‘What I need,’ Angie said, ‘is a good holiday.’
Sophie nodded. ‘Me too! The weather’s been appalling, hasn’t it? I don’t know what’s happened to spring but I feel like we’ve been in the depths of winter for decades.’
‘Have you booked anything for the summer yet?’
‘Not yet, I’m usually more organised but time has got away with me a bit this year.’ Sophie looked at her and said tentatively, ‘Would you fancy doing something together maybe? We could get a big villa or a couple of apartments next to each other?’
Angie considered the prospect. They often went away with Simon and Alex in the summer holidays but she hadn’t spoken to Alex in weeks and she had a feeling that she was being phased out. She couldn’t blame her; she had made little effort with their friendship this year. What with everything else, she just hadn’t had the bandwidth and a couple of Alex’s messages had gone unanswered. She thought of her old Greenwich gang, of their weekend barbecues, park playdates and mum nights out. It all seemed like a distant memory now. She looked at Sophie and smiled.
‘That would be wonderful!’ she said. ‘Perhaps we could do some research after the party? I’m thinking Greece, I’m thinking tavernas, I’m thinking beaches.’
‘I’m thinking yes.’
As Angie started getting plates and cutlery out of Sophie’s kitchen cupboards, she realised that she was feeling better already. Perhaps that was all she needed after all, something to look forward to after a long winter. A change of scene, a few weeks off work, good company and a chance to recharge the batteries. She’d been overthinking things and her brain just needed a break. Yes, she thought in anticipation, the winter months were always a slog but with the prospect of summer, she was feeling optimistic again.
‘Indie’s bringing her boyfriend to the party today by the way,’ she told Sophie conspiratorially as she wrapped knives and forks in napkins.
‘Oooh, what’s he like?’
‘Sullen and evidently incapable of conversation. But she seems to adore him.’
‘I can’t believe she has a boyfriend. When Katie gets her first boyfriend Alan is going to lose the plot. How’s Jack about it?’
‘Oh he’s fine, he’s pretty laid-back about things like that.’
‘Do you remember your first boyfriend?’
Angie thought back and smiled wistfully at the memory. ‘His name was Peter Banks and he went to the boys’ school down the road. We went out for two weeks, after which time I left him for an older man. And by older man, I mean the school year above me, which was incredibly exotic. I must have been thirteen or fourteen. How about you?’
‘I was seventeen – a bit of a late bloomer really. His name was Callum Brody and I’d known him since primary school. It’s funny how you always remember the full names of people from your childhood, isn’t it? Anyway, we went out for two years and then I moved away to go to journalism college and we drifted apart. I’m still friends with him on Facebook, though.’
‘Do you ever think he’s the one that got away?’ Angie asked teasingly.
‘Erm, no. Let’s just say time hasn’t been kind to him from the looks of his profile picture.’
Angie, absorbed in the conversation, admitted: ‘I thought Jack was the one that got away.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘Well, I was mad about him from the minute I met him, back when we were students, but I refused to admit it to him or to myself. I thought that it would be unrequited love. And in any case, he was what can only be described as a Lothario back then. So I started going out with a different boy instead and tried to forget all about him. After we graduated, I thought about him from time to time and wondered if things would have been different if I’d told him how I felt.’
‘Wow! Do you think it was fate that brought you together then, all those years later?’
‘I don’t really believe in fate. Just sheer bloody coincidence I’d say.’
‘And look at you now! Happily married with four amazing children. I’d call that fate.’
Angie smiled, enjoying seeing her marriage through the eyes of her neighbour. ‘Yes,’ she agreed. ‘Maybe you’re right. Anyway, enough talk about boys, we’ve got an Easter party to get ready. Where’s that cake stand?’
12
Sophie stretched back on the sun lounger and sighed happily. She was in heaven. Why hadn’t they gone on holiday with friends before? The children were having so much fun together that she’d actually had time to read an entire book and sunbathe without constant interruptions: declarations of boredom, tiredness or hunger. It was bliss. She looked up as Jack emerged from the villa, carrying a bottle of beer in each hand. The glass was so cold that she could see the condensation running down it and her mouth watered in anticipation of the first taste.
