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‘Normandie. Always so impatient,’ chided a voice as smooth and rich as molasses. Something in its low-toned timbre brought goosebumps to Shauna’s arms, or maybe it was just standing in the shade after the sunshine.

The girl skipped down the stairs and darted past Shauna without a second glance, her fancy sandals clicking on the wooden planked flooring.

A broad chest revealed by an unbuttoned white linen shirt, loosely tucked into shorts, came into view. Shauna felt her mouth go dry. She’d never been this close to a half-naked man before, and certainly not one as sculpted as this.

Before she could move, he spotted her.

‘Well, what have we here?’ he asked, his hazel eyes dancing with amusement.

‘Er … I’m waiting to see … to see the … the …’ Sweet Mary, why couldn’t she remember the title of the person she was supposed to see.

‘Oh, you are a shy one?’ he teased, an unexpected dimple appearing in the heavily stubbled cheek that outlined a strong jaw. There was no attempt at subtlety as his gaze travelled down her body. At the sight of the sinfully suggestive smile curving his broad mouth, Shauna felt a blush staining her cheek. There was something so blatantly sexual about the man, it made her feel immature and foolish.

‘Ah, sir. Sorry about this.’ A young man in uniform, slightly out of breath, appeared beside her. ‘We’re interviewing replacements for the girl that left this morning.’

‘Well, this one is an improvement already.’ The man’s mouth quirked at one side, his eyes roving over her face. ‘She is here and on time, unlike her predecessor.’

Before Shauna had a chance to process this she was being ushered below deck to a large windowless galley kitchen where Chantelle was busy preparing a salad.

‘Take a seat,’ said Chantelle, opening an enormous fridge that was packed to the gunnels with food.

The man slipped into the seat opposite. ‘Hello, Shauna, welcome aboard the St Helena. I’m Jeremy Prior, the purser. Chantelle tells me you’re looking for work. What can you do?’

Shauna repeated what she’d told Chantelle earlier.

‘We’re looking for someone who can work in the galley, make up beds, clean bathrooms, serve food – a bit of everything, in other words. It’s got to be someone who isn’t afraid of hard work, who is polite and efficient, and will look after the guests on board. You’ll also need to adapt quickly to handle young Demetrios.’ He laughed. ‘I saw your face upstairs. He’s got an eye for the girls, and he’s not afraid to show it, but he wouldn’t go any further.’ He looked at Shauna directly. ‘We’ve got rules about that sort of thing.’

Shauna nodded, all the while wondering what happened to girls who broke ‘the rules’.

‘Think you’re interested? It’s hard work, but the Theodosis family are good employers.’

‘They’re positive angels, compared to some,’ said Chantelle, bringing over a plate of sandwiches and putting it on the table. She pushed the plate towards Shauna. ‘Here, you look like you could use one.’

‘Thank you.’ Shauna shot her a grateful smile. The sliced baguette filled with chicken and salad was a lot more appealing than the squashed fruit in her bag.

‘Got any questions?’ asked Jeremy.

Chantelle rolled her eyes. ‘The pay, Jeremy.’

‘Ah, yes.’ He named a figure that seemed depressingly low. It would just about cover her rent, but she wouldn’t be able to eat as well.

‘And is food included?’ She nodded towards the plate of sandwiches.

‘Oh, yes, full board and lodgings. Although you might want to see the cabin before you decide, if you’ve not been on board a yacht before.’

‘Board and lodgings?’ Shauna frowned and then immediately felt silly for not realizing that the job would entail living on board the boat. ‘I thought …’ She laughed at herself. ‘I thought you were just looking for a maid or something while you were in port. Someone who’d come each day.’

Both Jeremy and Chantelle laughed. ‘No, you sell your soul when you join the crew,’ said Chantelle. ‘It’s not for everyone. But I think you’ll fit in.’

‘How long would you want me for? I have to go back to university in mid-September.’

‘No problem. We’ll be heading across to Corsica in a few days’ time, then cutting across to Italy and the Amalfi Coast and then down and around Southern Italy and on to Greece. Would you be able to make your way home from there?’

‘It sounds great, but I …’ She couldn’t abandon Roxy. They’d come out here together, though since meeting Thierry in a nightclub on their first night in Monaco, Roxy seemed to want to spend every minute she could with him.

‘You don’t get seasick, do you?’ asked Chantelle suddenly.

Shauna laughed. ‘No, I’ve crossed the Irish Sea dozens of times. I have very good sea legs.’ She thought of Roxy again and wondered whether she might want to come back with her and see if there was any chance they’d take them both.