face. ‘We can barely keep our eyes off each other. He’s so easy to talk to. And he’s so considerate too.’

‘Totally. I loved how he took his friends away so you could do the feedback session with us without feeling under the microscope.’

‘ Right? He really is a good one. I… um… told him about my win earlier.’

‘You did?’ She seems surprised. ‘Gosh, you must feel comfortable with him.’

‘I do, and I just know I can trust him.’

‘Normally I’d say to be careful, but in this case I agree with you. It’s partly his parents being Lottie’s neighbours, but there’s something else: he’s so genuine and he never played any games with you. Made it clear he liked you and that was it.’

‘That’s it exactly. Crazy, isn’t it? Especially as only a week or so ago, I thought he was an idiot.’

‘Love moves in mysterious ways.’ She gives me a knowing nudge and I laugh out loud.

‘ Steady . We’re miles away from that. You’ll reach that point with Mike well before we do.’

Instead of assuming a similarly misty-eyed expression to mine, Cat looks deflated all of a sudden.

‘Hey, what’s up?’ I ask. ‘Are things OK between you? He’s not done something shit has he? Because I’ll kill him if he has.’

‘No, it’s nothing like that… It’s… Is it bad that I really wish he was here? Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving this trip, but I miss him way more than I thought I would and seeing you with James is making me a wee bit…’ She trails off, not wanting to use the word I know she’s meaning.

‘Envious.’

‘Yeah.’ She winces as if she’s insulted me in the worst way possible.

‘Cat, don’t feel bad about that. It’s perfectly natural.

’ I swoop in and hug her. ‘Between you and me, I was bursting with envy seeing all the loved-up couples smooching in this place. Still can’t believe my luck that James is here.

Though it would have been better if I didn’t have the biggest interview of my life looming. ’

‘Of course. That’ll take the shine off. Thanks for sharing that you were feeling the same way. Makes me feel better.’

‘I’m glad. Because you have nothing to feel guilty about. Actually… have you got your phone on you?’

‘In here.’ She holds up her pink clutch. ‘Why?’

‘How about you FaceTime Mike right now? Tell him how much you’re missing him – and before you do that, maybe I could say hello? Although, it’s what… half two in the morning in the UK so maybe it’s too late.’

‘No, that’s a great idea.’ Cat’s face lights up. ‘He was going out for a big one with friends tonight so he should still be up.’

‘And you’re looking hot to trot, so it’ll be a nice reminder of what he’s missing.’

Cat gets her phone out and brings up FaceTime. She’s about to hit dial when I pluck the device from her hand.

‘From the toilets? Really?’

‘Good point.’ She giggles. ‘Got a bit excited there.’

‘I still need to pee, so why don’t you grab a seat in the atrium and I’ll be out in a couple of minutes.’

She heads back out the door while I make my essential pit stop, then I join her on the comfortable cream sofa she’s commandeered.

‘This is so exciting, getting to meet your new man for the first time.’ I fluff my hair as if I’m about to go on camera in a different way. ‘OK, go.’

Cat hits the ‘call’ button and moments later Mike’s handsome face appears on the screen. And he is handsome. He also looks exactly as I’d imagine a boyfriend of Cat’s to: honest, friendly, boy next door, with messy sandy coloured hair and kind eyes. I can already tell he’s perfect for her.

‘Hi there, lovely.’ He seems elated to hear from her. ‘How did you know I was thinking about you?’

‘You were?’ Cat’s cheeks flush with embarrassment-slash-delight.

‘I haven’t stopped thinking about you since you left.’

I put my hand to my chest and fake a swoon, which makes Cat laugh.

‘I haven’t stopped thinking about you either.’ Her tone is shyer than his. ‘Mike, there’s someone here I’d like you to meet.’ She extends her arm so that I can get into the frame at the bottom of the screen. ‘This is my best friend, Emma.’

‘Hi.’ I give him a goofy wave. ‘It’s so lovely to meet you.’

‘ Emma , it’s great to finally meet you.’ Mike grins back at me. ‘Is Cat behaving herself?’

‘She is and she’s pining for you big time.’

Cat pokes me in the ribs, clearly mortified by this statement, but it doesn’t deter me. The truth shall be spoken.

‘That’s good to know,’ he says. ‘I was concerned that she might find herself a hotter, richer man on that fancy resort you’re at.’

My mind flits to Sébastien and our collective salivating over him during the last couple of days. It’s obvious that Cat has the same thought because she turns beetroot.

‘Not at all.’ I wave his worries away. ‘There’s only one person who has Cat’s heart – and that’s you.’

I make a mental note to reassure her later that appreciating Sébastien’s magnetic qualities is not her being unfaithful on any level. The man is a god. Even Mike would probably fancy him to a certain extent.

We enjoy chatting for a few minutes longer, then I excuse myself to give Cat and Mike some ‘alone time’ – and return to my own hot man.