The Love Island Bookshop by Kate Frost (ebook reader with internet browser .TXT) 📕

Freya was relieved. She’d read enough to feel rather nervous about meeting the not-yet-forty-self-made multi-millionaire who for a few years running had appeared in various top ten lists of the most eligible bachelors in the world. On paper at least, he’d come across as a bit of a dick, but Freya promised herself she would reserve judgement until she actually met him. Apart from the online interview, communication had so far been through his personal assistant Meena, his HR manager and the resort manager on Loabi Fushi.

The newlyweds were whisked away to start their honeymoon and Freya walked with Ingrid in the other direction, away from the large open-sided building where she’d glimpsed couples sipping drinks by the ocean. Freya slipped off her cardigan and tucked it over her arm; now the breeze on the boat had stopped, the intensity of the sun bore down on her. Tired from the journey and in need of a shower, everything was an assault on Freya’s senses: the heat, the sound of insects in the undergrowth, and the smell of something deliciously spicy as they walked past the restaurant. It was a relief to follow the sandy path shaded by the leafy canopy of trees. They turned off at a small wooden sign with ‘one’ written on it that led to a curved building with a wooden door in a rough cream wall and a thatched-reed roof like an oversized hat.

‘Zander asked us to put you up in one of the beach bungalows.’ Her eyebrow raised a little as if this was far from usual. It was certainly unexpected from Freya’s point of view. ‘The guests staying in this one aren’t arriving until late tomorrow, so it’s yours for the night.’

She opened the door and ushered Freya in.

‘You have the day to yourself,’ Ingrid said, handing her the key. ‘This bungalow is by a wonderful bit of beach. The house reef surrounds the island so everywhere is good to explore. The dive school next to the restaurant has snorkels you can use. Buffet lunch is between twelve and one-thirty – help yourself whenever you’re ready. Then come to the restaurant at eight and Zander will meet you. And if you need anything before then, go to the bar or restaurant and ask for me. Enjoy your day.’ She swept from the room and closed the door behind her.

Freya whistled under her breath as she took in the room. The ceiling was high, the thatch visible beyond the wooden beams, the white walls bright against the dark wood. A ceiling fan whizzed air around, cooling her hot skin. On the bed, white towels had been turned into swans with their necks entwined and rose petals scattered around them. Freya felt very single.

She left her bag on the floor, kicked off her trainers and wandered across the polished floorboards. Through the windows she glimpsed the paradise outside: vivid green foliage, white sand and blue sky. She pushed open the door and was met with a blast of heat.

A sandy path wound between the trees. Her feet sunk into the hot dry sand. The beach was pristine and empty. Although she knew there was another bungalow close by, she couldn’t see it through the forest of palm trees and vines. The sand sloped down to where the surf lightly kissed the beach and turquoise water took over for as far as she could see. She’d done her research on Loabi Fushi, she’d explored the resort’s website and felt like she almost knew every inch of it without having been there, but this place was an unexpected stop and unknown. It was a hugely pleasant surprise after an emotional couple of days saying goodbye to friends and colleagues, and leaving behind the security of her comfortable life.

Freya’s bags were brought to her room, but apart from finding her washbag and a change of clothes, she didn’t even have to unpack. She cooled off in the outdoor shower, gazing up at the dazzling green leaves and snatches of blue sky. She changed into a bikini, went to the dive school to borrow flippers and a snorkel and wasted no time in padding down her slice of empty beach to the shallows of the house reef. The water felt warm like a bath. It was shallow all the way to where the turquoise changed to inky blue and the deep dark ocean took over. She wondered what was out there beyond the house reef. With her snorkel on, she dunked her head below the surface and explored, swimming alongside angelfish and bluestripe snappers, and even spying a green sea turtle a short distance away. She’d been to the other side of the world to visit her parents in New Zealand, but she’d never been to a place as idyllic and as exotic as this. She almost had to pinch herself to believe it was real. She also acknowledged that she shouldn’t get used to this – she was here to work, after all, and she was certain the staff accommodation would look nothing like the beach bungalow.

Chapter Four

Freya’s nerves kicked in with the setting of the sun. The island took on an even more romantic vibe as the sky darkened and twinkly lights lit up the restaurant and bar. Freya walked from her bungalow along the edge of the beach, her bare feet ploughing through the silky sand. Gentle waves foamed only a few steps away. She passed beach villas tucked among the green foliage, their reed-thatched roofs blending in with the surroundings. Amber lamplight pooled on to the sand and Freya imagined couples inside getting changed for dinner. For one night only, she was getting a taste of what guests experienced, but she had no one to share it with. She was about to meet Zander though and she felt out of her depth and more stressed by it being the