by Peter Martin
Garry took a deep breath before speaking. ‘Lena, my family and I have been discussing our future here, after what you’ve offered us. We’ve come to a decision.’
‘If it’s about the houses, there’s no need to be concerned. They will be built just as I promised when you tell me how you’d like them to be. Couldn’t be simpler than that. And I’m told, they’ll take as little as three months to build, you’ll be able to move in sooner than you think. By that time, even Delia will feel better about everything especially when she sees the finished article.’
‘Lena, this is very generous of you, but it’s best if you didn’t have them built just yet – I’d hate you to waste your money.’
‘But I want to do this for you.’ She stared at him, a hint of a tear in her eyes.
‘I know you do, but it’s possible we may never live here.’ He knew for a fact they’d never live here but chose not to say this.
‘But why ever not?’ She asked.
‘Well, although this is a fantastic place to live, at the moment I don’t think it’s viable. Right now all I can think about is finding Delia. I can’t understand why I’m unable to get in touch with her, and I’m getting more and more concerned. We have to get back to Dexford to find out what’s going on. But once that’s sorted, I’d still like to keep in contact and see you again, if you’re willing.’
He looked straight at his mother, expecting her to go red in the face and blow her top, but surprisingly she didn’t. She appeared perfectly calm and collected, and her expression never wavered once.
‘That’s fine Garry,’ she said at last. ‘No need to worry. I half-expected as much anyway, what with Delia leaving. I had hoped it wouldn’t happen, but I do understand. You have your own lives to lead and you should live them as you see fit – and there’s nothing wrong in that. Tell you what I’ll do; first thing in the morning, I’ll charter a plane to take you out of here. You’ll be well on your way home at the latest the day after tomorrow. But I want you to promise me you’ll visit me whenever you can, and with all your family too, including Delia.’
Garry had a lump in his throat, he’d never thought he’d feel so emotional and deeply wished he hadn’t got to do this. He blamed himself for losing his temper with Delia, not only that but he’d acted like a spoilt child, his sights had been blinkered by the offer of moving to this glorious island and that in turn had sparked off this crisis. There was no way round it now or even room for compromise. However, none of that mattered so long as he could get home to find Delia safe and sound.
‘That would be marvellous Lena if you’re sure that’s not an inconvenience?’
‘Of course, it isn’t. And I’ll tell you what, those houses will be built as we originally agreed. If you can’t come and live here, why not use them as holiday homes for when you visit me? The thought of seeing you all again will give me something to look forward to. What do you say to that?’
She took off her glasses and came over to sit down by him.
‘It’s up to you Lena, but please don’t build them on our account,’ He breathed a sigh of relief that she’d taken their decision that way.
‘You let me worry about that, and anyway, I might use them when I have other guests staying here.’
‘All right, but you won’t forget about chartering us that plane, will you?’
‘Stop fretting Garry. First thing in the morning I’ll get on the phone, I promise you – never fear.’ She squeezed his leg with her hand.
‘Thanks for being so understanding, Lena – I’ve dreaded having to tell you. I’m so sorry we can’t do as you want.’
‘Think nothing of it. Now come on, I don’t want to hear another word about it. You leave everything to me.’
Garry nodded. ‘Thanks again - I’d better let you get on with your script.’
Lena smiled. ‘Yes, you better had if I’m ever going to get my head around this part. You go and have a good night’s sleep, now that I’ve put your mind at rest.’
She leant over and kissed him on the cheek.
He was touched by this little show of affection, but also relieved to get away without a confrontation. He’d expected anger, hurt, sadness and any number of other emotions from Lena, but none had been forthcoming. She must have been deeply disappointed – but as long as she kept her word when the time came, he’d be happy. He still felt bad about how the holiday had turned out because they’d been made so welcome. But all he wanted was to get home with his family in one piece, find Delia, and beg for a reconciliation, no matter what it took. The trouble was, he feared he’d already pushed her too far, once too often.
