DADDY’S GIRL – Chap 2 – by uk_writer_53..,

Chapter 4 — Airports, planes & coaches

Everything about the airport fascinated little Jessica and, as she sat on the baggage trolley, she stared wide-eyed at the whole new world she found herself in. Of course, there were the bright lights and crowds of other travellers to watch but most of all it was the sense of excitement that hung in the air that really captivated her.

Reaching the check-in, she watched intently as Danny weighed their bags and, after putting a tag around the handles, loaded them onto the conveyor belt. Staring almost in disbelief Jessica followed them until they disappeared out of sight.

“Where they going daddy?” She started to worry once they were no longer in view.

“They’re going to be put on our aeroplane sweetheart.”

Jessica considered his answer carefully for a moment.

“But how will they know which airplane it is?” Her response came back a few seconds later.

Her father smiled at her questions, “That label I put on them. That tells everyone where they are going and which plane they need to go on. That way we get them when we get to the other end.”

Seemingly satisfied with his answer she happily held on to her father’s hand as they made their way through the terminal to the security checkpoint and passport control.

Putting his carry-on bag on the tray Danny emptied his pockets and reached for his daughter’s small rucksack.

“No!” She almost shouted her reluctance to let it go.

Jess clung tightly onto her bag, steadfastly refusing to release it so it could be put through the x-ray machine.

Danny sighed at his daughter’s petulance, “Jessica, we have to put everything on the belt to be checked. Look, daddy’s bag is going on there.”

Jessica shook her head vigorously, sending her blonde hair swishing in front of her face, “Not teddy!”

“Everything has to go through the machine honey.”

His daughter looked at the cavernous black entrance to the apparatus fearfully, almost as if she expected it to somehow devour her small bag and with it her favourite soft toy.

“Will it hurt teddy?” She whispered to him, still clinging to her bag, her big blue eyes gazing anxiously at the x-ray machine.

“No sweetheart it won’t. It might tickle him a little bit but that’s all. I promise.”

“You… promise.” Hesitantly she eased her grip on the small backpack.

“Promise.”

Reluctantly she allowed her father to take her bag off her and put it in a tray, watching it carefully as it disappeared into the dark hole at the front of the device to be x-rayed.

Breezing through the metal detector without a murmur Jessica insisted on opening her bag as soon as she retrieved it, just to check that her teddy was safe. Once she was satisfied everything was as it should be they were able to proceed on to the departure lounge.

Again, Jess was overwhelmed by the sheer size and atmosphere of the airport as she walked along holding her father’s hand.

“Where’s the airplane daddy?”

“We have to wait a while until they get it ready for us sweetie.”

“Oh. How long?” She wanted to know more only partially satisfied with his reply.

“Well, we have enough time to get some breakfast. If you’re hungry that is?” Danny suggested, getting an eager nod from his daughter in response.

Finding a café, he ordered a coffee and toast for himself and a juice for Jessica along with a boiled egg and soldiers.

As they waited for their food they watched the bustle of the busy airport around them, Jessica frequently commenting or asking questions, while they enjoyed their drinks.

“Is everyone going on the airplane with us?” She enquired after a moment

Danny chuckled, “No munchkin. There are lots of aeroplanes here. Only a few of these people will be getting on ours.”

Jess considered his answer thoughtfully before asking her next question.

“How many?”

“How many what honey?” He responded unsure as to what she was referring to.

“How many airplanes?”

He laughed at her inquisitiveness, “I’m not sure but there will be lots and lots leaving here today.”

Seemingly mollified for the moment Jessica tucked in to her boiled egg with a little help from her father.

“Time to go Jess.” Danny told his daughter about half an hour later once they had finished.

“Is we going on our airplane now?” She looked up at him, her eyes wide with expectation.

He chuckled, “Yes, yes we are sweetheart.”

“Yay.” She squealed with excitement.

Jessica almost bounced all the way down to the departure gate.

Arriving at the desk he got an interested look from the girl checking their boarding passes before they entered the waiting area and took a look at the other people on the flight. Most of their fellow passengers seemed to be middle-aged with a smattering of younger couples and one group of five twenty-something single girls.

Immediately they were inside the boarding area Danny realised he was an object of interest; a single man with a small child drew attention from almost everyone there, especially the five girls.

All of the single women viewed him keenly although one, an attractive, leggy, bleached blonde with inch long painted nails seemed far more interested in him than the others.

Not that this was of any concern to Jessica. She was now totally absorbed looking through the window at the plane they would soon be boarding.

Ignoring the stares and looks of curiosity he took a seat and tried to patiently answer another barrage of Jessica’s questions;

‘Why was the plane orange?’

Because that was the colour the people who owned it painted their aeroplanes.

‘How did they get on it?’

They would be going through the doorway at the end of the room.

‘Where were their bags?’

They were being put on the plane now and if she looked very carefully, she might see them.

Eventually, satisfied with his answers, she stopped interrogating him and just stared with interest at what was happening outside, trying to spot their cases.

“Hello.” A middle-aged woman sitting next him spoke to Jess as she gave up looking and clambered onto Danny’s lap.

Jessica regarded her curiously for a moment.

“Hello.” She replied eventually, deciding that it was safe to speak to her as she was sitting on her father.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Jessica and I’m three and three quarters.” She declared seriously.

“Are you, I bet you are excited to be going on holiday with your mummy and daddy?” the woman smiled.

“My mummy has gone to heaven but my daddy is taking me to our holiday.” She screwed up her face wistfully as she answered loudly enough for those close by to hear.

“Oh, oh dear I am sorry.” The woman blushed clearly embarrassed.

“It’s ok.” Danny smiled to re-assure her, “We weren’t together.”

