‘How could you have known?’ Gina shrugged. ‘I don’t know what her problem was – she seemed to have it in for all of us.’
‘Mmm,’ Ben agreed, and gave her a sidelong look. ‘There’s probably a reason for that. Well, you and me at least.’
Gina frowned. ‘What?’
‘That was Valeria Arundell. Rose’s mother.’
Gina stopped walking and groaned. ‘Bloody hell. Of all the bad luck . . .’
Ben let out a heartfelt sigh. ‘There’s more. That fair-haired bloke who only spoke up at the end? He’s Valeria’s brother – Rose’s uncle.’
Gina swore softly and began to walk fast. ‘Come on,’ she said to Ben. ‘I don’t know about you but I think I’m going to need a double.’
Chapter Seven
Max arrived at Bodmin Parkway late on Tuesday evening, crumpled and tired-looking from the journey. Gina had borrowed Nonna’s car and driven over to meet him from the train and the moment he saw her waiting on the platform, he strode forwards to wrap her in a long embrace and bury his face in her neck. ‘I’ve really missed you,’ he murmured against her skin, holding her tight.
‘I’ve missed you too,’ she said, closing her eyes and breathing in the familiar scent of his aftershave. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’
It wasn’t a lie, Gina reflected, as she navigated the pitch-black roads back to Polwhipple; she had missed Max. She suspected that was what had made her so vulnerable to her flights of fancy about kissing Ben. But now that Max was here, those thoughts would vanish. It was Max she loved, after all.
‘Sorry, what?’ she said, suddenly aware he had asked her a question. ‘I was concentrating on the road.’
‘I said, how did the meeting with the town council go?’ Max repeated. ‘It was yesterday, right?’
Gina frowned. She didn’t remember mentioning the meeting to Max but she supposed she must have done. ‘Hard to say,’ she said cautiously, not sure how to explain what her worries were without raising unnecessary suspicions about her relationship with Ben. ‘They were a tough crowd. We won’t know their decision until next week, anyway.’
She and Ben had spent an hour and a half in the pub after the meeting, analysing every aspect of the committee’s response over a bottle of very nice red wine. Afterwards, Ben had insisted on walking her to her grandparents’, where she’d arranged to stay over, and Gina had felt like she’d gone back in time and was a teenager again. Except that she’d never reached up to kiss his cheek when she was fifteen, and she’d never secretly wished she could invite him inside for another drink.
Max was speaking again. Gina forced herself to concentrate on his voice. ‘—and they’re notoriously corrupt. I think you should prepare yourself for the worst and think about other options.’
‘What other options?’ Gina said, glancing over at him. ‘The Palace belongs to Gorran, not me. It’s up to him what he does with it – maybe he’ll be able to follow my example and put on screenings that pull in a decent crowd.’
‘He might,’ Max said. ‘You’ve certainly done more than anyone could reasonably expect. I’m sure he knows you can’t go on propping him up like this.’
‘I’m not propping him up,’ Gina said in a cool voice. ‘I enjoy organising the events and people seem to like coming to them. I’ve made friends here.’
Max was quiet for a moment, then rubbed his face. ‘You know what, I’m being an arse. Of course you enjoy it – it’s what you do best, you help people to have a good time. And it’s one of the reasons people like you, because somehow you make everything seem fun.’ He paused, then reached across to squeeze her arm. ‘I’m just worried this Gorran is taking advantage of your good nature, that’s all. He’s not paying you to manage these events, is he?’
‘No, he’s not,’ Gina said. ‘But money isn’t everything, Max.’
He sighed. ‘I know, I know. You can take the man out of property development . . .’
Neither of them spoke for a few minutes. Gina was filled with a growing sense of guilt; she wasn’t being fair to Max. Of course he was primarily concerned with money – it was his job, and the truth was she would never have considered working for free in London. But down here it was different – she wasn’t being paid by Nonno either, because he was her family. She couldn’t continue to work for free indefinitely, however; sooner or later, she’d have to get back to her real life.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said aloud. ‘I know you’re only looking out for me.’
‘I am. And I don’t want to argue with you, especially not over something like this. Why don’t we start again?’