Chapter Nineteen
Following his tête-à-tête with Lena, Garry decided to put off telling his family until the morning. And instead spent half of the night trying to get through to Delia again, by phone and text messages, informing her they were coming home. Either she’d lost her mobile, or the battery was dead. But at least the texts would get through once she put the phone on charge.
After taking a shower he slipped under the bedcovers, hating the fact that Delia wasn’t lying beside him. The faint aroma of her perfume remained on the sheets and made him want to cry. He wondered if at that very moment she was in their bed in Dexford, feeling the same. He prayed she was and yearned for her even more.
The next morning, still half asleep, he searched for her warm body as he had so many times in the past, but her place remained cold and empty bringing him back to reality. Sitting up, he longed to take her in his arms, and nothing anyone could do, not even Lena and all her riches could compensate for that.
He got out of bed and quickly dressed ready to go downstairs. Glancing at his watch he saw it was nine-thirty which he considered late for him; come rain or shine he was always an early riser. And when he knocked on first Tom and then Cassie’s bedroom doors and there was no reply, for a few seconds he had a terrible dread they’d gone too. His heart beat faster – surely they wouldn’t have been so cruel to have left without him. But as the panic subsided, he realised that would never happen, and that he was lucky to be part of such a loving family.
Then walking downstairs into the hall, he heard voices coming from the back of the house, one of them sounding very much like Adam. Garry went through the drawing room towards the French doors, which were open. Then out onto the patio, and there in the pool were all the family, with Adam in the shallow end, showing them how well he could swim. He was laughing and shouting, with Lena giving him lots of encouragement with his struggle to swim his first width. As soon as he touched the rail on the other side of the pool cheers went up, with everyone totally delighted with his achievement.
Quietly Garry sat down on one of the deckchairs and watched, taking in his family’s pleasure.
Just then Tom emerged from the water took his towel from the side of the pool to dry himself and sat in a deckchair next to his father.
‘How goes it?’ Tom asked.
‘Not bad. Slept a little longer than I meant to, but it doesn’t matter, does it?’
‘No, of course not. We were awake early and were setting off for a walk when Lena caught sight of us and asked if we wanted to go for an early morning dip. You know how she is, picture the scene, she promised Adam all sorts – in the end, we couldn’t refuse,’ Tom smiled.
Garry changed the subject at once, saying, ‘I had a word with her last night. About us leaving, and she’s fine about it – it’s not a problem. Said she’d charter a plane to take us home as soon as possible – we might be on our way back as early as tomorrow.’
‘Great stuff Dad. I’m so relieved because Adam was crying for his nan earlier on, and if it hadn’t been for Lena suggesting we all went for a swim, it would’ve been hard to pacify him. He’s missing all his playmates too. Cassie and Chris almost fell out because Chris promised the poor kid it’d only be a day or so before we’d be going home and she didn’t want his hopes raised.’
‘We all feel that way.’
‘He
needs to be with his friends like you need to be with mum,’ Tom said, stating the obvious. Garry just nodded in agreement, too full with emotion to speak.
At lunchtime, while they ate, Lena told lots of interesting stories and jokes about her time in show business. She had everyone, Adam in particular, splitting their sides with laughter. No doubt she’d overstated, maybe even added to, the facts in her larger-than-life way.
‘So how about going to the beach afterwards?’ She suggested. ‘Although I’m afraid Greg isn’t available today, but Benson can drive us down there instead.’
Garry hadn’t given it much thought, wasn’t really bothered, but at least it would pass the time until they could go home.
Half an hour later they were ready and loading their things into the people carrier. Once everything was secure Lena and Garry got in the front beside Benson, while Adam, complete with bucket and spade sat on Garry’s lap, everyone else crowding into the back.
