One Summer in Positano

by Georgie Capron

  They chatted for a while longer about the pros and cons of her idea. ‘Do you think Luca would help you?’ Angus asked. He clearly still had his doubts about the longevity of the relationship. She was aware of the engagement ring, which she had taken off shortly before arriving at the studio, burning a hole in the pocket of her jeans.

  ‘Actually, yes. I think he is going to be around to help me. You see, I’ve got something to tell you.’ Suddenly terrified of his reaction, but so desperately hoping he would be happy for her, she gingerly took the ring from her pocket. ‘I was going to wait until we were with Jules too…’ She slipped the ring on to the fourth finger of her left hand. The realisation of what this meant dawned across Angus’s face.

  ‘You’re engaged?’ he said, smiling at her, mixed emotions flickering across his face.

  ‘Yes, Luca proposed! There’s a whole story to tell which I will save for when we are with Jules, but yes, I’m engaged. And I’m so happy!’ Angus gave her an enormous hug. He held her for much longer than expected, rubbing her back and squeezing her tightly. It was such a relief to feel as though things had finally settled back to normal between them. When he pulled away she noticed that his eyes were shining.

  ‘Congratulations Libby,’ he said, clearing a lump in his throat. ‘I look forward to hearing all about it. In fact, we should probably make a move,’ he said as he looked at his watch.

  They walked, slowly, for Libby’s sake, down to the pub that Angus had booked for lunch, overlooking the banks of the Thames. They found Luca and Jules already sitting at the table chatting. As Libby leant over to kiss Jules hello, Jules immediately clocked the dazzling ring on her friend’s finger. Grabbing her hand and twisting it around she said, ‘Er, excuse me. And what do you call this?’ Her mouth was wide open with shock. Libby burst out laughing and Luca laughed almost apologetically as he shrugged his shoulders.

  ‘We’re engaged!’ Libby cried.

  Jules yelped and gave them both a congratulatory hug. ‘What amazing news! Congratulations!’

  Angus leant over and shook Luca’s hand. ‘Congratulations, Luca,’ he said. ‘I’m very happy for you both. Libby told me while I was showing her round my studio.’

  ‘I can’t believe you told Angus before you told me,’ shrieked Jules, shaking her finger at Libby.

  ‘I know. I’m so sorry! I had planned on waiting until lunch, but I accidentally let the cat out of the bag.’

  ‘We must get a bottle of champagne,’ said Jules excitedly. ‘Only a glass for you though,’ she said. ‘We’ll just have to polish off the rest!’

  When Jules returned from the bar and they had settled down with their drinks, Jules asked Luca to tell the story of the proposal. Luca talked them through it step by step. Libby still couldn’t believe it. She knew she would never get bored of hearing the story. Neither would she ever get bored of looking down at her ring; it would be a wonderful distraction whenever she was losing the will to live at work.

  After they had eaten their meal and ordered the bill, Jules suddenly remembered something. ‘Libby, my sister mentioned something to me yesterday. I think you might find it an interesting proposition…’

  ‘Very mysterious – go on!’

  ‘Well, she has a work colleague called John who she is trying to set up.’

  ‘Ooh yes!’ Libby nodded enthusiastically. ‘Helen will be back in the UK soon.’

  ‘It’s not actually for Helen. He is sixty-four.’

  ‘What? For who then?’

  ‘I was thinking maybe… for your mum?’

  Angus laughed. ‘Matchmaking Miriam are we now, Jules?’

  ‘I think that’s a great idea,’ said Luca. ‘Why not?’

  ‘Well, I suppose it would be nice for her to meet someone,’ Libby said thoughtfully. She hadn’t even considered the idea of her mum dating but, now she came to think of it, why on earth shouldn’t she? It had been years and years since her father had died. Plenty of women remarried and had a second chance at happiness. Maybe it was possible for her mum too?

  ‘OK, so what do you know about this John?’ Libby asked.

