When I arrived at the breakfast room, I paused, all the tables appeared to be taken. I saw one small table in the far corner which was available, so I headed immediately towards it and placed my key in the place setting. Almost immediately a young waitress approached me and asked, in a pleasant eastern European accent, whether I would like tea or coffee.
"Coffee please," I said and, as she walked away added, "Could you make it strong please."
"Of course," she replied with a smile.
Leaving my key on the table, I went to the buffet. There was a good selection but I just wasn't hungry so I settled for toast with a little honey and headed back to my table.
I looked around me and saw families, businessmen talking shop and friends chatting. I felt so lonely at that moment. I had known Samantha for less than twenty-four hours and yet she had left such a hole inside me that I was incredibly confused. I loved my husband but it wasn't like this - I didn't have sex with her, we had made love. I had made love with a woman and it was eating away at me.
Lost in my thoughts, I slowly became aware of someone near me. I looked up and saw that it was Frank, the man from the bar the previous evening. He was looking at me as if he was expecting me to speak.
"I'm sorry," I said, "miles away. Did you say something?"
"That's okay," he replied, "I was asking if I could join you. All the tables are taken."
"Oh, yes, of course. Sorry." I moved my handbag to give him space.
As if by magic the pretty foreign waitress appeared again.
"Tea please," Frank replied to the question she asked everyone and, with that lovely smile, she was gone.
When he returned from the buffet bar and sat down, Frank asked, "Did you have a good time last night?"
I frowned, not understanding.
"Your friend."
"Ah, yes, of course. Very nice thank you."
"Forgive me," he said, "but you seem a little preoccupied."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Just a little hung-over," I lied.
"Hmm, okay." After a moment he asked, "Are you sure that is all it is? It's just that..."
I didn't let him finish. I glared at him. "I don't know you!” I snapped, “I am hardly going to tell you my innermost thoughts!" and with that I jumped up, grabbed my key and ran, back to my room.
I heard him call after me but what he said I neither heard nor cared.
Back in my room, the door closed behind me with a bump and just stood, taking deep breaths. "Damn, damn, damn..." I repeated over and over, clenching and unclenching my fists.
Gradually I calmed down. I saw myself again in that damned mirror. I didn't like what I saw. Okay, my hair was a mess but the anger in my eyes scared me. I was normally very easy going, calm and collected. What the hell had happened to me! Yesterday I was happy, in control, but now?
One night. That was all it was, one very special night. At least, it was for me but for Sam?
She obviously didn't think so.
I decided to redo my hair and make-up. Maybe it would take my mind off it a little. I took off my blouse and bra and headed for the bathroom. I wet my hair under the shower then blow dried and brushed it until it was silky again. Then I opened the bathroom door.
"Ahh!!" I nearly jumped out of my skin!
So did the housekeeper. "Oh my goodness, I so sorry," she said, "I didn't know you were here!"
"You scared me half to death!" I told her, laughing now that I had recovered.
She was probably in her early fifties, not too slim but, even so, a nice figure and still quite attractive with her shoulder length blonde hair tied in a pony tail. I realised that she was looking at my naked breasts and I moved half-heartedly to cover them with my arms.
"I'm sorry," she said and turned to leave.
"No, please, wait," I said, grabbing my robe, "Can't you stay a minute? Please?" I almost begged.
"Okay, I have few minute."
It was then that I realised that, like the waitress, she too was European. I motioned to her to sit on the bed. When she did, I sat next to her, not looking at her but more at the floor in front of me.
"Are you alright, Miss?" she asked.
"Yes, I... I... well, no. Not really." I paused, "I am sorry, I just needed a friendly face for a minute. I don't want to disrupt your work. You should go." The tears began to well in my eyes again so I quickly took a deep breath to stop.
"Is okay, Miss. I have time. What is the matter?"
I told her everything, about Sam. About my feelings, how confused I was... everything.
Sophia, as she told me was her name, put her arm around me and held me. "Don't worry, Miss..."
"Anna," I whispered.
"Anna," she repeated, "This is all new to you. I was the same."
"You, s... same?" I stammered.
"Yes but for different reason. I was beaten by husband in Latvia. No one cared. Not family, not Police. I found love, like you, and together we come to England. Here we are happy.
"Sophia, you are a very kind person. Thank you." I turned to her and moved to kiss her, my robe falling open as I moved.
"Anna, no. This is not to help you."
I just let my head rest on her shoulder for a minute. "Sophia, I..." the words failed in my throat.
"It's okay, Anna, you will be fine. Take care." She stroked my hair as she arose.
"You too," I said, and again, "Thank you."
She was gone.
Sophia was right. I would be okay. I just needed to get over it. I was being silly. I sat down at the dresser and reapplied my make-up. Taking a little more care this time. I didn't want to look rough and invite more questions. I also had to appear normal for my husband when I got home. When I had finished I put on my bra and blouse and adjusted myself then went back to the mirror. This time I was happy with what I saw. I looked presentable but better still, the anger was gone from my eyes.
Finally, it was time to leave. My case was packed so I picked up my black leather jacket and my handbag... My handbag! Where was it? I left it on the dresser but it wasn't there now. I checked all the draws, all empty, the closet too!
Sophia! She was in here while I was in the bathroom. She couldn't have, wouldn't have... would she?
I ran to the door and opened it. There was no sign of her, no housekeeping trolley. Oh no. I couldn't breathe now. My house keys, car keys, address book, and worse still, my phone and purse. Panicking now, I let the door go, went to the phone and picked it up. A loud knock made me jump and I dropped it.
My heart pounding, I called out, "Who is it?"
"Frank."
What does he want I wondered and went and opened the door.
"I'm sorry," he said, "but you left this behind when you ran off."
He was holding out my handbag.
"Oh, thank goodness. I thought it had been stolen. You had better come in. How did you know my room number?"
"Your key tag. Your key was on the table when I joined you."
"Ah, yes, come in." I stood back as he entered.
Looking at the case on the bed as I picked up the handset and placed it back on the cradle, he asked, "You're leaving?"
"Yes. I was about to go when I realised my handbag was missing. I thought the cleaner had taken it. I feel so mean now."
"Does she know?"
"No."
"Then it doesn't matter."
"No, I suppose not."
Frank turned towards the door. "I will let you get on," he said.
"I am sorry, Frank."
"For?" he asked.
"For being such a cow. I know you were only being kind."
"It's okay... Really" he replied. "You obviously have something on your mind. I just hope you are okay."
"I will be," I said, "and thanks."
“Look, I don’t want to be a nuisance but maybe we could have coffee?”
“No,” I smiled, “I am sorry but I am married and, to be fair, I am really not good company at the moment.”
"Fair enough.” he replied, “I understand. Take care now."
And he was gone.
I lifted my case off the bed, pulled up the handle and headed out the door. Before I let it close, however, I looked back at the dishevelled bedclothes and, for a moment, remembered last night and the joy I felt.