Page 84 of The Wedding Pact

‘She seems like a lovely woman, Ida. You make a good couple. It’s great to see you happy with someone.’

A heavy pull of sadness tugs at my chest. ‘Yeah. She’s great.’

‘Any plans to get married yourselves?’ he asks, though it’s clear from his playful tone he knows he’s pushing his luck with this question and is expecting to be rebuked for it.

I take a breath, trying to relieve the tightness around my heart.

‘I don’t think either of us is ready for that sort of commitment, Dad. So, no. Sorry to disappoint you.’

‘I’m not disappointed, just a bit confused. You seem perfect for each other. Whenever I’ve seen you together you’ve been smiling. There’s a lot to be said for that. But what do I know about your relationship, eh? The only people that really know are the ones in it. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll make the right decision when it’s time.’

‘Yeah,’ I say, lamely.

We’re interrupted then as one of the crew members from the yacht strides over to us to tell me my luggage is aboard and they’re ready to set sail and take me back to the airport on Maarfaru.

So it’s definitely time to leave.

If I don’t go now I’ll have to stay on the island for another night and day and I really should try and save this bloody deal. I’ve worked too hard to let it fall through the cracks.

Also, I suspect Ida wouldn’t be too pleased to see me back at the villa after the tense confrontation we just had.

After saying goodbye to my dad, I walk towards the jetty, wondering once again whether I’m making the right decision to leave.

I’ve been so sure that I don’t have the capacity for a relationship, but is Ida right? Have I got the balance of my life wrong?

Talking to my dad and brother just now has lifted a weight off me that I didn’t realise was there. And that was down to her urging.

She saw something that needed to change and told me in no uncertain terms what to do about it.

And I baulked at being told what to do. Mainly, I think, because deep down I knew she was right.

I just didn’t want to hear it and be forced to act.

I guess I’m too bloody proud for my own good.

Judging by the expression on her face right before she turned away from me, I suspect she’ll be telling herself right now that she’s dodged a bullet, not getting more involved with me.

So there we have it.

We played, we had fun and, like Ida said, the game is over now.

15

RAFFA

Back in London everything seems very grey compared to the technicolour vibrancy of the Maldives.

I go into the office for the next couple of days to get into the deal-rescue operation, but the moment I walk in I immediately want to leave again.

Which is not like me at all.

I feel changed now. Different to the guy I was before going on that trip.

Now I’ve hashed things out with my dad I realise I feel less restless, but on the flipside, not having anything to fight against seems to have taken the wind out of my sails.

I’m suddenly not so driven to save this new business any more.

Before going to the Maldives – before Ida – I wasn’t ready to let someone else take the helm, perhaps because I thought I wouldn’t know what to do with myself after handing over the running of it.