Page 58 of The House Swap

Opening the patio doors, she stepped out, wanting to escape the quiet unsettling presence of the villa.

The sky was beginning its gradual descent towards darkness, the colours of the sunset softening as the sun dipped lower in the sky, and the air had shifted with the fading light. It was something Poppy was becoming used to; as the warmth of the afternoon weakened, it became cooler and slightly damp.

From the terrace, she could smell the sea, mineral and salty, while the olive trees released a dry bitterness as the breeze stirred their leaves.

Tonight would be okay, and at least it was company, breaking the monotony of her day. She would go, she would smile, and she would drink wine and listen to the Pritchards’ stories.

21

Ian arrived to pick Poppy up just after seven.

She saw the headlights of his car first, a slow sweep across the garden that briefly brightened the front of the villa, then the crunch of gravel beneath his wheels as he turned the car around.

Picking up her bag from the kitchen counter, she slipped her phone inside, then grabbed the two bottles of wine she was taking. She hesitated for a moment, staring around the open-plan space, wondering when it had changed from feeling grand and luxurious to being cold and intimidating.

Although familiar smells clung to the air, the faint aroma of coffee and the scent of fabric conditioner, there was something else now than there had been for the last few days. She struggled to define it, but it was an aura she couldn’t quite shake.

At least she was getting out of the villa tonight, and she realised just how desperately she needed company.

Letting herself out of the front door, she stepped outside, drawing it shut and locking it. She slipped the keys in her bag and walked towards the gate, relieved to see the latch had held as she opened it. Carefully, she closed it behind her.

The breeze had picked up, combing through the nearby branches of trees and making them whisper against the night sky, and in the distance she could hear the rhythmic murmur of the sea. It sounded fiercer than normal.

Ian’s car was waiting on the track, engine running, his headlights on low beam. Seeing her approach, he leaned across the seat and pushed open the passenger door with an exaggerated flourish.

‘Hello, Poppy. Your chauffeur’s here. Hop on in.’

She smiled, climbing into the passenger seat and pulling the door closed, grateful for the familiar, clichéd tone of him.

The interior was warm and smelt of aftershave and cheap air freshener.

‘Thank you for picking me up.’

‘Don’t mention it.’ Ian set the car into gear, easing the car forward back down the dirt track road. ‘Sue’s thrilled about having you over for dinner. Well, we both are. But she’s been in the kitchen since lunchtime.’

‘She really didn’t need to go to all that effort.’

‘Oh, she wanted to. Don’t worry. She’s been in her element.’ He glanced at Poppy. ‘You look nice.’

His gaze lingered on her a moment longer than she was comfortable with, but as he turned his attention back to the road, she berated herself.

Her mind was already a paranoid mess. She was not going to start doubting the intentions of the few friends she had made in Crete. Ian Pritchard was harmless and kind, and he had just paid her a nice compliment.

Remembering her manners, she said, ‘Thank you.’

They rode in silence for a few moments, then he glanced her way again, though this time fleeting.

Had he picked up on her discomfort?

‘I hadn’t realised until Jeremiah gave me the address that you were staying in the villa on the hill. Aren’t you lonely there, all alone?’

‘It is big,’ Poppy agreed.

‘The other places on the stretch of road are all empty, I believe.’

He was just making conversation, she understood that, but still it was unsettling. A reminder of how isolated the villa was in the winter. She was already dreading returning there later tonight.

She glanced back up in the direction of the villa, seeing only darkness. The other properties nearest to Tom’s were set further apart and she hadn’t seen any lights or sign of life in any of them. Ian was probably right that the owners had shut them down for the winter season. Though, there had been the parked car she and Jem had seen on Friday night. She had no idea who that belonged to.