26. Mixology
Chapter twenty-six
Mixology
Charlie
This is absolute freaking heaven. I’ve been lying on this sunbed by the ocean, with its pure white sands, for approximately four hours, I think. I stopped wearing my watch, so time is relative here. I only have my phone, and I only use that to make sure Leon and Millie don’t come looking for me.
“Miss Charlie?” Pealing one eye open, I sit up to find Adon, the waiter, at the end of the sun bed holding a cocktail.
“This was sent from the man over there, in the red shorts.” The tall glass is on a tray, filled with a drink vibrant in colour, an umbrella, and fruit sticking out of the top. “I made it myself, Miss Charlie. You do not have to take it and I will happily tell Mr Hughs to leave you alone.”
“Adon, thank you. What is the drink?”
He looks really uncomfortable for a second, then murmurs, “sex on the beach.” I don’t think I’ve seen a Greek man blush before, but he is, his eyes cast down while he waits for me to speak. Adon is short for Adonis. You would think if anything would make him blush, it would be his own name.
“Adon, I’m not drinking it, but thank Mr Hughs for me. I’ll stick to my water today. I have a work call later and I would like to keep a clear head for it.” It’s not true, although I have been checking in with Layla at the shop. She just tells me everything is fine and attaches a picture of her favourite flower of the day.
“As you wish, Miss Charlie. I’ll bring you some water over shortly.” Adon walks away.
Rolling over onto my stomach, and watching closely from behind my sunglasses, Adon hands the cocktail over to Mr Hughs. The words that come from the other man look rushed, although I can’t hear them. Mr Hughs has a frown deeply set on his forehead, his lips pressed together in a thin tense line. He jerks the glass from Adons hands and empties the contents onto the sand, almost smashing it when he puts it back on the tray. I flinch as the tray almost topples out of Adons hand, but he takes hold of it and calmly walks away, bowing his head slightly as he passes my sunbed, muttering, “Wise choice, Miss,” for only me to hear.
Maybe Mr Hughs doesn’t get turned down much by the opposite sex. His whole demeanour seems to have shifted towards frustration. Odd. But I’m not interested.
Closing my eyes, I lean my head on the soft cushions. I just can’t seem to fully relax.
Turning over, I decide that’s enough beach for today. It’s way too hot, and I feel like I’m now being watched. Subtly, but still watched. I don’t like the small shiver that runs up my spine, it’s making me uncomfortable. I want to get moving and there is a new trail I want to try this afternoon; I know some of the others guests will be doing it to. I want to catch them before they head out. I’m all for being independent, but I don’t want to do a walk on my own. I’m not that stupid.
Walking back into the hotel after the trail and saying goodbye to the other guests, I’m hot, sticky, and somehow very dusty, and in desperate need of a shower. Sophia, the receptionist, spots me from the reception desk and heads over with a glass of cold water. Perfect. I love this place .
“Mr and Mrs Lincoln have requested a table with you tonight for the big BBQ. Would you like to accept?”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you, Sophia. What time?” I ask drinking the water down in one.
“The area is reserved from eight, but you are welcome to join them on their terrace for cocktails before dinner.” Taking the glass from my hand, she smiles, waiting for my answer.
“Sophia, if I start the evening with Hank and Bridget’s cocktails, I won’t make it to dinner. I’ll be there at eight. Can you let them know, or shall I see if I can find them?”
“I will inform them for you, Miss Charlie.” No matter how many times I’ve asked them to call me Charlie, they won’t drop the Miss. I guess it’s better than being called Miss Hudson all the time.
Sophia and Adon have taken it upon themselves to check in on me almost every few hours. They say it’s part of the service, but I think it’s because I’m by myself. It’s kind of them.
I’m not sure I want to leave, not with what’s waiting for me back home. Walking back to my suite, I need to get clean and maybe take a nap before I start tonight’s festivities.
I’ve created a bit of a routine here for the last six days, breakfast and coffee at the suite looking over the vast, glittering blue sea, followed by a lazy swim in my pool before I get bored of my own company and gather my things to spend most of the day at the beach. Volleying between picking a water sport to try and just sitting soaking up the sun and reading my books.
As well as a Sophia and Adon checking in on me, Hank and Bridget have been keeping entertained most evenings. They’re here on their second honeymoon. I have tried to give them space to enjoy themselves, but Bridget told me they have only been on holidays with their family for the past thirty years and they miss the noise and chaos of having them around.
