I ambled my way through the hotel. It was a staging post. For me and pretty much everyone here. But it felt luxurious, with finer materials than the spaces I passed through on a daily basis. I found my room and was chagrined to note that it was more spacious than the basement flat I had vacated only hours ago. A whole wall of full length windows faced towards the runway and I was momentarily mesmerised by the ballet of arrival and departure, red lights blinking in the sky. I decided not to quaff my complimentary bottle on an empty stomach and settled on an omelette as a light supper which was delivered with the champagne. It was light and delicious and a perfect complement to the effervescent aperitif.
I stood up and realised that there was no longer any need for my travelling clothes. I stripped off my jersey dress, kicked off my kicks and I was naked. It felt good, I felt free. I walked around and sipped at my drink. I left the curtains open so I could watch the planes, the reflection of my naked body super-imposed on the backdrop. Perhaps something subconscious in me was preparing me for life on Les Soeurs where windows are always fully transparent, unadorned, and I would have to get used to being on display. I suppose anyone who could see my window would be able to see the inverse of my reflection. I shrugged inwardly. So be it. I approached the window, pressed my face up against it. It was dark and I couldn't see anybody but they were surely there sheathed in the shadows. Workers, travellers, hotel guests.
The suite had a large bathroom area open to the main room with only the toilet discreetly behind a wall and sliding glass door. There was a huge shower behind a free standing glass screen with a bath on the other side. Its occurred to me that I had just left one grimy city and passed through another. Before I could luxuriate in the silky hotel sheets, I needed to cleanse myself. I ran the shower hot and with a pulsing pressure that invigorated me. I relished the solitude. I had the whole shower to myself and did not fear being approached with dubious gifts of fingers or a semi-erect penis. I had champagne to drink instead of pee for a change. I cringed inwardly recalling my past birthday when Terry insisted on me quaffing not one, but two glasses of his urine, freshly pissed into a champagne coupe while his contained actual Prosecco. The grin on his face as we clinked glasses together. Cheers indeed. I was glad to put that in the past. As I lathered and scrubbed it was more than the stickiness of London and Paris I was ridding myself of. I could feel the last traces of my old life with Terry circle the plughole below.
I closed my eyes and pictured Les Soeurs. Three beautiful islands, two of which I would visit. This time tomorrow I would be maybe sharing a drink in a cool Coletta bar with Roni who I was dying to meet in the flesh. Maybe we would go dancing. Imagine dancing naked and every other girl is naked too. Our skin glistening with sweat, happy smiles everywhere. A brush of skin against skin here and there. Men fully clothed intermingling, soaking in the spectacle. A bronzed blonde in front of me, her breasts pressed against mine, a man's hands on my hips, the fabric of his jeans barely containing his erection as he dry humps me from behind. The girl kisses me and electric sparks go off. The man moves a hand around to the front and touches my pussy, yes, my pussy, not my ass. I direct the shower there and I can taste the girl's cherry lip balm. I have my hands on her waist, I slip one between her legs. She is hot and wet and she moans gently into my mouth as I touch and caress her, seeking out her clit. I feel like I'm absorbing the vibrations of her arousal and climax. It is enough to send me over and I have the most amazing orgasm I have enjoyed in such a long time.
My knees are trembling as I return to my surroundings. I shiver but the room is not cold. In my post-orgasmic buzz I am dimly aware that I am utterly free. I don't need to fear waking up a snoring man. I don't have to worry about being prodded or probed in the night. I am alone in delightful solitude. I pad myself dry and walk to the bed, leaving the barest outline of damp footprints on the floor. I stretch out on the large bed, all to myself and exhale. I feel myself sinking into the mattress. I make a star shape, why not. The room is not cold, it is just right. I don't draw sheets over myself, in the style of Les Soeurs where women always sleep uncovered. Despite my eager anticipation for the final leg of travel, sleep comes easy to me.
My mind returns to Les Soeurs and I dream of St. Jeanne this time, I am among friends, I can sense, but there is something nagging at the edge of my experience, something romantic, I am anticipating something, someone. It is after dusk, it is warm. I can hear, dimly, music and hubbub from a beach bar, just down the shore. I am excited about meeting someone in particular but her identity is just out of reach. I am barefoot and the sand is between my toes. It has retained just a little warmth from the day's sun. It's such a vivid dream and I can't wait to reach my destination. There is a path through the dunes, past the palms and it's there. We are in good spirits and I'm just about to step onto the deck when I hear this ringing sound. I look around, there's nothing there. I turn around again and the beach scene fades away. I blink and I'm aware of the outlines of the room, some runway lights in the distance. I hear the ringing again and I prop myself up on my shoulders. I am back in my hotel room. I answer the phone.
"Mademoiselle Greene?"
"Yes"
"Votre..er..Your alarm call?"
"Thank you."
I make myself a quick espresso and take stock. I have so little to organise and I feel relaxed and energised despite the early wakeup. It's still dark outside. I freshen up with another vigorous shower, resisting the urge to linger with the shower head. I feel full of purpose. I note my neatly folded dress and jacket, shoes upside down on top. I smile to myself as I bid them adieu and take the silky travel dress from the hanger. It clings to my still slightly-damp skin but I don't mind. I'm a girl in a hurry. I slip into the slides, grab my handbag and that's it. I stroll with purpose to the checkout and am surprised to see Solange still on the desk. Her face seems to light up when she sees me.
"Bonjour Jenny!."
"Bonjour Solange"
"You are ready for your journey? Oh, I wish I was wearing that dress, I am so jealous!"
"I'll send you a postcard!"
"Please do."
And I was off to the airport. Between Roni and Solange I had the swiftest route through, security was a breeze and I arrived at the lounge adjoining the departure gate. It was full of passengers to St. Colette. Every second person wearing red like me. There were couples, families, stroppy teenagers, groups of friends and single travellers like me. I ordered a café noisette and a pain au chocolat. Beside me was a young woman who seemed to be finding it very difficult to keep a smile off her face. She was a brunette with lovely curls that were just about under control and had an endearing natural blush to her cheeks. Her wedding and engagement rings sparkled under the bar counter lights. There was a smartly dressed young man standing just back who looked like he needed a decent cup of coffee. She just radiated Newlywed and there was something really engaging about her. She turned to me
"Is it your first time too?"
"How could you tell?"
She just shrugged her shoulders. I looked around the room and I noticed something about a good portion of the women there. It was subtle, maybe she had her hair tied up. Maybe she just looked relaxed, or perhaps relieved to have escaped the world of clothes. Then I noticed the slightly uncomfortable stances, mild embarrassment, a little trepidation. It didn't take an expert in body language to detect who was from Les Soeurs and who was from Outremer and further, those of us from here who were visiting the islands for the first time. She introduced herself as Abigail, her groom Alex.
"I can't believe the only thing I'm wearing are my rings!"
She held up her hand to show me a lovely pair of rose gold rings, the engagement ring featuring a cushion shaped bright sparkling diamond, the wedding ring circled with a pavé setting.
