The Love Resort

by Faith Bleasdale

  He woke up to a hangover and no Emily. He was just going to go to search for her, but then the door opened and she stood there. He looked at her for what seemed like an eternity, the questions in his eyes refusing to be voiced. She mumbled something about a shower and had gone into the bathroom.

  Then, for the first time in his life, something had snapped in him as he finally found his balls.

  ‘Do you think you’re going to tell me where you’ve been all night?’ he’d shouted as he opened the shower door. His face was ablaze with anger.

  ‘Jimmy...’

  ‘You are an inconsiderate little bitch. We got engaged yesterday, you agreed to marry me, and then you do this. What, Emily? What is it? I know it’s something to do with Lee. I know you think I’m stupid but I’m damn well not. You disappeared, leaving me and Carla alone. What did you think you were doing? Trying your best to hurt us? Trying to rip our hearts out, and leave us feeling humiliated? Well congratulations, you succeeded.’

  After everything he’d done for her, she had made a right fool out of him. Mind you, he was ashamed at how he’d let her. He’d been blinded by her; he should have seen it coming, all the warning signs were there. He’d put so much effort into trying to make her happy that he’d failed to see he couldn’t. He desperately needed to put things into perspective, but it was all too horrible.

  He felt disgusted; he couldn’t even identify most of the emotions he was feeling. The frustration and the anger made him want to burst. Emily had been critical of him almost since they first arrived at the resort, but did he stand up to her? No, he just tried harder to please her. He felt like a major idiot. He’d entered the competition because she had demanded a five-star holiday and he couldn’t afford one. He’d have been happier with two weeks in Italy but, no, it had to be somewhere she could boast about. When he’d won, he’d been so shocked, but her reaction hadn’t been exactly as he’d hoped. She accused him of being cheap because he didn’t pay for the holiday. Jesus, he should have told her where to go then.

  They say love is blind but could he really have been that stupid? He was almost as angry with himself for his stupidity as he was with Emily.

  ‘Well?’ he demanded.

  ‘Jimmy, I am sorry. I didn’t want it to happen, and really, I don’t know why I let it, but I couldn’t help myself.’

  ‘You’ve been flirting with him from the beginning.’

  ‘No, that’s not true. He flirted with me, but then he flirted with Thea as well, and we just grew attracted to each other. It kind of took me by surprise.’

  ‘Well, that makes two of us.’

  ‘Jimmy, look, I feel awful, and I know I’ve been a real bitch, but you have to believe our relationship wasn’t right.’

  ‘So why did you agree to marry me?’

  ‘I thought that that was what I wanted, before this holiday, before Lee.’

  ‘But yesterday you said you’d be my wife.’

  ‘Jimmy, you asked me in front of Lily, who was interviewing us. I couldn’t turn you down. You put me in an impossible situation. Look, I knew then that we weren’t working but I wanted to wait until we got home, I thought it would be easier for you.’

  ‘Oh, yeah, it’d be a picnic to have you break my heart at home.’

  ‘Jimmy, don’t.’

  ‘Why? Why did you do it?’

  ‘I love him,’ she explained softly, uncertainly.

  ‘I hope you do,’ Jimmy said. ‘I hope you love him because then one day he can rip your fucking heart out the way you did mine.

  *

  Thea tried to think of the last time that she had actually been this angry with Tim. As in, really, really angry. She couldn’t remember.

  He wasn’t contrite when he walked in. Why would he be, he was Tim. She could smell the alcohol on him, either from the previous night or this morning. He actually smiled at her; smiled.

  ‘Morning. Gosh, what a mad night.’ There was no sorrow at all in his voice.

  ‘Tim, do you realise what you did?’

  ‘Well, yes, of course I realise. Quite funny, when you think about it.’

  ‘You know something, it really isn’t. Because I’ve been lying here all night thinking about it and I haven’t laughed once.’

  ‘Oh...’

  She had always found it difficult to be angry with Tim, but she snapped and suddenly it was the easiest thing in the world.

  ‘Tim, you have nearly got us thrown out of here so many times and we’ve been here less than a week, and I have asked, nicely, that you behave, but you can’t. I’ve watched you drinking constantly and obviously you have a problem and I want to help you, I really do, but you are totally oblivious to it all. And then you don’t come back. Where were you last night?’

