Out of the Blue

by Belinda Jones

  ‘I’m not sure that’s entirely fair.’ Greg looks uncertain.

  ‘Well, I don’t think Jules exactly plays fair, do you?’

  ‘No, I mean in terms of setting her up to choose between you and me.’ He heaves a sigh. ‘You’ve got the looks and the money and the jet-set lifestyle. I’m a recently divorced house husband on his first holiday.’

  ‘Who happens to be one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met!’ I exclaim.

  ‘But we’re talking about someone quite mercenary here,’ Greg reasons. ‘She’s not going to go for lovely.’

  ‘This isn’t for real, you know?’ Cherry reminds him.

  ‘I know,’ he pouts, ‘I just want to feel part of the game.’

  ‘How about I write you a cheque right now and make you a millionaire too?’ Richard offers, ever the good sport.

  Greg laughs. ‘Well, if you’re offering . . .’

  ‘Or better yet – we swap identities!’ Richard gets highly agitated. ‘Oh, I like that – I get to be Greg from Lancaster!’

  ‘Oh no!’ Cherry winces at the terrible accent he subsequently attempts. ‘Please stop!’

  ‘No?’ Richard looks crestfallen.

  ‘Maybe it’s a little bit too ambitious,’ Greg concedes.

  ‘Not necessarily . . .’ I’m probably going to regret complicating things but I open my big mouth anyway. ‘If you’re serious about switching, Greg can still be from Lancaster, but now he is primarily based on The World, where he met his lovely fiancée Cherry. And Richard, your hometown is still Lymington, in fact, that’s where you live now as primary care-giver to two gorgeous daughters – Lily and Daisy.’

  ‘And I’m your new beau, right?’ He grins at me.

  ‘Well . . .’

  ‘Absolutely.’ Cherry gives her seal of approval. ‘All the better for making Alekos suffer!’

  Richard rubs his hands together gleefully. ‘This is going be a blast!’

  Greg still isn’t convinced. ‘I’m not sure I know how to act rich.’

  ‘Give me your watch!’ Richard instructs as he removes his Rolex, ready to trade. ‘That’s always a good place to start. Plus your wardrobe could be a bit more yachtie. Come on, we’re pretty much the same size, let’s get you into some resort wear!’

  As we watch the two men scuttle off to play dress up, Cherry shakes her head. ‘I think Richard thinks he’s going undercover for the CIA.’

  ‘And Greg thinks he’s getting in character for a movie!’

  ‘Thank goodness we get to be ourselves – victims no more!’

  I chink glasses with her and drain the last of my Martini.

  ‘So how are you feeling?’ Cherry asks, tone softer now.

  I sigh. ‘Honestly?’

  ‘Honestly.’

  ‘The ridiculous thing is I still miss him. It’s like some part of me hasn’t heard the news that it’s all gone pear-shaped.’

  She nods understanding. ‘When I first got to The World, I had this sudden panic that I’d imagined the whole thing – of course, Dom would never do such a thing to me!’

  ‘How does she do it?’ I marvel. ‘I mean, I can pretty much imagine how.’ I pull a face. ‘Aren’t you at all nervous about sending Richard into the lair?’

  ‘I’m more worried about poor Greg!’ she titters.

  ‘This has turned out to be quite a first holiday for him,’ I smirk.

  ‘You don’t think there’s any way your friendship could—’

  ‘Nooo.’ I shake my head. ‘And that’s not disappointing in any way – I like things just the way they are between us.’

  ‘Okay, well, just don’t give up hope – I know it’s silly to even say it when you’re feeling so disillusioned, but good things can come out of the blue. I’m living proof of that.’

  ‘Actually you are!’ I grin, ready to put a positive spin on the situation. ‘I may have lost Jules and Alekos but I’ve gained you and Greg!’

  ‘And Richard,’ she reminds me.

  ‘Ah yes, my new fantastically good-looking boyfriend!’

  ‘Hey, don’t you go getting any ideas now!’ Cherry teases as the doorbell dings, announcing the arrival of dinner.

  Two hours later my belly is full, my eyelids heavy, but my heart is still fluttering nervously at the prospect of tomorrow’s showdown. Not least because it involves seeing Alekos. I can’t even imagine what it will do to me to see his face again.

