A Gift for a Lion Read Free Page B

Paul and Tony who had found Saracina on the chart and decided to make it the next port of call. All she had wanted was to stick to the arrangements that had been decided on. She disliked last-minute changes of plan, because in her experience they were invariably for tie worse.
    The thought of spending a further day in Calista, suffering the resentment of Paul and Mary, appalled her. Besides, she had really wanted to go to Saracina. Still wanted to, in fact, in spite of everything that had been said.
    She drank some more wine, while the first germs of a plan began to ferment in her brain. So the others wanted to spend a day ashore here. Well, they were welcome to do so. She would take her bikini and a towel and some food and find a friendly boatman who would take her to Saracina. But she wouldn't tell the others what she intended to do. She would make the excuse she wanted to stay behind for another sunbathing session on
Luana
,
    Her spirits rose. There must be someone on Calista who would be willing, for, a price, to take her to Saracina and leave her there for a few hours. She would have a whole day in blissful solitude, while the other three wandered round the same streets, avoiding the same donkey droppings and being taken for a ride by the same street vendors. And it would just serve them right for being so stupid. She came back with a start to the present to find that the two fishermen were apparently taking their leave, leaning over Tony and talking rapidly in their own language.
    'What were they saying?' she asked idly as they moved away across the smoky room.
    'I don't know. Paul's the language expert, not me. I could only pick up about one word in twenty,' Tony frowned perplexedly. 'But they were still talking about Saracina, and I could have sworn that the short one said something about a lion.'
    'First guns, now wild animals.' Joanna's smile was satirical. 'They must have a good reason for wanting us to keep away from there. Smuggling, I daresay.'
    'Well, it doesn't matter. We're going to steer well clear of the place. I don't like the sound of any of it,' Tony said a little impatiently. 'And there's Corsica to look forward to. Don't forget that.'
    Joanna looked at him sideways under her long lashes. 'Oh, I won't,' she agreed sweetly.
    They were interrupted at that moment by one of the local young men who had summoned up the courage to ask Joanna to dance with him. In spite of Tony's evident disapproval, she agreed charmingly, telling herself he needed to be taught a lesson and did not deserve any particular consideration.
    She was much in demand for the remainder of the evening, as the local men vied with each other for a chance to partner her. It was all very flattering and a little heady, and as Joanna glanced through the crowd towards the table, she saw that Paul and Mary had returned and were sitting with their heads together with Tony. Criticising her, no doubt, she thought rebelliously. Well, she'd give them something to be critical about.
    At last Tony made his way through the crowd to her side. 'I think it's time we were going, Jo,' he said tautly.
    'Oh, why?' she laughed up at him, buoyed up by the chorus of groans from the men around her.
    'Because it's late.'
    'It's not that late, and it was you who discovered this place anyway.' She knew she was being deliberately obstructive but told herself she didn't care. 'I'm enjoying myself, and I don't want to leave. You three go on back. I'm sure I can find someone to bring me back to the boat later on.'
    Tony looked furious. 'No chance,' he said grimly. 'We'll wait until it's convenient for you to leave.'
    Joanna watched him turn on his heel and walk away and sighed a little. She would have to leave, in spite of what she had said. She didn't want to give Paul and Mary any further ammunition for their complaints about her behaviour. And if she was truthful, she was tired herself.
    So she followed Tony back to the table, apologised meekly but with a glint in her