A Handful of Pebbles Read Free

sun in such a beautiful spot. The flowers in the pots dot colour here and there, the trees against the wall bear some sort of unripe fruit; it is idyllic, hard to believe it is really someone’s life.
    ‘ It was okay. It’s glorious here.’ She tips her head back to face the sun that finds its way through the vine leaves that shade the patio. ‘Why is travelling so tiring?’ She gives a little laugh; the sun on the inside of her eyelids glows red.
    ‘ It is, though, isn’t it? Did your friends find somewhere?’
    ‘ Liz and Neville? They booked the villa you suggested, just outside the village, I think. I can’t remember its name.’ She may never move again, spend the rest of her life motionless here on Juliet’s sofa with the sun on her face, listening to the distant sounds of dogs barking and the cicadas rasping love calls across the village.
    ‘ Ah, they took Villa Katerina then?’
    Sarah reluctantly opens her eyes so as not to appear impolite.
    ‘Yes, that’s the one. Is it far?’ Somewhere in the village, a goat bleats and Sarah retracts every condemnatory thought she had about the place when they first arrived. No wonder the shutters on the village houses have peeling paint; why would you want to do anything but sit and enjoy the moment here?
    Juliet points over the whitewashed boundary wall. ‘You can’t see it sitting down, but just over there is a hill—well, two actually, one topped with pines and another behind it with a rocky outcrop. The house is in the scoop between the two, five minutes’ walk.’ She takes another sip of her coffee and rattles the ice cubes around the glass; Sarah doesn’t bother to stand to look for the house, content instead to stare at the endless blue sky above the wall.
    ‘ So are all the arrangements made for this week?’ One of Juliet’s gold hoop earrings peeps through her long, reddish-blonde hair, catching the light. Her hand lazily trails a course down the soft, furry spine of the cat who now sits on her knee, making no complaint as Juliet stretches out her legs, pointing her bare toes.
    ‘ Her family is doing everything as far as I know. All we need to do is turn up on the day and then we are away the day after; Laurence had work.’ The blue sky forgotten, Sarah sucks in her bottom lip and bites gently. There’s that feeling again. If only the emotion would come with words, then at least she would know what she is dealing with. Her free hand crosses her chest to rub the side of her neck and she rotates her head.
    ‘ The perfect wedding, then.’ Juliet chuckles and closes her eyes as she leans her head back. Sarah does not reply but glances briefly toward the gate. There is no sign of Laurence.
    ‘ I could sit here all day, but I suppose I’d best go help Laurence to unpack a little.’ Sarah gives up rubbing at her neck; it is not helping.
    ‘ You can sit here all day if you like. After all, you are here on holiday.’ Juliet opens her eyes and smiles, and her warmth brings a tightness to Sarah’s chest, a rushing in her ears, and she is suddenly struck by threatening tears. She clears her throat and swallows hard.
    ‘ No, I don’t want to hold you back. I’m sure there are things you need to be doing.’ The words are brisk, hoarse even as she battles the unnamed cause of her panic. She struggles out of the low sofa, fighting heavy limbs. Maybe this holiday will help her pull herself together, stop these silly attacks.
    ‘ Not really, but it’s up to you.’ Juliet remains lazing in her chair.
    ‘ I’d best give Laurence a hand.’ Sarah stands, looking at the cat to avoid eye contact with Juliet, her legs trembling. The journey and her lack of sleep must be catching up with her; it is bound to make her emotional. Her fingers pull at the waistband of her skirt to relieve a knot of tightness deep in the pit of her guts. A wave of nausea sweeps over her.
    ‘ Let me know if you need anything,’ Juliet murmurs, tipping her head back and