Page 44 of The Island Villa

“Some things can’t be fixed, but others can. My first rule when I’m stressed or anxious is to make sure I’m not tired, thirsty or hungry. You missed lunch picking me up from the airport. It’s no wonder you’re hungry. We can’t do much about tired, but we can fix hungry and thirsty.”

“If you’re thinking of joining them for dinner—”

“I’m not. And last time I looked, they weren’t there anyway.” She adjusted her dress, as if she were about to walk into an important meeting where she needed to make an impression. “Promise me you won’t go anywhere.”

“I promise.” Where was she going to go? And was this really her big sister begging her not to go anywhere?

She was mystified by this new turn of events. She’d thought maybe her mother might come looking for her (why hadn’t she?), but she hadn’t expected her sister. And the fact that Adeline had admitted to finding the situation difficult was almost as surprising as discovering her mother was intending to remarry her first husband.

Adeline was back less than five minutes later carrying a bottle under one arm, glasses and a large plate loaded with food. She picked her way back across the sand.

Why didn’t she take her shoes off?

“I raided the kitchen and piled as much food as I could onto this one plate so that I could carry it. I hope you don’t have any allergies.” She sat down, keeping both hands on the plate to hold it steady.

Cassie stared. “How did you do that without using your hands or falling over?”

“Pilates. I have excellent core strength. Allergies?”

“No allergies.” That was the kind of thing sisters should know about each other, wasn’t it?

And she was doing it again. Romanticizing and idealizing relationships.

Cassie focused on the food instead. Adeline had made good choices. There were slivers of tender lamb, slow-roasted with garlic and oregano, plump glossy olives from their own olive trees, creamy tzatziki and spanakopita.

Her stomach rumbled. “Did you see them?”

“No. No sign of anyone. And we’re not going to think about them right now. Eat. Then we’ll talk and make a plan. Here, have a napkin.” Adeline removed two folded napkins from the pockets of her dress.

“You brought napkins?”

“I thought they’d be useful. I love a dress with pockets, don’t you?”

“I do. And thanks.” Cassie took a napkin and spread it on her knees.

Half an hour earlier, she never would have imagined that she’d be sitting here, side by side with her sister, sharing a plate of food. For a moment, they could have been just two people enjoying a beach picnic. Salty air. The soft sound of waves hitting the sand.

Adeline pulled a bottle from under her arm. “Drink?”

Cassie stared at it. “Champagne? Are you kidding? We’re not exactly celebrating.”

“I know, but I couldn’t find the water.” It was so practical, so Adeline, that Cassie laughed.

“That’s funny.”

“Hopefully we’ll still think so in the morning. Can you hold the glasses?” Adeline handed them over. “I thought plastic was safer in case we feel like smashing them in a fit of fury. We don’t want to have lacerated feet.”

“Have you ever smashed anything in a fit of fury?”

“Never, but I’m starting to think it might be cathartic.” Adeline eased the cork out of the bottle and jumped as it popped. Champagne fizzed onto her dress. “Oops. I’m not very good at this.”

“What is there to be good at? The bottle is open. I give you an A-plus.” Cassie held the glasses for her sister to fill. “I’m mad that they haven’t come looking for us, but also relieved because I can’t face talking to them. Does that sound weird?”

“No, it sounds logical. I can’t face talking to them either. Probably because they’re not making a lot of sense. And we don’t have to talk to them. Not tonight. That is a problem for tomorrow and we’re not going to worry about tomorrow today.” She balanced the bottle on the sand.

“I always worry about tomorrow today.” Cassie selected a piece of lamb and popped it into her mouth. It was tender and succulent, the edges charred from the grill. She could taste the herbs that grew wild on the hillsides all around them. “What happens next? Are you going to stay for the wedding?”

“I haven’t thought that far,” Adeline said. “I try never to make decisions when I’m feeling emotional.”

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