I feel my hair sticking up and pat it down quickly. Was I sleeping with my mouth open as I often do? The girls took a terribly unflattering photo of me on a train once when I had dozed off, and I swore I would never sleep in public again. I hope I didn’t look like that when Elias put a blanket over me at some point in the early hours.
‘Good morning, beautiful,’ he says.
I am relieved by the positive adjective; surely he wouldn’t have said that had my mouth been open all night?
‘Good morning, gorgeous,’ I reply. I hope that didn’t sound too cheesy. It was all so much easier when I was drinking wine. Now in the light of day, I am feeling a lot more nervous around him, especially since everything has changed.
‘Here, just as you like it. Milk, no sugar,’ says Elias, handing me the mug.
‘You even know how I take my coffee. A man who listens and remembers things. I like it.’
‘You’d be surprised what you learn when you actually sit back and listen to people, instead of doing all the talking.’
‘Yeah. I guess I talk a lot. I should try listening a bit more.’
‘I suppose it comes from cleaning windows; I’m quite observant. You notice the curtains that never open, the warring couple who you can hear while you clean the windows, and you just know it isn’t going to last.’
‘Hmm… Does that mean you’re nosy?’
Elias laughs. ‘No. Definitely not nosy. Just observant.’
As he smiles, I feel the urge to stroke his cheek. He takes my hand and kisses it.
‘Right, mademoiselle, fancy some fresh juice? From your favourite supermarket.’
‘Wow, you really are observant! This is like a five-star hotel.’
‘I aim to give good service,’ he winks.
‘Well, if you were on Tripadvisor, you’d be getting a rave review. Good food, superb facilities, excellent ambience.’
Elias puts his hand on my leg.
‘Hmm, go on…’
‘And very attentive service,’ I say cheekily.
‘Is that so? I can get more attentive.’
‘Oh, can you now? In that case, who needs refreshments?’
I put my glass down as Elias leads me downstairs to his cabin and we make love on the opulent round cabin bed. I trace my hand all the way along the scar that leads down his chest, but I decide not to ask him about it. I noticed it when we went swimming, too, but now I can see it close up in the morning light. I figure if he wants to tell me about it, then he will.
We snuggle on the bed for over an hour. I smile to myself as I think of the contrast between Elias and Michael. If we ever made love, he’d be back up after five minutes checking his phone. With Elias, everything is so much more passionate and tender. We lie for ages looking at the sunshine through the skylight in the bedroom. Finally, he suggests we should get back to breakfast and begin our day of sailing. I try to stop myself from grinning. I can’t remember ever feeling so free, or as thrilled, as when I look at Elias in front of me.
When he leaves me to go to the upper deck, I get myself together for breakfast once again and check my phone.
There are ten frantic messages waiting for me.
Three from Jasmine, four from Poppy, and three from Michael. They all indicate the same thing. They think I have been kidnapped, scammed or thrown overboard and demand I reply immediately.
I start typing a message to Poppy first since she has sent the most messages.
I’m absolutely fine. Having the time of my life, actually. I’m off toAntibes, Saint-Tropez and Cannes probably. Not quite sure where exactly,but I’ll keep you updated when I can.
Then I copy and paste it to Jasmine and send a photo of the yacht to Michael with no words. That will shut him up. He has always loved yachts and fast cars. I have only just pressed send when he starts typing.
What are you sending me this photo for when the girls are worriedsick about you? Do you know how much they’re panicking that somethingwill happen to you? Do you care how your poor daughters even feel? Havesome consideration.
