‘What a nuisance!’ Jessica said with a frown, plonking her rucksack on the patio table and sitting down. ‘I was just about leave the guest house where I was staying when suddenly police descended and said I was a missing person.
‘I didn’t know what they were talking about. I told them I was very muchnotmissing, and I was on my way to the beach, but they wouldn’t listen. They insisted on bringing me back here and I haven’t even been to Knossos yet. It’s infuriating.’
Taking a green apple from the pocket of her bag, she proceeded to crunch into it, seemingly completely unaware of, or indifferent to, the hell she’d put her friends through.
Edie felt the blood rise to her neck and cheeks and when she glanced at Ralph, she could tell from his narrowed eyes and clenched jaw, he was incandescent, too.
However, reminding herself again of what he’d said in bed this morning about keeping their feelings to themselves, she fixed on Jessica, sitting opposite, and managed to summon a smile.
‘Thank goodness you’re OK,’ she said coolly, leaning back and crossing her arms. ‘We were concerned because we hadn’t heard from you.’
Jessica shrugged. ‘I hate phones. At home they’re a necessary evil. The last thing I want is to be glued to my mobile when I’m on holiday.’
Bile rose up from Edie’s stomach and burned her throat. Unable to guarantee she wouldn’t blow if Jessica tried to justify herself any more, she offered to make tea, coffee or a cold drink for the police officers, then disappeared indoors.
Hannah must have crept past her in the kitchen because by the time Edie returned to the garden, she was beside Jessica at the patio table, laughing at something Aikaterini was saying. She didn’t glance at Edie once.
Jessica was silent while Ralph praised the police and thanked them warmly for their kindness, speed and professionalism.
‘I’m sorry for bothering you unnecessarily,’ he said. ‘But we didn’t know things would turn out so well. As soon as I spoke to you, I knew we were in good hands. I never doubted you’d get to the bottom of this – and I was right.’
Ioannis dipped his head modestly.
‘You really were amazing; we’re so grateful,’ Edie added. ‘You kept us informed and reassured us when we really needed it. I’ll never forget what you’ve done.’
Slapping both his thighs, Ioannis grinned widely. ‘It’s all ended happily – that’s just what I like. If only all our investigations were the same.’
Aikaterini nodded. ‘When someone goes missing on the island, we mostly find them in one piece. But unfortunately, every now and then there’s an exception and we find out something tragic has happened. I’m so glad that wasn’t the case here.’
At this point Jessica, who must have been biting her tongue, could stand it no longer.
‘The whole sorry episode’s been a huge waste of police time,’ she said, glancing round at the assembled group with pursed lips, her body rigid with anger.
‘Edie, Mac and Hannah, if you’d thought about things rationally, instead of panicking, you’d have realised I’d decided to extend my trip. It’s hardly surprising I didn’t want to stick round here,’ she added, rolling her eyes. ‘Forgive me for wanting to get away from the horrible atmosphere. I’ve never known anything like it.’
Her small, bright blue eyes fixed accusingly on Mac, and Edie noticed his body slump and his bottom lip start to tremble.
Something gave way inside her, and the feelings of outrage and fury she’d been bottling up came gushing out before she could stop them.
‘Do you realise what you’ve done?’ she said, rolling back her shoulders and glaring at Jessica.
‘Edie, don’t—’ Ralph started to say, but she wasn’t listening.
‘You’ve ruined our holiday and on top of that, you deliberately stirred things up between Hannah and Mac and made things much worse. Now they’re getting divorced.’
Jessica snorted then gave a smug half-smile.
‘Good! I’m glad. But you can hardly accuse me of ruining the marriage. Mac managed to do that all by himself.’
Edie’s eyes narrowed to thin slits. Her face was burning and she clenched her fists under the table. She was tempted to get up right there and then and punch Jessica in the mouth.
‘You have no idea what’s been going on between those two. You just waded in like you knew everything – but you got it all wrong.’
Drawing back a little, Jessica arched her eyebrows and smiled sarcastically.
‘Excuse me. I’ve never claimed to be a relationship expert. I’m not even married, remember. Thank God.’ She gave an exaggerated shudder. ‘And after witnessing you lot, I’m even more convinced it’s a bad idea. I value my freedom and independence,’ she continued, looking pointedly again at Mac. ‘No one tellsmewhat to do.’
While she was speaking, both police officers were quiet, watching the proceedings, it seemed, with a mixture of shock and astonishment.
