Rita paused. She had been slightly restless, a little moody… like before a period… perimenopause, she reminded herself. That explained a lot, didn’t it?
‘Sorry, am I being a bit too much… didn’t mean to be. My hormones are all over the place at the moment.’
‘Aw, bless you.’ Zenya smiled. ‘I have a plant remedy in my tent that may help you with that.’
‘And I give you a private yoga session later, OK?’ Teo sounded worried.
‘You were both sent from heaven, you two… and I have just remembered something else of relevance. Now that the Cosy Café kitchen area is fully equipped, we’re not doing breakfast delivery from Betty’s anymore. Zenya, you are our master baker. Guests can either come down in the morning and choose from what’s on offer, or if they prefer we can make up hampers and deliver up to the yurts early, as before. OK with that, both of you?’
‘Sí, sí. Whatever works.’ The young Spaniard nodded.
‘Got it.’ Zenya shut her notebook.
Rita sighed. ‘Honestly, sometimes I wonder why we put ourselves through it.’
‘Because it’s fun.’ Teo did an accentuated arm stretch.
Zenya brushed the straw from her jeans, then laughed. ‘And just think you wouldn’t get to meet the likes of loud Michael the lawyer.’
‘Or a cool musician, like Paul,’ Teo chipped in, whilst stacking his yoga mats neatly, causing Rita to blush at the memory of her fornication on the beach with the aforementioned resort guest.
‘I forgot to tell you that Annie emailed just after Christmas to say that she and Michael are now living together and to thank me for the matchmake.’ Rita laughed.
‘Aw, that’s so sweet,’ Zenya mused. ‘We’ll be hearing about our first resort baby next!’
‘Who was it who said, there’s a lid for every pot?’ Rita added.
‘Hilda probably,’ Zenya added.
‘Nah, that’s far too romantic a notion to come out of my mother-in-law’s mouth.’ Rita grinned.
‘Talking of the romantic things,’ Teo added. ‘I, I am moving out,sí, sí, from Hilda’s annexe, down to the Harbour Flat with Jude. Very soon. If that’s OK. I promise I be here on time, every day.’
Rita touched his arm. ‘You do whatever makes you happy, Teo. I’m so pleased. Do I need to buy a hat?’
Teo frowned. ‘Buy a hat? Is that like… a thing you British people do when someone moves in with someone?’
Rita laughed. ‘We say it if there is a wedding on the horizon.’
Teo looked confused. ‘I see… hats, weddings… and here I was just hoping my duvet cover matches his décor.’
Zenya snorted. ‘We’ll be glad to see the back of you, you daft lovestruck fool.’
Teo grinned, completely unbothered. ‘I am in constant Savasana. Floating,sí, between sun salutations and thinking of my Jude.’
Rita shook her head. ‘On that note can you float off up to the yurts and start checking them.’
Teo bowed sarcastically. ‘I go now, lovely Rita. See you later.’
As Teo headed off, Rita looked to Zenya. ‘Why don’t you move into the annexe when Teo moves? Give yourself some comfort. I still can’t believe you’ve been in that tent of yours all winter.’
Zenya hesitated, glancing towards the horizon. ‘The thought of a roof over my head is tempting… but then so are the starry skies, the whisper of the wind, the freedom of nature I’ve loved for so long. Maybe after the summer.’
‘You do exactly as you please. It’s your haven as well as mine.’
Zenya grinned. ‘Thank you, Rita, for everything. I just love it here.’
‘Happy staff, happy business owner.’ Rita went to shut the huge double doors of the barn. Zenya followed to assist.
