Page 198 of Monsters in Love

About half an hour later, a bell chimed in the cabin. I shot up from the bed, confused by the intrusion, and then a soft feminine voice spoke into the room.

“Please make your way to the rear courtyard. We will begin our welcome ceremony in fifteen minutes.”

Well, at least they were considerate with their timing. Even if I’d been in the shower, fifteen minutes would be enough to get myself presentable. I freshened up, slid my phone into my pocket, put my shoes on, and headed out. Others were emerging from their cabins as well, merging on the larger path and making their way to the main courtyard. Even though there was still daylight, little lights dotted along the path, guiding the way.

Attendants directed us around the side of the main building to a large paved area with long tables in rows. Glimmering fairy lights were strung from beautiful trees that curved around the space like necklaces between the main building and the view. The sea. It looked like you could step right into the water, even though the drop was massive. There was a thin glass barrier, almost invisible if it weren’t for the way the lights sparkled on its surface.

Gemma found me as we were ushered in, and we sat close to the rest of our immediate team. All up, it looked like there were a good hundred people from the company here.

Again, I could not help but wonder just who was paying for this.

The executive hippy who we’d met earlier spoke into a mic, and Gemma nudged me in the ribs.

“So hot!” she hissed.

I shook my head with a grin and did my best to listen as he welcomed us to this space on behalf of the owner of The Nest and ran through a list of health and safety measures. It was hard to stay focused when the sheer beauty of this place was so overwhelming.

“In the cupboards of your cabin you’ll find an information packet reiterating all of this, along with details about the hiking trails and other facilities, which you’re welcome to make use of whenever you feel. Your timetables for the week are also in your packet, and I hope you’ll agree that there is a great balance of team building exercises and free time. All meals will be served here or inside the main building behind us, weather dependent.”

“We don’t need to do a trust fall this week, do we?” some guy called out.

Gemma’s future lover laughed and shook his head. “No, no trust falls, though there will be other activities that require building trust with your co-workers and teammates.”

There was a wave of relieved sighs and then nervous chuckles as we all realized we’d really wanted to avoid any damn trust falls.

“Excuse me. I just need to-”

I heard the hushed voice and turned to see Keziah rushing toward me. Her head ducked low, gesturing frantically for me to scoot. Gemma slid down, and I made room for Keziah to join us. She huffed out a breath and shoved her handbag under the bench seat.

“Where were you?” I hissed.

“Late, you know me.” Kez rolled her eyes, then dragged her hair from her face and tied it up. “I missed the fucking bus because I couldn’t find my house keys.”

Someone shushed her, and she let out an exasperated sigh. I grabbed her hand and gave it a little squeeze, wanting her to know that I was glad she was here.

She might always be late, but she worked hard and got her job done, and she brought some much needed levity to the office. She squeezed back, and I was relieved to see that our host had finished talking and attendants were bringing out trays of steaming food. A range of scents hit my nose, most clearly, hot roasted meat. My mouth watered, and as soon as grace had been said, everyone dug in.

I ate in silence, watching everyone around me. The food was terrific, but I never enjoyed these big get togethers. There was too much noise: the clink of cutlery on plates, liquid in glasses, and all the different conversations. So many discussions, all blending together, building the tension in my brain, reminding me just how bad I was in this kind of setting.

Gemma and Keziah were deep in conversation, but I just couldn’t seem to get involved. I nibbled my food, trying to let the sounds wash over me instead of invading me. Under the table someone’s foot touched mine, and I pulled it back, looking across from me to find a slightly attractive man raising his eyebrow as if asking if I’d be into something later.

No. No, I would not.

This was all too much. I couldn’t do it.

“I need to get out of here,” I said to Keziah, nudging her with my elbow.

“Where are you going?”

I just shook my head and stood up. It felt like all eyes swiveled toward me. I had to go. Now.

“Headache,” I mumbled, and then moved away, not waiting for any more questions. I just needed to be gone. One of the attendants moved toward me, but I shook my head again, kept my eyes averted, and as soon as I was around the side of the building, I ran.

The cabin wasn’t far enough away from the noise. I switched into some hiking gear, grabbed my small pack, a torch, a bottle of water and a few snacks. I’d not managed much at dinner and I knew I’d get peckish soon enough.

Finally, I shoved my head lamp onto my head. I did not want to get caught out there in the dark.

When my cabin door slid shut behind me, I wondered if this was a stupid idea and I was overreacting, but then the sounds of laughter hit my ears, and I moved down the path toward the trail head. I’d not studied much of the maps, but there was a bright orange sign on a post, with different distances and names for tracks. Right now, all that mattered was that I was out of sight and in the woods, letting the sounds of nature wash over me.

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