  ‘Oh dear, you haven’t heard, have you?’

  ‘Tim, just tell me.’

  ‘Well, I think I was very drunk because I ended up with that American woman, Patricia or whatever her name was. I, er, well, I, er, don’t know what exactly happened but I woke up on her terrace this morning.’

  ‘You passed out on her terrace?’

  ‘With her.’

  ‘With her?’

  ‘I wasn’t naked—well, only half. She was, though.’

  ‘Naked?’

  ‘Her husband found us.’ He pulled back his hair and showed Thea the bruise that sat angrily on the side of his face. Thea stared at it, blinked and then slapped him as hard as she could.

  ‘Ow, Thea, that hurt. Why are you doing this?’

  ‘Why am I...? Tim, you were caught with another woman last night. A married woman. And to all intents and purposes on this holiday we are a couple. So, do you see why I’m doing this?’

  Thea blamed herself. It was a stupid idea, coming on holiday with Tim, her life-long best friend, posing as her boyfriend. In fact, it was totally insane. She thought it would be easy; for so long everyone had thought of them as a couple, but they weren’t. She needed a rest, and Tim needed to sort his life out. But coming here was obviously the worst idea that she’d ever had.

  ‘Thea, you know I told you this holiday was a bad idea.’ He had; he’d been reluctant to pose as a couple, but she’d talked him round. She had to take some responsibility.

  ‘For once I wish I’d listened to you.’ Thea put her head in her hands and cried.

  21

  Memo: To All Love Resort Guests

  Please note that today the wonderful magazine Movie World will be coming to the resort to interview our VIP guests, Todd and Katie Cortes. The interview will be held in the resort and photographs will also be taken.

  We apologise for any inconvenience this causes, and will keep disruption to your facilities to a minimum. And we assure you that Todd and Katie will be making a public appearance one evening. Stay tuned for news of when!

  *

  Katie tiptoed into the living room and saw him asleep on the sofa.

  ‘Todd,’ she snapped.

  He opened his eyes. ‘I must have fallen asleep here.’ He sat up. Katie looked thunderous.

  ‘Well, luckily it was me that woke you, not a member of the press.’

  Todd watched her go. He felt like a shit, but he was consumed with his own desperation. Seeing Marcus after the night before last had been painful. He desperately wanted to touch him. But after being reminded about the risks, he felt depressed as the reality of his situation hit home. The pretence. The reason for it. The fact that he couldn’t risk seeing Marcus. It was all a huge mess. And now Katie was angry, and for once he thought that she had a right to be.

  The phone rang, and Katie snatched it up in the bedroom. Todd got up and vowed to make it up to her—as much as he could without giving in to any of her crazy ideas about them. He groaned. His ‘honeymoon’ was crashing down on him.

  ‘We have hair and make-up coming in half an hour,’ Katie told him, as he walked into the bedroom.

  ‘I’ll shower quickly.’ He turned to walk to the bathroom. ‘Katie,’ he said; su
ddenly stopping.

  ‘What?’ she asked.

  ‘I am sorry.’

  ‘What for?’ She was waiting for an answer, but he just shrugged. Where would he start?

  *

  ‘Hello, darlings,’ Anne-Marie said, as Katie opened the door to her and ushered her in. She kissed Katie and Todd on their cheeks and then clicked her fingers. Four people, two men and two women, appeared behind her.

  ‘Hi,’ Katie said.

  Now, here are your hair, make-up and stylists. They have been sent by Movie World, so I have it on very good authority that they’re the best.’

  ‘Darling, we’re the best,’ one of them said. ‘As if this princess needs our help. Why, everyone knows that you are the best-dressed woman in the whole world.’

  Todd groaned inwardly. He realised that the few days they’d spent away from Hollywood seemed like an eternity. But now Hollywood had come to them, and he didn’t like it at all.

  ‘Thank you.’ Katie beamed.

  ‘Right, now, I shall leave you but you know where I am. The journalist and photographer are being given a tour. Someone will come and get you when you’re ready. Oh, this is so exciting, so wonderful.’ Anne-Marie clapped her small hands together and left.

