‘When I came in, there were wrappers and bits of gold foil everywhere, all over the floor, and Buster…’
Charlie stopped and wiped a hand over his eyes.
‘He was just lying there. I thought he was dead. It was the worst moment of my life.’
It looked like Buster would survive his ordeal, and Grace hoped that nothing worse would happen to Charlie for many, many years. She’d grown extremely fond of the young man in the short time she’d known him. She had daughters, whom she adored, but if one of them had been a boy, she’d have been quite happy if he’d grown up to be like Charlie. It would probably freak the guy out if she said it out loud. Instead, she patted the hand that was still entwined with hers.
‘I think he’s going to make it.’
Charlie smiled for the first time since he’d arrived.
‘Thank you for being here. I know I was a bit useless.’
Grace smiled back. ‘You were a bit.’
‘You know you stink, don’t you?’
‘Thanks.’
Angeliki emerged from the back room and Grace leapt to her feet at the same time as Charlie.
‘We’re not out of the woods yet. But I’m hopeful Buster will make a full recovery. I need to keep him in overnight, and he must eat plenty of activated charcoal to soak up any remaining toxins. Prompt action on your part has saved his life this time, but please lock your chocolate away in future.’
The vet had barely finished her sentence before Charlie picked her up and swung her round. She was tiny in his arms.
‘You beauty!’
The vet tried and failed to look disapproving.
‘You can see your dog now, but don’t get him all hyped up.’
It was definitely time for Grace to get out of her sick-stained clothes and go for a swim.
* * *
After her busy weekend as a chaperone and the excitement at the vet’s, Grace was looking forward to a quiet couple of days. Buster was doing well, and she’d had a big bunch of flowers from Charlie to say thank you for her help. A delivery of posh chocolates from Anna had also arrived, along with a WhatsApp of her sunning herself on a neighbouring island. Grace wished the young woman well.
Now the language school was shut for a month, the private lessons gave her some free time during the day. There was virtually no involvement with Elena and Giannis, as she received her timetable by email, which suited her down to the ground. And because she’d taken over Rose’s clients, while her colleague taught the couple’s children, she was meeting some new people, as well as teaching her own regulars.
Nick the businessman had booked a block of lessons while his company was on summer break, and she’d got to have a good nose round his apartment at the top of the town. It boasted high ceilings, faded turquoise plaster walls, and a cute balcony covered in plant pots filled with a riot of colourful flowers, as well as a view of the sea. After today’s lesson he’d invited her out onto his balcony for coffee. A coffee in town was her plan anyway, so she was happy to stay a few minutes longer.
Although she’d managed to have a good look round the downstairs of the apartment on the pretext of needing the toilet, she hadn’t been upstairs, but she got the very definite feeling that Nick might be keen to show her his bedroom. Not that he’d been creepy in any way, just a little too enthusiastic. And she’d caught him looking at her ring finger.
The businessman owned some sort of import–export company, the details of which she’d failed to grasp, although he’d spent quite a while trying to explain it to her, as part of one of her lessons on workplaces. It wasn’t that his English was bad, it just sounded extremely boring. He most definitely lived alone; there were no female touches anywhere in the apartment, and a single cup and plate on the draining board backed up her theory. He’d spoken of an ex-wife and grown-up daughter who lived abroad, but she’d learnt to her cost that that was no guarantee.
Having had her fingers burnt with Thanassis, Grace was wary. Nick was nice-looking, typically Greek, dark-haired and solid, of medium height and build, around her age and perfectly pleasant. But there was no spark.
She regretted mentioning Nick to Sofia in their weekly calls, as her friend had asked for an update and urged her to go for it if he asked her out. For some reason that she herself wasn’t totally sure of, Grace hadn’t got around to disabusing Sofia of the idea that Will was gay. Given Sofia’s reaction to Nick, she’d never hear the end of it if she did. Sofia would be urging her to sleep with Will at the earliest possible opportunity.
Trying to shake off thoughts of what Will would be like in bed, Grace was saved by a ringing phone. Her heart missed a beat when she saw the name.
‘Charlie. Is everything OK with Buster?’
‘Yes, he’s fine. My mother’s staying with us and spoiling him rotten. But you might not be so good when I tell you why I’m ringing.’ He left a pause. ‘You’re on tonight! I’ve found the perfect spot for you.’
‘What! Don’t be ridiculous.’
‘I knew you’d freak out if I gave you too much notice. I didn’t say anything, but that last session was really a dress rehearsal. You’re more than ready. Meet me at the Star Bar, nine-thirty sharp. Are you up for it?’
