Then she and Mac sat down, reached for plates, knives, bread rolls, butter and honey and proceeded to eat with gusto.
Edie was so surprised she didn’t know how to respond. Hannah’s smile said it all: they’d obviously made up in the time-honoured way.
If the evidence wasn’t staring Edie in the face, she’d have thought it was too late for that, given Mac’s threatening behaviour. She presumed the others felt the same way, as they were silent, too.
‘D’you fancy a walk, Mac, just you and I?’ Ralph asked at last. ‘I thought we could head for Sweetwater Beach along the coast. It should take about an hour and we can either walk back or get the ferry.’
Mac glanced at Hannah and the pair communicated something with their eyes.
‘Actually, Hannah and I thought we’d push off on our own for a bit, if you don’t mind,’ Mac replied after a pause. ‘We might investigate that ruined Venetian castle. We won’t be gone that long. We just thought it would be nice, you know, after yesterday?—’
‘Of course,’ Ralph said quickly. ‘We can do Sweetwater another day.’
‘I’m heading to Knossos.’
They all turned to Jessica, who had put down her book and was wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
‘I’ll get the ferry to Chora Sfakion then a bus to Heraklion. Then it’s just another, shortish bus ride to the ancient palace. It’ll take about four and a half hours in all so I’ll spend the night there tonight. I’ve booked a hotel. I think I’ll get up very early tomorrow to look round the site. There won’t be enough time today.’
‘Great! You can take lots of photos for your pupils.’ Mac’s comment seemed innocent enough but there was no mistaking the caustic tone.
Ralph rubbed his hands together, ostensibly to remove the breadcrumbs.
‘Fine.’ He looked at Edie. ‘So that leaves just you and me. I guess we’ll have to entertain ourselves.’
He made a mock-sad face but Edie could sense his underlying delight.
‘Let’s go to the village beach as you suggested,’ she said, also trying not to sound too cheerful. ‘We could maybe have some lunch in one of the cafés.’
She glanced at Hannah. ‘We’ll pick something up for supper at the mini-market. And for breakfast tomorrow, too.’
‘No. That’s not fair.’ Mac’s sudden interruption made everyone stop and stare.
‘You don’t want to have to carry everything home at the end of the day. You’ll be too tired. I’ll nip down to the village now and pick up some stuff. It won’t take me long. Hannah and I can go for our walk afterwards.’
Hannah frowned. ‘You’ll be knackered by the time you get back. You won’t want another walk.’
‘She’s right,’ Edie agreed. ‘And there’ll be too much to carry for one person.’
But Mac was adamant. ‘I insist.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘I’ll jog both ways. I need the exercise. To be honest, it’ll do me good. I’ve been thinking I should take up running again. I used to run a lot in my twenties and thirties. I’m not sure why I stopped. I’ll probably be shocked by my speed, or rather lack of it.’
Ralph pushed his chair back and scratched his neck. ‘I should offer to come with you, mate, but I can’t face the uphill bit on the way back. Sorry.’
Mac shook his head. ‘Nah. Don’t be. I reckon I’ll do it in an hour, give or take, if I don’t have any stops.’
Hannah made a face. ‘Well, I’m definitely not coming with you. No stops sounds like torture. I’d probably pass out. I’ll save myself for the Venetian castle. I know my limits.’
Mac gave a half-smile. ‘Wise move. I won’t be long, promise.’
He seemed dead set on the idea, and Edie thought itwouldbe a relief for her and Ralph not to have to shop later on.
‘If you’re sure…’ she said doubtfully.
‘I am.’
It was hard for her and Ralph not to cheer after they said goodbye to Jessica, who set off purposefully straight after breakfast, wearing her rucksack.
‘I’ll be back sometime tomorrow evening,’ she said, opening the heavy oak front door and stepping out into the hot sun.
