She’d said work colleague. He didn’t think it was Thanassis she was going with, did he? Although it was none of his business, it was important to her that he didn’t think she’d planned a weekend away with the man after finding out he was married.
‘It’s one of the young female teachers. She’s going over for a hospital appointment, and asked me if I’d like to come, as I’ve never seen Athens.’
It was mostly true.
‘Enjoy it, then. Athens is one of the loveliest capital cities in the world. I’ll be back in the middle of the following week, and then I’m officially on holiday for a couple of weeks myself, while my deputy takes over.’
‘Nice.’
She’d be working until the end of August, giving one-to-one lessons with regular clients in their homes, plus teaching Elena and Giannis’s children. That was the current plan anyway.
‘I’m having a party when I get back. My actual birthday’s while I’m away, but as I’ll be working, I’m throwing a moon-themed extravaganza the following Saturday. Obviously, you’re invited.’
Grace didn’t even know if she’d still be here by then. She’d managed to put off thinking about the summons to the boss’s office for a few hours, but each minute brought it nearer.
‘What’s up? Parties not your thing?’
Will had obviously clocked her face.
‘It’s not that… I’ve got a meeting with one of my bosses in the morning, and I’m really not sure if I’m still going to have a job by next Saturday, or even be on the island.’
Will started to pack away the picnic.
‘Is this to do with what you told me before?’ He gave her a hard stare. ‘Except it wasn’t just anyone we were talking about, was it? It was your boss and his wife, wasn’t it?’
Grace nodded.
‘And you went ahead and told one of them, presumably the wife, whatever it was, and now the husband’s gone ballistic.’
Grace nodded again.
‘Well, I did warn you not to get involved…’
‘That’s all very well in theory. But he’s behaved appallingly.’
She had to get Will to understand why she’d done it.
‘This is in confidence, but he’s been sleeping with one of the young teachers. I saw him slip out of her room in the early hours. And his wife’s convinced herself she’s going mad because he’s denying it. Plus, it’s not the first time he’s done it.’
‘And now, as I predicted, you’ve been caught in the crossfire.’
‘But I had to tell her.’
‘I’m sorry but no, you didn’t. It was obvious she’d tell her husband straightaway. You’ve put your job at risk and made an enemy.’
His attitude got right under her skin.
‘So, I was just supposed to forget about it? Let the woman go insane?’
He just didn’t get it.
‘Look, for what it’s worth, he sounds like a complete shit, and believe me, he’ll carry on doing it. Once a shagger, always a shagger. I’ve met enough of them, guys who think it’s just a bit of fun and to hell with the consequences for everyone else.’
‘But doesn’t his wife have the right to know what he’s up to?’
‘Still no.’ Will had his serious face on. ‘Do you actually want my opinion, or do you just want me to agree with what you’ve done, Grace? Those are two very different things. I’ll say it one last time, I don’t think you should have got involved.’
It was developing into their first row. But she wasn’t going to sit there and listen to any more of his highhanded disapproval.
