Page 57 of Another Lucky Number

‘They’re what?’ I’m so shocked I can hardly take this in. ‘They can’t do that. We’ve paid for those suites. I have the paperwork to prove it. They should re-locate the other guests who are arriving, not throw us out.’

‘That’s what I said.’ Amber holds her hands up in apparent frustration. ‘But apparently, they can’t. Or they won’t. They are arranging a car to ferry you back and forth on the day of your interview though, and we’re getting a refund for the days they’re not putting us up – so that’s something, at least.’

‘I don’t believe this.’ I clamp my hands against my head. ‘I don’t want a refund. I want to while away my days onthisresort, drinking champagne in The Cave, enjoying the amazing food and the surroundings, and… it means we’ll be on a different resort to James. Maybe we should speak to Sébastien.’

‘Do you think that’s a good idea?’ says Amber. ‘Because I don’t.’

‘Probably not.Ugh, this sucks.’ My miserable gaze lands on Cat who looks as pained as I feel.

‘Ladies, how are you all?’

I look up and see that a grinning James has approached without us realising.

‘What’s with the glum faces?’ he asks.

‘It’s nothing.’ Amber waves his question away. ‘We’re good. How are you?Hi, guys!’ she calls to James’s friends who are hovering behind him.

James beckons for them to join the conversation. ‘Lads… meet Emma, Amber and Cat. Ladies, this is Rob, and this is Tyler.’ He points out which friend is which, and they give a friendly nod and a ‘hi’ in return.

Rob is skyscraper tall and just as lean, with bright blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. He looks like he’d be successful as a basketball player or a high jumper. Tyler is closer to average height like James, with dark afro hair and gorgeous espresso-coloured eyes. They both seem up for some chat, which is unfortunate, given how disappointed I’m currently feeling from Amber’s revelation.

‘Good to meet you all.’ I attempt a welcoming smile, but it fallsflat.

‘What’s up, Emma?’ James sits on the lounger beside me. ‘Are you still upset about those kids? Want me to buy a bigger water gun and get revenge?’

I chuckle hopelessly at his joke. ‘No, it’s not that. We’ve just found out there’s been an error with our booking and we have to move to a different resort tomorrow.’

‘Huh?You’re kidding, right?’

‘I’m not. Charnice from reception spoke to Amber about it. They have our departure date wrong in their system.’

‘Mistakes happen, but throwing you out isbangout of order and not at all in the spirit of my employer’s relationship with Paradis Resorts. I’ll go and speak to—’

‘There’s no need for that, James,’ Cat jumps in. ‘Emma won’t want to make a fuss.’

‘She’s right, I don’t.’ I put a calming hand on his arm to emphasise this. ‘Not when I have my interview coming up.’

James sits thoughtfully for a moment, then shakes his head determinedly and gets up. ‘No, I’m sorry, I’ve got to sort this out. I booked this trip for you, and I’m not having this on my conscience.’

He strides off across the grass towards reception and I look to Amber and Cat to gauge their reactions, which are quite different to what I expected. Instead of Amber cheering James on and Cat looking deeply uncomfortable on my behalf, they seem to be caught in a bickering match.

‘Amber, this has gonetoofar.’ Cat sounds uncharacteristically furious with her. ‘You need to stop itright now.’

‘Stop what?’ My eyes narrow at Amber. ‘What have you done?’

‘All right, all right. Keep your knickers on, both of you.’ Amber rolls her eyes in exasperation. ‘Be right back.’

To my surprise, she hops off her loungerand takes off after James, only to return with him a few minutes later. He’s laughing and joking with her, which confuses me even more.

‘What on earth is going on, Amber?’ I demand as they rejoin us, then I remember James’s friends. ‘Rob, Tyler, please grab a perch on Cat and Amber’s loungers – or feel free to give us a wide berth if you don’t want to get involved with whateverthisis.’

They grin at each other and shake their heads.

‘I only wish we had popcorn,’ says Tyler.

‘Your friends seem well-matched to you,’ I say to James, who simply shrugs in agreement. ‘OK, Amber, fess up. If the real reason we’re getting banished from this resort is because of your ridiculous antics, I want to know now.’

‘What? You thinkI’vegot us thrown out?’ she says. ‘That’s hilarious.’

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