Clouds Below the Mountains (30 page)

“You will find me a hotel that I can work in near to your Bolton, Jenni? You won't forget me as soon your airplane lands in Manchester? Juan has told me that the girl he had set his heart on, no longer loves him. He is very upset about it.”

“Oh, go away and stop being silly, Miguel,” said Jenni lightly, making little flapping movements with her hands. “I'll start ringing around as soon as I get home.”

***

“What are your plans for this evening, Sonya?” asked Mikey, after she and Susanne had finished rehearsing and seemed to be working well together.

“The usual I suppose, have dinner, watch the kids at Mini club, stay up to dance at the disco, though I did notice there was no poster up advertising this evening's entertainment. Is there nothing on?”

“I've decided I'm going to try something different tonight, seeing as a lot of guests will be packing.

At first I thought I'd just play a few records and then after I was talking to you about my cruise ship days, I thought, what about a dance for the geriatrics? I've got a few records they could waltz to and I think I've got one suitable for a tango and I'll play a few artistes from the 50's. You know, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Connie Francis? If it goes down well, I could even introduce a bit of Scottish dancing. I know “ Strip the Willow” and that “ Gay Gordons” thingy.”

“Maybe you could have it on a regular basis, Mikey, during the winter season?” Susanne said, listening to the conversation. “ More old people seem to come at this time, don't they?”

“Well, if I do, you'll have to brush up on your ballroom techniques, then mucker. Don't think I'll be the only one to give the old un's a twirl.”

“I must go now, Mikey,” said Sonya, already looking forward to the evening as she was an accomplished ballroom dancer herself. Those years of being nagged by her parents to attend Cyril

Hodges School of Dancing, right up until her teenage years, perhaps would now begin to pay off!

***

“I don't know why you're getting all dressed up for tonight, you two,” said Jean, watching Doreen and Milly struggling through their already packed suitcases, looking for something to wear.

“It's our last night Jean. Harry Wilkinson is bound to want to take some photo's of us, so we need to look our best for his camera,” said Doreen.

“Well I can understand that from your point of view, Doreen, but not Milly. Why are you bothering Milly, when you've got a husband at home?”

“I don't want showing up Jean and I think you should make an effort as well.”

“All my clothes are staying where they are, thank you. I'm quite happy in this skirt and blouse. They're clean and paid for and they'll do for me.”

***

“Mum,” said Sonya, after Kate had opened the door to her and Evan. “Put your sparkly dance shoes on, Mikey's going to put on an old time dancing evening.”

“That sound nice dear, what's brought this on? Is he after schmoozing with the grannies again?”

“No, he didn't have anything posted for this evening, but came up with this idea as a trial run. It's true what he says that he should do something for the older clients, as when you look around there's an awful lot of them.”

“Then we'll look forward to it, Sonya. Greg, dust off your patent leather shoes, we're going to a ball.

***

“Tracy, Darling, there's nothing more that I can do, you've heard me leave messages on the woman's voice mail.”

“Then ring the credit card main number again, Gary. Oh, let me do it, maybe I can get a supervisor this time.”

“Tracy,” Gary said patiently, though he was beginning to come to the end of his tether. He had given all the information to a very nice lady, who said she would ring them back as soon as she had got an answer from their legal department.

“Tracy, the woman probably has to wait for a reply herself before she rings us back. Look, it's seven o' clock……Tenerife has the same Greenwich Meantime as us, so we'll have to wait for her call tomorrow.”

“I've missed sitting in the sun because of this Gary. Valuable sun tanning time lost, all because you didn't stop me from wanting to sign that contract.”

“What!” Suddenly, Gary couldn't help but feel a burning anger begin to simmer. “ You're saying that I should have stopped you? How, for heaven's sake could I have stopped you? You've never listened to my advice in the whole time I've known you.”

“Well, there's no need to take that attitude,” Tracy said indignantly. “ I've always had to be the stronger one in this relationship, because you are so easy going. If I didn't take the decisions, we would be in a fine old mess.”

“Like the one you've got us into now, Tracy?” he replied coldly. “ Then if that's the case I'll go down for my dinner and leave you to make the call.”

***

“Ladies,” said Harry, pulling out a chair and sitting at the women's table later. “ How wonderful you all look. Is this because it it your last night here?”

“We wanted to look our best because we've brought our cameras and we thought we'd take some pictures of each other,” Doreen explained, though she felt embarrassed in front of her sister, because Harry hadn't brought his camera too.

Jean smirked at her, before getting up to go to the salad bar. Doreen would have a fit if she knew that it was herself that Harry was after.

