Page 6 of Below the Deck

Sam looked up as Michaela appeared at the top of the stairwell. ‘We’re ready to serve lunch,’ she said. ‘Would you all like to come down?’

‘Yes! I’m starving,’ said Nick.

‘Me too – I’m dying to try Leilani’s food,’ Eleni replied, as the five of them followed the chef down two flights of steps to the main deck, and to the table under the awning, where Rory and Talia were already sitting.

‘Leilani has made you a crab and lobster salad to start, then fresh monkfish in a creamy coconut sauce,’ said Michaela. ‘She’s also prepared some crusty bread and crackers for anyone who’d prefer something simpler.’ Sam saw Lucy smile gratefully. ‘More champagne, anyone?’

Sam’s mouth watered. He took the empty seat next to Talia – Rory had taken the spot at the head of the table, naturally – and tucked into his food, which was every bit as delicious as Michaela had made it sound. Between mouthfuls, he turned to Talia. ‘What do you think of theLussoso far, then?’

Talia was wearing a wide-brimmed hat that hid almost herentire face; Sam couldn’t make out much of her expression. But she seemed distracted, that much he could tell: she was picking at her food and her long, French-manicured nails had chips around the edges, with some of the white at the tips peeling off.

‘It’s wonderful,’ she said. ‘Although,’ she lowered her voice to add, ‘I’m not a huge fan of crab, to be honest.’

Sam grinned. ‘I won’t tell our chef. I promise.’ He mimed zipping his lips closed, and that, at least, got a more genuine look of pleasure.Wow, I forgot how stunning Talia is when she smiles.

‘But you’re enjoying it so far?’ Sam persisted. ‘Your husband puts on the most amazing bonus trips.’ He nodded in Rory’s direction.

Talia nodded. ‘He’s quite literally pushed the boat out this year.’ She smiled, reached a hand towards her husband and patted his arm; Rory stopped his conversation with Nick and turned to listen. ‘It’s marvellous,’ Talia went on. Then she gave Sam a wry look. ‘You did extremely well to get a place. You should be very proud.’

Sam felt a flicker of unease.Why did she say it like that? Doesn’t she think I deserve to be here?He swallowed.Best to get off the subject of Ashworth.

‘Ah, thanks – we all should be,’ he said smoothly, gesturing to Lucy and Eleni. ‘But yeah, I put a lot of effort in this year. And it’s so good to have a breather from work for a few days, honestly.’

‘Oh goodness, yes. I was ready for some time off myself.’

‘Time off?’ Lucy said. ‘Fromwhat?’

Sam’s eyebrows shot upwards. Was Lucy making a dig atTalia – here, in front of everyone, on day one of the trip? It was a bold move, if so. Surprisingly bold.

Talia cocked her head to one side. ‘From work,’ she said flatly. ‘Why – did you assume I don’t have a job?’

Lucy shook her head; she looked genuinely baffled. ‘No – not at all. I’m sorry. I wasn’t assuming anything. I didn’t mean it to sound like that.’

‘Ha!’ Rory guffawed. ‘Lucy thought you were one of those bored, desperate housewives putting on luncheon for the ladies, I expect. What do you make of that, Talia?’

‘No – no, I didn’t,’ said Lucy, flushing slightly. ‘That’s not what I meant. I just … I didn’tknowthat. I’ve only met you once before, Talia, at that awards night a few months ago. I’m not sure if you remember. But it was so loud, and I didn’t get the chance to speak to you much …’

Talia paused for a beat, then smiled – the first truly genuine one Sam thought he’d seen since they got on the plane in London. ‘I see. Well, yes. I work for a children’s charity, as a legal adviser,’ she said. ‘It’s only part time, but the people – the impact they have – it’s quite wonderful.’

‘That’ssoamazing,’ said Eleni, sounding almost breathless. ‘Truly. Working for a charity that does such good things, when you wouldn’t actually have to work if you chose not to … it’s really admirable.’

Talia grimaced. ‘There’s really no need for all the flattery – praise is certainly not why I do it,’ she said snippily. Clearly Talia didn’t want compliments, but Sam had thought the same thing when he’d first learned what she chose to do with her time. It had warmed him to her; she was so much more than an uber-rich, uber-privileged housewife swanning around athome or going shopping every day.She deserves so much better than Rory.

‘It must be good to feel like you’re making a difference,’ Lucy said. ‘A lot more of a difference than moving around tabs in a spreadsheet all day, anyway.’

Talia laughed. ‘Well, anyone who can put my husband in as good a mood as your work has done over these last few months is making plenty of difference, I can assure you.’

‘Hear, hear!’ boomed Rory.

From across the table, Eleni snorted, then tried to disguise the sound with a cough.

‘You all right there, Eleni?’ Sam asked with a grin. ‘Something go down the wrong way?’

‘Ha, no – I’m fine. Maybe it’s just me, but I didn’t realizefinancial analysiswas something that gave Rory such a buzz. It’s literally just a bunch of numbers, isn’t it? Or am I missing something?’

Lucy’s face fell. ‘Well, I … er …’

‘Now, now, Eleni,’ Rory interrupted. ‘It’s far more than just abunch of numberswhen Lucy’s saving me ten times your annual salary in a thirty-minute meeting.’