Page 86 of In the Same Boat

I can tell she wants to change the subject, so I’m happy to, but I don’t feel like she killed the mood at all. To be honest with you, it was nice to talk to someone who gets it.

‘So, if they both hate noise – do you know any good clubs here?’

I smile.

‘I do – really, really noisy ones,’ I confirm.

‘Perrrrfect,’ she says, rubbing her hands together like the world’s most adorable supervillain.

‘You’re enjoying this far too much,’ I tease.

‘Funny,’ she replies. ‘I was thinking the same thing about you.’

I am – it’s been ages since I had this much fun. I thought this holiday was going to be a dud, when I realised Sammie and Chrissy were here but, I don’t know, all this scheming, it’s kind of exciting.

She exhales, long and smooth, in a way that is relaxing to hear.

‘Well, I’d better try to get some sleep, if we’ve got a big, noisy day tomorrow…’

‘Me too,’ I say with a laugh.

‘Night, Nico.’

‘Night, Sammie.’

Our arms knock together lightly as she makes herself more comfortable. I stare up at the ceiling for a while, forcing my brain firmly into neutral territory. I will not have sex dreams about Sammie tonight, I will not have sex dreams about Sammie tonight. If I repeat it enough, then try to think about other things, maybe that will do the trick. I can’t have sexy dreams about her, not because I don’t want to – that’s not the problem – but because I do.

20

SAMMIE

Nico and I sit at the breakfast table with much more confidence today. We have a plan and it’s going to work.

The four of us are sitting out on the deck again, while Monte Carlo glitters around us. The marina is already busy – surrounded by other yacht owners, locals, tourists. Everyone looking so incredibly well turned out – well, everyone but me and Nico. I’m wearing hisWar ZombiesT-shirt, the one I slept in, and he’s wearing nothing but a pair of shorts. Mum and Hank have scrubbed up well though. Him in his chinos and a shirt, Mum in one of her floaty dresses. They look like they belong here. Nico and I very much look like their freeloading kids.

‘You two seem like you’re in a good mood,’ Mum says from over her coffee cup.

‘I was going to say the same,’ Hank adds – at least I think that’s what he says, through his mouthful of croissant.

‘Well, we were talking last night, and we realised that this is our holiday too, and we might like to choose today’s activities – do something we like to do,’ I tell them.

Beside me, Nico stretches his arm casually across the back of my chair, like it’s normal for us now. I suppose it is.

‘Sounds ominous already,’ Hank says cautiously.

‘It’s not ominous,’ Nico replies with a laugh. ‘We just thought, you know, it’s our turn to choose what we do later.’

‘All together,’ I add.

Mum smiles, but I can see the suspicion behind her eyes.

‘Interesting…’

‘What kind of activity?’ Hank asks.

Nico and I exchange a glance.

Then, without planning or rehearsing this, we both say at the exact same time: ‘It’s a surprise.’