“I say we get dinner at Simione’s.” It was my favourite restaurant on the island, serving tapas and traditional Catalan dishes. I could eat enough there to see me through for at least three days. The food coma was always real afterwards. “What do you think?”
“I’d be up for that.” Monty jumped in almost too quickly.
“Sounds good.” Hunter had moved so he was behind Lara, his hand on her shoulder.
She gave me a smile across the deck, telling me that all was good.
There was further discussion about the plans Deanna had, and what Layton and Jeremy were doing, but I tuned out, watching the waves quietly fight against the boat, Es Vedra coming into view as the yacht headed in the direction of Sant Antoni.
A sensible woman would’ve been thinking about Monty, about a couple of nights of decent sex with someone who knew what they were doing and was open about their intentions.
But I wasn’t. My thoughts were lost in a tangled web where a man who seemed to consider me a plaything to tease was in the centre of it.
We went backto Safir first, to get ready for Simione’s. Monty and Hunter had gone back to The Pines to shower and get changed, telling us they’d meet us at a bar on the beach near my favourite restaurant, which gave me a chance to breathe.
The afternoon had quietened down. Deanna and her friends had moved to the other side of the yacht, where I suspected they’d dissected whatever Jeremy was meant to have done, while the rest of us sunbathed and sipped at cocktails, occasionally diving into the sea.
The sky was hazy, the usual bright blues watered down, promising rain overnight, which would mean a blistering day for May tomorrow.
This was Ibiza. Each day was its own entity, its own story or saga. Tomorrow, the argument on the boat would just be a tale to be told or remembered; we’d probably never see Deanna again, or if we did, we wouldn’t remember her name.
The yacht moored near Es Cubells, allowing me and Lara to disembark and then walk the short track back to Safir, through the sandy pathways and beneath the pine trees to the gate.
The poolside was empty as we passed it, as was the terrace. The bi-fold doors were pulled back, so we knew someone was home, but there was no sound, until we walked through the house towards the main staircase.
I think it was Lara who heard it first, the choked sob of someone trying to not be heard crying. I looked at my sister, confused. It didn’t sound like Livi, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d heard Livi cry.
“I’m not sure I need more drama today.” She shook her head, her blonde hair mussed by the salt and the sea. “I’ve had my fill for the summer.”
I ignored her, knowing full well she’d be causing most of the drama for the summer, and headed towards the library, the large room that was most used in winter, with its huge fireplace and sofas you could lose yourself in.
Lala followed me, curiosity getting the better of her as I knew it would.
A woman, not older than us, was curled on the sofa, her legs tucked under her. Her brown hair was tangled, and she was sobbing almost uncontrollably.
She looked up when we entered, wiping at her face viciously. “I’m so sorry. I’ll go. I shouldn’t be here.”
She stood up, her sundress creased and mussed.
“You can’t leave in this state.” I walked over to her. “What’s the matter? At least let us organise a lift to get back to where you’re staying.”
“My car’s parked around the corner, but thank you. I only came on the off-chance.” She started to head for the external door that led to the garden that the drive ran through.
“What did you come for?”
“To ask your brother if he’d seen my boyfriend. I thought he might know something, but he doesn’t.” She choked back a sob again.
Lara looked at me. We had no idea Marcus was back, but then why would we?
“Who’s your boyfriend? We might’ve heard something.” Lara’s smile was meant to be comforting – she just didn’t do a great job.
The woman shrugged. “Ashley Kelly. His dad owns a couple of hotels here.”
I looked at Lara again. “Have you asked his dad?”
She shook her head. “I can’t get to see him. It was new, me and Ash. We hooked up a week ago, but I figured we had that spark, you know, the whole insta-love thing. We’d planned to meet up the day after but he wasn’t there and he hasn’t been answering his phone. I asked Marcus, but he said he didn’t know anything.”
I bet he did.
