‘Whenever you are ready to talk to him, do it. I’m here.’ Luis kissed her again.
‘Hey,’ said Antonio from the doorway. ‘Some of those worktops are difficult to move, I could do with some help.’
‘Okay, okay.’ Luis gave Alice one more kiss on the top of her head and followed Antonio down to the kitchen.
As Alice began to pull the tiles off she heard their voices drifting into the room.
‘Cosy, you and her,’ said Antonio.
‘Yep,’ grunted Luis. ‘This sink is heavier than I expected. Let’s get it through the doorway into the garden and put it over there.’
‘How long is she staying here for?’
‘I don’t know. Let’s put it here.’ There was a pause. ‘I’ll take it to the hardware shop later. It’s in good shape, should get some money for it.’
‘So she’s a tourist?’
‘Antonio, I think you should listen to yourself.’
‘I know things.’
Luis walked back into the house.
‘She was in the square yesterday afternoon. Drunk or drugged. Knocking things over. Shouting. Marcella was there, she sent me a message.’ Alice could hear the sneer in Antonio’s voice.
‘Instead of telling tales about someone you hardly know, shouldn’t you be thinking about paying off your gambling debts and getting your life sorted out?’ replied Luis. ‘You sound like a twelve-year-old girl.’
Alice stood up, shocked that anyone could be that interested in what she was doing. And angry that they’d decided to gossip about it.
‘I heard all that,’ said Alice as Luis climbed the stairs.
‘Don’t worry about it,’ he said rubbing her back.
‘What on earth are those silly little girls doing spying on me and spreading rumours?’
‘You’ve got it. They are silly girls.’
Alice glanced out of the window at Antonio. ‘And what’s a grown man doing behaving like that for goodness sake?’
‘He has a lot of stress,’ sighed Luis. ‘But that’s no excuse. If it’s any help, he’s like this to a lot of people at the moment, not just you.’
‘Well, I’m going to say something,’ she said, walking towards the door. ‘I’m hardly a drunk or a drug addict, but he and those nitwits have been around on the two occasions I have actually relaxed and let my hair down just a bit. And they won’t even let me have that.’ Fury and frustration took hold of her and she had to fight away tears again.
Luis grabbed her gently. ‘Don’t. You don’t need to get involved with this. For me. Please.’
Alice looked out the window at Antonio. ‘Well, for you. Just for you.’
Luis smiled, obviously relieved. ‘Well,’ he said. ‘Big day for you tomorrow. Picking up your pictures to deliver for sale.’
Alice prised another tile off the wall and forced a grin. ‘Yes, that’s me. An artist.’
‘Luis! Help me with this!’ shouted Antonio from downstairs again.
Luis sighed, then blew Alice a kiss. ‘Here I go again,’ he said, backing out of the room and smiling until he turned and walked down the stairs.
She looked at the wall and her mind drifted back to the last time she was chipping at an old tile stuck fast to the bathroom wall of her house. A pang of guilt guided her hand to her bag to look for her phone. She sat on the floor and clicked onto the photographs she had taken the day she left. The living room looked warm and inviting and safe. In her mind’s eye she saw Adam standing on a ladder just after they had moved in – he was painting the ceiling in broad, clumsy strokes with a roller which was dripping onto the wooden floor instead of the dust covers. She had giggled. ‘Careful you’re putting more paint under the ceiling rather than on it!’ He had looked at her menacingly and pretended to tip the paint bucket over. ‘I’ll paint you in a minute,’ he’d said. And then he’d laughed. Alice leaned against the wall and felt empty. It felt like another life that had happened to someone else. Because the man she had been with for so many years couldn’t really be trying to take the thing she loved the most to give it to someone else, could he?
Well, sadly yes. Yes, he could.
‘Concentrate on the good stuff. Concentrate …’ Alice stood on the balcony and stretched her arms wide. Closing her eyes she breathed in the warm, fresh air and smiled.
‘Is that the sweet gentle aroma of jasmine?’ she said to herself. ‘And can I hear the gentle rustle of the trees swaying in the breeze? Yes, I believe I can.’
