‘So, let’s just go over some safety procedures,’ he said, indicating that we should sit. We all sat except Minh, who scampered over the deck snapping photos. Tommy lifted his hand, commanding his attention.
‘You’ll need to hear this too, okay?’
Seeming chastened – or perhaps even embarrassed – Minh plopped down next to Niki. Then Tommy took us through the safety briefing. Believe me, Itriedto pay attention. But with Tommy being all ‘skippery’ – i.e. in charge and sexy as fuck – I kept getting distracted.
He showed us where the lifejackets were and how to put them on.
Me:God, his biceps look good in that polo shirt.
He instructed us to shout outperson overboardif anyone fell into the sea.
Me:His voice is so commanding. He could literally command me to do anything right now and I’d do it.
He demonstrated how to toss the lifebuoys if someone fell overboard.
Me:Stuff the lifebuoy. If I fall overboard, I want Tommy to rescue me, wrapping me in those strong arms of his.
On and on it went. I was ridiculous. I was crushing on my ex-husband.Hard. I just hoped therewasn’tan emergency. I’d be about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.
Still, crushingonhim was far better than being crushedbyhim – which I would be if I let my guard down.
‘And that’s about it,’ he said, concluding the briefing.
I came back to the present when a woman appeared from below deck carrying a tray of plastic cups filled with something fizzy.
‘Hello, everyone. I’m Elsa,’ she said in accented English. ‘Who would like some sparkling wine?’
It sounded like a friendly offer, only Elsa had a veryunfriendly air about her. The wordfrostycame to mind and I watched her closely. Maybe she was having a bad day. Or maybe she was one of those people who had no business working in tourism.
She handed around the cups and I accepted one – it’s never too early for champers, especially when you’re trapped on a boat with your ex for the day. But just as I was about to take a sip, something caught my eye – something that soured my stomach more than Elsa’s pinched demeanour.
As she slipped past Tommy to return below deck, they exchanged what I can only describe asa meaningful look. Then Tommy’s mouth lifted slightly at one corner – a gesture that would have been invisible to the untrained eye, but one I knew well.Verywell.
Something was going on between Elsa and Tommy.
And I did not like it one bit. Not one fucking bit.
5
Thought of the day…
At times, you will need to put on the bravest face that ever was in the history of humanity.
(Even if inside, you’re screaming.)
As we motored away from the pier, Tommy at the helm, I kept a close eye on him and Elsa, scrutinising every nuance of their interactions. Mostly he issued instructions – to untie the buoys, or coil a rope, or raise a sail – and she deftly complied.
But the two times she approached him, they murmured, heads close together, their voices inaudible. Although Tommy’s heart-melting half-smile didn’t reappear, so I started to doubt myself. Maybe theywerejust colleagues.
But even if they aren’t, what business is it of mine?That stung, but I had no claim over Tommy. Not any more.
‘Isn’t it just incredible?’ Trudy asked.
I tore my eyes away from Tommy, who was hoisting the mainsail, the muscles in his forearms bulging as he expertly cranked the winch.
‘Er, yes,’ I replied. She was admiring the scenery, not the distracting sight of my ex’s muscles rippling. But both were incredible.
Trudy tipped her head to the sun and inhaled deeply. ‘And I just love the smell of the sea air, don’t you?’