I want to be them. They are my life goals right there.
Thirty years of marriage and only just going on your second honeymoon. They must have a great life. Flying anywhere they want on their private family jet. Each night, they relive the stories and adventures from across the world. Along with the family dynamics I’m not sure I should know.
Every night, drinks arrive on my table during dinner, not just any drink, cocktails, dreamt up by masters of the art… I’m not sure that’s the right word for it, but Rico the bar’s head mixologist has their full attention all night, putting his skills to the test and by the end of the evening we are laughing, joking, enjoying the company, hot nights and wishing I could ignore the reality of what I have to face when I get home in a few days’ time
Switching on the outdoor shower, I strip down to nothing, and I rinse the evidence of my hike from me. Taking a shower outdoors is exhilarating. No one can see me, but it still sends a thrill up my spine when I step out naked, the heat on my skin drying me in seconds.
“You have been very secretive about yourself, Charlie. Tell me more?” Bridget asks her greying hair in an elegant loose twist, sitting next to me at the table, two cocktails in her hands. Her polka dot dress matching her shoes perfectly.
“There is not much to tell.” She hands me one of the lime green concoctions she’s had the barman produce—the man is a genius and loves to make us something different every night. I take a sip and almost cough at how strong the rum in this one. “I own a flower shop, but I’m new to the area really. I’ve only been there a year. Moved down to be with my best friend. My friends are amazing, unfortunately I don’t see much of my family, but we keep in touch as much as we can.” I’ve had at least three cocktails now, as well as the wine that went with dinner, and my words are flowing more freely than I’d like.
Bridget has a way about her that makes you tell her anything. It’s disarming. Her head tilts to the side and I know she’s ready to ask the dreaded question: ‘What about your love life?’ I don’t want her to ask, but there is no way I can avoid it when it comes. I’m surprised she’s taken this long to ask, to be honest. The first night we met, she asked who I was here with. When I told her I was by myself, she looked shocked but also oddly respectful. I have no doubt I’ll spill the beans about Owen.
Instead, she says, “There is a man over there who can’t seem to take his eyes off of you. Have you been introduced?” Definitely not what I was expecting to come from her ruby-red lips. Is she trying to set me up?
I’m not sure how I feel about that? I place my glass down, taking a break from my rising alcohol levels. Given all the conversations I’ve had with Leon and the guys about giving me space to date, I thought I would love it when I got the chance.
I guess not. I feel a little panicked, like I’d be cheating.
Fucking hell, this is pathetic.
I don’t know why, but I get a small bubble of something in my chest… hope. Maybe if I force myself, I’ll get there eventually. Have the holiday fling Millie kept going on about. Glancing over my shoulder towards the back of the restaurant, my stomach knots. Why? I come eye to eye with the guy from the beach. Mr Hughs. He doesn’t look away when he catches me looking, he just frowns again. That’s an odd reaction if you’re trying to get someone’s attention. I frown back at him, before turning back to see Bridget looking as baffled as I am.
“What an odd man?”
My thoughts exactly . My fingers trace the pattern on the tablecloth. “He’s not stopped staring at you all night. I thought he wanted to get to know you better, if you get my drift.” She winks, and I can’t help but laugh at her.
“We met earlier today at the beach.” She leans closer as if she’s expecting a good story.
“Oh, how did that go?” Her elbows are propped up on the table, ready to hear the details.
I tell all while I hold my necklace tight.
“Men are such arseholes sometimes. They think a drink will buy them anything.” Tapping her chin with her fingers in a slow rhythm, she adds, “Is he here alone?”
“I don’t know, but even Adon whispered it was a wise choice to turn the drink down.” She raises a perfectly manicured eyebrow.
“Well, perhaps it’s best that we don’t engage him in our conversations then.” When I look up from Bridget, I notice him walking away, his phone pressed against his ear, giving me daggers, obviously not happy about something.
“I only have one more day left, and I’m going to enjoy it,” I add, lifting my drink and taking another sip of the overpowering cocktail. I don’t see Mr Hughs for the rest of the night, something I’m more than happy about, the vibes he was giving off worried me. I do check over my shoulder when I make my way back to my suite that night, just in case.