Page 41 of One Hot Summer

“Ha! Okay, it’s pretty big, I guess. It sits on a piece a land about a mile away from the sea, so we can have some beach days if you like. The outdoor pool is shared with a neighbouring villa, which is owned by some family friends. They might be there too, this time of year, with their daughter. My parents usually invite them over a lot to eat with us.”

“I won’t have to entertain the daughter, will I?” I can see it now – some bored, pain-in-the-arse teenager. Or worse, younger. So much for relaxing in a peaceful, private pool.

“Chloe is capable of entertaining herself by now. She’s twenty-five.”

“Oh?” Alarm bells began to ring, but I couldn’t understand why. “How well do you know her?”

“I’ve known her all her life. We always spent our summers together out there. Our parents are very close. She’s cool, very funny. I think you’ll get on.”

“Oh, good,” I rolled my eyes, thinking back to Sarah’s theory about the twenty-something girls taking all the good men. “Yes, I’m sure we will.”

I rolled over, away from him, not wanting to show him the worry on my face. I’d just washed all my holiday clothes, but I couldn’t be seen in a bikini with someone six years younger than me. I’d have to walk around all day with my arms up in the air, just to make sure my boobs were pointing the right way. He said they used to spend their summers together. Could they have slept together? All that playing in the pool while in bathing suits, is it only natural when you’re young to hook up in that situation? Should I ask him? Am I being paranoid? I wonder if it’s too late to call Sarah.

“Hey, why have you turned away?” Zack spooned me, a perfect fit, making me smile and relax once more.

Suddenly, Bing let out a howl at the bedroom door.

“He’ll be hungry,” I moaned. “I forgot to feed him when I got home last night. I should sort him out soon, or else he’ll do his impersonation of Pavarotti. The neighbours will think we’re harbouring a werewolf if he carries on.”

“How’s his Nessun Dorma?”

“Painful.”

Zack laughed as he held me more tightly. “Do you have to right now? A few more minutes.”

Bing wailed louder.

“Yes, I think I have to.” I threw back the duvet and pulled away from Zack’s arms. He rolled back over to his side of the bed whilst I put on my dressing gown.

Bing followed me downstairs, attached to my leg like a magnet, and he did not shut up until I had topped up his bowl with some cat biscuits. I made a mental note to warn Sarah that he can get very hangry.

I found my phone sitting on the kitchen counter, so I sent Sarah a message:

Possibly sharing my holiday with a twenty-something… send me words of encouragement to stop me binning my bikinis! Xx

Almost immediately, she replied:

Sod the twenty-something! You are fabulous! Gorgeous! Boobs never looked better! You make those Victoria’s Secret models look like crap! Xxxxx

A bit too far… but I appreciate the effort. You looking forward to your date tomorrow? Xx

She didn’t reply instantly, so I popped the kettle on and set out two cups. I undid my dressing gown, looking down at my naked body. I was slumped forward, which wasn’t a flattering look, my belly all rolled up and ancient boobs sat atop the flab. I stood up straight, pushing my chest out. My boobs still didn’t look great though. I blew some cold air on them, making them look a little bit perkier. Hmm, not bad. Still got it. I just needed to make sure I walked around with my chest pushed out the whole holiday and… Oh shit.

I quickly closed my dressing gown, turning away from the elderly EVRi delivery guy who was staring at me, wide-eyed, through the kitchen window.

“Oh, bugger!” In my haste to fasten my dressing gown, I had pulled it around me quickly, but one of the ties swung around too fast and whipped one of the cups onto the floor. It smashed into pieces, scaring the life out of Bing, who slid on the lino in panic, unable to find a grip so he could run away quickly enough. My kitchen was suddenly a scene from a Looney Tunes cartoon.

“What’s happened?” Zack rushed into the kitchen, looking around. His hands gripped my arms, as my hands covered my face in shame.

“Oh, nothing, I just showed off the goods to Fred. Full-frontal everything. Nothing major.” My face burned, as I turned back to see Fred waving a parcel, unable to speak any words. Zack, holding in his laughter like a gentleman, went to the back door and signed for it.

“I’ve heard of tipping delivery guys, but I think he got more than he deserved,” he said afterwards. “This parcel isn’t even for you, it’s for next door. What the hell do you offer when it’s for you?” He laughed.

“Sod off and make the drinks. I’ll clean these broken bits of crockery up.”

“Leave that, I’ll clean it up.” He reached down to the cupboard under the sink for the dustpan and brush. “You go back upstairs. I’ll make us a drink.”

“Okay, thank you.” I leaned down to kiss him on the top of the head while he crouched down and swept up. Then I picked up my phone and read Sarah’s delayed reply.

---