Clouds Below the Mountains (51 page)

He walked over to the stage and touched the keys lovingly, itching to sit down and play a piece of music, but Sonya frowned and pointed to Mikey who was standing watching them.

“Ah, well,” Greg sighed. “ Maybe when I retire I'll take it up again.”

“Did Paul say anything about where he'd been today?” Kate asked Greg, when they had chosen where they were sitting and Sonya had gone for their drinks.”

“Oh, it was all a storm in a teacup, she just reacted foolishly. He'd taken the car back, but got there before the place opened and had to kill some time.”

“He told you that? According to Cheryl, he must have left at seven o'clock this morning. He didn't get back here until a quarter past three!”

“Well, whatever Kate, it's their business. Never come between man and wife.”

***

“Ah, Buenos Tardis, Lucy. I would like to present my wife, Senora Sanchez,” Ralf said, as he met Lucy at Reception that evening. She'd been hovering there, all dressed up in her georgette frock and silver high heeled shoes for twenty minutes, in case he'd got there early.

“And this is Isabelle, you may have seen her around the hotel.” His brightly dressed daughter nodded graciously and said she was pleased to meet her. “ And this is my son, Hernan. My eldest son that is.” A young man aged around twenty smiled and shook her hand. “ Introductions over, shall we adjourn?”

The family walked ahead of her. Of course it was their hotel, so they owned every inch of the place. The plumpish Senora, dressed in a black box jacket over a white blouse and black ankle length skirt nodded her head to Maria who was on duty, said hello in Spanish to the porter and clung to the arm of her husband, as they swept into the Sunlight Bar.

“Here comes royalty,” muttered a very smart looking Mikey to an equally smart Damion, as they saw the owner and his family coming in. “ Get Tina and Anna to form a circle with the kids and we'll make a start with
“Agadou.”
The music started, the children danced and the rest of the guests came pouring in.

***

“What, no Bingo?” said Betty, as she was about to ask Nobby to go and buy some tickets.

“It's because of the piano recital,” said Lesley, who had been invited to join them and Meggie, as Lucy was tied up with the Sanchez family. “See over there at the front of the dance floor. There on the left hand side, front row seats for the owner and his wife.”

“So that's why Mikey and his mate have got their suits on,” chuckled Meggie. “ He's usually a scruffy little tyke.”

“I wouldn't let him hear you say that,” said Betty. “ These youngsters seem proud nowadays to go around in old jeans and shabby trainers. Ah well, I probably wouldn't have won anyway, so I've saved a bob or two.”

***

“In strictest confidence, I think Lucy is being looked over by the boss and his wife tonight. Some sort of promotion I believe,” confided Lesley.

“Well, she'll deserve it,” Nobby replied. “ She's a real nice lass. On hand if you want her, but doesn't get in your face.”

***

“Are you sure you're up to this, Dad?” asked Terry, as he and Bryce helped Jim hobble into the Sunlight Bar after dinner.

“Of course I am, lad, I like a bit of classical. Me and your mum loved to listen to it on the radio. No, I only want to stay in my room at night, because of the terrible throbbing sounds they call music nowadays.”

“Oh, there's still some good bands about,” said Bryce, as they sat down at a vacant table. “ Well boy bands they call them now. There's Back Street Boys, Westlife and East 17.”

“Never heard of them,” sneered Jim. “ Nowt wrong with Val Doonican or Perry Como.”

“Just a bit long in the tooth, eh, Bryce?” Terry laughed.

***

“Well, I don't know what's happened to Charles and Judith,” said Anthea feeling irritated, as they had sat near the door reserving two chairs for their friends. “ I thought that rep' was going to make an announcement. She'll be making it and they won't be here.”

“No, Charles said he wasn't bothered. He didn't want them rushing back from the restaurant, so he didn't go to see the rep'.”

“Oh, well thanks for telling me that,” she replied huffily. “ Now I suppose we'll be sat on our own all night.”

***

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Senors and Senoras,” cried Mikey into the microphone. “ We have a treat in store for you tonight. By popular demand”…and here he gritted his teeth, because he was losing his income from the Bingo sales, “ we have a celebrated pianist to entertain us. Please put your hands together and welcome Senorita Mertola.”

A very handsome looking woman with her glossy raven hair hair styled into a chignon, wearing a long midnight blue glittery evening gown with a knee high split, walked into the spotlight that Damion had ingeniously positioned earlier. She smiled at her audience, then settled herself onto the piano stool. Soon she began to weave her magic and the audience sat in rapt attention as she played.

