Page 9 of Reckless Intentions
Chapter Five
The heat was the first thing that hit Olivia as she walked through the Arrivals Hall of Palma airport. The sweat poured off her, and she wished she’d worn a t-shirt instead of a jumper.
She scanned the throng of people waiting in the entrance, searching out Mariella, Caro’s closest friend and housemate from her Mallorca days. Although it had been a while since she’d last seen her, she would recognise Mariella’s Norwegian accent anywhere as her friend’s voice cut through the rapid-fire Spanish around her.
“Olivia! Olivia, over here!” The tall woman waving at her had barely changed, still slim with a mane of icy blonde hair and a welcoming smile. She was accompanied by an equally tall, muscular man with sun bleached hair.
Olivia pushed her luggage trolley towards them, her own face breaking into a grin.
“It’s so good to see you!” Mariella hugged her. “It’s been too long.”
“Here, let me take that.” The muscular Adonis with an Australian twang took the trolley from her.
“That’s Trent,” said Mariella, by way of introduction.
“Yes, Caro mentioned him.” She wasn’t totally immune to his sun kissed, Antipodean good looks, although the misplaced pang of guilt for finding someone else attractive came as an unwelcome surprise.
Mariella grabbed her arm and led her towards the car park. “If we’re quick, we can get out before all the tourists get their cars.” She shuddered. “Then it will be carnage.”
Trent hauled Olivia’s massive suitcase and smaller carry on case into the back of the car and went around to the driver’s side. Mariella joined him up front and Olivia settled into the backseat. Even though Trent switched on the car’s air-con, she pulled off her jacket and pushed up the sleeves of her jumper. If everything went to plan, she should be at Caro’s apartment in less than an hour and she could have a well-deserved shower.
As they set off, the landscape became more familiar and Olivia recognised landmarks that hadn’t changed much since the last time she had been to Mallorca. The combination of warming sun through the glass and her early start meant Olivia’s eyelids started to droop. When Mariella shook her shoulder it woke her from a pleasant slumber.
“We’re here.”
“Gosh, I’m so sorry.” Olivia yawned. “I guess I didn’t realise how tired I was.”
The look Mariella gave her was familiar. It was like the ones Caro and Eva had directed at her when they’d persuaded her to go over to the island in the first place. It was slightly piteous and said she’d been through a lot lately and it was only expected she might be a little tired.
Caro had obviously filled Mariella in on everything.
If Olivia didn’t see that look again it would still be too soon.
Caro’s apartment sat on one corner of Alcudia’s main drag. There was a hive of activity, as always; buses, taxis, tourists and locals alike all milling around and fighting for space. When Caro had made the decision to split her time between The Indigo Lounge in North Ridge and The Roca Bar in Alcudia, she and Alik had bought a small place of their own. At this point, Olivia was grateful for their decision. While she loved Mariella to pieces, the thought of spending the week in close proximity to a loved-up couple would have been unbearable.
She reached into her bag for the keys Caro had given her, while Trent got her luggage from the trunk.
“How long are you staying for? I thought it was only a week,” he asked, as he heaved the two suitcases towards the door.
His question was greeted with a peal of laughter from Mariella. “When you get to know Olivia better, you’ll realise that she accounts for every possible situation. I’m guessing you have bikinis, sweaters, jeans, shorts, dresses, sandals and boots. Am I right?”
“That’s right. Come rain, shine, wind or snow, I’ll be prepared!”
Trent smiled good-naturedly as Olivia led the way up to the second-floor apartment and let them in.
“We can meet for dinner later if you like?” suggested Mariella as Trent hauled the suitcases into a bedroom.
“Not tonight, I wouldn’t be much company.” Olivia shook her head. “I think I need a rest and some sleep. Another night, though?”
“Absolutely. Make sure to call me if you need anything?”
“Of course.” Olivia hugged Mariella and Trent in turn, and the couple left swiftly without hanging around.
Now alone, Olivia took the opportunity to explore the apartment. Decorated almost entirely in white, it had a light and airy vibe. There were two large bedrooms, both en-suite, and an open plan living/dining/cooking area. Olivia opened the shutters on the windows and the door that led to the tiny balcony. The view from the window was stunning. It overlooked the bay and the curving beach directly beneath the building. She drank it in, a wave a calmness washing over her as she took a deep, cleansing breath.
She stepped back inside to find her phone and dialled Caro’s number. While she waited for Caro to answer, she finally pulled off her sweater now there was no one to see her tatty vest top.
“Hola! I’m guessing you made it okay?”
