Footprints in the Sand (Back-2-Back, Book 1)

by Chloe Rayban

  ‘“Yes?”’ He repeated, getting to his feet. ‘She said it was “Yes”? You sure?’

  ‘“Yes”… that’s what she said.’

  ‘“Yes?”’ he asked again like a zombie.

  ‘Yes!’

  ‘Yes!’ He took the bread. He didn’t even notice that it was one loaf short. He walked into the kitchen looking totally dazed. He reappeared with a bottle of Metaxa and sat down at the table again and poured himself a glass. He seemed to be in shock.

  I went back to our room and found Mum packing the beach things.

  ‘Stavros is behaving in the most peculiar way.’

  ‘Is he?’ She didn’t seem particularly interested. ‘Your photos are back.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I asked Ben to pick them up since he was going into town. They’re on the table.’

  I stared at the envelope. It had been opened.

  ‘You’ve gone through them. How could you?’

  ‘No I haven’t. I know better than that.’

  ‘Someone has.’

  ‘Lucy – they’re only photos.’

  I slid them out of the packet. There were the cringe-worthy ones of me windsurfing, or trying to. And then there were about twenty photos of Ben. Some of them were gorgeous. What if he’d looked inside? I went hot and cold all over with the very thought.

  ‘Did you get the dolphins?’

  ‘The what?’

  ‘The dolphins.’

  ‘Oh them. No. No, I didn’t.’

  ‘Lucy, you’re in a really funny mood this morning.’

  ‘No I’m not.’

  I didn’t see Ben until the afternoon. I was sitting on the terrace trying to concentrate on a book when he came and sat down opposite me.

  ‘Did you get your photos OK?’

  ‘Yes, thanks for picking them up.’ (I couldn’t look at him.)

  ‘No trouble. I was going in anyway. Any good ones?’

  I risked a glance. (If he’d seen them, he wasn’t letting on.)

  ‘Aren’t you going to show them to me?’ he continued.

  ‘No.’

  (He had seen them. I knew he had. And he was getting the most out of the situation.)

  There was a silence that lasted for about two lifetimes and then we both started speaking at the same time.

  ‘Listen…’

  ‘Listen…’

  ‘After you.’

  ‘No, after you.’

  There were sounds of movement from inside Stavros’ room and then he slammed his shutters closed.

  Ben leaned over the table and lowered his voice: ‘What I was going to say was – I should get a whole day off soon. Maybe we could do something…?’

  ‘What did you have in mind?’ I asked.

  ‘Oh I don’t know. Perhaps we could go for a swim at another beach or something…’

  ‘Do you know one where there’s no weed?’ I asked.

  He didn’t catch on immediately, he asked: ‘Does it really bother you?’

  ‘It did the other day.’

  He smiled that gorgeous grin of his.

  ‘You shouldn’t have laughed, it was cruel,’ I said.

  ‘It won’t happen again. Promise.’

  ‘In that case – I’ll come.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  Stavros agreed to give Ben some time off without even complaining about it. A whole day off, which was pretty generous for Stavros. But a curious change seemed to have come over him recently. One evening, I came across him standing in the vineyard, actually feeding the cats. Would you believe it – he was pouring his best olive oil into their bowl.

  I went back to Mum.

  ‘You’ll never guess what…’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Stavros is giving the cats olive oil.’

  ‘Is he? Well, it’s probably good for their coats.’

  She’d totally missed my point. What I was trying to point out was how generous Stavros was being. But, for some reason, she didn’t seem particularly interested. She’d been really vague and peculiar all day.

  She was really restless over dinner. She came up with this plan for a boat trip.

  ‘I was thinking we could go and see that site tomorrow. You know, the one on the next island,’ she said as she started her salad.

  I practically choked on an olive. ‘Tomorrow?’ (Tomorrow happened to be the day Ben was getting off. The one we’d planned to spend together.)

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Does it really have to be tomorrow?’

