Thursday 17 October 2019

They travelled most of Wednesday and stayed in London one night. They had a morning flight and arrived in Malta early Thursday morning.

The villa was stunning. It had three levels. The first level had a great space with a TV lounging room connected to a kitchen with casual eat in dining and it opened out to the pool. A wing off the main floor had a formal entrance from the pool deck and a formal living, dining and office space. Formal guests would walk along the pool, enjoying the fountain and pool lights and enter the formal entrance. Trixie, Bobbie and Barb went in the side entrance, into the kitchen. The Kitchen was a large u shape and had a big family style table with several chairs.

Barb set her bags at the foot of the grand stair case and sat at the kitchen table. “Trixie, this is pretty fabulous, who actually owns it, you can’t tell me it’s part of the Fox holdings.”

Trixie laughed. “I wish. This place belongs to Arie Teuling, he’s my Dutch friend from way back in business school, who likes fast cars and fast women and now handles the financial accounts for most of the Fox overseas businesses. I’m currently sucking up to him because I want him to work with me on my green businesses.”

Bobbie joined Barb at the table. “He sounds fun, will he be joining us?”

“I hope not. Arie has some sketchy friends. He handles money for a lot of different organizations. He also hires private military forces for a lot of the international oil companies.”

“We’re not dealing with oil companies now and are here on vacation; who wants a margarita? Bobbie unzipped her big suitcase and pulled out a bottle of premixed margaritas.

“Ha, you come prepared. Let’s pour a drink and take the grand tour.” They made drinks and left them on the table while they carried their bags up the stairs.

The second floor had 3 bedrooms surrounding a lounging area, each with ensuite bathrooms and the third floor had a grander suite with a big bathroom, comfy seating and office space.

Trixie said, “I think we should all sleep on the second floor. That top floor is a little isolated.

They agreed and Bobbie entered one room. “Can I have this pink room? I Love pink and didn’t have the nerve to paint my bedroom pink at the motel. Lorne doesn’t love pink.”

“This is really just blush; Lorne would eat that up. I like this dramatic forest green room.”

“That leaves the yellow for me. It’s my favourite colour,” said Barb as she hoisted her bag on the bed to start unpacking.”

“Let’s get into our swimsuits and have our drinks by the pool, we can unpack later.”

“That sounds perfect.”

They hurried back downstairs and grabbed their drinks. Trixie found a welcome basket in the formal living room and they snacked on crackers and cheese. They put the champagne from the basket in the fridge; agreeing to have it as a nightcap after dinner tonight to toast the start of the vacation.

After a few hours beside the pool Bobbie was searching on her phone and found a nice restaurant and made a reservation. She suggested they get dressed up for dinner tonight and tomorrow they could find a market and get some food. They could have a quiet day to relax and discuss the big sightseeing tour that Barb was planning.

They had a few more drinks; Trixie found some snacks and they sat by the pool most of the afternoon.

Eventually, they went upstairs to dress for dinner. Barb had some false eyelashes and she helped Bobbie and Trixie put them on and they soon were made up and ready to paint the town. Bobbie wore a simple white shimmery silk chemise and pretty rayon plaza pants. She had silver sandals and wore silver and amethyst jewellery on her ears and neck and a silver snake around her upper left arm that had amethyst eyes. Barb had a halter topped shirt dress that was fitted at the waist and flared slightly over her hips. She wore high heels and swore she wouldn’t fall off them. Trixie wore a red, finely knitted silk t-shirt dress that hugged her in all the right places. She had the beaded earrings and carried the beaded pouch that her aunt Bride made for her. She also had a thick gold slave bangle and a thick gold chain and wore flat gold sandals that had gold chains loosely laced around her ankles.

Don’t we all look nice. I’ll go bring the car around. They all headed through the side door and drove into town with the top down. They splurged and rented a convertible. Bobbie insisted on red and Trixie said they were clichés.

