Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

by Jill Steeples

  ‘Oh really. The girl in the café? Is she one of the people you’re helping?’

  ‘Yes, Natalie. She’s a fashion designer. She’s incredibly creative and talented.’ I was very relieved he didn’t mention her beauty. ‘She’s setting up a small unit on the seafront. T-shirts, beachwear, that kind of thing. I thought, maybe, some of your jewellery might be able to complement her range, but …’

  ‘No … it’s not going to happen.’ I gave a wry grin. I felt deflated, as if I’d somehow let Dave down. I almost wished I was a jewellery designer now.

  ‘So, if you didn’t come here for work, what did you come here for?’

  ‘Oh, I …’ For a brief moment I considered coming up with another half-baked lie, but what was the point. Dave was going home today and soon I would just be a distant memory – that mad dippy woman he’d met at the seaside who pretended to be a Greek goddess. It would make for great dinner-party chat.

  ‘Honestly?’ I said, before my nerve deserted me. ‘I ran away. Just for a few days. I’m meant to be getting married on Saturday and I just found out my fiancé has been cheating on me.’

  Dave winced, chewing on the inside of his lip.

  ‘Oh, Perce, that sucks. I’m really sorry to hear that. What an arsehole, eh?’

  I laughed, appreciating Dave’s concise summing-up of Ed’s character.

  ‘Yeah, well, I guess these things happen. And better to find out now, I reckon, than after the wedding.’ It was what everyone had told me. If I said it enough times, I might just start to believe it.

  ‘Ah, and the trip to the Maldives is your honeymoon, I’m guessing.’

  ‘Yep.’

  ‘Well, if it’s any consolation I think the guy must be a complete idiot. As well as an arsehole.’

  ‘Thanks, it does help a bit. What about you? What you told me about your wife, is that true? Please don’t tell me you’re really happily married with four kids. It might just tip me over the edge based on my current predicament.’

  ‘No.’ He laughed and laid a hand on mine. ‘That part was all true. In fact, I’m officially divorced as of today. No kids.’

  That was the best bit of news I’d received all week. I looked around the bar, which was beginning to fill up, mainly with couples enjoying pre-dinner cocktails. My jeans and hoodie ensemble was looking more out of place by the moment.

  ‘So, I’m pleased to hear you’re not here alone. It must be good to have your friend with you – Sophie, was it? – at a time like this.’

  ‘Oh well, she’s not actually been staying with me, she’s just turned up today.’ I felt my skin prickle with embarrassment. ‘The thing is she’s actually the girl who’s been sleeping with Ed. She is officially meant to be my best friend, but I think I can safely say she’s now been stripped of that title. They’ve all just turned up here this afternoon.. Ed, my ex; Sophie and my other friend, Ben. I think they thought I might do something stupid.’ I gave a small laugh. ‘But even I’m not that stupid.’

  ‘So let me get this right. Your flatmate has been having an affair with your fiancé.’

  ‘Yep.’

  ‘Double ouch,’ said Dave.

  The funny thing was the more I spoke about it, and it seemed I’d spent the whole week talking about nothing else, the more its ability to hurt me with such a shocking ferocity, as it had when I’d first found out, was diminished. It had happened, but I had nothing to feel ashamed about. I was still standing, as Elton would say. Better, more intelligent, more gorgeous, bubblier and thinner people than me had been cheated on. Sadly, I was just one of a not-so-exclusive club.

  ‘So your fiancé is here? Have you spoken to him?’

  ‘That’s the thing: I don’t know if he is still my fiancé. And no I haven’t spoken to him. I didn’t want to at first. I just wanted to put as much distance between us as I could. But now I know I need to. There’s so much we have to sort out.’

  ‘I bet.’ Dave shook his head as if he couldn’t quite believe what I’d told him. ‘And so the wedding’s definitely off?’

  I sighed inwardly.

  ‘I don’t know. Well, we’ll have to see. I really need to talk to him first.’

  For some reason I felt disloyal talking to Dave about another man, even if that man was supposed to be the man I was going to marry.

