by Lexie James
She had given him everything that night: her love, her body, and yet when she had woken up the next morning, her bed was cold and he was gone. She went searching for him, confused and hurt as to why he had left. She heard the sound of voices coming from the canteen and curious at the sound of laughter and cheers, she had found him surrounded by his mates. Something about the way they all stopped talking and looked at her awkwardly alerted her to the danger to her very future; and then she heard one of the boys laugh, congratulate him for sleeping with her and as she watched in horror she had seen him put some money into Christos’s hand.
Her hopes of a lifetime of happiness with the love of her life was fractured into a million pieces at that precise moment.
Distraught she was aware of Christos looking at the money in his hand and she questioned if any of the sweet words he had spoken to her that night had had any truth in them. While she stood there just looking at him one of her friends followed her in and whispered in her ear that there had been bets taken by all the boys on which night he would sleep with her.
Numbly she had felt an icy blast swirl around her heart gradually freezing out any small hope she had left. She realised that he had betrayed her and used her to win a bet, to win himself some money. She replayed everything that he had said to her trying to see how she had got everything so wrong, how she could have been so blind and so gullible.
There had been a fraction of a second when he had looked at her and she had been convinced that he was going to start walking towards her, but that moment passed as she realised, painfully, that she was mistaken. She watched his eyes slid shamefaced past her, dismissing her, as he had turned to answer a comment from one of his friends.
If she had had a bow and arrow she would have liked to pierce him in the heart with it, anything to make him hurt as much as he was hurting her; she could see that what her friend had told her was true as he continued to ignore her. She ran out of the canteen and as far away from him as she possibly could, but she couldn’t run away from what she had done and thought and she felt sick with humiliation at how she had been his willing participant throughout the night.
She had risked it all and was therefore instrumental in her own downfall.
Even now she couldn’t understand why the memory of that betrayal still hurt her so much after all these years, why she still felt her insides shrivel up with shame at her stupidity, and why, despite all that had happened, and even when she hated him so very much, did she still yearn to feel his arms around her and his gentle kisses raining on her neck? Why did just the smell of his aftershave on someone else make her want to curl up into a ball and sob?
She was all kinds of a fool, to have believed him when he had told her he loved her and to have let him touch her, let him make her senses soar.
Enough, she mentally shook herself.
I won’t go there again.
I will never go there again!
She stood and walked over to the mantelpiece, straightening her skirt as she did so and slowly putting on her jacket. Her face stared back at her from the mirror and she ran her hair over her new hairstyle, she still wasn’t sure if it suited her and she spent more time than she wanted to straightening her unruly curls but she felt she looked more professional, more grown up.
Her eyes alighted on the picture of Chrissie and Michael; despite all the heartache, she at least had something good to cherish.
She savagely hoped that the money he had made out of the loss of her virtue had been worth it; she hoped that it had kept him warm on a cold night.
Turning slowly she thought how ridiculous she was being to dwell on something that had happened so very long ago. It was just this time of the year that made her so maudlin; after Sunday it would all be over and then there would be another whole year before the memories surfaced and she felt like this again.
The guests would be arriving soon and she needed to check that the extra kitchen staff had arrived and were all settled in leaving her Dad to cope with greeting the arriving guests.
She felt guilty as she walked down the stairs to the kitchen, but she knew that he would understand and cope.
CHAPTER EIGHT
She was busy chatting with the staff when she heard Michael hollering to her from the top of the stairs.
“Mum, can you please come upstairs; Aunt Sophia has just arrived with a friend.”
Emme smiled apologetically at the staff as she left the kitchen, racing upstairs to greet her godfather’s wife.
She had been terribly disappointed that her godfather was unable to be here; this was the first time that he had ever missed this event. But it would be good to catch up with Sophia and talking to her would help her banish her gloomy thoughts of her mother and the rest of her sad memories. She sometimes wished she had told her mother who the father of her twins was, but the humiliation of that night was too painful to share, even with someone she had loved so much, so she had kept the truth buried deep inside. She wondered if her mother had guessed it was the boy she had told her about, but, just as her mother had never asked, Emme had never had to find the courage to tell her.
Sophia crossed the hall opening her arms wide as she did so; gratefully Emme ran into her embrace and was immediately engulfed with a warm perfumed cocoon.
“Emme you look wonderful, I swear you look younger each time I see you. I like your new hairstyle - very chic, though perhaps it is a bit hard for your face; but then I suppose you are trying to look like the successful business woman you have become. Now don’t pull a face at me, I know that’s what you are, it’s just that, unfortunately, you still remain a child to me.” Hardly pausing to draw breath she continued. “Now please let me introduce you to Maria Donati, one of my oldest friends, she agreed to come here this weekend and deputise for Daniel.”
Emme laughed at her aunt Sophia, enjoying the way she rattled along like a high speed train; it was one of her characteristics that she most adored. She turned to shake Maria’s hand and as she smiled at her guest she found herself taken aback that the eyes looking at her haughtily were so achingly familiar - a mixture of amber and chocolate shot with warm gold - the last time she had seen eyes like that they were swimming above her as his lips.....