  ‘Well, I suppose it doesn’t have to…’

  ‘I just don’t particularly feel like spending hours on a boat, that’s all…’

  ‘Well, I know archaeology isn’t exactly your thing…’

  ‘It’s just that all those bits of stone and stuff look alike to me… You know, seen one, seen the lot.’

  ‘You really are a dreadful philistine you know. It would do you good to come.’

  ‘But why must it be tomorrow?’

  Ben came out of the kitchen at that point. I could tell he’d been listening in. I cast him a warning glance.

  ‘The boat only goes twice a week.’

  ‘What about my sunburn?’

  ‘Honestly darling, you could cover yourself up and wear a hat.’

  ‘Mmm, but I’d get so hot. You know how stifling it gets at midday.’

  ‘True. Maybe we should put it off till Tuesday.’

  (No way! This was a real chance for me and Ben to get some time alone together.)

  ‘No! You’ve really set your heart on it. If the weather turns bad you might miss the opportunity.’

  ‘It looks pretty settled to me.’

  ‘But you can never tell. A storm could flare up any time.’

  ‘Won’t you get bored here all on your own?’

  ‘I’d be more likely to get bored looking at beastly old ruins.’

  ‘You are impossible. I suppose I’ll have to go alone.”

  Ben arrived to take our plates away. ‘Will that be all, ladies?’

  I flashed him a triumphant smile.

  ‘I think I’ve got everything I want. Thank you.’

  I hardly slept that night. I kept imagining that something would go wrong. A storm would blow up, or Mum would change her mind for some reason. But I woke to find her up early, dressed and ready for her trip.

  ‘Now promise me you won’t stay out in the midday sun.’

  ‘Do you think I’m totally mad?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Must run in the family.’

  ‘You’re absolutely sure you don’t want to change your mind?’

  ‘Absolutely!’

  I heard her footsteps fading away down the path to the square. Then I leapt out of bed and into the shower. Only an hour to get ready. What was I going to wear?

  Ben nearly missed the bus. I had to stand there pleading with the driver to keep the bus from leaving. He came running down the path just as I thought I was losing the battle.

  We climbed on board. The bus was really full for that time of day.

  ‘What kept you?’

  ‘Stavros… You’ll never believe this…’

  ‘What?’

  ‘He suddenly announced this morning – he’s getting married!’

  ‘Married! Stavros!’

  To the lady in the bakery. Maria!’

  ‘Oh that’s just so sweet. I thought something was going on.’

  We managed to grab the last two seats.

  ‘Why are there so many people on the bus?’ I asked.

  ‘Oh I don’t know. It’s Saturday. I suppose a lot of people get the day off.’

  ‘Oh right,’ I nodded. ‘It is Saturday.’ I’d totally lost track of time.

  Saturday. The word nagged at my mind for some reason. And Stavros getting married. There was some odd connection… Saturday… Oh my God, Saturday! It was the day Dad was getting remarried. I’d completely forgotten. How could I? I’d been so absolutely wrapped up in my o
wn life, I hadn’t given anyone else a thought. I should’ve spent the day with Mum. Today of all days.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘I’ve just remembered something…’

  ‘Do you want to go back?’

  ‘Not that sort of thing. And it’s too late now.’

  ‘It can’t be that bad?’

  ‘No, it’s OK.’ I gazed out of the window. I felt terrible. All the brightness had gone out of the day somehow. I reached for a tissue in my bag.

  ‘Lucy? What is it?’ He was staring at me.

  I cleared my throat. ‘It’s just that my dad’s getting married today that’s all.’ I stared out of the window again.

  ‘Your dad? Didn’t you want to be there?’

  I shook my head and blew my nose.

  ‘You don’t like his new wife?’

  ‘Not madly but it’s not that. It’s just that I forgot. And now Mum’s gone off all on her own to that site on the other island. I should’ve spent the day with her. Today of all days.’

  ‘Maybe we could catch up with her and join her?’

  ‘Thanks but… there’s only one boat in the morning. We’ve missed it.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘Look, I’m sorry. I don’t want to spoil your day off. Let’s talk about something else.’

