She gave him a brief smile and turned to go back to the steps leading up to the garden. Gabriel watched her go. He saw her hesitate, but she didn’t turn round, just stared up the beach towards where someone was standing at the water’s edge. He couldn’t tell who it was, but Daisy didn’t wave at the person so she couldn’t have known them. It occurred to him as the figure walked away that Daisy seemed a little rushed as she ran back up the steps, but he had taken her away from her work and she was obviously in a hurry to return to it.
Chapter Thirteen
Daisy
Daisy forced a smile on her face to greet the group of new arrivals entering the hotel. Gabe had been gone over two weeks already and she still was expecting to see him appearing at the hotel. Fi had just gone to fetch them both a coffee. It had been a busy morning, and she was glad not to have too much time to wallow.
She’d noticed that her father and his family had left a few days earlier than she’d expected. He hadn’t said goodbye, but it was a relief not to have had to go through the charade of being nice to him in front of his wife and son.
When everyone was checked in and given cards to their rooms, they left her to accompany the porters up to their relevant floors. She noticed a lady, whom Daisy assumed must be nearly eighty years old, standing with a much younger man.
‘Sorry for keeping you waiting,’ she said. ‘Can I help you?’
‘Yes, I’m Dolores Mulroon,’ the lady said. She had an American accent with a slight southern twang to it that Daisy loved. ‘My friend and I have booked adjoining rooms for one week.’
Daisy was used to seeing older woman with younger men and vice versa, but this couple really did have a very big age difference. She tapped the woman’s name into the computer system and called up her details and then her friend’s. ‘Mr Swinton?’ He nodded. ‘Yes, we have the rooms you requested, over-looking the garden at the west side of the hotel. Please can I take a credit card and your passports?’ She pushed two forms and pens towards them. ‘And if you’d fill these in and sign them, please.’
The lady handed Daisy her credit card. ‘Thank you, Mrs Mulroon,’ she said.
‘Call me Dolores,’ she said to Daisy. ‘Everyone does.’
‘Thank you, Dolores,’ Daisy said taking the card.
All the formalities completed, Daisy nodded for the concierge to come and take over with their luggage and any restaurant bookings they might wish to make.
As soon as they’d gone into the lift, Fi arrived back at the desk carrying a tray with their coffees on it. ‘Blimey, good for her,’ she said.
Daisy frowned at her colleague. ‘Stop making assumptions; they could simply be friends for all we know.’
Fi blew on her coffee. ‘Surely you’re not that innocent,’ she said. ‘Right, never mind them; I want to invite you to something.’
Daisy sat back down at her desk, intrigued. ‘Go on then, what is it?’
‘You know my brother’s fiancé Paige is a shoe designer?’
‘Go on.’
‘Well, there’s a fashion show being held at Elizabeth Castle next week. It’s for charity and Paige’s shoes are being featured. Seb has offered us tickets. What do you think? Want to come?’
Daisy didn’t have to consider the offer; she’d never been to a fashion show before. ‘I’d love to go, thanks.’
Fi smiled. ‘Cool, I’ll let him know.’
Daisy glanced at the calendar. She hadn’t returned to Lydia’s garden since seeing Gabe there the day before he’d left the island. The thought of going there and knowing he’d gone didn’t appeal to her. Thankfully the hotel was full, so she’d been able to work extra shifts and keep very busy. Unfortunately her painting was a little behind because of her working hours and she needed to rectify that if she was to build up enough canvases to exhibit somewhere.’
‘Don’t suppose you have ideas for where I can go and paint?’ she asked Fi.
‘Um, millions of ideas,’ Fi said. ‘Like what sort of thing are you looking for? Beach views, landscapes, fit blokes jogging?’ She giggled.
Daisy couldn’t help smiling at her friend. ‘Somewhere I haven’t been before,’ Daisy tried to be more specific. ‘I was thinking of a wooded place, or somewhere with water.’
Fi laughed. ‘Er, we’re surrounded by water, or hadn’t you noticed.’
Daisy picked up her notepad and swatted Fi with it. ‘Are you going to be helpful, or not?’ she teased.
