The Island of Love

Chapter One - Part One
Phillipa wanted to close her eyes and go to sleep, but every time she did, visions of Jake appeared. The scene between them had erupted into a shouting battle. He'd told her that he'd met someone else whom he was desperately in love with. She had stood there for ages, not understanding what had happened to their relationship. Now she was on her way to another country to get away from him.

It was a long ride in the taxi to the bungalow that was situated in a small, beach area called Coral Bay, just outside Paphos. Her feeling of anguish and humiliation had forced her to run away. She didn't want to stay around and be interrogated by everyone in her family. She'd left the flat in a hurry, rushing away to her parent's home in Kent. Her mother had pestered her with questions, but Phillipa had fobbed her off by saying they'd argued too much and didn't have anything in common anymore. She'd made it clear that their relationship was over.

The taxi stopped. Phillipa paid the driver and emerged from the overheated vehicle feeling thirsty. Walking down a narrow pathway she came to a bungalow, which she discovered was a huge double fronted building painted in cream. She paused for a moment and looked out towards the beach in front of her. It was a view she'd never seen before. The sea and the yellow, golden sand made her feel that her journey here was going to become worth while.

Looking ahead, she could see the windows were covered by shutters, but the patio doors were wide open and she saw a dark haired girl waving at her from the veranda.

"Hello, Phillipa. Welcome. Stay where you are and I'll come to help you." Phillipa waited for her friend.

Marina emerged looking as stunning as ever. Her long, black curly hair swirled down her back and her once slim figure was now plump. The large bump on her stomach made Phillipa smile. Marina was almost due to have her baby. She'd married last year and now lived in Paphos town.

"Phillipa, it's been a long time since I last saw you. You're looking prettier than ever. How's that stunning boyfriend of yours? Isn't he with you?" Phillipa's smile faded. Her sullen expression gave her sadness away.

"Oh, Marina. That's the reason why I'm here. We've split up. I came here to get away from everyone and I hope to put it all behind me by the time I go back home." Marina took hold of Phillipa's arm and guided her inside.

"Come. I'll make you a drink and you can tell me everything. I' excited to have you here." Phillipa felt happier again at seeing Marina's charming smile.

Once inside, she looked around her. There were no carpets on the floor, only light mint marble that shone brightly. She sat down feeling relaxed and at home. The lavish, soft, cream leather armchair complemented the sitting room with its cream, silk curtains and mahogany furniture. She was surprised. She hadn't realized how much wealth there was in Marina's family.

"Here you are, Phillipa. Drink some iced lemon juice and tell me what has happened between you and Jake." Phillipa looked up at Marina sadly.

"It's been awful. He said he was leaving me because he didn't love me anymore, but really, he was leaving me for someone else. He let me keep the flat, but I couldn't stay there. I had to get away. Then I received your letter inviting me here and it seemed the perfect solution. I hope you don't mind me staying here? I've been in such a terrible state these past few days that I can't think straight and I'm not good company at the moment. So here I am." She said.

"I'm glad I wrote to you and don't worry about anything Philipa. You can stay here for as long as you want. This is the best place for privacy. I don't mind you staying here. It's better than staying in Paphos town. Anyway, it's too hot there. It's much cooler by the sea. I hope staying here will make you get over Jake." Marina paused for a moment. "Jake ought to be taught a lesson." Marina spoke angrily.

"I know, but I just want to forget the whole thing Marina." She touched Marina's arm gently, trying to calm her anger.

"Yes you're right. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get angry Phillipa. It's only because I care. Look, why don't you come to dinner tonight? I'll get Nicholas to pick you up at eight o'clock. The family will be delighted to meet you after all these years. They've heard so much about you from me that I think they would love seeing you. Nobody need know why you're really here. Please say yes." Phillipa felt a little scared at meeting Marina's family for the first time, but she couldn't let her down. She had to show Marina her gratitude for letting her stay in such a wonderful place.

"All right Marina."

"Great. I'll see you tonight then. I must go now. I have an appointment at the maternity unit." Phillipa looked concerned. "Oh don't worry. It's only routine. See you tonight dear and wear a dress. Everyone usually dresses for dinner. Bye for now. Yassoo."

"Yassoo Marina." Phillipa smiled to herself. Already, she liked the sound of the Greek word on her lips. The atmosphere and the beautiful surroundings were slowly beginning to light up her life again.

