‘I did. I did some research this morning. This one is made with turmeric and manuka honey; it has great anti-inflammatory properties and it will leave you with a radiant complexion,’ I say. I see the smirk on her face. ‘Was that funny?’
‘No, Mr Body Shop – you carry on,’ she says.
I would be offended but I’m pleased that her little joke makes her face relax. Zara lies on the other side of the pool, cucumber covering her eyes, having a little snooze while Jess is listening to a podcast with her AirPods in. I continue to lightly apply the facemask but I also touch her shoulder gently, watching as her hand comes to rest over mine.
‘So what else can we expect from our spa day?’ she asks.
‘Oh, it’s top-end stuff. I’ve put lemon and mint into some water bottles,’ I tell her.
‘Classy.’
‘I bought some wheatgrass and made shots?—’
‘Cleansing.’
‘And then later I’m rolling out the garden hose for some colonics,’ I say casually. Watching Chloe’s face crease up into a thousand lines at my joke is everything. ‘I feel like I’m really nailing it.’
‘And with the puns too. Just a few observations,’ she says.
‘My suggestions box is open…’
‘The shorts aren’t small enough. When I see spas on TV, the men always look slightly indecent,’ she says.
‘That would indicate you watch porn set in a spa,’ I whisper loudly to her.
Chloe laughs and the sound is like music.
‘What about when you go to spas? Does this compare?’ I ask.
‘I don’t go to spas,’ she says, shrugging her shoulders. ‘I’ve just never known?—’
‘How to treat yourself?’ I suggest.
She purses her lips and briefly opens her eyes to look at me. Her eyes had brightened yesterday but now they seem tired and misty. They’re still beautiful though. I get a kick that they’re looking right at me.
‘Now,’ I say, trying to distract from the intensity of the moment. ‘You have been painted. You look…’I want to say beautiful without sounding corny. ‘Like a very happy mango.’
‘Exactly what every woman aspires to…’
‘Stay still, relax, let this de-inflammate you,’ I instruct her.
‘Is that a proper word?’ she asks.
‘Yes. We’ll do a pedicure after lunch,’ I reply. ‘We need to get something inside you.’
‘Oi oi,’ she says. I blush to see her cheeky side emerging in the sun.
‘I meant food. You haven’t eaten. Let’s have an early lunch, some fruit maybe.’
‘Let’s…’ Chloe’s voice trails off.
I touch her arm again but take my leave and head to the kitchen. There’s me going there under the pretence of making lunch but really my proximity to Chloe is driving me insane. Touching her skin, being close to her but not being able to fully embrace her after yesterday is tougher than I thought. I need to go and stand in front of a fridge. Calm down. This is a reputable spa. Do I really know what these face masks are doing? Only from what Google is telling me but seeing Chloe happy and the other women incredibly relaxed tells me that I might be winging this well.
Even if it all goes wrong, maybe I can stun them again with the food? Today, it’s peach, ginger and lime juice with a Manchego and pear salad for lunch. I unwrap the cheese gently from its waxed paper, cutting a little slice for myself and savouring its buttery texture. I’ve made fresh bread, I’ve bought many olives as per usual. I slice the bread carefully and arrange it in a basket before cutting the melon. I hack off a wedge and then carve a piece into a little heart shape.That’s too much. I eat the heart. Maybe I should have gone with another fruit instead of lovebombing Chloe with melon.Love. Too soon. Definitely.
At first I don’t hear the screaming. And when I do, I panic that someone’s in trouble in the pool, but I look out the window and see Chloe running up and down the patio.Crap, maybe she’s choking on the seed and nut mix I left out. I rush out to see her shaking her bright-yellow face from side to side like a blur.Oh my days, she’s not allergic to it, is she?She’s taken off herrobe and is wearing knickers and a vest top that look like they’re part of a pyjamas set. They’re incredibly revealing but maybe now’s not the time to mention that.
Zara is standing beside her, trying to examine her face. ‘Oh my, are those…ants?’
