Dan gazes at them soppily.
India decides that the heat has addled his brain. Keera and the others have gone off to the terrace for a mini slow-breathing session without them, so India has nobody to laugh with over Dan.
Adriana goes back to reception and, as soon as she’s out of the room, Christos whisks over with some brandy and three crystal glasses.
‘It’s my best brandy,’ he whispers. ‘Just a small sip to celebrate your return. Metaxa Private Reserve. It’s too strong for most people but a sip won’t hurt you. Quick!’
He pours them each a giant measure, then holds up his own glass to clink against theirs.
‘To your safe return,oi fíloi mou–my friends.’
They all cheer and India takes a sip.
She’s no brandy aficionado but it tastes hot, somewhat spicy and definitely celebratory.
‘Gorgeous!’ India raises her glass again.
Definitely time to celebrate – this week, she’s learned she’s addicted to men, has got lost in the Corfu countryside and escaped back to her luxury hotel, all in the same day! Cheers!
By the time Adriana is back in the dining room, Christos has magicked the glasses away and belted back into the kitchen.
‘I could sleep for a week,’ says India, yawning.
‘Come on.’ Dan holds out his hand. ‘I’ll walk you to your room. It’s the least I can do after nearly losing us both in the mountains.’
‘It’s not totally your fault—’ begins India and then adds: ‘Actually, it is! You were doing the map stuff. But – I could have done the map stuff.’
Being the cute, fragile unicorn-butterfly woman is simple – women don’t read maps. But why not?
Programming, that’s why. She gives a little shiver as Dan takes her hand to pull her up.
India pretends they’re going the wrong way as they head upstairs.
‘Ooh, let’s take this door, it might lead to my room,’ she teases, passing a door markedStaff only. ‘Oh no, we’re lost!’
‘I’m sorry,’ mutters Dan.
‘It’s a joke, you muppet,’ she says easily as they reach her room. ‘There was nothing to stop me finding my way. You weren’t in charge. I’m a grown-up.
‘Eos,’ she says to him when they reach her door, pointing to the name carved beautifully on a piece of wood. ‘Goddess of the dawn, which is funny because I’m not good first thing in the morning. What are you?’
‘Phoebe, bright intellect,’ he says grudgingly. ‘No sign of bright intellect today.’
‘Give yourself a break, Professor,’ India says, poking him in the chest with her left index finger. ‘We all screw up.’
‘But we could have died …’ Dan says.
‘Come down off the cross,’ India says, parroting something she heard Dianne say. ‘Somebody needs the wood. Nobody died, OK? Do you want another brandy? There’s definitely some more Metaxa in the minibar, but probably not amazing stuff like Christos’s.’
She’s walking ahead of him into her room, which is still slightly dishevelled since she got back earlier and dropped her clothes on the floor before showering.
‘No.’ He’s still in the doorway, looking hesitant.
‘Why not?’ she demands. ‘You afraid I’m going to climb onto your lap and fall in love with you?’
‘No,’ he says, looking mildly insulted. ‘One drink,’ he says and shuts the door. ‘You’re impossible.’
‘That’s what they say.’
