Marx Girl

“You have some smoking-hot friends.” Ethan winks.

I smirk. “Of course, you would notice that.”

They look at each other. “Buzz is crazy jealous of any guy in any of your photos. He’s raging and shit.”

“Why do you call him Buzz?” I frown.

“You know? Buzz Lightyear.”

I laugh. “Yes, but why?”

“Because he’s a stickler for policies and procedures. Everything has to be done right and by the book. He likes things done a certain way. The most straight-up man you’ll ever meet.”

I smile as I glance over at him. He does like things done a certain way.

Hmm, I don’t know why, but I kind of like the idea that he was watching me from afar. “I’m going to go and sleep with my goody-two-shoes Buzz Lightyear.” I smile, get up, and walk back up the aisle to sit down next to my man. I pick up the blanket and cover us both, and then I softly kiss his cheek.

“Sleep sweetly, my Buzz,” I whisper as I put my head on his shoulder and snuggle into him. “Sleep sweetly.”

The car pulls into the driveway of Kamala and the boys all frown when they see the house. The large lawn is at street level, but it drops off to a cliff at the back of the property. Cobblestones line the driveway, which winds its way through a tropical oasis. We drive past a waterfall, through the gardens, to the circular bay. The main house is in front of us, with driveways to the other two houses veering off to the side.

“You’re kidding me, right?” Ethan whispers, wide-eyed. “This is his fucking holiday house?”

I smile and nod. “Uh-huh. I remember when I first saw it; I was pretty awestruck, too.”

“So, this is your sister’s house?” Jed frowns.

“This is their holiday house.” I shrug. “Houses, actually. There are four houses on the property.”

“How often do they come here?”

“They spend a couple of months a year here. We all do, really. Very lucky.” I smile, embarrassed.

“When were you here last, Ben?” I ask.

“I was here with Cam and Adrian a couple of months ago,” he replies.

Huh? I frown. I didn’t know that. Hmm, I’ll have to ask about that one later. Why didn’t Adrian tell me about that?

What does he know that he hasn’t let on?

That reminds me, I need to call him later. I haven’t spoken to him in a week or two, and he would only have my old phone number.

The six Thai caretakers, all in traditional dress, line up to greet us in the front garden and simultaneously put their hands up as if to pray, and bow their heads. There are two female cleaners, two gardeners, and one amazing chef and his assistant. They look after the extensive property and cars full- time, and they cook for guests when they come.

“Sawas Dee Krab,” they all chant.

Ben and I follow suit with our hands and bow. “Sawas Dee Krab.” We both smile. The boys all exchange looks, as if not believing this place. I remember I was the same. They quickly nod, realising that they missed the greeting thing.

“Miss Bridget.” Anya smiles as she hugs me. She’s my absolute favourite thing in Thailand. We’ve formed a bond, and I send her things from home when I can. She and I hold hands as Ben goes through and introduces the boys, and then we make our way into the main entrance. High, carved- timber cathedral ceilings adorn the large room. The walls are a rendered cream colour, and there are dark timber floors throughout. A wall of glass looks out to sea over the massive infinity pool, and the backyards of the four properties are fenced individually for privacy. An island in the middle of the pool has a circular cabana, a thatched roof, and lounge chairs are surrounding a firepit. It’s been remodelled. Joshua added an extra three bedrooms onto the upstairs of each house. He wanted it big enough to accommodate everyone, even when we all have kids. It seems even grander now, if that’s even possible.

“You guys are staying in the end house.” Ben gestures up the stone path, and we all walk through the exotic gardens until we get there. The house is large and open. Everything is white and airy, with every modern convenience known to man. The back wall is all glass, looking out over the pool, with a view of the ocean.

“Holy shit, this is fucking amazing,” Ethan whispers in wonder as he looks up at the high ceilings. Matt does a low whistle as he looks around. “Nice.” He smiles broadly at the others.

Televisions are fixed to the walls of this house. The screens are divided into four squares, and security vision of the property is constantly flicking through on different takes. This is where the security staff stays when the family is here.