‘She was a week off her twentieth birthday. To be honest, I’d love another cat one day. The timing just isn’t right now with the apartment I live in. I’d like a cat to have a garden, you know.’
‘Yes, of course. Well, let’s hope you can share your life with another cat one day.’
‘Yes, maybe. I dream of writing my book with a little furball brushing up against my leg as I type. Then forcing me to stop work as she demands I feed her.’ I laugh.
‘I do understand. It’s not the same without a cat in the house,’ says Elias.
‘So, you’re a cat lover?’
‘Oh, yes, we always had cats when I was growing up and until recently,’ says Elias.
‘That’s wonderful. They really are family, aren’t they?’
‘Totally. Even when they’re gallivanting about, just knowing their cat bowl is there and they will come back in when they’re ready is a nice feeling.’
‘You make it sound like having teenagers in the house,’ I say.
‘Indeed! We had those demanding creatures in the house too.’ Elias laughs. I can’t resist the opportunity to find out more about his family.
‘We? Your family?’
‘Yes. My wife, two boys, one of whom now runs the business, and our Persian called Fluffy, who we picked up from a rescue. Fluffy was a gorgeous little thing. The boys named him. They were all best pals when they were young.’
‘Cats are such good company.’
‘They are. Fluffy will be keeping my wife company up there now, no doubt.’ Elias points to the sky, and we both look up.
‘Oh, I’m so sorry. It’s hard enough losing our pets, but losing your wife too. Oh, no. I don’t know what to say…’
‘It’s been three years now. You get used to living without them. That’s one of the reasons I love being out here. I feel close to her in some ways. It was always our dream to retire and sail around the Med one day. Of course, we didn’t know that we weren’t to have the luxury of time on our side.’
‘Well, thank goodness you got this job then. How did it come about?’
‘Oh, well, umm. Yeah. One of the boys knew someone who needed a skipper, and I had a few qualifications that I’d done in my spare time, and you know… It kind of all fell into place.’
Elias turns away from me and no longer looks me in the eye. Perhaps he doesn’t want to talk about this time in his life.
‘Great. Well, that was some consolation, I suppose.’
‘Yeah, anyway. Let’s get this boat back into the harbour, hey? You have some writing to do, and I’ve got some work on the yacht I have to finish.’
‘Oh, of course. I really don’t want to keep you when you’re supposed to be working.’
After we safely get back into the port, Elias drives me to the apartment. There has been no further mention of dinner, so I begin to wonder if I put my foot in it, and perhaps he realises it is a mistake to go for a meal with another woman when he is still grieving for his wife. I decide not to remind him of our earlier agreement. So, as I leave him to drive back to his yacht, I thank him for the lovely day he has given me.
‘I still can’t believe we saw dolphins. It was very special. You’ve been so lovely to me since I arrived in Monaco, and I truly appreciate it, thank you. So, I’ll be seeing you then.’
‘What about tomorrow night? Didn’t I say I have to take you for dinner? Surely, you’re not going to welch on a bet, are you?’ Elias removes his sunglasses and looks at me with a naughty glint in his eye.
‘Oh, umm, yes. Of course. If you’re sure that’s okay?’
‘Absolutely! I’ll book a table somewhere I know. It’s nothing fancy. No need to dress up or anything.’
‘Well, that sounds perfect. I’ll look forward to it.’
‘Me too,’ says Elias.
As he drives off, I notice Paulo coming up the road in his big Mercedes. I wave to him, but he ignores me. Maybe he doesn’t recognise me without my friends. He drives into the car park, and I wait for him to show up at the door. But I don’t see him again, so I assume he must stay in the block somewhere. If anyone is a man of mystery, it’s Paulo.
