Page 60 of The Summer Island Swap
‘Klopf, klopf!’ called a voice by the door. ‘Hurry up. The amazing Sunday morning breakfast awaits. I’ve heard rumours that there are chocolate croissants this week – and my favourite spicy sausage.’
I pulled open the door. Climbed down the steps. Benedikt and Amy waved from ahead. They’d been for an early morning swim.
‘You didn’t fancy a dip in the sea?’ I asked. Jonas shook his head. A big grin spread across his face. I pulled him up the ladder and onto my bed.
‘Sarah, I’m flattered,’ he protested, ‘but really, you’re not my type.’
‘Idiot,’ I said and tugged his arm so that he sat down next to me. ‘Dish the gossip. Why do you look so happy and does it have anything to do with your Hamburger?’
‘Maybe, it does, you Londoner,’ he said airily.
I waited. Nothing.
‘Jonas! Did you have a good time up at the house, last night? You’d gone by the time I came out of the beach hut. At least tell me if Benedikt found out what was wrong with the piano.’
‘The vibration was caused by the wooden carving of the parrot on top. The base of that wasn’t completely flat so it rocked every time a note was played.’ He eyed me suspiciously. ‘It’s almost as if it was simply a silly excuse to get Benedikt and me up there, together.’
‘I knew nothing about that parrot,’ I protested.
‘Anyway, Benedikt and I chatted. Do you know, he wasn’t actually born in Hamburg but—’
‘Did you kiss?’
His fingers traced his leather bracelet. A shy look crossed his face.
Success!
‘Not that it’s any of my business,’ I said. ‘Come on. I need that chocolate croissant if we’re running around all day.’
‘No. We didn’t. But we talked. You were right. He’s not interested in Amy, you or any woman. And we laughed – a lot. Eventually we headed over to the Games Room and taught each other card games. When we got back to the shack he hugged in a way that told me he might like me back.’
‘Oh Jonas. I’m so happy for you.’
His eyes shone. ‘I was beginning to give up hope that I’d ever meet a man to love – a man who might love me back.’
‘It’s amazing, really, isn’t it, that any long-term relationship exists? What are the odds of meeting someone who feels the same, whom you can trust with your life, whom you respect, who is fun…’ I squeezed his arm. ‘You must be beginning to feel so… complete.’
‘In a way that I never felt was possible,’ he said hoarsely. ‘It’s very early days but is so great, after all this time, simply to feel I can just be me. I don’t have to put on an act. Or question my feelings.’
I hugged him tight. Sure, I’d had problems finding the right partner but compared to Jonas… His stomach rumbled loudly.
He stood up. ‘Come on. My sausage is calling.’
‘You already have a pet name for him?’
‘Sarah!’
We hurried over to the canteen and sat down at a table with Amy, Benedikt and Helga. Rick was in the corner with Chatty. As each day passed I’d become more fond of that little monkey. I knew exactly which spot to tickle on his head to stop his impatient squeaks as he relaxed with pure bliss. I loved his gentle, cheeky nature. How he played with Rick and me yet never scratched or bit. And nothing could ever look cuter than him tucking into a treat from Malik.
I didn’t have much of an appetite until I smelt fried bacon. And eggs. The croissant melted in my mouth. As did the pancake and syrup. The steaming latte was divine. Comfort eating at its best. The morning hygge heat made me feel as if I were strapped against a comforting hot water bottle.
‘I can’t move,’ declared Amy and her eyes twinkled. ‘That wasalmostas good as the Sunday fry-ups you make me back home.’
‘I’ll need to enter a lot of races later on, to burn that lot off.’
‘I can easily arrange that,’ she said and winked.
When we finally felt like moving, Amy went with Jackie to the animal enclosures. Jonas stood by the food counter, telling Malik about his favourite sausage recipe with sauerkraut. Benedikt stood right beside him, his arm casually around Jonas’s shoulder. I’d caught Helga watching the two of them, whilst we all ate, with the biggest smile I’d ever seen grace her face.