‘How about Queen’s Valley.’
Daisy shrugged. ‘Fine, what’s it like there?’
Fi took a tentative sip of her coffee and sat back in her chair. ‘If you ever watched Bergerac then you’ll remember he had a farmhouse in a valley.’
‘I’ve caught it on Sky here a couple of times.’
‘Well that farm was in Queen’s Valley. In the late eighties, or maybe the early nineties, the authorities flooded the area to make a reservoir.’
Daisy was fascinated. ‘So, is his farm still there? Could I visit it?’
Fi shook her head. ‘No, it’s under water now, which I think is a shame. I sometimes see re-runs of the series and like to see how the island has changed since it was filmed. I’d have loved to go to that farm and have a nose about.’
Daisy agreed. ‘There must be other locations to visit that are still around though,’ she said. ‘Maybe we could go and see a few of them when we’re next off work together?’
Fi nodded. ‘Great idea, I’d like that.’ She thought for a moment. ‘Francesca was telling me one day how people used to come here and try to find out where they were filming the series. I think she was in a couple of episodes and I know Rick sang in one or two of them.’
Daisy decided she should pay more attention to the programme when she next caught an episode on television. ‘I suppose having worked here we might actually recognise some of the actors, or the extras, if we really look hard.’
Two more guests arrived and cut short their chat, but Daisy couldn’t help thinking that she and Fi’s friendship was probably going to get stronger. She liked the prospect of having a close female friend.
‘Good morning, girls,’ Lydia walked in to the hotel, a smile on her face and a bunch of freesias in one hand. ‘I thought these would smell lovely behind the counter on your desk.’
Daisy took the flowers and sniffed. ‘What a gorgeous scent,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’ It was good to see Lydia again and she immediately felt guilty not going up to see her at the house. All she’d thought about was missing Gabriel. It hadn’t occurred to her to think of Lydia and how she’d feel without her grandson there to keep her company. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t been around lately.’
Lydia shook her head. ‘Don’t be silly. It would be lovely to see you painting in the garden again at some point though,’ she said. She focused her attention on Fi. ‘This young lady is an excellent artist; did you know that?’
Fi shook her head. ‘I knew she liked to paint, but I haven’t seen any of her pictures yet,’ she said in an accusatory tone. ‘I thought we were friends.’
‘We are, but I’m not so sure I’m happy enough with what I’ve done yet to show anyone.’
‘Rubbish,’ Lydia said. ‘The problem is that your comfort zone is here,’ she held her hand next to her own stomach. ‘But in order to succeed you have to force yourself to work outside your comfort zone, here.’ She moved her hand further away from her stomach. ‘Trust in yourself and take a chance. After all, art is subjective. Not everyone will like your work, but having seen it, I can’t imagine that many won’t; it’s excellent.’
Daisy could feel her face reddening at the compliments coming from Lydia. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘Maybe I should take your advice and be a little bolder.’
‘Of course you should,’ Fi said. ‘I’ve always thought that if someone doesn’t like me, or something I’ve done, then it’s their problem. You should feel the same way about your pictures.’
Lydia laughed. ‘Yes, Fi. However, you’ve
been blessed with an inordinate amount of self-confidence and not all of us are lucky enough to have that.’
‘Maybe not,’ Daisy said, taking in what the two women she liked best in the world had said to her. ‘But I like the notion and think I’m going to start following both your advice, starting from now.’
The phone rang and Fi answered it. She began typing information into the computer system and Lydia leant closer to Daisy. ‘Good,’ she said smiling at her. She lowered her voice, and added. ‘You’re growing more confident and with it, more lovely, each day. It’s wonderful to see.’
Daisy had never received such a heart-warming compliment before and it felt wonderful. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘That means a lot.’
Lydia smiled. ‘I’d better get on; Francesca is waiting to talk to me about something. I have a feeling it’s to do with Gabriel and his project.’
Her mood dropping, Daisy nodded. ‘I hope he’s able to find a way to sort things out.’
Lydia nodded and walked away to the door leading to the back of the hotel and Francesca’s office.
