When Summer Fades

by Shaw, Danielle

  Briefly leaving Carlos’s side, Rosa turned to look at Sophie’s shoulders. ‘So it is. I do believe she’s even beginning to go brown.’

  Linking her arm in Carlos’s, Rosa nuzzled against him and followed Sophie towards the beach house. ‘Yes, she’s definitely going brown, or should I say golden?’

  Suppressing a groan, Carlos thought of the pale-golden body he’d held lovingly in his arms. Now that Rosa was here, it was useless to even think of being alone with Sophie for more than just a few snatched moments.

  In the guest annexe, alone with her thoughts, Sophie desperately held back fresh tears. Her mind was in turmoil, why had Rosa been early for once, and why had she practically flung herself into Carlos’s arms as if they’d been parted for months! Isn’t it obvious? She told herself. Just like you, Rosa can’t bear to be parted from him! And what makes it even worse is the fact you can even hear her laughing and joking with him beyond the connecting door!

  What was it Carlos had said? Everything will be simply perfect? And even earlier still – last September, when Rosa had hastily scribbled down the family tree and concluded with the words: ‘You see it is seemple.’ Sophie gave a brittle smile. ‘No, it isn’t,’ she sighed wretchedly, slumping on the bed in despair. ‘You’ve both got it wrong. It isn’t simple at all!’

  Hearing a knock on her bedroom door, Sophie looked up in anticipation. To no avail, however. It was Rosa who stood there, not Carlos.

  ‘Carlos is getting ready to leave. Do you want to come and say goodbye?'

  Desperate to cry out, ‘No, I do not want to say goodbye to Carlos, because I’m in love with him!’ Sophie took a deep breath and followed Rosa to the front door.

  There, she discovered Carlos already loading his brief case and laptop into the Volvo. Seeing them approach, he called out. ‘Rosa, be a dear, see if I’ve left my mobile on the hall table. I appear to have mislaid it.’

  When Rosa ran back to the house Carlos grasped Sophie’s hand. ‘Quick! Before she comes back. I need to speak with you.’

  ‘But your phone’s in the glove compartment,’ Sophie broke in. ‘You put it—’

  ‘Shhh. I know. But it’s the only way I could get rid of her. She’s hardly taken her hands off me since she arrived.’

  ‘So I noticed!’

  Carlos frowned. ‘Sophie, believe me. She’s never been this affectionate before, I can’t understand it.’

  ‘Can’t you? I can. You obviously didn’t see the pile of magazines she left on the hall table.’

  ‘Magazines?’

  ‘Bridal magazines.’

  Carlos raised a troubled eyebrow. ‘You don’t mean she —’

  ‘Oh yes, Carlos. I’m afraid I do. Contrary to what you’ve been hoping and saying these past few days, it would appear Rosa has every intention of getting married!’

  Looking down the path to where Rosa was returning empty handed, Carlos slipped a small card into Sophie’s hand. ‘Here’s my office and mobile number. My home number’s on the back. Any time you’re alone, promise me you’ll ring.’

  ‘I couldn’t find it, Carlos, and I looked everywhere,’ Rosa said, out of breath.

  ‘Sorry, Rosa. I’ve just remembered I left it in the glove compartment.’

  When Rosa kissed Carlos goodbye, Sophie stood back discreetly. What should she do when it was her turn to say farewell? To her amazement, Rosa unwittingly came to their rescue.

  ‘Really Carlos!’ she teased, watching him reach for Sophie’s hand, ‘Though I love you dearly, sometimes you are so old fashioned. Sophie is almost part of the family now. Why don’t you kiss her goodbye?’

  Needing no further encouragement, Carlos bent down and kissed Sophie on both cheeks, taking hold of her hand as he did so. ‘Please ring me,’ he whispered.

  Listening to Rosa ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ as she flicked her way through yet another bridal magazine, Sophie was relieved when the telephone rang. Since Carlos’s departure all this drooling over wedding dresses and exquisite lingerie was beginning to make her wish her holiday was at its end. Feigning enthusiasm at yet more virginal delights while at the same time trying to ignore Rosa’s endless post-it notes (‘Show this to C’: ‘Ask C about that’, and such like) which were stuck on numerous pages, she desperately hoped it would be ‘C’ on the phone. She looked up in eager anticipation.

  ‘That was Cristovao,’ Rosa began, a deeply puzzled frown etched upon her face. ‘He says Carlos is working late … something to do with problems in Milan. He can’t make this weekend after all.’