However, no sooner had the vehicle stopped Adam jumped down onto the beach making for the water’s edge. And while the women stripped down to their swimsuits, Garry, Chris and Tom watched Adam busily returning over and over again to fill his bucket with seawater. All he’d said to explain was, ‘You have to wet the sand or you can’t make sandcastles.’
Now as they all took it easy sitting in deckchairs Garry asked Lena, ‘So where’s Greg got to then?’
‘He’s gone to shoot a scene for his latest film, but he shouldn’t be too long - it’s only a short one.’
‘That’s a shame,’ Garry replied noticing she seemed distant.
‘Yes, well these things happen in our line of business,’ she told him, then as an afterthought said, ‘Oh, by the way, I’ve chartered a plane to pick you up first thing tomorrow morning.’
‘Wonderful! Have you mentioned anything to the others?’
‘I’ll give you that pleasure, seeing as you’re so eager to get away from me.’
Ah so you are perturbed, Garry thought; then said, a tremor in his voice, ‘It’s not like that at all, but it’s hard to uproot yourself having lived in the same place all your life, and with Deel already back home, I’ve little choice.’
‘Don’t worry son, I was only joking. I understand, after Delia left so abruptly. As I said before, so long as you come and visit me from time to time, I don’t mind.’
‘That’s what we plan to do, Lena.’
‘Good, I’ll hold you to that. So, Garry, it looks like this will be our last day together. Let’s enjoy it, shall we?’
‘I’ll try my best,’ Garry confirmed smiling.
<><><>
The rest of the day was spent on the beach, where Garry and Lena talked endlessly about themselves. There were vast differences in the lives they’d led. They discussed their achievements and hopes for the future and Garry found her intelligent and interesting. And though his successes were small compared to her own, she came across as being genuinely interested in his life. Their last day had been quite pleasant, with the hot sun and cooling breeze making it a day to remember.
As darkness approached, Lena elected to go back to the house, and just before his family were about to go into their own rooms, Garry stopped them saying, ‘Before you all go, there’s something I’d like to tell you. Lena has arranged transport to take us home early in the morning. So perhaps you ought to start packing tonight.’
‘Great, it’s about time. We’ll do that, and thank God the old dear is finally getting things moving,’ Chris commented. ‘This place is all right in small doses, but all told it’s giving me the creeps.’
‘I know Chris. Let’s be ready before breakfast, then it shouldn’t take long before we can go,’ Garry agreed, knowing Chris’s tendency for exaggeration.
‘Fine,’ said Tom. ‘We all think this holiday has just about run its course.’
‘Hope things will return to normal with your mother when we get home.’
‘You’ll be fine Dad, I’m sure of it. She’s had a few days to cool off now,’ Cassie assured him. ‘And after all, she won’t want to throw away so many happy years of marriage because of one silly row – will she?’
Garry smiled sadly, raising his eyebrows. ‘I hope not. But that’s all it was - one silly row blown completely out of proportion. Anyway Goodnight, all of you.’
Inside his room, he went straight to the open suitcase on his bed and started placing the rest of his belongings in the case, so glad he’d already done most of the packing. He slept easier that night, content the whole saga would now come to a speedy end.
<><><>
Up bright and early the following morning the family ate a hearty breakfast. Lena appeared subdued, however, hardly saying two words to anyone. They had returned to their rooms to generally tidy up. Garry piled his luggage on a chair to the side of the door when he heard a knock at his door. He guessed it must be Tom or Cassie wanting to ask him something, instead he opened the door, to find Lena’s smiling face looking up at him.
‘Hallo Lena, what a surprise!’ Garry smiled, allowing her into his room. ‘What can I do for you?’
She sat on the bed, patting the place next to her, beckoning him to join her there, intent it appeared on telling him something. She took hold of his right hand, with both of hers and began, ‘I’m sorry, but there’s been a problem with your plane. It appears it’s developed a mechanical fault. To be honest, I find it unbelievable. Never in the whole time I’ve been here has anything like this happened. And not only that, there isn’t a replacement plane either until tomorrow at the earliest. I tore them off a strip, I can tell you. All I can do is to apologise for the inconvenience, but it’s out of my hands. As incredible as it seems, sometimes I get the feeling somebody up there is trying to keep you guys here with me.’
