‘What do you think?’
‘Jack asked me to a concert in the church. Tonight.’
‘Wooh, Eve.’ Philippa grins. ‘Slippery slope.’
‘Nothing’s going to happen. Trust me.’
‘Why not?’
‘I’m not anywhere near, like,dating…’
‘Again, why not?’
Eve shrugs. ‘You know why not.’
‘You haven’t even told me her name.’
‘I can’t.’
‘You can’t say it.’
‘Not out loud, no.’
‘She’s really tied you in knots, hasn’t she?’
‘I’ve tied myself in knots, Philippa. I don’t know who I am any more. I have no idea what I’m doing, or where I’m going.’
Philippa takes Eve’s hands in hers. ‘Sit down. Breathe.’ She thumbs Eve’s knuckles for a few moments, then reaches for the cat. ‘Stroke Pye.’
Pye submits with ill grace as Eve runs her fingers through his fur.
‘None of us knows where we’re going,’ Philippa says gently. ‘We’re not meant to. So let it go. But I do think you should go out with Jack tonight. Dress up, make yourself look nice, and have some fun. It’ll be good for you.’
Eve nods. ‘I’m sorry,’ she says. ‘You’ve got Tom to think of, and all I can do is obsess about my love life. I’m ashamed of myself, I really am.’
‘We’ve all been under a bit of pressure, haven’t we, Pye? Yes, you too, you randy bugger, so we’re going to chill, and figure out a way forward.’ She looks at Eve. ‘So what are you going to wear tonight?’
29
Oxana’s sitting in theMedusa’s galley with Feris and Andreas. All three are drinking green smoothies prepared by Andreas.
‘So,’ Feris says. ‘How are you finding it?’
‘The girls, you mean?’ Oxana scratches her sunburnt nose. ‘They’re teenagers. What can I say?’
Andreas grins. ‘That Buse. Woooh, boy. She’s trouble, man.’
Feris stares at him suspiciously. ‘Don’t tell me she’s eyeing you up.’
Andreas shrugs.
‘Seriously?’
‘I mean… Yeah. She checks me out.’ He holds Feris’s stare and grins. ‘Why wouldn’t she?’
She folds her arms across her chest. ‘You’re so full of bullshit. I don’t know what to believe.’
‘Defne likes one of the deckhands,’ Oxana says. ‘That French boy. I think his name’s Noah?’