By the time we land my excitement is at fever pitch. I have shared many a secret look with Luke and imagined us in every possible situation through life. By the time we land we have dated, married, had babies and live in a gorgeous cottage in Cornwall. He adores me and gave me a sweet little puppy for our twentieth anniversary. His family loves me and we are inseparable and have taken up glamping.
As we wait for the passengers to disembark, I feel worried that this may be the last time I see him. What if we have switched hotels and are staying somewhere else? It would be a disaster.
As he heads our way, I think I’m about to have an anxiety attack. He smiles as he reaches us and Marcus grins.
“Until later, Luke. You can keep the t-shirt if you like. If you do give it back don’t worry about washing it.”
I cringe at the dirty look Marcus throws his way and Luke laughs.
“Thanks, Marcus. I owe you one.”
I snort. “Don’t tell him that. You may not like what he wants in return.”
Marcus pretends to be annoyed and Luke smiles at me.
“Thank you, Becca. I hope to see you at the Emporio later.”
I swear my toes curl up and my heart does a victory dance in my chest. I smile shyly.
“Yes, let’s hope so. Have a good journey.”
He nods and turns away, leaving me with the uncontrollable urge to run after him and attach myself to his body, forever. Instead, I just sigh and turn my attention back to the job in hand.
After we clear customs and retrieve our luggage, we head off to the hotel. I feel strangely excited and put it down to the fact I may see Luke again. I felt something with him - a sort of chemistry that I can’t explain. It sends secret messages to my heart of something that may be about to happen. I hope so because I am running of ideas.
I’ve tried the online dating thing - absolute nightmare and now I think I’m scarred for life.
I’ve tried the introductions through friends. This was also a disaster and left me worrying about how well they really know me, given some of the men they have thrown my way. It’s almost as if they think - ‘Oh, he’ll do.’ The trouble is, I am very picky and have always wanted the fairy-tale. I have been waiting for that lightning bolt to strike and it hasn’t even come close. My mum tells me I should stop being so choosy and what I’m waiting for isn’t out there in the real world. Well, she obviously hasn’t met Luke. He is everything I think I want. I just hope he doesn’t turn out to be a complete dud.
By the time we reach the hotel my mind has planned out the main event in my life, the sequel and then the television series. Becca and Luke, - Luke and Becca - Love at Thirty Thousand Feet- Mile High Love- Steamy Galley. I have written the book and printed the t-shirt and feel like a girl obsessing over a boy in a boy band.
“Look at him - not a care in the world. He doesn’t even care that he’s broken my heart.”
I am brought back to earth as Jo nudges me in the side. I look over and see Pete laughing with Barry as we wait to check in. Jo’s eyes narrow.
“He thinks it’s a joke but I’m not laughing.”
Sighing to myself, I smile sympathetically.
“He may be telling the truth and it was all a misunderstanding.”
Jo snorts.
“Misunderstanding! When the love of your life calls you by another woman’s name while making love to you, then something is very badly wrong. He was obviously thinking of this Margaret woman and I will find out who she is if it kills me. I’ve been through the list of everyone at work. The closest I’ve got is Maggie Parker, but she’s married to that doctor and doesn’t stop talking about him and their perfect life. I don’t think it’s her because she isn’t really his type. Do you think it could be one of the new intake? Maybe he met her on one of his flights last month. He worked a lot because of the shortage of pilots. I hardly saw him. Come to think of it he did have a night stop in Barcelona. Maybe she was on that trip. I’ll ask Sandy in ops when I get back.”
The receptionist beckons us over and I am thankful for the distraction. I think Jo is wrong. Pete adores her and I believe his explanation. I wonder why she is finding it so hard to believe him? Maybe that’s what love does to you. When you find it, you are so afraid to lose it that it scrambles an otherwise normally rational brain. I hope they work it out because they are so cute together.
The receptionist hands me a form and I fill out my name and contact details. As I pass it back, he hands me one of those room key things and winks.
“Here you go meez. Have a lovely stay at the Emporio. Please, if you need anything come and find me.”
He winks again and I wonder if he has a nervous tick. He holds my gaze and stares at me and smiles and I quickly grab the room key. I know that look. The look of interest that promises more than just a morning wake up call. Well, he can keep his dirty thoughts to himself. Some men see a girl in a uniform and think she is fair game. Well, not this trolly dolly. I have standards that are obviously higher than most men can reach. All except one that is. I wonder where he is?
I leave the others after agreeing to meet in room 217. Marcus got the privilege of the crew room and I think it was a good choice. He is always the last to leave anyway and drinks the most. He also doesn’t care about mess or entertaining lots of people in his hotel room. Ugh, I can think of nothing worse.
No, my room must remain orderly at all times with everything in its place just how I like it.
I appear to be the only one left in the lift as everyone else gets out at the floors below mine. I travel to the top floor and feel irritated. Typical, now I will have the furthest to travel down to the pool every day.
It doesn’t take me long to reach my room and I notice it is down a little corridor with two rooms facing each other. As I open the door, my mouth drops open and almost hits the plush carpeting inside.
Wow! This room is unbelievable.
I wander in as if in a dreamlike state. The whole of Acapulco bay stretches out before me, the lights bouncing off the sea that it surrounds. Huge sliding doors run the width of the room and lead out onto an amazing balcony. The room itself is larger than my flat at home and I could get seriously lost in the biggest bed I have ever seen. The room is immaculate and looks modern and tasteful.
Feeling like an excited girl at Christmas, I run around the room grinning to myself, exploring every inch of the best room I have ever stayed in.
Another door leads into a huge bathroom, all marble and chrome, with the biggest walk in shower and slipper bath. This room also has double doors leading out onto the balcony with the same view of the bay.
This is the best moment of my life. Sad really, but true. I never want to leave this place. I’m in paradise and could live here forever. Maybe the man on reception is my guardian Angel in disguise. At this moment I think I love him because the thought of a whole week living like royalty is one memory I will keep with me forever.
I start to unpack and carefully unfold all of my meticulously packed clothes. I straighten them out on the hangers and stow the suitcase away. My toiletries are lined up precisely in the bathroom in the correct order of use. All the labels are facing forwards and I check for any leakage from the pressure on the aircraft. Everything seems to be intact so I grab my wet wipes and set about disinfecting the room.
Then I check the bed for any bugs or unmentionables before giving the bathroom a quick wipe - paying particular care to the toilet seat. There! Now I can fully relax, safe in the knowledge everything is exactly as it should be.
I quickly change into a skirt and off the shoulder top and head to Marcus’s room.
Let’s get this party started.