Chapter 2

He came to see her the following day. This time they didn’t make it to a beach, but spent an hour having sex in the apartment. Is that why there’s a double bed? I can’t believe that this is a one-off for Marc. This isn’t affection, it’s just sex. Really good sex, though, and I’ve been short of that lately, so I’ll accept it for what it is, two unattached adults enjoying a fuck...

Term was due to start two days later and Marc told her there would be a staff gathering the previous evening. “Nothing special, just good island food and excellent rum punch,” he told her.

Maya had found a clothes shop and had bought a new dress, so she felt confident as she walked into the room where the other staff were already talking, smoking and drinking. I’m sure I caught a little whiff of ganja just now. This is very different from Lille. I wonder how Eric is getting on up there?

Marc introduced her to some of her colleagues and she was made to feel welcome. Eventually, she found herself facing an attractive black woman as tall as herself, dressed in a beautiful, full-length, colourful robe.

“Excuse me,” Maya said. “I know we haven’t been introduced, but please will you tell me where you got that dress? It’s fabulous. But of course, you have the shape to wear things like that. I wish I was as tall and elegant as you.”

“Oh, but you are,” the woman replied. She took off her shoes, to show that she was half a head shorter without her high heels. “I can introduce you to the woman who made it for me, if you like, Mademoiselle Andrianopolou.”

“That would be fantastic. Thank you. I’m sorry. Call me Maya, please. Speaking of introductions, you obviously know who I am, but you are...?”

“Maryse. I’m Marc’s wife.”

Maya’s jaw hit the floor. “His wife?” She had to stop herself from screaming the words. “I thought ... He said ... I had no idea...”

Maryse patted her arm. “Don’t worry dear. He does that with any new females on the staff ... provided they are attractive, of course, and you are very attractive, Maya.”

“I’m so, so sorry,” Maya said. “I would never have...”

“Stop it. I’m used to it. It also means I get some respite. Four children is quite enough for me,” Maryse said. “So don’t worry. Enjoy your time on the island.”

Maya fled to the bathroom to clear her head. She was washing her hands when a petite blonde woman came in. She looked at Maya with a smile.

“Caught you, too, did he?” she asked. Maya could only nod.

“It’s okay. He’ll leave you alone, now. He’s had his fun. Speaking from experience, I bet you did, too,” Maya nodded again. Her tongue seemed to have stopped functioning. The woman patted her on the arm. “Once you’ve paid your dues, Marc’s no bother on that front. He’s also the best boss I’ve ever had, and I’ve had some. Do your job and you’ll be fine.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

“My pleasure. My name’s Karen. I’m Canadian, if you hadn’t guessed.”

“Maya. The accent does rather give it away,” Maya said.

“If you want to scratch an itch, it’s best to head for one of the other islands. I can point you at some cool places in Jamaica and Saint Barth, if you want. There’s fun to be had there, even for a woman my age. Just remember to behave nicely here.”

“I’ll bear that in mind. A woman your age?”

“Old hag,” Karen said with a grin. “I’m thirty-four. You?”

“Twenty-three.”

“So young. Nice to meet you, Maya.”