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

‘That doesn’t surprise me.’

‘It’s part of life. I’m not going to let it shatter my belief in human nature. I’m an optimist. And what would it mean to give up? That would be like saying that love isn’t out there, that it doesn’t exist, and how depressing would that be?’

Nik, who lived his life firmly of the conviction that love didn’t exist, didn’t find it remotely depressing. To him, it was simply fact. ‘Clearly you are the perfect wedding guest. You could set up a business, weddingguests.com. Optimists-R-us. You could be the guaranteed smile at every wedding.’

‘Your cynicism is deeply depressing.’

‘Your optimism is deeply concerning.’

‘I prefer to think of it as inspiring. I don’t want to be one of those people who think that a challenging past has to mean a challenging future.’

‘You had a challenging past?’ He remembered that she’d mentioned being brought up in foster care and hoped she wasn’t about to give him the whole story.

She didn’t. Instead she shrugged and kept her eyes straight ahead. ‘It was a bit like a bad version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I was never “just right” for anyone, but that was my bad luck. I didn’t meet the right family. Doesn’t mean I don’t believe there are loads of great families out there.’

‘Doesn’t what happened to you cause you to question the validity of any of these emotions you feel? The fact that the last guy lied to you and his wife doesn’t put you off relationships?’

‘It was one guy. I know enough about statistics to know you can’t draw a reliable conclusion from a sample of one.’ She frowned. ‘If I’m honest, I’m working from a bigger sample than that because he’s the third relationship I’ve had, but I still don’t think you can make a judgement on the opposite sex based on the behaviour of a few.’

Nik, who had done exactly that, stayed silent and of course she noticed because she was nothing if not observant.

‘Put it this way—if I’m bitten by a shark am I going to avoid swimming in the sea? I could, but then I’d be depriving myself of one of my favourite activities so instead I choose to carry on swimming and be a little more alert. Life isn’t always about taking the safe option. Risk has to be balanced against the joy of living. I call it being receptive.’

‘I call it being ridiculously naïve.’

She looked affronted. ‘You’re cross and irritable because you’re not looking forward to this, but there is no reason to take it out on me. I’m here as a volunteer, remember?’

‘You’re right. I apologise.’

‘Accepted. But for your father’s sake you need to work on your body language. If you think you’re a thundercloud you’re deluding yourself because right now you’re more of a tropical cyclone. You have to stop being judgemental and embrace what’s happening.’

Nik took the sharp right-hand turn that led down to the beach and the private ferry. ‘I am finding it hard to embrace something I know to be a mistake. It’s like watching someone driving their car full speed towards a brick wall and not trying to do something to stop it.’

‘You don’t know it’s a mistake,’ she said calmly. ‘And even if it is, he’s an adult and should be allowed to make his own decisions. Now smile.’

He pulled in, killed the engine and turned to look at her.

Those unusual violet eyes reminded him of the spring flowers that grew high in the mountains. ‘I will not be so hypocritical as to pretend I am pleased, but I promise not to spoil the moment.’

‘If you don’t smile then you will spoil the moment! Poor Diandra might take one look at your face and decide she doesn’t want to marry into your family and then your father would be heartbroken. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but be hypocritical if that’s what it takes to make you smile.’

‘Poor Diandra will not be poor for long so I think it unlikely she’ll let anything stand in the way of her wedding, even my intimidating presence.’

Her eyes widened. ‘Is that what this is about? You think she’s after his money?’

‘I have no idea but I’d be a fool not to consider it.’ Nik saw no reason to be anything but honest. ‘He is mega wealthy. She was his cook.’

‘What does her occupation have to do with it? Love is about people, not professions. And I find it very offensive that you’d even think that. You can’t judge a person based on their income. I know plenty of wealthy people who are slimeballs. In fact if we’re going with stereotypes here, I’d say that generally speaking in order to amass great wealth you have to be prepared to be pretty ruthless. There are plenty of wealthy people who aren’t that nice.’

Nik, who had never aspired to be ‘nice’, was careful not to let his expression change. ‘Are you calling me a slimeball?’

‘I’m simply pointing out that income isn’t an indicator of a person’s worth.’

‘You mean because you don’t know the level of expenditure?’

‘No! Why is everything about money with you? I’m talking about emotional worth. Your father told me about Diandra. He was ill with flu last winter after Callie left. He was so ill at one point he couldn’t drag himself from the bed. I sympathised because it happened to me once and I hope I never get flu again. Anyway, Diandra cared for him the whole time. She was the one who called the doctor. She made all his meals. That was kind, don’t you think?’

‘Or opportunistic.’