Page 76 of The House Swap

There was a pause on the line, then she told him in a small voice, ‘I wish you were here with me instead of back in England.’

Another pause stretched and her mouth dried, regret making her wish she hadn’t said the words. But she couldn’t take them back.

Eventually, Tom cleared his throat.

‘I wish that too,’ he admitted, and any doubts she had disappeared, hearing how sincere he sounded. ‘I’d come back sooner if I could, but I can’t leave until I know James is definitely going to be okay.’

Poppy understood.

‘Perhaps you could stay a little longer in England?’ she suggested. ‘I fly back on Saturday.’

Another pause, but then an answer that cheered her up.

‘Now that I might be able to do. I’d need to change around a few things, but leave it with me, okay?’

‘Okay.’

‘In the meantime, I’m going to make a call. I think you need a change of scenery.’

Poppy was curious now. ‘What do you mean?’ she asked.

‘How do you feel about a boat trip?’ Tom proposed.

The suggestion caught her off guard.

‘Just a couple of hours out on the water, getting some fresh air and sun,’ he continued. ‘You can head over to Spinalonga. Everyone raves about it. Then maybe drop the anchor for a swim if you’re feeling brave. It will get you out of the villa for a bit.’

For the first time that morning, the idea made her feel something close to excitement. ‘That actually sounds amazing.’

‘I thought it might. Let me speak to my friend, Kostas, who arranges them. I’ll message you the details, okay?’

‘Are you sure it’s not too much trouble?’

‘Absolutely not,’ Tom assured her. ‘Look, I offered you my villa so you could relax. If arranging a boat trip helps with that, I’m happy to do it.’

Poppy smiled. ‘You know, you’re very good at this.’

‘At what?’

‘Taking care of people.’

‘It’s a hidden talent,’ he told her, laughing, before his voice softened. ‘I like taking care of you.’

Her chest tightened at the warmth in his tone. She should have known he would find a way to make things better.

‘Just promise me you’ll try to enjoy it, okay?’ he urged.

‘I will. I promise.’

After they ended the call, Poppy sat quietly for a moment, and for the first time since Keira had left, the villa didn’t feel quite as oppressively silent. The thought of getting out and doing something different was exactly what she needed.

Fresh air. Open space. The chance to try to forget the tensions of the last few days.

She couldn’t wait.

PART II

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