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It proves to be a fun and relaxing afternoon as everyone gradually settles in. Champagne flows freely, and the stewards regularly bring out trays of canapés for the guests to soak up the alcohol. Most of us change into swim gear, and we’re in and out of the pool for several hours, interspersing a swim with having a drink or a snooze on one of the sun loungers as the coastline of the North Island slowly sails by.
I try to avoid Elizabeth without looking like I’m avoiding her. When we’re near each other, I either want to kiss her or get on my knees and beg her to stay with me, and neither of those seems like an option she’d be pleased with. So I figure it’s better if I try to keep my distance and, if possible, not even tempt myself by looking at her.
It’s not easy, especially when she changes into the smallest bikini I’ve ever laid eyes on, with two miniscule turquoise triangles that barely cover her breasts. She’s lost weight over the past couple of weeks, and she’s on the slim side, but she’s still hot enough that I have to stop my tongue rolling on the floor like a cartoon character. Mack glances at me and nudges Sidnie, who giggles, and Victoria rolls her eyes and whispers something to Evie, who looks at me with much amusement.
“Glad I can provide some comedic entertainment,” I tell them, disgruntled, and walk off to the bar to drown my sorrows.
Titus joins me there and tries not to laugh when I glare at him.
“Don’t start,” I say.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He leans on the bar, gestures out at the pool, and says quietly, “Are they an item?”
I follow his gaze to where Victoria and Evie are lying on the loungers together, whispering together and laughing. “I think it’s heading that way.”
“I didn’t realize.” He smiles. “It’s about time.”
He’s referring to Victoria. She’s very private about her love life, and because of that I’m not sure how many partners she’s had over the years since her transition, but I don’t think it’s many. Evie’s been out since she was sixteen though, and she’s not afraid to speak up when she’s attracted to someone.
“What about you?” I ask him, and have a swig from the bottle of Speights I just ordered. “I thought you might have brought a date to the wedding.”
“Nah, I’m on a hiatus from dating,” he says. “I’m working fourteen-hour days at the moment and there’s just no time, and anyway I don’t want the complication. Sex is great. It’s everything else that comes with it that I find frustrating. You know what I mean?”
“Yep.”
“I feel bad saying that. It’s not that I’m not prepared to make an effort. But I just find the constant communication exhausting.”
“Well, you did insist on dating the fastest talking girl on planet Earth,” I point out. “Most people speak at around one hundred and forty words a minute. Maisey spoke at least double that.”
“True.” He swigs his beer and gives me a mischievous look. “She even talked during sex.”
“I’m guessing you don’t mean in a dirty sense.”
“Oh no. I mean literally discussing what she needed at the supermarket while we were at it.”
That makes me laugh. “Seriously?”
“I’ve never met a girl like it. She was sweet and sexy, but it was like she had no filter at all. Most off-putting when you’re, you know, trying to concentrate.”
I chuckle. “I’m not sure there’s anyone coming on board who you’ll find interesting either.”
“Nah, that’s cool. I’m going to drink myself into a coma and sleep for forty-eight hours.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I have another drink, then tell him, “I heard from Heidi a few days ago, by the way.”
His lips curve up. “Oh? How is she?”
“She’s okay. She’s had a bit of a nasty breakup with her boyfriend.”
“Oh no, really? What was he like?”
“I never met him, but he sounds like a cunt. God knows why she hooked up with him. She said he was very controlling and jealous. Made her life a misery by the sounds of it. I was tempted to fly over there and sort him out.”
“Well if you do form a posse, count me in.”
“Will do. Anyway, she’s coming back during the summer holidays for six weeks.” Heidi is a primary school teacher in Exeter, in England. Our mother is English, and after she finished her teaching degree, Heidi went over there to visit our grandparents during her big Overseas Experience, and loved it so much that she decided to stay and teach there.
“Cool,” he says, “it’ll be great to catch up.” I hold his gaze as I sip my beer, and he gives me a wry look. “Stop it,” he says. “That was a long time ago.”
