‘I know,’ she replied, her hand reaching to cover her nostrils. ‘They’ve been there for years.’
‘Hmm. Odd. Are you not a bit young to have them?’
Becky turned her face away. ‘I really don’t think my age has anything to do with it. And broken veins are—’
‘You really don’t need to get defensive. It wasn’t a criticism, just an observation. I’ll see you later.’
Wasn’t a criticism? Becky watched Christine leave before flopping down on the bed, feeling more than a tad crushed.Why tell me I look nice then follow it up with a flaw? What is the point?Determined to brush it off, she headed downstairs for breakfast.
‘Morning,’ she said as chirpily as she could muster. ‘I’m ravenous.’
‘Morning, lovely,’ Beth replied. ‘There are pastries and fruit here, Erin’s just taken a delivery if you want to wait for toast.’
Becky smiled, making a beeline for the pastries. Pain au chocolat was the ideal mood cleanser.
‘Save some of those for your girlfriend,’ Alex remarked, smiling.
‘Christine’s away for a run,’ Becky replied, chomping into one. ‘She can sort herself out when she gets back.’
Taking her pastries and tea to the sun lounger beside Tara and Aiden, Becky plonked herself down. She wouldn’t let Christine ruin this beautiful day. Although Tara had positioned herself away from Beth, the atmosphere didn’t feel strained now. Becky hoped that it had just been blip on their so far enjoyable weekend.
‘Gah, we’re missing a few things from the delivery,’ Erin announced as she joined everyone on the patio. As no one had prepared for this heatwave, she was amused to see the other women wearing her beachwear, though a smidgen annoyed that Tara looked far more incredible in her bikini top than she ever did.
‘I’ll put away what has been delivered and then pop out to the store and pick up what we need. The main thing is the fruit juice for tonight. Hard to make cocktails without it!’
‘Hey, Tom Cruise, I think you’ll find you’re booked in for a massage with me this morning,’ Becky yelled from the garden, determined to soak up every ray of sunshine available. ‘Can’t someone else go?’
‘Count me out,’ Beth said, motioning to her leg. ‘And I’m not entirely sure I’d trust Paul to drive this morning after the skinful he had last night… in fact I’m not even sure he’s alive, I haven’t properly checked.’
Paul and his white, hairy legs lay motionless on a beach towel.
‘I can go,’ Alex chimed in. ‘Just make a list.’
‘You don’t have a car,’ Erin replied. ‘It’s at least a good couple of miles on foot, maybe more.’
‘I’ll take yours,’ she replied, ‘My insurance covers me to drive any car, it’s no problem. Fancy joining me, Tara? A girls’ two-mile road trip?’
Tara pushed her sunglasses down the bridge of her nose. ‘As tempting as that is, it’s far too glorious out here. Aiden will help though, won’t you, Aiden?’
Alex felt her chest tighten. ‘Oh, it’s fine,’ she insisted. ‘I’m sure I can manage!'
‘Don’t be silly, he can put those big arms to good use.’
Alex wondered how it was possible to feel like throwing yourself into the sea and also completely delighted at the same time, but regardless it was happening.
‘I… um, sure.’ Aiden replied, glancing at Alex. ‘Happy to help.’
‘Brilliant,’ Erin replied. ‘I’ll make a quick list.’
Aiden followed Alex out to Erin’s white Range Rover.Be cool, she thought to herself as she threw her bag into the backseat. Act normal. Pretend he’s just some guy that you’re not ridiculously enamoured with after an absurdly short period of time.
‘You didn’t have to come, you know,’ Alex said, fastening her seatbelt. ‘I could have managed alone.’
‘I know,’ he replied. ‘To be honest, I couldn’t think of a reason not to help. I was caught off guard.’
Alex smiled. She admired his honesty.
‘Damn, this is a nice car,’ he exclaimed, feeling the material on the dashboard. ‘My Yaris is like a toy car compared to this.’
