Page 88 of Escape to the Sun

‘World is your oyster, Hannah…’ April said as she flowed away.

For Hannah, New Year’s Eve, spent on the beach paradise of Antigua – the final stop on the cruise – went past way too fast. Although perhaps that was to be expected. The end of memorable holidays always seemed to speed up – and this trip had been memorable, no question.

It hadn’t given Hannah much time to think about April’s suggestion, so without a clear plan in mind, she’d dressed and headed for the art gallery a little after six.

Ruth and Millie were already there – Nathan having opted to spend the time with Keisha instead.

‘It’s going to happen, isn’t it – sooner or later he’s going to leave. Properly go. This is like a safe precursor, easing me into when he has a serious girlfriend and I’m nothing more than a speck in his rear-view mirror,’ Ruth said.

‘He says Keisha is a really serious girlfriend,’ Millie said earnestly. ‘I can’t believe we’re going home tomorrow, though.’

‘Some of us might get to come back, though – mightn’t we?’ Ruth asked, her gaze sharp and focused on Hannah.

‘I don’t know. There’s too much still up in the air for me to be able to see clearly,’ Hannah said.

As she turned, she caught sight of a couple of new arrivals into the gallery. Teddy led the way, followed by Louis, resplendent in full evening uniform. Ruth moved closer and lowered her voice.

‘Try very hard to see clearly, Hannah. Before it’s too late.’

Then, mentioning something about a soft drink, Ruth led Millie away. As though choreographed, Teddy turned and said something to Louis, before he too wandered off, leaving Hannah staring straight at Louis. He frowned, then smiled as professionalism took hold and he closed the gap between them.

‘I think I might buy this one for my cabin,’ he said, gazing at the soaring birds in the painting Hannah was beside.

‘It is lovely. It would look great above your bed.’ Hannah’s cheeks flooded with colour as she realised how it sounded, and looked away.

Louis stifled a laugh. ‘Well. You should know,’ he said.

There was a pause, one of those long moments when bits of dust are supposed to float in meaningful ways, but the lighting in the gallery was too low to be able to see any, and eventually they both spoke at the same time.

‘— I’m so sorry I was such a coward,’ Hannah said, but couldn’t be sure he heard her.

As he said, ‘— I can’t begin to apologise enough for leaving you in Bridgetown. It was unforgivable.’

‘It wasn’t your fault, Louis. Nobody could know I’d left my mobile in my cabin. Although it’s funny, isn’t it, how reliant we are on them. I could really have done with it when I got lost, and then there were these men…’

Louis’ expression changed, became incredibly intense. ‘What men?’

‘I went for a walk but ended up getting lost. It was raining by then and there was nobody else around except a group of men and I tried to ignore them, but they said a few things and I thought… I panicked, I suppose, and ran.’

Louis looked completely horrified. Glancing around he led her to the quietest corner of the gallery space. ‘What the hell, Hannah? I can’t bear this. It’s all my fault.’

‘No, it’s not.’

‘I left you on the quay, didn’t I? Nobody else did that. What happened?’

‘Nothing happened. They helped me find Martin. It was fine. But I was a bit scared to begin with, if I’m being honest.’

The matter-of-fact way Hannah was telling him about what sounded like a terrifying moment had Louis desperate to hug her tight. It was an incredibly strong response, unexpectedly so – the thought of how he would have felt had something happened to her pushed past his thoughts of having failed her, even overrode his bruised ego where her flip-flopping with her ex was concerned.

‘Let me get you a drink,’ he said. ‘And one for myself, while I’m at it. I would never have forgiven myself if… if⁠—’

His sentence remained unfinished, partly because he couldn’t bear to say it out loud, but also because a waiter with a tray full of champagne flutes came close enough for him to take firm hold of two glasses, handing her one before downing half of his own.

Hannah cocked her head at him, a smile edging onto her face.

‘I know, I know – but serious times call for serious measures. If you don’t tell, then I won’t.’

It was enough to break what was left of the ice and she began to giggle, a sound he hadn’t believed he’d ever hear again.