Unforgettable Embrace (34 page)

They stayed at Pencarrow until the closing time of half past five.

"The afternoon flew," Jen said.

"Let's get the bus back to Padstow village and then I'll drive us all back to the guesthouse," Holly suggested.

"Are you sure you're ok to drive?" Liz asked, "you won't be over the limit or anything?"

"No, not at all, I'm fine. I was careful not to drink as much as you lot at lunch. I think I only had two small glasses of white wine. I wanted to take it easy after my episode with the champagne yesterday. We've had so much tea and coffee since lunch, I'm sure the alcohol is gone," Holly insisted.

"Well, Holly, if you don't mind, do you mind if we stop for a nightcap in town?" Jen asked, "I've got a sudden craving for a Baileys with ice."

"Not at all, I don't really feel like drinking any more today, but you girls have a few, by all means," Holly smiled.

"Just the one, then straight back to our cottage," Jen grinned.

"Three Baileys with ice and a diet Coke, please," Rachel asked the bar tender, whose face looked vaguely familiar.

"Coming up, Rachel, isn't it?" he asked, giving her a friendly smile.

"Um, yes," she looked at him quizzically.

"I'm Scott, from the restaurant earlier," he explained as he prepared their drinks.

"Oh, Scott, hello again," Rachel's face lit up as she remembered him.

"So are you ladies having a pleasant time here in Padstow?" he asked.

"We're having a ball, thank you," she said, telling him all about the day they had spent together.

"What are your plans for the evening?" he asked.

"Oh, we're just going to have this little nightcap and head back to our guesthouse for an early night."

"A nightcap, at this hour!" Scott exclaimed. "You ladies should be out on the town enjoying yourselves. You know we have a late licence here and there's a nightclub upstairs. I could get you some free passes, if you'd like."

"Not tonight, we're all quite tired, and we've got an early start at the spa, maybe tomorrow night if the offer is still open," Rachel smiled.

"I'm not working tomorrow night but I should be in here anyway around eight o' clock," Scott said, passing her the drinks.

"Thanks Scott, we might see you in here then."

Rachel brought the drinks to her friends who were all staring in her direction.

"What were you saying to him?" Holly asked.

"He didn't stop smiling the whole time you were talking to him," Liz said.

"Oh, just a bit of harmless flirting," Rachel said nonchalantly, "plus he's offered to give us free passes to the nightclub upstairs tomorrow night if we fancy it."

"What about Batt?" Jen asked.

"What about Batt?" Rachel said heatedly, "he thinks it's too much to send me a text or accept my apology, well there's no harm in flirting with an attractive man. I'm bored of his mood and waiting for him to get in touch with me. There's nothing wrong with having a chat with a man." "I suppose not," Holly said, "just make sure it doesn't go too far."

"Oh for heavens' sake, can we change the subject please?" Rachel said in exasperation, "actually, let's just get out of here. I think I've had enough for one night." She downed the rest of her drink in one gulp and stood up, pulling her cardigan around her shoulders. She waved to Scott as they left the bar and made their way towards the car.

“
Any word from Batt?” Liz asked tentatively.

“
Absolutely nothing,” Rachel replied, looking in disgust at her mobile phone.

“
I've had about enough of him and his mood. It's about time he got over it. He better watch himself or I'll break up with him when I get back to Mayo. Then I'll never marry him.”

She threw her phone into the drawer and stormed into the bathroom. The girls looked at each other, not really knowing what to say. A few minutes later Rachel re-emerged from the bathroom looking rather sheepish.

“
Sorry girls,” she said, “I don't know what's wrong with me lately. I seem to be snapping at everyone.”

“
It's ok,” Jen said, “it's not pleasant fighting with the people we care about. I'd have thought Batt would have contacted you by now. Maybe you should call him.”

“
No, I don't want to talk to him. This weekend is about you, Jen, not me and my love-life, so let's just forget about it and look forward to the spa tomorrow.”

Chapter 47

“
Girls, this is unbelievable!” Jen exclaimed, as their car drove through the entrance of the Treglos Hotel.

The hotel had stunning views, overlooking Constantine beach and was surrounded by the perfectly manicured lawns of the golf club.

“
You girls are totally spoiling me.”

“
Nothing but the best for you, Jen,” Liz smiled.

“
I can't wait to see the spa, a whole day of pure indulgence,” Holly sighed.

“
It was such a treat to wake up this morning and not have to rush around heating bottles and cooking porridge.”

They made their way through the hotel to the spa, where they were greeted by a friendly receptionist, who checked them in and gave them their bathrobes, towels and slippers for the day. She showed them to the changing rooms and said they could relax in the relaxation area until their therapist called them for their treatments. She advised that complementary peppermint tea would be served to them shortly. When they had finished filling out a questionnaire which asked if they had any allergies, etc., they made their way to the changing rooms.

“
It's official, I have died and gone to heaven,” Rachel sighed, when they were unwinding in the relaxation area after their treatments.

“
I feel like I'm floating,” Holly smiled, “I think I'm having an out of body experience.”

“
Every muscle in my body is so relaxed,” Liz said, as she lay on her lounger.

“
The Elemis products smell absolutely divine,” Jen said, “now I understand why you're so obsessed with them, Liz.”

The relaxation room was an oasis of peace and quiet. The girls had the whole place to themselves. Soft music playing what sounded like a harp, floated in the air around them. The delicate smell of lavender scented the room. Dim lights shone gently from the ceiling, while tiny waterfalls trickled in the corners.

“
This is the best spa I've ever experienced,” Liz said.

“
I definitely want to come here again,” Rachel said.

