The Travel Mate by Mark Green

Author:Mark Green [Green, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: humerous, journey, backpacking, suspence, beach read, cambodia, romantic drama, thailand beach
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Three

‘Hey, Gabby. How many hours to go now?’

‘Thirteen hours, fifty-two minutes.’

‘Exciting!’

‘I know! It’s so close now that I can almost taste his first kiss … sooo exhilarating. I’m getting a tuk-tuk to meet him there early tomorrow morning. Do you want to catch a ride into the temple complex with me?’

‘Are you sure? It’s your special day …’

‘Actually, I’m getting a tiny bit nervous. If he doesn’t show, it would be nice to have a friendly face close by. Would you be willing to hang around for half an hour, just in case?’

‘Of course, I’d be honoured! It’s so romantic.’

‘Or foolhardy. At my age you’d think I’d know better than to pin my hopes on an old flame. But I have to find out.’

‘Taking a chance is living. Boredom suffocates the soul,’ agreed Maddie, her features frozen in a wistful expression.

‘Interesting …who’d you get that philosophy from?’

Maddie flicked her eyes at Gabby, held her gaze. ‘You,’ she said quietly. ‘Thanks for the offer of a ride tomorrow morning, I’ll be there.’

• • •

Maddie opened the bedroom door and peered out into the corridor. Charlie, Victoria and Barney stood waiting, all wearing a change of clothes.

‘We’re heading into town for some food, would you like to come?’ asked Victoria.

‘Oh, um … thanks for thinking of me, but I think I’m going to grab something local, get an early night—’

‘After the amount you slept on the coach?’ Charlie rolled his bottom lip, sullenly.

‘No worries, we’ll see you in the morning,’ said Victoria, already turning to leave.

‘This princess, not needing beautiful sleep. Come, party with us peasants.’ Barney offered his open hands theatrically, swooping down into a low bow.

‘Thanks guys, but my alarm’s set for four-thirty, to catch the sunrise—’

‘Four-thirty. Are you nuts?’ Victoria pushed her hand under Charlie’s arm, tugging him away. ‘We’ll catch you there, later tomorrow.’

Barney watched Victoria lead Charlie away. He pulled a puffer fish face at Charlie’s forlorn glance over his shoulder, then turned to face Maddie, his head cocked to one side, looking her up and down. ‘If mind is changed, lovely boy Charlie is bedded in twelve, okay?’ Barney held both his arms out, offering a comical double thumbs-up, then he skipped off down the corridor, sporadically spinning around, screeching and slapping the walls like a court jester on an amphetamine and LSD cocktail.

Maddie watched him pinball down the hallway, shaking her head, breaking into an amused frown. She stepped back and closed the door, making sure to lock it.

• • •

Maddie zipped up her fleece, wrapped her arms around her chest and peered through the darkness beyond the hotel’s dimly lit façade.

This is certainly different from a normal Wednesday morning …

She blinked back to reality at the whirling rattle and popping sound of an approaching tuk-tuk, its single motorbike headlight dimming as it slowed to a stop beside her.

‘Morning!’ whispered Gabby, grinning at her from the back seat.

Maddie stepped into the carriage, straight into a welcome hug. ‘This is Dal,’ said Gabby, giving the driver a thumbs-up sign as he turned to look over his shoulder.

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