“Solid effort.”
He grins across at me. “I’m starting to think you’re the type to root for the villain.”
“I just like seeing women kicking arse. That’s all.”
He clicks his finger at me. “Great point. I have no comeback. Charge phone and then wine?”
I nod. “Yes. Like a bucket of wine.”
ThirteenCruise Location – At SeaNext Port – KotorTime of Arrival – 12:00 (GMT+1)
A few hours later, we stroll through the old town in a daze, heading no particular direction. I don’t know about Gus, but my feet are burning. I’m parched, burnt and exhausted. We were fortunate enough to find a café where I could charge my phone, swapping with Gus once I hit 50 per cent.
We’re hoping to find somewhere tucked away so Gus can maintain his cover while we eat and drink and beg whoever owns the place to let me charge my phone some more. Luckily, we find a wine bar off the main street and manage to grab a table in the back.
Gus orders half the menu before cringing and glancing at me. “I keep forgetting I’m spending your money. I’ll chase my sister. She hasn’t replied yet.”
“It’s all good, I’ve already told you!”
“Yeah, yeah, but soon as I’m back on the ship I’ll transfer you what I owe plus the seven hundred per cent interest.”
I groan. “No interest.”
“Fine, Sara,” he says, smirking. “You drive a hard bargain. I’ll pay you—”
“Stoooop!”
“—one thousand per cent.”
“You’re really annoying. Has anyone ever told you that?”
He adds two bottles of red wine to the order before glancing back at me, swallowing. “Yeah. I’ve heard that before,” he says lightly, but it doesn’t diminish the shadow of something deeper in his words.
I almost press him on it but then our drinks arrive and he raises a glass.
“To freedom,” he says coyly.
I roll my eyes. “To getting back to our ship,” I counter. “Ok, so,” I start, pulling up the map and zooming out. “We need to get to Kotor tomorrow by midday. According to the itinerary, the ship is only in the harbour for a few hours. It’s the only stop where the ship actively recommends you join a tour.”
“It’s like they don’t trust their guests not to miss the cruise.”
“Can you imagine why?”
“Not a clue.”
“We could drive tonight?” I suggest. “At least then we’d get there in time. I’m sure there’s a car hire nearby.”
“Oh good, just what this trip is missing, reckless endangerment.”
I eye him.Fair point. “Fine. Also I’d hate to waste those bottles of wine you just ordered.” He nods, agreeing as I check the travel time between Dubrovnik and Kotor and sigh. It’s only a couple of hours but there are border crossings which cause delays. “We’ll need to leave early in the morning to be safe, I’m not taking any chances.”
“How early?”
“First thing,” I say, giving the bottles of wine a weary glance.
He laughs at me. “Going by this morning, I fear waking you up early and getting you out the door before dawn might be a challenge in itself.”
I don’t even look at him for fear of giving him the satisfaction of being correct. “You’ve known me for twenty-four hours, Popstar. You don’t get to pretend you know me.”