  ‘See you chaps in the morning – breakfast on the balcony?’ Richard suggests as we prepare to go our separate ways.

  ‘Sounds lovely!’

  I give Greg a goodnight hug but pull Cherry aside for a quick recap.

  ‘So let me just get this absolutely straight,’ I say as she sits beside me on my latest bed. ‘First thing tomorrow I call Jules and Alekos and invite them to dinner at Greg’s villa. Meanwhile, the four of us transfer from the ship to Elounda, arriving a few hours ahead of them to set everything up.’

  ‘Correct.’

  ‘Greg and Richard are keeping their own names but switching identities?’ I continue.

  ‘Precisely.’ Cherry nods. ‘This way we’ll see whether Jules goes for looks or money.’

  ‘My money’s on the money,’ I tell her. ‘She’s just had looks with Alekos.’

  Cherry sighs and takes my hand. ‘You really did like him, didn’t you?’

  I give her a wobbly look.

  She shakes her head sadly. ‘I can see we’re going to have to do some major psyching up for this. If Alekos doesn’t ever know that you really liked him then your dignity will be intact. Right now it’s seeping out of every pore.’

  ‘I don’t know how to stop it!’ I say, brow crumpling in frustration.

  Instantly her arms are around me. For the past two days I’ve been squishing everything down, trying to hold myself together for Greg’s sake, but all it takes is for Cherry to say, ‘Go on, treat yourself to one last cry!’ and it all comes chugging up and out again. The devastating hurt and disappointment. The anger, the injustice, the overwhelming sense of humiliation and loss.

  ‘This is why we’re going back,’ Cherry says, stroking my hair as she rocks me gently back and forth. ‘We’re doing this for every girl who’s ever been cheated on.’

  28

  ‘In baiting a mousetrap with cheese, always leave room for the mouse.’ – Greek proverb

  ‘Positions, everyone!’ Richard alerts us as a vehicle pulls up outside the villa. ‘We have company.’

  As Greg dims the lights, Cherry secretes herself in the laundry room under the stairs (so she can make her entrance at the most impactful time) and, as the one person linking everyone, I prepare to do my welcome hostess duties.

  I’m not looking forward to greeting a loved-up Alekos and Jules so I take a bite of dakus so any facial distortions can be put down to chewing rather than the contempt and revulsion I’ll actually be exhibiting.

  ‘Oh!’ I stall just one step out the door. At the end of the tealight-lined pathway there is a distinct absence of red hire car, just Alekos stepping from a dusty motorbike on to the tarmac. I look around him. ‘Where’s Jules?’

  He switches back to inspect the bare leather seat and then throws up his hands. ‘Oh no! She must have fallen off!’

  ‘What?!’ I gasp, rushing over, before it dawns on me that he’s winding me up.

  ‘I’m sure she’s on her way.’ He shrugs, sounding clipped and detached. ‘I brought some sargos fish,’ he adds, holding out a plastic bag of silvery items. ‘I just harpooned them.’

  ‘Really?’ I accidentally sound impressed. ‘Actually, I can still see the mask mark on your face!’ I reach to highlight the indentation at his temple, but he flinches before I even make contact, ducking back to retrieve a box of beers from the bike’s lockbox.

  Hold on a minute! Isn’t it me who has cause to be all surly and cold with him, not the other way around? What’s going on? And why is my heart still looping at the mere sight of him?

  �
��I won’t be staying long,’ he informs me as I bid him follow me inside. ‘I just wanted to say goodbye.’

  ‘You’re leaving?’ I startle, turning back to face him.

  ‘No, but you are.’

  Did he just evict me from the island? ‘I am?’ I ask, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice. As hard as it was to return to Elounda today, I had such a rush of affection for this place . . .

  ‘Well, your ten days are up now, aren’t they?’ He shrugs. ‘Jules said the two of you will be returning to England tomorrow.’

  Did she now? Something has obviously gone seriously awry between those two. Maybe that’s why he’s so grouchy. I know it’s not part of the plan but I wonder if I should just confront him outright about the whole sordid saga, while I have the chance?

  I go to step towards him but a pair of arms pulls me back into a clinch. ‘I was getting lonesome in there without you!’ Richard nuzzles into my neck.

  ‘Oh, er, darling!’ I exclaim, improvising badly – I don’t think I’ve ever called a man darling before in my life.

