Page 45 of Sun, Sea and Spotted Squid

Typical that he’d been drawn to the forbidden fruit rather than a nice, available guy.

“I cannot thank you all enough for the hard work and dedication you have shown to our aquarium. We will not forget you and we beg you to come to Valencia again one day.”

He stared directly at Sam when he said this. Wolfgang regarded Sam with interest. If he was jealous, then good.

“The other tutors and I have put together your own special photobook of your time with us. We hope you will take this with our love and that you will never forget your Valencian summer. There is no need for you to finish the day. You are all free to go.”

The other milled to the front whilst Sam stayed put. He’d let them subside before getting his book.

“Are you heading home?” Wolfgang asked.

“I think I’ll have a wander on my own, if that’s okay.”

He winked. “I’ll be waiting.”

Wolfgang followed the others out of the room, leaving Ruben and Sam alone. He approached the table to pick up his book.

“This is very thoughtful,” Sam said. “Thank you.”

“You are most welcome,” Ruben replied with his usual cheerful demeanour. How did he stay so upbeat all the time?

“And thank you for everything you’ve done for me. It really is appreciated.”

“Sam. You haven’t had the easiest time. I don’t know what has gone on but I am not a fool. If you ever wish to work here again, please remember there is a place for you.”

As usual the Ruben effect had the tears welling up inside Sam. He had certainly become a cry-baby in Spain. His friends at home would find it hilarious.

“Thank you, Ruben. You never know, do you?”

He grinned. “No. You don’t.”

The park had the usual commotion about it with people buzzing around doing their own thing. Sam sat on a bench like a rock in furious water rapids. He wanted to take it all in one last time. It was hard to believe it had only been eight weeks since they had discovered this place as they dashed excitedly toward the aquarium.

He retrieved the photobook out of his rucksack and flipped through. Pictures of him and Wolfgang on the boat dominated the book. Miguel had been snapping away with his phone. Sam had presumed it had been for their records. When he got to the end, there lay a picture of the squid Ruben and he had caught. It now lived with a couple of mates in the aquarium and had settled in very nicely.

They had spent the last two weeks gathering more from the rocky outcrops. It brought Sam such joy that the squid community was growing beautifully down there.

He sat and watched the people of Valencia. They would be doing this tomorrow and the day after and the day after that. Sam would be miles away. Probably nursing a broken heart and driving his mother crazy. Before then, he had a final night to experience.

With an air of finality, he snapped the book shut and set off toward the steps leading up to the old town.

When he got home, the others were all joking across the landing as they packed with their doors open. Sam ignored them and went straight upstairs. They weren’t part of his future. The closer he got to that flight, the less he cared.

His focus lay elsewhere.

Let them go to their stupid meal. We can make as much noise as we like then.

He might even cook something. There were a few scraps left in the fridge to rustle up a decent meal if need be.

When he got into his room, he immediately frowned. A note and a rose sat on his pillow.

He tore open the envelope.

S. Meet me in the square by the cathedral at 4. W x

What did he have planned. Sam went across to Wolfie’s room and stuck his head around the door. It sat empty save for a suitcase on the bed.

“He’s so organised,” Sam said to himself.