  ‘It’s just …’ My voice trailed away and Dave gave me a reassuring nod, as if he knew exactly how I was feeling, which was lovely because I didn’t have a clue what I was talking about. Reading that diary had changed everything in my life. Our whole relationship wiped out in a second. I mean, what was there to possibly think about? But talking to Ben and Sophie had planted a seed of doubt in my stomach. Was it possible that I’d over-reacted? Was I being unreasonable in not giving Ed the chance to tell his side of the story? Was I wrecking my whole chance of happiness by not giving Ed a second chance?

  ‘I’m sorry I’m holding you up here, aren’t I? Why don’t you go? It sounds as though you’ve got plenty you need to sort out. I just wanted to come and say hello. And goodbye. And we’ve done that now. Look,’ he delved into his pocket and pulled out a business card, ‘this has got my personal number on it. When the dust has settled a bit and you’re back in London, give me a call and we can meet for a drink. If you’re married by then, bring along your husband! It would be good to catch up.’

  I felt my face fall and a ball of disappointment swell in my chest. I didn’t want to leave, not now, not when I could be sitting here drinking champagne with Dave, although I’d noticed I’d been doing much more of the drinking than Dave. I think I was on my third glass, or possibly my fourth, it was hard to tell. As soon as I took more than a couple of mouthfuls my glass was miraculously refilled by the attentive waiters.

  The thought of seeing Dave again in London filled me with excitement but there was no way I could imagine having Ed in tow. This sweet and lovely relationship I had with Dave was one I didn’t want to share with anyone, especially not Ed.

  I turned the card over in my hand, still not quite believing I’d somehow managed to get hold of Alexander Fischer’s private number. Dave’s, yes. But this Alexander guy? My head was struggling to believe that the man sitting opposite me was the hugely successful and extremely wealthy telecommunications guru who headed up Fischer Industries.

  ‘I’d like that,’ I said. ‘But do you have to go now?’ I asked, unsure where my sudden surge of boldness had come from, only knowing that I didn’t want him to leave just yet.

  He smiled, his eyes creasing with affection.

  ‘No, not if you don’t want me to. I just thought…’ He shrugged and held his hands up to the air, as if he was done with too much thinking. ‘I tell you what, how do you fancy some fresh air, a bike ride maybe?’

  ‘A bike ride?’ I guessed I was more appropriately dressed for a bike ride than I was for sitting in a champagne bar, but I knew which one I would rather be doing. ‘What … do you have a tandem or something?’ Maybe he was some kind of health freak. A lot of these entrepreneur types were.

  He gave me that look, the one that said he couldn’t quite believe I’d actually said that.

  ‘No.’ He was trying not to laugh. ‘I don’t have a tandem, but I do have a motorbike.’

  ‘Oh yes, of course! I knew that!’ I laughed, trying to cover up my gormlessness. To be honest, though, I think I might have preferred a tandem. At least I might be able to exert a little bit of control over that. ‘I’ve never been on a motorbike before.’

  ‘Really? Well, you haven’t lived. I thought we might go for a ride along the coast road. It’s a wonderful evening out there.’

  ‘Sounds cool,’ I said, adopting my best biker-chick attitude.

  ***

  Dave handed me a helmet and I squeezed it on to my head, feeling only slightly ridiculous. He leant over and fiddled with the straps beneath my chin, his fingers scrabbling around on my neck making me giggle as well as sending a disturbing swell of desire along my body.

>   I looked at the bike with trepidation. It was a monster of a machine; big and black, with huge wide handles. If a bike could be sexy then I guessed this thing would fit the bill, although it also looked vaguely terrifying. I was beginning to wonder if this was such a good idea after all. I wasn’t really an adrenalin junkie and I’d had about as much excitement as I could handle for one week.

  Dave had pulled on a black leather jacket, making his chest look even wider and broader than before. With his helmet on, all I could focus on were his dark brown eyes, which were looking at me intensely. I was just grateful for my own helmet so he couldn’t see me blushing.

  ‘You okay?’ he asked.

  ‘Fine! Is there anything I need to do?’ I was semi-shouting as I was finding it difficult to have a conversation with a fish bowl on my head.

