Page 50 of The Summer Island Swap
‘Benedikt.’ Amy’s mouth twitched. ‘You told me that was at school. You were thirteen and should have moved on by now.’
‘I was voted best singer of the night and won a book voucher,’ he protested before he and Amy dissolved into laughter.
Jonas forced a laugh and looked thoroughly miserable. He couldn’t have noticed how Benedikt had gazed affectionately when he’d ducked under the water, out at sea, and surfaced with a clump of seaweed tangled in his dreadlocks. I wondered if Benedikt had noted how Jonas was the first to arrive at his side when he swallowed seawater and started choking.
Amy and Benedikt got up to help Malik wash up the plates. The volunteers did that at weekends.
‘Volleyball was fun,’ I said to Jonas and delved into my trouser pockets, a small part of me still missing my colourful shorts and tailored halter-neck tops, my cute sandals and Audrey Hepburn sunhat. I pulled out a handful of shells. ‘Isn’t this one gorgeous?’ I passed him a shiny yellow, horn-shaped conch.
He ran a finger over the curves and ridges. ‘This afternoon I’m asking Rick if I can change shacks. Both Alistair and Craig snore. I’m not getting any sleep.’
‘You’ve never mentioned the noise before.’
‘You know me, I’m not a complainer,’ he said and his mouth attempted to quirk upwards.
I reached out to take the conch and my hand lingered on his. ‘It’s Benedikt, isn’t it?’
His eyes glistened. ‘It’s too hard – lying below him each night. Wishing he was next to me. Like during the day when I wish I could hold his hand. I’m sure Rick won’t mind. Not all of the shacks are completely full.’
‘If you just did some digging – casually ask Benedikt about past relationships, I’m sure you’d soon realise that—’
‘No!’ he hissed. ‘I’m not risking being humiliated again, after what happened with Friedrich. And I won’t risk losing Benedikt’s friendship.’
‘Then let me—’
‘You promised.’
Amy came back. ‘What’s everyone doing this afternoon? Jackie’s asked me to help clean out the tree boa enclosure. I’m so excited. We’ve had snakes come in at Paws & Claws but I’ve not handled one yet.’
‘That’s the kind of excitement I can do without,’ I said and playfully punched her arm, about to ask if she was wearing insect repellent as there was a mark on her skin that looked like a bite. But then I thought back to the conversation with Rick about his brother Lee. Amy had needed my support as a child but had I really become a domineering older sister in adulthood?
‘I’m helping Rick with his website again.’
Her eyes twinkled.
I looked at my watch. ‘In fact, I’d better get going soon. Just one thing,’ I said innocently as Benedikt joined us. ‘You two men… would you mind popping up the house early this evening?’
‘Why?’ asked Benedikt.
Jonas’s eyes narrowed. I held my nerve, making my voice sound as bored by the subject as possible.
‘Rick wants everything to be perfect for when his grandmother next visits. The house is almost complete but the grand piano is a much-loved piece of furniture and has a problem – a vibration noise that wasn’t there before. What with your family’s experience with pianos, I thought you might be able to work out what the problem was.’
Benedikt shrugged. ‘Happy to take a look but I’m only a pianoplayer.’
‘Great! And Jonas – there’s a guitar. Rick hoped—’ okay, bending the truth just a tiny bit ‘—you could give it the once-over? His family… they… they enjoy holding parties and musical evenings. It’s important that the instruments are in tip-top condition.’
He folded his arms. Suddenly I became very interested in a tiny spider climbing over my hand.
‘If either of you have anything on, or were going on Jackie’s boat trip then, of course, don’t worry, it can be done another time,’ I said airily.
‘I was only going to do my laundry and chill,’ said Benedikt and drained his glass of water.
Jonas studied me for a while longer and then his shoulders relaxed. ‘I suppose I could go. All I’ve got on is Helga teaching me chess. And I do miss strumming my guitar.’
Benedikt clapped him on the back. ‘Great. Then you’ll be able to play with me.’
‘Thanks, guys,’ I said and stood up. ‘I’ll find you both later.’ I left the canteen. Footsteps sounded from behind and fingers curled around my arm. Desperately I tried to think of another good reason as to why the guitar needed attention. However, it was Amy.
