Claudia's Big Break Read Online Free Page B

rock-bottom when I found out George was getting married, not more than six months after he dumped me. Despite my debt, I spent even more money. Marcus seemed to understand and I came to regard him as a friend, not just my boss.
    I knew he was married but, until he mentioned it, had no idea he was separated. It suddenly made sense why he put in long hours at the office. He didn’t want to go home to an empty house. At first I felt sorry for him, but then I started thinking about him more and getting distracted when he walked past my office or I heard his voice.
    We started flirting and our relationship shifted. He was charming and the attention was flattering. After the humiliation of George, it was exciting to feel desired and needed again. It sounds crazy but as much as I thought of Marcus as my protector, I also believed I could rescue him. I couldn’t see that Marcus didn’t need saving, and that he and George were birds of a feather.

2
    â€˜D oes anyone know any Greek?’ Tara asked as we dragged our bags through Athens airport in search of signs for the bus terminal.
    â€˜ Kalimera, Anito,’ I said, confident that bits and pieces of Greek, left over from a useless Arts degree and in particular Greek Language 101, still resided at the back of my brain. My knowledge also included a partial understanding of Latin, the Mycenaean civilisation and art history, circa fourth century Athens BC. I optimistically assumed that I’d pick up the language as I went.
    I was bubbling with excitement. Greece! This was the moment I’d been waiting for. We’d finally arrived in paradise. I intended to immerse myself in the culture, the language, the food — everything. Athens, the Acropolis, Santorini — it was all ahead of us and I planned to make the most of it.
    â€˜It’s all so beautiful,’ I said, feeling emotional as we walked towards the exit past huge posters of ancient temples, the Greek Islands and the happy, smiling faces of the locals who’d no doubt welcome us with open arms. I was already in love with the country.
    Out on the street, a searing wall of heat slapped me in the face. The air was thick and hot, and the ground was grey and dusty. Sweat oozed from every pore of my body. Except for a few grubby buildings in the immediate vicinity, and a couple of dusty mountains in the distance, the airport sat smack bang in the middle of a gigantic dustbowl.
    â€˜Just remember, ochi means no and nai means yes,’ I told the others, wavering in the heat.
    â€˜No means yes,’ repeated Tara.
    â€˜ Nai. ’ Despite the clips holding it back, my lifeless hair stuck to my face. Perspiration trickled down my forehead, under my boobs and the backs of my knees. So much for making a glamorous debut in Greece.
    â€˜Is that it?’ demanded Tara, scratching the damp hair plastered to her scalp.
    I shrugged. ‘Obviously I know the odd swear word.’
    â€˜Obviously.’
    â€˜Let’s catch a cab,’ said Sophie, her face hidden by large dark sunglasses and a navy silk scarf. The epitome of movie-star cool despite the wretched humidity, which only made her hair even shinier, her ringlets more defined.
    Nearby, old beaten taxis sat idly next to the kerb, their drivers leaning against them, either alone or huddled in small groups, smoking fat cigarettes and twirling worry beads. A couple of heads turned our way as we walked by, mostly to admire Sophie, but no one rushed over demanding our business. Perhaps it was Levi’s whimpering that made them wary. Or maybe Tara’s snarl.
    The stress of being cramped together on a plane for over twenty hours showed. We were more than ready to be driven by airconditioned limousine to our opulent five-star hotel and promptly escorted to our glamorous airconditioned suite where, after the requisite luxurious bubble bath, I imagined draping myself in a fluffy white guest robe and sipping chilled Moët — while