“Well, I hope you both have a wonderful time.” She said, clearly trying to end the conversation and with it her discomfort.

Fortunately, just then the call to board went out preventing any further awkward discussion and taking Jessica’s hand he joined the queue to get on the plane.

“We going now daddy?” Jess jumped up and down with excitement as they stood waiting.

“Yes munchkin….”

“Hi, where are you headed to?”

A voice interrupted him and Danny looked round to find the blonde had sidled up and was standing alongside him.

“Oh, hi….”

Taken a little by surprise he gave her the name of the small village they were going to and got a sexy giggle in response.

“We’re going there to. Maybe we’ll see each other sometime.” She smiled coyly and touched his arm in a gesture of familiarity, “Perhaps we could go out for a drink?”

“Err…. yeah, maybe.” He said uncertainly as they slowly shuffled forwards.

She pressed a slip of paper into his hand, “My number. Just in case you want to ring.”

“Oh right…. thanks.”

“Hello. Who are you?” Jessica looked up at the blonde.

“Chloe.” Slightly taken aback the girl smiled at Jess and then turned her attention back to Danny, “I’d better get back to my friends.”

Slowly they continued to shuffle forwards until they were actually able to board.

Stepping through the aircraft door Jessica clung tightly to her father’s hand her head swivelling back and forth as she tried to see everything at once.

“Welcome aboard.” A pretty brunette stewardess crouched down to speak to Jess, “And what’s your name?”

“Jessica.” She replied solemnly, “What’s yours?”

The stewardess giggled and stood up looking straight at Danny, her interest in him blatantly obvious, “I’m Jayne. I’ll be looking after you today.”

Finding their row and placing his bag in the overhead locker he settled Jess into her seat by the window, noting with pleasure, that they had an empty space next to him.

“We’re going daddy… we’re going!” Jessica almost shrieked with excitement as the engines roared louder and they started down the runway, the plane accelerating until it finally left the ground.

Sitting up she peered over the edge of the window watching in fascination as the few fluffy white clouds drifted past.

“Daddy we’re flying…. We’re really flying.” She turned and whispered to him, wide-eyed with delight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Walking into the terminal building by herself Lucy felt everyone was staring at her, but once she was in amongst the crowd, she quickly relaxed and started to feel safely anonymous as she wheeled her suitcase along. There were enough people around, both in groups and individually, all wandering back and forth for her to feel she was virtually invisible.

Locating the area where she had to check-in her bags, she found herself, along with her fellow passengers, in the queue with a loud and boisterous group of young men. They were several places ahead of her and already full of the holiday spirit judging by the boisterous amount of noise they were making.

“Hello darlin.” One of them spotted her a few places back in the line, “Where are you off to then gorgeous?”

She gave him a rather weak smile and then looked away, her cheeks colouring slightly as she again started to feel self-conscious about being alone.

“Don’t be like that sweetheart. I don’t bite.” He chuckled and came across to her adding to her embarrassment, “Unless you ask me too.”

“Come on Mark, leave her alone. We need to put our bags in.” One of his mates urged him.

Mark shrugged and turned back to his friends, muttering under his breath, “Fucking stuck up cow.”

Continuing to ignore them Lucy studied her documents while she waited in the queue.

“I do hope they aren’t on our flight.” Behind her an older woman offered her opinion, “They are rather loud, aren’t they?”

“Somehow I don’t think we’ll be that lucky.” Lucy turned to look back at her as she answered.

“No.” The woman sighed deeply, “Probably not.”

Fortunately, the party of lads were soon checked-in and after sending their luggage through on the conveyor belt they, noisily, disappeared as they made their way through to the departure lounge.

Lucy soon checked her own suitcase in and, armed with her boarding pass, she headed off to undertake the next part of the tedious process.

Once she had navigated both the security and passport control requirements and was through to the lounge, she began to feel comfortably anonymous as she browsed the airport shops.

Enjoying feeling unnoticed again she spent most of her time in the departure lounge shopping, purchasing a pair of sunglasses and splashing out on another bikini. This one in a rather brilliant blue and possibly even skimpier than the two in her luggage.

Even sitting and having a coffee by herself didn’t make her feel particularly awkward and, fifteen minutes later, as she made her way to the gate, she was feeling relatively calm.

Her heart sank as she passed through into the waiting area though.

After showing her boarding pass at the desk she saw the group of lads from check-in crowding around the doorway, waiting to board. There were maybe eight of them, probably in their late teens and early twenties, and clearly ready for having a raucous and drunken holiday.

Taking a seat as far away from the party of men as she could she hoped to lose herself amongst the crowd of older people, keeping her head down as she waited to be called forward to get on to the plane.

“Off on your own?” A voice beside her made her look up into the smiling face of the older woman from earlier.

“Oh err… yes, yes, I am.”

“That’s so brave of you. All that time to yourself to relax and do whatever you want.” The woman continued chatting aimlessly away to her.

“Umm… yes, I suppose it is really.” Lucy tried to sound positive although she certainly didn’t feel it.

“I’d love to have a week to myself but I have to put up with Harry.” She squeezed her husband’s arm, “But after thirty years I guess I’m used to him.”

“You’ve been married that long?” she asked, the woman’s comment piquing her interest.

The older woman smiled and leaned closer to whisper secretively, “We have. In fact, it’s our thirtieth wedding anniversary while we’re away.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you. I’m Marjorie.” She held out her hand, “And this lump next to me is Harry.”

“I’m Lucy.” She replied as she shook hands with the two of them.

“So where are you off to? Somewhere lively? Looking for a holiday romance maybe?” The older woman winked conspiratorially at her.

Smiling Lucy shook her head, “No, nothing like that. I broke up with my boyfriend not too long ago and I’m kind of off men and relationships right now.”

