Page 24 of Pomegranates and Olive

"It's lovely, Ginny."

The room is spacious, with the same high ceiling as in the living area and, despite not being completely finished, is lavishly furnished with thoughtful touches added here and there. Against the far wall is a very comfortable-looking double bed overflowing with pillows. My body positively aches to crawl under the covers and sleep for the next two days. On the nightstand is an old worn book. I pick it up and laugh. "Much Ado About Nothing?"

"It's my high school copy."

I open the cover and sure enough, “Property of Barrenjoey High” is stamped on the first page. The librarian in me is completely horrified. "You're going to have quite an overdue book fee payable."

"Never did read it, but I knew you'd get a laugh out of it."

On the dresser under the window is a vase filled with flowers that had probably been picked straight from the garden this morning. With the window wide open the sweet floral scent wafts across the room. There is also a bookshelf in the corner that is practically groaning under the weight of all the books and magazines stacked on its shelves as well as a comfy chair to curl up in and read. Thick, Turkish rugs are spread over the cracked, tiled floor and an enormous print covers the unfinished walls while a large intricate wooden mirror leans against another.

"There's a great view from the window back to the hills. " She moves to a set of French doors on the far wall. “These doors lead straight out onto the terrace. If you keep the doors open, it will give you great cross ventilation but, I should warn you, you'll probably end up with a cat on the bed if you do."

"Note to self: keep the door shut tight!"

"Yeah, yeah, we all know Liv hates cats. You're in the wrong country, cuz, believe me. They run wild around here."

"This is so much more than I expected. I pictured myself sleeping on the floor amongst half built walls."

"Well, you’re not far off. The guest bathroom isn't complete. There's a downstairs toilet near the front door, but you'll have to come upstairs to shower. I hope that's okay."

"Of course it is."

"I did some running around this week to get it ready for your visit, which, let's be honest, was just an excuse to go wild online. If you'd seen it last week —" She smooths down the plush towels that are folded at the end of my bed before backing out of the bedroom, "— anyway, I'll leave you to get changed." She closes the door behind herself and I sling my suitcase up on the bed.

I click open the lock to discover that my carefully considered Turkish vacation outfits are missing. In their place are clothes that Rosie deemed more 'New and Improved Olive' along with a note. "Carpe Diem, bitch!"

"I'M GOING TO KILL ROSALIA!!!!"

Ginny comes running back in and I hand her Rosie's note. "Don't get worked up. Knowing Rosie, there'll be loads to choose from."

Rummaging through the suitcase, it looks like Rosie has styled an entire holiday wardrobe for me. From beachwear to party dresses, each outfit has been helpfully bagged and tagged, including accessories, because apparently, I can't be trusted to make my own fashion choices. I pull out a bag containing a pair of this season's Saint Laurent heels which I show to Ginny. Rosie must have seen me lusting after them when I visited her warehouse / my parent's triple car garage the other night, but it's Ginny who has the real shoe fetish.

"Tell me I can borrow these?"

"Of course, but I'm going to raid your shoe closet in return!"

She squeals and hugs the shoes to her chest as I comb through the bags until I find a very small one labelled "swimwear".

Cazzo!

This is definitely not my safe, blue, one-piece I had packed. In its place I find a very scanty, two-piece triangle bikini in a somewhat tribal print. I hold it up to Ginny. "I don't think I can wear this."

"Hell yes you can! And you're going to look totally amazing!"

“Okay. Out with you.”

Ginny leaves and I slowly change into my new bikini. My mood doesn’t improve when I catch a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror. What on earth was Rosie thinking? And why is everything at least one size too small. I may as well be naked. My boobs are doing their dandiest to escape from the small triangles that are only just keeping my nipples contained. The bottoms aren't much better, tied at the sides with string and showing a shockingly large amount of my Nonna's inherited bum. Good lord!

I make a mental note to borrow some joggers from Ginny and maybe go for a run tomorrow morning, but in the meantime, I search through the suitcase for a cover up. Rosie's packed a flowing kaftan dress in an avocado green and I smile gratefully as I slip it over the bikini.

Throwing open the door I find Ginny waiting somewhat impatiently. “Okay Ginny, let’s do this!”

“What happened to the pasties?”

“Oh, God, does my bikini top really look like pasties?” My face heats up in embarrassment.

Ginny laughs. “No. But please tell me that sexy string bikini is under there somewhere.”

---