The meeting is being held in the canteen and, as usual, the most amazing food is laid out as snacks, along with hot drinks and a few non-alcoholic cocktails. I’m surprised at how many staff are here. Most of them I have never seen, along with many I have. I feel the curiosity in the room as they watch me with interest and so I’m glad when a low voice whispers, “Hey, babe, there you are. Come and sit with me.”
Nate slips his hand in mine and guides me towards a table where Katie and Sven are sitting, chatting. They smile when we join them and Katie says warmly, “How was your day?”
“Good, thanks.” She leans in. “You know I’m always here if you have any questions about, um, anything really.”
She laughs as Sven drops his arm around her shoulders and kisses her cheek softly and it makes me wonder if this is really so bad. I mean, if it makes you feel this good, maybe it’s something I should explore rather than turn my back on. It could be an experience that could be the making of me.
Nate leans in, “I hope I didn’t scare you off earlier. Maybe we should spend the evening together and get to know one another as friends first.”
“Thanks.” I feel a little relieved. “I’d like that.”
He smiles and I don’t think I’ve ever met such a gorgeous guy. He is easily one of the best-looking men here and I should be flattered that he is paying me so much attention. Looking around the room, I see much the same at every table. Young couples either gazing into each other’s eyes or chatting with the next couple. I notice Adam sitting beside Chloe, who is gazing at him as if he hung the moon. He appears to be listening to something the guy opposite him is saying and now he has ditched his angry frown. I can see how attractive he is. In fact, this whole room is like something out of Stepford, and I wonder if that was the inspiration for Chester’s utopia.
Then the man himself heads into the room and cuts a commanding figure in his white chinos and navy polo shirt. Like every other man here, he is groomed to perfection and always appears freshly showered with nothing out of place. It’s impossible not to admire men like these and as he scans the room, his gaze falls on me and he smiles when he sees Nate’s arm casually slung along the back of my chair.
For some reason, I crave his approval, which shows me how this place is already messing with my mind. The last thing I want is to give him any reason to ask me to leave so I should try hard to fit in. Despite how strange Catalina Island is, it is also paradise and for a girl with nothing, that is a very strong reason to stay.
“Quiet everybody and I’ll begin so you can head off for the evening.”
The room falls silent and watch as he sits casually on one of the tables and smiles. “I just wanted to extend a warm welcome to Katrina Darlington, who joined us yesterday.”
I sink a little further in my seat as the entire room turns to look at me. Nate strokes the back of my neck in a show of support, and it certainly doesn’t feel unpleasant.
Chester carries on. “Make her welcome and show her how things work around here.” He smiles at me. “I’m always happy to answer any questions myself and you are welcome to seek me out anytime, day or night.”
I smile nervously as he goes on to say, “Anyway, as you all know, Katrina is Darcey’s replacement who left us a couple of weeks ago. She had an offer of work from one of our guests and just couldn’t say no. I’m sure you will join me in wishing her well for her future and hope she comes back to visit one day.”
The room murmurs and claps and I wonder what this job is she apparently couldn’t turn down.
He seems to look directly at Adam as he says in a more serious tone. “Jenny Grady also left through personal choice, leaving Adam without a partner.”
My heart jumps as the focus of the room falls on the angry chef and I’m surprised to see a smile on his face as he lifts the hand of the girl beside him and Chester laughs. “However, Chloe has stepped into Jenny’s shoes and agreed to partner him, so I’m sure you will all join me in congratulating them on their decision.”
The room erupts with applause, and I join in, feeling slightly confused. Adam is smiling and looking extremely happy about things as he lifts Chloe’s hand to his lips and makes a big show of kissing it as she blushes beside him.
Gone is the angry frown and sullen expression and in its place is one of happiness and joy, which changes him completely. His face has relaxed and his eyes twinkle making him more approachable. His light brown hair hangs slightly longer than most, framing gorgeous green eyes. Like most of the guys here, he has an amazing suntan making him look healthy, and he obviously works out because there’s nothing but muscle on his body. It appears that health and happiness are the result of living on Catalina, and I’m surprised at the disappointment I feel when I look at the guy who growled with determination a few hours earlier asking me to meet him at the gazebo later. It makes me wonder if that’s still on and now I feel even more confused than ever.
Chester holds up his hand and the room falls silent. “We have a couple of guests leaving tomorrow. Mr and Mrs Barker-Smythe. Nate will have the pleasure of escorting them to the mainland and I would like you to make a point of finding them and wishing them safe travel. We have a new couple replacing them, Mr and Mrs De Vere, who I’m told are difficult to please. Pull out all the stops on this one because we don’t want any failures on Catalina and I’m sure I don’t need to remind you it’s important they get the full experience.”
He looks at his watch and says pleasantly, “That wraps things up here except ....”
A huge smile breaks out across his face, and he says happily, “Madelaine will be arriving tomorrow for one week, so make a point of arranging a one to one with her. Obviously, the main reason she’s here is rest and recuperation, but she will be keen to catch up with every one of you.”
He looks across the room and his eyes fall on our table as he says with a smile. “Nate, don’t make any plans for dinner tomorrow night. You will dine with us. Bring Katrina, the usual place.”
Nate nods and for some reason, I feel quite excited at the prospect of spending time with Madelaine. I have so many questions to ask her and am keen to discover how she knows my parents and how she knew they had died. It’s been bugging me because I can’t think who told her. Was it Mr Frobisher, or did she read it somewhere? I am struggling to remember events afterwards and wonder if there’s some kind of obituary list posted somewhere.
Chester says in a loud voice, “Ok, you’re off the hook. Go and make the most of the rest of the sunshine and enjoy your evening. There’s no need to mix tonight because the guests have an evening’s entertainment lined up and only Drew and Imogen are required to serve drinks and tidy up after them.
I look across and see Drew with his arm around a girl who is obviously more than happy about that, and I sigh inside. Aside from Adam, I haven’t seen a frown on anyone’s face and even he appears to have changed his mind as I watch Chloe gaze at him with adoration as he clasps her hand in his and stares lovingly into her eyes. I’m not sure why I feel disappointed about that, but I have no time to dwell on it as Nate whispers, “Come on, I’ll carry on with our tour of the island.”
The staff are all dispersing and as we leave, Sven says quickly, “Are you still up for training later, Nate?”
“Sure, wouldn’t miss it.”
“Good. I’ll meet you in the gym, usual time.”
“See you then.”
Nate slings his arm around my shoulder and pulls me along with him, and I can’t say I’m unhappy about that. As we head outside away from the noise, he says with concern, “I work out with Sven three times a week and his time is limited. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to leave you at 9.30. Maybe you should get an early night or look Katie up for company.”
“It’s fine. I’m quite tired. I’ll just chill out on my own.”
I’m quick to make excuses because this is good news. At least I can slip off and meet Adam, always supposing he’s there. I’m kind of hoping he is because I’m burning with curiosity to discover the secrets of Catalina and out of anybody here, I think he is the one to tell me.