Fi finished her call. ‘What was that all about? Something to do with Gabriel?’
Daisy took a sip of her coffee. ‘She’s worried about him.’
‘She’s so lovely,’ Fi said. ‘I wish I had a grandmother as caring and as glamorous as Lydia.’
‘So, do I.’
They stood lost in their own thoughts, each drinking their coffee and making the most of a quiet period.
‘Let’s go to Queen’s Valley this afternoon anyway,’ Fi suggested. ‘I can go for a run around the dam and you can paint. The reservoir is really picturesque. What do you say?’
‘I’d love it,’ Daisy said.
As they drove along the east coast towards Gorey, Fi told Daisy about her new boyfriend. ‘Well, he’s not a proper boyfriend, but we’ve been out a couple of times for a drink and once for a meal. He’s not like my usual bloke, you know, always wanting to talk about himself. Phil is interested in what I’m doing and my job at the hotel,’ she said grinning. ‘He’s hot, too.’
Daisy opened her window a little further. It was so warm and the air did little to cool them. ‘I’m pleased for you,’ she said, enjoying seeing Fi so excited about this new relationship. ‘He sounds lovely.’
‘He is.’ She took the sharp turning up Gorey Hill, turning left a minute or so later and left again at the end of the road. ‘It’s just down here,’ she said making yet another left. ‘I hope you’ll be able to meet him soon.’ She giggled. ‘Hey, maybe he’s got a brother or a friend for you.’
Daisy shook her head. ‘No thank you,’ she said not wishing to be with anyone apart from Gabriel, even if he was unavailable. ‘I’m quite happy as a singleton.’
‘Suit yourself.’
Fi took another left and drove slowly into the Queen’s Valley car park. ‘Here we are,’ she said parking the car and getting out. ‘I thought we could walk round until you found the best place to set up your easel and I can have a run.’
‘Brilliant.’ Daisy unloaded her easel and paints from Fi’s Golf and sighed. ‘You drive like you’re racing,’ she said, glad to be out of the car after Fi’s erratic driving through the narrow Jersey lanes. ‘I think I’ll get the bus back to the hotel afterwards,’ she teased.
‘You will, if you’re not going to appreciate my driving,’ Fi laughed. ‘I’d love you to meet Phil though, Daisy,’ she added. ‘Seb is always such a misery when it comes to meeting men that I like.’
‘He’s probably only being protective,’ Daisy said, struggling to lift her rucksack onto her shoulder when it caught on a beach bag in the back of Fi’s car.
‘Here, let me,’ Fi picked up the easel and closed the car boot. ‘Come on, we go this way. This is actually two dams joined together, I think. I’ll also take you to Val de la Mare on the west side of the island some time: that’s a beautiful dam with lots of trees and pathways to explore.’
They walked through the gate and along the pathway. Fi hadn’t been exaggerating; it was beautiful with the blue of the sky reflected in the dark expanse of water. The reservoir was larger than Daisy had expected and surrounded by trees and bushes. Daisy commented on how quiet it was on their walk.
Fi checked her watch. ‘I think it’s probably the school run at the moment, so parents will be collecting their kids, but it’ll probably be a bit busier later when they come out to walk their dogs. I’ve nearly tripped over quite a few of them when I’ve been out here running.’
They’d been walking about twenty minutes when Daisy stopped. ‘I think I’ll set up here,’ she said taking in the view across the dam. ‘You go for your run.’
‘I was going to show you round a little further,’ Fi said.
‘No, this is fine. You get on, then later maybe we can go and have a better look around.’
Fi put down the easel and stretched her legs a little more. ‘Great, I’ll see you in twenty minutes. I can come back for you later if you’d like to stay on.’
Daisy had been painting for a few minutes when she sensed she was being watched. Surely no one could know she was here. It wasn’t as if they’d been followed, she was certain of that. She surreptitiously surveyed the area across from where she was standing but couldn’t see anyone at all. Then checking behind her, she spotted an elderly couple walking their Jack Russell on a lead.
