As I shower, I can't help but think about the numbers.
The coordinates make perfect sense, but where do they lead?
For all I know Paul could be a serial killer.
No, Ava, you're overreacting, I tell myself, as I wrap a towel around my body.
I have to find a way to work it out without Olivia knowing, and that task is probably going to be harder than tracking those coordinates.
I sigh to myself as I realise there's only one thing I can do.
I'm going to have to tell her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I quickly change into my bikini and pull a red maxi dress over my costume, slip on my white pearl sandals, grab some beach towels and tanning lotion, and run downstairs.
I am met by Olivia standing by the door, clutching two surfboards and a bottle of Diet Coke.
"Ready?" she asks, sliding open the glass door.
"Yeah," I reply quickly, grabbing the condo keys, and stepping out into the midday Miami sun.
I lock the doors and we both walk down the steps together, and begin to head towards the beach, the sea in clear view.
"I like it here, the two of us,"Olivia says,"Its more peaceful than back home".
I have got to admit she's right. It's more of a quieter neighbourhood than busy California.
"Yeah, but you can't beat the Californian beaches," I reply, as we walk up the sandy banks leading to the water.
We set down our towels in an empty space, near the shade of a tall palm tree, and take off our clothes, so we are left standing in our bikinis.
"Race you to the water," Olivia screams, sprinting across the sand, her bronze hair blowing behind her, in the wind.
I drop my shoes immediately, run to the shore, and begin frantically splashing her, as she struggles to swim away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We spend around an hour surfing and messing around, before finally making it back to the palm tree.
"Oh my god, I'm starving!" moans Olivia, rubbing her stomach dramatically.
I look around for a quick food stop and notice a wooden hut about fifteen metres away.
"Hey, there's a burger shack over there," I say, pointing to the sign,"Let's go check it out".
I grab all the change I have from inside my phone case, and stand up, wrapping my kimono around my shoulders, as Olivia follows behind me.
At around four in afternoon, a satisfyingly cool breeze blows over the coast, and makes the heat a little more bearable.
We almost make it inside of the hut when an elderly couple approach us, seeming somewhat flustered.
"Excuse me, girls, sorry to bother you, but do you happen to know where the nearest taxi rank is?" asks the woman. She has a strong English accent.
The man with her holds out a local map, and begins to point out our current location.
"It's just that we are meeting our daughter at the airport, and we just didn't know how to make it there," continues the woman.
I study the map for a few moments, and locate the nearest taxi firm.
"Here," I say pointing at the diagram,"346 Avenue Road, that's about three blocks from here, so not too far to walk."
The couple smile in gratitude, and I graciously hand the map back over to them.
As they turn to walk away, a few familiar symbols catch my eye.
"Sorry," I stutter, as their attention is turned back to me," But are there coordinates on that map?"
The man gives a kind smile and replies,"Yes, dear, I suppose so, that is usually how people find their way."
I take out my phone, and remove the slip of paper from the case.
"Can I see that map again, please?"
Yes, yes, Geraldine, give the girl the map, a second,"says the man.
The lady promptly hands it over, and I begin to recite the digits in my head.
Following, the line markings with my finger, I find a match with my coordinates.
I glance at the key, and match it up with what I'm looking for.
There it is in black and white. Treasurefield Industrial Estate.
It's an old movie set.
"Are you okay, love?" the woman asks worriedly.
I nod my head slightly and hand back the paper.
"Yes, thank you very much".
As soon as they turn away, I shove the note in a nearby bin, and run across the beach.
"Where the hell are you going?" demands Olivia, clear anger in her voice.
"I'll tell you in the taxi, I'll explain everything", I answer, bluntly.
"What--?"
"Just shut up and grab our things," I yell.
"We're going out".
