I can hear music and laughter coming from the bar area, and I smile. Nothing has changed around here.
“Coming,” a female voice calls from the back office.
I wait patiently, and she eventually comes into view. “Sorry, I was on the phone.” She smiles. She’s new; I haven’t seen her before.
“That’s okay. I have a booking in the name Hayden Whitmore.”
“Sure.” She types into her computer. “Okay, you’re in a private room for a week?”
“Yes.”
She goes about scanning the keys and whatnot, and I look around at the familiar surroundings. There’s no denying that this place makes me feel better.
“Actually, can you extend that booking to two weeks if possible?” I ask.
“Let me look.” She types again. “Yeah, that’s fine.” She passes my key over. “Have you stayed with us before?”
“Yes.” I smile.
“Great. You’re on the top floor, room two oh nine. Take the stairs at the back of the corridor. The elevator is broken.”
That damn elevator has never worked since I first came here over a year ago.
“Thank you. Do you know if Eddie is working in the bar tonight?” I ask her.
“No idea, sorry,” she replies. “I’ve been too swamped. I haven’t even been out there.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I walk up the corridor and lug my bag up the two flights of stairs as I smile to myself. Can’t complain about the service at backpackers’ hostels, because there is none.
I trudge up the corridor, find my room, and open the door. There’s a double bed and a bedside table and a sink with a mirror over the top of it. It’s clean and neat. I wish there were en suite rooms left. Oh well. It will be fine. “This will do nicely.” I put my bag down and wash my face and put my hair into a high ponytail.
I change into a cool summer dress and make my way downstairs to the bar.
The music is loud, and people are dancing. Party lights are strung over the courtyard, and the place is pumping.
“Hey, baby.” Some guy smiles as he looks me up and down. “Where you going?”
“Hi.” I fake a smile and keep walking as I look for Eddie. Ugh . . . nowhere with you. I push through the crowd, and then I see him. He’s serving a big group of guys, and he glances up. His face lights up, and without missing a beat, he runs out from behind the bar and nearly knocks me off my feet as he grabs me. “Hazen.” He hugs me so tight. “You came back.”
I laugh. “Of course I came back. I’ve been so worried. Why aren’t you answering your phone?” I ask him.
His face falls. “It got stolen.”
“Oh . . . baby.” I can see how disappointed he is. “That’s okay. You’ll get another one soon.” He seems to be giant now. “Have you grown six inches?” I laugh.
“Little bit.”
I hold him at arm’s length as I look him up and down. “Thank god you’re okay.”
He smiles goofily down at me. He’s taller than me now.
“Look how handsome you are.” I smile proudly.
He puts his arm around me, keeping me close. “Are you staying here?”
“Yes. You go back to work, and I’ll see you later.”
“You’re not leaving, are you? Sit at the bar, and I’ll get you a drink,” he says hopefully as he pulls me out a stool at the end of the bar.