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‘Here for work?’ Cara asked the woman, then realised itwas probably a silly question, unless the woman wore expensive-looking suits and shoes that compressed her toes into the shape of an arrow just for fun.
‘Yes, a three-day conference. And you?’
‘Oh, um ... I’ve got a ... meeting tomorrow.’ Which wasn’t a total lie. Shewasbooked into the hotel spa, so it was kind of a meeting.
‘Oh, right.’ The woman nodded. ‘What type of work are you are in?’
‘Management.’ Which wasn’t a total lie either.
‘Well ... enjoy!’ The woman painted a smile on her face, and stepped out at level five.
The doors closed and Cara giggled. ‘This is going to be fun!’
After figuring out how to use the so called ‘key’ to enter the room, Cara sat on the bed and looked around, automatically surveying the room for small objects, dangling cords, or sharp corners. Lying down, she took a deep breath and tried to relax her muscles, but thoughts jumped around her mind.5:45 pm ... Pete should be getting dinner into the kids pretty soon ... Maybe I should call to check if the kids have settled down. No, I’m supposed to be off the clock ... but what if they’re still upset and he can’t calm them down? ... Lily will be fine, but Jacob and Toby, they were both crying their hearts out!
The room’s telephone rang and she shot up from the bed, muscles clenched. ‘Oh God! Something must have happened. I bet Toby pulled the kettle off the bench again and burned himself. I knew coming here was too good to be true!’
‘Hi, Mrs Collins, it’s Linda from reception. Just checkingto see if everything is to your satisfaction, and if there’s anything we can help you with?’
‘Oh, thanks. No, everything’s good,’ Cara said, the tightness that had clamped her chest now softening. ‘Oh wait, how do I order room service?’
‘Dial 9 on the phone and place your order. Anything else you need, just call us by dialling 4, or have a read of your welcome book.’
There’s a welcome book?She glanced around and noticed a black padded folder on the desk. She hung up the phone and read the book from front to back, salivating at the gourmet room service menu. She decided on the macadamia-crusted barramundi with kumara puree and fennel crisps. Twenty-five minutes after placing her order she was in food heaven. Although no one else was in the room, she couldn’t help but vocalise her enjoyment of the meal with an ‘Oh my God!’, and ‘This is absolutely amazing!’, and ‘How can I ever go back to spaghetti bolognaise now?’
Chuckling at the fact she’d actually been able to finish a meal without getting up once, Cara leaned back in the armchair with her hands clasped behind her head and exhaled. After a few minutes she stood, ready to clean up, when she realised she didn’t have to. She laughed and swivelled her body side to side. ‘Now, what to do next? What do normal people do when they’re having a relaxing holiday?’ She tapped her mouth with her finger then held it up in front of her. ‘A bath! That’s it, I’ll have a bath!’ Cara hadn’t had one since she was about twelve-years-old. She pushed open the door to the marble bathroom and gaped at the monstrosity that was the spa bath. ‘Oh, the kids would love this!’ It was practically a swimming pool. She turned on thetaps and ducked back into the room to lay out her pyjamas, then returned to the bathroom to arrange her toiletries around the vanity sink, and noticed a sign on the wall:
TO ACTIVATE SPA, PRESS SILVER BUTTON
Silver button, silver button ... oh here it is.She pressed it and large tubes of water shot out from each of the holes in the bath, firing across the room with a thunderous whoosh. ‘Argh!’ Cara jumped backwards, drenched. She hadn’t let the water fill up enough to cover the holes. She frantically jabbed the button again, but the water shot out faster and louder. ‘Oh no! Oh no!’ The people in the room below must have thought there was an earthquake or something. Cara looked wide-eyed at the sign again. Printed in smaller font at the bottom was:
TO DEACTIVATE SPA, PRESS BLACK BUTTON.
She pressed it and with great relief, the noise stopped, except for the almost audible pounding in her chest. When that finally subsided, she collapsed with laughter onto the saturated floor. She’d never been one to waste time reading instructions fully, but maybe she should learn to from now on.
After hermemorablebath experience, Cara gazed out the window at the city lights reflecting off mirrored windows of high-rise buildings, and the shimmering water in the harbour below. The Harbour Bridge stretched elegantly across the water, the Sydney Opera House glowing; its arches reaching out in all directions. Simply beautiful.
Tourists travelled from far away to see these sights, yet how was it she barely noticed them before? They were a part of her backyard; the landscape she’d grown up with, although she’d never had the pleasure of seeing everything from this magnificentview before.
Hundreds of people below were scattered around the city like ants, while the lights from cars drew on the city’s canvas in glowing lines and arcs. Inspiration beamed towards Cara. It would make an awesome painting. Blessed with a strong visual memory, she imprinted the cityscape image into her mind, knowing she’d be able to retrieve it later.
In the building opposite Harbourside Towers, many lights were still on; the illuminated squares of windows like a mosaic in the city skyline. She squinted ... people were in their offices sitting or standing by their desks, some ruffling through papers, others completely still apart from the occasional slide of their hand over the computer mouse. What were they doing? What was so important to keep them at work on a Friday night? Were they happy? Did they wish they could go home to their partners or families? Did theyhavepartners or families? It was like a whole other incomprehensible world to her, like she’d stepped into some kind of alternate reality.
They don’t even know I’m watching them.
Cara realised she might also be watched by someone right now for all she knew, and slid the curtains closed. She hopped into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. She glanced to theemptyside of the bed. Why was she curled up on one edge of the huge bed? Pete wasn’t there, she could stretch out as much as she liked. And barring any emergencies, no children would disturb her tonight. She was virtually guaranteed a full night’s sleep. ‘Ha!’ she exclaimed at the miracle. Cara wriggled into the middle of the bed and extended her arms and legs, like a snow angel, and laughed at the fact that even in her fully extended state she couldn’t reach the edges of the bed! If she could be bothered, she’d post her Facebook status as:Cara Collinsis in Heaven.
Turning on the television, slightly taken aback by the screen that displayed ‘Welcome, Mrs Collins!’ she browsed the in-house movies available. Hadn’t seen any of them. In fact, when was the last time she’d seen a movie rated PG or above? Opting for a romantic comedy (M rated while she had the chance), Cara grabbed an overpriced bar of chocolate and sank into the warm soft pillows. By ten o’clock her eyelids burned with tiredness and drooped closed.
‘Oh. My. God.’Miranda’s mouth gaped when Cara opened the door to her hotel room the next day. ‘You look amazing!’
Cara twirled, showing off her new shimmery silver Lurex singlet, draping loosely around her petite figure, with slim black pants and peep-toe heels. ‘Thanks! I can’t remember the last time I wore heels. Actually, I think it was on my wedding day. I feel so much taller!’ Cara giggled. Miranda was still a good few inches taller than her.
‘And your hair’s gorgeous. Did you get it done here?’ Miranda touched the curly mop of blonde hair piled on top of Cara’s head with a clip, a few ringlets escaping and decorating her face.
‘I did, and the make-up,’ Cara replied, flitting her eyelashes. A subtle hint of something sweet and glamorous wafted in the air and Cara leaned closer to Miranda. ‘Mmm, that smells nice. I’d forgotten perfume even existed!’
Miranda popped open her purse. ‘Here, I brought my travel size bottle with me. Put some on, then we’ll be, like, perfume twins.’ She smiled.