  Todd was on the terrace, drinking coffee; looking over the notes Harriet had faxed him about the day ahead and keeping out of the way. He was surprised, although he shouldn’t have been. She was back. As soon as the stylists had walked in, Katie Ray had returned. With a vengeance.

  ‘You fucking idiot, everyone knows that if you do that, hair burns,’ her voice streamed out, filling his peace with anger.

  ‘Oh, be gentle with the princess, or what will I have left to dress?’ another voice followed.

  Todd could just visualise the scene. It was Katie Ray at her best. Those four people dancing to her tune, taking her criticism, wanting to cry but keeping quiet. The Katie that he was beginning to warm to was gone. Perhaps she’d just been a figment of his imagination. A mirage. Or had he done this? God, was everything his fault?

  ‘Katie?’ a voice said timidly. Katie spun round. It was Mary.

  ‘Yes?’ she asked unkindly.

  ‘I came to see if I can do anything.’

  ‘Well, actually you can,’ Katie said, her voice devoid of any warmth. ‘This place is a pigsty; I’ve got a mountain of laundry and, of course, then the ironing. I have no idea how you could let it get in such a state.’

  On hearing this exchange, Todd went inside to where Mary stood staring, with a shocked look on her face. ‘I’m sorry.’

  Katie looked at her new entourage. ‘Of course she’s sorry, she needs this job,’ she laughed unkindly. ‘Mary, just get it done.’

  ‘Mary, hold on.’ Todd followed her out. He saw her freeze, furiously wiping away any tears that were springing from her eyes.

  ‘I’m fine.’

  Todd put his arms around her. ‘I know that’s not true. But listen, you have to believe that she was herself with you, and this is someone who isn’t real. And although the unreal person is a monster, I won’t let her hurt you.’

  ‘She has hurt me, sir. Because I tried to care for her and now she treats me like a nothing.’

  ‘Mary, she treats everyone like that. It’s not right, I know, but when she was alone and vulnerable, she needed you. Now she has her fixers she doesn’t. Believe me, she will be back to needing you tomorrow.’

  ‘Maybe I won’t be here then,’ she sulked.

  ‘Mary, you know that you will.’ He smiled and hugged her, and she dried her tears.

  The make-up artist appeared.

  ‘We’re ready for you, Mr Cortes.’

  ‘Oh, for God’s sake, call me Todd. And remember,’ he said, mimicking Katie, ‘violet is definitely not my colour.’ He winked at Mary, who managed to laugh.

  *

  After engaging in damage limitation, which didn’t extend to Mr and Mrs Greyton, who were on their way to the airport, Lily was with Anne-Marie in the office.

  ‘How are things?’ Lily asked.

  ‘Well, the shoot is almost ready to go. The journalist and photographer are still deciding on location, the stylists should be finishing soon, and we shall go and join them to ensure that nothing goes wrong.’

  ‘Sure. Well, the guests seem OK. They took your offer of a dinner with them very gratefully and I’ve arranged it for a few days from now. Sorry, I know you’re tired, but I think it’ll do the trick.’

  ‘You’re right.’ Anne-Marie had lost her fight, and was, for the first time, pleased to have Lily by her side.

  ‘So, all we need to talk about now, and we can wait for Ed, is what you’re going to do with the competition winners.’

  ‘I’ve thought about this. I want them on a plane home. As soon as possible.’

  ‘And if they try to give us adverse publicity?’

  ‘I thought we could get some legal agreement drawn up. After all, Tim has confessed that Thea and he aren’t a real couple, and the others have cheated, so can’t we use that as a threat?’

  ‘Good idea. I’ll call the lawyers. I’m pretty sure the couples won’t object to signing. Now, I’ll get one of the secretaries to look into flights.’

  ‘Thanks, Lily, thanks.’

  ‘Right, so we’re ready to go. I know it’s awful, but we do have the article in Exclusive Holidays, and today is going to be a huge success.’ She smiled.

  ‘Have you seen Abigail today?’

  ‘No, but then we’ve been preoccupied. Do you want me to call her?’

  ‘No, there’s no time, I’ll call on her later.’

  *

  Anne-Marie, Lily, Todd and Katie stood at the Honey Gazebo with the features editor of Movie World, who was hopping from foot to foot with excitement, and the photographer, who was looking through his camera at them all. Behind them, the crew hung back in case they were needed.