“Brilliant,” said Jim, as the first piece by Schumann came to an end. “ That's proper playing, not like the stuff they put together by computer.”

“Well, I know this one,” said Bryce, as Senorita Mertola began the introduction to
Nutcracker
Suite.
“We had a picture on the wall outside the headmaster's office when I was at school. I saw the ballet girls quite often!”

“Shh,” said Jim.

Two pieces later,
“Serenade, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”
which went down very well with Anna and Damion, who had both been forced to study Mozart at their respective schools, and then a waltz by Chopin, Senorita Mertola decided she needed a break. She made a bow to the audience and got down from the stage.

A general hum of conversation filled the room, people dashed to the bar for top ups, the kids ran around the dance floor and Ralf and his family went over to compliment their fellow countrywoman, who was now standing at the side of the piano, sipping on a glass of sherry that Miguel had brought her.

“Excuse me,” said a small boy, who had climbed onto the stage and was staring up at this grand lady. “Can you play
“Twinkle, twinkle little star?”

She looked down at the blue eyed little cutey and said in careful English, “ I am sorry, I cannot.”

“My granddad can on his piano,” the small boy said, gazing at her confidently. “ Well, can you play “
London Bridge is falling down?”

“I am very sorry, I cannot,” she replied, shaking her head.

“My granddad can on his piano.”

“I can play
“Chopsticks,”
Senorita Mertola said and turning quickly from him she played a few notes.

“So, you only play rubbish then,” he replied, glaring at her in disgust then walking away!

“What was our Evan up to then?” asked Greg, when he saw his grandson stalking away from talking to the grandiose lady.

“I don't know,” shrugged Sonya, “ but she obviously hasn't pleased him.

Jim stood outside the hotel doorway waiting for the coach to Santa Cruz to set off with Terry, Bryce and other guests aboard. It was a fine morning, the clouds from the mountain had lifted early on and already people were walking about in shorts and T' shirts. Jim waved, as Lucy carrying her clip- board, told the driver that all that were going were accounted for and the coach began to pull away.

“So what are you going to do with yourself today, Mr. Hunter?” Lucy inquired, as they both walked back into the foyer at the same time.

“Dunno yet. I've had my breakfast and I've got a paper from yon man, so I'll probably toddle down to sit in the sun awhile.”

“It hasn't really warmed up yet,” she said, worried that the elderly man might catch a chill, as the sun hadn't come pool side yet. “Why don't you sit over there on one of the settees and read your newspaper and there's a game of boules at eleven. Maybe you would like to join in?”

“Aye, that sounds grand lass, you've got me morning sorted. I told our Terry that I'd find plenty to do without him, he does worry about me.”

“Terry's your son, right? Gone to Santa Cruz with Mr. Lennox.”

“Yes, love. They met up while they've been here and kind of hit it off straight away.”

“Well, I'm very glad to hear that. That's what holidays are all about, making new friends and enjoying yourself.”

“I'll no doubt see you later then,” Jim said as Lucy smiled and went on her way.

***

“I think I'll go up and start packing,” Kate said, when the family came out from breakfast. “ Where will everyone be?”

“What do you want to be packing for?” asked Sonya. “ I'm just going to throw mine and Evan's in a suitcase this evening. It gets washed and ironed when we get home anyway.”

“You know I get up tight the day before we go anywhere,” said Kate. “ I just want to potter. I won't be able to settle on a sun chair.”

“I was going to suggest we had a walk to the duty free shop,” Greg said. “ I'd like to get some litres of whisky and brandy and the exercise will do us all good.”

“Can I come with you, Granddad?” asked Evan, who was fed up with going to Kid's club and wanted to escape today.

“Of course you can. What say we boys go to the shop and the girls do whatever they want?”

“Yeah!

***

“Good morning, Lucy,” said Ralf Sanchez, coming out of his office with a piece of A4 paper in his hand. “ I trust you spent a pleasant evening in our company. My wife was very complimentary regarding your appearance. She feels you represent Periquito Travel very well.”

“Oh, thank you, Sir,” said Lucy feeling very flattered. “ Would you tell Senora Sanchez that I was pleased to be in her company last night and I thought Senorita Mertola played superbly.”

“Yes, she did, didn't she? The Senorita is a personal friend of our family. In fact the piano she was performing on used to reside in my suite, before I allowed certain guests to occupy it. I was an accomplished pianist myself at one time, but sad to say, I have let my talent lapse with all I have to do. Ah, but Lucy, the reason I came to find you, was to bring you this fax that your office has sent you. I see there are many people expected. When I was talking with Robert earlier, he was telling me that your supervisor has succumbed to a virus and will not be returning to work for the next few days.”

