Third Time Lucky?

The Alibaug trip has not been scrapped entirely (ref post of January 7). A third and final bid to this scenic resort town off-Mumbai coast is being made by the ladies of the Club for January 20 and 21, failing which the trip will be abandoned.
A decision to this effect was taken today morning and as proof of

Briefing for members of the all-women's group to Alibaug 

their commitment and will power, the ladies have paid a 50 per cent advance for booking a holiday home for the two days. In case they fail to show up, the advance shall be forfeited.
The Alibaug trip, which has become somewhat of a life-time mission for the ladies, has already suffered two setbacks. The first time it was the Bharat Bandh (ref post of January 8) and on the second attempt, it was plain bad planning (ref post of January 10) that left them high and dry.
This time around, by way of abundant caution, a firm booking has been made and that too, a clear one week in advance. Furthermore, instead of a hotel or resort, they have gone for what seems like a ‘home stay’ in a private cottage by the beach.
Consequently the place does not come with the trappings of a luxury hotel, but offers standard rooms with twin-sharing facility, badminton court, room service, etc. A kitchen with in-house help would be available for cooking (should anyone choose to)… all this for less than half the price of what the ladies had earlier settled with a hotel. Going by positive reviews on travel sites and given that this is just for a one-night stay, surely, they could not have bargained for more.

Bihari Milwani:
At last, Bhaswati has done a surgical strike. She will be hijacking the ladies of the club and keeping them in a cottage!