Astrid slept lightly, her senses alert. Pale light seeped past the corners of the curtain. A car started. Its engine's working hard as its driver races home. She felt energized and thought of the smell of hot coffee.
She heard rhythmic breathing to her side. Turning her head, she saw the fluffy duvet pulled over John's head and his thick socks poking out the bottom of the cover.
A brief flash of guilt washed over her, a curious feeling. Astrid wasn't much into emotions, even when she could feel them. Seeing her old friend pliant and act like she hasn't hidden from everyone felt odd, to say the least. She was fond of him actually, very fond. It goes beyond his indulgence of her sexual wiles or looking beyond her deviancy. It bothered her because she always felt their friendship wouldn't be any different even if she didn't bed him. She strongly felt that even people like her deserve friends. She wasn't a good one though, and that is for the best.
Astrid quietly slipped off the bed. She stretched a bit, feline grace and all. She walked to the armchair, got her robe, and fixed her appearance. She wondered if she needed to wear her bra, musing how far she was willing to walk for a coffee. She stepped out of the toilet, robe well past her knees. Her unexpected roommate still dormant as a log. Slipping into her bunny slippers, she went out of the room, taking care to make as little noise as possible.
Standing in the hotel lobby, Astrid pretended to look for staff. She needed to sort out the mess they made on the hotel linen last night. Ideally without extra fees or documentation, and she has the perfect person in mind. Finding no early bird guard or attendant patrolling the worn-out carpet, she checked the front desk.
"Heya," Astrid paused, pretending to read the clerk's nameplate. "Olena." Astrid knew her name; she noticed Olena earlier this week. The only blonde Eastern European on staff.
The blonde looked up, surprised to be caught unaware of Astrid's approach. Olena smiled; she had also noticed Astrid. Astrid usually being one of the hottest women in a room. In Goring-by-Sea, she's probably the hottest woman within a quarter mile. "What can I do for you?" asked Olena.
Astrid leaned closer and whispered in a conspiratorial tone, "Can you help me with some laundry?" Her robe opened a bit, and Astrid hastily adjusted herself. Astrid caught Olena trying to catch a peek.
"Yes, of course." Olena did her best to mimic Astrid's tone. "What do you need, um, miss? Olena did a better job at pretending she didn't know her counterpart's name.