“Oh, bang goes my day off then,” said Lucy lightly. “ Never mind I'll struggle through.”

“The reason I spoke to Robert was because of my wish to second you to the German's travel company. He's asked for time to think about it, but he said unless Ms. Smith makes a quick recovery there will be no possibility. Already he must find someone to take over your courier duty to Aqualand tomorrow.

“Oh,” said Lucy again. “ Well I'm sure he'll have it all worked out by the end of the day.”

“Well, here's the fax. Nearly a full coach load by the look of it. Cut price bookings I believe, to fill the beds he has reserved from me.”

Lucy nodded, then walked back to the rep's desk scrutinizing the list. There was a total of thirty nine new occupants. Robert's strategy for attracting custom seemed to be working beautifully.

***

“Mummy, I don't want to go to Kid's club today,” said Annabelle, as the family finished breakfast and were sitting at the table deciding what to do. “ Last night when Jade and I were dancing, you know that head and shoulders song, Olivia came and spoilt it. She said that Tina had told her she had to join in. Then when that lady played the piano and you said I had to sit with you and Daddy, Jade and Olivia sat together, instead of with me.”

“The problem with you, Annabelle, is that you try to take over all the time,” said Cheryl unsympathetically. “ The three of you should all be friends together. Anyway, this time on Wednesday you'll be back at school and you'll have forgotten all about Jade and Olivia.”

“Yes I will, won't I?,” said the young girl brightening up. “ And I can tell all my friends about our new apartment.”

“That's better,” said Paul, reaching over and kissing her on the cheek. “ I've decided we'll go off to the shops and we'll buy some souvenirs of our holiday.”

***

“Don't sit on your own, mate,” said Nobby, as he, and Betty who was sitting in the wheelchair, passed Jim as he sat in the foyer. “ Come and sit outside with us. Got the makings of a grand day, so it has.”

“Aye, thanks I will,” Jim replied, liking the look of the couple who he'd seen around the hotel and making conversation with people his own age, would be rather welcome. “ Are yer going to play boules later, as I wouldn't mind having a crack at it?”

“Yes, that was the plan. Settle Betty with her book and then wander over. The name's Nobby, by the way.”

“I'm Jim, pleased to meet you. If you don't mind I could do with a bit of a hand down yon steps. Me son's gone off on a trip this morning, he'd have helped me otherwise. What say I hang on here ‘til you've got your wife settled?”

“Okay. I'll just get her down the ramp, then I'll come back for you in a minute, mate.”

***

Lucy and Lesley sat out on the patio drinking their morning coffee. The sun had come around over the roof top and everyone felt the benefit of its rays. Lesley wore her swim suit under a long white beach dress, as she had decided she would have a swim once Lucy had gone back to her duties.

“You know, Lesley, I'm going to miss these times when we've sat and chatted,” said Lucy, “ and the evenings too. It's a shame when you meet someone you really get along with and suddenly they've gone.”

“I know,” Lesley replied sadly. “ I was so worried before I came here, that I'd be sitting in a corner of the restaurant reading a book and hoping no one would notice me. I thought I'd spend the whole time in my bedroom because I'd feel on show. But the time here has been totally different than what

I'd expected and it's been down to you. You've been great, Lucy, kept me company when I needed company, but left me alone when I didn't. I feel I can go home now and pick up my life again. You've shown me there is an alternative if I want it.”

“You mean maybe become a rep' like me?” asked Lucy astonished.

“Not necessarily, but I could become involved in the industry. I like working with children, so I could get a childcare qualification and work in a hotel creche or a kid's club, or my other thought was a T.E.F.L course and teach English as a foreign language abroad. The world's my oyster as they say, unless of course Geoff came back to me.”

“Mmm,” said Lucy, not wanting to reiterate what she thought about second chances. “ Well, we'll keep in touch anyway and you can let me know how you get on.”

***

“Now there's a coincidence,” said Betty, listening to her husband and Jim chatting about their younger days. “ Fancy you two being in the same regiment, though it must have been quite a big unit in those days.”

“Well, I was conscripted in 1950,” said Jim. “ Of course with the war being over I had the hope that they wouldn't be so quick in calling us youngsters up, but there was still quite a bit of mopping up to do. Eventually I finished up in Cyprus.”

“So did I,” said Nobby excitedly. “ Later than you, in ‘57. And it's such a coincidence, but there was a chap here on holiday last week, who was stationed at Dekelia Barracks, same as me.”