“Ah I see.” Marjorie nodded knowingly, “Not amicable I guess.”

She shook her head again, “No, not really.”

“Are you staying anywhere nice on the island?” Marjorie asked, changing the subject tactfully.

“Umm… The Aegean Apartments.”

“Really.” The woman beamed, “That’s where we’re staying. We’ll have to have a drink and a proper chat sometime.”

“That would be lovely.” Lucy told her and, to her surprise, she found she meant it.

“Maybe we can find you a nice young man while you’re there.” She suggested, looking rather contemptuously at the rowdy group waiting to board the aircraft.

Lucy smiled and ignored the comment following her gaze instead, “They are rather obnoxious aren’t they.”

Any further attempt at conversation was interrupted as the announcement to board the aircraft came over the speakers and everyone stood up to queue.

Shuffling slowly forwards Lucy desperately hoped she wasn’t seated near the loud party of young men and breathed a sigh of relief when she found she was in the window seat next to a young married couple.

“Hey gorgeous there’s a spare seat back here.”

“Want to sit next to me?”

There were a couple of shouts from a few rows behind her as she stowed her bag in the cabin locker but she ignored them and took her seat without a glance back towards the unruly group.

“Please gentlemen, if you could take your seats. We need to get everyone boarded as soon as possible.” She heard a stewardess intervene, ushering the men to sit down and be quiet.

Lucy sighed with relief and waited nervously as the plane taxied out onto the runway before lifting off into the air.

She was on her way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They had been in the air for about forty-five minutes and Jessica was busily colouring when Danny was interrupted by the blonde from the airport sliding into the seat next to him.

“Hi.” She smiled sweetly, “We didn’t get much of a chance to talk earlier.”

“Hello.” Danny replied trying not to stare at her legs blatantly displayed by her tiny denim skirt.

From the window seat Jess stopped what she was doing and looked round at the woman with interest, “Hello Chloe.”

“Oh hello.” The girl seemed surprised, “What’s your name?”

“I’m Jessica, I’m three and three quarters and this is my daddy.” She announced solemnly, telling the blonde her name for the second time.

“Sorry, I’m Danny.” He apologised and grinned at her, holding out his hand.

“Hi Danny.” She took his hand and held it for several seconds longer than was necessary as she looked into his eyes, “So how come you’re on your own with err…. with Jessica. Where’s her mother?”

“My mummy’s in heaven.” Jess interrupted, answering nonchalantly.

“Oh, oh I’m sorry.” Chloe blushed, obviously embarrassed.

“It’s ok.” Danny told her, “We were divorced for nearly three years.”

“Oh good…. Well not good but you know what I mean?”

He smiled at her, “Yeah, don’t worry. I get the idea.”

Chloe peered around him and looked at Jessica, who had gone back to her colouring having decided that the woman wasn’t really that interesting after all.

“Where are you staying?” she enquired brushing her blonde hair back away from her face.

“Oh, err…. The Aegean Apartments.”

“Right. I think that’s quite close to us. So, I was wondering.” She turned her attention back to him, “Maybe we could get a drink sometime this week. As we’re staying in the same resort.”

“Nice idea but I have my daughter.”

“Oh yeah, of course you do. Is there anyone who could look after her for an evening?” Chloe enquired rather stupidly.

“Sorry obviously not. But maybe I could bring her with me.” Danny suggested with a cheeky grin.

“Err… yeah maybe. I guess we could see when we’re there.” She said sounding less than enthusiastic about his proposition.

“Of course. Probably best to see how things go.” Danny agreed.

She got up, “I gave you my phone number, didn’t I? Just in case you decide to give me a call.”

“Oh yes, you did… thanks.”

“I’d better get back to my friends. I’ll catch you later maybe.” Chloe smiled and quickly disappeared back down the plane.

“Daddy?”

“Yes sweetheart.” He turned back to look at his daughter.

“Is that lady your girlfriend?”

He kissed her on the top of her head and chuckled, “No sweetheart she isn’t.”

Jessica gave his answer a moment’s thought before pulling a face and going back to her colouring.

“Good. I didn’t like her very much.”

Danny shook his head and laughed quietly before returning his attention back to the book he was reading.

The remainder of the flight passed fairly uneventfully, although the stewardess Jayne did spend an inordinate amount of time checking on them.

Landing at Heraklion airport in Crete there were the usual queues to get through immigration, especially now that the UK was no longer in the European Union and all passports had to be stamped, but they moved reasonably quickly.

Once they were through into the baggage reclaim hall, they had to wait for their cases to appear and Jessica was soon engrossed trying to spot her bag coming round on the carousel.

“Daddy, daddy it’s here, it’s here.” His daughter jumped up and down and shrieked as she spotted her case, making everyone around them smile.

Recovering their luggage Danny struggled out of the arrival’s hall trying to keep track of Jess as he looked for their transfer bus to take them to the resort where they were staying.

“Over here Jessica.” He called his daughter across to him as he headed for the holiday company’s representative.

Introducing himself he was ticked off on the list and directed out to coach number 6 at the front of the building. After loading his bags, he clambered aboard with Jess and took a seat, smiling briefly to Chloe as she got on the bus with her friends.

“When will we be there daddy?” Jessica asked as the bus pulled away from the airport.

Grinning at the bundle of energy sitting next to him he answered, “When we get there munchkin, but it shouldn’t be too long now.”

In fact, it was just over forty minutes later that they found themselves checking in at reception and, once they had got the keys, opening the door to their apartment.

“Well, what do you think Jess?” Danny asked his daughter as they stood in the small kitchen cum living space.