A gentle, apologetic smile was curving his mouth and she was filled with a sudden rush of happiness that he’d made the time and effort to be with her. ‘Okay, you’ve got a deal. Why don’t you tell me what’s new with you?’
Gina awoke early on Wednesday morning.
She lay still for a few moments, listening to the now unfamiliar sound of Max’s breathing beside her and watching the sun’s rays creep through the gaps around the blind at the window. Slipping stealthily out of bed, she went to the kitchen to make coffee. In London, Max would have been up and at the gym by now, but they’d been awake long into the early hours, reacquainting themselves with each other’s bodies and she wasn’t surprised he was still sleeping. Gina stretched and yawned; maybe she’d go back to bed for an hour too.
She took Max to Nonno and Nonna’s for lunch and she was pleased to see how much of an effort he made to charm them both. In the afternoon, they went to the Palace and Gina introduced him to Gorran, who insisted on giving him an access-all-areas tour while she went through ticket sales and confirmed that her VIP attendees could still come, including the local press, Polwhipple’s mayor and the Director of the Cornwall Film Festival.
Max had a slightly glazed look about him when Gorran returned him to Gina. She hid a smile and made an excuse so that they could leave. Outside on the promenade, well out of earshot of Manda in the window of Ferrelli’s, Max puffed out his cheeks and sent an admiring look Gina’s way. ‘He’s a bit—’
‘Disorganised?’ Gina suggested, with a smile. ‘Eccentric? Scatter-brained?’
‘All of the above,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘How do you work with him?’
‘Gorran’s not all bad. He’s also enthusiastic, open to new ideas and kind-hearted.’
Max appeared unconvinced. ‘Not character traits that get you very far as a businessman.’ He aimed a critical gaze at the careworn exterior of the Palace. ‘I can see why you want to refurbish it. With the right kind of attention, it could be fabulous. And the view is stunning.’
He turned to study the Polwhipple beach. The tide was out, so golden sand stretched almost as far as the eye could see and azure blue water twinkled in the distance. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. ‘I understand why you love it here,’ Max said, turning to take Gina’s hand. ‘But don’t forget London has its good points too.’
She squeezed his fingers. ‘Of course I won’t forget. London is my home, after all.’
His hazel eyes searched hers for a moment, as though he wasn’t sure he believed her. ‘Good,’ he said at last. ‘I’m happy to hear that. Nothing is the same without you.’
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. And once again, Gina told herself that she hadn’t really lied, but she hadn’t entirely told the truth either.
*
Their table at the Scarlet Hotel was booked for eight o’clock, but Gina had arranged to meet the head bartender beforehand so that he could give them a sneak preview of his Moses Supposes cocktail. She almost laughed out loud in delight when he presented the drink; not only was it the most perfect shade of raincoat yellow, each cocktail was also topped with a red or black paper umbrella, exactly like the film poster.
‘Amazing,’ Gina said, pulling out her phone to snap a photograph for social media. ‘You’ve really outdone yourself, Miquel.’
‘Tastes good, too,’ Max said, taking a sip. ‘Y
ou should think about upgrading, Miquel – with mixology skills like these, you’d take the London bar scene by storm.’
The bartender smiled politely and shook his head. ‘I’m happy here.’
Gina felt a shiver of embarrassment. ‘Not everyone wants to move to London, Max.’
He shrugged. ‘Sooner or later, that’s where all the real talent goes.’
Focusing on Miquel, Gina smiled. ‘I think the Moses Supposes is going to be a big hit on Saturday. Thanks for all your creativity and hard work.’
The bartender looked delighted. ‘I can’t take all the credit – it’s a twist on a Harvey Wallbanger. But I’m glad you like it.’
Just before eight o’clock, the maître d’ ushered Gina and Max through to the restaurant. They had just begun to study the menu when Gina heard a voice that made her blood run cold. She looked up to see Rose Arundell weaving her way through the tables, wearing the silky Grace Kelly dress she’d bought from Carrie’s boutique. And walking right behind her was Ben.
Gina almost dropped her menu. She stared at Ben, who looked uncomfortable and ill at ease, unable to believe what she was seeing.
