Clouds Below the Mountains Read Online Free

but trying hard not to show it.
    â€œCould you step back and let me deal with the next guest. Your Periquito representative will be at her desk now. Just around the corner in the lobby.”
    There was a communal sigh of relief as Paul snatched up his passport and went to join his wife and children, who were looking at him in puzzlement. Dania had finished on the telephone and soon there was only the Cooper family, as the other guests went off after being given the keys to their rooms.
    â€œSo what are you going to do, Paul?”, asked Cheryl, nervously. She knew what her husband could be like when he was backed into a corner. He could be very stubborn and wouldn’t come down off his high horse, even if it meant flying back to Manchester. Jack had begun to whine that he was tired and was fed up with his Gameboy and Annabelle said she was bored with her book and when could she get into the swimming pool?
    â€œDoes it matter, Paul, if we have to wear a wristband? If that is the rule of the hotel in order for us to have All Inclusive, can’t we just go along with it? The children are tired and I’m looking forward to getting out of these clothes and putting on shorts and a T’ shirt. Be a dear and go back to Reception. We’re hungry too and could do with having a look for the restaurant.”
    â€œNo, Cheryl, I want to see the rep’ first and make a formal complaint. Then I shall look at our suite and check that it is to our satisfaction. Only then will I consider whether we will be putting up with these petty regulations. However, it looks as if the rep’ has skived off somewhere, so you take the children to have a look at the swimming pool and I’ll wait here with the luggage.”
    Cheryl did as she was told, glad that she could leave him with the situation. Left to her, they would be in their suite of rooms by now and she would be in front of a mirror deciding what to wear.
    ***
    Paul sat on one of the sofas overlooking a paved patio that lead down some steps to the large rectangular swimming pool. He felt really aggravated that the rep’ wasn’t in evidence and the receptionists were cold shouldering him, as if they didn’t want to get involved. He was desperate for a drink. The bottles of pop that they’d brought with them for the journey had long since gone and he was loathe to go down to the pool bar and have to pay. He debated whether to use the public telephone and ring the Periquito resort office, he couldn’t use his mobile because he hadn’t got a signal yet. He waved to his wife, who was sitting on a sun lounger watching their children playing on some gaily painted swings in the kids’ area. If it wasn’t for the petty hotel policies, he could be getting the sun on his face himself
    An airport coach drew up outside, as Paul was just about to go to the desk and ask if he could change his money for some pesetas. He wasn’t looking forward to having to face Maria again, but that was what she was paid for anyway. He stood aside, as it looked as if there was going to be another dash for the reception desk, but this time a woman dressed in the same outfit as the rep’ that was on his coach, led the party through the foyer and could be heard addressing the receptionists in a very strident voice.
    Paul thought that this was a woman he could deal with. A voice of authority, someone in a position in the company who would have to listen to his point of view. He sidled over and waited until she had finished her instructions to the Gatwick passengers she had just brought in.
    â€œExcuse me,” he said politely. “Could I have a word with you in private? I have just come in from Manchester and I find I have a couple of problems. There isn’t a rep’ on duty at your desk, so I wondered if you could help me?”
    â€œCertainly, Sir,” Kath replied, her eyes narrowing as she realised that it was Lucy that was