  ‘No, just hang on tight to me and you should be okay.’

  It didn’t sound entirely reassuring, but I was more than happy to put my entire life in Dave’s hands . He was a capable and confident type and clearly knew what he was doing. If he could run a multi-million international company, I felt certain he could handle a motorbike. At least I hoped he could. He hopped over the bike with athletic ease and I followed suit, although without the athletic ease part. I wrapped my arms around his waist, his body feeling huge in my arms, my thighs resting against his, although I tried hard not to think too much about his thighs. It had to be the most intimate of positions and I felt so glad that this wasn’t a tandem after all.

  He called something over his shoulder that I had no chance of deciphering because at the same time he fired up the engine and a throaty roar filled my ears. I squealed and then when he let the throttle out I screamed – actually screamed –, not that anyone was hearing me, as he zoomed out into the road. The speed was unexpected and totally exhilarating as I’d been expecting us to go off at a slow amble, but there was no chance of that. The wind whipped through my hoodie and I felt my cheeks sting with the cold. It was the best feeling ever. I just hung on tighter and rested my head on Dave’s back as I took in the views of the coastline.

  Fifteen minutes later we pulled into a small cutaway at the side of the road and Dave climbed off the bike, offering a hand out to me to do the same. He put an arm around my shoulder and we walked to the edge of the cliff top. The view over the curve of the bay was breathtaking and incredibly romantic too, if either of us had been in the mood for romance.

  ‘It’s amazing, isn’t it? Up here it’s as if you can forget about everything else. All the stresses and pressures of everyday life fade away when you’re confronted with such a beautiful landscape.’

  ‘Beautiful,’ I agreed, with a sigh. ‘I guess you must have your fair share of stresses being in the import/export business.’ I gave him a sideways glance and a rueful grin.

  ‘Enough,’ he said, smiling. ‘That’s why I love the bike. It gives me the freedom to just hit the road and escape. Allows me a bit of head room. To get things into perspective.’

  ‘Yeah, I can see how it would. I can’t tell you how much I loved being on that bike,’ I told him. I turned to look at the monster of a machine, unable to believe the thrill of the ride we’d just been on. ‘Completely terrifying, but absolutely wonderful.’

  He laughed and tipped my chin up with his finger.

  ‘Nah, it’s not terrifying at all, it’s life-enhancing. Sometimes you just need to embrace the fear and go with it.’

  I held open my arms wide and tipped my head back to face the sky.

  ‘You reckon? That’s all right for you to say. You must be used to taking risks in your line of business. I’m not like that. I think I’m generally pretty cautious by nature.’

  The funny thing was it had only just occurred to me, standing next to Dave having had the wind literally knocked out of me, just how safe my life had been. I’d grown up with my parents in a small friendly village, gone to school, then to university, moved in with Sophie, had a succession of safe but undemanding jobs and was all set up to marry the man of my dreams. I hadn’t done anything remotely challenging or testing. I hadn’t travelled the world on my gap year. I hadn’t helped the starving in Africa. I hadn’t bungee-jumped or white-water rafted or any of those things. I hadn’t even been on a motorbike until today.

  ‘A bit of caution isn’t a bad thing. But no one should live their life in fear. It only holds you back. Stops you from being the person you’re destined to be.’

  ‘Is that what you tell those kids you’re mentoring?’

  ‘Yes, but they’re all too eager to take their chances. They just need the encouragement and opportunity to do it. But I would tell them that. That you shouldn’t always play it safe. Sometimes you have to follow your instincts and chase your dreams.’

  ‘Yes,’ I said dreamily, seduced by the rugged landscape in front of me and by the words of the rugged man standing next to me. Maybe now was the time to start living dangerously.

  ‘Come on,’ he said, ‘let’s get you back to the hotel. You’ve got a date with that bloke of yours, haven’t you? Make sure you give him a proper hard time, won’t you?’

  ‘Oh, I will. Don’t you worry about that.’

