I never thought my walk of shame would be in a speedboat. As soon as the driver came to collect us I didn’t miss the knowing smirk on his face or the amusement in his eyes. I can’t blame him because I must look a total sex hussy mess. My hair is all over the place and filled with sand and parts of beach matter. The sand has stuck to my skin and my flushed appearance has nothing to do with the suntan that I’m sure to have after rolling around naked on the sand for the last two hours.
I feel different. Now I feel like a woman who has changed in a matter of hours. I feel fulfilled and in love. What just happened with Luke was everything I thought it would be and much more. Any doubts I had are firmly buried in the sand we disturbed because he has made me feel like the most gorgeous woman on earth.
He puts his arm around me as we speed back to civilisation and whispers, “No regrets, Becca?”
Snuggling into him, I sigh with contentment.
“No, none. What about you?”
He squeezes me tighter.
“Are you seriously asking that? I’ve wanted to do that since you read out that stupid message on the plane, that I wrote, incidentally. It was my idea of a joke to my brother that backfired quite spectacularly.”
Giggling, I lay my head on his shoulder.
“Well, I’m glad it happened. Their loss is our gain, although I never expected to meet my dream man on his honeymoon.”
Luke laughs and kisses the top of my head.
“Yes, it’s an interesting story. We will keep our kids entertained with it for years.”
A warm feeling spreads through me at his words. Our kids! I hope the overexposure to the sun hasn’t affected his brain because I want to believe every word he says. This man is my future I have never been surer of anything in my life.
Once we get back to civilisation I am surprised to see a large shape on the horizon. Luke looks at me with excitement. “If I’m not mistaken, that’s one of ours.”
I look at him in surprise.
“What do you mean, one of ours?”
As we both contemplate the extremely large warship that appears to be invading Acapulco Bay, Luke grins.
“It must be one of our Naval ships on exercise. I’ll head over later and see if I can find anyone I know.”
I laugh. “They won’t let you on there, you’re now officially a tourist.”
Luke grins. “They will. I am an officer of her Majesties armed forces after all. They are my family and it would be rude not to visit.”
He takes my hand and pulls me after him towards the hotel.
I now feel like a new woman. Luke and I returned to our rooms and showered and changed. He has headed off to the warship and left me to find my friends with the promise of meeting up when he returns. I can’t ignore the warm glow that surrounds me as I think about the day I’ve had. I actually think this has been the best day of my life. How can it not be? I fell in love with my soul mate. Life doesn’t get any better than this.
I spy Jo lazing by the pool and glide over in a self-satisfied haze. Arranging my towel and products neatly beside her she looks up and grins.
“Where have you been because wherever it was I want a ticket? You look mightily pleased with yourself.”
Smiling smugly, I settle down beside her.
“Let’s just say this is turning out to be the best trip ever. I am now officially in love with the man of my dreams and may never return home in case the bubble bursts.”
Jo smiles happily.
“Lucky you. You deserve it. He seems really nice, and it’s about time you found some happiness.”
I note the catch in her voice and look at her with a worried expression.
“How about you? Have you forgiven Pete yet? If it’s any of my business, I really think it was just a silly mistake. He obviously idolises you.”
She sighs heavily and looks so sad it takes my breath away.
“I wish I could, Becca. It’s not just about Margaret anymore. If it was, I think I would have forgiven him already.”
Gently I say, “What is it then?”
She shakes her head and looks at me sadly.
“Listen. Don’t tell the others but I think I may be pregnant.”
Well, I wasn’t expecting that and look at her in shock.
“Oh, my goodness, Jo, are you sure?”
She nods. “I’m late and one thing about me is I’m never late in any aspect of my life. Ordinarily, I would be over the moon. I know that Pete and I aren’t married but we live together and it’s just a formality, really.”
I smile softly.
“So, what is the problem then?”
Her eyes fill with tears and she looks out to the Bay with a lost expression.
“It’s this Margaret thing. What if I can’t trust him? You know what the pilots are like. They have many a temptation thrown in their path as soon as they put on that damn sexy uniform. What if he has met someone else and is stringing me along? You know as well as I do that it happens all the time. Even if they’re married, they stray and I don’t want to bring a child into an uncertain future.”
