by T A Williams
Being vex’d a sea nourish’d with lovers’ tears.”
‘Always remember, Suzie, there’s nothing more important than love.’
She hugged him warmly and her eyes were burning as she went out of the gate onto the road. He was a lovely man and she felt so sorry that somebody who believed so strongly in the power of love had managed to end up on his own. Hopefully, she told herself, this was not the fate that awaited her. She had no time for further introspection as an unmistakable long white car whispered to a halt beside her and a familiar voice addressed her.
‘Suzie, how great to see you again.’
She woke from her reverie. ‘James, how good to see you too. And you, Roberto.’ She found she really was pleased to see them. ‘How was California, James?’
‘It was fine.’ James looked round intently. ‘Is Alex with you?’
Suzie shook her head and explained about her lunch with the professor. ‘And Alex has got her father with her today, so she’s stayed in Verona. But he’s leaving again this evening.’
She couldn’t miss the disappointment on James’s face, but he hastily regained his composure. ‘Would you like to come in for tea? I’ve just got off the plane and I’m dying for a real cuppa.’
‘I can’t, I’m afraid, James. My bus back to Verona will be coming in ten minutes or so and I think it’s the last one of the day.’
‘That’s all right, Roberto or I will give you a lift back.’
‘No, I couldn’t possibly…’
Roberto added his support. ‘I’ve got to go into Verona in a little while to see my brother, so I can easily give you a lift. Really.’
‘Well, if you’re sure.’
Suzie followed the car in through the gates of James’s villa and up the drive. It was pleasantly cool here under the trees and the scent of pine was in the air. She breathed deeply. Yes, James’s father certainly knew a thing or two about choosing houses.
She and James sat outside on the terrace, sheltered from the sun by a parasol, and looked out over the lake. There was very little wind today and James expressed his surprise. ‘The thing about Lake Garda is that the winds are normally so dependable. In the mornings we get the Pelèr and in the afternoons the Ora. Pelèr blows north to south and Ora from south to north. It’s quite unusual to have little or no wind.’ He gave her a grin. ‘I was quite looking forward to getting out on the water after a day on an aircraft.’
‘There’s always tomorrow. Besides, you probably need a rest after your journey anyway. How long are you staying?’
‘Not as long as I’d like, but long enough to see Alex. I’ve missed her, you know.’
Suzie nodded and smiled, but inside, she was torn. Should she say something to pour cold water on his expectations or was that best left to Alex? She had just made up her mind to say nothing when James pre-empted things.
‘Has she said anything about me?’
‘Yes, she often talks about you.’ Suzie gritted her teeth and hoped he wouldn’t press her for details. Alas, she was to be disappointed.
‘Suzie, do you think she likes me? I still can’t seem to get inside her head. I thought everything was going so well, but I’m not so sure now. You know her well by now. What do you think?’
‘She definitely likes you, James. You can be absolutely certain about that.’ She saw an expression of relief on his face and hoped she wasn’t making things worse. Hastily, she did a bit of clarifying. ‘From what she’s told me, you’re just about her oldest friend. Like you, she told me you two have played together since you were toddlers.’ This, she felt sure, was the truth and not likely to give him the wrong idea. She saw him nod.
‘We certainly go a long way back. I used to think of her as my sort-of cousin, or even my sister.’
Suzie was quick to capitalise on his choice of words. ‘That’s almost exactly what she said to me.’ She waited for him to comment, but he remained silent so she decided to add a hint of what was bothering Alex. ‘If anything, she maybe likes you too much.’
This definitely got his full attention. ‘How can you like somebody too much? Surely that’s a good thing, isn’t it?’
Suzie decided to bow out before things got too complicated. This was, after all, Alex’s fight, not hers. ‘Of course it is. You need to sit down and talk to her, I’m sure.’
Fortunately, at that moment, Roberto appeared at the French windows and held up two fingers. ‘Due minuti, OK?’