  ‘I’ve seen a picture; he’s really nice looking for an older man. Grey hair, smiley eyes. He looks absolutely charming.’

  ‘Sounds good so far…’

  ‘And he’s apparently the most lovely guy. Megan thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread. He’s got a great sense of humour and has asked her if she knows any nice women. His previous wife died quite some time ago and he’s ready to get back out there.’

  ‘What do you reckon?’ asked Angus.

  ‘I think we should do it. I’ll call her later and see if she’d be up for it.’

  ‘OK well, let me know what she says,’ Jules grinned.

  Later that evening, Libby phoned her mum and put the proposed date to her. She made sure that her description of John was right up her mother’s street.

  ‘A date? Darling, what on earth are you talking about?’

  ‘Jules will give John your phone number and then he will call you to arrange a time and a place for you to meet up.’

  ‘I see. Well, I can’t say I’ve ever done that before.’

  ‘I know, it’s a strange idea. But it might be fun.’ Libby wasn’t sure how well this was going.

  ‘You know what, darling; I think it could be rather fun to be taken out by a chap. It’s been a jolly long time since your father died.’

  Libby was amazed. ‘Really, Mum? That’s great. Good for you!’

  ‘It sounds rather terrifying, I must admit, but it is probably about time I did something that puts me out of my comfort zone.’

  ‘I must say, Mum, I’m very proud of you. I thought you’d tell me to get lost immediately for having suggested such a thing!’

  ‘It’s good to know I’m still capable of surprising my own daughter,’ laughed Miriam.

  She was amazed that her mother had sounded quite so enthusiastic about the whole idea. She sounded a little nervous too, but she hadn’t said an outright no, which is what Libby had been expecting. Libby reassured her that it would be a very relaxed affair, maybe just lunch or a drink, and that she would help her choose what to wear. She then phoned Jules to give her the go-ahead for her matchmaking.

  Miriam and John went on their first date one Saturday in early March. He drove out to Kent and took her out for lunch in a local pub.

  ‘So, Mum, how was it?’ asked Libby the next morning.

  ‘It was wonderful,’ said Miriam.

  ‘Wonderful!’ Libby laughed. ‘Oh my goodness. So you like him?’

  ‘Very much. We had lunch together and we just couldn’t stop talking! We stayed there all afternoon chatting away and then we went for a walk along the beach. We didn’t quite want to part ways just then, so we went to the Builder’s Arms and had a couple more drinks and then John drove back to London.’ It turned out Miriam had been utterly charmed by him from the first second she had laid eyes on him and, by all accounts, he seemed equally besotted with her.

  To Libby’s absolute amazement and delight, they began ‘courting’, as Miriam put it. By the beginning of April they had declared themselves an official couple. Libby had never heard her mother sound so happy. She was like a schoolgirl, giggling and laughing, full of a new lease of life. The two of them together were unimaginably sweet. They had found kindred spirits in each other and spent hours together gardening, doing the crossword and going to the theatre. Libby couldn’t believe that Jules’s matchmaking had worked – and so easily at that. It was an enormous weight off her shoulders to know that there was someone else out there who was looking out for her mother. The responsibility no longer rested entirely with her. For the first time since her dad died she could relax, comforted by the knowledge that her mother was in a safe, loving and capable pair of hands.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Helen had chosen a less than ideal time to come home. She had moved back in with her mother, only to be presented with John as a new member
of the household. Despite having only known each other a month or so, Miriam and John were already practically joined at the hip. Miriam would come up to London for several nights of the week and John would join her in Kent for the rest, only having the occasional night apart from each other. Libby knew that for Helen this added insult to injury. Not only did Libby have a fiancé and a baby on the way, but now her mother had a boyfriend too. She knew that it must seem to Helen as though everyone in the world was coupled up and happy, except for her. Libby redoubled her efforts to include her, inviting her to any social occasions she could think of and phoning her often.

