‘No calls yet… But it’s still only the first day, remember.’
‘True.’
Charlotte stroked the fringing on a green crocheted handbag and held it against her side.
‘This is nice.’
‘Put that back. Don’t waste your money. I can make you one for free.’ Maddie’s whisper was loud enough to attract the attention of the store owner who stared with sad eyes as Charlotte put the bag down and flicked through the clothes rack again.
‘I’m probably a bit sour because there’s nothing, absolutely nothing, here that would fit me. It’s all made for Greek women who tend to be on the short side.’
‘Don’t let Sof hear you say that. She’d go bonkers.’ Maddie lowered her voice to a whisper again. ‘Even if anything did fit me, it’s far too rich for my pocket.’
Sofia emerged from the back in the white linen dress.
‘I love it! I’m definitely going to get it.’
Charlotte and Maddie just nodded as she ducked back in.
Sofia’s phone buzzed with a message. Another one five seconds later. And another one five seconds after that.
Maddie eyed the bag slung over Charlotte’s shoulder as the sequence started again.
‘It sounds like some sort of code… Dare we?’
Charlotte’s face gave her the answer.
‘Absolutely not. We are not looking at her messages. I can’t believe you even suggested it.’
‘You want to though, don’t you? There’s something going on with her. It would give us a clue.’
‘Oh yeah, but it’s not happening.’
Sofia emerged in the navy dress, but as she did another twirl, the buzzing phone halted her in her tracks. She ran and grabbed her bag off Charlotte’s shoulder.
The stop start code was Adonis’s way of letting her know he had a few minutes’ break from his busy job as the newly promoted manager and co-owner of the best hotel on his island.
Unfortunately, he had a knack of ringing at exactly the wrong time. He couldn’t be available when she was resting in her room, could he? No, he had to ring when she was in a tiny changing room with her friends standing the other side of the flimsy curtain.
Deep down, she knew it wasn’t his fault. He could hardly whisper sweet nothings in her ear while he was dealing with hotel guests.
‘Hello?’
‘It’s me. Is it a good time to talk?’
‘No, it’s a terrible time. I’m standing here in my underwear.’
‘That sounds interesting… But why are you speaking so quietly?’
‘Because I’m in a shop changing room.’
‘Ah, I see.’
‘It’s impossible to talk now. Can we speak later?’
‘Sadly, I don’t think so. We have a function in the restaurant. But I will try again tomorrow.’
‘OK.’
