Privacy Optional

Mackenzie stepped into her room. Everything looked normal, actually a lot better than she expected given the price. The room had everything a hotel room normally did, and true to their word, her luggage was already waiting for her beside the bed.

So just the lock, she thought to herself. I can live with that. She picked up the brochure on the dresser, sat and started looking through the events schedule for the trip and activities.

A few minutes passed before she was startled by the sound of the sliding door to the bathroom opening and a small voice saying 'Hello'

Jumping up from the bed and turning around, Mackenzie was startled to see a young boy standing in the doorway.

"Why are you in our room?", the boy asked. He was interrupted by a middle aged woman taking hold of his hand and dragging him back into the bathroom.

"That's not our room, that's someone else's", she explained as she led him back.

Mackenzie cautiously approached the open door. As she looked into the bathroom for the first time she saw, in the opposite wall, a door like her own, opening into a much larger set of rooms.

Stepping through her doorway, she politely called out, "umm hi?"

A large blonde woman appeared in the doorway opposite her.

"I'm sorry about that", she said with a slightly worn smile. "He likes to explore"

"What's going on?", Mackenzie asked.

"Well it seems these rooms are normally a dual suite", the woman explained. "For a family with an older child, or other relative. I'm sorry if we startled you"

The woman motioned Mackenzie forward and she stepped through until she could see into the other room. Inside, a middle aged man in glasses struggled with cases trying to unpack. The small blonde boy had run over to 'help'. A younger girl ran up as Mackenzie looked around and latched onto the woman's leg.

"I'm Rachel", the woman stated offering her hand, which Mackenzie shook. "You've already met our 8yo adventurer, Duncan, this little one is Casey, she's three and still a little shy. Over there is my husband John"

Hearing his name John turned his head, half distracted,"Hey", and did a double take at the shapely young redhead in her jeans and figure hugging tank top,"ya.. good to meet you".

"Anyway", Rachel said, rolling her eyes at Johns reaction."sorry again for the interruption. Both doors have locks on them, so we should manage to not bother each other too much. Enjoy your trip"

"You too", Mackenzie replied automatically as she backed herself through the bathroom and into her own room.

Shutting the door again, she made doubly sure it was locked.

Ok, she thought to herself. Faulty lock and a shared bathroom. No wonder the deal was so good

Trying not to let it get her down, she focused on her next move.