Their apartment wasn’t especially large but it was clean and tidy with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a small patio with a table and chairs where you could sit during the warm evenings. Excitedly investigating the inside Jessica decided which room was hers and then declared that although it was a bit small it would be ok for the week, making him smile at the way she sounded so much like his mother.

“Let’s get unpacked Jess, then we can have a look around.”

“I want to go to the swimming pool first daddy.”

“Ok. As soon as we’re unpacked sweetheart, we’ll go and take a look.”

That answer seemed to satisfy his daughter even though it took Danny almost an hour to get everything sorted out, especially as Jessica insisted on putting her own clothes away where she wanted them. But finally, they were done and after putting on his own swimming shorts and a t-shirt he did the same for Jess.

Grabbing their beach towels, he took a look at his watch noting it was already way past three o’clock as they made their way down to the pool area.

Finding an empty spot, the two of them spent an hour splashing about in the water before he wrapped his daughter in a towel to head back to their apartment.

With Jessica too excited to take a nap they quickly showered and changed before going out early to eat at a nearby taverna.

They had barely sat down with a drink when Chloe parked herself on the chair next to Danny.

“Hey.” She smiled, “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Oh, hi Chloe.” He replied with surprise while Jess simply looked up and frowned, “How are you settling in?”

“Ok, I guess.” The blonde put her hand on his arm and batted her eyelashes suggestively, “You fancy getting that drink then?”

Danny gave her an apathetic smile, “Sorry I can’t. Jessica needs to eat and then get to bed, she’s exhausted.”

“Oh right, maybe later in the week then?” looking disappointed Chloe got up to go.

“Yeah sure, maybe.”

With that the blonde went back to join her friends leaving Danny and his daughter to their meal. Then once they were finished, they went straight back to the room so he could get the shattered 3-year-old to bed.

Back at the apartment, with Jess asleep, he made himself a coffee and sat on the patio, listening to cicada’s and wondering what he was going to do with his life.

The one thing he was certain of though was that Jessica was his one and only concern from now on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gazing out of the plane’s window Lucy got her very first view of the Greek island of Crete as they descended over the sea towards Heraklion airport.

It was a new destination for her.

She wasn’t much of a traveller, and the idea of going somewhere she hadn’t been before filled her with a sense of trepidation. The fact that she was by herself just added to the uncertainty she was feeling about her holiday.

Looking out at the brown sun-baked landscape she found herself trapped in the seat farthest from the aisle while she waited for most of the other passengers to disembark. Then once they had gone, she was able to stand up and retrieve her hand luggage to follow them down the steps and into the terminal building.

However, despite finding herself at the back of the queue at passport control, being one of the last off had one big benefit for Lucy in that it meant the boisterous group of young men were well ahead of her in the line to get through to baggage reclaim.

“It’s taking some time, isn’t it?” Marjorie, the older woman from the airport complained, “Is it always like this here?”

“Oh I… err… I don’t really know.” Lucy frowned, “This is my first time here to.”

Marjorie sighed wearily, “Well there’s not much we can do about it anyway, is there?”

Smiling at her and her husband Lucy silently agreed and shuffled forwards as the queue moved.

It took a while longer but eventually she was able to get her passport stamped and, after collecting her suitcase, make her way out to the coach for the short drive to the apartments.

Climbing up the steps she groaned inwardly when she found the group of young men already seated.

“Come and sit down darlin,”

“There’s a seat here.”

“Don’t be a grouch sweetheart. It’s just a bit of fun.”

Ignoring the comments Lucy found herself a seat and, staring out of the window, hoped that the lads weren’t going to the same apartments as she was.

“So, where you staying then gorgeous?”

As the driver started the engine and pulled away the one called Mark, who had started to pester her at the airport, dropped into the empty seat next to her and leered salaciously at her.

“What….?” She turned to look at him in surprise.

“Where you staying? If I’m gonna take you out for a drink I need to know where you’ll be staying.”

Thoughts of Annabelle and her advising her to ‘get back on the horse’ and ‘have a holiday fling’ sprang to mind and, for a second, she found herself imagining going out with the loud and obnoxious bore next to her.

However, just as quickly, she dismissed the idea from her mind.

“Thank you for the offer but I don’t think so.” She said politely but firmly.

“Aww don’t be like that. You’re on holiday, let your hair down and have some fun sweetheart.” She could smell the alcohol on his breath as he leaned closer.

“I’m sure I will but not with you, thanks.”

“Suit yourself you stuck up tart.” He laughed and got up to stumble back to his own seat much to Lucy’s relief.

The remainder of the journey was uneventful apart from Mark calling out that he’d see her later in the week when she went to get off at her stop.

Standing at the reception desk Lucy suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable. When she looked around, she could see that she was the only young single girl while all the others waiting for their keys were older couples.

“Don’t worry we’ll look after you.” Her new friend Marjorie winked at her, noticing her obvious discomfort.

She blushed and smiled, “Is it that apparent that I need looking after then?”

Marjorie smiled and nodded, “Afraid so, and don’t forget we need to find you a nice young man.”

With that unwanted reassurance Lucy collected her keys and made her way through to her apartment. With two bedrooms it would be bigger than she needed but the late availability deal had been too good to turn down.

Looking around her as she walked through, she couldn’t help but notice that, like at the check-in desk, there wasn’t anyone her own age around the pool. There were a few families with children dotted in amongst the middle-aged couples but that was all.

She smiled to herself, Annabelle’s entreaty for her to have a holiday fling and let her hair down certainly wasn’t going to happen here.

Taking her time to unpack Lucy decided that once she was done, she would take a quick nap. It had been an early start and, after all the travelling, she was extremely tired.

Sleeping for longer than she intended, it was dark when she woke up and, feeling ravenous, she hurriedly tidied herself up and changed before walking down to the village to find herself something to eat.

Going in to the first taverna she came to Lucy immediately felt very aware that she was by herself.

She was just about to turn around and walk out when a woman’s voice caught her attention.

“Lucy, hello sweetie. Over here, come and join us.”

At the other side of the restaurant, she spotted Marjorie and Harry at one of the tables and made her way across to them.

“Hello, how are you two? All settled in?”

“Sit yourself down. You’re eating with us.” Ignoring her question, the older woman insisted she took a seat and joined them, brushing away her protests and calling a waiter over to order Lucy a drink.

“Oh no, it’s ok, I don’t want to intrude.”

“Nonsense, sit yourself down girl.” Marjorie insisted, “We don’t mind do we Harry?”

“Not at all sweetheart.” Her husband agreed.

Despite her reluctance Lucy had enjoyed talking to the couple at the airport and was extremely grateful not to be eating alone.

Fortunately for her, neither Marjorie or Harry were night owls and a still tired Lucy found herself back in her room by a quarter to ten getting ready for bed.

Chapter 5 – Beginnings

Sleeping in late the following morning Lucy woke to bright sunshine and hurried to shower and dress so she could get down to breakfast.

Slipping into her latest purchase, the blue bikini, she pulled on a simple beach dress over the top and gathered up the things she needed; towel, sun cream and book. Dropping them into a bag, she headed straight to the complex’s breakfast room hoping she got there before it closed.

Arriving with a good ten minutes to spare she got herself a coffee and two croissants then took a seat and took her first sip of her latte.

Looking around she could see the room was still half full, mostly with older couples still eating, when she noticed them getting up to leave. He was younger, 6′ plus and vaguely familiar while the little girl with him was blonde and probably no more than 4 years old.

Eating her pastries Lucy sat and wondered who they were. If she hadn’t seen them prior to today then they looked very much like someone else she had met recently.

But for the life of her she had no idea who.

Once she had finished breakfast Lucy made her way out to the pool and found an empty sunbed. Feeling very self-conscious of being by herself in her skimpy swimwear Lucy took off her dress and laid herself out on her towel. If anyone was watching she was unaware of it as she kept her head down and, as soon as she had retrieved her book, she buried her nose in its pages.

“Hello.”

Unaware of how long she had been reading for and oblivious of what was happening around her, she was taken by surprise when a small voice made her jump. Startled she looked up from her book and found herself staring into a pair of big round deep-blue eyes.

“Hello….. what’s your name sweetheart?” She sat up and smiled at the cute blonde child she had noticed in the breakfast room, glancing around to look for her parents as she spoke.

“I’m Jessica.” The little girl stated seriously, “I’m three and three quarters.”

“Well hello Jessica. I’m Lucy. You know three and three quarters is quite grown up.”

“Are you on holiday to?”

Lucy laughed and glanced around slightly concerned no one was coming to collect the little girl, “Yes, I’m on holiday to. Are your mummy and daddy around?”

“I don’t have a mummy. She’s gone to heaven.”

“Oh!” Lucy felt a lump tighten in her throat at Jessica’s matter-of-fact reply, “What about your daddy poppet?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jessica was up early the next morning and, full of excitement, she was ready to start the day. However, it took Danny a little longer to raise himself, struggling out of bed he took a quick shower and then got the pair of them dressed so they could go to the pool immediately after they had had breakfast.

Settling the two of them at a side table he got himself a coffee and a pastry while Jess decided she wanted an orange juice and a muffin.

Studying the other diners, he was a little disappointed to see that they were mostly older couples, with the occasional family group scattered amongst them. He had hoped there might be other younger children that his daughter could make friends with and he immediately began to wonder if he had made the right choice for Jessica.

“Can we go to the pool now daddy?”

“Mmhhmm…. Just as soon as you finish your breakfast munchkin.”

With that Jessica focused her attention on the remains of her muffin eager to finish and get onto the next exciting part of the holiday.

“Good girl,” he told her as she drank the last of her juice, “We just have to go back to the room to get our things.”

They were on their way back towards the kid’s pool when he first noticed her.

The simple fact that she was alone, female and wearing a skimpy blue bikini would have been enough to get his attention. Add to that the fact that she was absolutely stunning only made him stare a second or to longer as he couldn’t help but think he knew her from somewhere.

Tearing his eyes away from her he laid out their towels and taking off his t-shirt and Jessica’s sundress he settled down to search for her water wings.

“We’ll put some sun cream on you and you’ll have to wear these whenever you’re in the pool….” He started to tell her as he rummaged in the bag.

There was no answer.

Looking around he immediately panicked when he realised his daughter was no longer sitting next to him.

“Jess!”

Jumping up he frantically scanned the area around him, his heart racing, before spotting her standing by the brunette in the blue bikini.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he hurried across to her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Hi I’m sorry if she’s…..”

Halfway through his apology Danny stopped and stared into the prettiest brownest eyes that he knew he had seen once before.

“It’s ok…..” looking up at him Lucy returned his gaze, forgetting what she was going to say as her heart rate went through the ceiling.

The pair just stared at each other for several seconds, both unaware of anyone else around them, while Jessica looked between the two of them.

To Danny she was perfection, slim and athletic with long legs. Her long brunette hair framed a pretty face and, even in a pony tail, it obviously hung down to her modest breasts.

Staring back at him Lucy shivered, he was probably the cutest guy she had met in a very long time, Tall, not to muscular and the tattoos on his arms suggested something military to her.

“I’m Danny…. Have we…. met?” he finally managed to speak again.

“Err… maybe….” She answered cautiously, certain they had but not wanting to admit it immediately, “And I’m Lucy.”

“Daddy… I want to go in the water.” His daughter’s voice broke into the moment dragging their attention to her.

