Private Island: The perfect escape this Summer by M J Hardy

Author:M J Hardy [Hardy, M J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-19T16:00:00+00:00

18

I must glide back into reception with the look of the besotted because Diana grins when she sees me coming. “I see the retreat lived up to its reputation.”

“Is it that obvious?”

She leans on the desk and says in a low voice, “Well?”

“What?” I grin impishly and she rolls her eyes. “How did it go? Did you move your relationship on and if not, what’s the matter with you?”

“We talked.”

“I sincerely hope that’s a euphemism for something else.” She groans, making me laugh.

“No, really, it was nice.”

“If that’s how you get your kicks by, um, talking, then good for you.”

Shaking her head, she says quickly, “Anyway, I’m desperate for a comfort break. Are you ok to hold the fort here? I’ve checked in the new arrivals already. Mr and Mrs DeVere. Extremely posh and dripping in designer brands. I hated them on sight.”

“That’s harsh.” I laugh as she shrugs. “One day I’ll check in here as a guest. I’ve got ambition, you see, and if I don’t meet a super-rich husband here, then I’m relocating my search.”

“Is that why you’re here?”

I’m a little surprised, and she laughs. “Bien sûr, ma chérie, je ne me contenterai pas de moins que ce que je mérite.”

“Your French is coming along well.”

“It certainly is, and to be honest, I am so relieved.”

“Why?”

She winks and taps her nose. “All will be revealed at the opportune moment. Wish me luck.”

She heads off and I think about Diana. She appears to have everything worked out, and I wonder what her plan is. She definitely has one, and as soon as she returns, I’ll question her some more.

Now I’m alone, I cast my eye on the oracle and start flicking through the pages. It appears that Catalina Island is always relatively full, if you count occupancy of twelve rooms as full capacity.

They could fit so many more in and I wonder who devised their business plan. The fact they enjoy the best food, drink and facilities tells me it isn’t cheap, but some of these people don’t look as if they have the sort of money that’s required to check in to such a luxurious resort.

I jump out of my skin when a deep voice behind me says, “Are you finding everything you need?”

I look up and see Chester smiling at me. Hoping to God I don’t look guilty, I say quickly, “I was just familiarising myself with things. How many guests you usually have, how long they stay, that kind of thing.”

He moves beside me, and flicks open the book and says pleasantly, “Do you have any questions?”

Swallowing my guilt, I say quickly, “I was going to ask Diana about the meetings in the chat room. It appears that all guests are booked in for that and I wasn’t sure how it works. I suppose I’m just curious in case any of them ask me.”

I’m babbling a little and he nods, seemingly not put out at all by my question.

“Call it a welcome chat. You see, Katrina, our guests are not the kind who enjoy a package holiday and travel en masse.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.