Page 34 of Strictly Friends
‘Only just,’ he muttered. ‘You should have warned me that coming here meant getting on to a tiny plane. I would rather chew on broken glass than do it again.’
‘Are you still moaning about that?’ she said impatiently. ‘You got here in one piece, didn’t you? Besides, how was I supposed to warn you when I didn’t have the first idea that you’d follow us out here!’
‘Yeah, well, I didn’t exactly think that through,’ Griffin admitted, scratching the stubble on his chin. ‘Iwasgoing to courier the bunny like you asked, but it’s been a nightmare trying to have a decent conversation with you on the phone. London’s so bloody cold and miserable that it was either go to Nairobi and visit Granny Sarah or...’ He tailed off with a shrug.
‘So, just like that, you decided to jump on a flight out here. Mate, we’ve only been gone a week!’ She shook her head, torn between her joy at seeing him and exasperation at his impulsiveness.
‘It’s your own fault for going on about how incredible this place is. I phoned MissIda to book a room and told her I wanted to surprise you. She was well up for it, and she even arranged for Zeke to pick me up from the airport.’
‘Well, if it helps, I wasn’t surprised.’ Ruby grinned. ‘I wasshocked! I couldn’t believe it was really you in the hallway. Jake’s over the moon – although I have to say he’s even happier about getting Jellybean back,’ she laughed.
Griffin propped himself up on one elbow and studied her critically. ‘There’s something different about you. Maybe the island magic you talked about is working its spell because you look – I don’t know... I can’t quite put my finger on it. I’m loving the tan, by the way.’
Ruby stretched her legs out in front of her, smiling at the contrast between her white shorts and the glowing dark bronze of her skin. ‘I know, right? We spend so much time outdoors here. Have you seen how much Jake has changed? He’s been like a different child since we arrived. He eats anything he’s offered and he’s nowhere near as shy as he is at home. He’s even made friends with another family staying here and he’s with them now.’
Griffin gave a brief smile. ‘I’m glad he’s okay. I was worried when you said he was insisting on Jellybean, which is partly why I wanted to come.’ He hesitated. ‘You and Kenny looked pretty loved up when you came in last night. I noticed you holding hands... So, what gives?’
‘First of all,wewere not holding hands, Jake was,’ she corrected. ‘Secondly, the real question is what gives between you and Kenny?’
The frostiness between the two men the previous evening had been palpable, with little more than a courteous nod on both sides before Kenny abruptly took his leave.
When Griffin didn’t answer, Ruby sighed. ‘I know you hate him for leaving me and Jake in the lurch, but you’ve got to try to get on with him while you’re here – for your godson’s sake, if not mine.’
‘Oh, so we like him now, do we?’
Ruby ignored the sarcastic tone. ‘I wouldn’t say that exactly, although he does appear more mature and grounded than before. He seems very happy living on a small island, and he’s making a real effort with Jake.’
‘It shouldn’t be an effort to spend time with your own kid,’ Griffin scoffed.
‘I know – and believe me, I’m worried about how long it will last, and whether things will blow up in my face if I trust him again.’ She stopped and beamed at him. ‘I’msoglad you’re here! I need reinforcements to keep MissIda at bay. First the woman badgers me to give Kenny a chance, andnowshe thinks Mac has a thing for me and—Oh, crap!I totally forgot about Mac! I’d better go, or I’ll be late for my sitting.’
She shuffled to the edge of the bed to fish for her shoes, and Griffin sat up, his eyes suddenly alert.
‘Hold on, is Mac the George Clooney lookalike you’ve been getting all googly-eyed about? NowhimI want to meet! Give me ten minutes to have a quick shower and put some clothes on, and I’ll come with you.’
About to protest that he would make her late, Ruby bit back the words and nodded happily. It felt so good to have Griffin back at her side, and it wouldn’t kill Mac to wait a few minutes longer.
‘Okay, I’ll be downstairs. But hurry up!’
24
Ruby was on the dining-room terrace chatting to MissIda when Griffin finally appeared almost half an hour later. Dressed in a slightly crumpled pair of long shorts, a white t-shirt, and leather sandals, he had his guitar strapped across his back, and held a glass of what looked like fruit juice.
‘Good morning, MissIda!’ His hazel eyes sparkled as he approached. ‘You’re looking particularly lovely today.’
MissIda tittered like a schoolgirl and smoothed her powder-blue cotton dress. ‘Well now, that’s mighty charming of you. Did you have a good night?’
‘I slept like a baby, ma’am,’ Griffin assured her. ‘Until this one here came banging on my door this morning.’
Unimpressed, Ruby held out her wrist and pointed at her watch. ‘I am officially late for my sitting, so can we go?’
‘But, Ruby, Griffin hasn’t had his breakfast yet!’ MissIda exclaimed with a reproachful frown. She looked up at Griffin. ‘Can I fix you a plate of eggs or some pancakes, sugar? That juice isn’t going to take you far.’
Knowing Mac was waiting – and probably tearing his hair out – Ruby glared at Griffin, silently willing him to turn down the offer. To her relief, he tossed down the rest of the juice and handed the empty glass to MissIda with a grateful smile.
‘That’s very kind of you, but I’ll save my appetite for lunch. Ruby tells me your food is incredible.’
MissIda’s face creased into a bright smile. She patted Griffin’s arm and then headed back inside while Ruby took the lead down the steps from the terrace and on to the pathway.