“Oh yeah… of course sweetheart but we need to go back and get your water wings. I forgot them.”

“Nooooo… I want to stay here.” Jessica protested.

“You can’t stay here by yourself Jess.”

Pouting with annoyance she avoided his offered hand and stepped away.

“I’ll keep an eye on her if you like.” Lucy interjected, “As long as you don’t mind.”

“Oh no it’s….” Danny started to answer but had barely got out a couple of words before his daughter interrupted him.

“Can I stay with Lucy, please daddy.” Jessica pleaded climbing on the sunbed to sit with the young woman.

“Well, there’s no one else so if Lucy really doesn’t mind….”

“Jessica told me about… her…mother…” Lucy put her hand to her mouth blushing with embarrassment, confessing what the child had told her, she realised she might have said to much.

“No, no… please it’s ok. We weren’t together, we divorced just after Jess was born.” He said matter-of-factly to reassure her.

“But Jessica… her mother….”

“They weren’t that close really. Stephanie wasn’t the maternal type so Jess spent most of her time with me.” For some reason he found himself explaining their situation to a complete stranger.

“Oh, I see.” Lucy was saddened by the story about Jessica’s mother but at the same time she couldn’t help but feel just a little excited by the fact that Danny was, as far as she could tell, single.

“So… if you’re sure you don’t mind keeping an eye on her Lucy….”

She grinned “I’d love to as long as Jessica doesn’t mind.”

“Jess?” he looked at his daughter as she smiled and clambered onto Lucy’s lap.

“Guess I’ll see you in a minute.” He shrugged and headed back to get the missing water wings.

Returning a few minutes later Danny began to panic again when he saw the empty sunbed, albeit that Lucy’s towel and book were still on it. Glancing worriedly around he found the pair of them almost immediately, standing in the paddling pool where Jessica was talking excitedly to Lucy as they held hands.

For a moment he stood and just watched as the two of them splashed and laughed, savouring the sight of his daughter enjoying herself.

“Water wings.” He called as he joined them, blowing them up before putting them on her arms.

“Sorry.” Lucy apologised, “We were just making friends.”

“No problem.”

Leaving Jessica to play in the water the two adults sat on the edge to keep an eye on her.

“The department store. That’s where I saw you.” Danny suddenly blurted out making Lucy chuckle.

“Took you a while to realise.” She laughed, throwing her head back, her smile sending a tremor of desire through Danny.

“Sorry.” He gave her a sheepish grin, “But you didn’t have a blue bikini then.”

“No, I didn’t.” Lucy giggled girlishly, “I’m glad to see you were obviously paying attention.”

Chatting easily, they sat for around an hour, occasionally getting up to play with Jess, before Danny called his daughter over and announced they would have to go.

“I need to go for a bit. I need to get some stuff at the supermarket, for Jess.”

“Noooo…. daddy I want to stay.” She immediately protested with an annoyed expression on her face.

“Jess could stay with me. If you trust me to look after her, that is?” Lucy suggested.

“I wanna stay with Lucy.” Jessica went to stand next to the brunette, taking hold of her hand, and they both looked at him with big pleading eyes.

“Ok, ok.” He laughed and immediately surrendered knowing he wasn’t going to win, “I give in but she needs some sun cream on her.”

“I can do that.” Lucy affirmed.

“It’s in our bag.” Danny informed her before turning to his daughter, “And you be a good girl, ok?”

Jess nodded seriously, “I promise I will daddy.”

Looking at the pair of them for a moment he paused and then, as if finally reaching a decision, he got up and went off to the local shop.

It took a bit longer than he originally thought and nearly an hour had gone by when he finally got back, taking his supermarket purchases back to the room before returning to the pool. He immediately found his daughter, with Lucy, playing happily in the paddling pool.

“Thanks for that.” He announced his return, sitting down next to her, “Has she been ok?”

“She’s been an angel.” Lucy said and then blushed at the reference to heaven.

“Can I buy you a drink as a reward.”

His offer made her heart skip a beat as she shyly accepted and, recovering Jess from her watery playground, they headed off to the pool bar.

“What can I get you?” He asked the skimpily dressed brunette.

“Just a cold beer would be fine.”

Lowering her lashes, she gazed at him with more than a hint of interest while he kept glancing back at her.

Ordering two beers and a juice for Jessica the three of them found a table where, much to Danny’s surprise, Jess climbed straight up onto Lucy’s lap.

“Jess.” Her father looked disapprovingly at her.

“She’s fine, I really don’t mind.” Lucy told him giving an unprotesting child a cuddle.

Spending the remainder of the day together seemed so natural to both of them. They got on really well and it was obvious to Danny that his daughter absolutely adored Lucy. He even found that she had insisted on moving their sunbed’s together while he had been gone

It was just past three o’clock when he announced that he needed to take his daughter back to the room.

“I need to get her down for an hour or she’ll be tired and miserable all evening.” He reluctantly told Lucy as he got a protesting Jessica out of the pool for the last time.

“Oh right, of course.” Her voice was tinged with disappointment as she answered him.

“Maybe we’ll see you later or tomorrow or something.” Danny looked at her hopefully.

“That would be lovely.”

Brightening up at his suggestion Lucy went back to her sunbed as he picked up Jess and headed off to the apartment.

“But I want to stay with Lucy daddy.”

“Me too munchkin, me too.” He murmured quietly, carrying the little girl back to their room.

Chapter 6 – Coming to the Rescue

Alone again Lucy sat on her sunbed and disconsolately picked up her book. The last few hours with Danny and Jessica had been fun and she was a little dismayed now that they had gone, although she understood his need for the 3-year-old to have a nap.