  ‘I don’t believe we’ve met?’ Alekos bristles at this foreign presence.

  ‘This is Richard!’ I fluster, still squirming within his all-too-firm grasp.

  As they nod at each other another male head appears around the patio doors.

  ‘And that’s Greg,’ I say, as he waves a welcoming oven glove.

  ‘How many men have you got in there?’ Alekos snorts.

  ‘Just the two tonight,’ I trill, carelessly.

  Alekos grunts something in Greek but I don’t get a chance to request a translation as he’s marched on ahead asking if he can have a look around the villa – apparently this is one of the plots he has been considering for his own villa purchase.

  I’d follow him in but the guest of honour has just pulled up.

  I take a deep breath. Much as I want to pluck out Jules’ eyelashes until she confesses all, I have to act as if I am completely oblivious to her treachery.

  ‘Thank god you’re back!’ Jules crushes me with what I’ve always interpreted as a heartfelt hug but I now consider brute force. ‘It’s been an absolute nightmare since you’ve been gone – is he here?’ She pulls back suddenly.

  ‘If you mean Alekos . . . ?’

  She nods.

  ‘He’s inside,’ I confirm.

  She tuts agitatedly. ‘It’s just like I warned you – you sleep with him once and then he completely loses interest. I’m just glad it was me he messed around not you.’

  I blink back at her. Is she going to try and spin this so it looks like she’s done me a favour?

  ‘What are you talking about!’ I give her a playful smack. ‘I thought it was all steamerama between you two . . . When I left, you were planning a cosy night in with room service and the infinity pool!’

  She rolls her eyes. ‘I know! Probably one of the sexiest hotel rooms in the world and he’s too sullen and hungover to—’

  ‘Hungover?’ I interrupt. That doesn’t ring true. ‘Are you sure? He pretty much has a two-drink maximum . . .’

  ‘I know!’ she scoffs. ‘Lightweight! He really needs to work on that because, let me tell you, he’s a damn sight more fun drunk. And what’s with this rule of only having one employee out on the boats at any one time?’

  ‘What?’ This is the first I’ve heard of it.

  ‘Something to do with the insurance, apparently, so off he goes every hour whizzing around the bay and I’m sat like a lemon on the beach.’

  ‘I thought you liked lying on the beach doing nothing.’

  ‘Not with a twelve-year-old boy for company! Thank god for his sister, I don’t know how I would have got through the nights were it not for her.’

  ‘You’ve been hanging out with Brooke?’ This situation is getting more bizarre by the second.

  She nods enthusiastically.

  ‘I thought she was only fifteen?’

  Jules shrugs. ‘She’s very mature for her age, kind of like a teenage Diana Dors.’

  ‘I’d heard she was a bit of a looker . . .’

  ‘Oh my god, she has all the boys at her mercy!’ Jules simpers. ‘We went to Agios Nikolaos with a big gang of her friends . . .’ She gives me an ooo-eee look. ‘It’s a lot livelier than this place. No wonder you took off to Athens first chance you got!’

  ‘So are you ladies joining us or do we have to bring the party to you?’ Richard appears on his second rescue mission of the evening.

  As predicted, Jules’ eyes immediately get a glint. ‘Now you look like a man who can mix a mean cocktail!’

  He grins back at her. ‘And you look like a woman who’s knocked back a few in her time!’

  She emits a girlish tinkle, too keen to indulge him to take offence.

  ‘So what’s it going to be?’ He raises his eyebrows expectantly.

  ‘Why don’t you choose for me?’ she purrs submissively.

  ‘Okay,’ he says, leading her to the kitchen. ‘Let me get a proper look at you . . .’

  She does a slow turn, showing off her backless dress.

  ‘I’m thinking sour . . .’ He strokes his chin. ‘Or just a little tart?’

  No wonder he’s in charge of the cocktails, he seems to have a gift for stirring. I quickly stick my head in the freezer on the pretext of getting the ice.

  ‘What do you say to a simple Screwdriver over a measure of ouzo – A Screw You Over, if you will . . .’ he says, fearless in his ribbing. ‘Cherry?’

  ‘Oh no, I don’t like those,’ she says, accepting her custom-made drink.

  ‘Oh, I wasn’t referring to the maraschino variety,’ he titters, motioning for her to look behind her.