  The trip back was even more thrilling. I’m sure Dave deliberately went faster, leaning the bike closer into the bends, my grasp on his body becoming tighter with each corner that he took. My heart was in my mouth the entire journey, fear and excitement making for a heady mix in every fibre of my body.

  When I climbed off the bike at the other end and pulled off my helmet I knew I looked a complete and utter mess. My hair was flattened against my head and my skin, I suspected, was a fetching pink colour, but I didn’t care. I felt more alive than I had in months.

  Dave took the helmet from me and held a hand up to my cheek.

  ‘I meant what I said, Percy. It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know you. I’m sorry you’re going through all this crap at the moment and I really hope you get things sorted.’ He kissed me on the lips, one of those light fleeting kisses that promises so much and delivers so little. He pulled away to look at me again. ‘And remember if you’re at a loose end in London, give me a call.’

  My emotions were all over the place. Now I was gripped with sadness that I might never see him again.

  ‘Can I ask you a question?’ I asked.

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘You know that first night that we met, you asked if you could kiss me?’

  He nodded, his eyes flickering with intent.

  ‘Well, did you want to ask me that again?’

  He smiled a smile that made his eyes shine with desire and did funny things to my insides. My legs were already weak from straddling the bike, now they felt as though they might give way beneath me.

  ‘Well, I’m not sure that’s entirely appropriate, you being a nearly married woman and all that.’ His voice was playful and teasing. He put the helmets away in the bike’s top box and looked up and down the street as though he might be considering my request.

  ‘Perce, can I kiss you?’ His voice was low, his breath blowing on my face.

  ‘Please.’ I said in a breathless whisper. If he wanted me to beg, I just might.

  He narrowed his eyes in a look that gave me my answer. His hand felt my face again and stroked the curve of my jawline. A trickle of desire ran down my neck and along my collarbone before spreading rampantly through my body. He pulled me in to his chest, his lips pressing against mine. I flung my arms around his neck, clinging on as tightly as I’d done when I’d been on the bike, that same instinct for never ever wanting to let go, a powerful surge through my body.

  His hands ran through my hair and his tongue parted my lips gently, his salty deliciousness as exciting and thrilling as our bike ride. With every move the leather of his jacket creaked beneath my touch. Everything about him was wildly different and dangerous, but I wasn’t thinking of Alexander, it was impossible to think of him as that. To me he would always be Dave, the normal lovely guy I met at the se
aside.

  ‘Anna.’

  His kisses grew ever more intense and passionate and I was totally lost to the moment, oblivious to everything going on around us.

  ‘Anna!’

  I could hear my name being repeated over and over, my body responding with yes, yes, yes, all the way. Until I became vaguely aware that it wasn’t actually Dave calling my name. For some inexplicable reason we’d attracted an audience.

  ‘Anna! That is you, isn’t it?’ The voice was ever more impatient, demanding and stomach-churningly familiar now.

  I pulled Dave to me even closer, hoping he wouldn’t notice the untimely interruption. Unfortunately he did and prised his lips away from mine. His arm stayed round my shoulder as we turned around.

  ‘Oh hello, Ed,’ I said, finally finding my voice, not feeling remotely embarrassed only slightly disappointed.

  Dave squeezed my hand in his and gave me a rueful look.

  ‘I’ve got to get going. You take care.’ He turned to look at Ed, his mouth parted to say something, but then he clearly thought better of it. The look on his face, though, said lots, all of it bad, and I looked to Ed and gave him an equally damning look.

  I think he knew exactly where we stood on the whole episode.

  Chapter Fifteen

  ‘Okay, I know why you did that. I hurt you. I couldn’t have hurt you more if I tried and this is your way of getting back at me. I understand that.’

  Ed was sitting opposite me at a table for two in Olivier’s, the hotel’s bistro. This was my last port of call on the grand tour of the hotel’s bars and eateries, and this one was just as lovely as all the other places, although my award for favourite would definitely go to the champagne bar. Definitely, I thought with a sigh, looking around the bistro, my work here was done and I could probably go home now. I wondered if Neil ever worked in here or if his duties were confined to the restaurant. It would have been nice to see a friendly face.