  Sophie’s heart missed a beat. Carlos’s previous Milan appointment had been postponed. Was this a genuine call, or was it all part of his plan to see her? ‘That’s a shame,’ she replied.’

  With a disgruntled sigh, Rosa picked up the magazine she wanted to show Carlos.

  ‘Hmph! Not only a shame but a nuisance, however, it appears we shan’t be alone, Cristovao is to take us both to dinner, and afterwards to a night club.’

  Desperate to think of an excuse not to go, Sophie said the first thing to come into her head. ‘Would you think me terribly anti-social if I didn’t come, Rosa? I’m not really into night clubs.’

  ‘But you love going dancing!’ Rosa protested. ‘We had such fun when we joined Beckford’s Salsa Club. Besides, I can’t leave you on your own again, and I certainly don’t intend to spend the evening alone with Cristovao! If you won’t come to the nightclub then at least join us for dinner?’

  Filled with despair, Sophie rang Carlos at the earliest opportunity. ‘Rosa won’t take no for an answer. How on earth am I going to get out of it?’

  ‘You don’t have to. Mario de Sousa flew in from Milan last night. I’m seeing him in ten minutes. I’m sorry, Sophie. In the circumstances there was nothing I could do.’

  ‘You think I should go with Rosa and Cristovao?’

  Registering the acute disappointment in Sophie’s voice, Carlos said, ‘At least you might be able to stop them from bickering all night long. Meanwhile, all I can suggest is that as soon as I know how long Mario intends to stay, I’ll get back to you.’

  *

  ‘Filomena! Are you sure all the beds have been changed and everywhere at Casa Maria-Clara is in order?’ Augustina demanded down the phone.

  ‘Yes ... but—’

  ‘But what?’

  ‘Sophie always insists on tidying her own room. Of course I still change her sheets every other day and—’

  ‘What about Rosa’s room?’

  Filomena hesitated, ‘As you know Rosa is not so tidy. She leaves things everywhere. Unlike Carlos who—’

  Suddenly reminded that Carlos had announced his intention to stay at Alvor until Tuesday evening, Augustina broke in. ‘Ah, yes. Carlos mentioned his plans when he fetched some of my cream for Sophie’s back. By the way, how is her sunburn?’

  ‘Much better. She asked me to pass on her thanks.’

  ‘How kind. So … returning to the beach house, Rosa tells me Cristovao is expected at the weekend. I suggest – as he also prefers to sleep in the annexe, and Sophie is already using Cristovao’s room – you’d better make sure Carlos’s room is cleaned and ready for his brother.’

  ‘I’ve already done that.’ Delighted Bernado had chosen such a hardworking and conscientious wife, Augustina nodded thoughtfully. ‘Of course, you would have changed the sheets on Tuesday morning.’

  ‘Oh, it wasn’t necessary. I changed them on Monday morning and Carlos never slept in his bed on Monday night.’

  Hanging up the phone Augustina frowned deeply and pondered Filomena’s revelation. Somehow it didn’t make sense. If, as she’d been told, Carlos had stayed at Casa Maria-Clara until Tuesday, where had he slept on Monday, or more importantly with whom?

  On Saturday evening, when Cristovao arrived, Sophie was faintly amused watching the two cousins in greeting. They were like boxers eyeing each other before a prize fight. Unlike with Carlos last Tuesday, Rosa did not fling her arms around Cristovao’s neck.
Instead she merely brushed her lips against both cheeks, and introduced him to her friend.

  ‘I’m pleased to meet you, Sophie,’ he said, with a disarming smile. ‘I’ve heard a great deal about you. Quite how you’ve managed to put up with my spoilt brat of a cousin for so long is completely beyond me. What Carlos sees in her, I shall never know.’

  ‘At least Carlos has perfect manners!’ Rosa snapped.

  ‘But I have the charm and the good looks, eh, Rosa?’

  ‘Oh! You are impossible!’ she said, snatching her jacket from the chair.

  Walking to Cristovao’s birthday present from his father, a gleaming red sports car, Sophie considered his self-description. In a way she supposed he was good looking. But not, in her opinion, nearly as handsome as Carlos. He was shorter and stockier than his brother, and his hair was neither as dark nor as straight. As for his eyes – she’d noticed those almost immediately. They were definitely not navy-blue!