Behind the protection of her sunglasses, she took the opportunity to have a sneaky glance at Jack. It was of little surprise that he looked ridiculously attractive in swimming trunks, paired with designer aviator shades, and she relished the view for a moment.
‘Beer?’ he asked, offering one to her.
‘Yes please,’ she said, sitting up to take the bottle from him and feeling immediately self-conscious in her swimming costume in such proximity to Jack. She knew she didn’t have a bad figure but compared to Angie she still felt like a frump.
‘Where are Angie and Alan?’ she asked.
‘They’ve gone to the supermarket to stock up on beer and snacks.’
‘And the kids?’
‘Playing cards inside.’
Jack got on the sun lounger next to her and they lay in companionable silence. They were staying in a villa on Kefalonia that Angie had found. Trust Angie to discover something a bit special, off the beaten track. Sophie would have just booked something through a big tour operator and be done with it, but Angie had spent hours poring over the internet and making enquiries. And the result was pretty spectacular.
The six-bedroom property, with its blue shutters and whitewashed walls, was plenty big enough for them all, with the four younger children sharing two rooms and Indie and Benji having their own. The villa was nestled on the side of a hill overlooking the sea, three miles away from civilisation. From the beautifully manicured garden, with its own private pool, you could see for miles. In the heat of the midday sun, a pergola covered in vine leaves offered the perfect shade to sit outside and eat lunch with a cold glass of wine. Most of the time everyone had been content to spend the day at the villa. They’d taken a couple of trips to the nearest town to go to the beach, have a meal, browse the little shops and buy an ice cream. Sophie had never seen Alan looking so relaxed and couldn’t remember ever having had a better holiday herself either.
But they only had one night left in paradise before they had to fly back home to rainy London. The Taylors, however, were hopping onto a ferry to spend ten days on another Greek island and Sophie was yearning to go with them. But Alan needed to get back to work and there was no way they’d be able to afford it. The villa had been eye-wateringly expensive, and Sophie had baulked at the price when Angie had first told her. Perhaps sensing her shock, Angie had immediately offered to pay extra.
‘We’ve got four children, you’ve only got two,’ she said. ‘We’ll be taking up more of the bedrooms and eating far more of the food. Let us chip in a little extra.’
Sophie had been too embarrassed to accept but Alan had no such qualms. ‘She’s right, though, isn’t she,’ he said. ‘There’s more of them. Anyway, they can afford it.’
But Sophie, feeling too proud, had stood firm and in the end they’d split the cost, with the agreement that Jack and Angie would put more into the food, drink and taxi kitty. She suspected that they kept sneaking extra cash into the kitty when she wasn’t looking but she was far too relaxed to care anymore. Now she had one glorious day left to enjoy before they had to pack up and return to reality and she was going to enjoy every last second of it.
‘Fancy a dip?’ Jack
asked.
‘Sure.’ She started to peel herself off the sunbed. ‘Last one in’s making dinner!’
She dived into the pool and as her body hit the ice-cold water she felt a glorious rush of adrenaline. She swam the length of the pool, enjoying the sensation of being underwater, until her throat started burning and she returned to the surface. When she looked up, Jack was also in the water, watching her.
‘You’re a good swimmer,’ he commented.
‘Under-sixteens county champion,’ she announced proudly.
‘Well, you’ve still got it, Brennan.’
‘Why thank you,’ she replied with a grin. He swam towards her and she splashed him playfully.
‘Oi.’ He laughed, splashing her back. Soon they were splashing each other furiously, giggling like children. He grabbed her leg and pulled her underwater with him and as they floated underneath the surface, she saw him move towards her, as if he was about to reach for her, and she panicked and launched herself up to the surface. She quickly swam to the side of the pool, pulled herself out and towelled herself dry before putting her sundress back on.
‘I’d better go and check on the kids,’ she said.
