I pointed a finger at her. ‘Do not say a word to anyone about this. No one. Promise?’ She was right. I did sound like I was in an episode of Riverdale, but I didn’t want her playing matchmaker and I needed her to promise she wouldn’t. It was bad enough that Marie had intentions along those lines.

Hannah crossed her fingers over her heart, haphazardly. ‘Cross my heart, blah, blah, blah.’

‘I’m serious, Hannah. I mean it!’

‘Anybody want a peanut?’ We both burst out laughing. I liked this Hannah. I really did hope she got laid again – if only for selfish motives.

*

‘How was it?’ I asked as five weary-but-happy-looking travellers crossed the gangplank onto the boat and plonked themselves down. I was sitting exactly where I’d been when they’d left, and I wondered if they wondered if I’d spent the whole day there.

Hannah stuck her head out from below deck as the others took up spots around the deck. ‘You’re back! Just in time for cocktails. Who’s in?’ Six hands went up, including mine. ‘I’m already making yours,’ she said, scolding me playfully. ‘The rest of you, give me a couple of minutes.’

‘I’ll help,’ Duncan called as he unfolded himself from his seat. I was impressed by how much energy he put into being hospitable, even at the end of a long day.

‘Sooo, how was it?’ I asked again to no one in particular. ‘What did you get up to?’ Gary, never one to shy from telling a story, took me through a blow-by-blow of the day. It sounded like they’d been to some secluded parts of the island. And apparently the weather had held up, so at least there was no repeat of the previous day’s drenching. I kept catching Josh looking at me.

He had a goofy grin on his face – I didn’t know what to make of it.

Duncan started handing drinks up to those of us on deck, and when we all had one in hand, he and Hannah joined us. ‘To Naxos!’ he said, holding his plastic cup aloft. ‘To Naxos!’ we repeated, tapping our cups against each other’s. I had a sip. Hannah must have taken her cue from Duncan’s bartending practices. The drink was like rocket fuel. ‘So,’ said Duncan, ‘I got a text today from a guy I know – he used to be my boss, actually – and he’s here on Naxos and wanted to meet up with us for dinner tonight, if that’s okay with you lot?’

There was general agreement from the group. ‘He was your boss?’ asked Josh.