  Libby’s last week of work came and went; she had decided to stop three days before her due date. Tammy and Sam had taken her out for a celebratory glass of elderflower before returning swiftly to their desks; both of their new rotations were proving hard work. Libby had never been more relieved to be leaving. It had been an exhausting time: pregnancy and being a trainee solicitor had turned out to be a less than ideal match. The last few weeks in her new seat had been especially painful. There was so much to learn, yet at the same time little incentive for her to really knuckle down and make a good start when her maternity leave was approaching so rapidly.

  Libby had managed to persuade Helen to come up to London and spend the day with her the following day. After having lunch down the road at a nearby café, Libby dragged Helen back to the flat so that she could set up a couple of online dating profiles for her.

  ‘You really need to get back up to London.’

  ‘Tell me about it. As much as I love playing third wheel to Mum and John…’

  ‘Have you got anyone you could stay with for a while?’

  ‘My old roommate Joni has a space, so I’m thinking of moving back in with her.’

  ‘That’s perfect! When does your job start?’

  ‘A week on Monday.’

  ‘So you’ll move in next weekend?’

  ‘Yes, I think so.’

  ‘At least you’ll be able to afford your rent.’

  ‘Only just. It’s not very well paid.’

  ‘You’ll just have to get all your dates to take you out for dinner!’

  ‘I’ll try my best. I’m determined to get back out there, Libby. I mean, if Mum can do it—’

  ‘Exactly, of course you can.’ She showed Helen the photo that she had selected to be her profile picture. ‘What about this one?’

  ‘Go on then. I’m so useless at this. It’s up to you. You’re clearly an expert in attracting the opposite sex.’

  ‘Perhaps not in my current state!’ Libby said, gesturing to the laptop that was balancing on top of her bump. They both laughed at the sight. Soon she was clicking the submit button so that the powers-that-be could make Helen’s profile live. She started browsing through the lists of suitable candidates, Helen shrieking at some of her suggestions as she got extremely trigger-happy with the mouse. She ‘liked’ a good fifty profiles as a starting point, making Helen promise that she would message back anyone who sent her an opening gambit. Libby was full of hope that her efforts would pay off. Surely it was about time Helen’s luck changed.

  ‘Have you thought any more about going on antidepressants?’ Libby asked tentatively. She was wary of broaching the subject.

  ‘I don’t know, Libby. I hate the thought of being on some kind of pill.’

  ‘So many people take them. I can count handfuls of friends that do, and they’re all perfectly happy while they’re on them.’

  ‘I just don’t like the thought of artificially regulating my emotions. I want to experience whatever I am meant to be experiencing.’

  ‘But that’s the thing – when you are depressed, you aren’t experiencing what you should be. You’re only feeling the bad stuff. Antidepressants help lift your mood so that you can enjoy the good bits too.’

  ‘Well, when you put it like that it doesn’t sound too bad.’

  ‘Will you promise me that you’ll at least talk to the doctor about it?’

  ‘OK. I’ll make an appointment this week.’

  ‘Amazing. And you’ll call me straight after to let me know how it goes?’

  Helen promised that she would.

  True to her word, Helen called Libby later on that week. She had agreed to start a mild dose of antidepressants, as recommended by her doctor. Libby was delighted; she felt so proud of her big sister for taking such a big step forward.

  ‘Have you had any luck on Lovestruck yet? Or eHarmony?’ asked Libby.

  ‘I have been messaging a couple of guys following your “liking” campaign.’

  ‘And…?’

  ‘Not sure. They’re probably weirdoes.’

  ‘Helen, you can’t have that attitude. They’re probably just normal people, looking for a relationship just like you.’

  ‘Well I’m still messaging them. And I’ve been looking through profiles every day, “liking” anyone who looks interesting.’

  ‘That’s brilliant. You need to go on some actual dates, though.’

  ‘I know. It’s impossible to know if you fancy anyone until you see them face to face. As soon as I move in to Joni’s, I’ll start arranging some dates. I can’t wait to be back in London and out of the love nest.’

  ‘I bet. I’m so happy for Mum, though! It’s so great. I can’t believe that it actually worked out.’