She clamped down hard on her memories; surely there had to be many people who had eyes like that. But somehow she had the oddest feeling that it wasn’t just the eyes that were so similar. After all, she ruefully told herself, her children’s eyes were similar and yet when she looked into Maria’s they were just so achingly familiar. No, it wasn’t just the eyes, there was something more, she could see it, the way she held herself, the shape of her head, which stirred memories that were best left buried. She took a deep breath, decided she was being ridiculous and that she must, instead, have met her somewhere before.
“How do you do, I’m sorry but have we met somewhere before?” She smiled uncertainly at Maria.
Maria shook her hand perfunctorily but took little notice of the girl looking at her warily; she had already looked around at the Victorian style of the building and decided that she was definitely out of place - and that young man shouting down the stairs- well really! A totally unprofessional way for staff to behave and he looked far too young to be employed anyway. She was already seriously regretting her decision to support to Sophia and the thought that for one moment she had considered Daniel’s goddaughter as a candidate for her sons hand; well not in a million years.
Apart from anything else she was obviously married for that young man had called her Mum. A fact Sophie had omitted to tell her. She shook the proffered hand unenthusiastically and studiously attempted to avoid eye contact.
“I don’t believe we have.” She replied regally.
Sophia, rather embarrassed by her friend’s behaviour, jumped into the breach left by Maria’s comment.
“Maria and I grew up together in Naples. We both used to help in her father’s bakery but we rarely get to see each other these days and with Daniel not being able
to come with me it seemed such a wonderful opportunity for us to catch up on those old times. Emme you must be very busy at the moment so suppose we leave you in peace for now. We’ll just go to our rooms and then we can catch up later when you have some free time. Michael?”
She turned round to find him politely waiting. “Please would you help us with our bags? See you later Emme.”
At that moment Patrick walked into the hall and Maria was taken aback as he grabbed Sophia with both arms, lifting her up and spinning her around as he gave her a hearty hug and kiss. “Sophia my darling girl, you’re a sight for sore eyes, it’s that wonderful to see you again.”
He deposited her on the floor and turned to Maria, greeting her with a lazy smile, his eyes twinkling as he looked at her.
“This beautiful lady is actually your friend?” he turned and grinned at Sophia.
“Well there’s no need to be so surprised.” Sophia snorted. “I do know some beautiful people you know.”
He threw back his head and laughed loudly, “Ah, Sophia you are so easy to rile, it does me heart good to see you.”
He turned to Maria and with an old fashioned degree of courtesy continued. “Please excuse my behaviour but you see Sophia, Daniel, my wife and I, have been such close friends for years that I am afraid our banter might surprise outsiders. I am Patrick Mackay, this is my daughter Emme, over there is my grandson Michael and somewhere around here is Chrissie my granddaughter. Welcome to our humble abode and I hope you enjoy your weekend. Michael!”
In a flash of old fashioned gallantry he took Maria’s hand and kissed it as Michael came forward to pick up their cases.
Maria was totally knocked off balance by his behaviour; surreptitiously she looked under her eyelashes at him as he hurried around dealing with other guests, again with that same open friendly manner. She wasn’t sure if she approved of it but she saw how comfortable it seemed to make the other guests feel. She glanced at Sophia who had turned to speak to Emme.
Now that she was looking at her properly she could see that Emme was actually very beautiful. Like her father, she appeared to adopt the same informal manner when talking to guests. In all her years she had never seen staff behave this. At her husband’s hotels they prided themselves upon being invisible; she wasn’t quite sure how she felt about this behaviour but she thought it might be sensible to allow herself some time to become more accustomed to it.
“Come on Aunt Sophia I’ve got lots to do you know, come on it’s this way,” Michael said leading them up the staircase.
“Granddad didn’t think you would want your usual room, not with it having a double bed in it and you two ladies, needing your own separate beds. So he’s put you on the next floor up so that you’ve got two single rooms but there is a door between the rooms that you can keep open. Chrissie said that when she goes to sleepovers, she and her friends like to be able to talk all night, so you can do that if the door is left open can’t you? Mind you, I think you are both a bit too old for sleepovers aren’t you?”
He stopped and opened a door so he couldn’t see the look of humour that flashed between Sophia and Maria. “You can choose who has which room; the other room is through there.” Putting down their suitcases he was off.
“Well really!” Maria’s voice shook between laughter and annoyance.
Sophia smiled. “I told you on the journey here that this isn’t your normal kind of hotel with conventional staff. I knew you hadn’t believed me.”
She walked over to the window, pushed it open and as soon as she did that the tantalising, heady smell of roses began to drift slowly in and she could see the hive of activity taking place on the lawn.
Maria walked over to join her then looked at her questioningly. “Sophia, can I ask you why you never thought to introduce Christos to your goddaughter?”
