‘Yeah, it’s complicated. But never mind about that, I’m here now.’
‘And I’m glad you are,’ says Elias.
He stretches his hand across to touch mine, and a tingle runs through me. As we look into each other’s eyes, I feel that Elias is not a man to let someone down. We might still be learning about each other, but the more time we spend together, the more I feel that my family is wrong about him. They are just being dramatic. I’m sure I can trust him.
After another glass of wine, we head back to the yacht, where Alexa provides the music. We dance to love songs in each other’s arms on the top deck and curl up together when we need a sit-down. It is one of those pinch-me moments, and I begin to think I should have been more adventurous a long time ago. Maybe I should have saidyesto more things over the years. Perhaps that has been my mistake in life.
In the morning, Elias manages to book us on a sightseeing tour in a vintage French van. For two hours, we weave through the streets, stopping at Le Suquet once again and then at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès of Cannes, where I have never felt more movie-star-esque as I stand in the place where the red carpet is rolled out during the Film Festival. The guide tells us that we have only just missed the event, which is a shame. Then, we walk along the Avenue of Stars and admire the handprints on the sidewalk. I spot Cameron Diaz’s name and excitedly tell Elias how much I loved her inThere’s Something About Mary. However, he is more impressed by Sylvester Stallone’s name and tells me how he watched every singleRockyfilm.
‘You never know, when your book takes off, you might be asked to do one of these,’ says Elias.
‘I love how you saywhenmy book takes off, notif?’
‘I bet it will end up a bestseller.’
‘Oh, well, I’m not thinking that far ahead. I’d just love to see my name on the cover of a book. It’s been my dream since primary school.’
‘You will. I have every belief in you.’
I give Elias’s hand a squeeze in appreciation before we set off for our next bit of sightseeing at Palm Beach.
For five whole days we enjoy the best sights of Cannes, with its bars, beaches andboulangeries, and relish each other’s company. Our physical relationship develops, and my body feels truly awakened by him. My fondness for Elias grows so much that I can’t ever imagine him not being beside me, meandering around the streets of Cannes. I notice with some shock that this has begun to feel like daily life! Everything feels so normal with Elias beside me.
In between our trips out and our time together, Elias supports me in making sure that I have space to write. Sometimes on board theLady Jane, feeling the gentle movement of the boat beneath me, and sometimes in cafes or bars on shore, taking inspiration from the people and scenes around me.
After a blissful week, though, it is time to head back to Monaco and try to get our berth back. Elias explains that this bit might prove tricky since the resorts are getting busier every day as the influx of tourists starts to arrive.
When we finally head out of the port, we both wave goodbye to the shore at Cannes. It has been the most wonderful time, and no matter what happens in the future, it has been an unforgettable trip. A holiday romance with a ship’s captain, flitting around beguiling ports, following in the footsteps of the rich and famous, is something I won’t forget in a hurry. I give Elias a kiss and wrap my arms around him as I thank him for letting me join him.
But then, as we are relaxed and bobbing about on the evening waves back in the direction of Monaco, we notice a boat heading towards us.
‘That’s weird,’ says Elias.
I stare ahead, wondering if it is one of those optical illusions where it seems closer than it is, because it certainly appears as though it is getting nearer and nearer all the time. I search for the binoculars for a more precise view and feel slightly frantic as I realise the yacht is definitely on course to hit us if it continues at this pace.
‘What can we do, Elias?’
‘I’ll warn him, don’t worry.’ He looks at me reassuringly.
I admire the way Elias remains calm under pressure despite the great big yacht hurtling towards us, because I am starting to panic. He sounds the boat’s horn, but it doesn’t seem to make any difference.
Elias turnsLady Janesharply to try and steer away from the yacht’s path, but we’re out of time. Everything is happening too fast to move out of its way. The skipper on the out-of-control yacht is so close we can see him turning the wheel, but there is only one place he is going, no matter how much he tries to detour.
All the glamour and luxury of the past few days flash in front of my eyes in a blur as the other yacht jolts us sideways. The crunch of fibreglass against fibreglass is noisier than I ever imagined and will stay with me forever.
Elias quickly switches his radio over to the emergency band. We hear the skipper from the other boat shouting, ‘Mayday, mayday.’ I may not know much about emergency procedures on board yachts, but I have no problem understanding that terminology.
After that, it doesn’t take long forLady Janeto start taking on water.
Elias throws me a life jacket. He then puts one on himself.
‘We’re going to have to abandon ship. Can you give me a hand with the tender?’ says Elias, still calm but firm and focussed, as my adrenaline starts pumping.
I run around, not knowing what I am doing, but try to follow his instructions.
‘It’ll be okay. We just have to stay calm. Let me make sure you’re safe first.’
Elias helps me as I scramble onboard the tender, which sways back and forth with the current. Then, he gives the yacht one last glance before joining me. We move away as quickly as we can from the yacht. The other people have already evacuated and are in a similar tender to the other side of us. I feel a wave of gratitude that we all managed to get off and nobody is injured. The sickening possibilities of what might have happened fill my head and make my stomach churn. Thank goodness Elias kept calm in a crisis and we are all safe.
