Page 48 of Greek Island Fling to Forever

‘Phwoar, Dad!’ Jonas had fallen for Arianna’s version of the events hook, line and sinker, and was obviously impressed. ‘Will you get a medal?’

‘No. You only get a medal if you’re very, very brave.’

Jonas pulled an indignant face. ‘But aren’t you very, very brave, Dad?’

‘No.’ The word lost its impact on Jonas, because Arianna chorused a ‘Yes’ at the same time.

When she heard that Ben’s injury didn’t preclude him from sitting up or eating, Eleni insisted that they stay for dinner. They ate under a large olive tree in the garden, with Ben propped up on cushions, and Andreas filling his plate from the serving dishes on the table. Arianna took a call, and left for half an hour to visit a feverish child, returning to say that she’d reassured the first-time mother that her little one was fine. Andreas promised to pop in and see her before work tomorrow and the business was concluded with far less fuss and more good humour than the interruption of a dinner with friends at home would have entailed. Along with all its professionalism, the health centre still retained all that was best in the community that surrounded it.

They left early, making their way slowly to Arianna’s car. All Ben wanted to do was to sleep, feeling the curve of her body against his, but he should be there for Jonas tonight, to make sure that he answered any questions that the boy had.

‘Dad...’ It sounded as if the first of Jonas’s questions was on the way. ‘Can we go to Arianna’s house?’

‘Why do you want to go there?’ Ben took his son’s hand, feeling the stitches pull a little.

‘So that Arianna can help me look after you.’

‘Tonight, you mean?’ He could see Arianna smiling out of the corner of his eye.

‘Yes. Arianna, you can make sure my dad’s all right, can’t you?’

‘Of course I can. If that’s what you want me to do, Jonas.’

‘Yes.’

Ben wasn’t going to talk about it any more, and he certainly wasn’t going to look at Arianna because he’d just start laughing. Or kissing her, and then Jonas might catch onto the fact that her motives for inviting them to stay weren’t entirely medical. He reached for the car door and eased himself into his seat.

* * *

Arianna had supposed she should sleep in her own bed, leaving Ben and Jonas in the large bed in the spare room. But when it was time to put Jonas to bed, he’d asked her for a story. Ben was tired too, and he’d lain on the bed, listening as Arianna told one of the stories she remembered her father telling her and Xander.

Halfway through, a thought occurred to Jonas. ‘What happens if my dad bursts his stitches? Will he bleed all over the carpet?’

‘I’m not going to burst my stitches, Jonas.’ Ben opened one eye.

‘Oh.’ Jonas looked slightly disappointed. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, I’m sure. Arianna’s stitches are very special. I’m not going to do any more bleeding, and particularly not all over the carpet.’

‘Okay.’ Jonas seemed happy with the explanation. He wriggled towards the side of the bed, leaving a space between himself and his father. ‘You can lie here, Arianna.’

‘Hey! Arianna’s got her own bed, you know.’ Ben’s hand went to his side as he tried not to laugh.

But Jonas shot her a pleading look, and she couldn’t resist. Arianna climbed onto the bed, snuggling between Ben and Jonas, and by the time she’d finished the story he was asleep.

She should go, now. But when she moved she felt Ben’s hand close around hers. ‘Don’t. Please.’

He’d been so concerned about Jonas, but he needed a little comfort too. Carefully she snuggled against him, holding his hand between hers.

Maybe she’d wait until Ben was asleep too, and then leave. But Arianna didn’t think so. It felt that this was where she was meant to be, where she would have been if fate hadn’t intervened and changed the trajectory of her life. Part of a family that was stronger together than it was apart.

It couldn’t happen. But, for this one night, she could pretend it might.

CHAPTER TWELVE

SOME WOUNDS DIDN’T HEAL.

The one on Ben’s side was going to be fine. He was a little stiff and sore, but the sudden, unreasoning panic when he’d seen the blood had been an overreaction.

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