  Regarding the interior of his car, Cristovao grinned and winked at Sophie. ‘So … which of you lucky ladies will have the pleasure of sitting next to me? It ought to be you Sophie, because you are here as our guest, but as my dear cousin isn’t exactly what you’d call slim these days, I doubt whether she’ll fit into the back of the car. What’s your excuse, Rosa? Fish and chips, or wonderful English roast beef and Yorkshire pudding?’

  ‘Odious pig!’ Rosa cried, eyes flashing angrily. ‘Why are you always so rude about my weight? I wish I’d never agreed to come with you now!’

  Christovao swung open the passenger door. ‘Well, don’t then! And before you launch into one of your usual sulks, don’t forget tonight wasn’t my idea. I’m only here to do Carlos a favour. Make up your mind, Rosa. Are you coming or staying? Because I’m starving, I’ve also arranged to meet some friends at the Alfaia Club.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll get in the back,’ Sophie offered, trying to ignore the mounting tension. Easing herself into the confined space available, she watched the less than happy Rosa struggle unaided into the front passenger seat.

  With Cristovao switching on the ignition before Rosa barely had time to fasten her seatbelt, Sophie caught only flashes of the surrounding countryside as they sped away to the restaurant. There, to her relief, Rosa and Cristovao were marginally more civil towards each other. But not to the extent she wanted to spend the rest of the evening in their company.

  ‘If you don’t mind,’ she ventured politely. ‘I’d prefer not to go on to the Alfaia Club. You see, I’ve never been able to dance on a full stomach.’

  ‘Unlike Rosa – who not only eats like a horse, but also dances like one,’ Cristovao remarked.

  Rosa threw her cousin a look of utter contempt and reached angrily for her jacket. ‘Right! That’s it! Just wait until I tell Carlos. I’m coming with you, Sophie.’

  ‘Please yourself!’ Cristovao said, calling for the bill, watching her struggle with her tangled jacket sleeves. ‘What shall I tell Anna?’

  ‘Anna?’

  ‘Don’t say you’ve forgotten? When I rang, I told you Anna was back from her holiday.’

  ‘No you didn’t!’

  ‘Yes, I did. But as usual you probably weren’t listening. Anna said she was hoping to see you tonight at the Alfaia.’

  Rosa’s face altered dramatically at the prospect of seeing her old school friend again. And if Anna’s brother was going to be there, too, the evening might not be such a disappointment after all. Ignoring Cristovao, she turned expectantly in Sophie’s direction.

  ‘It’s OK,’ Sophie said. ‘You go and have a super time with Anna. You must have heaps to talk about. I’m sure I can get a taxi back to Alvor.’

  ‘Definitely not!’ Cristovao protested, rising to his feet. ‘Rosa might think I’m devoid of manners, but I wouldn’t hear of it! Don’t worry, Sophie, we shall have you back at Alvor in no time at all.’

  No time at all was right! Hurtling along cobbled roads at breakneck speed – this time with Rosa wedged uncomfortably in the back – Sophie closed her eyes and prayed she wasn’t going to be sick. In fact, she thought, opening her eyes again, the car even appeared to be travelling faster than the small private plane, coming into land at the nearby airstrip.

  ‘Have a great time,’ Sophie called, waving goodbye, watching red taillights disappear in a cloud of dust. ‘Please, God, you get there in one piece.’

  Anxious to clear her head and settle her stomach after such a terrifying journey Sophie sat on the terrace, breathing in the sweetly scented air and wishing she could be with Carlos. To her dismay, when the telephone rang it was Rosa she heard, not Carlos.

  ‘Sophie. Did I get you out of bed?’

  ‘No, I’ve been finishing my book.’

  Recalling Cristovao’s car speeding away from the beach house, she enquired, troubled. ‘Rosa, are you all right? You haven’t had an accident?’

  ‘You mean Cristovaos’s driving? No, thank goodness. But we have met up with so many friends from school and college, and as I’d rather not risk a return trip, especially as Cristovao is drinking rather heavily, Anna’s suggested I go back with her. You see, the Alfaia doesn’t close until 3a.m. and—’

  ‘There’s no need to explain further,’ Sophie said. ‘In the circumstances, I think it’s the most sensible thing to do. Have fun catching up with all your friends, and I’ll look forward to seeing you sometime on Sunday afternoon.’

