Chapter 2

Sounds of laughter greeted Isla, before she reached the bottom of the stairs leading into the main hall. Face set, she scanned the shiny floors, Victorian style fabric sofas, the giant crystal chandelier and the huge vase of colorful daisies at the center of the large hall. A pity that the vase had been the same for almost a week now, and perhaps the chandelier would be shinier if dusted regularly. The management of this hotel sucked.

Isla noticed her colleague and best girlfriend, Anne laughing at something with a group of attendants clustered around her. She softly rubbed her bulging belly and waved at Isla. "Hope you survived the old dog's bark."

"I managed," replied Isla walking behind the service counter. "What's all the fun about?"

"They came here for an update on Angus Brown, it's not every day that the mundane Aqua Resort has juicy gossip." Anne winked at the other three women in work outfits. Because of her pregnancy, Anne wore dresses to work, in the same grey and black colors though.

"John's worried, it is a serious matter. Besides tarnishing the resort's name, employees can be fired too," informed Isla bringing her brows together.

"Old John's time has ended," mussed an Attendant.

"I think I'll start submitting my resume to other inns and motels in Ogunquit, before Angus Brown smashes Aqua Resort," thought aloud another woman called Sue.

"We can be unemployed by the end the month," predicted Isla pessimistically.

"Oh Isla dear, do not fret so much." Anne patted Isla's shoulder and continued, "There are other important things in life like dating or finding love, sweetheart." Then she heavily sank into a cushioned chair, grabbed a sealed container of obviously something edible and added, "Why worry about something which is not in your hands? Let old John deal with it."

"Date?" Isla winced at the word. She had been living like a nun in the past year, gosh she didn't even remember her last date.

"Yes, go out, find a man and have fun," advised Anne. "Well not to this extent," grinning she pointed at her big round tummy. "In due time though," she mischievously winked at Isla.

"Well I'm in no rush," Isla shrugged.

"You must, girl," persuaded another woman, Debbie. "Attack a man while your beauty is still hot

"When was the last time you went on a date Isla?" fired Anne ignoring her 'not now' look.

"Couple of months ago."

"Liar," Anne harrumphed like an old woman.

"How about I set you with my younger brother," added Sue.

"No thanks, I don't enjoy going on blind dates. And I don't think I've ever seen your brother." Now this was getting awkward thought Isla.

"Okay. How about this, you seduce the next bachelor who comes to Aqua Resort," Anne's eyes sparked, as she looked from one attendant to another for support.

"Sounds good, hope we get a bachelor soon," added Sue.

As if? Thought Isla smiling dubiously, anything to get these chatty women from talking, "Maybe I will."

"That's my friend." Anne took a bite from her salad container.

- -

The afternoon sun hit the Mini Cooper's rear-view mirror, as Isla parked it in the junk filled garage. She got off, hitting her foot on the piles of old books and shoes. "Ouch" Isla cringed her tiny nose at the baskets full of stuff, "Mum, you should put these in trash, at least that will give us more space." Isla draped her coat over her arm, pulled her dark tote bag on her shoulder and walked into the house.

The delicious smell of the roast in oven, made her hunger hormones parade inside her tummy. Isla dumped her stuff on the dining table in the middle of the kitchen. Sound of wheezing wheels reached her ears, smiling she looked at the man she dearly loved, her Dad. "Don't say the smell is too much to bear until the evening."

"You read my thoughts sweetie," Peter Turner, strained his head to see behind him, intending for his wife Sylvie to hear them. "I think we should have dinner early today."

"I second the motion Dad." Isla tiptoed to Peter and gave him a peck on the forehead. Three years ago, her father went for a walk at the beach, while giving a helping hand to a man who fell on the rocks, Peter slid and got stuck between rocks. Emergency services took both men to the local hospital, Peter couldn't move his lower limbs from there on, whereas the other was flown to the city. Mum had to stay home to look after Dad, while Isla became the breadwinner of the Turner family.

Peter pushed the button of his electric wheelchair and moved into the kitchen. "Any gossip at Aqua Resort, that you wanna share?" He opened the cupboard, took three dinner plates out, and placed it on his lap.

He had a habit of asking Isla about her day. "Watch the next episode of Great Escapes, you'll know."

"Oh," he whinged like a kid. "C'mon spill it out, curiosity will kill me before the day ends."

"Dad!"

Chuckling Sylvie walked into the kitchen, her reddish brown short curls bounced about her face as she shook her head at Peter. "You better tell him all the gossip, Isla, or else he won't be able to sleep tonight." She took the dinner plates from his lap and gently placed it on the table.

A honk, made everyone raise their heads like a meerkat, and start a chain reaction. Peter looked curiously at Isla who shrugged and eyed Sylvie, who in return hurried to the kitchen window and peeked. Suddenly her mouth dropped open and then she whispered, "A black Mercedes."

"You dating a rich guy?" Peter gave a quizzical look to Isla.

"No!"

"Oh shut up Peter." Sylvie quickly walked out of the kitchen into the living room and unlocked the main entrance door. Peter and Isla followed quietly yet with puzzled expressions.

An elderly man in suit, tapped his walking stick and walked behind a younger man, the latter possibly was his driver. "Good afternoon Mrs. Turner, I'm Mick, Mr. Albert Watson's driver." The older man slightly waved his hand, with a nod, Mick moved out his way.

"Hello Mr. Turner, we meet again." Albert's eyes zeroed in on Peter.

Isla swore the color of her father's face horribly changed to dry white, perhaps shocked. "Hello."

Half an hour later, Mr. Watson sat at the dining table with the Turner family. Isla learnt that Albert was the man her father tried to save, three years ago. Unfortunately the man had been in a coma for a year and then spent months recuperating. Only for the past three months, Albert had walked. Hence, Albert had not once contacted the Turner family. Today he came to thank Peter for saving him three years ago.

"Isla, how's work at Aqua Resort?"

"Not bad," replied Isla a little surprised, the man did his research before visiting them.

"It's not good either, I guess," he smiled conspiratorially.

Just how much he knew about them, Aqua Resort or even Cityville. He was definitely not a local.