Read Island in the Sea for Free Online

the bill.”
    Lionel watched her stride down the leafy street. He threw three twenty-pound notes on the table and ran after her.
    â€œWe were having a lovely time.” He put his hand on her arm. “I was about to tell you the story about when my sisters pretended I was their new puppy.”
    â€œIf I work twelve-hour days I might save enough money to go to a third-rate teacher college in Reading.” Samantha turned around. “But if I fail I’ll go back to my parents’ cottage in Cleggan. I’ll work in the family shop selling sand buckets and Irish toffees. You attended the most prestigious university in the world and threw it away because you know if you don’t succeed you can return to your country estate with its tennis court and swimming pool.”
    â€œI am going to succeed,” Lionel said hotly. “All I want to do is write songs.”
    â€œGood night, I don’t want to take up any more of your time.” Samantha hurried along the pavement.
    Lionel fished in his slacks for a packet of cigarettes and groaned. He forgot he had given up smoking to save money. He could go back inside the restaurant and have a bowl of rum raisin ice cream, but suddenly his stomach was queasy.
    He trudged along the sidewalk past men wearing silk slacks and women in tight cocktail dresses. He had done his duty and he’d be home in bed on schedule. He’d tell Penelope they had a lovely time and the creamed potatoes were delicious.
    He stopped at a newsagent and bought a packet of Marlboros. He pictured Samantha’s blond hair and high breasts and small waist. He inhaled slowly and thought no matter what he had to see her again.
    *   *   *
    â€œThat’s all for today.” Lionel tapped a cigarette into his hand. “I need a nap.”
    â€œIt’s two o’clock in the afternoon,” Juliet spluttered. “You just woke up.”
    â€œI start drinking at five and need to be refreshed.” He lit the cigarette with a pearl lighter. “We’ll continue tomorrow.”
    â€œWhat will I do all afternoon?” Juliet twisted her silver necklace. She thought of calling Gideon with her report and flinched. Lionel hadn’t done more than tell her about a twenty-year-old unrequited love.
    â€œIt’s Majorca, there’s plenty to do,” he insisted. “You can hike up to Valldemossa or take the train to Palma and eat rock lobster with muscular Germans with bad suntans.”
    â€œI’m not here to see the views or socialize.” Juliet felt her cheeks turn pink. “I’m in Majorca to get you to fulfill your contract.”
    â€œHow old are you?” Lionel asked.
    â€œTwenty-eight, why?” Juliet murmured.
    â€œTwenty-eight and no serious boyfriend.” He stubbed his cigarette in the glass ashtray. “Let me guess, you have an old college boyfriend who’s still hanging around or a jilted fiancé hoping for another chance.”
    â€œThat’s none of your business.” Juliet stood up and smoothed her skirt.
    â€œWhen I met Gideon he was the smartest person I knew, he was only twenty-six and had already produced five platinum records. He had a sixth sense about people, he knew exactly what made them tick.” Lionel walked to the hallway. “I guess we all get dumber as we age and make poor decisions.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Juliet followed him to the stone entry.
    â€œHe sent someone to convince me to write love songs who doesn’t believe in love.” He opened the door.
    â€œI told you I don’t have time to date,” Juliet snapped.
    â€œHave a lovely afternoon and wear a hat.” He slipped his hands in his pockets. “You don’t want to ruin that youthful complexion.”
    *   *   *
    Lionel stood at the sink and drank a glass of iced water. His head ached but suddenly he didn’t feel like his usual hangover remedy