  ‘If you’re sure you’re OK.’

  ‘I’m fine. Really.’

  ‘OK – first things first. Where are we going to stop off?’

  I tried to think of something he’d like. You know, boy-stuff. I reckoned the beach with all the windsurfers would be right up his street.

  ‘How about the next beach?’ I suggested.

  ‘Oh you’d hate it, it’s really crowded.’ (He was being really considerate.)

  But I insisted. ‘I wouldn’t mind. I could do with a bit of life. I’ve hardly seen anyone this holiday.’

  ‘The people there are real posers…’

  ‘Great! That’ll give us something to watch!’

  I put on a big show of enthusiasm as we approached the beach. ‘Oh great – sun loungers! Luxury!’

  ‘You really want to hire a lounger?’ he asked as we disembarked from the bus.

  ‘Don’t you?’

  ‘Well yeah, maybe.’

  ‘Better hurry. Or they’ll all be taken.’

  We found a couple free at the end of the beach which had a parasol that actually worked. I stretched out on the shady one.

  ‘Mmm – this is heaven!’

  He lay there for a while with his eyes closed, and then he turned over and said: ‘Do you want me to oil your back or anything?’

  I pointed out that Mum had insisted on smothering me in the stuff that morning, but I offered to oil his instead.

  He had a really nice back. I took longer over it than absolutely necessary.

  ‘Right – you’re done.’

  ‘I think maybe you missed a bit – up round my neck and shoulders,’ he said with a sidelong glance.

  ‘No I didn’t.’

  ‘Pity.’

  I lay down and closed my eyes again.

  That’s when the people on the loungers next to us started to row. It was really upsetting actually. They weren’t arguing about anything in particular, they were just having a real go at each other for the sake of it. It brought back memories of all those stupid arguments Mum and Dad used to have. Arguments which really got to me. I used to go and shut myself in my room just to get out of their way

  I tried not to listen, but it was impossible not to.

  Ben noticed. He leaned over and whispered, ‘Maybe we should make a move – go somewhere a bit quieter?’

  ‘Good idea, let’s move on before we have to pay for the loungers.’

  We stood at the bus stop feeling at a bit of a loss.

  ‘So where to now?’ asked Ben.

  ‘I only know one beach apart from Paradiso. The one where Mum and I stayed, when we moved on.’

  ‘What’s it like?’

  ‘Well, it’s not up to much, but it is quiet.’

  ‘Sounds good to me.’

  ‘There’s a taverna where we can get some lunch.’

  ‘Sounds even better.’

  There were even more people in the bus this time. We had to squeeze on to the bench seat at the back. We didn’t talk much. I was only too conscious of his body close to mine. He must have been too. Our bare legs kept touching every time the bus lurched. I kept wondering what would happen when we were alone together. I’d wanted to be alone with him, desperately. But now I was nervous about it. Really scared in case I messed everything up. At home, I generally went around with a whole group of friends. So it was really odd being alone with just one boy.

  I think maybe he felt the same way because while we ate our meal he was very quiet. All they had at the taverna was spaghetti – wasn’t that just typical? I kept going ‘slurp’ with mine. I’m sure he noticed.

  I was relieved when they took the plates away. ‘I made a real pig of myself,’ I said apologetically, stretching. ‘I feel really full and sleepy now.’

  ‘Maybe we should go to the beach and find some shade?’ he suggested. ‘These old olive trees don’t give much shelter.’

  ‘Good idea.’

  We walked in single file down the little narrow path to the beach. Every nerve in my body was conscious of him walking behind me. I’ve always been paranoid about my backside. Isn’t everyone? I turned once and caught him watching me. But he was smiling. He didn’t look critical.

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘Nothing. Keep going.’

  We walked along the shoreline for a while looking for shade. I kept finding bright pebbles along the waterline, washed up by the sea. He picked up a few and sent them skimming across the waves. And then he handed me one. It was a piece of serpentine, a wonderful blue-green colour – exactly the colour of his eyes.

