Page 57 of A Taste of Paradise

‘Well, remember you said at the time that you didn’t want to comp them? When I told them – diplomatically, of course – that we’d pull out all the stops for the big moment, falling rose petals and champagne, et cetera, but not to the point that they’d get a free stay, the boyfriend said they’d cancel altogether and go to Breezy Shores instead.’

‘He cancelled the proposal and the stay because they weren’t getting a freebie?’

‘Yes.’ Now Lily sounded uncertain. ‘Should I not have said anything? I know Grant thinks this stuff is important, but like you, Roger was more focused on …’

‘No, no, you’re absolutely right. I’m just struggling to get my head around exactly how many of these types we’ve been getting here lately.’

And more importantly, Erin mused troubled, how much money the general manager was wasting fawning over them.

Erin spent the remainder of the evening finalising her next grand plan; namely to get the Beaumonts into proper honeymoon mode once and for all.

She now had to await the signal to put all in motion.

Minutes later, almost as if the husband could hear her thoughts, the office line rang.

‘Mr Beaumont, nice to hear from you again. I hope everything is going well?’ Erin feigned, knowing full well that it wasn’t. ‘What – another Wi-Fi connection issue? Again? I am so sorry. I’ll have a technician down there asap.’ She hung up and then came out front to address the awaiting IT tech.

‘You’re on,’ she told the guy, who’d been chatting with Makellah while he waited. ‘You head on over there first, rummage around for a while, then call me. I’ll come down and take it from there. Remember, the problem isn’t only with the hotel, it’s the local provider and the entire resort is affected. And more importantly,’ she added winking, ‘it will take some time to sort.’

‘I got it covered,’ the technician said and hefted his kit bag from the floor.

Erin then took out her phone and dialled the number of the resort’s catamaran operator.

‘Almost good to go, James. Maybe sail around to the beach in an hour or so?’ she told the captain on the other end of the line. ‘Perfect. And you have everything I requested? Remember, this is supposed to be memorable. Make sure it is. By the time they’re done, these two won’t want to hear the W word again for the rest of their stay.’

The chess pieces were all in place; now it was time to start the pawns moving.

A little while later, back in the Honeymoon Haven, Erin stood over the IT technician as he pretended to inspect the Beaumonts’ suite Wi-Fi connection.

Pivoting on her heel, she turned to the awaiting couple. ‘Again, let me sincerely apologise for this inconvenience,’ she said with convincing remorse.

‘It’s fine. I know it’s not your fault. I just wish I’d known beforehand that this place was so goddamn remote,’ Maria muttered as she hovered nearby. ‘We’d set up an important client meeting and it’s really not ideal …’ The wife was like a bee, buzzing here and there about the room and never settling anywhere in particular.

‘Please allow me to do something to make up for the inconvenience while you wait,’ Erin suggested.

‘That’s fine, we just need it sorted out.’

‘I insist. As guest relations manager, it’s my job to ensure you have the best time on your honeymoon and to that end …’ she emphasised with a little flourish.

‘Really—’ Josh attempted to interrupt, but Erin pre-empted him.

‘I have a little surprise arranged for you both,’ she announced, smiling.

‘A surprise?’

‘Yes. When the technician here informed me about the issue and the estimated time of repair, I prepared something special, a little honeymoon excursion for you as a distraction while you wait.’

‘Special … how?’ Maria asked, her hesitation evident.

‘Let me show you.’ Erin walked to the door, turning to ensure that the couple was following. Their perplexed expressions were anticipated but soon they’d be replaced by much more pleasant ones. She hoped.

It was now dusk outside, so the path they took through the gardens was atmospherically lined with pre-lit tiki torches as Erin led them out of the orange bungalow safely tucked away in the honeymoon wing and down onto the beach. She could hear the couple’s curious discourse behind her as they walked but pretended not to. They would soon see enough.

Moments later, the tiki torches were replaced by a line of candles in the sand illuminating the route as they neared the shore. The sound of lapping waves welcomed the couple as the palm trees parted and a spectacular almost full moon illuminated the dark waves in silver light.

That bit Erin hadn’t been responsible for, but she would’ve arranged it, given the choice.

Despite the more natural lighting, the candles didn’t end there. They continued to a pagoda tent lit with more white twinkling lights and dressed in wispy cloth adorned with clusters of pink hibiscus. Beneath was a table set for two, also lit with candles while a butler stood nearby with a silver platter in hand and two pre-filled champagne flutes.