by Karen Aldous
‘Seb, leave them there please. I’m not coming so we don’t want to be out of food.’
‘You’re coming with me. You won’t be needing them. I’ve arranged for food to be delivered.’ He continued throwing out the food then picked up two freshly-poured wine glasses. Evie slurped the remainder of her previous wine still on the table. He came towards her. She had to tell him now. Think up an excuse. She sprang to her feet and inhaled, pushing out her chest, her bones shaking.
‘If you’d have given me notice, I wouldn’t have minded so much…’ She paused. ‘No actually, Seb. I’ll be honest. I’m getting tired of coming second to your music. And you can be honest. We really don’t have a future together, do we?’
He came closer, slowly glaring into her eyes. Instinctively, she jerked her head back.
‘I think that wine has gone to your head already.’ he spat.
Evie felt her breath shortening. ‘Of course not.’
He pushed a glass of wine into her hand and leaned forward, clawing both hands into the table. ‘What are you talking about now?’ he asked casually, strangely even, not quite the argumentative Seb she was expecting.
Feeling braver with the wine in her hand she told him, ‘Let’s be honest Seb, you don’t really want to take us on holiday?’ Swiftly she gulped another mouthful, already feeling lightheaded and wobbly. She had started now, though.
Seb returned to his seat and swung one leg over the other, very casual. ‘Of course I do, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. Sit down and eat, drink. Come on. Stop worrying about your friend. And don’t worry about us. We’ll talk about it some more when we get there and you’re more relaxed. It’s beautiful, a lovely pool with a view across the bay.’
‘But… I don’t want to go. I need…’
‘Of course you do, we can take Charlotte for walks and…
Chapter 24
Evie stirred, her head heavy, spinning; she wanted to vomit A strange fragrance whirled to her nostrils and her stomach crabbed. She pulled up her knees and an unfamiliar silkiness sunk into her skin, first her thigh, then her knee, then as she ran her hand alongside her, her fingers. And, music, a familiar sound, Seb’s voice but an old tune. She listened, the lyrics of love, ‘keep this morn in your heart eternally’. She blinked several times to urge the grogginess away and forced open her eyes. The space in front of her was dark but, like stars on a dark night, light glinted behind three walls of ceiling-to-floor shutters. It was daytime.
‘Charlotte,’ she threw back the silk duvet cover and leaped from the bed, only to collapse on the floor. ‘Light, where’s the…’ She hit a switch. The blinds began their ascent and light bounced off the floor, scorching her eyes. ‘Oooh.’ God, her head hurt. Catching a reflection in a mirror, a ghost appeared. Was that her, draped in white silk down to floor? ‘Where was Charlotte?’ Looking around the large suite, she searched for another bed, hoping her daughter would be sleeping soundly. Panic set in as outside, an ocean and turquoise sky emerged from the vast expanse of doors stretching across the room like a bay of glass. Staggering for a door, she took the first one. It was just the toilet, so she closed it quickly, although she did need a pee. She tried the next. She was led to a wide corridor and then a landing, majestic windows either end rolled beams of light across the white marble of the floor.
‘Charlotte,’ she shrieked stumbling down a large marble staircase. Her head was pounding and her insides churning. ‘Charlotte?’
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, Seb appeared, his hair dishevelled and wearing yesterday’s shorts and t-shirt. He didn’t fit the opulent white space.
‘She’s here. What’s wrong with you, she’s fine. She’s playing. We’ve had a swim, breakfast, and she’s enjoying herself. Your gills look green by the way.’
Evie grabbed her chest and let out a long breath. ‘Thank God. I didn’t know where I was and Charlotte wasn’t with me, what do you expect?’
‘Perhaps you should have thought of that before you drank all that wine last night.’
She frowned and reached for her forehead. ‘I don’t remember…’ Evie thought back to last night. She did knock back some wine before she bathed Charlotte and put her to bed. She finished packing, read to Charlotte. Seb had put the dishwasher on and given her another glass, did she have another? They sat down, ah, then, they did, yes, have another, but… blank after that. ‘How many did I have?’
