And it seemed to be working. Whether it was the photographs or the captions, the new account was getting loads of engagement. Of course the fact that Natasha, who had a huge social media following herself, was interacting with it probably accounted for much of that.
Kim had to smile when she realised that some of her actual real-life friends from home were now following The Sweet Life account, and she guessed it had to be because of the content, as during their last interaction, Tash had again been sworn to keep Kim’s location secret.
In the meantime, she had again been in touch with Spencer,calling him from Annie’s mobile phone so as to conceal her location.
‘Hey, it’s Kim. I need to talk to you,’ she said as her heart began to race in her chest. She couldn’t believe she was doing this, but she was.
She was setting herself free.
‘I’m sorry but I need to be honest. I won’t be coming to stay with you guys at all this summer. I’m not interested in this so-called arrangement our parents have,’ she blurted out abruptly. ‘I barely know you. I don’t care how much money your folks have or about your titles. I just want to live my own life. I want to be happy. Do you understand?’
Kim waited for the response. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but what she received surprised her.
‘Well, I don’t particularly want this either. I never did.’
‘You didn’t?’ Her heart lifted.
‘Of course not. I already have a girlfriend, and this whole affair was something your parents and mine hatched together. I must say, I’m glad to hear you’re not so keen either. My mother said you were all for it …’
Kim’s eyes widened. To think that he believedshewas eager to nab him – because of his status. Ugh.
She was glad now that she’d had the good sense to take off. What kind of women was this guy used to? The kind Kim’s parents thoughtshewas, obviously.
‘Well, I hope your folks aren’t too inconvenienced,’ she told him.
‘And I hope yours come round.’
Unlikely, she thought. ‘They’ll get over it.’
‘Indeed. Well, thanks for ringing, Kim, and best of luck with … whatever you’re doing,’ Spencer said, before ending the call.
‘Thanks.’
Just what the hellwasshe doing? Kim wondered now. She stared out at the twinkling water, watching Colette and Annie frolic in the waves.
The three had decided that it was a perfect day for a trip to the beach. They were at Fornillo, the smaller sister to Spiaggia Grande, the bigger and much more touristy beach in the centre of Positano.
Up till now, they’d spent their days together wandering through the streets and alleyways of the practically vertical town, and visited some of the other popular tourist sites along the coast, as well as a couple of local art galleries.
Well, she and Colette did; Annie told them right from the beginning that she wasn’t in the least bit interested in culture or sightseeing, and was far more concerned with getting a tan, which was why she in turn spent most of her days at the villa soaking up the sunshine by the pool.
But today, Kim and Colette had dragged Annie out, and down the perilous 400-or-so-step descent to the beach. Unlike the soft underfoot of, say, the Hamptons back home, the ‘sand’ at Fornillo consisted primarily of sharp rock pebbles and was volcanic in origin, making it hot as hell to walk on.
‘Are you coming in or what?’ Annie chimed in now, as she approached. The brunette was wearing a light pink swimsuit that flattered her hourglass figure.
Kim looked at her own shape. She knew she was model-thin with a pretty decent body, but Annie had the shape that every woman wanted, and by the looks she was getting from guys on the beach, one that men appreciated, too.
‘Must be a real page-turner,’ Colette commented, nodding at the paperback. Kim flinched a little, thinking she’d spotted the little journal slotted within the pages, but no, Colette was referring to the thriller she was reading.
For some reason, Kim hadn’t let the others know about her accidental find at the villa. She wasn’t sure why, but she wanted to keep the mysterious journal to herself, at least until she’d got through reading it. Then maybe they could ask Valentina, the villa caretaker, who it might belong to. A previous guest, most likely. Or even the villa’s original owner.
In any case, it was an interesting diversion for Kim and she was more than happy to sit on the beach reading motivational quotes and life lessons while she pondered her next move, namely plucking up the courage to call her parents and confess where she was.
But the others seemed determined to get her in the water.
‘Maybe later,’ she mumbled to Colette. ‘I’m still pretty beat after the trek down here.Andlast night.’
The three had hit some of Positano’s hotspots again the night before and it was becoming a bit of a habit. One that Kim would need to nip in the bud if she was to have any cash left to continue funding her great Italian escape.