  ‘This is so exciting,’ the journalist cooed, ‘so exciting.’

  ‘Sure is,’ Lily concurred.

  ‘Oh, we’re delighted, absolutely delighted,’ Anne-Marie enthused.

  ‘Now, I’m sure our publicist has told you what you can and cannot talk about,’ Katie stated.

  ‘To explain, I am acting on your behalf today, as your publicist, and I have briefed them on every point, but I shall be present to ensure that there is no diverting from what was agreed,’ Lily said.

  ‘Good. So what are we waiting for?’ Katie demanded. Todd sighed.

  ‘Anything wrong, Todd?’ Lily asked, concerned.

  ‘No, nothing,’ he replied quickly. ‘Just a bit tired.’

  ‘Of course you are, it’s your honeymoon,’ she chortled. And everyone laughed, apart from Todd and Katie.

  *

  Interviewer: ‘So, we’ve seen pictures of your gorgeous wedding and now we have been given the privilege to see how your honeymoon is going. Can you tell us why you picked The Love Resort?’

  Katie: ‘Well, as you can see, it’s such a wonderful setting. Just look around you. It’s romantic, stunning, relaxing, and for Todd and me, the perfect place for us to celebrate our love.’

  Katie smiled. Anne-Marie clapped her hands. Todd kept his grin fixed in place.

  ‘It’s going well, isn’t it?’ Anne-Marie said, as they took a break for Katie to have four people fuss over her as she demanded.

  ‘Very,’ Lily agreed.

  ‘You’re a fucking imbecile; do you even know anything about hair?’ Katie screamed.

  ‘You hurt my princess one more time and I ensure you never work in this town again,’ the stylist chastised.

  ‘My God,’ Lily went to stand by Todd, ‘should I step in here?’

  ‘No, she loves shouting at people. Funnily enough, it’s always the hairdresser,’ he explained.

  ‘So, what would your publicist do right now?’

  ‘She’d roll her eyes and let them get on with it,’ Todd replied.

  ‘I can do that,’ Lily replied with a wink.
/>   Interviewer: ‘What so far has been the highlight of your married life, Todd?’

  Katie: ‘Well, of course the wedding day was wonderful, utterly magical, but the honeymoon has been so very special. Everyone has ensured that we have had the most fantastic time, but also respected our privacy.’

  Interviewer: ‘Do you want to add anything, Todd?’

  Todd: ‘Katie’s really said it all, hasn’t she? I’m such a lucky man.’

  The three of them beamed at each other and Anne-Marie clapped her hands again.

  ‘Right, we’re going to start the photographs because the light is perfect,’ the photographer interrupted. He then began barking orders at his assistants, who had appeared from nowhere. Every now and then, guests would stop and gawp at what was going on, before Anne-Marie kindly asked them to leave. They all did as they were told.

  Todd managed to get a cigarette from someone, while Katie was being fussed around yet again. The day was turning out to be one of the most insufferable of his life. Almost worse than the wedding day. He flicked his ash into the Love Garden and looked at the scene. Lily was pacifying Katie, who was having yet another tantrum. This time because the flowers that they were asking her to pose against didn’t match her nail polish. She wanted green flowers instead. Everyone was trying to come up with suggestions, and the hairdresser was chewing gum and fixing Katie’s hair yet again. Someone was trying to use the nail polish on the flowers, and the photographer was telling everyone to hurry up, while the interviewer tried to keep him under control. Todd wondered what they called a collection of divas. He put his cigarette out as he was called for the photos.

  *

  ‘Todd, lift Katie up. Ah, perfect.’

  ‘Todd, can you frolic in the sea? Someone, roll his trouser legs up for him. Great, great.’ Todd nearly fell over as someone dived at his trousers.

  ‘Katie, bend down to pick up a shell. Todd put your hands around her waist and look over her shoulder. Lovely.’

  ‘Hold hands and walk down the beach. Gaze into each other’s eyes. A bit more, Todd—smile. Katie, you look gorgeous, gorgeous.’

  ‘Now, I want you to kiss. No, not on the cheek, Todd. I want a proper movie kiss. Take her in your arms, and kiss her, long and hard. Again, longer this time. Ah, yes, I think that’s it.’