I think about her words carefully. I know she is wrong about Pete. Yes, he’s a good-looking guy who could take his pick. I also know that he is crazy stupid in love with my stubborn friend and his behaviour this trip has just cemented my opinion. I turn to her and smile.
“Why don’t you talk to him? Tell him about your suspicions and lay it all out in the open. At least give him the chance to explain and you will know in his eyes if he is telling the truth. His reaction to your news will speak volumes and then you will have your answer.”
She looks thoughtful as we are interrupted by Rachel and Jenny heading our way.
Immediately, I sense Rachel’s disapproval as they draw near and the look she throws me is one of utter horror. I sit up and watch them approach and look at Rachel with questions in my eyes. She shakes her head and nods pointedly towards Jenny and I wonder what has happened now.
As they spread out their belongings, Jo looks at Jenny and says loudly.
“Good God, Jenny, did something happen? You look as if you’ve had an accident.”
I look at Jenny and notice a large bandage type thing pressed to her upper right arm. She winces and smiles happily through the pain.
“Oh, this. It’s not what you think.”
Rachel looks at her with irritation and says somewhat sharply.
“Tell them what you’ve done, Jenny.”
Jenny grins and slowly peels off the bandage and Jo and I gasp in disbelief. Among the red, sore mess on Jenny’s arm appears to be a tattoo - quite a large one actually, of the letter F surrounded by a wave.
Jo looks at me in horror and exclaims.
“Jenny, you stupid idiot. That had better be a transfer because if its permanent the sun must have gone to your head and rendered you an idiot.”
Jenny just laughs happily.
“Impressive, isn’t it? Flynn and I got these done this morning. He has a J and I have an F.”
Rachel looks at her with irritation.
“And what happens when you return home with this permanent reminder of your trip? How will you explain the F on your arm? F for fling, or F for fucking mad.”
Jenny looks unconcerned.
“It won’t matter because as soon as I get home I’m quitting my job and heading straight back here to run the water sports business with Flynn.”
There is silence. Stone cold disbelieving, what the hell just happened, life-changing moment silence, as we all look at Jenny in total and utter disbelief.
She laughs at our expressions and sinks back onto her sunbed with a sigh of contentment.
“I’ve decided that life is for living and seizing the moment. I’ll no longer be concerned about the mundane and have decided to embrace my wild adventurous side that has been buried deep within me for so long. Flynn has brought that out of me and we have discovered that we are two sides of the same coin. He has begged me to stay, and I didn’t need asking twice. This is my home now and I couldn’t be happier.”
For once in her life, Jo is lost for words and Rachel shakes her head in disbelief. Then I watch in shock as her eyes fill up and she looks at Jenny with admiration.
“Good for you, Jenny.”
Jo looks astonished.
“Don’t encourage her, Rachel. She should be told that this is a very dangerous plan. Flynn could be some sort of mass murderer who lures innocent, unsuspecting, vulnerable girls to his lair. He knows that Jenny is a lost soul and plans on stripping her of her inheritance to feed his obvious drug habit. Mark my words this will end in disaster.”
Jenny looks at Jo with an angry glare.
“Just shut up, Jo. You know nothing. Flynn is the most open, honest man, I have ever met. He is a free spirit of nature and came here from Australia two years ago. He said that when I return we will live here for a few more months until we have saved enough money to move on to the next country. He intends on travelling the world and wants to take me with him. So what if it’s reckless? I don’t care because I have been sensible for far too long. This is my time to shine and I can’t wait to take this journey with the first man I have ever loved.”
She huffs and pulls on her sunglasses and lies back on her sunbed. Jo shakes her head and Rachel sighs sadly.
“Good for you, Jenny. You’re right, life is for living and you should do whatever makes you happy. You have taught me that. I wish I was as brave as you.”
I look at her with a worried expression and say softly.
“Are you ok, Rachel?”
She smiles weakly.
“I will be, Becca. I just need to sort things out at home first.”