  He was staring into my eyes now, with a questioning look.

  ‘I thought there were some trees here,’ I said. ‘Maybe we ought to go back to the olive grove.’

  ‘What about those rocks over there?’ he said, pointing to the far end of the beach. ‘They must give some shade.’

  ‘Maybe – it’s worth a try.’

  There wasn’t much shade. We had to lie really close. My heart was beating so hard as I laid out my towel, I thought he’d notice.

  But he was flattening his out in a really matter-of-fact manner.

  ‘Just enough room,’ he said.

  ‘Good,’ I managed to say as I lay down beside him.

  He pretended to go to sleep. But I caught him sneaking glances at me under his eyelashes. And sure enough, after a while, his arm slid round on to my towel.

  He had this really innocent look on his face – it made me smile.

  He started by kissing me very gently. It was nice. It was very nice. Soon he was edging over my way…

  ‘Not enough shade?’ I asked.

  That was it. Both his arms were round me now, warm and strong and pulling me towards him. I’ve never been kissed like that in my life. It was brilliant. I mean, I’ve never even liked kissing that much before. As we paused to draw breath, he cast a glance in the direction of the sun.

  ‘Can’t be too careful,’ he said, sliding right over on to my towel now. ‘Can’t be past three yet.’

  Three. Three o’clock. I’d seen it on the invitation in that posh squiggly writing. Three o’clock was the time when Dad was getting married. It completely ruined the moment. I sat up.

  ‘No,’ I said. ‘We can’t.’

  ‘Yes we can.’

  ‘No, we mustn’t.’

  ‘Mustn’t we? Why?’

  ‘Umm, because… Umm… I don’t know you well enough.’

  ‘I was just trying to put that right.’

  ‘Yes but… I mean, I don’t think we should, erm…’ I paused because I wasn’t quite sure what we were going to do anyway.

  ‘Too fast and too soon?’ he asked.

  �
�Exactly.’

  ‘But Lucy—’

  ‘No buts.’

  I got up and rolled my towel. ‘I really like you and all that, but…’

  ‘You said no buts…’ he pointed out.

  ‘I know, but…’ (He was being so nice I thought I was going to blub.)

  ‘It’s not you – it’s just that it’s three o’clock.’

  ‘Three o’clock?’ He looked mystified.

  I explained about Dad and the invitation and how it had all suddenly got to me. He was brilliant. He really seemed to understand. He just put out his arms and said: ‘Come here.’

  ‘I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Don’t be. It’s OK. Lucy – look at me.’

  I couldn’t. But I felt his arms around me in a big brotherly hug.

  ‘Better?’

  ‘Mmm… thanks, Ben.’

  We took the next bus back to the taverna. I wanted to get there before Mum arrived back.

  ‘I’ve spoiled your day out. I know I have,’ I said as we reached the terrace.

  ‘No you haven’t.’

  ‘Yes I have.’

  ‘No really, honestly – you haven’t.’

  ‘So what are you going to do now?’

  He looked out to sea.

  I smiled – silly question.

  I watched him as he loped in that way of his, two at a time, down the steps. He turned at the bottom and waved.

  I went back to the square to wait for Mum. She wasn’t on the five o’clock bus, but she arrived on the next. I watched anxiously as she got off. She looked hot and tired but not particularly unhappy.

  ‘Hi! What are you doing here?’ she asked.

  ‘Waiting for you.’

  ‘That’s nice. But what happened? Where’s Ben?’

  ‘How did you know I was with Ben?’

  ‘Honestly Lucy – I may be short-sighted, but I’m not blind. Where is he, anyway?’

  ‘Out windsurfing.’

  ‘Oh… Was your day a disaster?’

  ‘No, not really. It’s just that… Oh Mum – how could I have forgotten?’

  She put an arm round my shoulders.

  ‘Don’t be silly…’

  ‘No honestly… I should have been with you, today of all days.’

  ‘No – I was glad you were going out. It was better that way… It gave me a chance to… get things into perspective.’

  I could tell she was being brave about it.