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My hotel room had a view of the sea. The room was small but clean and had been recently decorated. From my balcony I could see the large swimming pool in the tropical gardens, and beyond the gardens: a long golden beach and turquoise sea. People were swimming and sunbathing, chatting and laughing. Some were reading books or dozing on the sun loungers around the pool. I put on my swimming costume, picked up my sunglasses, towel, and mobile phone, and took the elevator down to the pool area.
The sun was low in the sky as it was almost six o'clock, and there were long shadows across the garden and pool. The breeze from the sea was warm, gentle and refreshing, and colourful birds sang happily in the trees above. The time was now exactly 5.59pm. I dived into the pool and swam out into the middle. The water was cool but pleasant on my skin, I floated on my back with only my face above the surface of the water. The sky was beginning to change colour as the sun fell towards the horizon, life was good, life was perfect, it couldn't be better. My watch showed the time as 5.59pm and fifty-nine seconds.
Suddenly, there was a violent explosion and everyone started screaming with shock and surprise. I looked round and saw the next hotel was on fire and people were running everywhere or lying down, covered with blood. The bomb had exploded at exactly 6pm. Then I heard a shout, 'The President is dead! Someone has killed the President! He is dead. Our president is dead.' I could hear the sound of Police sirens coming through the streets. I could hear the sound of people screaming or crying.
I stepped out of the swimming pool and walked slowly over to the table where I had put my mobile phone. I sat down on a plastic chair and slowly dried myself with my towel. All around me, people were running and shouting in panic. I picked up my phone and dialled a number. 'It is done, the President is dead. Is the two million dollars in my account?' I asked. 'Yes', a voice replied, 'the money has been sent to your Swiss bank account. It was good doing business with you again.' I took the elevator back to my room, packed my suitcase and took a taxi to the airport. I had another country to visit, another job to do.
Adjectives
tropical:
From, or in, the hottest parts of the world.
turquoise
(colour): Greenish-blue.
refreshing:
Making you feel less tired or hot.
pleasant:
Nice, making you feel happy.
perfect:
Cannot be better.
violent
(action): Can hurt people.
Nouns
a view
(sight): What you are able to see from where you are.
a sun lounger:
A bed for people to relax on in the sun, often next to a swimming pool.
a shadow:
A dark shape behind something that is in a strong light.
a breeze:
A weak wind.
a surface
(water/land): The top or outside layer of water or land.
the horizon:
Where the sky meets the sea or land, in the distance.
an explosion:
A loud noise and powerful force that bursts out, breaking things.
shock:
A very big surprise that stops you from thinking properly.
blood:
The red liquid that your heart moves around your body.
a bomb:
A weapon made to hurt people by exploding.
a siren:
The machine that makes a loud noise on a Police car, fire engine, or
ambulance.
panic:
When you cannot think clearly because you are suddenly scared or
greatly surprised.
Prepositions
beyond:
On the further side of something. Behind.
towards:
In the direction of something.