Page 26 of The House Swap

The heat isn’t as intense as in the summer, but it’s still pleasantly warm during the day, and everywhere is much quieter.

I prefer it that way.

With the tourists gone and less people around, it is easier to think. And to watch.

I replay the video again, appreciating how the sun warms the tones of her dark hair, catching shades of red and copper. Her skin is pale and unblemished, and it’s easy to see that she doesn’t belong here. She seems happy and relaxed, though.

That will be the Crete effect. The sea air and the slow rhythm of life softens people, easing the tension from their bodies, making them lighter and less guarded. Like they’ve briefly stepped outside their own lives.

Of course she had no idea she was being recorded. She can’t ever find out about that.

Being close to her today confirmed she is perfect.

But it only makes me want more.

12

TUESDAY 3 NOVEMBER

By the third morning in Crete, Poppy finally opened her laptop.

She had wanted a couple of days to settle before turning her mind to work and yesterday had been spent quietly. Keira had floated the idea of doing something touristy like Knossos or one of the museums, but Poppy hadn’t been in the mood to traipse around ruins or palace grounds pretending she felt normal. In the end, they had stayed close to the villa, reading by the pool, then headed down for a walk on the beach.

If she was honest, she wasn’t looking forward to stepping back into the book world. Although she had no intention of looking at social media, she still had to check her emails, plus get her brain switched on so she could edit.

She carried the laptop out onto the terrace with a mug of coffee, telling herself she would do a couple of hours – just enough to feel productive. It was a slightly cooler day, the sky mostly cloudy, but it was still warm enough to be outside.

After sifting through the handful of emails she had, glad none of them were book related, she opened the manuscript she was working on, but within minutes the sun poked through the clouds, sunlight reflecting straight off the screen and turning the words into a blur.

Poppy moved the lounger, then the table, then the chair.

Nothing worked.

Keira laughed, watching her. Despite the temperature, she was in the pool. ‘What are you trying to do?’ she asked, pushing wet hair out of her face as she leaned on the edge.

‘I can’t see what I’m doing.’

‘Well, why don’t you go inside before you break something?’

Deciding her friend was right, Poppy retreated indoors, settling at the dining table instead. The villa was cool and dim after the brightness of outside, the hum of air conditioning they probably didn’t need on oddly soothing.

She tried again and for a while she managed to concentrate. The familiar pattern of correcting sentences and smoothing clunky dialogue settled her thoughts and kept her focused on the task at hand.

Her phone vibrated, buzzing on the tabletop and pulling her out of the moment. Seeing Tom’s name on the screen, she smiled and answered the call.

‘Hey, you,’ she greeted him.

‘Morning. How’s paradise?’

‘It’s all good, thanks.’ She glanced out at the pool, where Keira was floating on her back, staring up at the sky. ‘It’s quiet here. I think half the island has gone into hibernation.’

‘I told you it would be,’ Tom agreed. ‘A lot of the hotel and restaurant staff head home during the winter. It’s why a lot of places are closed. There’s not enough business for them at this time of year.’

‘How are things with you?’ Poppy asked, gently changing the subject. ‘How is James?’

Tom’s tone turned serious. ‘The same, mostly. They’re cautiously optimistic, which I suppose is better than the alternative. Milly is holding up better than I expected.’

‘And what about you? How are you holding up?’