Page 42 of Hook, Line and Single

‘It turns out that Gail is something of a polyglot,’ Brad explains. ‘How many languages did you say you spoke?’

‘Seven, although only five of them are fluent.’ She pats his arm affectionately. ‘He’s a changed man. Not only has he been asking questions, but he’s actually remembering most of the answers. Be still, my beating heart!’

‘So what have you guys been up to today?’ Brad asks, evidently showcasing his training. ‘Just hanging around here or have you been out?’

I settle back and let Cameron tell them about Barry’s Bonanza, which they admit they’d also been hoping to win. The body language between them is easy and familiar; they’re totally unrecognisable from the tense couple we saw last night, and this makes me realise that we have another problem.

‘Cameron,’ I say to him once Brad and Gail have wandered off. ‘We’re not going to convince as a couple. Our body language will give us away as just friends. Sam will spot it, even if nobody else does.’

‘Does that mean you’re seriously considering my suggestion?’ he asks with a smile.

‘Yes, but that’s a big hole.’

‘You’re overthinking. Maybe we’re just not into public displays of affection. We are British, after all. We might need to hold hands, but no more than that. Like I said, I’m open to alternatives if you can think of a better plan.’

Our conversation is interrupted by the arrival of an excited-looking Ashleigh, who makes a beeline for us the moment she spots us.

‘Hi, Cameron!’ she says enthusiastically, plonking herself on his sun bed and completely ignoring me. ‘I’ve been looking everywhere for you.’

‘Hello, Ashleigh,’ Cameron replies cautiously. ‘Have you had a good day?’

‘Terrible.’ She sighs dramatically. ‘I had to join a group tour, and spent the day sitting next to this old duffer who droned on and on about his tomato plants at home. Honestly, if you’re that fussed about your plants, why come on holiday? Stay at home with the damned things.’ She switches tone to flirtatious, flicking her long blonde hair and leaning forward to give him the best view of her cleavage as she does so. She’s still completely ignoring me. ‘Cheer me up. Tell me about your day.’

‘Ruby and I won Barry’s Bonanza. You know Ruby, don’t you? Ruby, this is Ashleigh.’

Forced to acknowledge my presence at last, Ashleigh turns and, for a moment, her face is a mask of contempt.

‘Barry’s Bonanza?’ she asks, looking confused. ‘I don’t understand. I wrote your name.’

‘And it seems Ruby did too,’ Cameron tells her. There’s an uncomfortable pause while Ashleigh digests this information, looking between Cameron and me as she does.

‘You wrotehername?’ she says eventually. Her tone is now accusing and her mouth has curled in distaste. ‘I see. I didn’t realise you two were a thing. Well, forgive me for intruding. I’ll leave you to it.’

I have to stifle a laugh as she gets to her feet and flounces off.

‘You’ve definitely got an admirer there,’ I tell him.

‘She’s terrifying, isn’t she?’

‘I don’t think I’ll be getting a Christmas card from her, somehow.’

He smiles. ‘So, about going red then…’

I contemplate his proposal. I can see the advantage to him, but there is also one element that does appeal to me enormously, which is the opportunity to get one over on Sam. I’m not normally competitive, but maybe it’s time for me to start paying her back for all the tricks she pulled to get me here, and for abandoning me when she specifically promised she wouldn’t.

‘Fine,’ I say to Cameron suddenly. ‘You’re on.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes.’

‘And Sam?’

‘We have to convince her we’re the real deal. She won’t see it coming and it’ll serve her right.’

His smile broadens. ‘I have the feeling this is going to be a lot of fun.’

I relax back into my lounger and close my eyes. It’s either going to be a lot of fun or it’ll crash and burn spectacularly and, if I’m honest, I couldn’t call which way it’s going to go. Whatever happens though, it will liven up the holiday no end.

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