‘Maybe …’ Olivia’s thoughts drifted to her younger self at her thirteenth birthday party, her sister so sick she was in the hospital with both her parents, her grandma trying her best to pretend nothing was wrong.
‘Is it safe for me to look?’ Jacob’s question cut short her trip down memory lane.
‘Oh, right.’ She brushed the sand from her legs. ‘Yes, I’m done.’
He shifted to face her, taking the cream from her lap andholding it proudly aloft. ‘Turn around then, and let me do your back.’
‘I swear, if I feel even a hint of you drawing something …’
‘Comeon. Do you think I’m stupid enough to mess with you? My life wouldn’t be worth living.’
Olivia was glad that Jacob couldn’t see the little smile that had appeared on her face.
‘Now, it’s going to be a bit cold …’
‘Jesus!’ she yelped, as his hands made contact with her skin.
‘I told you.’ He carried on, sweeping the cream up and down her shoulders. ‘Cute freckles, by the way.’
She peered over at the sprinkling of spots that were dusted over her skin. ‘Thanks. My brother always used to tease me about them, said they were dirt marks.’
‘How charming of him.’
‘That’s Kyle for you.’ She shuddered as Jacob’s fingers tickled the sides of her. ‘When we were young, he convinced my sister that they meant I had an incurable disease and was going to die. Which wasn’t very funny at all, considering …’
Jacob’s hands stopped still. ‘Considering?’
Shit.
‘What?’
‘You said “considering” … I was asking what you meant?’
‘Well.’ She sat up, angling herself to face the sea in front of them. ‘Considering she was like five years old! She didn’t know it was a joke, you know? She got upset, and it took ages for my parents to convince her I was fine.’ Olivia’s voice was growing louder and more forceful as she continued with the lie.
‘Sounds like your brother is a bit of a joker.’
‘You can say that again.’ Olivia felt Jacob’s hands slow their movement.
‘There we are, madam, you are well and truly sun-creamed. The penis on your back should be burnt on in around an hour or so, but I’ll check back in and see how it’s cooking in a few minutes.’
‘Jacob!’ She slapped him hard on the arm. ‘Don’t you get tired of being such an arse all the time?’
‘Surprisingly …’ He flipped on to his stomach and lay down next to her. ‘No.’
‘I didn’t think so.’ Olivia raked her fingers through the warm sand. ‘Although there will be times in life when you’re going to have to.’
‘Like?’
‘I don’t know. When you’re at work. When you’re buying a house. When you’ve got kids who depend on you.’
‘Yeah, but that’s for adults.’
‘Right, and you don’t count yourself as one of those, then?’
‘Nope! I’m Peter Pan. Travelling this earth and having adventures until the end of my days.’
‘That’s your grand life plan?’
