She lowered the eyeglasses. Maybe her friend had gauged her right, as it appeared, she carried this nurturing obsession a bit too far today. The last person she wanted to meet on her vacation was a needy man. But she couldn’t stop herself from peering one last time before she headed back. His eyes grew misty now and he wiped away a tear. A sentimental man; she could handle that as a four, in a scale from one to ten. The sun reflected on his unmasked glaze and allowed her a glimpse into depths of troubled sea-green waters. He chose that second look in her direction.
She dropped the binoculars and stashed them into her purse. Hopefully, he sat too far away to see her with his naked eye. She spun around and hurried up the path. It was time to eat.
Suzanne hailed her as she rounded the final corner before the archway. “There you are.” She jogged over. “Are you ready to eat?”
“What happened to lover-boy?”
“Don’t be absurd. I’m not a floosy, you know. Just wanted to say hi,” said Suzanne.
They settled at a table in an outside section of Trifton Café. The menu did not include full course meals but provided what might be labelled as fast food in America. But a cheeseburger would hit the spot so both girls ordered one fully loaded. When their plates arrived, they burst out laughing.
“Not your average burger patty,” said Suzanne. “How do they expect me to get this mountain of meat and fixings pushed into my mouth?”
Megan picked up the knife and fork. “Cut up into bite size servings.”
“Takes all the fun out of it. May as well be eating steak at a fancy diner.”
“Tomorrow we can satisfy that appetite. Tonight, I’m happy with a burger then bed,” said Megan.
“So, this is it? You’re calling it a night at six o’clock?”
“I thought your body craved sleep?” asked Megan.
“It does,” Suzanne sighed. “I just don’t want to miss anything. I have this strange feeling we’re meant to be here, at this appointed time. Gives me the goosies all over.”
“Mm, sounds mysterious,” kidded Megan as she bowed her head and said a prayer of thanksgiving for safe journeys to this vacation retreat and for the food. After she bit into the first morsel, she groaned with pleasure. “Oh, Suzie, this is not your average burger.”
After the main course, they ordered the specialty cookies of the day, which arrived packed inside a small box so they could take the treat to their rooms. They strolled leisurely back to the hotel. Once through the swinging door, Suzanne eyed the bar, or more likely, the guy on his way inside.
“How about a night cap? Help you to sleep better?”
“You know I don’t drink alcohol, but I’ll join you for a warm cup of cocoa.”
“Chocolate? That’d keep me walking the floor ‘til midnight.”
“Not me; it’s on of my list of comfort-food.” She saw her friend eyeing the barroom door. “Why don’t you go by yourself. I’m going to have room service deliver mine to the room and pig out on these cookies.”
“Promise to save one for me?” pleaded Suzanne.
“I promise. Good night, love-child.”
On the way past the desk Megan ordered her drink of choice and took the stairs instead of the elevator. She fingered the white shiny railing and as she climbed the carpeted stairway, and marveled at how the red supports, complimented the overall décor of the grand foyer. It was like walking in a mix of modern-day Christmas land and the traditional feeling of old. Decorating was not Megan’s strong suit but she appreciated seeing the results of other’s talents in the places she visited.
After the staff delivered her drink, she took the cup and the cookies and headed for the balcony. The sun was setting over the castle and she grabbed her phone to snap a picture before settling into a lounger. Now this was near perfection. She could live a lifetime gazing at that spectacular scene of nature. It blended with the best of man’s creation, spreading a cover of yellows and reds over the massive structure. Excitement grew for the upcoming tour. Tomorrow at ten she’d cross that bridge and beyond those huge doors. Another world awaited her.
Two overexcited tourists gathered with a group of ten in the hut assigned, and waited for their travel guide to arrive. When he did, Suzanne sighed and Megan plowed an elbow into her side. “He just works here – no royalty.”
“I know,” whispered Suzanne.
“Welcome everyone. My name is Damien. Edstrom Tours are pleased that you included this excursion as part of your stay in our village. The royal family welcomes you to their home. Of course, they live in separate quarters. which will not be included in this tour.” The crowd groaned – Suzanne the loudest. “Please, follow me. Wouldn’t want any of you to lost and end up in the dungeon.”
He led the group to the bailey; an enclosed courtyard, and they began their trek across the bridge. On each side of the heavy wooden structure nature had provided a water-filled ditch that flowed freely and enhanced the area with decorative springs, which Megan noticed light up last night shining colourful beams of light against