“You know, I was so homesick then,” recalled Jim, after agreeing that it was a small world, “ and yet there was sunshine and glorious beaches, wasn't there? History if you wanted it up in Pathos; the Troodos Mountains if you managed to get a pass. We'd all pile in a truck and go off to do a bit of sightseeing, but I used to long for rain and me mum's cooking and of course I was courting my late wife in those days.”

Nobby nodded, remembering. He had loved his time in Cyprus and had been back a time or two.

“Well, if you two want a game of boules you'd best get gone,” said Betty, as she saw Mikey walking along with his shiny silver boules case. “ I'll get back to my book while you're at it, I've got to a good bit.”

***

“Shame you're going home tomorrow,” said Toby, as he and Laura got off the coach bringing them back from Santa Cruz with Phil and Cindy. “ We had a great day out, didn't we?”

“Yep, I have to say walking round shops and hanging around doorways of historical buildings, did it for me,” said Phil. “ What say we let our ladies take their shopping to the bedrooms and me and you get our mouths round a bottle of beer each?”

“I thought you and Laura were skint,” said Phil, after the two men had settled themselves by the pool bar.

“I let her put things on the Visa,” said Toby ruefully. “ Those shops were so cheap compared to home and you have to let them have a shopping spree now and again. Heavens knows, she does without a lot with us having to pay for the wedding.”

“No chance the folks will chip in then?”

“None, even if they approved of us marrying, neither family's can afford much.”

“You going to have to take a loan out then?”

“I hope not, but I don't want her to have a povvy wedding. She's stuck by me through thick and thin and she deserves it.”

“How did you two meet, Toby?”

“We both work in the same hospital. Both of us are nurses and we met at a colleague's pad one night. I don't know, we just sort of got on well together and after a few months of seeing each other, we kind of fell in love. She's a smashing girl, warm and gentle, pretty with it. I hate the fact we have to do all these extra shifts at the hospital, because sometimes it can be days before we can spend some quality time together.”

“And it's not going to get easier is it, especially with nurses leaving the job in droves?”

“That's true and we could get private or agency work, but we both think seeing as were trained by the N.H.S, we should try to be loyal for as long as we can.”

“Loyalty gets you nowhere though,” said Phil, “ you're a work slave at the end of the day. I used to work in a factory, bored to the teeth on an assembly line. Then came the cutbacks, the shortened shifts, voluntary redundancy when they downsized. I got out, took a loan from me father and never looked back.”

“Ah, but you were probably lucky, mate. Right place, right time, but some of us are glad we got the chance in the first place.”

***

“There you are Dad,” said Terry, spotting his father chatting away to a couple under a palm tree, “ had a good day?”

“Yes, thanks to Nobby and Betty here, I've had a lovely day. This is my son, Terry. As I told you he's been on an excursion with his friend Bryce. Is he not with you, lad?”

“No, he's gone to his bedroom to change and he needs to put a call through to his office. It's shame you couldn't have come with us, Dad, you would have loved the place.”

“Aye, I saw all the pictures in the tour book. Did yer know there's one in the rep's area? Looks like a place I'd love to visit, but I know I couldn't stand too long on these legs.”

“We'll have to lend you Betty's wheelchair,” joked Nobby, but Jim said he didn't think much of the idea.

“Anybody for drinks then?” asked Terry, “ I'm in the chair.”

Everyone laughed, because they still couldn't get over the fact they were All Inclusive.

***

“I suppose I must think about packing,” said Anthea, as the sun began to sink behind the palm trees. “The time has gone so quick this week, but that's what happens when you get to meet so many lovely people.”

“Amen to that,” said Brian, “ but soon we'll be back into the swing in Bournemouth and be meeting lovely people again.”

Neither Charles or Judith understood the couple's reference to what they secretly aspired to, and would have been relieved, if they had known, that they never quite made it on the list!

***

“Time to pick Olivia up from Kid's club,” said Samantha, as she felt a chill on her body as the sun began to fade.

“I'll go,” said Frank, who was looking for something to do. He'd had a game of boules that morning and had done very well if he did say so himself, but this holiday was beginning to get a bit boring and he'd be glad when they started getting out and about. Olivia was going with her parents to Aqualand tomorrow, something their granddaughter was very pleased about because so was her friend Jade and he and Betty were going to have a walk to the harbour. Just the two of them together without the company of “ frosty face”, his son in law.

***

“I'm so pleased you agree with me, Darling, over renting the apartment out,” Paul said to Cheryl, as they walked back to the hotel after letting the children spend some time in the kiddies' park, a McDonald's and a few souvenirs, care of duty free.