Page 99 of Another Lucky Number

Unfortunately, however, my brain doesn’t appear to have got the memo that I’m happy as a pig in shit, because these sumptuous thoughts are chased closely by a now familiar feeling of disappointment over not getting the job. But it’s fine. My slightly wounded pride will recover quickly. Because job or no job, I’ve ‘hit the jackpot’ for the second time in as many weeks by making a professional contact in Sébastien. Oh, and there’s that sexy man in my shower as well.

A billow of steam escapes from the bathroom as the door is hauled open, and a grinning James emerges, looking super sexy with a towel wrapped around his waist.

‘Ah, you’re awake, finally,’ he says.’ I was thinking of pouring a glass of water on you.’

‘That’s how you would wake a sleeping woman?’ I raise a judgmental eyebrow. ‘And there was me wondering why you’re single.’

‘You should see what I do to you when you’re asleep.’

I blanch and playfully hurl a pillow at him.

‘Anyway,amI single?’ He asks. ‘Is the jury still out on that one?’

‘No, I think we’ve reached the “seeing each other” stage. But the terrain’s tricky after that, so mind how you go.’

‘Noted.’ He taps his nose. ‘So… are you ready for our big day out?’

‘Sure am. It’s so good to be free from the shackles of my interview.’ I hop out of bed and kiss him teasingly on the lips, then pad across to the shower – totally naked – knowing full well he’s watching me as I go.

‘Oh wow. This is incredible.’ I gasp in awe, drinking in my tropical surroundings, which are even more incredible than those of the resort itself.

We’re standing on the deck of a catamaran, which has dropped its anchor not far from the shore of a small, apparently unpopulated – and unbelievably beautiful – paradise island. The sparkling turquoise water around us is even more mesmerising than it is at our resort, fuelling me with an overwhelming urge to jump straight in.

‘Don’t know about you but I’m dying to get in there,’ says James.

‘Like I’ve never felt before.’ I’m unable to tear my eyes from the hypnotising ebb and flow of the water.

We grab the snorkelling gear provided to us and ‘suit up’, laughing at how daft we look in our masks and flippers.

‘Shall we step off together?’ saysJames.

‘Erm… yup. Let’s do it.’ I squeeze my eyes shut then quickly reopen them because falling blind will be worse than seeing where I’m going.

‘One… two… three…go.’

We step off the side of the catamaran together and plunge below the surface before emerging side by side, laughing.

‘That wasamazing.’ I beam at him while treading water.

James smiles back at me, then gently pulls me towards him, allowing me to float while he does the legwork (quite literally).

‘How good is this, eh?’ He kisses me softly, then turns me around so that he’s behind me, his head resting on my shoulder while we take in the exotic view together. There’s nothing man-made in sight, save for a few yachts and catamarans in the distance. It’s all stunning shades of blue and green, from the almost indigo depths of the open sea in the distance, to the turquoise waters around us and the crystal clear shallows at the shore, where the powder white beach is framed by dense green shrubbery.

I let out a sigh of pure contentment. ‘It’s unreal. Like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.’

I pop in my mouthpiece and briefly duck my face into the water, letting out a peep of delight as I re-emerge. ‘James, we’ve got friends.’ I point below the surface.

‘Let’s go under so we can see them then,’ he says.

He adjusts his own mask and mouthpiece, and we swim along together, partially submerged, our periscope-like breathing tubes sticking proudly out of the water. The change to my breathing is weird and this distracts me at first, but as I get used to it, I’m able to focus on the clusters of tropical fish swimming curiously around us. There are loads of them in a kaleidoscope of colours with different patterns and markings. Some big, some small, some long and elegant, some short and stubby looking. But all so alive and utterly fascinating. It’s waybetter than watching a David Attenborough nature programme and those are hard to beat.

We swim until our tour guide gives us the signal that it’s time for lunch, and we reluctantly return to the boat.

‘Can I ask you something?’ says James, when we’re halfway through our Bahamian fayre and a couple of Rum Punches, the catamaran gently rocking on the waves while we eat and drink.

‘You can ask me anything you like.’

‘OK. But this might be a bit too personal, so tell me to back off if it is. I was wondering, with you having that big lottery win, why you’re keen to get a new job so quickly? I get that it’s not enough to retire on – not once you’ve bought yourself an apartment or whatever. And I understand you still having ambition – I can imagine I would too – but could you not enjoy awee bitmore freedom before you get back on the hamster wheel?’

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