The girls spent the rest of the afternoon splashing about in the heated swimming pool and bubbling jacuzzi. When they finally decided to leave it was starting to get dark outside.

“
I feel completely refreshed,” Jen said, her eyes spa
rkling.

“
Me too,” Liz agreed. “W
hat shall we do to burn off all this energy?”

“
I think we should go back to our cottage, get our glad rags on and head into town for the night,” Rachel suggested.

“
Super idea, Rach,” Holly said, “I want to make the most of my last night of freedom. This time tomorrow I'll be back to the madness.”

Two hours later and the girls were stepping out of their taxi in Padstow's main street. The place was busy with people out on the town for the night. The restaurants had opened their doors wide and brought tables and chairs outside so people could dine al fresco. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and the atmosphere was alive with the hum of chatter and soft music. “Gosh, Padstow really comes alive at night,” Jen said, pulling her shawl closer around her shoulders, as there was a slight chill in the spring time air.

“
It's so romantic,” Liz sighed. Candles twinkled on the tables and pretty lanterns illuminated the cobbled streets.

“
I'm getting hungry,” Rachel said, “all that relaxation earlier has given me an appetite.”

“
We did have a very light lunch,” Holl
y agreed.

“
L
et's grab a table and have some dinner.” “I fancy something simple, like pizza or fish and chips,” Liz mused.

“
Me too,” Jen agreed, “I think we had more than enough fancy food yesterday.”

They made their way along the street and stopped outside a pretty restaurant with red and black checked tablecloths on the tables outside. They made their way inside and waited to be seated. The restaurant was very busy, but a waiter came to help them within minutes.

“
Table for four please,” Liz said, “is it ok if we sit outside?”

“
Certainly, ladies, follow me,” their waiter lead them back outside to a table with a perfect view over the harbour.

She lit the candle on their table and hurried away to get them some menus. She returned shortly with menus and advised them of the specials for the day. The girls decided on two pepperoni and mozzarella pizzas with garlic bread and chips on the side. They also ordered a bottle of house red wine and sat back to enjoy the view in front of them.

“
I do love people-watching,” Rachel said, as she observed the passersby on the street.

Couples strolled arm in arm, young children skipped ahead of their parents, friends walked together some chattering, others walking in companionable silence. Everyone seemed to be in a happy, relaxed mood, as if they'd left the cares and worries of their daily lives behind them.

“
I'd much rather look at the boats in the harbour,” Liz said, as she watched the colourful yachts bob up and down on the still water.

“
It's getting a bit nippy,” Jen said, rubbing her hands together for warmth.

“
That'll teach you not to wear such a skimpy outfit in the middle of spring,” Holly admonished. "I don't mind suffering for fashion," Jen retorted.

"Well, I'm lovely and toasty warm," Holly said, pulling her pink beret further down on her head.

The difference in how the two women were dressed was quite funny. Jen looked like she was dressed up for a party in the middle of summer, with her bare fake-tanned legs and low-cut short dress, whereas Holly was dressed for the middle of winter with her thick woolly tights, long skirt and jumper. Liz was dressed quite skimpily too, but she'd had the foresight to bring a coat and Rachel was wearing a pretty v-necked jumper which flattered her bust and jeans tucked into knee-high boots.

“
Oh, I'll bring a heater,” their waiter said, overhearing Jen as she brought their wine and glasses to the table.

Moments later she'd returned with a tall heater that she placed within a few feet of the girls. It wasn't long until they started to feel warmer.

"This is the life, eh girls?" Rachel said, sipping her wine.

"It certainly is the life," Liz agreed.

"I could definitely get used to this lifestyle," Jen smiled.

"It's lovely to have a break away from the real world," Holly admitted, "but I must say I'm starting to miss Simon and Mia a little."

"Oh, Holly, you'll be back with them again tomorrow," Rachel said, giving her sister's arm a comforting squeeze.

"I know, I know," Holly said, suddenly getting all teary-eyed.

"Holly, are you ok?" Jen asked, passing her a tissue.

"Don't mind me," Holly was embarrassed, "I'm just not used to all this freedom."

"Not long until your big day, Jen," Rachel said, changing the subject suddenly, for Holly's benefit.

"Only a few short weeks to go," Jen said, her face lighting up at the thought of her wedding. "I'll soon be Mrs. Victor Cotter, Jenna Price will be no more."

"Aren't you going to keep your own name?" Liz asked curiously.

"I know a lot of women are keeping their own name or using a hyphenated version of their maiden name and married name, but I don't believe in it," Jenna said. "I thought about Mrs. Price-Cotter for a while, but I think it sounds odd, so I'm just going to be very traditional and stick with my husband's name."

"Hmm, Jenna Cotter," Rachel said the name aloud, "it does have a certain ring to it."

"Pepperoni with mozzarella pizza," their waited reappeared bearing two huge steaming pizzas, followed by several plates of garlic bread and chips.

"We're never going to get through all this food," Holly groaned.

"I will if you don't," Rachel laughed, getting stuck into the pizza. Rachel's indulgences were suddenly interrupted by the beeping of her mobile phone.

She'd decided to bring her mobile with her on the chance that Batt would call or text her, which so far he hadn't done. She wiped her greasy fingers on her napkin and fished her phone from her handbag.

"One message," she said beaming around the table, "from Batt, at long last!"

"Oh, good," her friends said, smiling back at her.

Their smiles quickly changed to expressions of shock when Rachel started shouting something incomprehensible in French.

"The cheek, the absolute unadulterated cheek of him!" she cried, her face crumpling.

"What is it?!" her friends looked at her in concern.