“I’m Sarah and this is Josh,” I replied.

Josh waved and said, “Hi.”

“Would you like to join us?” I asked Siobhan, suddenly realising I hadn’t run it past Josh. I glanced at him and he seemed fine with it. He even added, “Yeah, come and join us.”

“Are you sure? I really don’t want to interrupt your afternoon. I just wanted to say sorry for the drink mix up.”

“Oh, that was no trouble. Please.” I indicated the lounger on the other side of mine. Siobhan gathered her things and her drink and made her way over.

“You’re too kind,” she said.

“So, what have we got here?” asked Josh, holding up his drink.

“Tequila Sunrise,” she said. “Sláinte,” she added, and we all clinked glasses.

I took a sip. Whoa. It was strong—like Duncan, our skipper in Greece, had made it and he was known for the kinds of cocktails that could fuel rockets. I liked it, though—a lot. I was starting to think the whole trip was going to be drinking cocktails while I worked on my tan—and sex. How could I forget the “lots and lots of sex” part?

“It’s tasty. Thanks again,” said Josh. Siobhan waved away his thanks as she took a big sip from her own glass.

“So, Siobhan, can I ask, you’re obviously Irish, but what was the toast? Slancha?” I asked.

“That’s right. It’s short for Sláinte mhaith, which means ‘good health’ in Gaelic.” She pronounced the whole thing as “slancha vha”. I had no idea what it would look like written down. Gaelic was tricky like that, in my experience. Although, I did know how Siobhan’s name was spelled despite it being said, “Shevaun”.

“Sláinte mhaith,” I said to myself, so I would remember it.

“So, what brings you to Maui?” asked Josh. At least he had remembered his manners, making polite conversation rather than grilling the poor woman about Gaelic.

“It’s my honeymoon,” she replied. I noticed that she lifted her chin a little when she said “honeymoon” and I detected a slight edge in her voice. Josh forged on, not seeming to catch either tell.

“Oh, congratulations. So where is your husband—or wife, sorry, I shouldn’t assume, uh, spouse?” I gave him an encouraging smile and he shook his head at me ever-so-slightly, clearly chastising himself.

“Well, I’m on my honeymoon, but I’m here alone, as I didn’t actually get married, because he didn’t show up.” She took a long pull on her straw.

I realised my mouth was open and when I looked at Josh, so was his. “Oh, my god, Siobhan, I’m so sorry.” And I was. I had only met this woman minutes before, but she seemed warm and lovely, and how awful to be left at the altar!

“That’s rough,” added Josh.

“Well, yes, but the holiday was already paid for and Maui was my choice, not his, so I thought, ‘feck it’, and I brought myself on my honeymoon.” She grinned at us. It was an infectious grin, and we all ended up laughing.