by Aimee Duffy
HarperImpulse an imprint of
HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd
77–85 Fulham Palace Road
Hammersmith, London W6 8JB
www.harpercollins.co.uk
First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2014
Copyright © Aimee Duffy 2014
Cover images © Shutterstock.com
Aimee Duffy asserts the moral right
to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is
available from the British Library
This novel is entirely a work of fiction.
The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are
the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to
actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is
entirely coincidental.
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Ebook Edition © August 2014
ISBN: 9780008106294
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For the ninja, super-graphic-girl and queen Catco.
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Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Santorini
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Aimée Duffy
About HarperImpulse
About the Publisher
Santorini
Chapter Eleven
‘That had to be the most embarrassing journey ever,’ Elle complained, tugging at the tee-shirt Gem designed.
Ciara grinned at her friend’s mortified expression. ‘I think they’re cute.’
‘See? Someone appreciates my talents,’ Gem said.
The printed tee-shirts were white, tight fitting, had deep ‘v’ necks with ‘Geeks go Greek’ printed across their busts in a groovy, neon pink font.
‘Thank god we’re here. Now I can get into my bikini,’ Elle said, pointing along the dirt road they were being driven down by the Muir’s driver.
After seeing the Land Rover waiting for them at the airport, Ciara had worried that the next of the Muir’s properties was going to be some shack in the middle of nowhere or something, but she hadn’t been prepared for this.
The house – again, if she could call it that – which Elle pointed to, was massive. It seemed to have six levels, each one backing up on the mountain like a staircase and ending with a huge raised patio over the beach. There was a hot tub, swimming pool and a stone area centred by the biggest dining table she’d ever seen.
Looked like Santorini was going to be another luxury trip.
‘Wow, is that your granddad’s yacht?’ Gem asked as they got closer.
To the side there was a pier stretching into the clear blue sea, a boat with more multi-levels, a group of jet skis hooked to a buoy further out, and a shed that could fit ten dorm rooms, easily.
‘That’s a yacht?’ Ciara asked. It looked more like a ship to her.
‘Yes, but don’t get any ideas. I haven’t a clue how to sail it even if I’d go near the sea.’ Elle shuddered. ‘The water’s disgusting.’
It looked gorgeous to Ciara – all blue, clear and shimmering in the sun. She couldn’t wait to go for a dip.
‘Anyway, I have so many treatments and massages booked that we won’t even need to leave the house,’ Elle said.
The thing was huge, no doubt about it. But, still. Ciara didn’t want to be cooped up in the thing for over a week. ‘Why don’t we hire a car and see more of the island?’
‘I’m not doing anything until I get this tee-shirt off and catch some sun,’ Elle protested.
Gem scowled at her. ‘I’ll come with you, Ciara. Just as soon as I’ve unpacked.’
The driver pulled into a triple garage where she saw that the Land Rover wasn’t the only thing they had here. Quad bikes and a Porsche filled the other spots and she wondered if they were Zack’s, since the way Elle spoke of her granddad made her think he was a bit old to be zooming about on them. No way were they Elle’s – she wouldn’t want to risk messing up her hair.
More staff appeared from the house, all speaking Greek with one another and Ciara didn’t even try to guess what they were saying. Unsurprisingly, Elle knew and dished out some orders fluently, then their cases were taken into the house.
‘Why don’t we leave exploring until tomorrow?’ Elle asked, instead of demanding like she usually did. She was getting good at the tactful stuff. ‘There’s a restaurant not far from here and they put on really good shows at night.’
Ciara barely heard. She’d switched her phone on the second they got off the plane and ever since had checked it every two seconds. It had been almost two days since she left Zack the voicemail and she hadn’t heard from him since.
Still nothing. She tried to tell herself that didn’t matter. She was in a beautiful place with lots of exotic flowers, strong sunlight, a pretty beach and the potential for some serious fun.
She wasn’t going to let it matter. This was about enjoying time with her friends, not pining over someone who obviously didn’t want her.
‘Sounds fun to me. You in, Ciara?’ Gem asked.
‘Yes. Fun.’ When they both looked at her funny, she tried to remember what they were asking her. Right, restaurant with a show. ‘Really, it sounds good. I’m starving.’
They laughed and headed for the house.
‘I’ll ask them to make us a light lunch and we can go later. I had massages and pedicures booked for after the flight.’
By the time she’d unpacked, there was no missed call flashing on her phone and even during lunch when Gem told Elle they were going for a bike ride round the town with their Geeks Gone Greek tee-shirts and there had been loud refusals, there was still no missed calls or messages on her phone.
She’d tried to be discreet, but during a languorous foot and temple massage with them, Elle caught Ciara’s mobile screen lighting up and sighed.
Elle said, ‘He’s not going to come, not after what I said to him in Paris. Believe it or not, he’s even more stubborn than me.’
