Game of Scones by Samantha Tonge

table top. I knew what he was thinking. That day, years ago… the jellyfish attack. His scar…
    ‘The idea of you being hurt… I didn’t think straight,’ he muttered.
    I avoided his eye. ‘You don’t need to worry about me. What were you doing out here, anyway?’
    Niko pulled his hand back out into the open. ‘I wanted to know about today. Henrik – he met Stavros no?’
    My cheeks flushed as I ran the tap and filled a glass with water. I took a sip.
    ‘Yes… But it’s not what you think. I can’t say any more at the moment. You’ll just have to trust me – and the mayor and Henrik.’
    Niko snorted. ‘Trust, Stavros? No. And don’t be so naive – it has to be pretty big business for Henrik to interrupt his holiday.’
    I put down the drink and my fists curled. ‘Henrik is one of the most honest people I know. Just leave. I won’t hear another word against him.’
    He stood up. ‘Pippa. Don’t be foolish.’
    ‘Foolish? To trust the most loyal, respectful man I know – who’s actually arranging a secret wedding?’ Shoot. I’d let out the secret, before Henrik had even had a chance to propose.
    ‘What?’ Niko’s mouth fell open.
    ‘That’s what he and Stavros were meeting about – clearly they’ve become friends. They discussed the location, invitations and cake. No doubt the mayor has been helping Henrik wade through all the paperwork.’
    Niko’s shoulders slumped. ‘You… Henrik… getting married?’
    ‘Yes, he’s going to ask me on Friday and I’d appreciate it if you’d keep it quiet. Henrik’s gone to a lot of trouble to make this special. Not a word to anyone else, okay?’
    His sandals made a squelching noise as he stepped forward. ‘Look, Pippa, I still think you are making a mistake. Stavros no do anyone a favour without expecting something back. They must have made some deal. Open your eyes.’
    ‘Perhaps you should open your eyes about Leila!’ I snapped. Urgh. I hadn’t meant to talk about his fiancée and her foreign job searching until I’d had time to word it carefully – or subtly quiz her. Annoying as Niko was, I didn’t want to upset him. Yet he didn’t seem bothered about hurting my feelings, when it came to Henrik.
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Nothing… Look, ignore me I’m just being childish,’ I mumbled and headed down the corridor to the front door. ‘You should go now.’
    I stopped as a hand squeezed my shoulder and turned me around.
    ‘I always could tell when you lie. You hold your hands together.’
    I glanced down at my fingers, all of them intertwined.
    ‘So, Leila…?’ He raised one eyebrow, drops of water still clinging to his face.
    I sighed. ‘She was in Kos Town today. I spotted her in an employment agency.’ I stared at the floor. ‘Leila sat at the international recruitment desk.’
    ‘You’re talking rubbish – she been in bed, ill.’
    I met his gaze and swallowed. ‘Sorry, but it was her. Perhaps, well, you know, she’s as casual about the relationship as you.’
    ‘Me? Casual about Leila?’ His red cheeks turned purple. ‘And you need glasses.’
    ‘Did you actually see her this morning?’ I asked.
    ‘No, but–’
    ‘Well, I did. Twenty kilometres from here. She lied to you about feeling sick. Sorry, but that’s the truth.’
    ‘You got close enough to speak to her?’
    ‘No, but…’
    ‘So. It’s you who’s mistaken.’ His eyes sparked. ‘You’ve got it wrong. Leila is marrying me – and staying in Taxos.’ He took a step forwards. ‘And I know you’re close to Grandma but don’t dare express doubts to her about my fiancée – she’s so looking forward to our marriage. And since you’ve arrived, finally we’re seeing signs of the old, cheerful Grandma. No one wants her recovery to go backwards.’
    ‘You can’t tell me what to do.’ I scowled. ‘Don’t know why I bothered mentioning it. I should have just left you to find out the hard way.’
    ‘I mean it!’ he shouted and yanked