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‘I’m not sure you’re making me feel any better.’ Holly laughed, though she did feel slightly less concerned that she wasn’t going to be the only terrible one.
‘Is anyone going to teach us how to get up on these water skis?’ Caroline asked. ‘I feel like I’m going to need a lot of tuition.’
‘Don’t worry, I did my instructor’s training years ago.’ Evan turned around from the front of the minibus. ‘And the guy who owns the boat has done it for years. He’s the best in the business. He was in the World Championships at one point. Though that was a while ago. Between us, you’ll be fine.’
Zahida leaned in to Holly conspiratorially. ‘Can I check this is right? He’s good looking, really, really rich, super organised, super generous and also a waterski instructor?’
‘Jamie really has a way of finding these people, doesn’t she?’
‘I’d be happy if I could find a guy who ticked only one of those boxes.’
Holly smiled. As much as she liked Evan, she couldn’t help but think how she’d already had a man who ticked rather a lot of those boxes. Two men, in fact. Super organised, super generous and good looking: that was Ben to a tee. While really rich and super generous also hit Giles on the head. And now she had neither of them.
But she had Hope, who was a million times better than any man could ever be.
‘Okay guys, we’re here.’
Hereturned out to be a marina. Squinting against the sunlight, Holly stepped off the minibus. Bright-white boats shone out under the cerulean sky while the chime of clinking metal accompanied the soft flapping of sails. Small cafés spilled out to the waterfront, with metal tables and chairs occupied by elegant women and pristinely dressed men, sipping at their coffees, while a row of shops extended down the other way. Holly got the impression this wasn’t the type of place where she could pick up a cheap cuddly for Hope, or a box of chocolates for her mum. But it would be nice to have a look around.
‘Monsieur Evan!’
The group’s attention was drawn down one of the jetties, where an elderly man with white hair was waving his arms. If this was the man who had competed in the World Championships for waterskiing, Evan wasn’t joking when he said it was a while ago.
‘Gabriel.’ Evan greeted the old man with a kiss on either cheek and a hug that Holly thought would have been far too long for a man like him. He seemed like someone who was used to a swift handshake. ‘We’ve got a perfect day for it.’
‘I picked the weather just for you,’ the old man said kindly. ‘It has been a long time since you were on the water. Can you remember ’ow?’
The way Gabriel dropped his aitches make Holly smile. It added such a beautiful lilt to his voice.
‘Don’t worry about me,’ Evan responded. ‘How’s the boat?’
‘She is perfect. As you will see. Come, we should go.’ He looked past Evan to where the rest of them were trying to look inconspicuous. ‘This is your group?’
‘It is, and I’ve promised them an amazing time. You won’t let me down, will you?’
‘Never, Evan. You know that.’
‘Then we should get going.’
Puddles covered the wooden planks of the jetty, and as Holly walked over it, with its constant rocking motion trying to throw her off balance, terrified of slipping, her eyes didn’t leave her feet. It reminded her of her second date with Ben, where he had taken every step of that water obstacle cause with absolute caution. As quick as she could, she pushed the thought from her mind. The last thing she needed to think about was people needing to be rescued. Then again, maybe if she slipped on the jetty now, it would save her the humiliation of having to waterski.
‘Look at the size of that yacht,’ Naomi said. ‘It’s bigger than my house.’
Holly threw it a quick sideways glance. Not enough to unbalance her, but more than enough to know the boat dwarfed their cottage, too.
She had just reached a notable damp patch when Gabriel and Evan came to a stop in front of a small speedboat. Small, at least, compared to the yachts they had passed.
‘Take your time getting on,’ Evan said as he stepped with ease onto the back of the boat. ‘We don’t want anyone getting wet yet.’
‘Can you to hold my hand?’ Holly whispered to Zahida and Caroline, who were on either side of her, but they clearly didn’t hear, for before she could step any closer, Caroline had grabbed Evan’s hand and was already aboard, with Zahida following. While Sandra and Eddie also required Evan’s help, Jamie and the others bounded on without a second’s pause, leaving Holly the only one standing on the jetty.
‘Don’t worry, I’ve got you.’ Evan stretched out his hand.
The last thing Holly wanted was to look like she was incapable, but she wasn’t that keen on falling in, either. Reluctantly, she stretched out her hand and grabbed hold of Evan’s. She had expected him to be there, simply to hold on in case she started to slip, but instead he tugged at her arm, yanking her up with far more strength than she expected. Her pulse skyrocketed, the ball of her foot landed on the boat, but it wasn’t enough. A slight rock and she would topple back and into the water. Using all the momentum Evan had pulled her with, she lurched herself forward, only to land straight on his chest.
Gasping with both shock and relief, she righted herself and stepped to the side, ensuring her feet were firmly on the boat.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said, her nostrils still filled with the sweet, musky scent that had emanated from his shirt.
