“So you’ll come to the party?” Aisling asks expectantly.
“Sure. Just for a bit. Where’s it at?”
“It’s down on the beach. There’ll be a big bonfire so you won’t miss it. But we can go together anyway. There’s a load of beach huts further down the shore, away from the main tourist area, that are owned by the Butlers but are for the use of the staff, so there’s a fully stocked bar and shit, somewhere to sit, whatever. It’s cool.”
“Okay, so I’m guessing it’s pretty casual then?”
“No way! There’s always a theme. This year it’sBarefoot Barbie!I’m so freaking excited for it. I’m just trying to decide if I should wear the blonde wig I ordered online. What do you think? Should I goBarbie-barbie, or justBarbie?”
She’s said the b-word so many times it now sounds funny in my head and I still have no idea what she’s talking about. But I shake my head. “No way. Your hair is absolutely stunning. Embrace it,” I tell her, admiring her gorgeous long, flowing flame-red locks.
She beams at me. “Aww, thanks! You’re so sweet. Yes, it’s natural, but it’s not naturally this straight. I’m cursed with chaotic curls…Oh!”
“What?”
“I just had thebestidea!”
“What?” I ask again, but slowly this time, with a sense of dread settling over me as she eyes my long dark hair.
“You should wear the wig.”
I try not to look offended and obviously fail because Aisling cackles. “It will be a scream! No one knows you, so you’ll have that mysterious stranger vibe going on, but this will just heighten the mystery. You could do anything you wanted tonight and tomorrow no one would even bat an eyelid or recognise your face. It’s genius! You know you look like that famous singer, right? The one in Neighbours? It’s Nanny D’s favourite show so I always watch re-runs with her on my day off. God, Ican’t remember her name now, but I swear you’re her double. Anyway, the wig will be h-o-t, hot!”
I can already tell that arguing is going to be pointless as Aisling claps her hands together and starts planning our hair, makeup and outfits.
“Come get ready at mine! I’ll do your makeup. And…don’t take this the wrong way, okay, but you can borrow one of my dresses too. You don’t look like you own that much pink.”
“Umm, okay. Where’s that?”
“Where’s what?”
“Your place.”
“Staff quarters. There’s a lodge next to the main hotel. It’s on the far side of the hotel so you can’t see it from here, but it’s pretty alright as far as shared, co-ed accommodation goes.”
I wrinkle my nose. Rather her than me.
“Do you have to stay there if you’re employed with the Butlers?”
“No, it’s optional. But I don’t drive yet and my parents’ house is a little too far away to walk, and my housekeeping shift starts at like, six am so it’s a bit of a killer. Plus, when I pick up extra shifts in the restaurant or bar, I’m sometimes working until midnight or one, two in the morning. My dad would not appreciate chauffeuring my ass all summer long. And it’s part of the job perks, so it doesn’t cost anything to stay there – we just cover our own food, but restaurant workers get a meal on shift anyway – so I’m not wasting my wages renting somewhere close by.”
I nod my understanding, grateful that Nanny D has given me her place for the summer. If Aisling’s right and Idoget this job tomorrow, then it’ll allow me to save back up for uni.
“I tell you what,” Aisling says, looking at her phone and then at me. “We don’t have a whole heap of time to get ready anyway, so why don’t you come to mine now and we can get ready.”
“Do I have any choice?” I ask.
“Yeah! Of course. But also, no. Not really.”
I laugh at her honesty. “Okay, let me just lock up and get sorted.”
Aisling grins so widely at me, I wonder what I’ve let myself in for. One thing’s for certain though, with her around, this summer won’t be boring.
THREE
LANI
I’ve gotto give it to Aisling, she knows how to party. In fact, by the looks of it, all of the Butler empire staff do. The party didn’t get started until late – with the oldest members of staff covering the late shifts on reception, the bar, and room service so that the ‘young ones’ could go and party, which is pretty sweet if you ask me.