Party for Nick and Myrtle
'WE NEED A BREAK. How about a few days away?'
Kev had mentioned his idea to Skylab, and she was all for it. They felt they could all enjoy a day or two away from the office. He wanted to recharge his batteries after the latest excitement at Kaeng Krachan. Dam wandered into the office and caught the end of their conversation.
'Great idea. Where do you want to go?'
A weary Skylab muttered, 'Dam, where should we go? Are you, Emma, and Gi coming?'
'I think you need to talk to Nick before making any plans. Hold your horses until Nick and Myrtle come down.'
'Talk of the Devil. Here comes the sleepy pair. But, first, we must tell you what happened to us yesterday,' said Kev.
'Before you start on that, Myrtle and I want to tell you something.'
She shoved Nick aside, 'Yes, Nick and I want to host a sort of engagement party. We spoke to my parents while you were all away. My Dad made it awkward for poor old Nick, who was not a rugby fan. But, at least with Dad talking about rugby, there was no mention of a hurried marriage, if you know what I mean.'
'We were talking about two days away. It would be great to link your party and a little holiday!'
'Sounds fantastic,' said Myrtle, 'come on, Dam, you must know all the cool places.'
'Okay, leave it to me. I know a great place, perfect for what we need.'
'Are your French girlfriends coming? They are very welcome.'
'Thank you, I'll ask them. They would love to join us if they can find someone to look after the dogs!'
The French pair were lounging upstairs in their nightwear.
'Gi, I'm sorry, but I have a big problem.'
With those few words, she burst into tears.
'Emma, whatever is the matter?'
She tried to control herself. Then, between sobs, she continued. 'Remember that day I was walking four dogs, and I returned with all that cash? I told you that my father had sent it to me?'
'Yes, I know your Dad loves dogs.'
'My Papa did not send me any money. So I lied to you.'
'Okay, but where did it come from?'
Another breakdown occurred, and Emma was in floods of tears again.
'Emma, Emma, it can't possibly be all that bad. It was only a little white lie. Please don't upset yourself so.'
'No, Gi, it's not the lie I'm so upset about. You know I do anything for our dogs. I did something terrible and worried I would have to do something worse.'
'Come on and tell me; I can help.'
Dam left the office to talk to the girls. They had only recently woken up, and the morning coffee had not yet kicked in. Emma wandered down to see what all the rushing about was for.
'Dam came round and invited us to join Nick and Myrtle's party.'
'Yes, I know. I was upstairs, remember.'
Once again, Emma broke down in tears.
'I canʼt go.'
'Why ever not? We have found somebody to feed the dogs.'
'It's not the dogs...' more tears.
She composed herself and said, 'That day, I showed you the money. I was on the beach with the dogs, and a man talked to me about the dogs. My Thai is not good, but I could understand most of what he said. We have seen him around, anyway; by chance, we were outside his house, and he invited me into his garden to see his dog. A beautiful pedigree bitch, by the way. He knew about our idea and said he wanted to help as a dog lover.
'Do not tell me he gave you the money?'
'Yes, but he swore me to secrecy, not to tell you, especially not Dam.'
'So, what's the problem?'
'He also said that sometimes he might need a favour.'
'Not sex, I hope? Is that why you donʼt want to go to the party?'
'No, no, no, much worse than that!'
'What could be worse than sex with that slimy man?'
'Please donʼt hate me.'
'Of course not.'
'He wanted me to steal from Kev. I know it shocks you. I can't believe I was convinced to do it, but it was for the dogs.'
'Whatever are you talking about?'
'He knew Kev had photographs. He needed them. I could not look at them and had to keep them in the packet. I could not find them. And they nearly caught me. Skylab and Kev were both up early that morning. I ran.'
'What could be so valuable in pictures?'
'No idea, they canʼt be that important. Can they?'
'So Kev and Skylab did not see you?'
'No, I had covered my head.'
'How did you get in? I did not know you were a burglar?'
'No, I have got no skill you donʼt know about. The man gave me a key.'
At last, Emma could smile at her friend.
'So, our little secret, why not go to the party?'
'It's...' she cried again. 'Because I failed, he told me I still owe a favour!'
At last, between tears, Gi got Emma to go on the trip.
'The girls are coming, and the dogs are coming too. No, Iʼm only joking. Just the girls.'
'Good. So where are we going? Should we invite Charlie and Lek?'