Invincible Summer Read Online Free Page B

unsophisticated father. ‘But the point is, I flew hand-luggage only and here’s what I packed: a swimsuit, a pair of jeans, some T-shirts and an acid yellow sundress with two of the buttons missing. Oh God, I bet your parents have dinner in top hats and ball gowns.’
    ‘Nah, don’t you know understatement’s where the real money’s at?’ teased Benedict. ‘Seriously, don’t worry about it. Your sundress will be fine, no one will care. Besides, Harry’s arriving later with his girlfriend. Sit next to her and I guarantee that whatever you wear, you’ll look like a nun.’
      
    On this point at least, Benedict was as good as his word. Harry and Carla made their entrance at dusk in a whirlwind of kisses and handshakes, half-hugs and backslaps, so that it somehow seemed as if ten people had arrived instead of two. They swept off to their room to change for supper, leaving Eva with the impression of a more solid version of Benedict and a lissom, barely-clothed goddess.
    Examining the pair more closely as everyone gathered on the terrace for dinner, Eva was struck most by the uniformity of their skin. They both appeared unnaturally smooth and unblemished. Were there really humans without a single freckle or mole? And Carla’s limbs—her legs flowed for miles from shorts so short they could reasonably be referred to as hotpants. There wasn’t even the usual consolation of tall, slim girls being flat-chested and sexless; Carla’s gravity-defying breasts threatened to escape their orange halterneck at every dip and sway.
    It was impossible for Eva not to feel dumpy in her old yellow sundress, held together by several safety pins rustled up after a desperate plea to Eleni, but then, she comforted herself, it didn’t really matter, at least not in the way it would have if Lucien had been there. She could just picture him leaning in towards Carla with a predatory smile, as much a feat of memory as imagination, having watched him do just that with what seemed like an infinite number of girls in countless bars over the years. Benedict, on the other hand, seemed more amused than anything by Carla’s indecorous outfit, while his father appeared intensely appreciative, surveying the acres of exposed flesh with the manner of someone savouring a fine painting. Marina gave every impression of having failed to even notice Carla’s near-nudity, bathing her in the same gracious warmth she had bestowed on Eva when she arrived.
    ‘Eva, you simply must try the souvlaki,’ she urged as they sat down at the candle- and flower-strewn table on the terrace. ‘It’s Eleni’s specialty, she makes it with swordfish.’
    ‘Ah,’ said Eva, shooting a furious look at Benedict. ‘Did Benedict forget to tell you that I’m a vegetarian?’
    ‘Oh, one of the Latter Day Saints lot, you mean?’ boomed Hugo. ‘With the funny underpants? I met a chap like that at the Athenaeum a while back. Queer sort of a fellow actually, but I’m sure you’re not all that way.’
    ‘No, darling, that’s not what she means at all,’ said Marina. ‘She’s not a cult member, it’s more like being a sort of hippy. Don’t mind him, Eva,’ she continued with a restraining hand on her husband’s arm. ‘He’s not very modern. I don’t mind telling you that I once danced naked around Stonehenge on the summer solstice myself. Well, it was the Sixties,’ she continued in response to Benedict and Harry’s appalled stares. ‘Everyone was doing that sort of thing back then.’ She turned back to Eva. ‘Now, why don’t you try some of these meatballs? They’re simply divine.’
      
    Benedict lay face down on his lounger next to the pool and peered at Eva through the crack in his eyelids. The sun was too bright to open them any wider, and besides, it was a great opportunity to scrutinise her in a swimsuit unnoticed. Make the most of it, he told himself. Their week together was almost over; her flight was the following day and he didn’t even know