Page 16 of The Island of Hopes and Dreams

Over the next twenty minutes, people drifted to the table, and freshly toasted breakfast paninis with spicy calabrese salami, pecorino and cooling red peppers were put in front of them. Lola paid particular attention to Freddie and Zoe, noting how they sat as far away from Rhys as possible, whispering together, with Zoe constantly touching Freddie. Annoyance tugged at her heart on Rhys’s behalf at the uncomfortable situation they’d put him in.

It wasn’t only Deni who’d noticed their absence the night before; Gareth seemed a little put out and avoided looking at her throughout breakfast. She imagined with Gareth’s confidence and flirty nature he was rather annoyed that his friend had managed to pull her. She hoped that Rhys was feeling buoyed by their love pact.

At least with a table full of big characters, there was little time for regret. The conversation was hijacked by Sarah and Gareth, both as confidently loud as each other. Freddie and Deni weren’t shy either. Zoe was definitely the quieter half of the couple, but perhaps that had something to do with her ex and her current boyfriend sitting at the same table. Lola wondered if she’d noticed her and Rhys’s absence last night, but with Deni’s comments in front of two of Rhys’s friends, she was certain Zoe would hear about it soon enough.Good, she thought as she bit into her panini and focused on the itinerary that had been handed around.

Today they were being taken to one of the most famous beaches on the Costa Smeralda before having dinner back at their villas. There was an overnight trip to the west side of the island the day after, plus meals out and evening get-togethers planned. There were opportunities to explore or relax, whatever they fancied. It was a gift to spend time with her friends on a beautiful island, because life would be different when she headed home. She’d return to London and the job she loved, but there would be a Mirabel-sized hole in her life.

She snatched a look at Rhys sipping his coffee while Barnaby and Freddie were relaying a tale about a disastrous trip to Snowdonia. Despite feeling as if she was balancing on a tightrope when it came to her worries while having to keep up the charade of seeming to be okay, she was determined to enjoy this time away from real life.

* * *

Cala Brandinchi was busy even in September, its narrow strip of white sand dotted with colourful towels and umbrellas. As they strolled towards the centre of the beach, Lola’s focus was less on the influx of people and more on the expanse of shallow sea that seemed to stretch to the horizon, rippling turquoise and coral.

When they reached the rows of umbrellas and sun loungers towards the centre of the beach, Deni made a point of plonking herself on a lounger one along from Rhys’s while raising her eyebrows and motioning for Lola to sit on the free one next to him. Despite wanting to roll her eyes at her friend’s lack of subtlety, it made her smile, and actually she had no problem camping out next to Rhys. She sensed his relief when Freddie and Zoe chose a spot at the furthest end of the group.

When Barnaby, on Rhys’s other side, strolled to the water and Deni lay back with her earphones in, Lola shifted on her lounger to face Rhys.

She raised an eyebrow. ‘You doing okay?’

‘Yeah, it’s been a good day so far.’ He ran a hand through his hair, while his eyes remained fixed on her face rather than her bikini-clad body. ‘Barnaby is mighty impressed that I managed to pull you.’

‘See, I said us disappearing would kick-start gossip.’

Rhys leaned closer. ‘After breakfast, Gareth said “you and Lola?” and raised his eyebrows. I’m not sure if I should feel hurt that he thinks I’m punching above my weight or smug that he seemed to believe something had happened.’

His cheeks turned an adorable pink at those last words. In the shaft of sunlight between their umbrellas, his eyes were the colour of the sky. He wasn’t gym-buff like Freddie or Gareth, but he was trim, his tall frame toned and carrying more defined muscle than she’d been expecting, particularly his arms and shoulders.

‘Has it worked, getting your friends off your back?’

Lola wrinkled her nose. ‘To some extent, yes, but Deni is like a dog with a bone now and will be ensuring we have as much time together as possible. She’s the reason why we’re sitting next to each other now. Not that I mind at all,’ she said quickly. ‘I was just trying to play it cool, you know, teasing out that awkwardness of the night before, helping to stoke the flames about what anyone thinks happened.’

‘We let them wonder, eh?’

‘Why not have fun with it.’ Lola snuggled back on the sun lounger. She trailed her fingers through the warm grains of sand between them. ‘At least Gareth’s attention is off me now.’

Rhys nodded, but looked as if he was debating whether to say something.

‘Because I don’t want that sort of attention,’ she pressed on. ‘Flirting’s all well and good, but I’m not up for it right now. All I want is time for myself, with my friends, while getting to know new people – like you’ – she flashed him a smile – ‘without the complication of who fancies who or friends trying to hook me up with whichever bloke they think is the hottest. Our pretence is perfect for removing all of that while we hopefully become friends.’

‘I like that sentiment a lot.’

Lola rested back again and stretched out. She was only half in the shade, and her tanned skin glistened in the sun. Even with so many people littering the beach, the dazzling water lapping the sand just a few steps away was utter bliss. She should close her eyes and soak up the warmth and the rhythmic sound of the sea bubbling back and forth, but instead she turned to Rhys.

‘I know you said last night that you’re comfortable teaching kids and only think of your woodwork as a hobby, but do you actually like being a teacher?’

‘I used to love it. Actually, that’s unfair, I still do love parts of it – working with the kids is the best – but I’m worn out. Personal stuff has taken its toll. That’s why I’m taking a sabbatical. I need to, oh, I don’t know, recharge, get re-motivated. Do something for myself, otherwise I’m doing the kids a disservice.’

‘What year do you teach?’

‘Currently, year five, so nine- and ten-year-olds who are astute and pick up on moods. It’s not something I’m comfortable hiding when it’s exhausting to constantly put on a brave face, to try to pretend I’m okay and hold it together.’ He glanced at her. ‘I’ve had some mental health struggles this past year.’

‘I’m so sorry. That must have been really tough.’ Lola nodded. ‘I understand about trying to hold it together because I feel like I need to perform when I’m around my friends, particularly those who know me well. It’s easier with my job to be sociable and upbeat around strangers – I have to do that whether I’m in the mood or not, going to music biz events because I’ve got an artist invited and I’m the visible PR person for the label.’

‘Sounds intense and a hell of a lot harder than teaching a classroom of kids.’

‘Oh, I don’t know about that. The idea of standing up in front of thirty kids and trying to control them, let alone teach them anything, would terrify me.’ One of the bar staff arrived with her Aperol spritz and she sipped it, thinking how decadent it was to be drinking a cocktail on a weekday afternoon on a Sardinian beach. ‘Apart from the woodworking stuff, what else are you planning on doing on your sabbatical?’

‘I’m starting off by travelling round Europe. Getting away is my priority?—’

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