Page 45 of Another Lucky Number

‘That may be the case. But she’s still here – at the resort. I’ve just seen her cleaning rooms on another wing of this place. How is thatdealingwith her? She needs to befired.’

‘Mr Miller, I’m afraid I cannot comment on this issuespecifically, however, I will ask the duty manager to contact you as soon as she is available.’

‘This ishorseshit. I amnotwaiting around in my room all day for a call. Use my cell number.’ He thrusts what looks like a business card at Charnice, and to her credit, she doesn’t even flinch.

‘Of course, sir. Is there anything else I can help you with?’

‘Can you wave a magic wand and get this place running like it used to?’

‘I understand you are frustrated. I will ensure that the Duty Manager contacts you as quickly as possible.’

‘You’d better. Otherwise, I’ll be taking my money elsewhere in future.’ He glances across at me and his eyes narrow. ‘You’re that nosey girl from the bar.’

I instinctively recoil from his accusing stare.

‘Sorry, sir? Is there something else you would like to discuss?’ It’s clear that Charnice is keen to shift his focus away from me.

‘You can addherto the list as well.’ He flicks an angry finger in my direction. ‘This one was blatantly eavesdropping on myprivateconversation with my family in the bar. What was she doing drinking in there anyway when she’s staff?’

‘Mr Miller, I’m not—’ I try to explain that I’m not an employee, but he cuts me off.

‘Donottalk back to me. You’ll be lucky if you still have a job by the end of the day.’ He looks me up and down in disgust. ‘Is it so hard to get an outfit that fits you? You look like a deflated beach ball.’

My face burns with humiliation as he stalks off in the direction of the pool.

‘Emma, are you OK?’ Charnice turns to me with an apologetic face. ‘I’m sorry for the way Mr Miller spoke to you.’

‘You havenothingto apologise for,’ I say, my cheeks still hot from the altercation. I lower my voice. ‘He’sthe one with theproblem. Where does he get off behaving like that? I’ve never seen such snobbery and entitlement.’

‘He has his ways, but he is also a regular guest with a lot of money.’

‘That shouldn’t give him the right to tear into people like that.’

‘No, it should not, and I have not seen him quite like this before. Between you and me, he recently struck a big business deal. It was in the news that he is expected to become a billionaire within five years. Perhaps this has had an effect.’

I frown and shake my head. ‘Future billionaire or not, it’sneverOK to behave in that way.’

‘He’s not the only one, I’m afraid. It comes with the job in a resort like this. And it’s something you will need to know about if you end up working with us.’

I feel a deep pang of empathy for Charnice. ‘That’s really sad. I’m sorry you have to deal with that kind of stuff.’

‘Thank you, Emma. I learned a long time ago not to take it personally.’ She shrugs and smiles her bright smile once again. ‘Look, here comes another check out. Are you ready?’

‘Yes, I can do this.’ I attempt to smooth down my billowing blouse and shake off the raging self-consciousness that’s now hovering around me like an unrelenting mosquito.

This time, it’s a group of women who are checking out. I smile sweetly at them as they approach the desk, wheeling their cabin bags along behind them.

‘Good morning, ladies. Are you checking out?’

‘We are,’ says the woman who’s taken the lead. ‘Here are our key cards.’

‘I’ll take these.’ Charnice takes them from her and taps the information into the computer.

‘Have you all enjoyed your stay?’ I ask.

‘It’s beenwonderful!’ another one of the group calls from further away.

‘Really wonderful,’ the woman who passed over the key cards says. ‘This place is paradise. The service was excellent too. So good that we would like to leave this for the staff as a tip.’ She hands me a bulky envelope, which evidently contains a pile of bank notes.

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