***

“Shall we all sit together, seeing it's Steve and Fiona's last night?” Paul asked Greg, as all three families arrived within minutes of each other at the restaurant door.

“Yes, I suppose we could if we could get a big enough table. I suppose the waiters would push a couple together if we asked.”

“Done much today?” asked Paul, watching Juan and Miguel carrying out their request of pushing two tables together.

“No, nothing much. As you know Evan went to Kid's club in the morning, and this afternoon we had a walk to that children's play area near Mc Donalds. You?”

“Same as you really. Kid's club this morning and Cheryl eventually wrote some postcards, though I keep telling her that they'll arrive in England weeks after we get home, then we had a walk with the children up along the promenade at Playa del Duque. Cheryl was very interested in that new shopping centre.”

“The sand's lighter up there, isn't it? I think they must have shoved on quite a few tons of the yellow stuff.”

“Are you two men going to stand gabbing all night?” asked Cheryl, pointing to the seat next to her for Paul to sit on. “Honestly, they say that women are always gossiping, I hasten to disagree.”

“Can I give you my card, Paul?” Steve asked later, bringing out his company business card from his wallet and offering it to Paul. “ And of course you as well, Greg. It would be nice to keep in touch with both of you in the future.”

“Great,” said Paul, accepting the proffered card and scrutinizing the details. “ Perhaps you might come up to our neck of the woods on your travels. You could pop into our showroom and I'll give you a tour. Good luck with your candidate nomination by the way and Fiona, all the best with new baby.”

“Yes, keep in touch with us also,” said Greg, though he knew it would have to be Steve that made the effort, as the addresses and ‘phone numbers he had gathered from fellow holiday makers in the past, usually went in the bin.

“I'm going to miss you, Emily,” said Annabelle, to the little girl in the seat beside her. “ I'll be lonely when you go home, but maybe we could write to each other? You could be my pen friend if you like.”

Emily nodded happily, glad that Annabelle wanted them to be pen pals.

“It's sad when people go out of your lives, isn't it?” Kate said to Cheryl and Fiona. “You get to know them, then off they go and you get on with your own lives again. I hope everything goes well with the baby, Fiona and we'll think about you in three months time.”

“Steve will let you know whether we had a boy or a girl, Kate. We've decided we don't want to know its gender until its arrival into the world.”

“Oh, I wanted know what I was having,” broke in Sonya, who had been listening. “ I wanted to know whether to buy baby clothes in pink or blue.”

“Well, we've still got baby things from Emily packed away in our attic, so if it's a boy he'll have to wear her pink clothes for a while.”

“That waiter over there is giving you daggers, Sonya,” said Cheryl, who liked to look at the young waiters, especially when they passed her by with trousers tight to their little bums. “ See, over there by the coffee machine. Have you done something to upset him at all?”

“Not that I know of,” shrugged Sonya, not daring to look over at Juan in case she caught his eye.

“Anyway, there's a treat in store tonight if you like to waltz or tango. We're having old time dancing in the Sunlight Bar.”

***

“Do you know, we've nobody to keep in touch with from our holidays when we get back to England?” Mavis said, spotting Steve giving out his business cards from her view of the next table.

“Why do yer want to keep in touch with folk you've met on holiday for?” asked Fred, scraping up the last of his chocolate cheesecake, then burping quietly. “ They're a bloody nuisance as far as I'm concerned. Do yer remember that couple we met at Cleethorpes? Dottie and Alf, I think they were called. Yer know, they sent us a Christmas card for a couple of years?”

“I liked them, Fred, she worked really hard arranging W.I meetings for her local community.”

“She were a bloody do gooder as I remember,” Fred replied, wiping his mouth on his white napkin,

“Wasn't she trying to get you to join that one they have at St. Oswald's church?”

“Aye,” said Mavis resentfully, “ and you put your foot down. Said I had no time to spare.”

***

“If you ever come across to Bolton you must drop in,” said Doreen, after Harry had taken various poses and bonhomie photo's of them all, with the different cameras the women had given him.

“It's quite a long way from Buxton,” said Harry, “ but thanks for the offer, Doreen. Perhaps you can give me your address later.” “I'll give it to you now,” she said, eagerly rootling around in her evening bag for some paper and a pen. “ And you must write down your address so that we can send you some photographs.”

Harry did as he was asked, which seemed to satisfy Doreen, then quietly suggested they adjourn to the Sunlight Bar, to have a farewell drink together.

***

“So nobody left you any messages, Lucy?” asked Jenni worriedly, as the girls walked together into the entertainment room.

“Nope,” she said. “ There was just one note from that head case couple and luckily I was at my post, when a chap came to see about going to La Gomeras. I think I've got away with going A.W.O.L Jenni, so stop worrying for heaven's sake.”

