Page 48 of The Summer Island Swap
‘It all sounds like a big ask – but I’m sure it can be done,’ I added hastily. I sat more upright and studied this family man with such a big heart.
Sincere. Earnest. Driven by admirable qualities.
It’s not what I expected. Not from someone with his looks and charm.
And that felt… uncomfortable.
‘I’ve not got anything planned for tomorrow afternoon. Why don’t you, me and Jackie have a brainstorming session and really revolutionise that website?’ I said, wanting to help and loving a challenge. Prue rarely involved me with troubleshooting the big problems at Best Travel. I’d been really excited, once, when she’d asked me to help her reassess the publications we advertised in. I researched and showed her how we could target potential guests online as well. She took on some of my ideas, passing them off as her own. ‘It’s getting late now. I’ll bring a fresh pair of eyes over with me, tomorrow after lunch.’
‘You’d really do that?’
‘Of course.’
His face brightened. ‘Great. Jackie won’t make it as she’s taking a group on that boat trip we advertised in the canteen. Malik could go instead but she deserves a break.’
‘Your brother… Will the argument pass?’
His lips pinched. ‘No. The disagreements between us are ongoing and have been getting worse over the last twelve months. I try to remind myself he’s under a lot of pressure too. We both worry about Mum and Dad. They should be thinking about retiring now instead of seeing their life’s work, as well as Margot’s, go down the drain.’
To change the subject away from his own family, he asked about mine. I told him I knew what it was like to have rifts, explaining a little about Dad. How difficult things had been when Mum died, without going into detail about how I’d had no choice but to leave home when I was eighteen. The detail would have meant talking about the terrible thing Dad said to me as I left. His accusation that made had me staring into the darkness, at night, for weeks.
We talked about Rick’s old job in the oil industry. How he’d ended up using his degree to work in an office, something that had never been part of his dreams.
Rick was easy to talk to and quietly sympathetic. A good listener to boot. I ended up telling him more than I usually would to someone I’d only known for a week.
Perhaps it was because I was cocooned on a tropical island, away from reality.
Or maybe it’s because you and Rick are a perfect fit, said a voice in my head that I immediately quashed.
Eventually we sat in silence again, on the sofa facing the back of the property, with the pool and Tiki-style beach huts. It looked like the front of a postcard one might send from a luxury holiday. I imagined the place with Rick’s relatives milling around, the bar open, people in the pool, dance music playing.
It was a full moon tonight, creamy white and majestic – and thoroughly romantic.
Talking about my childhood. Rick talking about his. This connection, whatever it was, between us felt stronger than ever…
Perhaps that’s why I did it.
Rick turned to pick up the glasses. I turned at the same time. Our faces came into close proximity. I breathed in a faint musky smell. I’d noticed it the other day. It offered a strange contradiction – that someone so down-to-earth would bother with aftershave. The urge overtook me. I leant forward and pressed my lips firmly against his.
His body stiffened briefly then his lips parted. Suddenly the air-conditioned room felt as hot and humid as outside. Forget the moon – in front of my closed eyes hundreds of stars sparkled as my nerve-endings fizzed. A fluttering noise brought me back to reality and we pulled apart.
Just over his shoulder a shadow swooped and almost hit his head. I yelped and jumped backwards. Rick scanned the room and bellowed with laughter.
‘It’s just a bat. That happens sometimes.’
What on earth had I just done?
‘Sorry about… I don’t know what I was thinking…’
‘I’m irresistible, right?’ Rick beamed. ‘No need to apologise. I rather enjoyed it.’
That heartbreaking smile. There was no other word for it. I gave a nervous laugh.
‘I must be dehydrated,’ I said. ‘Delirious, in fact.’
‘You’ve just had a very refreshing, long drink,’ he said, clearly enjoying my discomfort. ‘I never knew coke and milk was an aphrodisiac.’
I got to my feet. Pronto. ‘Right. Better go. Amy will wonder where I am. I’ll see you here after lunch then?’
