Page 30 of The One That Got Away

STELLA

It was now Tuesday morning and Max and I were outside waiting for the coach the hotel had hired to take us to today’s activity.

I still had no idea where we were going. When we’d arrived for the daily debrief at the pool, I’d asked Jasmine, but she’d said it was a surprise.

Whilst all the other guests around us were chatting with their partners, I was standing here with Max in silence. We’d only been here for a few minutes but the awkwardness made it feel like hours.

Thankfully yesterday’s sandcastle-building competition was less eventful than the pool volleyball activity on Sunday. We were given two hours to create a beach masterpiece. Even though Max and I argued about whether or not to include windows, how many flags to have and how big the towers should be, we managed to make something half decent.

I wasn’t too bothered that we didn’t win. Especially if the first prize we won at volleyball was anything to go by.

For the rest of the day I’d avoided talking to Max by eating bythe pool instead of the restaurant and burying my head in a book.

Sadly, I didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to escape spending time with him today though.

Just as I was about to pull out my phone as a distraction, a woman with white shoulder-length hair and an elegant summer dress came over.

‘Hello, young Max!’ she smiled.

‘Dorothy! Hey! How’s it going?’

‘Good, thank you. They matched me with a very lovely young man.’

‘How young we talking?’ Max cocked his head.

‘He’s sixty-five, so a whole seven years younger than me!’

‘Brilliant! You sound chuffed!’

‘I am! I’ve always wanted a toy boy!’ She winked.

‘You saucy little minx!’ Max teased. ‘Go easy on him!’

‘Not a chance! Anyway, I wanted to say thanks again for your help.’

‘No probs,’ Max said. I frowned, wondering what she was talking about. I hadn’t seen her before so she must be in a separate group.

I was happy at least that she’d been set up with someone she was interested in. And I liked that the hotel had guests of all ages too.

‘Did you find your other keycard?’

‘Yes! It was on the bed!’ Dorothy said. ‘Under my handbag!’

‘We’ve all been there!’ Max laughed. ‘Well, not the whole handbag thing, but I’ve left my keycard in my hotel room loads of times.’

‘Forgive me.’ Dorothy turned to face me. ‘Is this your lovely match?’

‘Dorothy, meet Stella. Stella, this is Dorothy.’

‘Nice to meet you,’ I smiled.

‘I’m ever so sorry that I made Max late to your first date. I was on my way to the restaurant too, but realised I’d closed the door without my key which was in my handbag, which was also in my room and I couldn’t get back in. My knees can be a bit temperamental, so I knew I wouldn’t be able to get to reception and back again quickly enough, so Max offered to get a key for me. I don’t know what I would’ve done without him!’ she beamed.

Ohhhh. Now it made sense.

‘You would’ve been fine.’ Max waved his hand dismissively.

‘You’re far too modest!’ Dorothy patted his arm. ‘Anyway, I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it. I’m off to meet my Lionel now.’

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