  Half an hour later, preparing for bed, Sophie was surprised to see a car’s headlights sweeping down the coastal road. Her stomach gave a lurch. Had Carlos been able to get away, after all?

  Peering into the darkness, her heart sank. Sadly, it was only a local taxi, which could only mean one thing: Rosa had changed her mind about staying with Anna after all.

  ‘What happened?’ she sighed, unlocking the door. ‘Did you fall out with Anna, as well as Cristovao?’

  ‘No. But I managed to persuade Mario de Sousa to return to Milan this evening, instead of tomorrow.’

  ‘Carlos!’ she cried, falling into his arms. ‘What are you doing here? And why the taxi?’

  ‘Guess?’ he said, smiling, holding her close.

  ‘You haven’t run out of petrol?’

  Carlos shook his head. ‘No. But I’ll give you a clue. Remember what I said about the goats?’

  ‘The goats?’

  ‘When we made love on the beach.’

  Colouring at the memory, Sophie racked her brains. ‘Something about goats not having wings?’

  ‘Exactly. And while goats might not have wings … Francisco has!’

  ‘Francisco? You mean Francisco has a plane!’ she gasped, remembering the airstrip Cristovao had shot passed en route from the restaurant.’

  ‘Precisely. When I took Mario to Lisbon airport, I thought perhaps I could drive down here to see you.’

  ‘That would have taken simply ages.’

  ‘Not exactly ages. But I realized a plane would be quicker. I also remembered Francisco was flying to Lisbon, and so I rang him and asked if he wouldn’t mind an extra passenger on the way back to Alvor. I did ring to let you know I was coming, but the line was engaged.’

  ‘That was Rosa ringing from the Alfaia Club.’

  Carlos breathed a deep sigh of relief. ‘I wondered why Cristovao’s car wasn’t here. I even began to wonder if he’d let me down. Does that mean they’re not back, yet, and we have a couple of hours to ourselves?’

  ‘Oh, we have more than that,’ Sophie whispered, taking his arm. ‘Cristovao has been drinking and is unable to drive, and Rosa is spending what remains of the night with a friend. Anna Oliver, I think she said.’

  ‘I think you mean Anna Oliviera. They were at school together.’ Turning to face Sophie, Carlos tilted her chin upwards, brushing her hair from her face with his slender fingers. ‘You know,’ he said, bending to kiss her on the nose, ‘you are just as beautiful as I remember.’

  ‘But you only left on Tuesday evening.’

  ‘Exactly. And tha
t’s meant four lonely nights. Shall we make up for that now?’

  Walking hand in hand with Carlos to the bedroom, Sophie tried desperately not to think of how many lonely nights she might have to spend once she returned to England.

  *

  In the misty pink glow of early morning, and wanting to reassure herself Carlos was still beside her, Sophie reached out to touch him, her fingers fluttering gently across his naked chest. To her surprise, his hand grasped hers and clasped it immediately to his lips.

  ‘I thought you were asleep,’ she murmured.’

  ‘No. I’ve been awake for ages, thinking about us … and returning to Lisbon.’

  ‘Of course! If Francisco brought you and you have no car, how will you get back?’

  Drawing Sophie into his arms, where she nestled against his bare chest, Carlos stroked his fingers through her sun-bleached hair. ‘I’d originally planned to return with Cristovao, however, from what you said last night, it could be hours before he puts in appearance. Although … on reflection that can work to our advantage. It’s probably better if no one knows I’ve been here.’

  Sophie frowned. ‘Perhaps, but it still doesn’t solve the problem of how you’ll get back to Lisbon.’

  ‘I’ll simply ring Francisco and ask him to call for me on his way to the airfield.’

  ‘But it’s not even six o’clock! Why does Francisco have to fly to Lisbon so early in the morning?’

  ‘I’m not sure I should tell you,’ Carlos said, ‘although you’re bound to find out eventually. You see … Francisco has a mistress in Lisbon. When his wife visits her mother, who also lives in Lisbon, Francisco flies up to collect his mistress.’

  ‘Are you saying Francisco flies in one direction with his wife, and returns in the other with his mistress? And in the morning does the reverse? That’s awful!’

  ‘Believe me I do not approve,’ replied Carlos. ‘But that’s Francisco for you. No doubt his wife will find out one day, as for what happens then….’

  Reaching for Carlos’s shirt on the chair, Sophie breathed in the faint smell of his cologne. She held it lovingly. ‘Isn’t this the shirt you wore when you took me to church?’