Page 40 of Be With Us: An Urban Foursome Love Story

‘No, I know that, but have a think first is all I'm saying.’

‘Yeah okay, you're right.’

She took another deep breath, then turned away and started writing.

Hi Amy, thank you. We had such a lovely time too. I’ve been really worried I'd put you off? I really enjoyed our walk. We’d like to get to know you both better and see where things go? Spa day sounds great. See you at 9am? No pressure either. Em XxxX

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CHAPTER FIVE

EMILIA AND CASSIAN arrived at the spa shortly before nine in the morning. The ride over had been beautiful. As they had driven out of the city and into the countryside they were treated to stunning views of the sun shining down through staggeringly large mountainous clouds onto a shroud of mist which had settled in lake like pockets throughout the valley in which the spa was nestled.

Now they were pulling into the car park and coming to a stop as Cassian chuckled to himself again at how out of place their old Fiesta was amongst the Merc’s, BMW’s and Jag’s that had already arrived this morning.

The Aurora Spa & Country Club was set in several hundred acres of land and boasted a heated outdoor swimming pool, multiple jacuzzi’s and several private hot tubs, it also featured massage and aromatherapy sessions, Tai Chi, Yoga and a number of other group exercise and fitness classes. It was a membership only club and the fees were outlandish, but prospective members could pay for a single trial day, which lots of people took advantage of. Even so, it was at the upper end of expensive.

Emilia took her husband’s hand as they walked towards the entrance and tried her best not to skip. After much deliberation she had chosen a simple skirt and a sheer and loose white blouse, over a dark lace chemise. As they had been about to leave however, she’d become self-conscious and had thrown on an old purple cardigan her mother had knitted ten years ago for her. It didn't really match the rest of her outfit but she didn't feel quite so exposed.

‘Do you think they're here already?’ she said.

‘I don't know, there's a lot of cars here.’

‘What do they drive?’

‘It was hard to see the other night but I think it was a Merc,’ said Cassian. ‘Silver?’

Emilia looked around but there were quite a few silver Mercedes parked up, so she stopped speculating.

‘Em, listen,’ said Cassian. ‘Try not to be too forward today, they might be thinking about this, they might not be. Let's not scare them off, let's just all have a nice day together. Okay?’

‘Okay,’ said Emilia as she nodded and squeezed his hand. ‘I will.’

The entrance foyer was like a grander version of an old English country pub, with exposed beams, hardwood flooring, and ornate lamps adorning the walls. Emilia approached the reception desk and found a perky young blonde girl, no older than twenty, smiling back at her with wide eyes.

‘Have Amy and Mark Hamilton arrived yet? We’re meeting them here for, erm… a day at your spa?’ she faltered and grinned.

‘I'm afraid I'm not able to give out guest information, Miss?’

‘Mrs Black,’ said Emilia.

‘But if you’re happy for me to do so, I can let them know you’re here, if and when they arrive?’

‘That would be fine,’ said Emilia.

‘If you wish to wait for your friends, you're welcome to take a seat in the foyer.’

Emilia took Cassian’s hand and they headed over to a seat by the fireplace that overlooked the heated outdoor pool. There were already a couple of people swimming in the fresh morning air. The mist in the forest beyond hadn't quite lifted and the blue morning hue gave the whole scene an almost eerie feel. For a moment Emilia pictured Annie the porcelain doll, creeping out of the forest and shivered.

‘What time is it?’ asked Emilia.

‘Ten past.’

‘Do you think they're just running late?’

‘No, I think they've bailed on us.’

‘What? Why?’

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