Garry shrugged his shoulders, feeling goose pimples on his arms. But what he said belied his true feelings, ‘It’s just one of those things Lena. I’m sure my family won’t be too disappointed.’
Why did this have to happen, Garry thought? Although he couldn’t apportion blame to his mother. And after all, it would only mean one extra day’s delay.
‘I pray not. Listen, I wanted to give Adam something as a going away present - how about if I give it to him now to help soften the blow?’
‘It’s up to you. So what might that be?’ Garry asked.
‘Come on, I’ll show you,’ she said, urging him to follow her downstairs and out onto the patio. There standing before him was a model car. A police car about a quarter of the size of a normal car.
‘Hey, that’s smart. He’ll love that.’
‘It really works. All he has to do is to steer it and put his foot down on the pedal and it moves. It’s battery operated and has a top speed of five miles per hour so let’s hope it’ll pacify him until tomorrow.’
‘It will. That’s very thoughtful of you Lena. But you know kids do have to learn to take the rough with the smooth.’
‘I know Garry, I know. Why don’t you go and tell the others?’ Lena suggested.
He acknowledged this before going back upstairs to his family to explain what had happened to their plane. The news was met with disappointment and frustration, all except Adam, who, when told of Lena’s present, stood totally transfixed. His eyes widened with pleasure, then he suddenly ran from the room, returning within a few seconds to drag everybody downstairs with him, so eager to find out what Lena had bought him.
It didn’t take him long to master the controls, and in no time he was driving about as if he’d been doing it all his life. He had a few mishaps along the way but was mesmerised by the car for hours, all thoughts of going home to see his nan and friends seemingly forgotten.
<><><>
The next morning after breakfast while everyone sat waiting ready for the off, Garry remained in his room waiting for Benson to collect and place their luggage into the people carrier, before taking them to the airstrip in good time for the plane. A loud knock on his door, made him assume Benson had arrived
. But when he opened it, he faced Lena once again. This time she wasn’t smiling; in fact, she looked distressed and uncomfortable, avoiding eye contact. Instinctively he realised something else must be seriously wrong.
‘Hallo Lena, you look as though you’ve got the whole world on your shoulders.’
‘You won’t believe this, but you know that plane I chartered to pick you up today, well, I’m sorry, but it’s been delayed again. This is really embarrassing for me – apparently, it needs a new part which will take a few days to get I’m afraid. I realise this is so annoying for you all, but honestly, it’s out of my control.’
Garry didn’t like the sound of this and felt an uneasy flutter in his stomach. ‘But there must be lots of other planes available – with all the money you’ve got, why can’t you charter another one?’
Instantly he saw she was taken aback, by his direct remark.
‘It’s not as easy as you think. Sure, I could do that, but it’s a question of when - it’s difficult to get one to come all the way out here. Perhaps if I offered ridiculous money it might work, but it’s not worth the effort for the sake of a couple days.’
Garry sighed. ‘Lena, we have to go home. We don’t know what’s happened to Delia, and the longer we’re delayed the more worried I’ll get.’
‘I’m well aware of that, darling? I’m trying my best, believe me,’ she protested. ‘You’ll just have to be patient – won’t you?’
‘I don’t have much choice, do I? We’re not letting this go on indefinitely,’ he warned. But he wondered just what he could do.
<><><>
Over the next two days, the family had nothing to do except to wander around the house and its grounds and make their own entertainment. As time passed, the situation got worse, endlessly sitting around hour after hour. The men bickering and ill-tempered. Adam, having grown tired of his police car, after playing with it all day and every day, irritated everyone; while Cassie and Jane played the role of peacemakers.