The Resort

When three women win a holiday in a Facebook competition, they think it’s by chance.

It’s not.

When one woman accompanies her husband on business, she thinks she’ll return with him.

She won’t.

Welcome to the resort where nothing is as it seems.

On the outside, it’s heaven on earth. A dreamy romantic getaway, with pristine sandy beaches, glorious sunshine, and glamorous accommodation.

The perfect lover’s hideaway with uninterrupted views over a freshwater lagoon.

Nothing to do but enjoy the ultimate pamper experience on a ridiculously dreamy holiday of a lifetime.

That’s what they think.

Who will survive the week and who won’t leave at all?

I’ve always loved the airport. I associate it with happy memories, holidays, relaxation, sun and exotic places. Most of all, I associate it with spending time with Jack. Lots of lovely time with my husband, who never seems to have that much of it at home.

“Kim, hurry up, a couple just pushed in and I’m about to blow a fuse.” 

Dragging my wheelie case behind me, I up my pace because as usual Jack’s on a mission. He is always uptight at this stage of the journey, so I don’t give it much thought. Once we’re on the plane, he will relax, but I know he won’t until then. 

As we wait, I check out the other passengers and my heart lurches when I see a family a few steps ahead of us. A beautiful baby who can’t be more than a few weeks old is being rocked by her doting father, who looks so proud it brings a smile to my face. The fact the baby is dressed head to toe in pink gives her sex away and I look with envy as the mother holds the hand of another pretty girl, who must be around 4 years old. 

Perfect. 

I stare at them, unable to drag my eyes away from a scene that I wish was mine so hard it hurts. I want a family like that. A contented husband, proud of his girls. The way he gazes at his baby with pride and the way his wife looks at him and smiles, her gaze full of love and happiness.

“Bloody hell, I hope they’re not anywhere near us. The last thing we need is a crying baby all the way, that would be just my luck.”

Jack sounds annoyed and his frown and shiver of displeasure reminds me we are poles apart in what we want from life. I don’t even answer him and just stare hungrily at a scene I want more than anything and as the line shifts, I feel the sharp pain of a suitcase being shoved in my back. 

“I’m sorry.” I turn quickly and see a woman looking apologetic. 

I just smile and turn away as Jack hisses, “We’ll be lucky to get there at all at this rate. Did you remember to book the lounge, I need a stiff gin and tonic after this debacle?”

“Yes.” 

He nods and turns his attention back to the slowest line in history and I glance across at the first-class check-in desk and wish we were in a position to travel that way. 

The woman that stands studying her perfectly manicured nails, looks as if she just left the spa. Long blonde hair curled in those large waves that appear to be all the rage, make her look as if she just stepped out of the hairdresser’s chair. She is wearing a beautiful pale blue trouser suit with a white silk camisole under the jacket, clutching a Chanel handbag as her husband loads the belt with their Louis Vuitton luggage. I feel a pang of envy as I look at a woman I wish I could be and just pray that her husband is old and ugly.

As he turns and smiles at the glamorous woman, my heart skips a beat. He is utterly gorgeous. Dressed in a smart jacket and chinos, he looks as if he’s just stepped out of Heat magazine. His hair is dark and well styled and he looks to be around his mid-forties. I watch with interest as he slips an arm around the woman’s waist possessively, and as he whispers in her ear, she nods and looks around with an air of boredom. 

“Hurry up Kim, for god’s sake what’s the matter with you today?”

Jack’s voice tears my attention away from the couple and I follow him to the nearest available check-in desk.

As always, he removes the plastic wallet from his man bag and hands over the necessary paperwork, preparing to charm the woman who smiles at him coyly. Yes, Jack is a good-looking man himself, and when he wants to be, he can charm the honey from a bee.

“Any chance of an upgrade?”

He stares at the woman with a mischievous wink and she blushes prettily. “I’ll just check, sir.”

She looks down and Jack leans on the counter, dipping his head a little closer and I can almost hear her deep breathing from where I’m standing. I know why he’s doing it; he’s always using his charm to grab a freebie. The best table in the restaurant, an extra serving of food, the best seat in the theatre, always the best of everything he can blag for free. 

“We only have one seat in premium economy. I’m sorry, sir, the flight is almost full.”

He nods. “I’ll take it.”

She looks past him to me and I see a flash of irritation in her eyes as I just smile with embarrassment.

“May I ask if you, or your wife will be taking the premium seat?”

“Me, of course, I work on the flight. Kim just watches the entertainment and reads trashy magazines.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Jack turns to me and looks pleased. “You don’t mind, do you darling? I’ve got a ton of work I need to get through and if I get it done on the plane, it will free up my time at the resort.”

“It’s fine.”

I turn away and wonder for the umpteenth time about my husband. I know he’s selfish, inconsiderate and impatient, but somehow I still manage to love him despite his flaws. Just a smile and the odd hint of affection makes me forgive him, and I still count myself lucky that we met and married within six months of meeting. That was ten years ago and largely I’ve been happy except for his slightly wandering eye and the fact we still don’t have children.

As we head towards the security line, I feel a sinking feeling inside. Maybe I should use this time wisely. Wait for him to be in a good mood and broach the subject of adoption. It’s obvious there’s something wrong somewhere down the line because according to all the tests I’ve had, the problem doesn’t lie with me. The trouble is, Jack refuses to get tested, telling me he doesn’t have a problem and it must lie with me.

My heart sinks when we reach another line and Jack growls angrily. “Great, another long wait. I blame you for this, Kim, if you had booked us fast track check-in, we would be nursing a gin by now, not waiting in line with the rest of the peasants. Honestly, you should shape up and pre-plan a lot more, just saying.”

He stares moodily at his Apple watch, and I hate the fact I bite my tongue to avoid a scene. Then again, I’m used to that and wonder when I became so weak. I never used to be this person. I was always prepared to stand up and speak my mind when required, but over the years Jack has eroded any self-confidence I had and it’s just easier to stay silent. Maybe it’s because the older I get, the more I fear him leaving me. I don’t earn much as a hairdresser and Jack has always brought in the lion’s share and thinking of struggling on my own is not a pleasant thought, so I just push aside any doubts and carry on as if I’m happy. 

But I’m not.

In fact, I am so unhappy I feel as if something has got to give and I’m fearful of that because I don’t like change and never have, so maybe this holiday is just what we need to work out the finer details because it’s make or break time for Jack and Kim and if I’m sure of anything, it’s that Jack hasn’t got a clue about that.