Page 121 of Never Too Late to Date

‘I’ll make something for you.’

‘Sounds fabulous.’

Angeliki appeared suddenly beside Vicky and gave them both a kiss on the cheek.

‘Kalispéra. A drink for the thirsty vet please.’

‘Ange! You made it. First one’s on me.’

Angeliki poked her tongue out at Suzie as she handed over a beer.

‘Don’t call me Ange.’

Vicky was treated to the full glare next.

‘And you, Miss Secretive. Come and tell me all about your plans for the sanctuary before Nick gets here. I would never have forgiven you if you’d not given me a heads-up before it was announced to everyone today.’ She gave a little chuckle. ‘Alex looked completely stunned at the news. It’s not often someone gets one over on him. So thrilled we get to trap you here on the island forever.’

‘Not sure about the word “trap”, but OK.’

Angeliki bustled a protesting Vicky away. Suzie’s old friends, Grace and Sofia, were next to arrive, with their men, Will and Adonis, in tow. Sofia was now a permanent fixture on the island after finally getting together with the manager of the island’s most prestigious hotel. Suzie was pleased for her friend that the high-end boutique she’d set up in the hotel’s reception was going great guns, but even happier that she’d found love.

Round upon round of drinks orders came and went, and Suzie was relieved when most people started to move off towards the open-air club side of the venue now the music had started.

Giannis and Kat had brought Charlie’s wife Anna with them. Suzie gave both women a long hug and, in a whisper, congratulated Anna on the baby.

Christian had messaged earlier to say he was coming, and Suzie had searched for his blond head in the crowd a couple of times, but she couldn’t see him anywhere. Not that it mattered. The man could never be relied on one hundred per cent to do what he said he was going to, so she shouldn’t be surprised.

A voice to her left interrupted her latest scan of the room.

‘Looking for someone?’

Christian’s smile was a bit too confident for her liking.

‘No, not really. Just assessing the size of the crowd for insurance purposes.’

Why had she said the first thing that came into her head?

‘Okaay. Are you allowed to come through and listen to the music now? I’d rather not be on my own; I don’t know anyone.’

As if that would stop him.

Suzie was about to refuse, but her son had obviously been listening in.

‘Go on, Mama. You’ve been on your feet for hours. It’s your turn for a break.’

Christian smiled a sly smile.

‘Listen to your son.’

‘OK. I’ll be back later to help you close up.’

In truth, they had plenty of staff – she’d got Kostas to call in a casual, Georgia, when she’d seen the size of the crowd – but it wouldn’t do for Christian to think she was doing his bidding. She grabbed four beers and found a table for two at the side, close to the stage.

Charlie was busy welcoming the latest singers up onto the stage. A trio of two men and a woman, probably German by their accents, had opted to tackle Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ and were belting it out for all they were worth, the audience joining in with gusto.

Christian did the so-so gesture with his hand under the table, and Suzie had to hold in a smile.

‘It’s karaoke. They’re not supposed to be professionals.’