Page 94 of Another Lucky Number

‘You OK?’ Cat asks from the lounger next to me.

‘Sorry, yes. I’m winding myself up over that bloody man who hijacked my presentation. And I’m annoyed at myself for letting him get to me.’

‘Try to put it out of your mind for now. You’ve only a few days left to enjoy yourself, so don’t waste that time thinking about him.’

‘I know. I need to make the most of what’s left of the trip.’ I stifle a yawn that suddenly creeps up on me. ‘Think my early rise and busy morning is catching up with me.’

‘Here, I’ll put your parasol up, so you don’t get burnt if you fall asleep.’ She jumps up and wrestles with my umbrella until it’s secured and spanning me protectively.

‘Thanks, Cat. You’re a star.’

I close my eyes and it’s not long before I feel myself drifting into a comforting afternoon snooze. Then a few minutes later, I come round to someone nudging me.

‘Emma?Emma, wake up.’

I open my eyes blearily to see Amber standing over me.

‘What is it? I only just nodded off. Could you not have left me for a bit?’

‘You haven’tjustnodded off. It’s quarter to five. You’re meeting James in fifteen minutes.’

‘What?How can it be that late?’ I leap off my lounger and start gathering my things. ‘I only meant to have a quick shut eye.’

‘You’ve been snoring your arse off for the last two hours,’ she gleefully informs me.

‘Great. And you couldn’t have given me a poke to save me the embarrassment?’

‘No way. Every time someone walked past, you’d let out this snorty noise, and they’d almost jump out of their swimwear. It was hilarious. I even managed to get it on video. Wanna see?’

‘No, I don’t “wanna see”.’ I bat away the phone she’sbrandishing at me. ‘I’ve got somewhere to be, remember? Andthathad better be deleted by the time I see you later.’

‘Grumpy guts.’ Amber trots back to her lounger, chuckling at what I assume is a muted viewing of my poolside inelegance and my unsuspecting victim.

Cat’s fast asleep on her own lounger, so I leave her in peace and head to the poolside toilets to check my hair is presentable enough and my makeup is intact. Then, on arriving at the cocktail bar, I grab a shaded table with a view across the pool to the beach and wait for James to appear.

Thanks to my unexpectedly elongated nap, I’ve made zero progress with my decision on whether to shut things down or keep seeing him, so I attempt an on-the-spot analysis. It’s really about weighing up my feelings for him and what he could bring to my life, against the reality of his ‘fixer’ personality and my state of mind following my break up from Dave. There’s no doubt my confidence (generally, and in men) has been damaged. But does that mean I should focus on healing those psychological wounds? Or should I get straight back on the horse, so to speak, to avoid turning into a commitment phobe who’s terrified of getting hurt again?

My inner musings come to an abrupt halt when James pulls out the chair opposite me. His hair is wet, and he smells citrusy and divine. My heart skips at the sight of his gorgeous melty brown eyes and his increasingly tanned skin.

‘Hi, Emma.’ His smile is faltering. He’s clearly apprehensive about what I’m going to say.

I suddenly feel wracked with guilt that I didn’t say something to put his mind at ease when I messaged him earlier – but then how could I have offered reassurance when I don’t know what to tell him?

‘Hi.’ I try to sound as relaxed as possible, while my stomach shifts back into cement mixer mode. ‘I’m OK. How about you? Where did you go today?

‘We did an ATV tour of Nassau. It was great. How’s your day been?’

‘It’s been… full on. A little terrifying… but all went well in the end… to a point.’

‘Right…’ A look of confusion appears on James’s face. ‘I was expecting something more along the lines of disappointment, regret… maybe even relief.’

Of course. James doesn’t know that I went ahead with my interview. I had assumed Amber would have let him know but obviously not.

We order some soft drinks and I fill him in on the events of this morning. He listens intently, relaxing a bit as I talk, and when I finish my story, he gives an impressed clap of his hands.

‘Bravo, Amber. What a move. And bravo to you too, Emma.You did it.’

‘I did.’ I can’t help smiling proudly. ‘Although I’m not feeling good about the impending outcome. I was always punching above my weight and that Mr Miller has likely scuppered any chance I had.’

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