‘You’re a good swimmer,’ he commented.

‘Under-sixteens county champion,’ she announced proudly.

‘Well, you’ve still got it, Brennan.’

‘Why thank you,’ she replied with a grin. He swam towards her and she splashed him playfully.

‘Oi.’ He laughed, splashing her back. Soon they were splashing each other furiously, giggling like children. He grabbed her leg and pulled her underwater with him and as they floated underneath the surface, she saw him move towards her, as if he was about to reach for her, and she panicked and launched herself up to the surface. She quickly swam to the side of the pool, pulled herself out and towelled herself dry before putting her sundress back on.

‘I’d better go and check on the kids,’ she said.

‘Okay doke,’ Jack replied, as he climbed onto a pink lilo that was drifting past him and started to float along on his back. ‘Bring us another beer on your way back out, will you?’

It was as if nothing had happened. But, had anything happened? She was so confused. For a moment she had thought that Jack was going to kiss her but now that seemed ludicrous. It’s all in my head, she told herself. She was just silly and giddy on sun and afternoon beer and she needed to get over herself. Jack would never do anything like that. He was playful, for sure, perhaps a bit flirty from time to time, but he was harmless. And she would never do anything like that to Alan anyway. So why was she feeling so guilty all of a sudden?

She felt the rush of cold air as she let herself into the air-conditioned villa and saw the kids still playing cards and making their way through a family-sized bag of crisps. She watched them for a while and then she heard the front door open and Alan and Angie returned with bags of supplies. She went over to help them unpack and a few minutes later Jack came inside, still in his swimming trunks, and put his arms around Angie.

‘Get off, you’re soaking wet,’ she said with a half-laugh, pulling away from him.

‘I can’t resist,’ Jack said.

‘I mean it, Jack, this dress is dry-clean only!’

‘Take it off then.’ He started pulling the strap of Angie’s dress down.

Sophie and Alan caught each other’s eye.

But Angie just pushed him off and sent him back outside. ‘You’ve met Holiday Jack then,’ she said.

‘Holiday Jack?’ Sophie asked.

‘Yes, Holiday Jack forgets who he is and acts like he’s on some sort of eighteen to thirties holiday in Kavos. He often makes guest appearances on our summer jaunts. Ignore him, he’s harmless.’

Angie sounded flippant but Sophie’s cheeks burned. It was as though Angie was talking directly to her and she felt another rush of guilt about what had happened in the pool. Was Angie giving her a warning or was she simply trying to justify Jack’s behaviour in the kitchen? And while she sounded light-hearted, was there something more serious behind her tone?