Many moons ago, so many that memory plays with details, a somewhat peculiar couple appeared. Unexpected visit, banknotes and machine guns in Más Torrencito
It was a sunny, calm day, like almost all of them in Más Torrencito. The air smelled of fresh fields, and the barking of the dogs mingled with the murmur of the wind that caressed the branches of the nearby olive trees.
Back then, Más Torrencito had no gates or fences. It was an open space, a refuge where time seemed to stand still. Everyone who came here found some peace, a corner to breathe. And nothing had ever happened to break that calm… until that day.
They appeared without warning, crossing the gravel road with a firm but relaxed step. From the first moment, something about them caught my attention. Perhaps their clothes were too neat for a walk in the countryside, or the way they stopped to look, as if every detail had a hidden meaning.
– Good morning…
– Good morning – I answered, trying to decipher his intentions.
– Look, we were in the area and had heard about this place. We were curious.
– Ahhh, very well then. Follow me, I’ll show you.
His words were simple, but there was something in his tone. Something I could not identify. We began the tour, and although their conversation was normal, their looks were anything but casual.
An Unusual Tour
I took them around the house, showing them every corner as I used to do with any visitor. The living rooms, the bar, the dining room… Places that exuded warmth, full of small details that spoke of past histories. They observed everything carefully, stopping in every corner, in every picture, as if they were looking for something beyond what I could offer.
– How nice!
– What a charming place this is!
– Can dogs be brought in?
The question made me smile. At that moment, there were at least six or eight dogs walking around the house, some snoozing in the sun and others sniffing new scents. I responded with a small laugh:
– Of course they are. Dogs are part of the family here.
They nodded enthusiastically. It was a small but significant gesture. They looked at each other with obvious complicity, as if my answer had confirmed something they already expected.
We kept walking, and each step seemed to increase his fascination. Not only for the place, but for the atmosphere. The light coming through the windows, the creaking of the wood under our feet, the murmur of the breeze… Everything seemed to intoxicate them. But behind their apparent admiration, something in their way of observing made me think that they were not there just out of curiosity.
The Proposal. Unexpected visit, tickets and machine guns in Más Torrencito.
When we finished the tour, I offered them something to drink, as was customary.
– Would you like to have a drink?
The woman smiled first.
– Yes, a few beers would be great.
I went to get the beers and we sat on the terrace. It was one of those perfect days when the sun caresses rather than burns, and the breeze brings with it the smell of freshly cut grass. Manuela, my Golden Retriever, settled in next to me, as she always did, while the other dogs spread out between the patio and the living rooms.
They took a sip of their beers, and then the man broke the silence with a direct question:
– Hey, and are they open daily?
– Well, yes, we usually are, although it depends on the season – I answered.
They looked at each other again, exchanging those glances that only those who do not need words to understand each other share. Then came the next question:
– And what dates are you closing?
The question puzzled me a little. Not because of its content, but because of the way they asked it, as if they were evaluating something.
– We close very seldom, maybe on some specific dates. But we always give notice in advance.
They nodded slowly, as if taking mental note of everything he was telling them. Then, after a brief silence, they blurted out the proposal.
– We would like to rent the whole house this winter. A couple of days or maybe a week. We want to come with some friends to celebrate a birthday.
A birthday. I thought, «What a birthday…» But it wasn’t such a strange thing. As long as they followed the rules and paid, everything would be fine.
The Kitchen and the First Shock
When everything seemed to be going smoothly, the question that made me frown came:
– Could we use the kitchen?
Not here. That was one of the few unbreakable rules. The kitchen was the exclusive territory of the team.
– No, I’m sorry. We don’t allow that to anyone.
He did not seem surprised. In fact, his reaction was almost immediate, as if he already had a response ready.
– Don’t worry. We will bring a cook and a helper. They will take care of everything. Besides, they’ll make it spotless, like new. I promise.
He said it so confidently that, after a moment’s thought, I decided to give in.
– Well, if that is the case and they comply with everything, there would be no problem.
– Perfect! – he said, with a smile that, for some reason, left me more uneasy than relieved.
Moment of Truth. Unexpected visit, tickets and machine guns in Más Torrencito.
– And for what dates would it be? I asked.
After a brief consultation with their eyes, they answered:
– October, from 13 to 16.
I mentally checked my calendar. It was right after the long weekend. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. A perfect combination. Everything seemed to fit.
– Great. No problem.
And that’s when the unexpected happened. Without warning, the man reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills. But not just any wad. They were 500 and 200 euro bills, stacked with a naturalness that left me speechless.
– Well, how much would it be?
I tried to keep my composure.
– Well… I don’t know. Let me have 500 euros on account and we’ll close it. But I need to know how many people would be, how many dogs… you know, the usual.
He nodded and began counting the bills, with an almost theatrical calmness.
– Oh, it will be two couples and a puppy. Oh, and the service. And, of course, security.
The Revelation that Changed Everything
I was paralyzed.
– How…? Huh? – I blurted out, unable to hide my surprise.
– Yeah, the security people. You know, a couple of people to make sure everything is quiet. They’re discreet, don’t worry.
I tried to digest it. Security. Service. Cook. Everything for a birthday. Ten people, maybe eleven. Something didn’t add up. But, as long as they paid…
To be continued…
Tomorrow I’ll tell you what happens when the mysterious visitors return to organize their «birthday». 😊
From Mas Torrencito we wish you a good day and that your dog accompanies you !!!!
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If you want, you can see our vouchers for weekends, retirees vouchers, at an incredible price…go to www.mastorrencito.com or if you want you can read more history and anecdotes that have happened to us in Mas Torrencito… Click here:
