Sapphire

She looked at them and opened her mouth in exaggerated shock. A high pitched squeal burst from her bursting collagen lips.

Liam jolted. Then heard them.

“Oh. My. God!” a woman screamed.

“No. Way.” shouted another.

Broad Essex accents. Like bad reality show contestants. Liam knew who it was without turning around.

Sapphire was on her feet, arms outstretched.

“You are shitting me, bitches!”

The three women embraced.

“What are you doing here?” Sapphie asked, once the hugs and air kisses subsided.

“Last-minute deal,” Tasha grinned, flashing new Antler Timeless whites. “Had to get some sun, an’awwl!”

“Mind if we join you?” Jade asked, scraping a chair away from the table.

“Dos pro-seck-ohs, por fa-vor!” Trish machine-gunned. The chef in the kitchen winced.

“But we’re in Greece-” Liam started to say, but was drowned out.

He sat back and smiled. It was only their second night. He and Saffie could still enjoy the rest of their holiday.

The holiday to prove how serious they were.

How serious she was.

———————————————————-

“Swear down, babes – I had no idea. They’re mental.”

Eyes still closed, Sapphie reached out for the coffee. She sipped it, then handed it back.

“Needs another shot of vanilla, babes.”

Liam took it.

“What time did you get in?”  

“Two-ish, I reckon.”

He smiled. It had been closer to four, but that was fine. She was allowed a night out. And there were still five days left.

Well, four and a half.

“What time is it?” Sapphie asked.  

“Twelve.”

She groaned and flopped back in bed.

“Need more sleep.”

“That’s alright. Get your head down, we’ll walk the Old Town later.”

He leaned over to kiss her, but Sapphie was already snoring.

———————————————————-

Liam was used to men watching Sapphie  – she was attractive – but this was different. Not lust. Something else.

Expectation.

As though, despite holding his hand, she was available.

If he didn’t know better, he’d think she wanted to be seen that way.

“Let’s go back to the apartment,” she said, checking her reflection in her phone’s camera .

“But we’ve only been here for ten minutes.”

“I’m hot, make up’s running.”

It was. Last night’s alcohol was leaking through her skin, bubbling her foundation. Like a mask peeling at the edges.

“Why don’t we do some shopping? Cool off?”

“Fuck that.” She let go of Liam’s hand. “I’m going to get ready for tonight.”

“Saphron!”

The mention of her real name made Saphron turn back. She never used it. Hadn’t since some guy in a club once asked if Sapphie was short for Sapphire.

“Like your eyes, babe.”

“It’s Sapphie, you twat!”

She walked off.

Men’s heads spun as she went.

Liam considered running after her, but there was no point at times like this. Better to let her cool off.

Instead, maybe go back with something nice.

A peace offering.

He looked around. In a shaded archway, an old woman sat behind a cloth displaying handmade jewellery. She was watching him.

He pointed to a simple necklace. She shook her head.

Another.

Same response.

Then she picked up a white, round pendant, stood, and tied it around his neck without asking.

Liam stammered something about payment. The woman waved him off. Then, with surprising strength, she shoved him gently but firmly down the street.

———————————————————-

Liam shied away from the strip on the way back to the apartment. The garish bars felt out of place. False. Cheap. Disrespectful almost.

He ducked into a couple of places where locals drank.

He was polite. Quiet. Unassuming.

And they welcomed him.

———————————————————-

Noise poured out of the villa. Sapphie had turned it into a disco. And she wasn’t alone.

The three women were dancing around, flutes in hand. Already drunk. Teenagers again.

Sapphie seemed almost shocked to see him. She looked as well as she ever would – azure blue dress. Blonde hair poured like honey over bare shoulders. Sapphire eyes burning against amber skin.

Ordinarily the sight would take his breath. He’d follow her to the cliff’s edge.

Beyond.

She knew that.

But not tonight. Tonight he saw something different.

Tonight he looked into the shallow waters of her eyes and saw a young girl’s fear.

He saw that frightened girl grown older.

More beautiful, yes, but still desperate. Even more so.

He saw someone.

And he saw no-one.

Realising her façade was gone, Sapphie smiled hopefully.  

“Liam?” she said, eyes sparkling.

Her smile stretching.

Wider.

“Liam?”

Unnaturally, painfully wide.

Imploring now.

“So-”

The music had stopped.