He rolls his eyes back, but even more dramatically. “You’re welcome.”
I take a big sip of my coffee, groaning as I feel the delectable caffeine working it’s way through my veins. An hour later, and two more coffees down, I take my phone back at 70 per cent charge which will have to do. “The cruise is in Taormina today,” I report. “It docks there in a couple of hours and leaves at six p.m. It looks as if it will take anywhere between six and fifteenhoursto get there from Bari via train, coachandferry, so I think we’re just going to have to accept that we’re not going to make it for that one.”
He nods. “Agreed. There’s too many things that could go wrong. I think we’ve had enough trials for a lifetime.”
“So, it makes sense to carry on to Rome, in that case. The cruise is out at sea for two nights after they leave Sicily because of the ball they throw for the guests.”
“Ah, I’m sorry,” he says, his face etched with disappointment.
I glance at him over my phone. “Why are you sorry?”
“Because you’re missing the ball.”
“I’m not fucking Cinderella,” I say, scoffing. Gus laughs quietly in response as if my reaction confirms the fact. “I don’t care about the ball. I mean, the cruise was brimming with old men and wealthy families. It was hardly going to be a rave. And besides, I’m technically heartbroken and it wouldn’t be my scene.”
“You’retechnicallyheartbroken? How does that work then?”
“My heart ismeantto be broken.”
“But it isn’t?” he asks, genuinely.
“I don’t know,” I reply truthfully.
“I think you’d know,” he says.
He’s probably right. I think I know that more happened between Mike and his female colleague than I discovered. I think my heartbreak was overtaken by betrayal. And now, I think there’s something new at play that I can’t quite put my finger on. But I’m so tired it’s not something I’m able to process right now. Instead, I shake my head at Gus and begin searching the best route to Rome.
“Unfortunately, it’s quickest and cheapest to travel by coach to Naples. Saves us nearly two hours and means no waiting around at the station where it changes. Then from Naples we head into Rome by train. We should be there in about five hours.”
Gus chews on his bottom lip, running a hand through his curls. “That’s a long stretch on public transit.”
“Yes. But do you have a better idea?”
He swallows. “Not really. Not unless we rent a car and drive, of course.”
I shrug. “Istilldon’t have my licence on me.”
“Fuck. I forgot.”
“What’s the worst that could happen? Are you a big name in Italy?”
He gives me a sardonic look. “We’re an international success, Sara.”
“Alright, Elvis. I’m just saying—”
“I’ve been recognised in Vietnam.”
“Good for you,” I say sardonically. “You’rereallyfamous, I get it, Popstar. Would you like me to shave all your hair off now, so nobody recognises you?”
He shakes his head slowly, clearly horrified by my suggestion and without saying another word rises from the table and heads in the direction of the clothes stores we passed on the way in. Clearly, I’ve finally rattled him. Our coach is booked and we’re going to gamble with trains being available once we reach Naples.
In the meantime, I find an H&M and decide to play it safe, hoping I don’t get kicked out for stinking like rotting seaweed. Gus heads upstairs in search of something for himself too – sunglasses on. I grab a pair of leggings, denim shorts and a nice yellow and white summer dress I can throw on if needed. I add some clean underwear, a t-shirt bra, and am on my way to the checkout when I spot something that makes me cackle so loud the woman behind the till jumps.
I add another item to my purchase.
Gus has somehow already managed to get dressed when I step outside. He’s doing that strange thing hot men do sometimes where the lean against a wall, arms folded, withone foot propped up so their knee points out. He’s picked a loose-fitting, vintage-style grey t-shirt, black shorts and white trainers too.
He looks impossibly cool.Such a popstar.Especially with those curls peeking out of his cap. It doesn’t help that those mischievous warm eyes don’t leave me as I walk towards him.
