The hotel lobby was busy with people coming and going, checking in and out, talking with the concierge, and booking tours. Bevis knew she would be in heaven if it was a week of this. Rest and relaxation were precisely what she needed. The group they sat with on the plane was also the group they would be spending the week with, it was a little strange, but since it was free, she wasn't complaining. The group's name was called, and they all walked toward a separate table, greeted by a smartly dressed woman with professionally done makeup and a crisp navy pantsuit and white blouse. They were directed where to go, what to do and when meals would be for the night. Filing forward, Bevis waited as they were checked in, surprised that their names were already on the list. The woman behind the desk seemed surprised it was two women but smiled at them, giving them name tags. If she was asked what kind of a trip this was, Bevis wouldn't have been able to say, but she hoped it wasn't some intimate couple retreat. They were directed to where eats and drinks were being served in the auditorium, and small clusters of tables and chairs sprinkled the room.

"Are you beginning to feel like we've come to a convention?" Bevis whispered, helping herself to a plate of snacks and scooping up a chilled glass of champagne.

"It does have that feel," Chelsea said, looking around the room, its wooden panelled walls hung with gauze curtains and tied in the middle with a plaited tieback, "we're the only female pair here, and some of the other couples are getting a little ... handsy."

"Yeah, I noticed that in the plane," Bevis said, "I'm just hoping we don't have to do anything weird."

"I'm there with you as well," Chelsea said, "but this is nice ... we can be in the moment ... enjoy the food and drink and ...perhaps roll with the punches?"

"Much needed food and drink ... I'm not good with punch rolling, but I'll try it. It amazes me how much alcohol people can consume. I'm not sure how others are doing this with all the alcohol consumed on the flight," Bevis said, frowning, "what do we do now?"

"I think ..." Chelsea said, looking at the itinerary, "we are going to meet the trip organisers and get gift parcels, huh .. that would be nice."

"That sounds interesting," Bevis said, "and then?"

"We'll be getting our itinerary for tomorrow, and then we can find our rooms," Chelsea said, "looks like dinner is at seven, then we are requested to have an early night."

"Well, I'll be happy to do that," Bevis said, "after the last few weeks ..." she sighed, "what I wouldn't do for a little downtime where I don't need to worry about anything."

"It has been rough with Brad being difficult and judgy." Chelsea said, "... at least this week will be without him being anywhere around."

"That would be good," Bevis smiled, "oh, looks like something is happening."

They turned toward the stage, where a few newcomers were congregating on a raised section near the entrance. A long table with many gift bags stood nearby. The group started to walk toward the platform. A tall man in black jeans and a grey dress shirt unhooked a microphone and turned toward the assembling crowd greeting them jovially.

"Glad you could all make it," he said, his voice booming into the space around them, "my name is Jason. I head up the adventure we're about to embark on, and I'm here to take you through the next steps."

"Did he say adventure?" Bevis whispered.

Silently Chelsea nodded.

They listened in silence as Jason explained what was expected, the rules of the next few days and then called out a few names asking them to go to one side, leaving the others where they were. When this was done, his attention was caught by an assistant. Bevis felt foreboding when he looked directly at Chelsea and herself before nodding, quietly talking to the assistant and then turning back to the waiting group.

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"The names I called will be under the charge of one of our tour guides. You will be reporting directly to him," he said, looking at the gathered crowd on the side, "he is not here at the moment but will be with us when we kick off," turning to the rest of the group, he continued, "the rest of you will be in the group that fall under my charge. You have a few moments to get to know your group and meet each other before receiving your gift bags and finding your rooms. Dinner is at seven ... please note the kitchen closes at nine, so don't be late," he looked around, "any questions?"

A low hum rose, followed by headshakes before silence fell.

"Let's chat for the next ten minutes and make your way upstairs," Jason said, putting the microphone back on the stand and chatting again with the assistant holding the clipboard.

"Let's get to know our group," Chelsea said, grabbing Bevis' arm and pulling her along.

Bevis went through the motions in a mist of anxiety. The way things were going, something about this week felt like something other than a rest and recuperation event. The chatter was kept to general getting-to-know-you information before they were handed gift bags and left to find their rooms. Waiting at the lift, Bevis watched the crowds. She almost felt like Brad may pop out of thin air just to taunt her about what her gut churned over.

"Please don't be what it seems to be," Bevis whispered, "please be something completely different."

"It will be completely different," Chelsea said, picking up Bevis' last words, "this week will be different from the boring rut of our lives we've been in. It will be nice to try something a little different."

"I'm worried it's going to be totally different," Bevis said, stepping into the lift, "something tells me that organiser guy may know Brad and if that is true ... what kind of a trip do you think we're going on?"

"How can he know Brad?" Chelsea frowned, "I think this break will be good for you. Get you thinking about something else other than the all-consuming Brad."

Bevis sighed, "Maybe you're right. Let's get upstairs and see what we have in these gift bags."

Jason watched the two women leave the room. Closing his eyes, he sighed. This week was going to be challenging.

What was she doing here?

Why was she here?

Was it to prove something or sabotage this trip?

Did she know what this trip was all about?

Pulling out his phone, he dialled a number, "Tell me you're still coming on this trip?"

He listened before his shoulders relaxed, "Oh, there have been changes starting with you taking the more experienced group..." he paused, listening again, "Oh, yeah, there is a reason, one that you may find astounding, but I'm not telling you over the phone. Make sure you're here at six tomorrow morning for kick-off," he paused before continuing, "I'll tell you all about it when you get here."

Cancelling the call, he rubbed his hands over his face hoping to rid himself of the feeling of impending doom.

"Everything okay, Jason?" his assistant asked.

"Yeah, I'm just wondering how I'm going to get through the next week with all these lovebirds," he sighed, "my own brother bailed on me, and then I discovered the replacement is none other than my partner's ex ..." he sighed, shaking his head, "sorry Candy, didn't mean to off-load, nice catch by the way."

"I didn't realise who she was until I saw her with her friend," Candy said, shaking her head, "I thought she didn't like this kind of thing."

"I don't think she does," Jason said, frowning, "there is no way I could have taken the advanced group ..." Jason grinned, "there would have been a murder?"

Candy returned his grin, "Maybe this is a good thing."

"How so?" Jason asked, frowning.

"Well, if I understand correctly from complaints we received from coworkers," Candy said, "one party is an overbearing ass, and from what we've heard from the overbearing ass, the other party is not into anything close to the word you used ... adventure."

"Hmmm, there may still be a murder," Jason said, "what do you want to bet there will be one before the week is out?"

"Oh, that is mean ... and I love it," Candy said, "what do you want to bet?"