Page 183 of The Island Retreat

Beata is looking from Rose to Theo.

‘OK,’ she says finally. ‘I get it. I’m vamoosing,’ and she leaves, snatching the housekeeping list out of Rose’s grasp.

Rose pulls herself together.

She’s Rose Talisman.

Self-made woman. A healer.

‘Your interest in what?’ she says, drawing herself up majestically so that she looks as beautiful as she knows how to be.

‘You,’ says Theo softly.

‘You don’t really know me at all,’ says Rose sadly.

But this time, Theo smiles. ‘I went to Wales,’ he says. ‘It took a lot of digging but I found you and Adriana. You’ve been so brave. You deserved so much more than I gave you.’

Rose’s breath stills.

‘I’m an idiot, Rose. I hurt you. Your agent told me about the email you sent to the producers before the shooting. I understand so much more now …’

Rose’s eyes are taking in all the little details about him. The changes that age have brought. He’s still Theo but he’s older and certainly wiser.

‘I’m not sure I believe in second chances,’ she says now. ‘So much time has elapsed.’

‘Can I stay for a few days?’ Theo asks.

Rose tests the feelings inside. Her instincts are finely honed. Earned from a life not without difficulty.

She feels calm. In Theo’s presence, standing in the corridor outside the housekeeping cupboard, she still feels like herself.

The true version of herself who’s about to give herself another chance with Theo.

‘We start on Monday on the beach,’ she says. ‘You will need to collect a pebble.’

‘I’ll collect a whole beachful,’ he says eagerly.

‘Now I’m making beds. We all work in the villa,’ Rose adds.

‘Tell me what to do,’ says Theo obediently.

‘You really mean it,’ she says in wonderment.

Theo nods and then slowly, very slowly, he moves forward until he’s beside her and his lips meet hers.

‘You have no idea how much I’ve missed you, Rose,’ he says.