“You will remember to pay in my money for the trip, won't you?”

“Yes,” said Lucy in a weary voice. “ It's safely tucked away in my handbag.”

“Are there many guests coming in tomorrow?” Jenni asked, as they sat down at a vacant table.

“I don't know yet. I won't find out until I meet Kath at the airport, but there's a few leaving in the morning, including yourself of course.”

“Yes, I know,” Jenni said glumly, “ don't remind me. I'm going to have Miguel crying all over me later on and I really would like an early night.”

“Oh, he'll get over it. I've got that meeting myself with Adam Bradshaw tomorrow and I'm half nervous and half excited, wondering what he's going to be like.”

“I bet he's gorgeous. Maybe we can book a double wedding one day, you and Adam, me and Miguel?”

“I hope you're joking, matrimony is years away for me.”

“Probably for me too, Lucy, I can't see that me and Miguel are going to work out.”

***

“Take your partners for a waltz, ladies and gentlemen,” said Mikey into his microphone later, after announcing his intention to play a few 50's records. There had been a ripple of appreciation from the older members in the room and now couples were standing up eagerly to show off their dancing skills.

“May I?” said Fred to Mavis, holding out his hand to pull her up out of the chair. “ Of course kind sir,” she replied, hoping that her leg wouldn't give out.

“Do you want to dance?” asked Greg of his wife, then the couple left their grandson goggle eyed at seeing his grandparents in a warm embrace.

“Are yer dancin'?” asked Mikey of Sonya.

“Are yer askin'?, she replied in response.

“May I?” asked Harry Wilkinson, standing up formally in front of Jean, while Doreen and Milly sat open mouthed.

“Let's do it,” said Paul and caught his beloved Cheryl by the hand.

Lucy climbed aboard the coach that was taking the passengers to the airport. This was the last pick up after herding Jackie Hollins, her partner Mr. Pearson and their four sticky looking kids up the steps from the Mountain View apartments.

“Get on with it,” said Jackie to her children, who were standing in the gangway looking for somewhere to sit. “No, not there you stupid bugger, there's no places for us, is there? Move along to the back.”

The rep' waited until Jackie had heaved herself in the seat that her eldest child had been standing by, leaving her partner to look further along. “ Bloody kids”, she said in exasperation to her fellow passenger, “ I'm really glad to be going home.”

“Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. Now that everyone is safely aboard, I'll just run through a few things to save any complications on arrival at the airport. Yes, you can go now, Ramon,” Lucy said aside to the driver. “ Those were the only passengers from Mountain View.

Firstly, have you all got your passports?”

“Yes,” came a chorus from the passengers.

“Secondly, I hope you have all observed the duty free allowances,Tenerife has a different allowance to mainland Spain, so I hope you have not exceeded that.”

There was a bit of shuffling and guilty looks from some of the passengers, but Lucy chose to ignore them.

“Now, when you get to the airport we will be met by Kath my supervisor, who will tell me the check-in desk numbers before you disembark. Please do not get off the coach until I have informed you. For the moment I haven't received any information to say that your flight has been delayed, so let's keep our fingers crossed that both the Manchester and Gatwick flights are on time. So settle back and take your last glimpses of Tenerife in all its sunny glory and I hope it won't be too long before we welcome you back again. Thank you for choosing Periquito Travel.”

She switched the microphone off and went to sit by Jenni, who had been listening to her speech admiringly.

“Well done, Lucy, you're so professional. Anybody would think you'd been at it longer than six weeks.”

Lucy shrugged. “Anybody could do it Jenni, you just have to have the bottle. I was as nervous as hell on my first solo trip.”

“I'd love to take the plunge and do something like this myself, but I'll see where I get with my A levels and of course I've got Miguel to think of now.”

“Was it hard parting from him, Jenni?”

“Not really, no. It was like it wasn't me who was experiencing it all. I was going through the motions listening to him pouring his heart out to me. I sort of accepted it, but I felt an urge to leave him outside my bedroom door and finish off my packing. I'm beginning to wonder now, Lucy, if I was just flattered by his attention and I'm not really in love with him at all.”

“I think it's because your heart is still bruised from Simon's treatment of you and you're not really ready for a relationship with Miguel. Anyway, you'll know what you want when you get back to Bolton. You will keep in touch with me and let me know?”

“Of course I will. You've been a good friend to me and I'll never forget that. If it wasn't for you I could have had a disastrous holiday.”

