‘It’s the best Greek yogurt I’ve ever had –socreamy. And the figs! They’re to die for.’
A waiter approached, and I ordered another coffee and the same dish as Trudy.
‘So, what are you two up to today?’ I asked.
‘Unfortunately, I’ve got some pressing work matters to attend to,’ said Dale.
‘Oh? I thought you were retired,’ I replied.
‘So did I,’ Trudy said dryly – the only time I’d seen anything but a smile on her face.
‘I told you, honey, it’s just for today.’ He looked over at me. ‘It’s a little side project I’ve been working on for the past six months or so. Just need to tidy up some loose ends.’
Trudy pressed her lips together as if she was supressing a retort. In solidarity, I steered the conversation away from what was obviously a contentious topic. But I was fully on Trudy’s side when it came to a husband who worked too much –particularlywhile on holiday.
‘And what about you, Trudy?’ I asked as the waiter served my breakfast.
‘I’mgoing to Naxos. There’s a whole day planned,’ she said, throwing a pointed look towards Dale. ‘We’re touring an olive oil farm, then taking a cooking class…’
‘Well, you’ve got company, Trudy,’ I said with a grin.
‘Oh, you’re coming too?’ she asked excitedly.
‘Uh-huh.’
‘See, honey? You won’t be on your own after all,’ said Dale, and Trudy conceded with a slight lift of her shoulder.
‘Definitely not,’ I agreed. ‘And don’t be mad – Iwillbe working, but it’s just some photos and a bit of filming.’
‘Oh, that doesn’t count,’ said Trudy with a wave of her hand.
I didn’t bother correcting her. Most people think my job is ninety per cent posing in front of a camera. Although, god knows what they think I do the other ten per cent of the time. Maybepractisingposing. Hah!
‘I’m glad you’ll be there,’ I said. ‘And the more fun we have, the better for the PR campaign.’
She beamed at me. ‘Now, you go ahead and eat, hun,’ she said. ‘The helicopter’s picking us up in fifteen minutes.’
‘I’m going back to the villa – get started,’ said Dale, standing and pushing in his chair. ‘You two have fun now, and I’ll see you when you get back.’
He dropped an affectionate kiss on Trudy’s cheek. Her eyes closed for a moment, then she broke into one of her winsome smiles, peering up at him adoringly. Ooh, that tugged at my heartstrings – they really were adorable.
Trudy watched him walk away and it wouldn’t have surprised me if she’d sighed out loud with contentment. Dale disappeared through the archway and her focus returned to me.
‘I’m glad I have you to myself,’ she said, staring at me intently. ‘I have something to ask you.’
Uh-oh, it was hotseat time again. Yesterday, Niki had interrupted before Trudy could interrogate me, but she was nowhere to be seen. Not even Julian was around.
‘What’s that?’ I asked breezily before taking a big bite of my breakfast. I figured chewing and swallowing might buy me some time if I needed to formulate a satisfying answer.
‘It’s about you and Tom.’
I snorted with surpriseandtried to swallow at the same time. That did not go well – I almost sprayed my mouthful over the table. I chewed some more, pressing my palm to my chest, then swallowed.
‘Sorry,’ I said, my voice raspy.
‘Here,’ she said, pouring me a glass of orange juice. I would have preferred water but I took it and drank some. It helped. But now I wasn’t about to choke, I couldn’t hold Trudy’s question at bay any longer.
I met her eye and put on a brave smile. ‘What about me and Tom?’
