The minivan crunches to a stop on the gravel driveway. The engine clicks off, and the warm evening air drifts in—salty, carrying wildflowers.
"Okay everyone, we made it!" announces, opening the door.
The side door slides open and the four women spill out, a little unsteady, a lot giggly.
Kathe: stretching her arms overhead "Oh God, I can already smell the pool. Please tell me someone remembered towels."
Tamara: pulling her bag from the trunk "I packed two. I'm not sharing with you lot after last time someone—cough Kathe—splashed water in my drink."
Kathe: "That was ONE time!"
Jessie: leaning against the van, squinting at the villa "It looks even nicer in person than in the photos. True."
Octavia: already at the terrace edge, gazing at the distant sea glimmering under the fading sky "Oh my god... that view. I could stand here all night."
Tamara: dropping her bag, hands on her hips, turning to with a grin "Alright, boss. We're here. We're relaxed. Now—what was that surprise you were teasing us about earlier today?"