Free Buying Thyme by TJ Hamilton Page B

hues of yellow and white, accented with greenery hanging from white pots. The same plants as the pool, and all complement the surrounds perfectly. It very much looks like the exclusive pool club Tench owns in the city. The doors to the front of the house fold open completely, creating a cabana style hut. The kitchen at the far end becomes an indoor/outdoor cooking area in the process. The change area on the other end is more like a swimwear store, with an entire rack of brand new bikinis in every colour and all in size eight of course! I choose a gorgeous black Tigerlily bikini that ties up around the neck from the middle at the front, making a ‘V’. The bottoms have a cute frill around the top of them. I search further in the white chest of draws next to the rack and find it is full of all kinds of men’s swimwear on one side and the other side is full of kaftans and various throw-overs, everything with it’s tag still on. Boy he must have some amazing parties . I can’t help but imagine the bevvy of beauties that have riffled through these very draws. I pull out a Camilla kaftan in leopard print, to throw over myself later. I adjust the bikini so that it sits perfectly and head back out to the pool, to find my position on one of the white sun lounges. They too have yellow and white striped cushions resting across them. I lay down and happily bask in the morning sunshine. Mrs Oktar finally appears with an enormous platter of fresh summer fruits.
    “Oh dear, I forgot to ask you if you would like Tea, Coffee or Juice with your breakfast?” She says as she places the enormous platter on the low, white table beside me.
    “I could definitely go a coffee. Latte with one?” I ask with a sweet smile, hoping I haven’t asked too much.
    “Absolutely. Will bring it out shortly. Now enjoy your breakfast in the sunshine.” Mrs Oktar leaves, humming an unknown tune as she walks back up to the mansion.
    I could actually get used to this, I convince myself as I bite into a soft mango cheek. No girly. This all comes at a price… Joe Tench and his underworld life! I wonder where he could be and what he may be up to. Do I really want to know? Mrs Oktar reappears with a tray of coffee and three types of juice, and places it down. She darts back inside with nothing but a smile to acknowledge me.
     
    Hours pass as I occupy my time reading, eating, swimming and generally lazing poolside for the rest of the morning. I wonder how Flossy is going at home? I miss my little cat. I miss my one bedroom apartment, over in the trendy eastern suburb of Paddington. It’s only been three days since I was home last, which isn’t long compared to other bookings I’ve had. This time it feels like I’m so close but so far from home. My apartment, is only two suburbs away from where I lounge, yet feels like a whole world away. The harsh midday sun starts to sting my white skin, so I throw the kaftan over my bikini and head back indoors. Maybe I can sort out my suitcase, organise some fantasy outfits for Tench, and hang anything that needs hanging for the night. I’m glad I’ll be leaving here tomorrow evening. Will it be like this tomorrow also? Left alone in this massive compound? My mind is distant with my inner running commentary as I approach the centre French door. Tench suddenly catches my eye as he’s pacing back and forth on the phone, just inside the doorway. Hair wet and wearing nothing but white linen pants that drape perfectly from his tanned waist. His sculptured chest perfectly silhouettes his figure in the doorway.
    “…I don’t care if he can’t pay for them! He’s had long enough to test them out, now I want my money… and I don’t care how you get it out of him! They are top stock. He has two choices. Pay up or they’re all gone.” I hear Tench yell into his iPhone. He throws the phone on the cream leather couch, abruptly ending the conversation. He looks up, finally noticing me standing in the doorway. I try and act