Chapter 25
I steal some teabags and sugars from the maid’s trolley and stuff them in the pockets of my dressing gown.
We’re silent as we commence the walk of shame back to my room.
Once inside, Soumia sits on the padded desk chair and swivels around to watch me make the tea.
The hotel room is bright and modern. Tiny World must have got a good deal; there’s no way they’d pay the market rate for this establishment.
I tear three little sugar sachets and pour them into a small white cup. ‘Was it good?’
Soumia licks a finger and scrubs at her face to get rid of her panda eyes. ‘God, what have I done?’
‘You’ve broken the rules, you’ve become a flight deck floozy.’
The kettle clicks, I pick it up and fill the cups.
‘I don’t know how it happened. One minute we were in the pool and the next I was in his bed. It must have been the chlorine.’
‘Oh yes, nothing to do with the four Tequila Rose.’ I stir the tea to dissolve the mole hill of sugar.
‘Everyone will talk.’ Soumia leans back on the swivel chair and closes her eyes. ‘Why am I so stupid?’
‘Because you’re a horny bitch.’ I take the little milk jiggers and peel back the foil lid, pouring two into each cup, I give another stir before removing the tea bag. ‘This so isn’t like you. You’re old enough to be his –’
‘Think very carefully about what you’re about to say.’
‘Slightly older sister. Do you like him though, is this a thing?’ I pass Soumia her cup and offer her the handle end so she doesn’t burn her fingers.
‘It was good, but it can’t be a thing. I’m ten years older than him.’
‘And the rest.’
‘You bitch.’ Soumia looks in the mirror and pulls her hair off her face and uses the bobble she’s got around her wrist to form a neat ponytail. ‘I look like shit.’
‘Age is just a number. Put it down to a bit of fun, and a loss of your senses.’
I throw a complimentary packet of biscuits at Soumia that I stole from the maid’s cart. Two chocolate cookies land in Soumia’s lap, making her flinch and spill a little tea on her dressing gown. She rubs it in with her sleeve.
‘Sorry,’ I say.
She raises her hands to say it’s OK.
I continue. ‘What happens in Boston stays in Boston.’
‘Not if Galley FM gets wind of it.’
I gather up the wet clothes I’ve left on the floor and take them into the bathroom to hang over the heated towel rail.
Soumia raises her voice slightly so I can hear her. ‘People will be talking about Trev anyway. What I’ve done is nothing compared to the man who got pissed onboard and blew a slide.’
‘Everyone will know about that by now,’ I call through. My grey pants are the last item I hang over the bath before I take myself to bed with my tea and sit up, tucking the duvet under my arms. ‘I can’t imagine what Trev’s going through in that cell.’
Soumia swings round in the chair. Her ponytail lifts like a propellor. If she picks up speed, I’m convinced she’ll take off.
‘What happened with you and Olly? You look pleased with yourself.’
‘I’d be a lot more pleased if you hadn’t interrupted. We haven’t slept together yet.’
‘Jesus, you’re turning into Mother Teresa. It must be serious.’
‘We spent all night cuddling and chatting. It was totally natural, we just clicked. I told him a little about the last four months, and he told me more about his brother.’ I take a slurp of my tea. ‘His brother has…’
‘Down’s Syndrome. I know, he told me why he was late for your date onboard, that’s why I thought you should hear him out.’ Soumia swings round on her chair again.
‘I’m glad I did; I really like him.’ I blow in my cup to cool the liquid. My eyes peep over the top keeping Soumia in focus.
‘Callum, I’ll always have your back, you know that, but don’t judge Olly by the actions of Liam. Give him a go.’
‘I’m not, and I am. Maybe I was, but I think you’re right about him, he’s a good guy.’
Soumia picks up the remote control and points it at the TV and brings it to life. An American accent tries to sell us some fat loss medication but warns us of a whole host of side effects, including death. I make a note of the name on my phone then continue to my socials and start scrolling.
I freeze.
Soumia breaks the silence. ‘What? What is it, babe?’
My eyes are glued to my screen. Despite the dressing gown and the hotel’s thick duvet that covers me, I’m frozen. My stomach’s falling faster than a man without a parachute.
‘Alex. She’s put the photos of us on Facebook from last night.’
‘That’s not so bad?’ Soumia turns the TV off.
‘There’s one of me and Olly kissing. There’s a comment.’
I don’t need to say anymore. Soumia is over on the bed with her arms around me. She knows who it is.
‘Why the fuck has he commented on that? The prick. What does it say?’
I turn the phone to Soumia, Liam Wood : Looking good mr ;)