‘Two bottles were finished, and I had two glasses. You do the math.’
Evie swept back her hair, twisting her mouth. Her mouth tasted foul. ‘Anyway, where is Charlotte?’
‘Through here.’ Seb led her into a huge glossy white kitchen which was four times the size of hers and through to a grand orangery which opened to the most beautiful terrace and pool Evie had ever seen.
She peered to one side, seeing a figure move. ‘Charlotte, there you are,’ she lurched towards her, relief rushing through her.
‘Mummy,’ cried Charlotte jumping to her feet and running to her, her eyes brightening with equal relief.
Evie scooped her up. ‘Whoa, Mummy was sleepy, wasn’t she?’ She kissed her daughter several times as Charlotte hugged tightly round her neck, pouring love through her skin and into her veins. Evie glanced at Seb who was sweeping his feet up on the sofa and biting on a nail on his thumb. ‘What is the time?’
Seb squinted. ‘About two o’clock.’
‘No.’ Evie’s neck retracted, ‘I can’t believe I slept so long. And, where are we? I don’t remember even travelling.’
Seb patted the chair beside him. ‘Yes, something I should have thought about before opening up the wine. I’ve had to get both of you and your luggage into the car and then… then get you here.’
‘Which is where?’ She sat beside him, Charlotte still hugging her neck.
‘My villa. My island.’
‘It’s beautiful. Where are we?’ Evie’ didn’t recognise the thick and pattern-less tone of her own voice.
‘My island. We have it to ourselves.’
‘Whoa, so you can afford the same luxuries as Richard Branson.’
‘Huh, I wish! There is a monastery on it which I bought when it closed. The island just happened to be part of the deal. They grew vines and olives which are going to pot but I can build it back up in time. This, I had built a couple of years ago.’
Her tone remained flat. ‘My God, it must be worth a fortune.’ She clutched her head trying to stop it bouncing.
Seb screwed up his face. ‘The trouble is, there’s nowhere to go. No villages, bars, no restaurants, no shops. It’s pretty much deserted.’
Charlotte stood on her lap, pinching her nose. Vomit threatened to rise in her throat. The thought of absolutely nothing around was a bit startling.
‘Oh. But you can walk around I expect, see the wildlife, maybe fish?’
‘Pish, Mummy.’
‘Oh Charlotte, you would love that wouldn’t you, catching your own fish every day. Is there a safe place, a beach perhaps or jetty, where we can go fishing?’ Evie wiped her brow. None of this was making sense.
Seb reached out his arm and pulled Evie towards him. ‘I haven’t had much of a chance to explore here but I’m sure we’ll have fun discovering this place together. Just the three of us.’
Evie felt eruptions of bile cascading in her belly. It wasn’t her idea of a holiday, not what she would have chosen to do, but perhaps she should be grateful for small mercies, Seb finally inviting her into his world? Not a public world as such, but this was the first she had ever known about this place. It mattered that he included her and Charlotte and wanted to spend time with them away from his other pressures. Then the reality hit. She had let Sabine and Bernard down as well as Suzanne. She was expected to be at the language school today. She hoped Suzanne got her text. She would check her phone, wherever that was. Seb was sure to have brought her handbag, and hopefully put it in. What would they think of her? She was sure to lose that job now. And, Cally. She hadn’t che
cked she’d got home ok… was her father was ok? And was there even a signal here?
She felt Seb’s hand tighten on her arm. ‘I know you’re still a bit hungover today, but I’ll make you a lovely Chicken Arrabiata for dinner whilst you lounge out in the sun. A swim might do you good actually.’
Evie squinted, trying to focus while her head pounded. The thought of hot sun in her face repulsed her. ‘How do you know I like Chicken Arrabiata?’
‘I made it for you when we were in my villa in Majorca soon after we first met. Do you remember?’ His palm opened out to her. ‘Well, I hoped you might.’
Evie fell down beside him, rubbing the top of her head. ‘Mmm. I love it. I don’t cook it very often because it’s too hot for Charlotte. You will have to make a little tomato sauce without chillies for her.’
‘No problem. She’s been a good girl today haven’t you?’ He tickled Charlotte just below her chin which made her giggle. ‘Well, she wasn’t very happy first thing. I’m not sure I was the first person she wanted to see this morning.’
‘No, it was probably a bit of a shock not seeing me. Oh, my head. I need something.’
Seb pulled her close and kissed her cheek. ‘I don’t get to tell you very often, but you are an amazing mother. Our little girl is so beautiful and bright. I never really appreciated that until we spent time together this morning. I even had her singing.’
‘Good. She loves music. Dances to anything.’ Evie said in monotone, slumping her head onto his chest. ‘She can sing Twinkle, Twinkle.’
Seb looked at his daughter proudly. ‘That was it. And Baa, Baa Black Sheep.’
‘Well who knows, maybe she will take after her father.’ Evie added flatly.
‘She’s getting her mother’s looks, that’s for sure. Her hair, her long legs. Oh, but I had a bit of a problem with the nappy. It took me a while to get the sticky bit in the right place. She didn’t like that and kept trying to wriggle away.’
Evie would have laughed had her head not hurt, imagining him trying to wrestle with Charlotte. ‘Mmm, she hates it. Hopefully she will be quick to potty-train then we won’t have all the tears.’
‘I can’t believe just how much attention and work they need. I’ve not had a minute to myself.’
She held her head, wishing Seb would stop talking. ‘Oh, you get into a routine. She’s good playing on her own. If you just sit with her and get going on something she enjoys, she’s off, in her own little world until she gets hungry or bored. She’s into puzzles at the moment. Cally bought her some for her birthday.’
‘Yes, I picked up her toys from the hall. I hope I’ve got everything.’
‘Did you pick up my phone?’
Seb shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I brought your handbag. Was it in there?’
Evie shut her eyes, throwing her head back. ‘Oh, probably not. Where is it, I’ll have a look?’
‘Your bags are still in the cloakroom in the lobby. Anyway, I’ve got mine.’
‘You’re not going to have Cally’s number though, are you? I bet I’ve left it on the side.’
He kissed her shoulder. ‘You don’t need her number here. You’re on holiday.’
‘I know, but my dad hasn’t been well and I would like to stay in touch with Cally, just in case.’
Evie brought him up to date with her father’s very recent illness and her concerns, and her parents’ plans to move back to the UK.
‘Oh, poor sod. Never mind. I’m not sure we’ll get much of a signal anyway, but it sounds like he’s getting the best treatment and care. I’m sure he’ll be fine.’
Looping her hair around her finger, she glowered at him. ‘I hope so. I should have texted Cally to let her know I’m away. I’ll get my bag. Here poppet, you sit with Daddy.’ Charlotte began to protest, but Seb intervened.
‘Shall Daddy get you an ice-pop?’ he asked, sitting down and placing her on his lap.
‘I’ll take my bags up and get dressed too.’
Evie left them to it as she scurried back to the entrance hall, guessing at what door might lead her to her bag. She chose one nearest the front door. How could she have got so drunk that she didn’t even gather her things? Her case, her toiletries bag and her handbag were there, at least. She opened her handbag and reached for the obvious pocket.
‘Tch, no, please.’ She fumbled around the bag in hope and then checked the others. ‘Shit. Stupid, stupid.’
Zipping them all back up, she collected all the bags and hauled them, along with her head, up the stairs. Standing on the landing, she now had to work out which room she had come out of. She shuffled along until she thought she was in the right place. She tried a door. It was locked. She tried one next to it and peered in. The bay of windows looked familiar so she lifted the bags inside. So where was Charlotte’s room, she wondered, heaving her case on the bed, though she was sure there wasn’t that much in there. She stacked the clothes into piles; those for washing, and those for hanging, but found no phone.
