Page 68 of The Island Villa

“I’ve always thought that when you’re upset, it’s best to take some time before having difficult conversations.”

“True. But I also have work to do. I’m sure you do too.”

“My work is to take the boat out, to check everything is okay.” He glanced at the boat and then back at her. “Company would be nice.”

Temptation tugged at her, but she tried to ignore it. Her emotions were too unsteady. She’d already told him far too much. Like a purse that had been left open, contents spilled, she wasn’t sure what else might fall out. She needed time to settle herself.

“I have a deadline.”

“Surely people can handle their own problems for a couple of hours, Dr. Swift?”

Her curiosity sparked. “You know what I do?”

“Your mother told me. She’s proud of you, and everything you have achieved.”

“She talks about me?”

“All the time. She has several files, full of everything you’ve written. She prints the pages off so that she can read it whenever she likes. And she shares them with my mother, who then shares them with me.” He seemed surprised by her reaction. “You didn’t know?”

“No.” It was a revelation that her mother kept a file of her work. That she talked about her. That she was proud.

“It’s always embarrassing when a parent boasts about you. My mother does it. Her standard introduction at the moment is this is my son, he owns his own house and he’s single.”

Adeline laughed properly for the first time since she’d arrived on the island. “Ouch.”

“Exactly...” He spread his hands. “According to my mother, whatever you achieve in life is worth nothing if you don’t have a family. You are looking at a failure.” He looked relaxed, content and as far from a failure as it was possible to be.

The sun was scorching and she removed her hat to let the breeze cool her head. She thought back to the conversation with her father and his comments about Mark. “It’s funny that no matter what we do, our parents measure us by the success of our romantic relationships.”

“You too?” He gave her a sympathetic smile. “Whatever the limitations of my romantic life, I’m good with boats. Come out with me for a few hours. Work can wait. When is your deadline?”

“Four p.m.” She glanced at him, and then over her shoulder at the boat, bobbing on the surface of the water, its paintwork gleaming, a shiny aquamarine in the bright light.

The sea sparkled and beyond the dock the coastline stretched temptingly into the distance. She thought of the beaches and the hidden inlets, the breeze and the spray of salt water against her skin.

He glanced at his watch. “I promise to have you back by two. I’m sure that whatever problems you’re solving for them, you can do it in two hours. We can draft your answers together on the boat if you like.”

It made her smile. “You want to give advice on other people’s problems?”

“Why not? No one has to take it. I’ll probably just say come to Greece, and all your problems will vanish.”

If only it were that simple.

Her phone pinged at that moment and a message from her mother appeared.

Join me on the terrace.

The moment of lightness passed. It was as if the world was testing her, placing two options in front of her. What she wanted to do, and what she knew she ought to do.

She stared at her phone, wishing the message would disappear so that she didn’t have to do anything about it.

“My mother wants to talk to me.”

“But you’re not ready to talk to her.”

“I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready.” She put her phone back in her pocket and stood up, her mood plunging. “It was good to see you, Stefanos.”

“Wait...” He stood up too. “Are you really going to be able to have a calm and productive conversation with your mother feeling the way you do? Maybe you do need to have this conversation, but you can choose when to have it.”

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