Solana Forever

S6 E5

Despite the whole palaver yesterday I was actually really looking forward to today and indeed the next two days. I bounced out of bed this morning and even set off early for work. I still ended up being late though because of traffic, bloody roadworks. But the reason for my excitement was that Joyce was going away for three whole days and left Les/Leslie in charge.

She claimed that the reason she picked Les was because he had more life experience to me and Mateo but the real reason is probably because she doesn't trust Mateo and she doesn't like me. Regardless, I was still happy that Les was going to be my boss for a few days. That meant slack rules and longer breaks and I was living for it.

Just as I was arriving, Joyce was trotting out to her taxi. She had dolled herself and had a big grin on her face, probably because she was having a few days of work. When she saw me she took it upon herself to scold me in advance.

"Gaby, whilst I am away I except you to behave and respect Les as much as you respect me" she told me waggling her finger.

I raised my eyebrow. "But I don't want to lose my respect for Les" I stated. Joyce gave me a very good mum face. "All right, I'm only joking".

"See you in a few days" she said as she got in her car. "And keep an eye on Mateo, will you?" She shouted as the car drove of.

"Yes mother" I mumbled to myself as I walked in. I saw Les and Mateo stood by reception. Mateo looked great as usual but Les was wearing a suit that was a little bit too small and by a little, I mean a ten year old could've worn it.

"My God Les, what happened to you?" I exclaimed. Mateo gave me a strange look and nodded his head towards Les. At the time I completely ignored this but now I know he was trying to tell me that Les's short trousers had made his temper short too. "You look like you need to put some jam on your ankles and invite your trousers down for tea" I joked.

Les began to look very angry, which was a bit unsettling. "Right you two, let's get one thing clear" he angrily jabbed his finger at me and Mateo. "While Joyce is away, what I say goes. It's either my way or the highway".

Now I was really shocked. He was much worse than Joyce and I didn't know anyone could be worse than Joyce. Thankfully, before he could really give us a bollocking, Kenneth paraded over to us with a cig and Les didn't like that.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing? You know there's no smoking inside" Les complained. Kenneth stared at him with just as much shock as I did.

"It's not lit" he stated gilded up the unlit cig.

"Don't split hairs with me" Les growled. Kenneth looked at me like 'is he serious'. I nodded whilst glaring at him.

"How is that splitting hairs?" Kenneth then nodded over to Mateo. "Are you gonna have a go at him for having 20 unlit cigs in his pocket?" He sassed. "I assume that's a packet of 20, or are you just pleased to see me?" He then jokily flirted. I had a little giggle with the others and couldn't help but scan my eyes down Mateos trousers.

"Right, you get this whole reception area cleaned" he ordered Mateo. "You get out to that pool bar" he ordered me. "And you get that salon open" he ordered Kenneth.

Kenneth still wasn't done though. This is why I need Kenneth in my life, there's no way me and Mateo could cope with Les without Kenneth sassy remarks. "Hang on, who died and left you a personality in their will?" He asked with a hand on his hip.

"The same person that left him that suit, I'm guessing" I added. Mateo laughed and Kenneth gave me a high five from round the back of Les so he didn't see.

"Shut up!" Les suddenly barked. "While Joyce is away. I am acting assistant manager" he told us like we didn't already know.

"There's only one thing you're acting, love, and that's a complete dickhead" Kenneth fired back. I quietly turned my back and burst out laughing facing the wall. "Now kindly excuse me while I have a stroll into Benidorm and enjoy my ciggie. Don't worry I'll make sure I'm at least at Poniente beach before I spark up" and with that he strutted out the hotel like the badass he was.