‘Okay doke,’ Jack replied, as he climbed onto a pink lilo that was drifting past him and started to float along on his back. ‘Bring us another beer on your way back out, will you?’
It was as if nothing had happened. But, had anything happened? She was so confused. For a moment she had thought that Jack was going to kiss her but now that seemed ludicrous. It’s all in my head, she told herself. She was just silly and giddy on sun and afternoon beer and she needed to get over herself. Jack would never do anything like that. He was playful, for sure, perhaps a bit flirty from time to time, but he was harmless. And she would never do anything like that to Alan anyway. So why was she feeling so guilty all of a sudden?
She felt the rush of cold air as she let herself into the air-conditioned villa and saw the kids still playing cards and making their way through a family-sized bag of crisps. She watched them for a while and then she heard the front door open and Alan and Angie returned with bags of supplies. She went over to help them unpack and a few minutes later Jack came inside, still in his swimming trunks, and put his arms around Angie.
‘Get off, you’re soaking wet,’ she said with a half-laugh, pulling away from him.
‘I can’t resist,’ Jack said.
‘I mean it, Jack, this dress is dry-clean only!’
‘Take it off then.’ He started pulling the strap of Angie’s dress down.
Sophie and Alan caught each other’s eye.
But Angie just pushed him off and sent him back outside. ‘You’ve met Holiday Jack then,’ she said.
‘Holiday Jack?’ Sophie asked.
‘Yes, Holiday Jack forgets who he is and acts like he’s on some sort of eighteen to thirties holiday in Kavos. He often makes guest appearances on our summer jaunts. Ignore him, he’s harmless.’
Angie sounded flippant but Sophie’s cheeks burned. It was as though Angie was talking directly to her and she felt another rush of guilt about what had happened in the pool. Was Angie giving her a warning or was she simply trying to justify Jack’s behaviour in the kitchen? And while she sounded light-hearted, was there something more serious behind her tone?
She didn’t know but she wanted to find out. ‘Angie, do you fancy going for a sunset walk?’ she asked.
‘Sounds romantic,’ Angie replied.
‘Well you’re dressed for it. Alan, are you and Jack okay to hold the fort for an hour or so?’
‘Of course,’ he said. ‘I’ve already promised to referee a game of water polo.’
‘Come on then,’ Sophie said. Angie nodded, wiped her hands on a tea towel and started following Sophie towards the front door. As they were about to open it, Indie barged through it from the outside, her face like thunder.
‘Indie what’s the matter?’ Angie asked.
Indie scowled in response and marched up the stairs, slamming the door.
Angie looked at Sophie apologetically. ‘I’d better see what that’s all about. Most likely she’s been on the phone with her boyfriend and they’ve had a row. Rain check on that walk?’
‘Of course,’ Sophie said, although she was disappointed. She watched Angie make her way up the stairs and considered what to do with herself. From outside she could hear the children splashing and shrieking in delight and occasional shouts from Jack and Alan, who were supervising. Sod it, she thought, I’m going out anyway.
She pulled on her trainers and let herself out of the house, making her way down the track and starting her ascent of the hill. As she navigated the rough terrain, climbing higher and higher and sweating under the glare of the late afternoon sun, she felt a rush of pleasure from the exertion and remembered how much she used to love swimming and the sheer physical effort of pushing herself to the limit. She tried to remember now why she’d stopped. It had all got a bit too much, the early morning starts, the constant training, and when she’d left home to go to journalism school, that part of her life had faded into her past like a distant memory.
She perched on a large, flat rock for a while, watching the sun dip down into the sea, and saw things with a clarity that she hadn’t felt in a long time. How long had she just been gliding through life, in her comfort zone, stuck in the mundanity of the day-to-day? When had she last challenged herself? When I get back from this holiday things are going to change, she told herself. No more plodding along, waiting for life to happen. It was time to seize it with both hands. She wasn’t sure what that meant yet, but she was going to find out. With a renewed purpose, she jumped off the rock and made her way back to the villa.
