Starting Over

Chapter 18

“A day off...together!” Jan announced as Ellen came out of the bathroom three days later. They’d settled in to a routine, both working, snatching time together. But today was a mutual day off. A rarity in their diaries.

“Can we go shopping this morning? I want to make us a nice dinner tonight.” She sat on the bed and towelled her hair dry.

He nodded, sitting up, “sounds good, and then we can hit the beach later, really relax.”

The market was busy; tourists did descend on it en masse, mainly for souvenirs and fake Gucci sunglasses. The fish stalls were quiet, and as it was still fairly early she managed to buy all that she wanted. Jan scuffed along behind her like a petulant teenager, protesting that he wanted to be at the beach, but she loaded him with fresh fruit, asparagus and beans, the clams and prawns she’d managed to snatch as well as some cava from the local shop.

He was in full on stroppy mode ramping up his mood and enjoying every minute by the time they got back to the apartment.

“Don’t think you deserve to go if you’re still moody young man!” she chided him struggling to contain her laughter. “I’ll go alone!”

His arms were around her waist before she had chance to open one of the shopping bags. His lips were on her neck and he mumbled, “Bed not beach?”

She laughed, “Nope! We’re going to spend the afternoon at the beach, we’ve planned it, and I want to relax in the sun. Go change, we’ll leave as soon as I’ve unpacked this. “

Once the food was put away, she filled a large straw bag with a couple of towels, sunscreen, and her book. Then finding her sunglasses and a sunhat, she patiently waited for him to appear. He never disappointed, beneath his toned and tanned bare chest, he was wearing a pair of white knee length surf shorts with a feint navy floral pattern, a New York Yankees baseball cap and flip-flops. He carried a t-shirt in his hand.

“OK?” he asked taking the bag from her.

She nodded, suddenly wondering whether his bed over beach option had been the right choice after all. As they left the apartment he swatted her backside, “I love that ridiculous little dress!”

Purposely wiggling her arse she led him out into the sunshine. Hand in hand they walked to the beach, it was busy, but there were several patches further along the sand that were quiet. So they picked their way between people in various stages of undress, all enjoying the sun, some a little too much.

She gasped at the sunburn on one man’s shins, chuckling Jan dragged her away before it became too obvious. A few minutes later they were stretched out on towels on the warm sand.

“Beer?” he asked as he dumped his t-shirt and the bag. There was a beach bar kiosk nearby; as she slid out of her sundress she nodded a yes.

He came back a few minutes later with two ice cold bottles of San Miguel and handed her one. They sat next to each other on the sand and looked out to sea.

“I’ve got an uncle who’s got a yacht somewhere around here,” he offered watching a large cruiser cut across the horizon. “I should see if we can borrow it one weekend!”

She smiled, “I’ve always fancied hobnobbing with the rich and famous on the Med!”

Mock bowing, which in a seated position was anything but easy, he murmured, “your wish is my command.”

Leaning over he dropped a trail of kisses over her shoulder blade, “want a swim? It’s quite....hot on this beach!”

When she looked across at him in surprise, she saw he was leering, “you’re horny?....Already?”