‘She should be more careful.’
‘Shall I get you another bandage?’ Amelia piped up, wanting to ease the tension, but Stella said she’d have a swim first.
‘I’ve got to cool off; I’m so hot after that walk.’
‘You must dry it really carefully,’ Jon insisted, coming over all concerned again.
‘I will.’
‘How are you feeling about Harriet? Any better?’
Hector’s question came out of the blue and the air turned frosty. His comment sounded innocent enough, but his lip had a sarcastic curl.
‘A-a bit better, yes, thank you,’ Jon said with a stammer. ‘It’s taken a long time, you know, these things do. It takes a bit of getting used to, being single. I think I’m starting to get there…’
Hector was quiet for a moment, perhaps trying to construct a suitable response. He didn’t get the chance, however, as Louise appeared with a tray of glasses, a jug of iced water, a bottle of cordial and a bowl of peanuts, which she set on the end of the lounger Will was sharing with the girls.
‘I need you to walk to Porto Liakáda in a bit and get us something for supper,’ she told all three. ‘It’s cooler now. The supermarket’s open till ten.’
Amelia groaned. ‘It’s so far!’
‘Come on, you haven’t exactly done much today.’
Amelia made a face, but Lily nudged her in the ribs.
‘We can look round the shops and have a few drinks.’
‘Just one,’ Louise said firmly. ‘Otherwise we won’t eat till midnight.’
She filled the glasses with water and asked who wanted cordial. When she started to pass Stella her drink, she straightened up, wincing, and tried to bend her sore knee, which had stiffened.
In a flash, Jon had risen to his feet. ‘Don’t move. I’ll get it for you.’
Louise glanced at him oddly; Stella wondered what she was making of him.
A short time later, Will and the girls set off for Porto Liakáda, leaving Louise, Stella and Jon in the garden with Hector.
‘Okay, I really am going in the pool now.’ Stella peeled off her shorts and top to reveal a navy swimsuit underneath.
Jon hurried into the house and reappeared in a pair of yellow trunks.
When he saw Stella limping towards the steps, he tried to help by tucking an arm under hers.
He was much taller and it was all a bit awkward, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings by pushing him away.
‘Take your hands off my mum!’
They both turned to look at Hector, whose expression hadn’t changed. He hadn’t moved either.
Louise laughed as if it were a joke, but Stella wasn’t sure. She wriggled out of Jon’s embrace and his arm fell to his side.
Once in the water, she launched into a slow breaststroke and headed for the deep end, relieved to leave him behind.
But when she’d done a few lengths and returned to the steps, Jon was still standing there, waiting for her.
