Page 67 of Escape to the Sun

‘I know. And I should have been more circumspect. I’m just going to say one more thing – great sex with a stranger on holiday isn’t the same thing as a lifelong commitment.’

Ruth lifted her hands, open and palms towards Hannah. ‘I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t go for it and say what I think.’

Suddenly, Hannah had no appetite for breakfast. ‘I think I’ll go for a walk. I’ll see you later.’

Without waiting for a reply, she gathered her belongings, and the radio, and left the restaurant as her phone rang. It was Louis. Hannah did her best to push away Ruth’s projected negativity and smiled as she answered. The smile didn’t last long.

‘Hi, Hannah – listen, we’ve had a couple of incidents overnight. Nothing to worry about, but I’m going to stay on board today. Think I should be around a bit more, you know?’

‘So, you’re not coming on shore at Kingstown?’

‘I can’t. I’m sorry. We can meet up later instead if you like?’

‘Yeah. Sure. Let’s do that.’

‘Um, did you happen to find my radio in your cabin?’

‘Yes. What do you want me to do with it? Shall I bring it to the bridge?’

‘No.’ The answer came almost too quickly. ‘Leave it in your cabin and I’ll get Martin to collect it.’

‘I’ll see you later then?’

‘I’m sorry about today, but I really do need to stay here. You understand, don’t you?’

She did. But also, she didn’t understand at all. They had made plans for the day, which now lay in tatters. ‘I understand,’ she said.

After she’d dumped Louis’ radio back in her cabin, and with no real destination in mind, Hannah walked the promenade as she worked up the courage to phone Ian. She was halfway down one side when she took in a deep breath and dialled. It only rang twice before the connection clicked through and she heard a very familiar voice.

‘Hannah? Is that you?’

The jolt she felt at hearing his voice was unexpectedly strong. With some distance from the intensity of their break-up, and with her genuine concern for his well-being gaining ground, the rich, deep tone of his voice rolled over her like a weighted blanket.

‘Hi, Ian. How are you? I heard you’d been in an accident.’

‘I’m surprised you care.’ The notes of self-indulgence were clear, but Hannah didn’t think they were without merit.

‘This whole thing has been hard on me, too, Ian.’

‘Yes – I know. And I’m sorry, that wasn’t fair of me. I think the painkillers must be wearing off.’

‘What happened?’

After Ian had related the story of the car accident from his point of view – and it did sound as bad as her mother had suggested – Hannah asked about his injuries.

‘It’s buggered up my right leg. They had to operate – a displaced fracture, but they told me I was lucky, they pinned the tibia, but it should only be temporary.’

‘That’s good. Mum said something about your shoulder?’

‘Bad news travels fast, doesn’t it…? They X-rayed and it turns out I have a hairline fracture, nothing worse than that. And a couple of fractured ribs. That’s all.’

‘Sounds bad enough to me, Ian. Are you in much pain?’

‘When the drugs wear off it’s pretty bad. But I’ll live, which is more than I can say for my Audi. Total write-off.’

Hannah grinned; he loved that car. ‘Well, I’m glad you’re going to be OK.’

‘Me too.’ Silence wrapped itself around the call for a few seconds, before Hannah heard Ian sigh. ‘I really am glad you’ve phoned, Han. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you.’