Chapter 21

I’ve had my breakfast. We’ve had our coffee. More family and friends scurry through with food, then hurry away with shouts of See you later! I’m torn between suggesting a stroll down to town and a more intimate hike up to my cottage when Milton materializes at our table and presents a third option.

Although it isn’t actually until Carlotta comes alongside that I fully grasp his offer. “He’s going to the beach,” she tells us. “To have a swim before we have to get to work making Christmas for our family. He wants you should go along.” I do not know that Milton understands any English, but he nods emphatically. What she said.

“I don’t have my trunks or anything,” Cole says.

Carlotta dismisses this. “It’s not that kind of beach.”

Cole looks at me, then we both look at Milton, who apparently considers the matter settled. He has already taken three steps off the patio towards the road, and signals that we are to join him, so we do.