In the Name of Love Read Free Page A

already,’ Charlie managed to say. ‘Or we’ll be sent back to Economy. And FYI, I had a Brazilian.’
    ‘Thank God for that! Let’s hope your landing strip gets some action.’
    Charlie pulled the blanket up, as if shielding herself from the comment. ‘I’m not bothered at the moment. I’ve got my career and my friends, what more does a girl need?’
    Zoe’s arched eyebrows said that there was plenty, plenty more.
    After eight hours of the most blissful journey … really Business was the only way to fly … Charlie and Zoe stepped out of the plane and into blazing sunshine. It was like walking into a wall of heat. Charlie shook back her hair and tilted her face up to the sun. To feel its warmth on her body after the freezing English winter was like a blessing. She couldn’t wait to get into her bikini and hit the beach.
    ‘Hiya!’ Zoe exclaimed, waving at a chauffeur in a smart white uniform and white peaked cap, who was holding up their names on a placard as they sauntered through arrivals.
    ‘Good afternoon, Miss Martin and Miss Porter.’ The chauffeur bowed slightly as he greeted them, which made Charlie feel slightly uncomfortable. Sure, she was used to good service by now but she didn’t expect people to bow before her!
    ‘I am Kofi and I will be driving you to the resort. Please follow me. Your luggage will be taken care of.’
    Charlie had been expecting a flash car, but what awaited her and Zoe outside on the tarmac made her open her green eyes wide in astonishment as she took in the silver Rolls-Royce Ghost.
    ‘Oh, baby!’ she exclaimed, walking towards the sleek motor. ‘Come to Mama!’
    Charlie absolutely loved cars. Even as a little girl she had known more about cars than her brother, and she would be the one watching
Top Gear
with her dad, while Kris and Mum grumbled about wanting to watch
Holby City
or something else.
    ‘Happy?’ Zoe asked as they sank back into the plush leather seats and the Roller pulled smoothly away from the kerb.
    ‘You bet! I can’t imagine it will get any better than this.’
    Zoe, who had been to Sandy Lane twice before, smiled knowingly. ‘Just you wait and see.’
    The half-hour drive took them along roads lined with vivid green sugar-cane fields, and every now and then they would drive past shacks which seemed to be local stores with groups of men sitting outside playing checkers. Charlie hadn’t realised how poor much of Barbados still was. The contrast with the five-star resort could not have been greater as they swept through the imposing iron gates, along a tree-lined drive, past an immaculately maintained golf course and gardens and up to the elegant white-pillared hotel. Staff were immediately on hand to greet them. They were offered an ice-cold flannel from a tray to freshen up with, and after that a delicious fruit cocktail. It certainly beat checking into a Travel Lodge.
    Once they were checked in, Charlie stood on the balcony of her luxurious suite and gazed out at the glittering expanse of the Caribbean Sea, the crescent of white sand beach fringed with palm trees. She turned to Zoe who was standing next to her, and threw her arms around her, exclaiming, ‘Thank you so much, Zoe! I hate to say this but it was so worth Nathan forgetting your birthday!’
    Zoe gave a wicked grin. ‘Yeah, I know! I’d pretty much forgiven him the moment he apologised as he looked so cute.’
    ‘The diamond necklace must have helped,’ Charlie deadpanned.
    ‘It didn’t hurt,’ Zoe replied, lovingly touching the diamond star pendant round her neck. ‘But this,’ she held out her arms wide to take in the breathtaking view, ‘is the business!’
    ‘And now,’ Charlie declared, ‘I have to get on that beach before the sun sets.’
    Typically Zoe took ages getting ready. Charlie had showered and changed into her bikini, tied her long hair into a ponytail, put on sunscreen, lip balm and a flick of mascara. She’d finished off with a pair of black Chanel