***

“I've got your check- in desk numbers,” Lucy said, as she climbed back onto the coach, where the passengers waited for the information. “ Gate 32 and 33 for Gatwick and 34 and 35 for Manchester. Both flights are on time as far as we know and Kath and I will wait with you until you've all had your baggage checked in.” She got back onto the pavement quickly, before everyone leapt to their feet and made for the luggage hold.

***

“Did you have a nice day off yesterday?” Lucy asked Kath, as they stood at the terminal door watching their clients troop by.

“Yes, thanks. It was so hot though, wasn't it? I took a wander along the sea front, it seemed to be cooler there.”

“And how was Raffles?”

“Oh, the same as ever, good food and an excellent cabaret. I'll have to let you go sometime. Anyway, you take the Manchester queue and I'll go to the Gatwick one. As per normal, move up and down asking if they enjoyed their holiday and if there's the likelihood of them holidaying with us again? When they've all gone to Departures, we'll meet up for a coffee and go through the list of the next arrivals.”

“Do you think you could spare me a little time before we do that?” asked Lucy. “ I've someone I've arranged to see on one of the travel desks. I won't be long, shall we meet over there in the coffee shop?”

“Yes, that's fine. I don't know why it is, but the numbers seem to have dwindled again on these new arrivals. I've only seven to meet off the Gatwick ‘plane this time and you've only three from Manchester.”

“Maybe because of Easter, Kath. Perhaps everyone is waiting until then?”

“Oh, I don't know what it is, perhaps the office should do more advertising. As it is we've only a chance of people finding us on the website. Anyway, carry on, I've ordered a mini coach to take us back, so let's hope both ‘planes arrive on time.”

Lucy moved up and down the queue doing what Kath had requested, shaking hands with Mr. and Mrs. Baker who thanked her for a lovely holiday, then with each of the three older ladies who had always looked to Lucy as if they were half cut. Saying goodbye to the people from the San Lorenzo though she had only seen them the once, avoiding the Hollins family, whose kids were running riot around the concourse and giving a hug to Jenni, who waved to her quite tearfully as she walked off to the departure lounge. The check-in desks were working quickly and soon Lucy found herself walking along the concourse to the Fortuna Villa's travel desk.

A fair haired, blue eyed young man, sat twiddling his pen at his desk, anxiously scanning the passing throngs, looking for the girl of his dreams. Then suddenly there she was in front of him, gazing at him appraisingly, with a slight twitch of amusement hovering on her pink hued lips.

“Adam Bradshaw, I presume?” Lucy asked light heartedly, knowing full well it was him, because she had looked at his name badge before she asked him. She had also lurked behind a pillar from where the desk of Fortuna Villa's had been visible and had quite liked the look of the young man that was sitting there. She could have said, that from her vantage point he was perfect in every way, but she couldn't, because already his light coloured hair was beginning to recede, just like her father's had when he was Adam's age. But, no matter the guy looked pleasant, he was smartly dressed, though of course he had to be and it wasn't as if she was looking for a life long relationship anyway.

“So, here we are,” Lucy said, after they had shaken hands and an awkward silence descended.

“Yes and I'm very pleased to meet you at last, Lucy. I'm due a break in ten minutes,” Adam said, looking quickly at his gold faced wrist watch. “ Would you like to go for a coffee and we can get to know each other better?”

“I'm afraid I've already made arrangements to meet my supervisor. I'm meeting her for coffee over there.”

“Oh,” he said looking downcast. “ Is there any chance we could get together later?”

“Only if the flights are delayed, but up to now they'll be here as expected. Look, I'll ‘phone you when I've got a minute, give me your number and I'll put it in my mobile.”

Adam looked happier as Lucy dashed off to join Kath, who had been looking over in her direction wondering why her colleague was talking to the Fortuna Villas man. She hadn't said she didn't want a date with him, so that kind of gave him hope for the future.

***

“Is there something the matter, Kath?” Lucy asked, with her mind half on the rather dishy Adam, but aware she had to give her supervisor her full attention. “ Did you want me to get the coffees, there isn't much of a queue?”

“I want to have a word with you first,” said Kath, the familiar bright spots of anger appearing on her high cheekbones. “ I heard something before that somewhat disturbed me. According to a Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, you were very helpful yesterday when you were the courier on the coach going to Santa Cruz. You said you had heard there was a very good department store called El Corte Ingles. They were complimenting you on your professionalism and saying what a nice girl your friend was too. Now as far as I know, Lucy, the Santa Cruz trip has always been non escorted.”

Lucy sat for a moment, as Kath's words began to sink in. Her mind was in a turmoil, wondering whether she should bluff it out and say that she must have misunderstood and thought she was down for escorting the passengers, or tell the truth which probably would result in the sack? She chose the latter, she had never been much of a liar, so Kath would easily catch her out.

