Later that afternoon

The five vacationers returned to their beach-house, showered and got ready for their evening.

Helen had changed into a light floral summer-dress and sandal shoes with a modest heel. As she applied her make-up in the bedroom mirror, she felt some slight nervousness about the evening ahead. She was a high-school English teacher, and her husband was an accountant, so they were reasonably well off, but they certainly weren’t billionaires! She worried that she might find it hard to relax in their company.

She doubted that the Graves’ would feel any such trepidation. Kent’s old school-friend Richard had various business dealings and seemed to be involved in various money-making schemes. Some of it sounded shady to Helen but Kent assured her that his friend was on the level. Amanda, Richard’s wife, used to work as a model, but was semi-retired now. Her age made it harder to find work, she said. Helen often wondered how she filled her days, but Amanda told her not to worry – she had plenty of ‘hobbies’ to keep her busy.

Richard and Amanda had always been more outgoing than the Walkers, and she was sure they felt no hesitation about spending the evening with people who were so far above their tax bracket. Richard was full of swagger (and bullshit, thought Helen), so he would never show any nerves, even if he felt them.

Anyway, the evening would be good for Stacy. She was studying History at college and working various small jobs, and it would be fun for her to experience a bit of luxury and meet new people. Maybe the Varkos had a son? But something about the couple made her feel that was unlikely.

Deciding she was ready, and noting that it was almost 8pm, Helen went to the lounge area to find the rest of the group sitting around and waiting. Kent and Richard were wearing loose pants and shirts, open at the neck. Helen was not surprised to see that Amanda had decided to wear a tight-fitting red mini-dress that displayed most of her toned legs and pushed her large breasts up into an impressive cleavage. She wore a pair of open-toed red high heels that added several inches to her height. She had also applied more make-up than Helen, obviously looking to make much more of an impression.

Helen smiled to see that her daughter had gone for a similar look to her own – a light, sleeveless summer dress. It was shorter than Helen’s and showed more of her legs, but was significantly longer than Amanda’s!

Richard stood near the bar. “Anyone fancy a drink while we wait for our carriage to arrive?”

Before anyone couple reply, the doorbell rang. Helen glanced at the clock and saw that it was 8pm exactly. The Vorkovs’ driver was certainly punctual!

Kent opened the front door and a huge hulk of a man was standing on their porch. He wore an exquisitely tailored suit that did nothing to conceal the hugely muscular frame beneath it. His head was completely shaved, and his face was almost handsome, but somehow too brutish. Helen was sure that face had seen some military action. The man made a formal bow. “I am Zoltan, the Varkos' driver.” He spoke in a thick accent but had a surprisingly soft voice. “I have come to collect you.”

Richard smiled. “Yes, just give us a moment to grab our things.”

Zoltan nodded, then turned his back and walked to the gleaming black limousine that was parked in the drive.

There was a charge of excitement in the group as they enjoyed the luxurious ride along the coast road towards the rocky cliffs where the Varkos' house perched. The sun had gone down and the evening sky was a deep, inky purple, with the first stars and planets beginning to show. The limo’s air-conditioning kept the interior pleasantly cool, but Helen knew the air outside was warm and humid. She was filled with anticipation for what the evening might hold in store for them…