Fun in the Sun, extracts from the previous summer

Two Extracts from the prequel to 'Fun in the Sun', which focuses on the relationship between Fay and Adam, but also introduces the characters of Sal and Nick. The first extract describes when Sal and Nick first met.

Fay was so lost in thought that she didn’t even realize that someone had walked into the office, until they stood in the middle of the room and shook Adam’s hand.

“Hi, I’m Nick. Jen said that you were looking for workers.” He sat back against a table and loosely folded his arms in front of him.

Oh Lord, how come Jen always got all the gorgeous men?

He had a casual, relaxed look about him with blonde, ruffled hair and the kind of blue eyes that could persuade you of almost anything. He spoke with Adam and they seemed to fall into conversation easily as Adam drew Nick’s attention to his computer screen, and Nick appeared to sort out some kind of dilemma that Adam was having.

Fay turned her attention back to her work with determination to get it finished at some point that day. She only managed to type up another couple of paragraphs however before Sal burst into the office and demanded her attention.

“I’m so jazzed up about my new apartment,” she enthused, sitting on top of Fay’s desk and glancing at her work. “Plus now we will be working in the same place; how excellent is that Fay?” She clapped her hands with excitement.

“Yes that is excellent, but calm down Sal, besides most of the time you will be at the airport, so I won’t see you that much. Even less now that you’ll be moving out,” she added.

Sal pouted and jumped off the desk, running around it and throwing her arms around Fay dramatically. “I’d forgotten. And I love you so much; you’re my best friend in the whole wild world,” she said, kissing her face. Fay looked astounded and glanced up to see Adam and Nick watching them with amused expressions.

“Yes, I love you too Sal, but perhaps we shouldn’t show it quite so much here in the office!” she frowned, untangling herself from Sal’s arms.

Nick laughed. “Oh I don’t know, carry on you two,” he said cheekily.

“I’m with him on this one,” Adam added with a grin.

Sal giggled, “You see, it’s only Adam and…”

“Nick,” he provided for her.

“…yes and Nick, they don’t mind.”

Fay shook her head in disbelief at Sal.

“So, when do I start work then Adam?” Sal called across the office.

“Officially, probably in a couple of weeks but you could collect some one off guests who are arriving tomorrow for me if you’d like,” he offered.

“Okay,” she agreed and then turned to Fay, “going to be busy tomorrow then what with moving out and going to the airport. Oh well, no rest for the wicked eh,” she winked. “Who’s he anyway,” she whispered looking in Nick’s direction.

“Looks like he is going to be working along side you; he’s Jen’s new boyfriend…I know,” Fay said, noticing the surprised look on Sal’s face.

At that point Nick glanced in their direction and Sal smiled, moving towards Adam’s desk.

“Do I get to wear a sexy uniform then Adam?” she asked with a grin.

“Not tomorrow Sal, but I’ll get one organized for you to wear when you officially begin.” He had moved back to his computer and began frowning again as he fiddled with the settings on it. “Nick, can you help me out here again.” He appealed to Nick who was standing next to Sal around the other side of the desk.

Nick edged past Sal, taking her by the arms as he moved between her and the corner of the desks.

“Awch! Awch! Awch! Sunburn mister,” she exclaimed, cringing and blowing on her glowing skin. He glanced back at her with surprise and watched as she inspected the skin of her arms, shoulders and back.

“You’ll have to get used to using sun tan lotion you know Sal or you’ll end up frazzled,” Fay warned.

“Hey, I did use it but I still got burnt,” she sulked.

“What factor did you use?”

Sal looked slightly guilty. “Okay, I admit, it wasn’t a very high factor, but I want a golden tan to drive all the men at the airport wild,” she laughed. “Mind you, I’m beginning to regret it now.” She winced as she patted her burnt skin and glanced around for her beach bag. She found it by Fay’s desk and delved into the bottom to pull out a bottle of after sun lotion. “Always be prepared, that’s what I say,” she looked at Fay proudly and handed her the lotion, "Can you help me out here."

Nick elbowed Adam and they both watched with excited, boyish anticipation. Sal narrowed her eyes at them, sighed and snatched the lotion off Fay, moving back towards the men with her arms crossed.

“I can’t imagine what you two are grinning at,” she said sarcastically.