She knew from the minute she got back that something wasn’t right. The room’s atmosphere was thick and everyone seemed subdued, even the children.
She sidled up to Alan. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked him quietly.
‘Indie and Angie have had some sort of blazing row,’ he replied.
‘So why is everyone else looking like Christmas has been cancelled?’
‘Apparently this is the effect that Indie has when she’s in one of her moods.’
‘Oh dear, I’d better go and find Angie,’ Sophie said, leaving her husband to hide out in the kitchen and making her way outside to look for her. She quickly spotted her sitting by the side of the pool, her long, slim legs dangling in the water.
‘I hear World War Three has broken out,’ she said, sitting down next to Angie, but she didn’t reply. ‘Everything okay, Ange?’
‘Yes, fine.’ Angie’s stock response to everything.
‘Was it a row with the boyfriend?’ Sophie asked.
‘Something like that.’
Sophie imagined that Indie’s temper tantrums could be incredibly wearing on her mother and tried to think of something reassuring to say. ‘Don’t take it personally. She’s going through puberty. She’s confused and angry, but she’ll grow out of it.’
Angie stared forlornly at the water. ‘Well she’s ruined the last night of the holiday.’
‘Don’t be daft,’ Sophie said, surprised by Angie’s melancholy. ‘If Indie wants to sulk, that’s her prerogative. But the rest of us are going to have fun. I’ll light the barbecue; you get the wine.’
As she stood up to leave, Angie reached out and grabbed her hand. ‘I adore you, Sophie, you know that, don’t you?’
‘Yes of course,’ Sophie said, smiling down at her. ‘As I adore you.’
‘Was everything okay with you and Jack? While Alan and I were at the supermarket?’
Sophie felt uneasy again. ‘Yes of course, absolutely fine.’
‘What did you do?’
‘We sunbathed, had a swim, nothing special. Why do you ask?’
‘No reason,’ Angie said, turning away. ‘Forget it.’
Sophie went back inside to get the matches, Angie’s words echoing around her head. What was going on? Was Angie really suspicious of her an
d Jack or was Sophie just reading too much into it? She looked over at Jack, who was in the kitchen marinating some meat, a cocktail on the counter next to him, humming away to himself. He must have sensed her gaze because he looked up and gave her a wink. She smiled back at him, perplexed. She had a strange feeling that she was getting involved in something she hadn’t planned.
‘Want me to fix you a cocktail, Brennan?’ Jack asked her.
‘Of course she does,’ came a voice from behind her, ‘and while you’re at it, one for me too please.’ Angie appeared at Sophie’s side and put an arm around her. ‘Sophie and I are going outside to take our drinks on the patio. You and Alan are in charge of dinner.’
And with that, she gently guided Sophie out of the villa, chatting away easily about the incredible olives she’d found in the supermarket, as though the entire conversation they’d had by the pool hadn’t happened. And Sophie, relieved to see Angie back to her old self again, relaxed. They sat down on rattan chairs, sampling olives, sipping cocktails and watching the children play hide and seek in the garden, and she tried to push all thoughts of Angie and Jack’s behaviour and her own mixed feelings to the back of her mind and enjoy their last night together.
By the following morning, Indie had emerged and was sunbathing by the pool, reading a magazine and eating a cheese sandwich, as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
‘Glad to see Indie’s feeling better,’ Sophie whispered.
‘Yes, she’s calmed down now, thank goodness,’ Angie said. She gave Sophie a tight hug. ‘I can’t believe you’re going home today. I’ll miss you.’
‘I’ll miss you too,’ Sophie said. ‘But you’ll be back home before you know it, so just enjoy the rest of your holiday and think of us bored at home in Finchley.’
She heard their taxi pull up and they all piled in and waved out of the window as it drove away from the villa. In the distance she could see the Taylors standing side by side, waving back. She watched them until the car turned a corner and they all disappeared. Tom and Katie, distraught about being parted from their friends, both started sobbing simultaneously and Sophie, who was sitting between them in the back seat, put a comforting arm around them both.
The Woman Next Door Page 11