Page 19 of Greek Island Fling to Forever

‘Sure you do. Do it.’ He stuck his chin out, pointing at it. ‘Right there.’

‘No. I’m not going to hit you.’

‘Not even if I tell you to grow up. Face your grief and admit that you’re not second-best, that’s just survivor’s guilt talking...’

He stepped back as Arianna flung herself at him, catching her flailing arms. Held her while she cried bitter tears and was still there for her when she wiped her face with shaking fingers. For a long time they were both silent, locked in an embrace. Held together by the day they’d met, when they were both children.

He reached into his pocket, bringing out a handkerchief. Wiping her face gently and carefully was more than just wiping the tears away; it felt as if he were cleaning away the remains of the shell that had kept her imprisoned for so long.

‘I didn’t think men carried handkerchiefs these days...’ She took the scrap of cloth from his fingers, blowing her nose. ‘Isn’t it a little old-fashioned, having a hanky in your pocket just in case you come across a woman in distress?’

‘A hanky comes in very useful when you have a five-year-old. Scraped knees, dirty face, runny nose. It’s as well that I haven’t been around Jonas too much today, or you wouldn’t want to be blowing your nose on it.’

Arianna smiled, putting the handkerchief in her pocket. ‘I’ll wash it and give it back to you.’

He chuckled. ‘Now who’s the old-fashioned one?’

Ben took her hand, wrapping his fingers around it. ‘I know that my coming here has brought up some very difficult issues for you, Arianna. I’m sorry, and if you’d like me to leave...’

‘No.’ She laid her finger across his lips.

‘You don’t have to put a brave face on things, or keep up appearances. If I’m making things worse for you, you don’t have to pretend you want me around either.’

She could ask Ben. She really wanted to ask him. No one had ever been able to see into her heart the way he seemed to, and it was terrifying and yet liberating.

‘I’d like you to stay.’

‘Then I’ll stay.’ His gaze focused on her face and he tilted her jaw upwards with one finger. ‘How much sleep did you get last night?’

‘Is that a nice way of saying I have bags under my eyes?’

He grinned. ‘I have to look really, really closely to see them. How much?’

‘Not a lot.’ Arianna turned the corners of her mouth down. The nightmares had been clearer and more disturbing than ever, and in the end she’d wrapped herself in a blanket and sat outside, watching the sun rise.

‘What do you say to my cooking for you tonight, then? You can sit on the veranda and watch the sunset.’

‘That sounds good. If you’re sure, though. You’re on holiday, so you should be the one that has the time to sit around watching sunsets.’

His face creased into a pained expression. ‘I came here to see you, Arianna. I didn’t know what to expect, but if I’d wanted to just laze in the sun then I’d have gone somewhere else.’

‘How are you with a barbecue, then?’

He laid his hand on his chest. ‘If Jonas were here, he’d tell you. You’re looking at the barbecue king.’

* * *

Ben shooed Arianna out of her own kitchen and he saw her pick up her phone and take it with her onto the veranda. She sat down, curling her legs up under her, and dialled, speaking in Greek to someone. He heard Lizzie’s name mentioned, and guessed that Arianna must be talking about their hotel transfer. Ben turned away from the window and started to unpack the bags of food they’d brought from the village. Chicken for the barbecue, and salad.

The barbecue was housed in its own covered area, to one side of the veranda and outside the kitchen. This was outdoor living at its very best. Shaded places to cook and eat, and the beach and the sunshine to enjoy. Ben could get used to this.

He laid the table on the veranda, and then brough

t out the dishes of food.

‘Very nice. You can come back again.’ She smiled at him. Arianna still looked tired, but the light had returned to her dark eyes and she seemed less careworn.

‘Thanks. Next time it’s pie and chips.’

---