Phillipa gazed outside dreamily. The sea and sand was on her doorstep. It looked deeply inviting. She decided she wanted to go for a swim and then maybe, go walking through the waves, breathing in the fresh sea air. She wanted to explore the area and get the feel of being in Cyprus.

Having changed into a lilac bikini, she ran to the sea and swam into it. It was a relief to feel the clear, blue water on her pale skin, which would tan easily after a few days.

She hadn't swum for ages. Her life had been different for a long time. She couldn't remember doing anything exciting like this with Jake. In fact, Jake had run her life for her. He had told her what to wear when they had gone to dinner with his friends. He had even suggested that they should eat healthily, only having fish and chicken mostly and cutting out all the joys of eating cakes, biscuits and hamburgers. Phillipa had felt like a fool for doing the things he had wanted. Immediately after Jake had let her down, she had gone out and bought the most delicious cakes, scoffing them all to spite him. Instead, it had made her sick.

She shook all thoughts of Jake from her mind and pulled herself out of the water. She sat for a few minutes breathing in the sea air. Once the sun had dried her slim, sensuous body, Phillipa rose to start her walk along the beach. Her long, fair hair was still wet, but some blonde strands glistened in the hot sun. This was bliss. Her life was beginning to look up. She was glad she had come. Maybe things would change for her now.

Her eyes closed for a moment as she walked slowly on, but then her eyes shot open immediately at the feel of her ankle twisting painfully and bumping into someone at the same time. She looked up to see a tall, dark haired man staring down at her. The touch of his hands on her bare arms made her skin go red with goose pimples. She cried. Her foot and ankle looked swollen.

"Weren't you looking?" The man yelled angrily. His brown eyes glared at her.

"I...em...I didn't see you there. I'm sorry. I don't know what happened, but I think I trod on something." He quickly bent down to look at her ankle. His hands were gentle as they touched her leg.

"Can you lift your foot? I need to see underneath. Ah, yes, you're right. It seems you've stepped on a shell. A sharp one too and you're bleeding. Come. I'll take you to my place. It's just over here and I've a first aid box there." He said.

Phillipa looked startled and the man noticed instantly. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you." He smiled. His dark skin glowed in the sun making Phillipa uneasy.

"Can you walk far? No, I don't suppose you can." He gently put his arm across her back and lifted her legs into his chest with his other arm. Phillipa tried to stop him.

"What are you doing? I'm perfectly capable of walking myself. Put me down. I insist."

"It'll be much quicker if you would just be quiet and put your arms around my neck like a good girl."

"Oh how dare you talk to me like that! Now put me down!" He laughed out loud as her hands pushed at his chest, but he still wouldn't let her free.

Once inside he set Phillipa down onto a suede, burgundy sofa and took a first aid box out of a cupboard.

"Now you must be still. I'll clean the cut and then put some bandage on it. It should be all right later."

"But I can't walk around with a bandage on my foot. It looks awful." He looked annoyed.

"You have to wear it. It'll stop the swelling. It'll be fine by tomorrow. As for tonight, just wear a long dress or skirt to cover it. I'm sure you'll still look as sexy as ever." Phillipa blushed at the sound of his chosen words.

She couldn't say anything else while his hands gently tended to her foot. His fingers were warm and sent tingling sensations through her veins. She watched his tall, tanned body. He was wearing short swimming trunks. His legs and arms were well built. Phillipa shivered slightly at the sight of this man tending to her wound. Who was he? She couldn't believe what had happened. She could see that he was a man in command of himself. His Greek manner was infuriating.

"All done. Can you get up?" He asked.

"Yes, I think so." He put a hand out to help her, but she refused to touch it. Instead, she grabbed the arm of the sofa and slowly pulled herself up with difficulty.

"I'll walk you back. Where are you staying?" She shook her head. She didn't want any more help from him. She just wanted to get away.

"No, I'll be fine. It's only down the beach a bit and I can manage. You've done enough for me already." He shrugged as if he didn't care.

"Suit yourself then."

She turned her back to him and walked out of the bungalow feeling relieved and unsure why she was feeling so shaky. Once outside, she did not look back as she limped her way down the beach, feeling those dark eyes watching her all the way. It was not until she reached the house that she turned and saw he was still standing there, staring at her and then waving, as if he were laughing at her.

To be continued.................