Solana Forever

S5 E4

Today I arrived earlier than usual only because last night before I left I heard Joyce say that today Mateo had to help Liam with the hedge. There was no way I was going to miss that. When I got to the pool area Mateo was in the red Solana overalls looking miserable. He hadn't fastened one of the straps so it revealed a section of his toned chest. It looked a bit like a toga. And the icing on the cake was the black wellies he was wearing with it.
I jokingly wolf whistled at him. "Looking good Mateo" I winked.
"You're early" Joyce pointed out rather obviously.
"Yeah I heard yesterday this was going to happen" I waved my arm in Mateos direction. "So I came early to watch it first hand". I pulled up a chair and watched with a huge smirk. Joyce looked like she was about to protest but then Mateo started to shave the hedge very badly. It was so badly done Joyce got up and demonstrated how it should've been done. She did an even worse job. She jammed the trimmer straight into the bush and destroyed the entire area. I was really enjoying myself to the point i was literally pissing myself laughing. My gut actually hurt. Mateo response was the take of the other strap which revealed his now completely naked torso.
"Encore" I applauded for Joyce.
"You want some more of this" Mateo asked with a stupid grin.
"Not you" I snapped. Joyce whipped her head round looking angry
"Right you either get behind that bar or help with this" she barked. I held my hands up in defence.
"Alright alright. I'm going" I walked slowly to the bar every so often glancing back at the scene.

I had spent my time occasionally serving a drink but mostly just watching a laughing at the group. I had to pretend to be busy soon enough though because Joyce clip clopped over in her heels and pulled out her tannoy. I set a mental reminder to throw it off a mountain. I chose to ignore whatever rubbish she was explaining on the tannoy and focused more on trying to slice an orange into perfect thirds. And I was so close until Joyce clears her throat very loudly next to me. I looked at her through my eyelashes.
"Didn't you hear what I just said?" She spat. I hadn't heard a thing.
"Urm..." I scanned my brain. "The hotel is getting shut down because of a case of chlamydia?".
"Get in my office now!" She ordered pointing to the direction. I put my head down and quickly complied.

"The Solana can be a four star hotel" Joyce declared in her office. Me Mateo Liam and Leslie were all stood in front of her a bit clueless. She hadn't built up to saying that. She had just walked in and announced it all inspirational.
"And in the words of Susan Boyle I have a dream" she put her hand on her stomach and took in a big deep breath. I crossed my arms over my chest and got as comfortable as I could standing. I was gonna be here for a while.
"This is about standards and I have invited the editor of Costa class" she held up the magazine with delight. "Victor St James to review the Solana".
Mateo was the first to respond. "Costa class? I have never heard of this". He spoke for me too. And probably the Conroys as well.
"Well it's a which hotel magazine for Spain" Joyce briefly explained. Mateo looked even more confused now.
"A magazine for witches?" I rolled my eyes and sighed. "You english people are crazy".
"Pillock" I mumbled under my breath.
"This gentleman deals in top end accommodations so we have to show him classy and professional we are" Joyce told us. I frowned. None of us were classy or professional to be honest but I was willing to try to be if it meant a good review. Good reviews meant better pay.
"Well I think I can speak on behalf of all of us when I say that we've been working our bollocks off so it's only a matter of time that we are shitting class" Leslie said proudly.
"Yeah I mean if you patch up a leaky roof it will get better eventually" I pointed out. Leslie nodded in agreement but it made Joyce seem more stressed.
"Yes but we don't have time for eventually because he's coming tonight!" Joyce's face was struck with worry.
"Tonight? Ostia! It was my night off" Mateo whinged.
"Awww poor thing. It's alright you'll be able to give your hand a rest" I made a wanking gesture with my hand.
"Ha ha" Mateo mocked me in a girly voice.
"Yes alright you two. I know this is very short notice but Mr St James expects the very best" I would recommend he goes to another hotel then. "So I've sent all the chef home and Mateo I want you in the kitchen...".
"Ha!" I exclaimed pointing at a annoyed Mateo.
"...with Gaby" Joyce finished.
"Ha!" Mateo mirrored what I had previously done.
"Joder me (fuck me)" I exclaimed.
"Si Estes ofrenciendo (if you're offering)" Mateo purred nudging me. I glared at him and he smirked.
"Sounds lovely" Joyce said clapping her hands together obviously thinking we were talking about some Spanish food. "But I'll think we'll stick to traditional Spanish paella". She turned to Leslie next. "Leslie although Victor probably did go to public school and has seen it all I think you should take the night off and allow Les to handle this". I've got to hand it to her. That was probably the best way to say that to someone. It took Leslie herself a while to realise as well.
"Aw god bless you Mrs savage I haven't had a night off for..." and realisation "oh bollocks". I gave her an encouraging pat on the back.
"Liam" Savage moved on to the ginger boy who was daydreaming in the corner. "I am very impressed how calm you've been I thought you'd panic for sure". To be honest it had only just occurred to me that actually he had been very calm. Something wasn't right. I leant forward to examine him better. It all quickly became clear though when he withdrew earplugs from his ears.
"Sorry. Hedge trimming was giving me a migraine" he stuttered fiddling around with the plug in his hand. He leant in to his dad. "Have we started yet?" He whispered to her. I shook my head to no one in particular.