‘Paranoid,’ she said to herself. She was standing right out in the open, on the wide walkway, so it wasn’t as if anyone could creep up on her. She shook her head to dispel the ridiculous thoughts coursing through her head. She needed a few early nights then maybe this paranoia would go away.
She took a deep breath and continued with the first touches of her painting. Within what seemed like seconds, Fi jogged up to her, only slightly out of breath.
‘How’s it going?’ she asked. ‘Phil’s just called me on my mobile and asked if I could meet him down at Gorey for an ice cream. You can come too, if you like, or I could collect you in about an hour. It’s up to you.’
Daisy didn’t want to intrude on Fi’s unexpected meeting with her new man and was perfectly happy working on her painting. ‘No, I’m fine here. I can meet you back at the gate in about an hour, or whatever suits you best.’
Fi narrowed her eyes. ‘I don’t have your mobile number. If you give it to me, I’ll call you when I’m leaving and that’ll give you a chance to walk back to the car park to meet me.’
Daisy grimaced. ‘Sorry, I don’t have one.’
Fi laughed. ‘Who doesn’t have a mobile now? That’s so odd, Daisy.’
‘I did have one, but I lost it,’ she said, not wishing to continue with the conversation.
‘I had a friend who was standing outside a café down in Rozel when a seagull took her phone out of her hand, I think it thought she was holding up a piece of bread or something. She screamed but it dropped it in the sea and she never got it back. Bloody birds.’
Daisy smiled, unsure what to suggest. ‘I can always catch a bus back to the hotel, rather than you coming back to fetch me,’ she suggested.
Fi shook her head. ‘No, it’s fine. I’ll go to meet him and jog back here to fetch you when I’m done. The exercise will do me good.’
‘That’s perfect, thanks,’ Daisy said, grateful for the extra time to continue with what she was doing. ‘I’ll see you when you get back.’
‘Great,’ Fi said, turning to leave and texting as she walked away.
Daisy pushed a stray strand of hair away from her face and staring at the view ahead and back down onto her canvas, began working on her painting once again.
Sometime later, she wasn’t sure how long, she put her hand up to the back of her neck and another hand rested on top of hers. Daisy shrieked and spun round, horrified to see the one man she’d been avoiding for the past two years. He was standing so close to her she could feel his warm breath on her face.
‘So this is where you’ve been hiding,’ he said. ‘You ran away from me
once, though why you chose Vietnam I can’t imagine. I told you then that you wouldn’t get away from me twice. You did try though, didn’t you?’
She could barely catch her breath, the shock of seeing him standing in front of her was so great. It was like being in a nightmare. ‘Aaron, I …’
‘You what, Daisy?’ he asked breathing heavily, his voice calm yet with a suppressed rage she knew only too well could be unleashed at any second. ‘You were looking for me here? You hoped I’d find you?’ He raised a thick dark eyebrow. ‘You thought you’d hide here away from me, didn’t you? Admit it.’
She didn’t know how to react. If only she’d agreed to go with Fi instead of standing here by herself. Why hadn’t she listened to her instincts and not stayed out here where she could be watched?
‘Even your hair’s different,’ he said. ‘All those years dying it and cutting it short. Look at you now with your long, curly blonde hair.’ He moved closer, so his nose was almost touching hers. ‘I’d recognise you anywhere though.’
She swallowed in an attempt to moisten her dry mouth. Summoning up her courage, she braced herself. She was determined to brazen out this confrontation, however much she wanted to cover her face with her hands and cry. Hopefully someone would come by here soon, she thought. Hadn’t Fi said that after the school run people would be bringing their dogs here?
Bolstered by that thought, she cleared her throat. ‘We agreed things weren’t working between us, Aaron,’ she said trying to keep her voice as strong and adamant as possible. Even saying his name out loud made her want to throw up. Everything he represented frightened her. So much for starting a brand-new life in Jersey.
His beautifully shaped lips she’d once found so attractive pulled back in a slow sardonic smile that chilled her to her core.
‘I told you before your mother died that our relationship was over when I said it was and not before.’
‘You knew she died?’ Daisy couldn’t understand how. It wasn’t as if her mother’s death had been recorded in the local papers.
The Jersey Scene series box set Page 107