Miss Prim's Greek Island Fling

He inclined his head. ‘Of course.’

‘But I want to show you that quieter pursuits can be pleasurable too. If I were choosing a book for you I’d get you—’ she strode along to the humour section ‘—this.’ She pulled out a book by a popular comedian that she knew he liked.

He blinked and took it.

She set off down the next row of shelves. ‘And to be on the safe side I’d get you this as well...or this.’ She pulled out two recent non-fiction releases. One a biography of a well-known sportsman, and the other on World War Two.

He nodded towards the second one and she added it to the growing pile of books in his arms.

She started back the way they’d come. ‘If I were on my own I’d get you this one as a joke.’ She held up a self-help book with the title Twelve Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos.

‘Put it back.’

The laughter in his voice added a spring to her step. She slotted it back into place. ‘I’d get you a wildcard too.’

‘A wildcard?’

‘A book on spec—something you might not like, but could prove to be something you’d love.’

He pursed his lips for a moment and then nodded. ‘I want a wildcard.’

Excellent. But what? She thought back over what he’d said earlier—about wanting to be a fireman, a knife-thrower, an explorer. She returned to the fiction shelves. She’d bet her house on the fact he’d love tales featuring heroic underdogs. She pulled a novel from the shelf—the first book in a fantasy trilogy from an acclaimed writer.

‘That’s...that’s a doorstop!’

‘Yes or no?’

He blew out a breath. ‘What the hell, add it to the pile.’

She did, and then retrieved her own books from his arms. ‘I’m not letting you buy my books.’

‘Why not?’

‘I like to buy my own books. And I’ve thrust three books onto you that you may never open.’

He stretched his neck, first one way and then the other. ‘Can I buy you lunch?’

‘As a thank you for being your bookstore personal shopper? Absolutely. But let’s make it a late lunch. I’m still full from breakfast.’

She stopped to select her bookmarks, and added two notebooks to her purchases. Finn chose a bookmark of his own, and then seized a satchel in butter-soft black leather. ‘Perfect.’

Perfect for what? She glanced at the selection of leather satchels and calico book bags and bit her lip. Maybe—

With a laugh, Finn propelled her towards the counter. ‘Save them for your next visit.’

They paid and while Audra exchanged greetings with Sibyl, the bookshop proprietor, he put all their purchases into the satchel and slung it over his shoulder. ‘Where to next?’

She stared at that bag. It’d make his shoulder ache if he wasn’t careful. But then she realised it was on his right shoulder, not his left, and let out a breath. ‘Wherever the mood takes us,’ she said as they moved towards the door.

She paused to read the community announcement board and an advertisement for art classes jumped out at her. Oh, that’d be fun and...

She shook her head. R & R was all very well, but she had to keep herself contained to the beach and her books. Anything else... Well, anything else was just too hard. And she was too tired.

Finn trailed a finger across the flyer. ‘Interested?’

She shook her head and led him outside.

He frowned at her. ‘But—’

‘Ooh, these look like fun.’ She shot across to the boutique next door and was grateful when he let himself be distracted.

They flicked through a rack of discounted clothing that stood in blatant invitation out the front. Finn bought a pair of swimming trunks, so she added a sarong to her growing list of purchases. They browsed the markets. Finn bought a pair of silver cufflinks in the shape of fat little aeroplanes. ‘My uncle will love these.’ He pointed to an oddly shaped silver pendant on a string of black leather. ‘That’d look great on you.’ So she bought that too. They helped each other choose sunhats.

It felt decadent to be spending like this, not that any of her purchases were particularly pricey. But she so rarely let herself off the leash that she blithely ignored the voice of puritan sternness that tried to reel her in. What was more, it gave her the chance to exchange proper greetings with the villagers she’d known for years now.

Her worries she’d be grilled about Thomas and her reputed broken heart and the upcoming court case dissolved within ten minutes. As always, the people of Kyanós embraced her as if she were one of their own. And she loved them for it. The Russel family had been coming for holidays here for nearly ten years now. Kyanós felt like a home away from home.