  ‘I have to admit I never would have believed she’d get a boyfriend.’

  ‘Do you like him?’ Libby had met him a couple of times and thoroughly approved. He was softly spoken and unassuming.

  ‘I do, actually. He seems like a good person.’

  ‘What a turn-up for the books!’ laughed Libby.

  ‘So… it’s not long to go now,’ said Helen. ‘The baby is now officially late.’

  ‘I’m telling you I’m desperate to get it out. It’s the most uncomfortable thing in the world. It’s like a watermelon is pressing on your bladder; even my pelvis feels bruised from the pressure.’

  ‘Hopefully it won’t be much longer.’

  ‘It bloody better not be.’

  She was fed up with being so enormous. The pregnancy seemed to have gone on forever and she was dying to get her body back, to reclaim it as hers and hers alone, free from lumbering around like a beached whale, able to jump up from the sofa in a flash or lie on her tummy if she wanted to. It was just so restrictive.

  As Libby hung up the phone, Luca came through the door carrying several large bags of shopping. He had decided to cook a load of meals and freeze them in small batches for after the baby’s arrival. Her emergency bag was packed and waiting by the door; there was nothing left to do but sit and wait. She had read that eating a curry could induce labour, so she had requested a curry for dinner.

  Ever since the scare, Luca had been nothing but the doting fiancé. He fetched her cold glasses of water, he rubbed her feet or her aching back upon request, and he ran her baths, helping her get in and out of them without slipping. She felt much happier about their relationship now that they were engaged. The problems hadn’t disappeared; Luca was still finding life away from Positano tough and she was still acutely aware of everything he was sacrificing, but she could tell that he was making much more of an effort to make things work. She was sure that he would be a similarly doting father. He had been so kind recently. She knew that he had spent a lot of his free time helping Jules with the initial stages of her coursework, and she was very grateful for him for doing so. He and Jules got on really well; it was nice for Libby that they had become such good friends.

  Four days later, Libby’s contractions finally started. Because her waters hadn’t broken, the midwife advised her to stay at home for as long as possible. She only needed to go to the hospital when they were three minutes apart and lasting about sixty seconds each. She used an app to time her contractions, doing her best to keep her mind off the pain that was growing in intensity with each passing minute. When she was nearing three-minute gaps they set off in the car to the hospit
al, making sure they had everything they needed for Libby while she was there and also for the baby when it arrived.

  Her waters broke soon after arriving. Libby had never known pain like it; she thought she might pass out from the force of each contraction. She held her breath and counted backwards until the pain stopped, sucking huge gulps of gas and air into her lungs.

  After what felt like an eternity, the midwife finally instructed her to push. Luca was holding her hand and she crushed it in hers as she gritted her teeth and pushed as though her life depended on it. As the baby came out she listened for its cry as she collapsed back on to the pillows behind her. A piercing wail filled the room and Libby laughed in relief at the sound.

  ‘It’s a beautiful little girl,’ said Luca, tears glistening in his eyes. ‘You did it, Libby! You are incredible, she’s perfect.’

  The midwife put the baby on Libby’s chest straight away, getting skin-to-skin contact as quickly as possible while she clamped and cut the cord. As she gazed at the baby, feeling its heartbeat against her skin, she felt an overwhelming wave of love course through her. She couldn’t believe it was all real.

  ‘I can’t believe you’re finally here,’ she said to her daughter. Tears of joy sparkled in her eyes. ‘You are the most beautiful baby I have ever seen.’ She dropped kisses on the baby’s head, covered in the softest downy hair, and placed her finger in the palm of her tiny hand as she curled her fingers around and gripped tightly.

  ‘We’ve been waiting a long time for you,’ said Luca, tracing the minuscule toes with his finger. ‘She is so impossibly small, and so perfect,’ he said, turning towards Libby and kissing her. ‘You are so amazing, my darling.’ They just couldn’t take their eyes off their precious new arrival, entranced by every tiny feature.