Sophia smiled at her good-humouredly. “Why? Well for one reason did you not take in Patrick’s introduction? He introduced you to his grandchildren, her children. She has responsibilities so she hasn’t time to play the social games that your son plays.”
Maria shrugged her shoulders. “Well you could have done it before she got married and had responsibilities.”
Sophia opened her mouth but what she was about to say was interrupted by the arrival of a young girl on the lawn below them who immediately began to order the adults around. Grinning she pointed her out to Maria.
“Do you see that girl down there taking charge?” She pointed out to the girl who was at this moment directing the man on the ladder to re-hang the banners in the trees. “There is the last member of the family, that’s Chrissie, Michael’s sister.”
They watched the girl for a moment then Maria spoke. “They look about the same age.”
Sighing Sophia crossed her arms looking out but not really focussing on what she was seeing.
“You asked me why I didn’t introduce them. I’ll tell you why. One minute Emme was still at school, then before I knew it she had gone to college and then…They are the same age you know, they’re twins. Maria I trust you not to repeat what I’m going to tell you. Emme had a love affair at college. None of us have ever been able to get her to divulge the boy’s name, but he has to be the father of her children. She has done a splendid job of bringing them up on her own. You know it’s hard enough to be a mother when there is a father around supporting you, but when you have to be a mother and a father it’s a whole different ball game. And she had to do it to with not only one child but two. She’s done an incredible job and they are wonderfully well balanced children despite having no father. You asked me why it is that I didn’t introduce her to Christos? How many times have you told me that you despair of him ever settling down? Would that be fair to risk Emme being hurt again after all she has had to cope with?”
Maria turned to her, her own longing for grandchildren transparent on her face. “So somewhere out there is some poor father and grandparents who don’t even know about the existence of these children?”
“Well yes, I suppose if you put it that way then I guess that you are right.” Sophia told her uncomfortably. “But Hannah told me that the boy had obviously behaved atrociously. As far as she knew from the moment Emme returned from college the boy made no attempt to contact her to, so neither she nor Emme felt he deserved to know about the children. Hannah was the gentlest soul I have ever known and if that is what she felt and she didn’t encourage Emme to forgive him, then I can guarantee you that it was the right thing to do.”
Maria turned to look out of the window at the laughing girl organising a group of adults and her heart constricted yet again with the need to hold some grandchildren of her own. “How sad, not only for the children not to know their father but for the grandparents that are missing out on the chance to love them.” She whispered.
Sophia watched her with sympathy as she gazed longingly at Chrissie. What Maria really needed was for her son to stop playing around and settle down. It was really so very thoughtless of him, she wondered if he really understood how much he was breaking her heart.
When she next saw him she had every intention of telling him so.
CHAPTER NINE
Christos was driving faster than normal and Adrienne was bounced around in the front seat. She could see his hands grasping the steering wheel aggressively.
“What on earth is the matter with you?” she finally demanded.
“I am already regretting this, I am tired and according to everything you have told me, when we get there we will be asked to join any group that needs help to run a stall tomorrow. What on earth were you thinking of? I thought we were staying at a hotel not running a god damn jumble sale.”
He took his eyes of the road to glare furiously at her.
She glared straight back at him not intimidated by him at all.
“Oh for goodness sake will you stop moaning! It is not a jumble sale. I told you that, and I also told you that you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, not that you ever would anyw
ay. Patrick simply phoned to confirm our booking and just happened to mention that I, and I means me you know, not you! Anyway he asked if I might like to help with one of the groups. That’s all, and that most certainly does not have to include you!”
She studiously turned away to look out of the window so failed to see the speculative glance that Christos flung in her direction, as yet again, he noticed a flush of colour high on her cheekbones whenever she mentioned the owners’ name.
“Patrick hey?” her blush had diffused the anger that had been simmering all the day at what he considered was a complete waste of a weekend.
He threw her a smile as he apologised.
“Okay forgive me, I’m sorry. I will meet your Patrick as your dutiful son. I can’t wait to see who can keep bringing a blush to your face; anyone would think you were still sixteen. I will behave, I promise, once I have had a shower, a drink and a rest.”
Adrienne looked at him uncertainly; he was so adamant he knew why she was on tender hooks and if he knew how wrong he was he would be so angry; her stomach clenched and she felt sick. The more she had thought about it, the more she was convinced that he would see through her deception once he finally saw his Lindy. What on earth was he going to say to her when he realised she had brought him here under false pretences?
Her heart flipped as they swept into the drive and parked in the car park, it’s too late to draw back now she realised in panic.
Christos got out and stood, slowly looking around at the hotel and the land. Perhaps, he thought pensively, I was wrong and I’ve done Adrienne an injustice, this is a glorious setting. He looked at the elegant Victorian building surrounded by sculpted flower beds. They had already gone over a small bridge and now he saw that the stream it had straddled meandered of into the woods to the left of him and beyond that he could glimpse the sea glistening in the late afternoon sun. To his right he saw more woodland and what he thought looked like stables far of in the distance.