Page 29 of Fast Track to Forever
My mum is wringing her hands. "We have ten new reviews on TripAdvisor. All one-star.”
"All from Queenstown. New users." Daryl's words give me a sinking feeling.
“It's the Featherstones, in retaliation for whatever they think we might have done."
I sigh. The timing of this is pretty damning.
"Try to have the reviews removed. I'll talk to Kat."
I turn around to the kitchen and sigh. The lodge is my parents' livelihood, their independence. Without it, without customers coming through the doors, they're bereft. Surely Kat or her parents wouldn't have stooped so low. I dial her number while buttering some fresh toast. She doesn't answer. I sigh. Okay, Kat, have it your way. I decide to message.
Will: Good morrow, liefde. I miss you.
Will: By the way, someone review bombed the lodge last night. Would your folks know anything about it?
She answers straight away.
Kat: No. Please stop messaging me.
I put my phone on the table and tuck into the eggs and toast. We have a small amount of time until the holidays are over. The clock is ticking. Surely she wouldn’t say she loves me if she believes such horrible things about my family. This all is mightystrange. I need to get to the bottom of it. Then I need to get Kat back.
“Relax, little bro,”Daryl says from across the living room. He’s caught me looking at the gate yet again.
I exhale and pull my shoulders back. I'm tense when I'm not around Kat. “I am relaxed.” A lie.
Daryl picks up another beer from the ice cooler and raises an eyebrow. “Like an icepick. Or a tree.”
“Or a potato.” John chimes into my brother's crescendo of madness.
“You two deserve each other.” I glance around at the people around the pool. Still no Kat. “You told me Kat was also invited to this party. That's why I came.”
Daryl nods. “Yep. Big Seb’s invited everyone, like a reunion for old friends. Except you keep on hiding.” He mutters the last bit.
I shrug. “I said hello to everyone. Even played a blasted round of Uno.”
John coughs. “And lost.”
“I can't win everything, can I? But where's Kat?”
Daryl puts me out of my misery. “I heard from Christelle that she's running late because of some family drama. Maybe her aunt in England?”
I sigh with relief. So she's coming. At least I have a chance to speak with her. Present my side of the story. Win her back.
“Not so fast. She'll be here in ten to fifteen minutes, and you're out here looking like…this.” Daryl gestures around me and John nods.
I touch my hair and my shirt. “What? I'm washed. I didn't even get in the pool. I'm wearing a shirt. What's wrong with it?”
Daryl arranges my unruly curls to one side. “Now unbutton your shirt.”
I splutter my drink. “What? No. You can't be serious.”
“Show her the goods.” Daryl is dead serious.
“I can't. Please don't make me do this.” I can't imagine being shirtless in front of all my old schoolmates.
“You don't have to take it off, just unbutton it a bit. Tease her.”
I sigh, defeated. It's worth a try. Maybe. I take another drink, roll my eyes and unbutton my shirt.