She bowed her head in capitulation, while her supervisor continued to rain down angry words upon it.

“You were supposed to be on duty all day on the rep's desk and I take a dim view of somebody ignoring my instructions and doing what they want to do. And the fact that you included one of our clients in your deception, won't go down very well when the office hears about it.”

“Well, she paid for her ticket. In fact the money's in my handbag.” Lucy rummaged in her purse to show Kath that she had the money to prove it, but also to hide the fact that panic was beginning to grip.

“So, what made you take it upon yourself to go to Santa Cruz and pretend you were the courier?”

Kath looked sternly at Lucy, waiting for the rep' to answer.

“Okay. It was because I didn't get a proper day off on Sunday. I felt resentful that I was called upon to see to that stupid woman and her lap dog husband. It isn't my fault that she was idiotic enough to throw £3,000,00 at something, that would be too good to be true to any normal person.”

“Explain,” said Kath, looking hard at Lucy, who had gone a bright red with self righteous anger. “ I really don't have a clue what you're talking about.”

Lucy gave Kath a potted version of what had gone on with the honeymoon couple.

“But that didn't take above twenty minutes Lucy, surely? So you were resentful that you had to give up twenty minutes of your time?”

“It wasn't just that, you always get the best trips. I've never been to Decades, the Medieval banquet, nor Santa Cruz of course, but every Sunday you go to Raffles, which I think is very unfair to me.”

“So you decided to continue your day off into Monday and enjoy a trip out at our expense?”

Lucy nodded, beginning to tremble inside, now that her anger had ebbed away.

“Well, I'll tell you what I'm going to do with you, young lady. You have had one verbal warning off me up to now and you should have had another one for leaving that family at the San Lorenzo desk. Oh yes, nothing escapes me. This time I'm going to ask Head Office to give you a written warning. We won't tolerate a rep' carrying out their own agendas. If you ever step out of line again, Lucy, you'll be out on your ear with no glowing reference. Have I made myself clear?”

Kath looked at her watch to see if they had time to get their coffee and felt most put out when Lucy stood up and glared at her.

“Here take Jenni's money,” she said, holding out a wad of pesetas. “You can also stick your job, ‘cos I don't want to work for a company that's mean and petty. I've done my best, put in the hours as I was supposed to do, but I'm not going to walk on egg shells until the end of my contract.”

Lucy made her way to the Ladies, holding her head high with indignation at her superior's threatening words. Well, Kath could stick her tin pot firm. How dare she point out that it was only twenty minutes lost? Bet no one disturbed her precious day off. She thinks she can hold a sword over my head for the next few months. One more mistake and I'm out, she said. Well, she can stuff it. When I've had a wee I'll go to a travel desk and book myself a ticket home.

***

Kath stared ahead worriedly after Lucy had stalked off and thought of the meeting she'd had with Robert, the boss of Periquito Travel earlier that morning.

“Ralf Sanchez is talking about asking other travel companies, if they'd like to reserve a few bedrooms at the Valia.” His face had been creased with anxiety, as his dream of greater things began to crumble and the fact that Ralf Sanchez had already been in talks with a German travel company to increase his trade.

“Ralf mentioned that the small and friendly element of clientele may be attracted, with the Valia not being a big hotel. I don't know why we're not attracting more online bookings in greater numbers. It's cheaper, as it keeps the costs down, we're sharing ‘plane space with the larger companies instead of chartering one ourselves and we managed to get a good deal with Sanchez. I don't know why we're not expanding, Kath. Maybe I got it wrong. Perhaps not every household has a computer yet or perhaps people like to sit in a travel agents.”

“So will this affect our jobs, Lucy and mine, I mean?” Kath had asked, thinking she was getting too old to trawl around looking for another job with the larger travel companies, though maybe she could be a senior hostess for J.M.C or Saga.

“Oh, I think your jobs are safe for the moment, we've plenty of bookings in the pipe line, it's just a down turn until Easter I'm sure. I'll see if I can increase my web space and cost out an advert' in the Daily Mail, but we need to be more circumspect in our out goings, and I'll let you know if there are to be any cut backs.”

Cut backs, thought Kath, that could mean that everything would land upon her shoulders. No one to share the load of the meetings and the manning of the rep's desk and no more eating out at the company's expense. All the perks she'd come to take for granted might be pared down because of cut backs. So to go back to her boss now and tell him about Lucy's behaviour, would only give the poor man something else to worry about and could reflect badly on her, as it would look as if she couldn't supervise the people she was in charge of. And was Lucy any worse than the girl she had replaced? Such a scatty girl who had forgotten to pick up that poor passenger from his hotel?