Anna took a long swallow of her drink and crossed her legs. ‘I think she wants to be alone… she’ll probably want to sort out her hair.’ She leaned forward, presenting him with an eyeful of her bra-less chest inside the deep neckline. ‘Why don’t you give her a few hours, then text her to come along for dinner? We can all eat together again, yes?’

For the first time she acknowledged the other men who had taken seats at their table. ‘In the meantime, you can all regale me with your morning’s adventures.’

The wind had picked up to what seemed like gale force when Paula finally peeled herself off the railing and walked slowly back inside. She was numb from her head to her toes, and the deep freeze had settled in the very marrow of her bones. In the elevator, she held her hands up in front of her face and clenched her fingers. Sharp pains shot through her knuckles and she gasped as she looked closer at the split skin.

With a barely concealed sob, she shoved her hands in her pockets.

The elevator door opened to a hive of activity and she looked around in confusion. She had ended up in the bar and dining area, and her stomach rumbled noisily, reminding her that she had missed both breakfast and the early lunch she had planned after the hair appointment.

But it was too close to dinner to eat something now, and catching sight of herself in the mirrored wall, she shuddered and retreated into the lift. She had never looked so awful. She turned away, but not before she had caught sight of her hair, still wet, tangled and with those awful pale bleach patterns.

She felt tears well up again at the sight of the people already congregating for dinner, laughing and drinking and—

She blinked.

Tommy and Anna. Sitting together, their faces close, Anna throwing her head back to laugh at something Tommy had said.

When had he got back? And why was he with her?

She slammed a hand on the panel to stop the doors closing, but they swished shut and with an efficient hiss the elevator swept upwards.

He had texted her, she saw as she closed the door of the suite behind her and picked up her phone.

We’re all in the restaurant, we’re eating with the fishing boys tonight as the trip got cut short. Anna is already here. Come down as soon as you’re ready.

She sank down on the bed, tapping her finger thoughtfully on the screen. It was more information than she usually got from him in a text, and it seemed to explain why he was already back. And he’d acknowledged that Anna was with him. Didn’t try to hide it, not like some men would have.

She tapped out a reply.

Give me twenty minutes xxx