Normally she would have been a little annoyed by the intrusion on her time but Jessica was absolutely adorable and her father simply set her pulse racing and gave her butterflies whenever he was near to her.

Trying to settle back to read proved impossible after the earlier distractions and eventually she gave up and simply looked around before making the decision to head up to the pool bar.

Not wanting to have everyone staring at her scantily clad body while she was alone, she quickly slipped her beach dress back on and then, taking her purse, made her way to the bar. Perching on a stool she checked her watch and after deciding it was late enough in the day, she ordered herself a gin and tonic.

“You are English, yes?”

A voice behind her caused her to spin around.

“Err… yes, yes, I’m English.” Lucy found herself face-to-face with an older Greek guy.

“You are here for the first time maybe?”

“Err… yes…. it’s my first time on Crete.” She responded cautiously as she studied him.

He was older than her, probably around 40 but still good-looking in a typical macho Greek way. His stubbled chin, deep brown eyes and dark wavy hair all complimented his open shirt and tanned chest.

“Hey Costa put the lady’s drink on my bill.” He told the barman as he returned with Lucy’s drink.

“Oh, that’s ok I don’t need you to….”

Waving away her protests he raised his beer bottle clinking it against her glass.

“Yammas. Here’s to your first time on Crete.”

“Cheers.” She responded taking a sip.

“I’m Yanni and you are?”

“Lucy.” She coloured slightly and offered him her hand, “Pleased to meet you.”

For the next half-an-hour or so they sat at the bar talking, Yanni carefully establishing that she was single and on her own, before Lucy put down her empty glass on the counter.

“Time to go.” She smiled pleasantly, “Thank you for the drink.”

“Another?” Yanni offered.

She shook her head, “Thanks but I need to shower and to go and eat. I’ve had a fairly tiring day and I really don’t want a late night.”

He nodded in agreement, “I understand. Perhaps I could take you to dinner then?”

“Not tonight. I’m exhausted and I wouldn’t be very good company, but thanks anyway.” She cautiously avoided his offer.

“I understand.” He smiled genially, “The day after tomorrow maybe?”

“Umm… yeah sure.”

Hesitantly she accepted his invitation. Annabelle’s comments about a holiday fling and getting herself laid immediately springing to her mind as she tried to imagine herself with him.

“Excellent. I’m sure I’ll see you about so we can set a time then.”

Even as he spoke Lucy found that instead of thinking of the Greek her mind had focused on Danny.

Giving him another smile Lucy slid off her stool and said goodbye as she went to collect her things and, somewhat apprehensively, head back to her apartment. Wasn’t this what Annabelle had told her to do, to hook up with someone she would never see again and get herself fucked to get Jason out of her system.

The problem was Danny.

Why had he immediately sprung to mind when she thought about sex. She had only really just met him but she realised she had feelings for him that already went way beyond anything casual.

Totally confused she stripped off her costume and stepped into her shower trying to put the issue out of her mind for the moment. She now had a dinner date with a Greek and a young English lad threatening to come looking for her when the man she was really interested in was here with his daughter.

Drying herself off Lucy contemplated her wardrobe as she wondered just what she was going to wear. The idea of eating alone was far from appealing but, if she didn’t want to go hungry, she had little choice.

Sighing unenthusiastically, she picked a short denim skirt and a white vest top. She didn’t intend being out too late or going anywhere smart so something casual would be fine.

After sliding a white thong up her legs, she pulled on the skirt and, deciding to forgo a bra, slipped on the strappy vest adding her white heeled sandals to complete her outfit.

Dressed and ready she sat down in front of her mirror and started to apply her make-up.

It had been a while since she had been out socially, not since she had broken up with Jason, and she found herself feeling more than a little nervous at the prospect.

Opting to leave off the false eyelashes her mascara went on first, lengthening and darkening her own long lashes before she brushed on her eyeshadow and, finally, added a touch of eyeliner.

Checking herself in the mirror one last time she put on a little lip gloss to finish off and then she was ready.

Taking a deep breath to steel herself Lucy picked up her bag and stepped out of her apartment into the pleasant warmth of the Greek evening air. Almost as soon as she took a pace outside of the door, she felt utterly awkward at being by herself when all around her were groups and couples.

Even Danny had little Jessica with him.

Thinking of the two of them sent a warm shiver through her. The time she had spent with them that afternoon had been delightful and she wondered when she would see them again. He had said maybe tomorrow and she sincerely hoped it would be.

Walking out of the small complex she turned left and headed along the street towards the lights a short distance away. It wasn’t far to the village and the collection of tavernas, restaurants and shops, the journey taking her less than ten minutes to get there. Not wanting to spend too much time wandering she picked the first taverna she came to and went in for a drink.

It was fairly quiet and she had just settled herself with a cocktail and her book when a male voice made her cringe.

“Ello darlin… all by yerself then?”

She turned to see the obnoxious Mark along with two of his friends making their way up to the bar.

“Free beers mate.” Obviously already fairly drunk he called to the barman before turning his attention back to Lucy.

“You dint answer me. You all alone then.” He slurred moving closer to her.

“It looks that way doesn’t it.”

Smirking he looked her up and down, taking his time to stare at her legs and obviously braless breasts.

“Cum on out wiv me then. I’ll make sure you have a good time babe.” He chuckled, his meaning plain as he put his arm around her.

Shrugging it away Lucy glared at him as he took a swig from his bottle of Mythos.

“No thanks, I’d prefer not to.”

“Wassup wiv me then yah stuck up bitch.” He raised his voice angrily, “To good for me are yah.”

He was starting to scare her and she felt the tears ready to fall as she took a step back away from him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jessica slept for nearly two hours, leaving Danny free to read on the terrace, before she woke up in a much better mood and complained she was hungry.

