I smiled, awkwardly I’m sure, and replied with a weak, ‘Yes.’ I reminded myself to breathe while pretending not to notice that everyone else at the table was staring at me, mouths open.

Including Josh.

Chapter Nine

Duncan leapt into the midst of the awkward silence and directed James to the seat we’d saved for him. Right across from me. I hadn’t taken my eyes off him since he’d arrived, and I’m not big-noting myself or anything, but he hadn’t taken his eyes off me either. And he was smiling – a big, fat, self-satisfied smile.

‘So,’ said Duncan, rousing the group from their stupor. He held up a menu, ‘Everything – seriously, everything – is good here. So, what do you say we order some platters, add in a couple of Greek salads and some tzatziki and do this family style?’

There were affirmative responses of varying levels of enthusiasm from around the table. Josh was silent. He had stiffened beside me the moment the silver fox had alluded to our interlude.

I broke off my staring competition across the table and read the menu. ‘Lamb!’ I called out, far louder than I needed to. Nerves. I lowered my voice for the follow-up, ‘I think we should definitely get some lamb.’ I couldn’t remember ever sounding so excited about lamb.

‘Good idea – and chicken.’ Gary jumped in to help save a drowning woman. Thank you, Gary. I love you.

Eventually everyone contributed something to our order and Duncan signalled for the waiter. I risked a sideways glance at Josh. He looked like a thundercloud had taken up residence above his head. I wondered if he still considered James his hero. Probably not. From revered to despised in the blink of an eye.

Meanwhile, it was obvious that the silver fox thought he was in the hen house and had his eye on the prize hen. And for the record, that would be me. He did nothing to hide his interest, and I really wished he would; it was becoming embarrassing.

And yes, okay, I admit I had spent some time thinking about James since Santorini. And why not? I wasn’t attached – not really – and it gave me something lovely to think about when Josh talked about his career bachelorhood. If there was no future for ‘Josh and Sarah’ beyond the trip, what harm was a fantasy – or two – or three – about the silver fox?