August 2012
David straightened the cushions on the loungers by the pool. He had cleaned every inch of the outside area. Rosa, the girl from the village, had done the same inside the 'Villa des Pierres'. The Beaumonts were arriving from the airport at any moment and all must be ready.
He sighed, leant over the railings and surveyed the rocks below. He dreaded their arrival, an image of lions approaching a water hole came into his mind, the peace of this heavenly place would soon be shattered, local fauna running for cover.
'David, get the goddamn cases out of the car. I don't pay you to sit on your arse all day!' Mr. Beaumont bellowed. David ran towards the car in time to see Mrs. Beaumont's rear emerging unsteadily. He was unsure whether to grapple with the cases or try to help Mrs. Beaumont.
'Forget her, get the luggage for chrissakes!' roared the beast. David grabbed the bags and swayed towards the villa, glancing over his shoulder to see Mrs. Beaumont fall backwards into the bushes with a cry. He hurried on, not wishing to witness more of her humiliation.
After dinner, he approached them sitting by the pool. 'May I serve you a drink, Mrs. Beaumont?'
'Give her water, she's had enough booze on the 'plane to last her a month. Get me a scotch on the rocks and get a move on!'
The beast had spoken. Mrs. Beaumont's expression was stoney, but David admired her self-restraint in remaining silent. However, there was no mistaking her feelings. She had the air of a woman who was ground underfoot constantly, but was close to unleashing thirty years of ire very soon.
David scuttled off to fetch the drinks as Mr. Beaumont stretched his legs and strolled over to admire the view. Rosa and David both rolled their eyes to the sky as they prepared the drinks. David walked briskly back to deliver them and suddenly stopped in his tracks. Mrs. Beaumont's eyes were shining as she gestured to the railings.
'Well, David, you'd better chuck the scotch over there. Mr. Beaumont, like our marriage, is on the rocks.'