Page 27 of A Taste of Paradise

‘So perhaps you also know Eugenie’s daughter, Molly?’

‘I know of her, but I’ve never actually met her. Eugenie usually came here to the hotel on her own and met up with old friends while she was on the island. She was so … full of life,’ she recalled sadly, still a little in shock that the vibrant lady her family had once known so well had passed without her knowledge, or indeed Barbara’s, it seemed. Everyone adored Eugenie.

‘And she was one of the original founders of this hotel?’ Erin asked.

‘Yes, she and some other business people from the island invested when The Palms was first built. My dad got to know them all over the years whenever they needed additional funding from the bank or needed a little extra to ward off any unwanted advances from the bigger chains …’ At this, she noticed Erin’s dark eyes narrow a little. ‘What?’

Her colleague reached into a nearby drawer and handed Lily a folded and what seemed to be a photocopied piece of paper.

‘I think maybe you should read the letter yourself …’

Chapter 20

Naomi woke the next morning to an empty bed, but the wafting scent of coffee told her that Greg wasn’t far. She rolled over and stretched, letting out a contented groan.

When was the last time she’d slept so well? The sun was so bright and she could smell the fresh scent of the sea. She didn’t even want to look at the clock, because it didn’t matter what time it was. She was in paradise with everyone she held dear and there was no reason to care about anything else. Besides, her plans for the day weren’t anything strenuous.

Hopefully, they’d get to the pool this time. Greg, who hated sand, wasn’t at all happy about yesterday’s beachside diversion and seemed to find the pool closure yet another strike against the hotel. Whereas Naomi thought cooling off in the waves and then lounging in the sea breeze was the perfect way to chill out after wandering around in the heat that morning on the tour.

Though the complimentary pina coladas did have the effect of cooling his annoyance and loosening him up a bit.

‘Hey there,’ she called to Greg, who was sitting out on the patio with his laptop on his knees. A half-eaten tray of food was on the table beside him, and what looked like a second pot of coffee.

‘Hey,’ he replied, jumping a little at the sound of her voice. ‘I ordered breakfast earlier. Had to make some calls to the office first thing. Didn’t know if you wanted to eat here in the room or … ?’

Was it her imagination or did he seem a little jittery, as if she’d interrupted something? But he wasn’t on a call or Zoom meeting that she could tell from her vantage point in the bed.

‘Actually I told Mum and Dad we’d meet them downstairs for breakfast.’

‘Really? What time did you tell them? You know they like to eat before ten.’

‘And?’

He turned with a smirk. ‘It’s half past.’

‘What?’ Naomi shrieked, bounding up from her pillow before tumbling off the side of the bed with a thud.

‘Did you hurt yourself?’ Greg asked, still seated comfortably on the patio with his gaze fixed on the computer screen.

‘Yeah, I’m fine,’ she replied as she scrambled to get up. ‘How could you let me sleep so late?’

‘Me?’ Greg laughed. ‘I’ve been up for hours already. Besides you looked so peaceful I didn’t want to wake you. You don’t sleep in often. I thought you’d enjoy it.’

She gave him a sidelong glance as she rushed to take a shower. ‘Mum and Dad are going to kill me,’ she muttered.

Greg winced a little. ‘Do you mind if I don’t come along? I’ve got a lot to get through here if you want to go out and about again today. Plus I’ve already eaten.’

‘No problem.’ Biting back her frustration as she got dressed, Naomi then raced down to The Conch Shell, one of the three restaurants in the resort.

Situated under a wooden canopy and lined with clay tiles, the restaurant had a rustic, yet refined appearance. The furniture was all made of dark, marbled wood and the tables were covered in clean white cloths, though most were empty as she walked into the restaurant.

She darted between the tables to where her mother and father were seated, with the most unexpected company.

‘Morning. So sorry I’m late.’ Then she turned to the pair who sat across from her parents. ‘Oh hello there!’

‘Hi Naomi,’ Holly cheered as she picked at the remnants of bread on her plate.

‘Good morning,’ Will added with a nod as he got to his feet. ‘Please,’ he said as he offered her his seat.