Stephen was wearing loose shorts and a T-shirt, thoroughly in holiday mode. After yesterday, his toned leg touching mine didn’t go unnoticed. He was incredibly sexy, virile and generous. Why couldn’t I tell him my problem? Now we were physically close again, the mistrust I’d felt at home was fading. I started to plan how I’d break the news of the alleged serious misconduct charge, suddenly eager for his help. The deep blue Aegean stretched seductively around a spattering of fabled islands that glided beneath us. I was in my own Odyssey. Who had been at the bank? ‘Already?’ Stephen’s face clouded with surprise as the seatbelt sign lit up and the announcement to prepare for arrival rang through the cabin. ‘We’ve only just taken off.’ He quickly folded his newspaper and stowed it away. I was preoccupied with what lay ahead – I was about to meet up with friends, and needed to ask a favour of one in particular. • • • Our hotel in Heraklion was a small boutique overlooking the port and old fortress, whose pale stone edifice dominated the view with its cannon parapets and vast bulk built centuries ago by the Venetians to protect the city.
