Always and Only You

Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

Five years ago

She considers stewardess uniforms something to be endured. Oh for a pair of trousers! But no, once again, the basic daytime uniform on this yacht is a skort. When on charter, it’s teamed with a white shirt with epaulettes, or a polo shirt when not. At least it has pockets, a secret place where she can stash her phone. Not that she’s supposed to check it when on duty, even if the full-on nature of her job would allow her a second to do so, but every time she feels a notification come in, she has to hide a smile. It’s another message from him. Each time her pocket buzzes, she feels she’s floating a little higher above the deck.

She smiles as she delivers Espresso Martinis to the four guests sunning themselves on the bunny pad on the sun deck, then nips back down the stairs to the main salon, where the bar is, and starts mixing up another batch. These guests are thirsty.

Two hours later, when she takes her break, she hurries back to her cabin tucked into the bow on the lower deck, and closes the door behind her. She’s left her cabin mate and second stew, Marisol, tending to the guests, so for once she’s all alone.

She really should sleep because she’s utterly exhausted, but of course she’s not going to. She pulls her phone out of her pocket, almost dropping it she’s so excited, and wakes it up so she can read the messages. It’s been buzzing constantly.

Hey, gorgeous!

Just wanted to say hi. I’m thinking of you.

And then a couple of minutes later:

Are you thinking of me too? I hope so.

There’s a gap of a few minutes and then another flurry:

I know you’re probably working. I know I should shut up and let you get on with it.

Then there’s a kooky emoji and:

But I can’t help myself!

Why do you have to be so far away!!!!

I want to see you right now! Can we FaceTime?

She can’t help laughing. This is what she likes about him – he finds it so easy to say what he’s feeling, which makes it easier for her to express herself too, even if she still is much more guarded than he is.

That message was over two hours ago. He’s probably fast asleep by now, seeing as the UK is five hours ahead of the Bahamas. She would love to video call with him, but maybe not when the bags under her eyes would incur excess luggage fees. Instead, she scrolls down and continues to read.

Are you really not going to be home until April? That’s too long!

There’s ten minutes between the timestamp of that message and the next, and she gets the feeling he was thinking hard.

No, I really don’t think I can wait that long.

How much are flights to the Bahamas?

She sits up when she reads that one, almost bumping her head on the roof of the cabin. He can’t be serious, can he?

Not much. Well, not if I sell my car.

She can feel her heart pumping as she reads on.

I’d do it, you know. Just to see you again.

Just to see that smile.

I love that smile.

Her heart feels as if it’s inflating like a helium balloon. If he keeps going like this, it just might either pop or fly away.

You can’t! she types back. You’ll get fired.

Her phone pings almost immediately, making her jump. He’s still up!

Don’t care.

It would be worth it.

She holds the phone to her chest. Simon, Simon, Simon … Do you realize what you’re doing to me? Not even her mum has been to visit her when the yachting season’s been underway. She only gets a few days off now and then, and it’s a long way, and then who’s going to look after the charity while she’s gone?

But Simon would do that for her? It’s everything.