He reached out his hand and she shook it.
‘Mia persuaded you to join her this time then?’ Freya asked.
‘Actually, not much persuading needed. The UK at the end of January... I was happy to escape.’
‘Zander gave us the choice of a beach villa or one of these again – I had to show Blake the magic of waking up in the morning and literally being able to slip into the water and snorkel the reef from the doorstep.’
‘Talking of which,’ Blake said, flinging a towel over his shoulder. ‘I’m going for a swim. I’ll let you two talk.’
Freya turned to Mia. ‘We’re doing things slightly differently this time. We’re going to open the bookshop at six for book signing and then the launch party starts at eight.’
‘Does that mean what I think it does?’
‘That you get the rest of the day to yourself?’
Mia grinned and nodded.
‘Wander down at about five and I’ll be there to set you up.’
After chatting a little more, Freya left Mia to enjoy her day sunbathing and swimming and made her way to her next stop along the beach. Having spent most of Christmas working and celebrating with Drew and the rest of the staff, Freya was revelling in having friends staying on the island. Zander had been away over Christmas, travelling to see old friends in the UK and then a brief stop to visit his parents in Antigua. It had been the first time Freya had ever been on her own at Christmas – long gone were family Christmases with her parents, those had ended when they moved to New Zealand, but she’d always spent the holidays with either her brother in France or Amber and her family in the UK. Her heart faltered as Amber entered her thoughts. She touched the heart necklace around her neck. Those days with Amber and her parents were gone forever too, so perhaps it was for the best to be somewhere completely different that didn’t remind her of times she could never recapture. Experiencing a Christmas somewhere hot and so far removed from Christmas in the UK had been just what she’d needed, and she knew Drew was made-up to have had her company.
Freya spotted the wooden sign for villa #4 and left the glare of the sun for the narrow sandy path that cut between the trees. Sunken into the sand and screened by the lush undergrowth, the pool looked cool and inviting with swaying palms casting dappled shade around the edges.
Like everywhere on Loabi Fushi, the front of the villa, nestled in its own tropical garden, was open, allowing Freya a glimpse into its cool interior – all natural materials and cream and taupe colours to blend in with the surroundings.
Aisha smiled and waved from where she was lounging on the daybed on the deck in front of the villa. Her feet were curled beneath her, and she rested a book on her bump.
‘Don’t get up,’ Freya said as she reached her. She perched on the edge of the daybed and kissed Aisha’s cheek.
‘I’m not sure I can anyway. Apart from this cumbersome thing.’ She stroked her hand across her swimsuit-clad stomach. ‘I’ve eaten far too much and done too little since being here. Don’t regret it one bit though.’
‘You going to manage to drag yourself to the bookshop later?’
‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
‘I’ve just seen Mia – she’s going to be a hit tonight, just like she was last time.’
A feeling of contentment washed over Freya as she rested back on her hands next to Aisha. It was secluded and peaceful sitting outside the villa in the shade with the pool sparkling in the sunshine. A white-breasted waterhen scuttled out from an overhanging bush on the other side of the pool, pecked at the sand and dived back beneath the leaves.
‘What you thinking, Freya?’
‘Sorry, I was miles away. I was thinking that today is a good day. A really good day.’ She smiled at her friend. ‘It’s so good to have you here.’
‘I’m over the moon to be here; totally making the most of our last holiday without a screaming baby in tow.’
‘Where’s Tom?’
‘Gone for a dive.’
‘Have you booked yourself in for a massage?’
‘I’m not sure if I fancy one,’ she said, pointing to her bump.
‘You could just have a shoulder one; my friend Drew gives amazing massages.’
‘Your friend Drew, like your friend Zander.’ She nudged Freya. ‘What’s going on with you two?’
‘We like each other, that’s all.’
‘Oh you’re such a tease.’ Aisha shook her head. ‘I’ll just have to ask him myself...’
‘Don’t you dare.’
‘Fifteen-year-old me would be so jealous of you.’ She sighed. ‘And yes, I’m teasing you. I’ll meet him tonight and make up my own mind about the two of you.’
~
Freya got déjà vu as she gazed across the bookshop clearing. There were people everywhere. Smiling sun-kissed faces sipped book-themed cocktails as laughter and chatter filled the air. Decorated with fairy lights, the newly built bookshop was the backdrop. Mia had signed dozens of books, the speeches had been made, Mia captivating everyone with an exclusive reading from her soon-to-be-published thriller, while Annie had taken shots throughout, capturing the evening.
The bookshop was the same and yet better. From the outside it didn’t really look any different with the large windows making the most of the view, and the wood-clad walls and thatched-reed roof blending in with the surrounding trees. Inside, Zander and Freya had created a reading corner with two comfy armchairs much like the ones Freya always loved in dark cosy bookshops with hidden corners perfect for whiling away a few hours. The love island bookshop was flooded with light and warmth, and yet it managed to capture the feel of a cosy reading nook.
‘I think tonight’s been another success.’ Zander slipped his arm around her waist.
They were in full view of everyone and it spoke volumes that he was comfortable making such a gesture, and Freya also felt comfortable with him doing it. More than comfortable. She