‘What?’ Max asked, noticing her frozen expression. He turned in his seat at the exact moment Rose spotted Gina. Gaze glittering, Rose switched direction and headed their way. Behind her, Ben blinked and frowned. Then his eyes followed Rose’s intended path and a look of horror crossed his face.
Rose came to a halt beside Max and she fired a loaded smile Gina’s way. But it was Max she spoke to. ‘How lovely to see you again, Max.’
Gina felt as though she’d been punched in the stomach. Rose knew Max? How? It wasn’t possible. And yet Max was getting to his feet and planting air kisses on Rose’s flawless cheeks. ‘This is an unexpected pleasure. How are your parents?’
Ben looked as confused as Gina felt. His eyes sought hers and she saw a mixture of bewilderment and embarrassment there, as though she’d caught him doing something he shouldn’t, and couldn’t understand how it had happened.
‘They’re very well,’ Rose replied. ‘Mummy will be delighted to hear you’re in the area, although I’m sure she’ll insist you come over for drinks.’
Her cool gaze flickered briefly to Gina, making it clear that the invitation would only apply to Max. But the slight barely registered with Gina; she was too busy trying to work out how Rose and Max could possibly know each other. Not only that but Max also seemed to be on more than nodding acquaintance with Valeria Arundell. How on earth had their paths crossed? Gina wondered. Had they met in London, on some business deal that involved the Arundells? It had to be a coincidence, she told herself. What else could it be?
‘I’m afraid it’s a flying visit,’ Max said, sounding apologetic. ‘You know how busy I am – I can’t afford to be away from the real world for long.’ He looked over Rose’s shoulder at Ben and thrust out a hand. ‘I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Max Hardy.’
Gina wondered whether she might be having an out-of-body experience, so unreal did everything feel. Forcing herself to breathe, she watched as the two of them shook hands. ‘Ben Pascoe. Pleased to meet you.’
Max’s eyes widened. ‘You’re Gina’s old surfer friend. She’s told me a lot about you.’
The words were innocent enough but something about the way Max said them made Gina wary. Quite apart from anything else, it wasn’t true; she’d barely mentioned Ben to Max, partly because her emotions lately had been so conflicted.
Ben glanced briefly at her. ‘All good things, I hope?’
‘Ben and I have just started seeing each other,’ Rose purred, linking her arm possessively through his. ‘We’re rekindling an old love affair.’
Ben avoided Gina’s astonished stare. And then, just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, Max waved a hand at the adjoining table. ‘Why don’t you join us?’
‘Oh, I don’t think—’ Gina began.
‘No, that’s not—’ Ben said, at exactly the same time but Rose spoke over both of them.
‘That would be wonderful,’ she said, beaming at Max. ‘We’d love to.’
Max attracted the attention of the maître d’ and explained. Moments later, the waiters had pushed the tables together and Gina found herself sitting next to Ben.
‘Hi,’ she said, without smiling.
He nodded. ‘Hi.’
Gina fixed her gaze on the menu but found herself unable to concentrate long enough to read anything. Ben and Rose were seeing each other? When had that happened? How had it happened? When she’d seen Ben on Sunday, he’d been adamant that he had no romantic interest in Rose. What the hell was going on?
She became aware that the waiter was hovering next to the table. Rose was ordering the wild rabbit starter and the fallow deer main course. The waiter looked expectantly Gina’s way but Max spoke first. ‘We’ll have the monkfish to start, followed by the Chateaubriand, please. What are your recommendations for wine?’
The waiter began to reel off suggestions. Cheeks burning, Gina cut across him. ‘Max, since when do you order for me?’
He glanced over at her in surprise. ‘But you love Chateaubriand. And monkfish, for that matter.’
Gina pressed her lips together hard and tried to keep a lid on her temper. ‘I love having a choice more,’ she ground out. Taking a deep breath, she turned to the waiter. ‘I’ll have the pumpkin soup, followed by the cheese soufflé. Sorry, Max, I’m not in the mood for beef tonight.’