Suzie gave him a smile and a nod and turned to James, glad to have been thrown a lifeline out of their conversation about Alex. ‘Thank you for the tea. I don’t want to take up any more of your time. I bet you’re dying for a shower and a lie-down.’
James gave a weary nod of the head and then he made her a very generous offer.
‘Suzie, are you staying long in Verona? I’ve got to go back home later this week, but if you want to borrow any of my windsurfing kit, just call Roberto and he’ll give you free run of the boatshed. Use whatever you like, whenever you like.’
Suzie beamed at him. ‘I have no idea how long we’ll be here, but that’s really kind of you. I’ll see what Alex says. We were planning on going on to Mantua and Padua, but there’s an art course she’s thinking of doing here in Verona, so that might change things. But, whatever happens, thanks so much, James.’
Outside, Suzie was greatly relieved to see that Roberto was driving an ordinary-looking Fiat, not the Rolls-Royce. Before getting into the passenger seat she gave James a hug and two kisses. ‘Thanks again. And James, talk to Alex.’
‘I will.’ Then, just as Roberto started the engine, James ducked his head back down to the open window. ‘By the way, I almost forgot. My cousin sends his love.’ His face split into a broad grin. ‘Tommy would’ve murdered me if I’d forgotten to tell you. I think you’ve made a conquest there, Suzie.’
Her cheeks were still glowing long after the villa had receded into the distance behind them.
Chapter 16
Back at the hotel, she found Alex sitting on the terrace, alone.
‘Your dad gone?’
She went over and took a seat alongside Alex. There were clouds on the horizon tonight, but the air was still warm, although October would start the very next day.
‘Half an hour ago.’
‘And still no change of heart? He’s still dead set against your doing the Academy course?’
Alex nodded. ‘The man’s not for changing.’ She took off her sunglasses and rubbed them on the hem of her skirt to clean them. As she did so, Suzie couldn’t miss the moisture in the corners of her eyes. She reached over and caught hold of Alex’s arm.
‘There’s something else you need to know. I’ve just seen James.’
Alex gave a long sigh. ‘So he’s back. Where did you see him?’
Suzie told her about their chance meeting and the ensuing conversation. Alex gave her a grateful look.
‘Thanks for doing the groundwork, but I’ll have to give it to him straight tomorrow. Do you think he’s going to call tonight?’
‘He’s just stepped off a plane and he was looking pretty bushed, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t call. The first thing he asked me was where you were.’
Alex nodded slowly. ‘Ah well, I knew it was coming.’ She sighed softly. ‘Don’t get me wrong – part of me’s really happy he’s come back. He’s my oldest friend and it’ll be good to see him again. The thing is, as he is such a close friend, I don’t want to hurt him, and I’m not sure I know how to do that.’
At that moment, Alex’s phone started to ring. She picked it up, checked the caller ID and mouthed the words, It’s him.
‘Hi, James. Welcome back. How was the wedding?’
Suzie left her to it and went back into her room. As usual she checked her emails, but there was nothing hopeful on the employment front. There was, however, a text for her which cheered her up immediately.
Hi Suzie. The forecast for tomorrow is for a good wind, force 5/6. Would you like to come windsurfing with me in
the afternoon? I can lend you the kit. I’ve even got a wetsuit that should fit you. Michael
Suzie digested his message and the single phrase that stood out above all the others was a wetsuit that should fit. No prizes for guessing who had been the previous occupant of that wetsuit. One thing she knew without a shadow of a doubt was that she was not under any circumstances getting into any item of clothing that had once belonged to his dead wife. She was just reflecting upon what to do when Alex tapped on the window and came in.
‘James is coming to pick me up in time for lunch tomorrow. He asked whether you’d like to come as well.’
‘I don’t want to get in the way, Alex. Probably best if you go by yourself, although…’ A thought suddenly occurred to her. ‘Although maybe I will.’ She went on to show Alex the text from Michael and then to repeat James’s offer of windsurfing kit. ‘Why don’t I come along for a bite of lunch and then go off with Michael in the afternoon, leaving you two to talk things over? How would that be?’
