Seated in the same chair on the beach at the cove, with a fresh orange juice in her hand, Grace was still fighting the queasy swell in her stomach. She gazed out at a passing tourist boat in the distance, ferrying people to the lesser-known beaches that were inaccessible on foot. The thought of being out on the water wasn’t a pleasant one in her condition.
Instead, she focused on the swimmers much closer to shore. One man’s powerful arms moved through the water in a perfect crawl. Grace was impressed with his technique, or that’s what she told herself. Back and forth he went, until he changed direction and swam towards the beach.
Grace continued to watch as the man stood and walked out of the sea, navy swim shorts tight against his thighs. Her afternoon had just got a whole lot worse. The swimmer was Will. Of course, it was. She looked away, but she could tell he’d spotted her. Droplets of water on her bare legs moments later forced her to look up. He stood inches away from her, bare-chested and shaking himself like a wet dog.
‘Hey, Grace.’
‘Will.’
‘How are you feeling this morning, or should I say afternoon?’
His hands raked though his thick dark hair as he said it, slicking it back to his head. He was at it again, making sarcastic remarks at her expense.
‘I’m fine. Bit surprised to see you here though.’
‘You shouldn’t be. I live just up there.’
Will pointed in the direction of a row of little white cubed houses with bright blue paintwork in the traditional Cycladic style.
‘Oh, I see.’ He’d wrongfooted her yet again. This was his home turf, not hers. She was desperate to get into the cool sea. The temperature on the beach had rocketed all of a sudden. She stood up in the hope that he’d get the message and carry on walking.
‘I’m just off for a swim.’
‘Great idea. That’ll wake you up.’
She was acutely aware that they were facing each other wearing just a few bits of flimsy material over their naked bodies. He didn’t seem to be moving off any time soon.
Her stomach suddenly growled loud enough for the whole beach to hear.
Will smiled.
‘Are you hungry?’
Her treacherous body played into his hands and gave another big growl.
Grace remembered a few mouthfuls of spinach pie around eighteen hours ago.
‘I haven’t eaten for a while. Why?’
Was he going to give her a lecture about healthy eating?
‘It’s just that I’ve got a couple of fresh fish up at the house that I was about to grill. Do you fancy joining me after your swim?’
Grace was lost for words. This man confused her at every turn.
‘I can whip up a simple salad to go with it. But if you’re busy…’
‘No… it’s not that. I just wasn’t expecting an invitation to lunch.’
‘It’s nothing fancy. Just a simple meal.’
‘Then, thank you.’
‘Take your time with your swim.’
Will pointed up at the row of houses, and Grace could see the whole of his tattoo for the first time. It was a star, with a name in the middle. But she wasn’t quite close enough to see it clearly.
‘It’s the second house on the left. Just come up whenever you’re ready.’
