In the morning she awoke early with excitement and spent the whole afternoon shopping for a new dress. She wandered the streets for another couple of hours then made her way to the White Lotus Hotel by the waterfront. The lobby was warm and polished and smelled of a sweet fragrance she could not identify. Bellboys in purple jackets busied themselves with suitcases and tickets.

 ‘I am looking for Mr Somchai,’ she said to the receptionist.

The woman looked at her in a disapproving manner.

‘Do you have a reservation?’

‘He’s my partner.’

The woman gave a knowing smile and looked on the computer.

Nobody of that name registered here,’ she said coldly.

Then she turned to the next person in the queue. ‘May I help you madam?’

Jessie got jostled out of the way and she rejoined the back of the queue. The next receptionist was a little more patient, and she managed to find Mr Somchai on the computer. She passed the phone to Jessie. It buzzed and buzzed but there was no answer.

‘He was expecting you.’ said the lady ‘he has registered you and left you a key.’

Jessie could have danced with relief. The bellboy picked up her bag and they got into the lift. The room was enormous on one of the top floors with a stunning view of the waterfront and temples. There were flowers in the bed. She saw a note from Tom telling her that he had gone to a business meeting in the Bay Leaf Hotel. He told her to catch the Sky train to the nearest station and meet him there. They would go for dinner. She showered and put on fresh make up and her new dress. Everybody’s heads turned as she walked out of the lift. She saw the snooty receptionist shooting her evil glances, but she smiled back as she glided down the stairs.

She got on the train and asked someone to tell her when they got to the Bay Leaf Hotel. She was disorientated and began to panic a little. The lady next to her asked if she was alright.

‘Yes I am meeting someone.’ She said.