* * *
By the time James arrived to pick them up next day, the wind had also picked up. The sun was still shining, but clouds regularly blocked it out and it was clear that a change in the weather was on its way. As he drove them back to the villa, Suzie explained that she was going windsurfing with a friend that afternoon and felt she should ask if he wanted to come along, although she really wanted him to sit down and talk to Alex. His response reassured her.
‘No, you go without me, Suzie. Alex and I have got a lot of catching up to do.’
Lunch was excellent and Suzie enjoyed the fact that there were just the three of them, rather than the big, noisy group from before. By the look of it, James also appreciated being able to dedicate himself to Alex. As Suzie went off to the boathouse after lunch, she exchanged glances with Alex and gave her a little wink. Hopefully the conversation to come with James would not be too hard on either of them.
She had arranged to meet Michael at the jetty at half past two and she found him already there when she emerged in her wetsuit, carrying her board. As she caught sight of him she was conscious of her heart giving a little leap that she was helpless to control.
‘Suzie, hi.’
He jumped up and padded across the old timbers towards her in his bare feet. He looked as handsome and appealing as ever – and a wetsuit could be very unforgiving. He looked athletic, fit and immensely desirable. As his eyes landed on her, she felt the colour rush inexorably to her cheeks, provoking the familiar sense of annoyance with herself that only served to make her blush all the more. He stretched out his arms towards her and she only just realised at the last moment that he was reaching for the board in her arms and managed to avoid making a faux pas by throwing herself at him. She handed it to him and hurried back into the boatshed for the rig. As she came out, a strong gust caught and filled the sail, almost ripping it out of her hands, and she knew it was going to be another great day out on the water.
They barely exchanged a few words as they got ready, but what he did say was interesting and potentially cheering.
‘It’s great to see you again, Suzie. I’ve been thinking about you so much since the other night. I’m sorry I managed to spoil what started out as such a great evening.’
‘You didn’t spoil anything. I’m glad you felt like sharing your feelings. Like I said before, I can only begin to imagine how you must have felt and how you must still be feeling.’ She gave him a little smile. ‘Just remember that I’m here for you if you need me.’
He managed to smile back at her. ‘Thanks, Suzie, that means a lot to me.’
Determined not to dwell any more on this sad subject, she waded into the water and glanced across at him as she checked her harness and picked up the sail, making sure to keep it feathered away from the full force of the wind.
‘You lead. I’ll follow.’
‘Ladies first. You go ahead. I know my place.’
Suzie chuckled in response. ‘Anywhere special you want to go?’
He shook his head. ‘Just try to keep upwind as much as possible. With a blow like this we’ll end up at the head of the lake otherwise.’
As Riva del Garda at the northernmost tip of the lake was about fifty kilometres away, she knew he was joking, but she resolved to do as instructed. With a smile at him, she lifted the sail and, as it filled, she stepped on and set off across the lake like an arrow. The board slalomed through the water as she snaked up and down the faces of the waves towards the middle of the lake. It was exhilarating, it was challenging and she couldn’t have been happier. At one point a rogue wave some four or five feet high appeared before her and she deliberately steered up the face of it and flew through the air for quite a distance before landing again and carrying on. As she did so, she heard a wild scream of joy and realised with some surprise it was coming from her. Seconds later, she saw movement alongside her as Michael came past, turning his head towards her as he did so and mouthing what looked like a silent Wow!
They were out for about an hour and a half and by that time she was exhausted. In fact, after a spectacular fall a few hundred metres from the shore, she took the opportunity to lie in the water, arms draped across the board, for a rest. Within a minute or two, Michael arrived with a flourish and flopped backwards off his board into the water. He let the wind blow his board up to hers and she felt the warmth of his shoulder against her. Even through two layers of neoprene, it felt good.
‘Wow, Suzie, you were on fire out there!’