There was an awkward silence. ‘I don’t mind sharing the Chateaubriand with you, Max,’ Rose said, smoothly. ‘Cancel my fallow deer, will you?’
Ben placed his order but Gina barely heard what it was. She stared down at the tablecloth, trying her hardest to blink back the tears that were threatening to fall on the pristine white material. Max had never tried to order for her before – what was he playing at? And worst of all, she’d somehow managed to make Rose Arundell seem reasonable and measured. It was like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.
She said very little during the meal, meeting direct questions with monosyllabic answers even though she knew it made her come across like a sulky teenager. She was sure the food was delicious but it all tasted like ash and she left most of it. Once, Ben tried to take her hand under the table and she shook him off with such vehemence that she was sure Max and Rose must have noticed. Eventually, she excused herself to go to the ladies’, claiming to have a headache, and when she came back, Max was settling the bill and the maître d’ was holding her coat.
She went straight to bed as soon as they reached the apartment, ignoring the frantic vibrations of her phone and Max’s concerned enquiries about what was wrong. She removed her make-up and climbed into bed, turned her back so that she wouldn’t have to see Max when he came in. Then she closed her eyes and allowed the hot tears that were burning her eyelids to leak slowly onto the pillow.
She was subdued the next morning at the dairy. Elena had clucked in alarm over her puffy eyes and pale cheeks but hadn’t pressed her for the reason once it became clear Gina didn’t want to talk. Ferdie was less gruff than usual, even when she spoiled a whole batch of custard by adding the hot milk to the eggs so fast that they curdled in the bowl. Eventually, he got up from the stool he was leaning on and took her hands.
‘Gina, mia bella, tell Nonno what’s wrong,’ he said, and his tone was so kind that she couldn’t prevent a fresh torrent of tears from coursing down her cheeks.
Ferdie handed her a crisp white handkerchief and waited patiently for the flood to slow.
‘H-have you ever thought you knew someone and then realised you don’t k-know them at all?’ she stammered eventually, dabbing at her face with the cool cloth.
‘Once or twice,’ Ferdie admitted. ‘This is Max, yes?’
‘Yes,’ Gina said, sniffing uncertainly. ‘No. Oh, I don’t know – it’s both of them.’
Ferdie studied her, his eyebrows beetling into a fierce frown. ‘Who else has been upsetting you? Shall I
go and knock their heads together?’
The thought made her lips quirk; a small, wavering movement that barely counted as a smile. ‘I don’t think it would help. I think the problem must be me.’
Ferdie grunted. ‘I don’t pretend to understand what this is about, Gina, but I can see that it is making you very unhappy. And that makes me unhappy – it makes me want to step in and sort out all your problems so that you are smiling again and brightening up my days.’ He shook his head. ‘See? I am nothing but a selfish old man who wants his contented granddaughter back – I bet you didn’t know that about me.’
Gina sniffed again, nodding; she thought she could see where he was going with this.
‘My point is that sometimes the people we love hurt and disappoint us. And because we are hurt, the temptation is to react by lashing out or running away. But what if instead of doing either of those things, we saw it as an opportunity to fix something that had been broken?’
His eyes met hers and she saw that they were filled with regret. ‘If I had taken the opportunity I was given when your mother and I fell out, who knows how different our lives might have been? But instead, I lashed out and she ran away. And now I think that the damage is too great to fix.’
Gina stared at her fingers, fidgeting with the handkerchief as she tried to make sense of his words. What was she more upset about – Max’s heavy-handed presumption in the restaurant last night, or the knowledge that Ben and Rose were an item? She didn’t know, and everything felt too confused to unravel. ‘Maybe I just need some time,’ she whispered.
Ferdie tipped his head. ‘Time is good, in moderation. But leave it too long and fixing things becomes much harder. Take it from one who knows.’
He sounded so sad that Gina reached out to give him a hug. They stood unmoving for a little while, then Gina stepped back and wiped the last of the tears from her cheeks. ‘Thank you, Nonno. I feel a bit better now.’
‘Good,’ Ferdie said, looking fierce once more. ‘And remember, I am always available to knock heads together if you need me.’
Singing in the Rain at the Picture House by the Sea Page 7