The Love Detective by Alexandra Potter Read Free Book Online Page A

first: that will do the trick.
    Kicking off my flip-flops, I trot down to the water’s edge. No one’s looking, so I drop the sarong and step into the ocean. It’s like walking into a warm bath, and I stretch out my hands and let my fingertips glide over the sparkling water.
    Wow, this is bliss. What an amazing way to start the day. I think about my usual morning routine in London, but already that feels a million miles away and, closing my eyes, I tip my face to the sun, feeling its warmth on my face. My agent was so right. As always. I should have known to listen to Diana. I feel so much better already.
    Stretching out my arms I dive into the waves and start swimming further out, relishing the feeling of water and sunshine on my skin, until after a few minutes I stop and turn back to look at the shore. Bobbing up and down in the warm waves, it seems a long way away, but I can see a couple of figures walking along the seashore. I squint, trying to bring them into focus. From the outline it looks like my sister. And is that a man she’s with?
    I peer harder, but they’re too far away. Plus, I have salt in my eyes, making everything all bleary. For a few moments I tread water, watching their blurry shapes bending close, then I begin to swim back.
    As I near the shore they come into focus. Yup, I was right, it’s Amy and she’s deep in conversation with an Indian man. An extremely handsome Indian man, I can’t help noticing.
    ‘Amy!’ I call, as I walk out of the waves.
    At the sound of her name she looks up, startled. ‘Oh, Rubes, hi,’ she says, and they break apart quickly. ‘I didn’t see you there.’
    ‘I was just having a swim, did you finish your errands?’
    For a moment Amy looks at me blankly. ‘Oh . . . yes . . . my errands,’ she nods, seeming to suddenly remember, ‘yes, they’re all finished.’
    ‘Good,’ I nod, wringing out my wet hair and brushing away the water that’s trickling into my eyes.
    There’s a pause, and I wait expectantly to be introduced to the handsome man standing next to her.
    ‘And then, would you believe it, but by total coincidence, look who I bumped into!’ she exclaims.
    Yeah right. I’ve seen better acting in a pantomime.
    ‘Who?’ I prompt.
    ‘Oh! Right, yes . . . silly me, I haven’t introduced you,’ she says, all flustered. ‘This is Shine, the yoga teacher I was telling you about.’
    ‘Nice to meet you, I’ve heard so much about you,’ he says in a perfect English accent, extending his hand.
    ‘Likewise,’ I smile, shaking his hand. He’s wearing a white shirt, hanging open, and I catch a glimpse of his muscular torso. He doesn’t just have a six-pack, he has an eight-pack. I’m both impressed and embarrassed. There’s him with his amazing body and here’s me with my wobbly bits, I cringe, thinking about my sarong lying only yards away and wishing I could teleport it.
    ‘So I’m excited to hear you’re coming to my sunset yoga class later,’ he smiles, interrupting my thoughts.
    ‘Um, I am?’ I look at my sister.
    Who’s gazing dreamily at Shine. ‘Absolutely,’ she nods. ‘His class is amazing.’
    ‘Thanks,’ he smiles, and they exchange a look.
    Oh-oh. There’s something going on here, and it’s a lot more than a few sun salutations.
    ‘Super,’ I say, feeling rather green and hairy.
    They both turn back to me, as if suddenly remembering I’m there.
    ‘Wonderful, well see you later then,’ he flashes me a handsome smile, before turning to Amy and giving a little bow of his head. ‘ Namaste .’
    ‘ Namaste ,’ she chimes back, all doe-eyed.
    He strides off up the beach, his white shirt billowing in the breeze.
    ‘So come on, spill the beans,’ I demand, as soon as he’s out of earshot.
    Still gazing dreamily after him, she gives a little startled jump. ‘What?’ She looks cornered.
    ‘I might have saltwater in my eyes, but I’m not that blind.’
    She blushes, despite her suntan. ‘We’re just good