They shrugged and she gave them an exasperated look. “Men! Here I am in agony and all you two can think about is…well never mind, you do it then,” she said, passing the bottle to Nick who looked astounded.

Sal stood with her back to him and moved her long, auburn hair aside. “And be gentle, it hurts like hell,” she added.

Nick shrugged at Adam, and Adam grinned back at him as he watched Nick pour some lotion onto the back of Sal's shoulders and begin to rub it in.
She turned and watched him. “You don’t think it will all peel off do you?”

“No, I’m sure you will drive all the men wild,” he laughed.

She looked satisfied and took the bottle back off him, turning and holding out a hand. “I’m Sal, looks like we will be at the airport together then.”

He wiped the greasy residue from the lotion onto his jeans and shook her hand.

“Should be fun,” he smiled.

“Right, I’m going back to sleep before my celebratory drinks tonight,” Sal said decisively, grabbing her beach bag. “What time do you want me here tomorrow Adam?”

“It’s a night flight but I’ve got to talk to the coach drivers yet so I’ll phone you tomorrow,” he informed her.

“No problem, see you all later, bye.” She waved over her shoulder as she left the office.

***********************

Sal is in a bar with her friends Fay and Adam, and Adam’s friend from London, Tom. It includes the second time Sal and Nick met.

"Yes but where is that other beach you sometimes go to Fay?" Sal asked, wondering if she would answer.

"What beach?" Fay feigned ignorance.

Sal turned to the men. "Fay has a secret beach that she goes to but she won't tell anyone where it is."

"Is that so?" Adam said, turning to her.

"Hey, that's my 'get away from everyone' beach. No one is allowed there but me," Fay said firmly.

"Why is that then eh?" Tom asked, "Do a bit of topless sunbathing there do you?"

"No I do not!" she frowned.

"Well if I had a secret beach I know I would," Sal interrupted. "Stops you getting white bits."
Sal looked down her top as if to see if she had any tan lines and Tom followed her eyes with interest.

"See any?" he asked.

"Unfortunately yes, I will have to join you Fay on that beach of yours," she announced.

"No you won't. If anyone is doing any topless sunbathing on that beach it will be me and me alone, in peace," she stated. Adam's face lit up with the thought of it and Tom laughed.

"Well I think it has to be your mission to find this beach then Adam."

"Definitely!" he confirmed.

"So what is your mission then Tom?" Sal asked suggestively. He gave her a wicked look, whispered in her ear and took hold of her hand, leading her off through the crowds. Fay looked at Adam in shock. "I hope your friend isn't absconding with Sal."

"She's not at school anymore Fay, she's a big girl now," he teased.

Tom led Sal to a quiet area by a back exit and pulled her boldly towards him, kissing her soundly on the lips.

She pulled away with a surprised laugh. "Slow down, whatever happened to getting to know each other a bit first?"

"Hmm, just intrigued to see those white bits of yours," he said, slipping down one of the straps of her top and kissing his way down it. Sal looked shocked for a bit but then shrugged.

Oh what the hell.

He replaced his mouth with his hands and looked up to kiss her again. She obliged and they stood there in a steamy embrace but jumped guiltily apart when someone brushed past them. Sal cringed when she saw who it was.

"Nick, I...er..." she stuttered, feeling awkward about being discovered by him. A lazy smile played at his mouth as if he found something vaguely amusing about discovering her like that. This girl seemed to have unlimited amounts of energy and enthusiasm for everything! His eyes swung to Tom’s though, at which point he realised that he may have been staring a fraction too long at Sal.

"Hey don't mind me," he said, holding up his hands and strolling away.

"I think we had better get back," Sal said to Tom, heading for the crowds again. Fay watched them with suspicion when they returned to the table and Sal sat down sheepishly, taking long sips of her cocktail.

"Well, where to next then?" Tom asked, finishing his drink and looking around the table.

Adam put his arm around Fay. "Want to go somewhere else?"

"Sure. Fancy experiencing some Greek night life?" she challenged.

"Lead the way." He took a last swig of beer and they all stood, following her out of the bar and pushing through the crowds of people.

As Sal was approaching the door she caught sight of Nick again and he whispered into her ear when she was jostled past him.

"Looks like the sun tan is driving all the men wild after all," he grinned.

"Must be," she laughed.

"Watch out!" he called as she moved away from him.

"What?"

"You're peeling!" he chuckled.