She turned towards him, wiping the hair from her face, and beamed. ‘I haven’t had so much fun for ages. Last time I came out was great, but it was so extreme, it was a constant fight against the elements. Today it’s tough, but it’s manageable. Thanks for getting me out.’
‘Thanks for coming with me. Now all I’ve got to do is to break the news to Beppe that I’ve found a new partner.’
There was a moment’s silence, punctuated only by the splash of the water and the whistling of the wind through the sails, before he realised what he had said.
‘Windsurfing partner, I mean.’
He looked as embarrassed as Suzie felt, but she was determined not to let emotion get the better of her.
‘Well, any time you want company out here on the lake, just say the word.’ She lay there for a few seconds before carrying on, taking courage from the fact that her cheeks had already been burning with the exertion before his remark so her blushes maybe hadn’t shown. ‘Although I don’t know how much longer we’re going to be in Verona.’
‘I was wondering about that. The director of the Academy called me this morning with a message for Alex. They’ve got what he called a three-day taster course starting tomorrow if she’s interested.’
‘I bet she would be. The problem is that her dad’s said no.’
Michael didn’t really need to reply. His expression said it all. ‘Well, he can’t stop her doing a three-day course, surely. Tell her anyway, will you?’
‘Definitely.’ Suzie glanced back towards the shore. Without her glasses, it was a bit hazy, but she thought she recognised the figure watching from the shore. ‘Or you can tell her yourself. That looks like her on the jetty. Shall we head back? I’m knackered.’
It took barely two or three minutes to get back to James’s jetty and as she neared the shore she saw that Alex was indeed standing there, alone. That didn’t look like a good sign. She sailed right up to the wooden pontoon and stepped off her board, dropping the sail into the water and reaching up to stretch her aching shoulders.
‘Hi, Suzie. I was getting worried for a moment when I saw the two of you lying in the water. Everything okay?’ Alex sounded normal, but Suzie knew her well enough by now to see that all was not well. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Michael still fifty yards off, approaching fast. Turning back towards Alex, she lowered her voice.
‘I’m fine, thanks, just tired. But how about you? How did it go with James?’
Alex dropped her eyes. ‘I bottled out.�
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‘You didn’t tell him?’
‘Sort of. I told him it felt weird because we’re such old friends but then, at the end, I just said I thought I needed more time.’
‘So he still thinks he’s in with a chance?’
Alex nodded. ‘Yes.’ She looked up. ‘Suzie, am I a terrible person? Shouldn’t I have told him the truth and been done with it?’
Out of the corner or her eye, Suzie saw Michael sweep up to the jetty and swing the board round in a full circle on its tail before jumping lightly off into the waist-deep water. Hastily, she sought to offer reassurance to Alex.
‘Of course you’re not a bad person. You just wanted to let him down gently. That’s a sign of real friendship.’
Pulling herself wearily onto the jetty, she went over to Michael who was fiddling with his sail in the shallows.
‘Come and tell Alex about that three-day course. I think she might need a bit of cheering up.’ She reached out her hands to help him up onto the jetty, but he managed it by himself and she felt a little twinge of regret.
As Michael and Alex chatted, Suzie lifted her board onto the woodwork, removed the rig and carried it back to the boathouse. By the time she returned, James had joined them, bearing a jug of fresh lemonade and four glasses. As far as Suzie could tell, he was looking his normal happy self in spite of the conversation with Alex. She introduced him to Michael and the two men sat down together. Inevitably, they started talking about windsurfing, so Suzie deliberately took a seat beside Alex and changed the subject.
‘Did Michael tell you about the three-day course at the Academy?’
Alex nodded enthusiastically. ‘Absolutely, and I’m going to do it. It runs from tomorrow until Thursday night and then there’s a free painting day on Friday. Are you happy to stay in Verona for the rest of this week? We were going to go on to Mantua or Padua, weren’t we?’
‘I’m very happy to do whatever you want and I can’t imagine anywhere nicer than Verona. I can always take the train down to Mantua one day if I get bored – not that I think that’s going to happen. After all, it’s only half an hour away.’