Aphrodite brushed around her feet, purring. This is nice, Alice thought, picking her up and stroking her ears. ‘I am an actual artist,’ she said. Aphrodite nuzzled her head into Alice’s arm. ‘I thought you’d be impressed.’ Closing the shutters, Alice put on her sandals, picked up her bag and opened the door. Although, said the voice in her head. Don’t forget Adam and his girlfriend with the moustache.
‘Focus, focus,’ muttered Alice out loud. ‘What do I have to do today? Pick up the prints. Bring them back here. Sort them out, and then deliver them.’
He could find out where you are, you know? It’s not that difficult, said the voice.
‘Think I’ll get a cab back with them. I’ll text Ignacio.’
You can’t hide forever.
‘I think I’ll get him to take me back into town afterwards, too, to deliver them. Precious cargo after all.’
And now you’ve got Antonio and those girls talking about you for some reason.
‘Wonder if Kathy is feeling better. Maybe she can meet me on the last delivery and we can celebrate.’
You’ve got to do something. It’s not going to just go away.
‘Bugger off!’ shouted Alice. And she slammed the door behind her.
How do I get rid of all that negative energy in the apartment? she thought, pressing the button for the lift. Or is it negative energy in my head? She took out her phone and called Kathy. ‘Hi. It’s the big day today. Do you want to come and help? We can celebrate afterwards … well, you do sound terrible … is it a sickness thing? … have you been to the doctor? … no, you really should go … I felt a bit wobbly but I put it down to a mixture of tea and wine! I was okay within twenty-four hours. Are you sure you’re up to it? Okay, I’ll see you there.’ She put the phone back into her bag. ‘Don’t you even dare,’ she said to the voice in her head as she walked through the foyer towards the doors. ‘I’m going to the printers to collect my photographs, so just leave me alone.’
As Alice walked down to the harbour and through the town, she could feel herself smiling. She had taken a small step towards something new, and it felt exciting. Turning the corner to the shop, she saw Luis standing in the doorway.
‘Surprise!’ he said, gathering Alice up in his arms. ‘I thought as it’s such a big day, we – that is myself and my dog – should be here outside the printers to mark it.’ Elvis barked and jumped up at Alice excitedly.
‘What a lovely idea.’ Alice smiled. ‘That’s so sweet.’
‘And …’ Luis presented a large pair of scissors to her.
‘Oh, that’s useful … thanks!’
‘Go on,’ he said, winking. ‘Go in.’
Set down in front of the counter were two boxes full of her prints. In front of it were two wooden chairs one foot apart linked by a bright pink ribbon tied in a bow. The manager stood behind the counter smiling widely and turned on some music.
‘Is that Wagner he’s playing?’ asked Alice quietly.
‘It’s to give a sense of occasion. Now go on.’ Luis laughed.
‘I now pronounce that I Alice Dorothy Matthews am officially an actual artist.’ Cutting the ribbon to enthusiastic applause from Luis and the manager, Alice paused, suddenly overwhelmed with emotions that felt as if they had been bottled up for years: happiness, sadness, joy, fear, pain, love. Love? Tears arrived out of nowhere and poured down her face.
‘What’s the matter?’ asked Luis. ‘I thought you’d be happy.’
‘I am,’ said Alice ‘I am so happy, thi
s is the kindest thing … really this is.’ She buried her head into his shirt and sobbed. ‘I never thought,’ she gulped. ‘I’d given up hope that this could—’
‘It’s okay,’ said Luis softly, stroking her hair.
‘I’m so happy,’ she muttered into his chest. ‘But I’ve got your shirt wet.’
‘Madam,’ the manager was next to her, holding a handkerchief. ‘Please, do not cry.’
She turned her head towards him, eyes bloodshot, nose red. ‘Thank you so much for doing this.’
‘Alice. What’s wrong?’ Kathy was standing in the doorway, leaning limply on Stephano.
‘Luis and the manager tied a ribbon to the chairs and I cut it with scissors like I was the Queen,’ she said, quietly.
‘Oh, what a lovely thing to do,’ said Kathy.
Alice pulled herself away from Luis and looked properly at her friend. ‘Oh my God, you look terrible.’
