Not long after the dolphins swam off, the resort’s pier appeared on the horizon and I settled back against my seat, sighing contentedly. There were times when all it took to fill up your near-empty bucket was an awe-inspiring experience of the natural world.
‘Pretty impressive how you got those dolphins to appear on cue,’ Dale said to Tommy, who laughed modestly. I sniggered along.
‘If only! Those are the first I’ve seen since I arrived.’
‘How long have you been on Aetheria?’ I asked, the question flying out of my mouth.
‘Three weeks,’ he answered, though he seemed uncertain and looked over at Elsa. ‘It’s three weeks, right? Since we arrived?’
Why’s he asking her?Then his words hit me.Sincewearrived. Oh god, they’d come together.
That doesn’t mean anything,I told myself quickly. Maybe the whole staff had started at the same time – though Niki said Elsa had been there longer than she had. And if Elsa and Tommyhadarrived together, there was every chance theywerea couple. Which would explain all the whispered conversations.
No, I wasn’t going to talk to Tommy. Being alone with him was a terrible idea. Especially now, when I was becoming increasingly convinced that he was loved up with tart-faced Elsa. And that wasn’t me being unreasonable or jealous. Even Niki thought Elsa was surly and rude, and she seemed to get along with everyone.
Once the boat was docked – buoys lashed on and tow ropes tied off – I was the first person to disembark, stepping carefully onto the pier. I considered dashing back to my villa and pouring myself a large glass of wine, then sorting through the chaos in my head, but manners dictated that I wait for the others.
We said our goodbyes to Tommy and Elsa, who were still on duty, then trundled to the end of the pier where two golf carts were waiting for us.
As we walked, I sensed collective fatigue from such a full day – the sights, a delicious lunch, paddleboarding and swimming,dolphins…
There was also the Tommy Factor, turning run-of-the-mill fatigue into a dense, bone-deep weariness. If I didn’t get on top of it, it would settle in and take years to shake off. Like last time.
At the golf carts, Niki got in the driver’s seat of one and Minh sat beside her. ‘Our office is pretty close to your villa,’ she said to Trudy and Dale. ‘Want us to drop you off?’
‘Oh, that would be lovely,’ said Trudy with a grateful sigh. No doubt she was eager to wash off the dried salt and treat those sunburnt shoulders.
She and Dale climbed into the back of Niki’s golf cart and I waved them off. Which left me alone with Christos. I glanced over my shoulder towards the boat, but Tommy and Elsa must have been below deck. I didn’t want to imagine what they might be doing.
‘Did you have a nice day?’ Christos asked as I settled beside him.
‘I did. And you?’
‘It was busy, but good,’ he replied, driving us towards my villa. He didn’t say anything more and I welcomed the silence, content to let the world – or at least the resort – go by.
Before I knew it, we’d pulled up outside my villa. In another timeline, I might have invited him in. But adding Christos to the mix was a complication I didn’t need right now.
Besides, I wanted that glass of wine and a long soak in the bath before my dinner with Julian.
* * *
I realise that my life may appear glamorous and exciting, and for the most part, it is. I promise never to complain about travelling to far-off places, attending glitzy parties, or being gifted beautiful clothes.
(And if I ever do, someonepleasegive me a swift kick up the arse.)
But as well as being a lot of fun, this life I’ve worked so hard to build is also a business, a platform – abrand.
And therearedownsides.
Sometimes all I want is to sink into a hot bath, watch some trashy TV, and get an early night. But when those moments collide with work, work wins every time.
After Christos dropped me off, I wassotempted to pour an enormous glass of wine and run a bath, like I’d promised myself. But after a day away from my desk, I knew I should check in with HQ. Claude would want an update and there might be other matters to attend to. So, I poured myself a medium-sized glass of wine – no sense in depriving myself entirely – then logged in.
I sped through several requests for collabs, mentally assigning them labels:definitely,possibly, andthank you, but I’d rather not. I was about to log off when a familiar email address caught my eye – Tommy’s. Heart in my mouth, I clicked on it.
Meet me at the boat at eleven.
Why all this Secret Squirrel business? And what was so important? Had Tommy’s sea change prompted him to reevaluate other aspects of his life? Like me and him?