She peered around her, boxes of soft tissues, scented candles, bottles of expensive oils, creams, and water all littered the bedside cabinets. She picked up a bottle of water, slurping down every drop. ‘Every fucking luxury, but not my phone.’
She put the case into a wardrobe and took her make-up bag and toiletries into the huge bathroom, checking each again in case she had tucked her phone in either. She placed her items on the long shelf which sat along the top. Then, seeing the washing capsules she’d put in, she bent down to place them in one of the cupboards that ran beneath two wide sinks. Bottles of shampoo, conditioner and hairspray filled the shelves, then hand creams, luxury moisturisers, fake tans, toothpaste, face wipes, face moisturiser, tooth whitener, sun cream, after-sun, even a basket of make-up. I wonder if they’re all new? she asked herself, poking around them. They seemed to be. He can be thoughtful. Bloody hell.
After showering in the luxury shower, and trying out some expensive moisturiser, she dressed as fast as her head would allow, brushed and tied back her hair. And, grabbing a bottle of factor fifty sun cream, went back downstairs.
Charlotte was sitting on the marble floor dripping in orange juice when Evie returned. Seb had his feet up and was watching her.
‘No, my phone isn’t in there or any of my bags.’ She reached for the wipes on the arm of the sofa. ‘This will stain her dress,’ she said, her head pounding louder by the second. ‘I’ll have to take it off and put it to soak. Next time, could you put a bib on her?’ What could she say? He would have to learn.
‘I’m going for a swim,’ Seb announced and rose to his feet.
Evie wiped her eyelids with her finger. ‘Do you have any headache tablets?
‘In the cabinet, in the cloakroom.’
‘Thank you.’ She removed Charlotte’s sundress and wiped off the juice from her chin, her arm and both legs, then clenched her hand. ‘Come with me, poppet.’ She took the empty wrapper from her daughter’s hand and led her to the cloakroom.
Taking two paracetamol capsules from the huge stock of medicines, Evie grimaced. It was weird to spot ladies’ essentials in the cloakroom, but handy. He seemed highly organised. She pulled at one of the packs and noticed that not only was it open, but some had been taken out. After downing the paracetamol with a glass of water, she hunted in the cupboards for soap powder. All she could find was washing up liquid so, unable to find the energy to go upstairs and get the wash capsules she’d brought herself, she washed off what she could of the orange stains at the sink. She wrung the dress out.
‘Let’s go and find Daddy.’
Seb was diving into the pool and as Evie stepped on to the terrace, the sunlight dazzled her. She raised her hand and, spotting a beautiful shady area with a wide pergola and three sunbeds and a dining suite, she took Charlotte’s hand and ran for cover.
‘You lay on that one, sweetie. Have a rest. Mummy is going to have a rest.’ She sat down on another, sinking into the fine fabric, soft on her skin. The view out to sea was beauti
ful, with only a rocky headland bending round as if to shelter them. It was covered in scrub like the garrigue of the Mediterranean. She guessed they hadn’t travelled too far.
‘Swim, Mummy?’
‘After your rest, darling.’ Evie closed her eyes, willing her head to right itself. ‘You mustn’t get off the bed. If Mummy is asleep you wake her to get off the bed.’
Charlotte lay down and closed her eyes. Within minutes, she was fast asleep. Not expecting such a fast response from her daughter, Evie allowed herself to relax. The pain in her temples subsided as she listened to the soothing rhythm of Seb swimming breast stroke in the pool. Her mind drifted, thinking of Ben, but she wouldn’t allow herself to sleep. Not with the pool so close and Seb, who just didn’t understand children. She was just feeling mellowed and free of pain when the rhythmic pattern stopped. Seb came over and, drying himself off with a towel, sat down beside her. His cool touch on her leg made her squeal. Her eyes opened.
‘You made me jump. Your hands are cold.’
‘No, you’re just hot. I mean really hot.’ He bent down, rubbing her thigh and, through her light dress, kissing her stomach. ‘So hot. So ready-to-be-taken hot.’
Evie rolled her eyes towards Charlotte. ‘Seb, you’re kidding, right?’