Page 73 of An Island in the Sun

‘I do, but this whole situation with his parents… There’s no way I’m going to be able to get him to change his mind about staying and talking to them.’ Tabitha gazed out at the sun-dappled garden, hoping the soothing view would help her tension abate.

‘Sometimes it’s easier for other people to see the path forward more clearly,’ Elspeth said pointedly. ‘I knew you needed to escape everything a year ago, that’s why I encouraged you. If you think Raff talking to his parents now will help him, then what’s to lose?’

‘Him,’ Tabitha said matter-of-factly.

‘Maybe, but he needs to put the past to rest, otherwise he’ll never be able to move on. And it’s your reputation at stake. If they find out you’ve been lying to them, how’s that going to look? I’m trying to look out for you, Tabs. I can tell you’re stressed about seeing them again and having to bottle everything up. By telling his parents the truth, you’ll not only straighten the situation out for yourself, but you’ll give him an opportunity to open up to them too. You’re right, though, he may not thank you for it.’

Tabitha bit her lip, aware that what would be right for her might not be for Raff. ‘You’re right about me not being able to continue lying to them, not now, not after everything that’s happened.’

‘Because you and Raff are together?’

Tabitha made an ‘uh-huh’ sound, her thoughts elsewhere. Were they really together though? They’d spent time together and got to know each other, they’d laughed and argued, not to mention slept together, but none of that meant they were together in the sense Elspeth was suggesting.

Fired up after talking to her sister, Tabitha decided to take the situation into her own hands. So far it had been Raff in control, bending her to his will. It was about time that changed.

Tabitha held her phone in her lap with the screen open to the WhatsApp chat with Cordelia and Rufus. With them returning home early, she couldn’t blatantly lie to them. If Dolores came clean, if Julie accidentally mentioned something, if they found out in any other way than through her, she’d feel awful. Elspeth was right about it looking bad. She already did feel bad, having spent the last two and a half weeks not telling them what was really going on.

Her fingers hovered over the WhatsApp message. Raff was being unreasonable. However much she’d grown to love him being here, however much their relationship had developed from strangers to friends then lovers, she wasn’t going to continue bending the truth to his parents. She started writing a message.

Hi Cordelia, before you get back, there’s something I need to tell you…

32

Cordelia didn’t reply until later in the afternoon and when she did, Tabitha realised she didn’t know her well enough to work out if she was incensed by the news of Raff being here. Her message was short and to the point.

I see. We’ll talk further when we’re back. In Lisbon waiting for our flight to Madeira.

If Tabitha had expected to feel better for being truthful, then she was disappointed. Her stomach churned and she was on edge, filled with misery at how her time on Madeira was ending. Unable to concentrate, she stopped working and went to check on the dogs. Her escape and the time to herself that she’d craved so much was closing in around her. Her heart sank at the sight of Raff’s rucksack by the door. With her stomach rumbling from skipping lunch, she grabbed a banana and ate it out on the sunny terrace.

Raff took her by surprise a few minutes later, emerging from the garden office, all broad shoulders, tanned skin and ruffled hair. She couldn’t help but think about how she’d been running her fingers through it the night before.

‘Hey,’ he said when he reached her. ‘I’ve cleared and cleaned the garden office and the guest bedroom so they won’t even know I’ve been here.’

Tabitha discarded the banana skin on the patio table and folded her arms. ‘So you’re really leaving?’

‘It’s for the best.’

‘For you maybe,’ she said, trying to control the hurt in her voice. ‘I’ve already messaged them, though.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I told your parents the truth.’

‘You did what?’ Anger flared in his eyes. ‘What the hell did you say?’

‘Just that it was a long story and that you were here and I’d invited you to stay for a few days. I didn’t go into detail.’ She waited for him to say something and when he didn’t, she continued. ‘Raff, I’m sorry, I can’t lie to them about my time here, which means I can’t lie about you either. You shouldn’t expect me to.’

He rubbed his forehead, a stress reflex, something she’d noticed him do before. ‘I know I shouldn’t.’ There was a tenderness to his words, yet Tabitha felt as if an almighty gulf had opened up between them that she didn’t know how to bridge. ‘It’s my fault expecting you to lie on my behalf and be okay with it.’

Despite their intimacy over the last couple of days, she was uncertain if she should reach out and hug him when he was about to walk out of her life.

‘We’re involved, Raff. Even if you’re estranged from them, I can’t lie to your parents about that or my feelings.’

‘Your feelings?’

Tabitha swallowed. There was a strained look on his face, not quite horror, but close enough to make her realise that the idea of any sort of feelings creeping into their relationship scared him silly.

With a sinking feeling, Tabitha clenched her jaw. ‘Yes, my feelings. I like you. A lot.’ She held his gaze, her insides melting, knowing all she wanted to do was sink into his arms and kiss him.

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