Free Kiss Heaven Goodbye by Tasmina Perry Page B

or something.’

    ‘You should come up to Manchester,’ said Alex. ‘We could go to the Haç.’

    ‘The Haç?’

    ‘The Haçienda,’ he said, as if it was blindingly obvious.‘You know, the club? One night a week, they even have a swimming pool.’

    ‘Ah, yes,’ said Grace, keen not to look completely square. ‘Loads of girls on E stripping down to their G-strings lost in love and a wall of sound? I guessed you’d like that.’

    ‘Of course,’ he said matter-of-factly. ‘Or we could go out in London. I’ve never been to the Mud Club. Or the Wag.’

    ‘But I might be in Oxford.’

    ‘Then we can go punting.’ He laughed.

    They kept on walking around the sandy headland. This far away from the house, it was almost pitch black, with just watery moonlight to light their way. Scrambling over a patch of rocks, Alex reached back to take Grace’s hand, and even when they reached the flat sand again, he kept hold of it. Grace’s heart was pounding, her mouth dry and she didn’t dare talk, frightened of breaking the magic.

    Just kiss him, you bloody idiot, she willed herself. It’s now or never.

    ‘Alex,’ she whispered, turning towards him.

    ‘Hey, is that Sasha?’ he said suddenly, looking up the path.

    Grace felt her heart sink. ‘Think so.’

    ‘Should we hide?’ He gave her a small embarrassed grin and then dropped her hand. Grace knew the moment was over. She walked on towards the dark figure, feeling as if her heart might break.

8

    At the top of Catseye Cove Sasha was feeling sick. Alcohol and a few more hits of cocaine were swirling around in her bloodstream, but the main reason for her nausea was an unfamiliar sense of guilt and – most of all – the horror that she had done something which could not only rock the boat, but could completely capsize it altogether.

    What the hell was I thinking? she thought, kicking her toes against the sand. Why work so hard to hook Miles only to throw it all away on some nobody?

    She breathed deeply, as she had been taught in yoga, and was just beginning to contain her emotions when she saw Miles emerge out of the undergrowth. His shirt was untucked and he looked unsteady on his feet.

    ‘Where the fuck have you been?’ she demanded irritably.

    Miles shot her a look of disdain. ‘Just walking,’ he said.

    ‘For the past two hours? I’ve been everywhere looking for you, worried out of my mind.’

    ‘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