Page 19 of The House Swap

‘That’s the race he won a couple of years ago,’ she said, remembering him telling her about it.

‘Is that him?’ Keira pointed to the man at the end. Dark hair, broad shoulders, easy smile. Laughing at something off camera.

Warmth spread in Poppy’s belly, and she felt a sense of pride, even though she hadn’t known him at the time. ‘Yeah, that’s Tom.’

Keira nodded, grinning. ‘I can see the appeal. Does he have any single friends?’ she joked.

‘Why? Are you planning on ditching Greg?’

‘I might. For this.’ She gestured around the villa with her arm as she crossed to the kitchen to pour the coffee. ‘I could get used to this kind of lifestyle,’ she said, holding out a mug. ‘Forget England. I’m staying here.’

Poppy laughed and took the coffee, leaning against the doorframe.

‘Give it a day and you’ll be bored,’ she said, knowing her friend only too well. Still, she was glad Keira had come with her, despite the nagging sense she shouldn’t have. This villa might be beyond her wildest dreams, but it was also a little intimidating being in such a big and imposing space. If she had arrived here alone, she suspected it might have felt a little bit daunting.

‘Never,’ Keira disagreed. ‘Now drink your coffee, then go get changed. We can check out this pool.’

‘Really?’ Poppy had packed a couple of bikinis, but while the sun held a gentle warmth, she wasn’t sure it was hot enough for swimming. ‘It doesn’t look very warm,’ she added dubiously.

‘You’re not backing out on me. It will be fine once we get in.’

Those were famous last words. Still, Poppy agreed to brave it, relieved when the refreshing first shock of the water subsided as she swam a couple of lengths. It was cold, but not unbearably so, and it definitely woke her up.

Later, while chilling on the sun loungers with fresh cups of coffee plus the pastries, she realised just how relaxed she already was. The two of them sat in companionable silence, Keira engrossed in her Kindle, while Poppy checked in with her mum to let her know she had arrived safely.

She thought briefly about the edits she needed to do, deciding as it was her first day here, work could wait, and she wondered how Tom was getting on in her flat. She had sent him a brief message earlier, asking how James was, but he hadn’t yet replied. Hopefully everything was okay.

The one thing she didn’t focus on was the ugly drama that had been behind her decision to take a break. Although there had been a couple of times when Simon Daley had crept into her mind, she had tried not to give him the headspace, aware it wasn’t healthy.

This next two weeks was for recuperation, and although she would be working some of the time, she also intended to spoil herself a little. And while Keira was with her, it would be nice to perhaps dress up and go out for a meal.

‘Did you pass many tavernas when you went out earlier?’ she asked.

Keira glanced up from her Kindle. ‘There were a few, but they were all boarded up. I don’t know if that was because it was early or if they have shut for the winter. Why?’

‘I thought perhaps we could go out for dinner tonight.’

‘I like that plan.’

Poppy got to her feet. ‘I think I’ll go for a wander,’ she said. ‘See what is actually open.’

‘Do you want me to come with you?’

‘No, I’m fine. You stay and read.’

‘Okay, cool,’ Keira replied, already turning back to her book. ‘Bring back snacks if you pass any shops.’

Outside the villa, the road was quiet. A few cars drove past, but the handful of houses Poppy saw were closed up. Shutters were pulled down and gates locked.

The sun was warm on her bare arms, and a light breeze rustled through the trees. Further beyond, the sea was calm, its water a deeper blue than yesterday.

She followed the road and after ten minutes reached a built-up area. Here she found a large hotel sitting within a huge walled complex, its shutters down and the gates locked, as well as a handful of tavernas, souvenir shops and mini-markets. Most had handwritten signs announcing they were closed, but a couple were half open. Lights on, but no customers.

Remembering Keira’s request for snacks, she stepped into one of the mini-markets.

The owner nodded a greeting to her, before returning his attention to his phone.

Poppy browsed the aisles, selecting a mix of sweet and savoury: honey biscuits, mini-lemon cakes, packets of roasted almonds and peanuts, olives and some oversized mandarins. Certain she had enough to give Keira a decent selection, she took her armload to the counter.