“Lucca and I would be the same if we had sisters.”
We return to silence as we look out across the sea. Boats are going by, kids are playing in the sea, people are laughing and joking. It’s a typical holiday destination. Many different nationalities in one place. Water sports flying across the sea. Music playing from people’s iPhone’s or MP3 players. I like it. My cares have just disintegrated with the breeze flowing around us.
“Do you fancy a paddle?” asks Harleigh.
“Sounds good to me. It’s getting a bit hot sitting here.”
Harleigh stands up, puts her flip-flops in her bag, and dusts her legs down from the sand. “It must be hot if you’re feeling it.”
I fold up the blanket I brought and put it inside my backpack. I came prepared; I’ve watched too many people get severe burns from sitting directly on the hot sand. That wasn’t happening to us. I don’t want to sit in hospitals with anyone, never mind Harleigh. Her skin is too beautiful and delicate.
“I love the heat, but sometimes, especially at this time of year, it can become monotonous. Morning, afternoon, and evening are never below twenty-five degrees, and the heat is draining.”
“I can imagine. Come on. Let’s cool off, Mr…” Harleigh turns to me and studies me. “Mr what? It just dawned on me that I don’t know your second name.”
“Russi. My name is Giovani Russi.”
“Nice. A typical Italian name.” She turns away from me and walks towards the water.
I throw the bag over my shoulder and follow Harleigh down to the edge of the water. Harleigh throws her head back the moment the cold water hits her feet. I say cold, but it’s not that cold at all. It feels like a lukewarm bath.
“This feels amazing.”
I hold my hand out for her to take and we walk along the edge of the water all the way back to the harbour at Old Nessebar. The feel of the water on my feet, the sun on my skin, the breeze through my hair, it’s like a magnitude of feelings sparking every nerve ending in my body.
“Do you like good food, circus and cabaret acts, and the perfect sunset setting?” I ask Harleigh, lifting our joined fingers to my lips.
“It sounds amazing. I can’t say I’ve been to any. Well, I did visit the circus with my family when I was a child, but the last few years…” She pauses and looks out to the sea.
I can sense the sadness that has just set upon her at something she remembers from her past. I pull us to a stop and brush some fallen hair away from her face.
“What were you going to say?”
She looks up into my eyes. “My life hasn’t been pretty, Gio. Everything I’m doing now, the places I’ve seen, the fun I’ve had, it’s all a novelty to me. I spent the last few years of my life like a hermit, stuck at home, enduring the physical and mental abuse from my ex. I don’t want you to feel sorry for me, because that’s not what this holiday is about. One thing I love about being with you is that you don’t look at me with pity, and you don’t handle me with kid gloves on. You treat me like a real person.”
“Okay. I’m glad I don’t make you feel uncomfortable. Just know that I admire you. Everything you’ve faced. You’ve been to hell and back, but here you are, spending time with me, showing the world that you’re capable of moving forward.”
“I’m determined not to keep letting my past shadow over me. It’s hard when I think about why I’ve missed out on so much, but I won’t let it take the enjoyment out of this holiday. My past has taken too much of me already. I won’t let it take over my future as well.”
I nod. “Good. So, tonight, Khan’s tent. Dress up as much as you like and we’ll enjoy some a la carte food, singing, dancing, and entertainment. I’ll get a taxi to pick us up at seven p.m.”
“Sounds fabulous.”
I lean in and capture her lips softly. I’m afraid if I take it any deeper, we’ll end up arrested for indecent behaviour on a family beach, and I don’t want to waste one moment with Harleigh.
***
“Where have you been?” Lucca walks into the house and throws his keys down. “Where are you off to all dressed up?”
I smile and shake my head at my impatient brother. If he’d stop throwing question after question at me, I’d be able to get a word in.
“I was at the beach with Harleigh, and I’m taking her to Khan’s tent tonight. You’re more than welcome to join us.”
Lucca pulls a bottle of water out of the fridge and glugs it down quickly. “I said I’d cover Karmen’s shift behind the bar tonight, because she has a family gathering.”
“Why didn’t you say? I would have covered it and made plans for another night.”
“I forgot. I agreed to it earlier in the week. It’s no big deal. Besides, you and Harleigh deserve some time together. I take it things are going well if you didn’t come home last night.”