“Not to worry sweetheart, let’s get washed up and dressed then we can go and get something to eat.”

He told his daughter as he picked her up and swept her into the shower.

Once they were clean and dry Danny got Jess ready first, putting her in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt before dressing himself in something similar.

“Are we ready then?” he looked at the excited three-year-old.

Jessica squealed delightedly when he scooped her up and carried her through the door and into the evening. Heading towards the lights in the village he let his daughter walk for a bit but soon relented and picked her up to cover the distance quicker.

“Where we going daddy?” Jessica wanted to know as they got closer to the lights shining in the distance.

“To get some dinner sweetie.”

She considered this for a moment before responding, “Will Lucy be there?”

He looked at his daughter curiously wondering why she would ask about the brunette. Even though she had spent the best part of the day with her Jessica wasn’t one to take to strangers easily.

She obviously liked her.

“I doubt it Jess but we might see her tomorrow, maybe.”

“Ok.” She replied seemingly satisfied.

Just as they came to the first taverna he heard someone shouting.

“Wassup wiv me then yah stuck up bitch.” The raised voice sounded angry, “Too good for me are yah.”

Looking in he saw a rather scared looking Lucy confronted by three lads who all appeared to have had a few drinks already.

Having Jess with him rather limited his options, he could hardly go in aggressively so, quickly making a decision, he rushed into the bar and across to them.

“There you are babe. Sorry it took longer than expected.”

Walking straight up to her he immediately saw the relief in her eyes and kissed her on the cheek.

Playing her part without realising it Jessica immediately held out her arms and squealed with delight, “Lucy!”

Automatically she took the child from her father, wondering what he was going to do as he turned back to the three lads.

“Thanks for keeping her company boys but I’m back now.” The way he said it made it clear he wanted them to go.

“She said she was on her own.” Mark protested and took a step towards him making Lucy nervous for Danny’s safety.

“Well, she’s not now, is she?” putting on his Sergeant’s manner he informed them curtly.

“Yeah well…” the young lad began to argue.

“I don’t think my wife’s really interested in your company.”

He leant towards him lowering his voice to a whisper, “Now piss off before you make me angry.”

It put an end to their harassment and, picking up their beers, the three of them wandered away with Mark still murmuring his complaints to no one in particular.

“Are you ok?” he turned back to Lucy.

“Yes, thank you. They were becoming a little belligerent.” Her eyes were shining as she answered, still holding on to Jessica, “Can… can I buy you a drink. To repay you.”

He grinned at her, his eyes locking with hers for a moment, “There’s nothing to repay but yes, you can buy me a beer for sure.”

Ordering a bottle of Mythos for Danny and a juice for Jessica she decided her evening had just got a whole lot better as they sat round the table.

“Shall I take her back off you?” He held out his arms to his daughter who immediately shook her head and refused to get off of Lucy’s lap.

“Or not.” He laughed, “Are you ok with her?”

“Mmhhmm.” Lucy gave Jess a hug making her giggle.

“Sorry about saying we were married but I wanted to make a point.”

Lucy blushed, a warmth spreading out from her core at his unnecessary apology. The thought of being married to Danny sent a shiver of pure unadulterated pleasure through her body.

Picking up from where they left off that afternoon the conversation just flowed freely as they took their time and finished their drinks.

“Well, we need to get something to eat. We’ve imposed on Lucy enough Jessica we need to go.”

“No, I want Lucy to come to.” His daughter protested, refusing to get off of the brunette’s lap.

“She’s probably got plans.” He looked at the young woman hoping she hadn’t.

“Not really.” Lucy shook her head, “I was just going to get something to eat as well.”

“Come with us. Please Lucy…. please.” Jessica clung to the girl.

“You’d be very welcome.” Danny added.

A broad smile lit up her face, “If you’re really sure you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. Now drink up and we’ll go and eat.”

He grinned happily, swallowing down the last of his beer before getting to his feet.

The three of them left the taverna, Jess happily agreeing to walk between them, holding onto their hands, as they strolled along and searched for somewhere to dine.

Settling on a nearby restaurant that was fairly empty they went in and found themselves a table. No sooner had they sat down than Jessica was up off her seat to look in the large fish tank that decorated the back wall.

“Sorry if she’s being a nuisance.” Danny apologised again, “She can be a bit much sometimes.”

“She’s far from being a nuisance and she’s absolutely adorable.” She turned to gaze at the three-year-old.

“Well, she’s definitely taken to you that’s for sure.” His lopsided grin sent another shiver of pleasure down her spine.

“I’m quite taken with her as well.” She didn’t add that she was also extremely taken with her father.

Far from being the lonely miserable meal she had expected Lucy found the next two hours flew by in the company of Danny and Jess. It was with a sense of reluctance that she walked back to the apartments with him as he carried his daughter, when their meal was finished.

“I hope she wasn’t too much of a bother?” Danny asked as they strolled the short distance back to where they were staying.

“Please stop apologising.” Lucy squeezed Jessica’s hand and got one in return, “She’s just adorable.”

“Not all the time.” He grinned, “She can be a little madam when she wants to be.”

“Well, she was fine today and tonight.”

All too soon the pair of them arrived back at the apartments.

“Well, we’re here.” Lucy declared.

“Yep, I guess I had better get this one to bed.” Danny reluctantly told her.

“Night Jessica.” Lucy leant up to kiss the child on her forehead, enjoying the scent of her father as she did.

“Nigh Luce.” Jess yawned barely able to keep her eyes open.

“Goodnight Danny.”

“Night Lucy. We’ll see you tomorrow maybe?” Danny suggested a little more hopefully than he intended.

“That would be lovely.” She smiled and headed off to her own bed hoping to dream of the gorgeous man she had just had dinner with.