My Siobhan

Chapter 4

                                                                            

 First thing next morning Shivey was on the road. She could have caught the train, but wanted the time alone, besides she had plants to bring back and that would be impossible on the train. She enjoyed the drive; it gave her time alone that she rarely had. This trip wasn't just about work; it was about getting away, relaxing and maybe even having a good time.

It wasn't often Shivey got time out, real time away from family, friends and clients. She wanted to enjoy every minute of her short reprieve and couldn't help the smile that slowly crept across her face.

The trip took her about four hours, but she was in no hurry; stopping along the way for lunch and taking time to stretch her legs before preparing herself to enter the city. Bradfield wasn't a huge town, though it was bigger than the town she lived in. When Shivey had told Coral she intended taking a few days off Coral insisted on booking the hotel. Shivey wasn't rolling in it, but she was doing okay and hoped her friend had booked her into something nice but not too upscale.

Shivey was pleasantly surprised as she approached the hotel, it was a resort, not overly fancy, but nice enough that she'd feel like she was on vacation. There was no way Shivey could ever live in the city; she'd get too homesick for open spaces and the wooded areas close to her home. Even if she still worked with plants, it wouldn't be enough, so she'd take advantage of the time she had here.

After registering and settling into her room, Shivey checked out the hotel information and smiled when she saw there was a pool. Ten minutes later she was diving into the cool clear water happy with the knowledge that at the moment she had the pool all to herself.

After a good long swim she decided a nice lay in the sun was in order. It was a beautiful sunny day, which helped her relax, even dose a little as she lay back one the lounges by the pool. Thankfully the amount of time she normally spent outside had helped her acclimatise to the heat of the sun and she rarely got burnt. If anything she tanned, her skin appearing to have a golden glow to it.

Room service was a wonderful thing and since Shivey was so tired, that's what she opted for that evening. So she ate in her room as she checked out all the resort had to offer. Besides the pool there was a spa and sauna, as well as aromatherapy massage treatments. For once she wasn't going to consider the cost; she intended to enjoy all the resort had to offer.

Next morning, first thing after breakfast Shivey headed out to the garden supply store she'd placed her order with to make sure they had everything she needed. When she arrived Shivey parked her truck then made her way to the front of the building. She took her time wandered around, checking out the plants they had in stock and taking note of a few she wanted to buy before approaching one of the men stacking fertiliser. He was really helpful, even organising for her purchases to remain with them until the day she was leaving town. All in all Shivey came away feeling good about the amount of money she'd spent.

The rest of the day was spent by the pool. Rest and relax rest and relax. That was the mantra she kept repeating to herself. Shivey rested, sun bathed, swam and even managed to improve her tan.

Not one to sit around for too long, Shivey was out and about next day checking out all the touristy type shops, even buying a couple of things just to prove to herself that she too could go on a holiday.

The next couple of days went by quickly enough; Shivey having got a map of the area from one of the display areas near reception deciding to take advantage of her time out to explore the city. She visited museums, art galleries and other places of interest, but the place she felt most relaxed was in the huge park that was situated in the midst of the city.