It’s possible to hire jeeps or mountain bikes to explore the interior, she tells them, but most leisure activity takes place on the coast. She runs through the official excursions, which include jet skiing, scuba diving, island tours, dolphin hunting – ‘so amazing to photograph’ – and some speedboat rides.
‘And they’re all safe, are they?’ someone asks.
‘Absolutely. At Sheldon Travel, we take health and safety very seriously.’
‘But wasn’t there a crash last year? Quite a nasty one.’
Gabby seems irritated but hides it quickly. ‘I know the incident you’re talking about – a tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing vessel. But on that occasion the boat was a private charter, and the people on board had been drinking and, uh, taking illegal substances. All our trips are run by qualified crew.’ She regards the group with a sombre expression. ‘That’s one of the reasons why I’d recommend you arrange your excursions through Sheldon Travel.’
A hand goes up. ‘What about terrorism? Haven’t there been protests against the government?’
Again the rep looks uncomfortable. ‘On the mainland, yes. But let’s face it, that’s the same almost anywhere nowadays. Here on the islands it’s very peaceful. In fact, the president’s son has a home on Sekliw. You can hardly get a better recommendation than that, can you?’ She giggles, but cuts it short when no one else seems amused.
‘One more thing… I don’t know how many of you have had a chance to “peruse” the information pack in your room, but this week there’s a special prize draw to attend a VIP champagne reception at the Hotel Conchis.’
For those who don’t know, Gabby explains that this is the most exclusive hotel on the island, a favourite with the jet set, including movie stars, music icons and royalty. The reception takes place on Thursday afternoon and offers the winners a chance to sample the delights that the Conchis has to offer.
‘In return for attending this welcome meeting, Sheldon Travel thank you by entering your names into the draw, which takes place tomorrow–’
‘What if we’re in a group?’ asks the bald Yorkshireman. ‘We’re here with my brother and his wife.’
Gabby tuts regretfully. ‘It’s limited to the one family only. But don’t forget that your party has several rooms, so you get more than one entry into the draw.’
‘Guess we’ll have to scrap over who goes, then,’ his brother says, to general laughter.
Gabby hands out the brochures – booking form included – and thanks them for listening. For a second she’s staring at Sam again. Conscious of Jody turning in his direction, he quickly looks away.
She shows him the brochure. ‘I know I said these are usually overpriced, but the boat trip sounds nice.’
Sam pulls a face. His only experience of boats was a day-trip to Dieppe when he was fourteen. He was violently sick on the ferry – though, to be fair, cider played a part in that.
Grace is leaning in to look. ‘I’d love to see dolphins. Can we do it? Please?’
‘On a boat? Yeah!’ Dylan has a glint in his eyes that guarantees tears and trouble if they don’t agree.
‘How much?’ Sam says, wishing that just once this wasn’t the question he had to ask before any other.
‘Twenty euros a head.’ And as he’s wincing, quietly, Jody adds, ‘But I think it’s less for the kids.’
They stare at each other for a second: their telepathy is pretty finely tuned when it comes to money. Sam’s problem is that he’d rather die than look poor in front of other people. If he’s put on the spot in any way regarding the price he’ll sign up just to avoid the embarrassment.
He can sense Gabby monitoring them. A moment later, she pounces. ‘Hi, guys. So glad you made it to the meeting. Anything you fancy?’
To Sam’s ears it isn’t said with any sense of double meaning, but Jody’s expression goes cold.
‘The boat trip, maybe.’ With Jody bristling, Sam is reluctant to meet the rep’s eye, but equally worried about looking at her body. He ends up addressing the floor. ‘With the dolphins?’
‘It says there’s a reduced price for children,’ Jody adds.
‘Half-price, although for this handsome feller,’ – the rep grins at Dylan – ‘there won’t be any charge.’
‘Oh, right. So, fifty quid – sorry, euros – in all?’ Sam says. Before Jody can interrupt he nods decisively. ‘We’ll do that one, then.’
‘Brilliant. That’s Saturday…’ She falters; for a second it’s as though a shadow has crossed Gabby’s face. Then the smile returns, a pen is magicked up. ‘Best do the form now. How are you paying?’
‘Credit card,’ Jody says.
Sam nods reluctantly. They’ve only had the card a couple of years, and it’s rarely used. Sam knows all too well how dangerous it is to live on credit. One of his cousins owed more than thirty grand by the time he went to prison, and he’d never borrowed more than a couple of thousand to begin with.
Jody hands over the card, and while Gabby is filling out a receipt, Sam says, ‘Did you find out what happened with that other plane?’
At first it’s like she hasn’t heard. Then she blinks a few times and finally nods. ‘The airport staff said it was a straightforward landing. Sometimes they change the direction you come in, because of the wind.’
Several more guests are waiting to speak to the rep, but Jody gets in a question about the kids’ club, and Sam becomes aware of Grace, laughing and saying something behind him. Because of this, the thought that’s just popped into his head dissolves as he turns and discovers that one of the waiters is crouched down, chatting with Dylan and Grace. It’s a sweet gesture, even though Sam’s first reaction is that someone’s moving in on his family.
‘I’m getting a drink,’ Dylan says proudly. ‘From the man.’
The waiter glances at Sam, then straightens up and says to Dylan, ‘One Coke with ice, no lemon!’ He gives a sharp salute. ‘Yes, sir!’
Dylan runs after him as the waiter returns to the bar. Grace follows, then Sam, and it’s too late to change direction when he sees who else is there.
7
Jody can’t work out what it is about the rep that makes her uneasy. During the talk, there were a couple of times when she seemed to be looking at Sam a bit too intently. On the other hand, there were times when she was doing the same to Jody. It weirded her out, frankly.
Now it comes as something of a relief to see, at close range, that Gabby isn’t quite as perfect as she had imagined. There are pimples on her cheeks, covered in foundation, and a couple of her teeth are slightly crooked.
Other holidaymakers are competing for the woman’s attention, so Jody thanks her and joins her family at the bar. The snobbish couple are standing less than a metre away, but they and Sam seem to be engaged in a determined ignoring competition. Jody clears her throat so that the woman glances round, then smiles and says hello.
Introductions are made – ‘This is Trevor, and I’m Kay, Kay Baxter,’ – and Jody asks if they’re going to book any of the trips.