Page 36 of The Suite Life
‘I know, that’s okay,’ I reply. ‘Where are you from?’
‘Kent, originally, but I live in London,’ he says. ‘You?’
‘I work in London, and I livewith my parents,’ I say with a laugh. ‘So that’s fun.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with that,’ he replies, seeming sincere. ‘Especially with the prices in London. I do love it, though. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else now.’
‘Me too,’ I reply. ‘I love how it’s this bustling, vibrant city, but then it has all these beautiful green spaces to escape to. Hyde Park is like my oasis, in the middle of the chaos. It’s where I will go and eat my lunch, to get away from work on the crazy days.’
‘The Serpentine, the open spaces – I totally agree,’ he says. ‘Money no object, that’s where I would live. And the Royal Albert Hall nearby – I might not be able to play it, but they still let me visit.’
‘Don’t forget the museums,’ I reply. ‘The British Museum, the V&A – honestly, I’ll never get bored. The magic will never wear off.’
‘It sounds like we go to all the same places,’ he points out with a chuckle. ‘Great minds think alike.’
‘You know, we might have crossed paths at some point, perhaps unknowingly,’ I muse. ‘London can be a small world.’
‘And yet, we meet for the first time in Hawaii, thousands of miles from home,’ he replies.
‘That’s probably on me,’ I tell him. ‘Weird things like that are definitely built into my personality. Nothing is easy or explainable. I am somehow completely boring and totally chaotic.’
Donnie laughs.
‘You mentioned work being crazy – what do you do?’ he asks as he pops a chip in his mouth.
‘I’m a hairstylist,’ I say. ‘I work in a really busy salon. It’s a lot of fun, but exhausting.’
‘Is it true what they say, that hairdressers are like therapists?’ he asks curiously.
‘We are absolutely therapists,’ I reply. ‘Just, you know, not paid as well. It’s good though because we’re not bound by anysort of code of ethics or professional standards, so when people ask us for advice, we can say whatever we want.’
‘You give unethical advice?’ he replies with a faux gasp.
‘Oh, all the time. Say someone is having trouble with their mother-in-law. I can say push her down the stairs, go on, it will make you feel better,’ I joke, laughing wildly to make sure he knows that I really am kidding.
‘It must be fun, getting to hear everyone’s secrets,’ he replies. ‘I’m a classical guitar player so, when I’m at work, all I really hear is myself – or the occasional boo.’
‘Who boos classical guitar?’ I reply in disbelief.
‘I play in hotel lobbies, wine bars – places like that,’ he explains. ‘Anywhere remotely upmarket, where people have had a drink, you’ll be surprised what people will say. The richer they are, the ruder they are.’
‘Oh, I know, believe me,’ I reply. ‘Someone – who I’m pretty sure was only in two episodes ofLove Islandbefore they got dumped – once threatened to shit in my handbag because she didn’t like the fringe one of the other stylists had cut for her, and my bag was the nearest.’
Donnie snorts.
‘Oh my God, I think ketchup just went up my nose,’ he replies. ‘Hey, did you notice, when I asked for ketchup, they looked at me like I had lost my mind, but when you asked for some too, they couldn’t get it fast enough?’
I shrug.
‘What can I say? Some of us get preferential treatment,’ I reply carefully. ‘Speaking of which. I have this gold card that gets me into the VIP areas of the hotel, and I thought I should look in the VIP areas to try to get myself a higher-calibre date. So, I just went to reception, and asked if I could have a card for my friend too – because I figured, if you’re helping me, I need you by my side – and they said yes so, here you go, your own gold card.’
‘Wow, Gigi, thank you,’ he replies. ‘That’s so cool.’
‘Thank me by finding me a decent date,’ I laugh.
‘I’ll do my best,’ he replies. ‘When we’re done here, maybe we can scope a few places out, see where might be best.’
‘Okay,’ I say. Then I laugh. ‘This is so weird, isn’t it?’