They arrived at the restaurant and Bobbie handed the keys to the parking attendant and they entered. It was an old Italian style villa and the dining area opened up to a large courtyard, that had part of a roof but left the sky open. The tables were arranged around the edge, under the roof with a few in the open, among planters with privacy trellises. The planters were set up in 4 crosses and there was a table in each corner. The host led them to a table and they sat down. 

Bobbie looked around and saw Tate Cowell the iconic musician that she idolized, who actually performed with her and Johnny in the summer at the river rafting festival, at their market, approaching.

“As I live and breathe, it’s my best harmonizing backup singer in the flesh.”

Bobbie got up and kissed the air on both sides of the man’s face. “Hi Tate, fancy seeing you here. Do you usually vacation here?”

“No Lovey, I’m here trying to jump start our acoustic album. Valletta is where the money is. I’ve got the money people and my producer right over there. I can’t believe you’re here. Maybe you can explain the new song arrangements to them. They don’t seem to feel it.”

“I’d be happy to help but we’re going to enjoy our dinner here first.”

“Of course, Lovey. We’re just finishing up. Come over to the place I’ve rented on Saturday night? I’m having a big bash and we can sing a couple of songs and they’ll really get the picture. Bring the gals; you all look smashing.”

After he left Barb shook her head. “I can’t believe you told Tate Cowell not to interrupt our dinner.”

Trixie laughed. “Everyone is staring, wondering who we are. Right now, I have ceased being head of an oil company and am now Bobbie’s friend. If it gets me invited to a rock and roll party I don’t mind a bit.” Trixie didn’t notice the rather dangerous looking man who sat at a table alone. He definitely knew who she was.

“Now we are both rock and roll Oil Barrons and that can’t be too common. The calamari appetizer looks good.”

“They also have Chilean sea bass; I’ve heard it’s good.”

“I read that it was endangered, we better not order that.”

“OK, I’ll have the shrimp scampi with side salad.”

“That sounds really good.”

They finished with classic pizzelle cookies and coffee and Barb paid the tab. Insisting because Trixie covered the accommodation and Bobbie rented the car. They left the restaurant and were still discussing who was paying for things and didn’t see the strange man following them in a black SUV.

Back at the villa, Barb sank into a chair and sighed. “I have to admit it’s good to get my heels off.”

“Let’s go change into something more comfortable.” Bobbie emerged in wearing a tee shirt and cotton shorts. Trixie wore the cotton jammies from Bobbie’s motel and Barb had a fancy matching negligee and wrap. They rooted around and found champagne flutes and popped the cork of the gift basket champagne. They filled the glasses and toasted to the beginning of their vacation.

“I’m kind of sorry Tate is here. I wanted to leave that music stuff back home too. Maybe I should message Johnny so he doesn’t feel left out.”

“Johnny is going to be insanely jealous if you tell him you’re going to a rock and roll party with Tate Cowell.”

“Well, I won’t tell him it’s a party.” Bobbie decided to call. “Hi Johnny it’s Bobbie, calling from poolside, in Malta. How’s it going?”

“Don’t gloat Bobbie, that’s not nice. It was warm and sunny today. I sat out on my sheltered balcony and enjoyed the cool autumn air today. So, what’s up that you’re making an international call like this?”

“I just wanted to tell you that I ran into Tate Cowell in a restaurant tonight. He was talking to his producer and money guy and wants me to go to his place tomorrow to sing a couple of songs with him, so they can hear the arrangements.”

“That will probably be fun. I wish I was there too. I don’t suppose you’d mention my new recording studio to him?”

“I’ll do what I can and I’ll try not to have too much fun without you Johnny, bye for now.”

“I can’t wait to tell Myra that you are going to a party with Tate Cowell. Thanks for calling, Bye.”

Just before they went to bed Trixie told them she arranged for her security guy Clive Teller to meet them at the villa. He was staying in the apartment over the garage.