‘Hmm, I’m not surprised,’ says Marcus with a shake of his head. ‘Prime real estate round here.’
‘Oh look,’ she says, glancing over her shoulder. ‘Here’s the kids now.’ She can’t help but feel joy at the sight of her children, sun-kissed and sleepy-eyed, having obviously just tumbled out of bed with rumbling stomachs. She gives a little wave and Marcus looks round in the same direction. Abruptly, he stands.
‘Better go. Duty calls.’
‘Oh, but we haven’t discussed the granite work surfaces,’ she says, aware that a note of desperation has crept into her voice. ‘Or those downlighters I wanted.’
He smiles at her wryly.
‘Later,’ he says and drifts off in the direction of the hotel foyer. Both Bella and Drew watch him leave as well, as though they have all been left bereft in the wake of a disappearing celebrity.
‘Hello, you two,’ Olivia says, rallying, as her children take their seats, plates piled high with pastries and fruit. ‘What are your plans for the day?’
Bella shrugs, casting one last forlorn look in the direction of Marcus before she turns back to the table and begins to fork melon into her mouth.
‘Another paddleboarding sesh for me,’ says Drew with his cheeks full, tearing into his croissant. Olivia considers her son’s ravenous appetite and remembers with nostalgia the metabolism of her youth.
‘And you, Belle?’
Her daughter looks up and frowns, mauve shadows revealing themselves under her eyes, beneath the fake tan.
‘You do look tired. Both of you, in fact. Did you go out again last night?’
Her children exchange glances.
‘Just for a breath of fresh air,’ says Bella. ‘Drew went to hang out with the Taco Lads down by the harbour, didn’t you, loser?’
‘Only for a bit,’ says her son, nudging his sister.
‘That’s okay,’ says Olivia. ‘I guess you’re both old enough to be trusted. As long as you look out for each other and stay safe by the water.’
‘I’ve decided I’m just going to chill back here for the morning,’ says Bella. ‘Maybe book myself in for a treatment.’
‘That’s a nice idea. I might join you. We could get facials together or a massage?’
Her daughter looks less enthused but doesn’t demur. Olivia finds her children are quite amenable to her suggestions as long as she is footing the bill. ‘I’ve got to pop into town briefly to dosome business but why don’t you enquire at the spa and see what appointments they have free?’
Bella shrugs again in a ‘suit yourself’ way while Drew looks up from his plate.
‘What business have you got to do, Mum?’
‘Oh, sorry, I meant shopping. Nothing important. Enjoy your lesson, darling,’ she adds as Drew stands and dons his sunglasses. ‘Take care out there.’
‘Always,’ he says and she tries to resist the urge to pull him into a hug.
Instead, she turns to Bella.
‘I must be off. Let me know what you manage to arrange.’
‘Sure, will do.’
‘How nice,’ she adds, smiling to herself. ‘I can’t remember the last time I had a beauty treatment.’
Bella snorts.
‘How long have you got, Mum?’
20
