On to Cave Springs.

Bright and early the next morning Keith was up out of bed and getting ready to take Sanjay back to Ashok’s vehicle. He left Virginia sleeping with Anjali in their marital bed and proceeded with finishing the roadside rescue from last night.

An hour or so later, just around 8 thirty that morning, once Virginia had got up, Keith was pulling back into the park-up area of the couple’s rescue station with the pickup and camper behind him. Virginia seated herself at the dining table when Keith and Sanjay came back inside the building.

“How did you go my love?” Anjali asked her husband. She was sitting at the table also, a cup of herbal tea in her hands.

“We got it but Ashok will be quite mad. There are some scratches on the front bumper that were not there before.”

“Oh, I will have to make it up to him,” Anjali said softly but Virginia thought she could see a slight smile on the Indian woman’s face.

“Any trouble getting it out?” Virginia asked Keith as he sat down. She was interested in hearing his professional summary.

“Not too much really. The front tires were in quite deep but not the winch on the old truck couldn’t fix. I think the snows have let up for now. Once the plows have been through the pass there shouldn’t be any trouble for Sanjay and Anjali to drive to Cave Springs.” Turning to look at the other married couple. “Just in case though I think it’s probably best if we all drive up together. Virginia and I will follow behind you in our truck just in case.”

Anjali and Sanjay nodded and it was all set for Cave Springs.

Cave Springs Resort was built as a fully-fledged mountain resort. Away from any nearby ski fields Cave Springs's peak season was through summer when the weather was fine and the resort's lake was alive with children and families screaming and playing water sports. In winter the lake became icy cold and if it wasn’t for the natural hot springs the resort got its name from, the resort would most likely have to temporarily close over winter.

Set back into the side of the mountain, if someone was brave enough to swim across the near subzero water, was a long and winding cave system. As one got closer the temperature of the water started to increase up until you reached the cave mouth. There warm water flowed out from inside. Luke warm to begin with but as you went further into the cave it got warmer and warmer. Small, intimate alcoves branched off from the main passage where couples and small groups liked to play.

At the very end of the cave was a large open cavern where the spring was the hottest. Steaming hot water and vapours cascaded down over the back rockface to catch in a large open reservoir. Here the most adventurous naturists would meet. Groups of up to a dozen would writhe and gyrate in the pool or along the smooth stone ledges against the side walls. A particularly performative couple might even take up pride of place on the raised island at the centre of the grotto, cavorting for all to see.

Pulling up into the parking lot, Virginia and Keith got out of their truck. Parked beside them were Sajay and Anjali. Keith went to get his and Ginny’s bags from the rear of the cabin and Virginia went to help the pregnant Anjali. They’d just collected their things and were about to make their way up the steps to the reception building when a man stepped out from inside. With even needing to hear him speak, Keith guessed here was Ashok.

“Oh, my dear sweet darling! Are you alright?”

Ashok looked like a character from a Bollywood movie. A comedy, not a drama. He had the smallest pair of swim trunks Keith had ever seen, a bright silk shirt open to the belt and a riot of gaudy gold chains hanging down his hairy chest.

Bounding down the stairs, Ashok swept right past the expectant Anjali and ran to his pickup, draping his arms across the bonnet and rubbing it as a lover might. He tutted like a mother hen when he found the damage to the front fender and only then came to talk animatedly to Sanjay in Bengali. Keith could see the adoring admiration on Anjali’s face as she watched her husband be scolded by his rival and friend. It was a face filled with mischief and promiscuity.

Pulling Keith’s hand, Virginia drew Keith away from the trio and into the reception proper. They needed to check in and get the keys to their cabin. They could leave the three to their own devices from here on out.

They were nearly finished at the front desk when another couple they knew came into the foyer. It was Ji-Yeong Boon, the Korean E.N.T doctor and his American wife, Olivia.

“Virginia! Keith! So lovely of you to make it this year. How long has it been?” Olivia said as she kissed each of them in turn.

“’98, I think. Broncos’ season,” Keith said with a broad smile as he gave Ji-Yeong a strong manly embrace.

“Terrell Davis, what a game!” Dr Boon agreed.

“I didn’t know you still came,” Olivia said as she took Virginia's arm in hers as the men talked.

“We weren’t and then we rescued some guests last night.”

Olivia looked out the glass windows where Anjali was now running her hands against Ashok’s chest soothingly.

“Is that Anjali and her husband with Ashok?”

Virginia nodded.

“Mmm. She was quite a sensation last year,” Olivia said cryptically.

“Here are your room keys Mr and Mrs Washington,” the receptionist interrupted before Virginia had the chance to ask Olivia what she meant.

“See you in the cave later?” Ji-Yeong asked pointing his finger at Keith.

“Not if I see you first,” Keith joked back.

It was 3 pm by the time Keith and Virginia had finished unpacking. Keith had ensconced himself in the room toilet. Virginia thought about what she wanted to do that afternoon and evening. Should they strike out soon for an early supper? Should she and Keith enjoy a little bit of their own company in the cabin’s bedroom first? Or should they save their energies for the hot springs later than evening when it gets more crowded?