Chapter 19
Nina was sitting next to Robby on one of the chairs in the new patio area. A plane droned high above, and she could hear the sounds of the sea from the harbour. She’d been reading her book, looking at places in Bangkok on her phone, and text-chatting to Sophie about Nick. She scrolled through the pictures on the hotel’s website for the millionth time. She’d looked at the spa that many times she felt as if she’d already been there. Everything about the hotel looked fantastic. She kept imagining herself lounging by the pool with her book. She’d even dreamt about walking along the road in Bangkok eating street food.
‘I’m so excited. I cannot wait to get on the plane,’ Nina said to Robby. ‘It’s going to be so good to get away.’
‘Me too. Are you looking forward to the heat? Let me tell you, I am.’
Nina nodded. ‘I’m looking forward to everything, to be quite honest. It’s going to be really hot, like open the door and be knocked over by the heat, hot.’ She pointed up at a grey sky. ‘What’s not to love about that when we’ve had this all week?’
‘Nothing!’
Nina clapped her hands. ‘Works for me at the moment. Give me all the sunshine all the time. I’ll take the humidity, too.’
‘Yes, you’re not wrong. It will be nice to get a bit of sun for sure,’ Robby answered.
‘Bring on the plane ride.’
‘You’re sure you’re going to be okay with the flight on your own?’
Nina put her finger to her chin and tapped as she pretended to contemplate for a second. ‘Now, let me see if I’ll be okay on a twelve-hour flight to Bangkok all on my own. Will I be able to cope? Tough one.’
Robby laughed. ‘Yep, sorry, I’m just concerned. It’s not a little hop. It’s a long way.’
‘I’ll be fine.’
Robby was going to Singapore first, and because of his work schedule, they’d decided that it was pointless for Nina to travel with him. Rather than trek around Singapore on her own in the heat, they’d decided she would meet him in Thailand. She would do a few things around Bangkok on her own first, and they would have a holiday sightseeing, soaking up the culture and enjoying the food. In fact, Nina was quite looking forward to a bit of time on her own.
Nina rubbed her hands together and made a funny face. ‘I actually can’t wait to spend some time on the plane, watching a few movies, and doing not much at all. I have it all planned.’
‘I bet you have. You”re right. Yes, it won’t be too bad.’
‘I can’t wait for the food. I love Thai food. I’ve been looking at loads of posts on TripAdvisor.’ She wiggled her phone. ‘I have a list of local restaurants to go to in Bangkok that are specially recommended and the names of some good massage places. Hello, relaxation.’
‘Yep.’
‘I can’t wait to explore the temples and markets. There’s this floating market I read about that’s supposed to be incredible. Can you imagine shopping on a boat?’
‘Shopping, as you know, is not my thing. However, shopping on a boat, now that’s something I’d like to see. The bartering is an art form over there, apparently.’
‘Oh, I’ve been practising my negotiating skills just for this. Don’t you worry,’ Nina replied, chuckling. ‘What about you? Is there anything in particular you’re looking forward to?’
Robby thought for a moment. ‘Honestly, just taking a break from work and spending time with you exploring somewhere new. No worries or work, just chilling the heck out.’
‘Yes, nailed it. We’re so on the same page. That pool and gardens at the hotel look fabulous for doing that.’
‘You’re telling me. Doing nothing but chill. No dramas. Plus, I’m ready to eat my weight in Pad Thai and mango sticky rice.’ Robby laughed.
‘Me too. Bangkok, here we come!’
‘Bangkok, here we come, indeed! It’s going to be an unforgettable trip,’ Robby said, wrapping his arm around Nina’s shoulders and giving her a squeeze.
‘Unforgettable, for sure.’
Little did Nina know quite how unforgettable it was going to be.