Ciara nodded, trying to keep her expression blank and obviously failing because Elle took her hand and squeezed.
‘You’re miserable, aren’t you?’ Elle asked.
‘Don’t be daft,’ she protested but it sounded weak.
Gem peeled the cucumber slices from her eyes and pinned her with a ‘mmhmm’ look.
‘Really,’ Ciara said, glaring at them both. She handed Elle her phone. ‘You keep hold of that and I’ll stop obsessing. Promise.’
Elle gaped at her like she’d just handed her a kidney. ‘You’re giving me your phone?’
‘If my da calls I’ll speak to him but no one else ever does and it will stop me checking it every two seconds.’
Thankfully, she’d been wise enough to delete the sexting. And sensible enough to delete Zack’s number, just in case.
Gem frowned. ‘Ciara, it’s your phone.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘Exactly. It’s not my arm or my leg, just a piece of plastic that wasn’t affordable till I was sixteen. People did used to live without them, you know.’
‘Cavemen,’ Elle grumbled. ‘Jesus maybe. But this is the 21st century!’
For all their smarts, when it came to history they were clueless. ‘Believe it or not, even last century people got by without mobiles. And TV.’
Her friends shuddered. Drama queens.
Elle shook off the horror first then dived straight into Ciara’s phone, nosing like a pro.
‘There’s nothing incriminating there, you know,’ Ciara said.
‘Good, I don’t want to have to bleach my eyes before dinner. God your 4G is slow.’ Elle had zero patience with technology and soon switched it to standby.
Ciara didn’t want the gaping horror back on their faces, so didn’t mention her phone barely had 3G. Instead she lay back and enjoyed the temple massage. The women Elle hired to give them the works over the next ten days definitely knew what they were doing. But she’d get bored of this soon. Lying around and being pampered was nice, just not for her.
And the down side of all this relaxing was she had too much time to think about things she shouldn’t. Zack, the fact there was nothing waiting for her back home work wise – unlike her friends she lacked ambition and had spent her summers in England instead of hunting for internships, and on top of all that, she’d put on so much weight munching down on croissants in Paris that most of her trousers were tighter than her skin.
She groaned, but it had nothing to do with the fingers at her temples moving in relaxing circles – she wasn’t relaxed at all.
‘Enough with the sex noises, Ciara. It’s disturbing,’ Elle said and Gem laughed.
‘Ha. Ha. Actually, I was thinking about how fat my arse has gotten since Paris.’ At least in LA and Miami she’d had Zack to help her work out.
‘You can always order a salad you know,’ Gem said.
‘And miss the chance to try proper Greek food? I don’t think so.’ Ciara sighed. ‘But maybe I should do a few laps in the pool before we go.’
She sat up and thanked the masseuse, determined to go for a swim. After all, her friends still had pedicures to go and if she knew Elle, manicures too.
‘You’re insane. I’d rather starve than work myself into a sweat,’ Elle griped, then reset the cucumber back over her eyes.
‘To each her own,’ Ciara said, then got off the massage table. Elle really hadn’t been kidding when she said Greece would be about pampering and relaxation before they hit the next crazy stop on their destination.
***
The bedroom door swung open just as Ciara was wriggling into her favourite pair of white linen trousers.
Elle barged in, looking more like a glamour puss than she ever could. ‘You’re never allowed to moan about the length of time I take to get ready again.’
‘I’m having a wardrobe disaster,’ Ciara said, then had an idea. She lay on the bed, sucked in her stomach and gave her trousers a heave. Finally, they buttoned.
Elle bit her lip. ‘Um, Ciara. I don’t think you’ll want to wear those.’
She sat up, feeling the squeeze around her hips and bum, and had to agree. But she loved these trousers and hadn’t had a chance to wear them yet. She saw this as motivation, if nothing else.
‘It’s too late for that now, we have reservations. My top hides how much they choke me anyway.’ She pulled on a loose fitting flowery smock that came down to her hips, grabbed her bag and slipped on her gold flip flops.
Elle pressed her lips together and her eyes watered like she was trying to stop herself from laughing.
Ciara gritted her teeth. ‘Don’t you dare, Elle. I mean it. I feel crap enough as it is!’
Having gorgeous, skinny friends was a curse. She stormed past Elle, through the massive corridor and down two flights of stairs until they were at the ‘ground’ level. Or at least the level with the cars.
‘Just don’t reach up and you’ll be fine,’ Elle said from behind her.
‘What took you so long?’ Gem asked. She was tapping her pink flip flops against the gravel. ‘It’s usually Elle we have to drag out kicking and screaming.’
‘My trousers shrunk and my arse got bigger. Can we go now?’ Her cheeks flared with irritation and a lot of mortification. So much for all the exercise she’d done.