‘Thank you. Believe me, I looked a lot worse half an hour ago,’ sighed Kathy.
‘What the hell was in Mary’s tea?’ muttered Stephano.
‘Stephano will drive us back to yours with your prints,’ said Kathy faintly. ‘Sorry, I didn’t know you’d be here, Luis.’
‘It’s okay. I have to go to see my solicitor – in ten minutes. Kathy, they’re right, you look terrible.’
‘You need to see a doctor,’ said Alice firmly.
‘I will, I will. If it’s no better tomorrow.’
‘I have to go,’ said Luis. ‘Good luck today. Do you want to come to the house tomorrow? I’ll be pulling up the floor.’
‘You old romantic,’ said Kathy.
‘I will if it’s just you and me,’ said Alice.
‘It’s just us tomorrow. And Elvis, of course.’
‘How could I say no? Ate amanha … that’s tomorrow isn’t it?’
‘And almost fluent in Portuguese, too.’ Luis laughed, kissing her. ‘I’ll text when I’m on my way. Adieus.’
Sitting on the floor of the apartment, legs crossed, Alice began to sort through the boxes of prints.
‘Look at you,’ said Kathy, munching through breadsticks that Stephano was handing to her one after the other from a large box. ‘Totally engrossed in what you’re doing.’
‘Well, it’s my job. It’s my actual job. You look a lot better.’
‘I feel better thanks. Think the worst is over.’
‘Ordinary tea from now on, I feel.’
‘Yes, probably best to put Mary’s on the back burner until she returns.’
‘Pity.’
‘They look great,’ said Stephano. ‘Excellent. And that one ... may I?’
‘Which one?’
‘The one with the flowers in the wood.’
‘Ah, the one at Sintra.’ Alice handed it to him.
‘The colours are beautiful,’ he said.
‘Thank you. That was the first time Luis took me out to photograph things. We had a picnic. I’m going to do a painted version, too. I love the colours so much. And look …’ Alice stood up and walked into the spare bedroom. ‘My painting of the pool,’ she said, ‘I’ve displayed it on the dressing table.’
‘Wow! That’s fantastic. I’m so proud of you.’
Stephano picked up his car keys from the table. ‘Sorry ladies, but I have to go. Meeting with a client. Well done, Alice.’ He kissed her on the cheek.
‘Thank you,’ she said, glowing inside.
‘Okay, well I’ve got to go too,’ said Kathy. ‘I’m feeling a bit better, so I can do my late shift at work. How are you going to get the photos to the craft shops?’
‘I’ll get a cab. I’ll call Ignacio, see if he can do it.’
‘Great. Well, see you in a couple of days. And don’t forget. We must sort out your birthday celebrations. Only just over three weeks to go.’
‘Oh God. Do we have to?’
‘You are not hiding. It’s your birthday. It’s going to be good. And you may need to buy another packet of breadsticks. I seem to have finished the box.’
As Alice saw Kathy out, she heard her phone ring then stop. Walking to the table, she took it out of her bag and looked at the number. She didn’t recognise it. Thinking it was a wrong number she put it down, but then it buzzed again, with a voicemail. Puzzled, she started to listen.
‘I knew you’d block my number, so I thought I’d try again with another one.’
Alice felt sick again. It was Adam. His voice was calm and measured, but the words were like knives.
‘Alice, we can sort this out amicably. I know you’re attached to that house like it was a person, but my dear, I don’t know how you’re managing now you’ve been made redundant. I mean, the pennies must be reducing every day you’re not working. What are you using to pay the mortgage and the bills? It’s in both our interests to sell. Now come on, you don’t want to lose everything in a fight with me, do you? I remember how you used to talk about how you were evicted when you were a girl. Don’t want to go back there, do you? Unblock my number and give me a call.’
She threw the phone on the sofa and stared at it, her heart pumping. This time she wasn’t floored, she was angry. He knew exactly what to say, and he knew what she would do next. She hated herself almost as much as she hated him as she picked up a pen and pad, grabbed her phone and logged onto her bank account.
