‘I’ve been with Alex if you must know. What are you doing keeping tabs on my every movement anyway?’
Over his shoulder, Sasha saw a figure appear out of the darkness. She recognised the tall, slim silhouette instantly and her eyes narrowed.
‘Well there’s Alex now with your sister. I thought you said you were with him? Well?’
Miles just waved a weary hand at her, like he was swatting a fly.
‘You’re such a fucking nag,’ he said, looking as if he wanted to strangle her.
Sasha felt her stomach lurch again. Winding Miles up really wasn’t helping matters. She had allowed her feelings to run away with her in that tiny cabin; she mustn’t do it again – not ever. No, now she needed to get back to what she was good at: twisting men around her little finger. She hung her head and nodded.
‘You’re right, I’m sorry,’ she said. It pained her to say it, but needs must. ‘I’m just a bit pissed, you know? And I was worried sick, I thought you’d been bitten by one of those horrid spiders or something. ’
She stepped in closer and put her arms around his neck but he just pushed her away.
‘Not right now, OK?’ he whispered, looking towards the approaching Alex.
Sasha had to struggle to keep her face impassive. What was his problem? Then she had a sudden horrible thought. Surely he didn’t know? It would be just like the Ashfords to have hidden CCTV cameras around the island, she thought, suddenly resentful of their wealth. Or do I smell of sex?
She watched with annoyance as Grace and Alex walked towards them. God, their timing was terrible. Or was it . . . ?
‘All right?’ asked Alex. He looked subdued and slightly embarrassed. Sensing a scandal, Sasha looked at Grace’s face. Yes, she looked a bit upset too. Hmm, I wonder what those two have been up to, she thought, making a mental note to do some more digging. You never knew when a little detail like that could come in handy.
‘Well, we’re glad you’re here, aren’t we, Miles?’ said Sasha with a flash of inspiration. ‘It’s much more fun with four.’
‘What is?’ asked Alex.
She crossed her arms and pulled off her dress in one movement. ‘Skinny-dipping.’
She was glad to see that Alex’s eyes practically popped out on stalks.
Grace laughed nervously. ‘I don’t think so. It will be freezing.’
‘Come on, the sea’s lovely,’ said Sasha, feeling Alex’s eyes on her.
‘I’m game,’ he said, looking at Grace hopefully.
‘Has nobody ever seen Jaws?’ asked Grace. ‘That bit at the beginning where that blonde girl goes running off into the water and the next thing you know she’s in pieces on the seashore.’
‘Come on, it’s our last night,’ said Sasha persuasively. ‘Let’s have some fun!’
She ran off towards the sea. After a moment’s hesitation, Alex pulled off his top and followed, turning back to look for Grace.
‘Come on!’ he shouted.
‘There’s no way I’m taking all my clothes off in front of my little brother,’ she said.
‘You don’t have to take everything off,’ said Alex playfully. ‘Not all at once, anyway.’
‘Oh . . . all right.’ She grinned, kicking off her flip-flops and running after the others.
Sasha threw her bra and knickers on to the beach and splashed into the cold salty water. That would get rid of the smell of sex for certain. Turning back to the shore, she smiled to herself as Grace coyly stripped to her bra and black cotton knickers cut low across her pale thighs like PE shorts. No wonder she was pale, thought Sasha. She’d been hiding under a sarong for most of the week.
Alex kept his boxers on as he ran into the water, but Miles stayed on the shore, watching. Sasha turned back towards him, standing waist-deep in the water. She knew she looked good, like some exotic mermaid or Ursula Andress in that Bond film.
‘Come on in, the water’s lovely,’ she said, as he waded reluctantly towards her.
As soon as he was close enough, she pulled him towards her and pressed her naked breasts against his chest, then whispered in his ear, ‘We’ve never had sex in the sea.’