  ‘Hello, Jules.’ Cherry the person is right up in her face.

  ‘Top up!’ I grab Jules’ glass before it smashes on the floor.

  The two of them contemplate each other – one looking stricken, the other defiant.

  ‘Surprise!’ I whimper in the background.

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me she was here!’ Jules hisses at me through gritted teeth.

  ‘Oh, don’t look so perturbed,’ Cherry tinkles, oh-so-sweetly. ‘I’m not going to glass you! In fact, I want to toast you – if you hadn’t stolen Dom from me then I never would have met Greg . . .’

  Right on cue he pops up and blesses Cherry’s forehead with a kiss. ‘I really am terrifically grateful,’ he enthuses. ‘I was seriously thinking of giving up my apartment on The World until she came along—’

  ‘You own an apartment on The World?’ Jules cuts in, unable to curb her knee-jerk envy.

  ‘Well, technically it’ll be ours in a month – we’re getting married!’

  Jules’ mouth gapes further.

  ‘So you see, you did me a huge, huge favour!’ Cherry smirks.

  I can almost hear Jules thinking, ‘That wasn’t part of the plan!’ To the point that she doesn’t even quite know how to respond – giving Richard the perfect opportunity to swizzle the stick a little more.

  ‘In a way you also did me a favour,’ he layers on the torment. ‘If you hadn’t hooked up with Alekos, then Selena wouldn’t have been free to come to Athens and fall into my arms.’

  Jules’ head swings back in our direction. ‘You mean, you two are together?’

  We nod decisively, even though I am now painfully aware that Alekos is watching.

  ‘Well! Who knew I was such a matchmaker!’ she brazens. ‘You see, Aleko, I do serve some purpose beyond funding the spa community!’

  Wow. There’s tension all round. I check how Alekos is doing and find him looking positively murderous now.

  ‘Everything alright?’ Cherry dares to enquire.

  He glowers back at her and then finally growls, ‘You cooked Greek food?’

  ‘What?’ She frowns as he heads for the kitchen table.

  ‘Er, actually, that was me!’ Greg owns up, somewhat timidly. ‘I hope that’s okay. I always like to try out recipes in whatever far-flung country I
find myself and it turns out that Greek is my favourite so, really, any tips are most welcome . . .’

  Alekos stares him down for a full ten seconds before caving. ‘Let me try your saganaki . . .’

  Meanwhile Richard invites Jules for a tour of the pool area and Cherry pulls me into the loo to do a gleeful little dance.

  ‘That was brilliant!’ she squeaks. ‘Did you see the look on Jules’ face when she heard I was marrying money! It’s so true what they say – living well is the best revenge! I just never knew I’d have the added bonus of rubbing her perfectly exfoliated nose in it!’ She reaches out to embrace me. ‘And what about Alekos? He’s like a Greek Heathcliffe or something! Is he always that surly?’

  ‘Not at all,’ I sigh. ‘You should see him when he’s laughing or’ – I get all misty – ‘underwater.’

  Cherry gives me a quizzical look and then shrugs. ‘Well, whatever happened with Jules, he’s definitely not into her now.’

  ‘I think it was a one-off thing,’ I confirm. ‘And she made some reference to him being drunk but that’s still no excuse, is it?’

  ‘Maybe she drugged him; I wouldn’t put it past her.’

  ‘Don’t get my hopes up!’ I complain and then sigh. ‘I suppose we should get back out there . . .’

  ‘Yup, let Phase Two begin!’

  We emerge one by one, trying to be discreet, but no one is even looking. I can see Richard and Jules still talking in the garden and Greg and Alekos now seem to be getting along quite nicely, in a culinary kind of way.

  ‘So I could add a few more pinenuts to this?’ Greg is actually taking notes.

  ‘And a very small pinch of cinnamon,’ Alekos advises. ‘You know these are actually Selena’s favourite—’

  ‘What are?’ I perk up, hearing him say my name.

  ‘The courgette blossoms,’ Alekos mumbles, continuing to avoid my gaze.

  ‘Well, then, you have to try one of mine while you can.’ Greg offers me the tray. ‘Not sure I’ll be able to get the right flowers back home!’

  ‘And where is home for you?’ Alekos leans back on the counter, helping himself to an olive. ‘When you’re not going around the world on The World?’