There it was, the proof that she hadn’t been paid for six weeks. She knew it, and she’d planned it, but seeing the gap on the fifteenth where her salary should have been still made her panic. She scrolled down to the beginning of the previous month and carefully made a note of her outgoings and added them up. Then she double-checked how much money she had put in for the next couple of months from her redundancy package. Her breathing began to steady as she also checked the email confirming how much her redundancy was. Plenty, she thought, plenty more for at least ten months. But not much more. Not forever. Her heart rate picked up again. She knew at that moment she had to do something to make her feel she wasn’t just floating. She had to feel some forward momentum. So, she found the contact details of an ex-colleague who had set up a consultancy, took a deep breath, and sent her an e-mail asking if she had any work going.
Alice felt sick, because at the moment the e-mail was sent, she knew with absolute clarity that she didn’t want that life any more. But she also understood that financial security was what had kept her sane for the past few years. And the cocoon of the house.
She stood up and closed the shutters to the balcony. Alice despised Adam more than ever at that moment, because he knew how to push those weak, sad buttons. Then Aphrodite knocked one of her photos onto the floor, and as Alice picked it up, she gritted her teeth, and almost physically pushed away those past ten panicked minutes. He wasn’t going to ruin this, and she wouldn’t let him bully her. Slowly packing the prints she needed to deliver, she finally strode out of the apartment to Ignacio’s waiting cab, feeling determined.
Ignacio stopped his car outside the shop in the marina.
Alice didn’t move. This was it, a step forward, away from Adam. But what if no-one wanted to buy anything? she wondered. How would she feel?
‘Do you want me to help you with the box of prints?’
But how would she feel if someone did buy one of her prints?
‘Alice?’
She glanced out of the window and saw a couple walk through the door; her eyes followed them as they stood pointing and talking about one of the pictures on the wall.
Ignacio sighed and got out of the car. He opened the boot and took one of the boxes.
Opening her door he held the box in front of her. ‘Alice,’ he said. ‘This is a very good thing, isn’t it?’
She smiled and relaxed. ‘This is what I’ve wanted all my life, Ignacio,’ she said.
‘Well, it’s time to have your dream come true,’ he said.
‘At least I will have tried,’ she said, stepping out and taking the box.
‘And you will succeed,’ said Ignacio. �
�Now I think you should go in.’
Alice took a deep breath, smiled and strode towards Farrah.
‘Alice! How are you?’ she said. ‘Thank you for these.’
Alice handed over the prints. ‘I’m fine. Very excited to be honest’
‘I’m glad. That shows passion and commitment.’
The couple waved at Farrah to get her attention.
‘I have to go,’ said Farrah. ‘I’ll be in touch.’
‘Lovely,’ said Alice and walked out to Ignacio who was standing by the car.
‘First one done!’ she said.
‘Congratulations!’ He laughed. ‘And now to the next one?’
In her mind’s eye, Alice saw herself sticking two fingers up at Adam, and she smiled.
Chapter Thirteen
‘I forgot to show you the plans for the house. I got sent them last week.’ Luis sat on the terrace step and spread out the paper whilst Elvis lay down in the shade. ‘I want it to be light and airy. Not all dark wood and shade like it is now. That’s how they built them years ago. I know it’s like that to keep you cool from the sun and the heat, but we can just pull the shutters closed and that would do the trick.’
‘So you are building a terrace on the first floor?’ asked Alice.
‘Yes, just at the front. It will be beautiful. We are going to have to do some structural changes on the ground floor and build pillars, creating a terrace on the ground floor too.’
‘Ah, if you’re in that bedroom, you can waft out and gaze at the sea. Or the mountains.’
Luis smiled at her. ‘Wafting … that was top of my list.’
‘I do like to waft out onto the balcony at home, I mean at Mary and Frank’s home … you know what I mean.’
‘Yes. And I know you do …’
‘This is very exciting. I did a lot to my house in London. But it was more organic, really. One room at a time, then deciding how to decorate it. Although my step-father is a builder, and he has done a few renovations. I used to like helping him out when I was younger. I couldn’t do much, but I loved seeing how everything changed.’
‘So you are an expert,’ said Luis, rubbing her back gently.
‘Well, I can paint, and stencil, and bring a wooden floor back to life.’
The House That Alice Built Page 15