Playing by the Greek's Rules (Puffin Island 0.50)

‘Why Crete?’

‘Crete had all the resources necessary to produce pottery. Clay, temper, water and fuel. Microscopic ceramic fabric analysis indicate those resources have been used for at least eight thousand years. The most practical way of understanding ancient technology is to replicate it and use it and that’s what we’ve been doing.’

‘So you’ve been trying to cook like a Minoan?’

‘Yes. We’re using tools and materials that would have been available during the Cretan Bronze Age.’

‘That’s what you’re digging for?’

‘Brittany and the team have different objectives, but while they’re digging I’m able to access clay. I spend some of my time on site and some of my time at the museum with a small team, but that’s all coming to an end now. Tell me what you do.’

‘You work in my company. You should know what I do.’

‘I don’t know specifically what you do. I know you’re a technology wizard. I guess that’s why you have a shower that looks like something from NASA. I bet you’re good with computers. Technology isn’t really my thing, but you probably already know that.’

‘If technology isn’t your thing, why are you working in my company?’

‘I’m not dealing with the technology side. I’m dealing with people. I did a short spell in Human Resources—you keep them busy by the way—and now I’m working with your personal assistants. I still haven’t decided what I want to do with my life so I’m trying different things. It’s only two days a week and I wanted to see how I enjoyed corporate life.’

‘And how are you enjoying “corporate life”?’

‘It’s different.’ She dodged the question and he gave her a long, speculative look.

‘Tell me why you became involved with that guy who looked old enough to be your father.’

Her stomach lurched. Because she was an idiot. ‘I never talk about my relationships.’

‘On short acquaintance I’d say the problem is stopping you talking, not getting you talking. Tell me.’ Something about that compelling dark gaze made it impossible not to confide.

‘I think I was attracted to his status and gravitas. I was flattered when he paid me attention. A psychologist would probably say it has something to do with not having a father around when I was growing up. Anyway, he pursued me pretty heavily and it got serious fast. And then I found out he was married.’ She lowered her voice and pulled a face. ‘I hate myself for that, but most of all I hate him for lying to me.’ Knowing his views on marriage, she wondered if he’d think she was ridiculously principled but his eyes were hard.

‘You cried over this guy?’

‘I think perhaps I was crying because history repeated itself. My relationships always follow the same pattern. I meet someone I’m attracted to, he’s caring, attentive and a really good listener—I fall in love, have sex with him, start planning a future and then suddenly that’s it. We break up.’

‘And this experience hasn’t put you off love?’

Perhaps it should have done.

No one had ever stayed in her life.

From an early age she’d wondered what it was about her that made it so easy for people to walk away.

The dishes were cleared away and a sticky, indulgent dessert placed in the centre of the table.

She tried to pull herself together. ‘If you have one bad meal you don’t stop eating, do you? And by the way this is the best meal I’ve ever had in my whole life.’ She stuck her spoon in the pastry and honey oozed over the plate. She decided this was the perfect time to check a few facts before finally committing herself. ‘Tell me what happens in your relationships. We’ll talk hypothetically as you don’t like revealing specifics. Let’s say you meet a woman and you find her attractive. What happens next?’

‘I take her on a date.’

‘What sort of date?’ Lily licked the spoon. ‘Dinner? Theatre? Movie? Walk on the beach?’

‘Any of those.’

‘Let’s say it’s dinner. What would you talk about?’

‘Anything.’

‘Anything as long as it isn’t to do with your family or relationships.’