‘I really think you should get changed,’ Elle said, tugging on her arm. ‘You have dresses—’
‘No way,’ Gem butted in, grabbing her other arm. ‘I’m starving. We’re leaving now.’
Elle might be bossy but Gem was fierce when she wanted to be. Winning the tug of war, her friend probably gave her a bangle of bruises round her wrists but she didn’t argue much. She was starved too.
On the way, Elle kept looking at her stomach and irritation flared again. ‘Stop looking at me like an alien is going to burst out of there. It’s fat, nothing else.’
‘It’s not that I’m looking at. Your trousers. There… Um… very tight.’ Elle’s cheeks scored pink and she was back to pressing her lips together.
‘I know that!’ Feck, if she’d laughed at Elle for this she’d be one friend down. Permanently. She stared out of the window, ignoring the ache in her jaw from more teeth clenching. She was even struggling to appreciate the pretty scenery with the mood she was in.
‘Elle that’s bitchy, even for you,’ Gem said.
‘I’m being a friend, not bitchy. But it’s okay, her top covers it.’
The fat. The new fat she’d acquired from comfort eating everything she could stuff into her face their last day in Paris. Served her right, really. But she was paying for it now.
‘What are you talking about?’ Gem asked as they pulled up in front of the restaurant.
Ciara let herself out of the Land Rover, not wanting to hear what she knew was the truth but Elle didn’t make an effort to whisper.
‘She’s got camel-toe.’
Freezing mid-step, she tugged her top right down until the cups of her bra were on full display. Speechless didn’t cover it, and it wasn’t the first time a Muir had done that to her was it?
‘Oh shit. Ciara turn around and let me see!’ Gem said.
There were people all around on the street and she swore every set of eyes zoned in on the spot between her thighs. Her face burned hotter, adding to the humiliation.
‘Ciara!’ Gem said, louder this time.
She climbed back into the car, ignoring her friends. ‘I’m going back. Right now.’
‘Don’t be a little girl. I told you, your top hides it,’ Elle said.
She scowled at her prettiest friend. ‘You could have told me!’
Elle scowled back. ‘You told me not to, remember? Now get your arse out of here before we drag you out. We’ll enjoy dinner and the show and no one will know what’s going on under the table.’
Gem snorted out a laugh, then quickly covered her mouth with both hands. Ciara turned her scowl on her until she mumbled out an apology.
‘Fine but I’m not staying all night and I’m not getting up for anything.’ Ciara said.
Elle told them that after the meals had been served the performers encouraged the customers to get up and dance. No matter how drunk she got, she’d never risk putting herself on display that way.
‘Deal. Now come on, you’ll love the food,’ Elle said, taking her arm and tugging.
She stumbled out of the car, pulling at her top as she went. ‘Food’s the bloody problem! I should be doing more laps in the pool and munching on lettuce instead.’
***
Elle was right, she did love the food. After her chicken with aubergines and feta, she swore she could never go back to plain old chicken and broccoli. And with every course and act put on, her mood lightened to the point she could almost laugh at herself.
The restaurant was pretty and rustic, with huge arched walls filled wi
th lights aimed at the stage in the centre of the room. The food was traditional Greek too, and the dancers, who wore different coloured outfits, put on a fabulous show. Right after everyone’s deserts had been cleared, the performers started pulling people up for a round or two on the dance floor.
This was the part she’d been dreading. Thank god there was lots of wine left.
‘We should dance,’ Gem said. ‘It looks fun!’
‘I’m sure it will be hilarious if I get up,’ Ciara grumbled. ‘I’ll be the entertainment for the rest of the evening.’
‘You’re a crabby shit when you want to be aren’t you?’ Elle said.
She shook her head then sighed. ‘I’m sorry, it’s not your fault I ate all those croissants and now I’m bursting out of these trousers.’
Gem, obviously well on her way to sloshed, said, ‘Can you really put on weight on your vag? I mean, I get hips and arse and even stomach but down there?’
Ciara didn’t know if it was the honest to god curiosity in Gem’s tone that pushed her toward the edge of madness or whether she’d just hit the point of cracking up, but she laughed so hard her eyes watered and her ribs hurt.
Elle joined in, and soon Gem too but she still had that burning need for knowledge glittering in her eyes.
After pulling herself together, Ciara said, ‘I don’t think so. I just had to tug them up too high to get them fastened.’
It wouldn’t be a problem for long. First thing tomorrow she was starting her new get fit and skinny routine which meant lots and lots of exercise. Maybe even enough so she could come back here every night and enjoy a three courser. It would be her treat after being forced to lie around all day getting massages and facials and whatever else Elle had planned.
‘Ladies, can I persuade you to join in?’
Elle and Gem turned to the gorgeous Mediterranean man who’d asked. By the gaga look on Gem’s face and the little sheen of drool on Elle’s lips, they really wanted to accept the offer.