I whipped around, pinning Tommy with a pointed look. ‘Whatever this mystery is you want to divulge? No, I don’t think Julian knows. And neither do I – which means my patience is starting to wear thin.’
‘Wear th— I only just brought it up, what, an hour ago?’
‘Viaemail, Tommy. And it wasn’t just then, was it? No, you also mentioned it while we were atsea.’
My voice was getting louder and he shushed me harshly, which is a massive button pusher for me, something Tommy was well aware of. Though he was right to shush me, as the bartender was looking over and if he thought something was up, he might tell Julian and…
Argh!
I took in a deep breath to refocus.
‘Look, I’ve got to go and meet Julian for dinner – just tell me.’
Tommy stared at me intensely. And you need to understand that looking into those dark-brown eyes was like stepping into the void. It’s extremely difficult to save yourself, and you’re not sure if you want to.
‘That’s not what I meant,’ he said cryptically.
‘You need to come with built-in decryption, Tommy,’ I replied. ‘What’snot what you meant?’
‘I’maskingif you think Julian knows we were once married.’
By this stage, our foreheads were practically touching, and I sat back, then downed the rest of my drink.
‘I have no fucking idea, but let’s hope not,’ I said through my toothy-for-appearances smile. I placed the glass on the bar and moutheddeliciousat the bartender, who – annoyingly – was still watching me and Tommy.
‘In truth,’ I said to Tommy, dropping the faux smile, ‘it’s unlikely. Julian has his good qualities but he is a Grade A narcissist. He never once asked about you when we were married – or Rick, for that matter. As far as Julian was concerned, neither of the husbands I had before him were worth mentioning, because they’d both been superseded. Byhim. I doubt he even remembers I was married to a bloke called Tommy, let alone drawing a line between that man with you. But more to the point,Tom…’ I began, leaning in again, ‘before he introduced us last night, didyouknow abouthim?’
Something flickered in Tommy’s eyes and I knew. Hehadmade the connection.
‘I thought as much,’ I said, sliding off my stool.
I really didn’t know what to do with that information – what implications it might have – but I knew I wanted out of there. So, jumping from the frying pan into the fire, I strode off to have dinner with Julian.
‘Everything all right?’ he asked, standing as I approached the table.
It was in prime position with an uninterrupted view, and I paused to take it in. The sky was darker now, inky blue, and across the water, the lights of Naxos twinkled. It truly was beautiful. And if I’d been on Aetheria for any other collaboration, one that wasn’t tainted by two of my exes, I would have been in heaven.
But this wasnotheaven. This was hell with good lighting and a decent soundtrack.
‘Oh yes, all good,’ I answered, flashing a bright smile. ‘Just discussing the sailing trip,’ I lied. ‘It’s a terrific excursion, Jules. Every guest will be desperate to get a spot. You’re onto a winner there.’
I was rambling. And I’m not a rambler.
Unsurprisingly, Julian gave me a funny look.
‘Allow me,’ he said after a brief pause.
He stepped behind me to pull out my chair. I sat, reaching for the menu before I remembered that Dimitra was preparing a chef’s selection. Instead, I regarded the view, which was changing from moment to moment, the sea between Aetheria and Naxos now a black void and those twinkling lights across the water even more prominent.
‘Ally,’ said Julian, drawing my attention. ‘Are you really all right? Tom didn’t say anything to upset you, did he?’
Tom said ALL the things to upset me.
‘No, silly,’ I said with a false laugh. ‘I think I just caught too much sun – that and the time difference between here and London… I know it’s only two hours but it’s enough to make me feel a bit wobbly. I’ll be right as rain by tomorrow.’
I was rambling again, but Julian let it go, giving me a kindly smile.
‘Good to hear. Another big day planned.’
