The doctor called me with a referral to someone in Harley Street and I went for the first time on Friday: a lovely lady who has agreed to see me twice a week for, she thinks, no more than about six weeks, and then we’re going to see where we go from there. She saw my back and suggested that I go and see the plastic surgeon who gave James his card when I had the panic attack, just to see if anything could be done. She felt that if this could be removed it may help me move on even more.
Anna came home on Saturday with Katie and collected some things, including her passport. I spoke with the property management company that looks after the house out there and arranged for them to open up, make sure the place is clean, beds made and a box of groceries to be left. I’ve also arranged with them to organise a driver for Anna and Katie as neither of them have a driving licence and wouldn’t be able to get around. I’ve also spoken to the people that look after the villa in Tuscany. They didn’t know that Maggie had passed away and were distraught; apparently in recent years she had spent more and more time over there and they thought something was wrong when she hadn’t been for the last few months. I can’t help wondering why she never met with Ramiro again; maybe it was just too painful for Maggie too!
Chapter 20
Tuesday soon comes around and Archie picks up James and me and then Gia and Roberto before driving us to London City Airport. I’ve arranged for us to fly with Airfrance. Unfortunately they only offer one class of seat on this service but nobody seems to mind!
The short flight, a little over two hours, passes quickly and once we arrive in Florence and clear customs Roberto organises a taxi. It’s so useful having someone with us that speaks the language and this makes for an easy journey to the villa. We arrive at the stunning villa after just an hour’s drive. The pale stone building stands alone, surrounded by perfectly manicured lawns; the plot appears to be elevated with views of rolling hills behind. I can’t wait to see inside. The keys have been left under a plant pot by the people who look after the villa. I gasp as I walk into the most charming room I think I have ever seen, it’s no wonder that Maggie loved this place. It’s rustic but also very, very pretty with flagstone floors and chunky farmhouse-style furniture.
I pass through the other rooms with James. It’s apparent that Roberto and Gia have been here before, and it doesn’t surprise me. Gia tells me that “nothing has changed”.
There are four bedrooms upstairs; the largest one has an en-suite with a very big walk-in shower. It’s just beautiful, so peaceful. James walks up behind me and pulls me close, something that he seems to do quite a lot, I have realised. “We can have some fun in this,” he whispers as we stand by the shower.
I laugh. “Umm. Maybe when Roberto and Gia have gone home, or another time.”
We wander back to the kitchen where we find Gia pulling together some lunch, just some fresh bread and cheese, but it’s excellent.
“When are we going to see Ramiro?” I ask.
“We’ll go as soon as we’ve finished this,” Roberto tells me. “I am so looking forward to seeing my brother, it’s been too long and I know he’s delighted to be seeing you.”
I pick at a crust of bread. “Where does he live?”
“He has a small house with a little land, it’s nowhere near as big as this, but it’s very nice, you’ll like it.” Roberto stands, walking over to where Gia has prepared lunch.
We eat and clear away. Roberto calls for a taxi and we’re soon on our way to meet Ramiro, my father. I’m nervous – no, scrap that, I’m petrified. I have no idea what to expect, does he look like Roberto?
We pull up to the little house, similar in colour to the villa. Roberto asks the driver to collect us in two hours, in honesty, that’s probably enough time for a first visit. I follow Roberto and Gia as they knock on the door lightly and walk on in. Sat at the table – again, not unlike the one in the villa – is a grey-haired gentleman. He’s olive skinned as I would expect and as he looks up he has the most beautiful smile, but sad, sad eyes. He’s wearing a shirt and tie with dark trousers. On the table he has laid out a bottle of Chianti and some glasses; there is also more bread, cheese and olives.
Roberto walks over to his brother and embraces him. It’s a hug that lasts for a while and the two men talk to each other in hushed voices. Gia then joins the welcome and they speak, rattling away in words I do not know, but their facial expressions and the tears tell me what is being said. All three of them are so happy yet so sad. They pull apart and Ramiro stands, looking at me.
“Alexandra,” he says. I nod and walk towards him.
He talks to Roberto, who translates for him. “Ramiro says he wants to look at you, please.”
I stand before him, this man who I have never met, did not even know about until very recently but whom I know to be my birth father. Not the man who raised me but the man who was kept secret from me for so many years. I don’t know what he’s thinking but I can guess, those sad eyes give so much away.
He speaks again to Roberto.
“He says you are like Maggie, not him.” Ramiro continues to speak to his brother, who in turn, translates for me.
“He says he loved Maggie and always will. He was forced to leave her by our father and was so happy when she told him she was expecting you, but things did not go to plan. He says he always hoped one day to meet you.” Roberto looks down. He also looks distressed by what he is having to translate.
I look to Roberto. “Will you tell him that I am so pleased to meet him too? I didn’t know about my parents until very recently but I am so pleased to have found him.”
Ramiro stands and beckons me towards him. He takes my hands and holds them between his two. He talks to Roberto.
“He says your skin even feels like Maggie’s,” Roberto translates.
I turn to James, who is standing beside me protectively. “Are you okay?” he asks quietly.
“I’m fine.” I smile, just the hint of a tear threatening.
I ask Roberto, “Who comes to see Ramiro, who does he have for company? He’s not here on his own all the time, is he?”
Roberto translates for me, asks the question and gives me the answer. “He says he’s pretty much on his own, most of the time. Franco comes to see him once a month and he goes into the village for food.”
Ramiro fires another round of Italian at Roberto. T,he facial expressions change and he frowns deeply as he speaks, articulating his conversation with flapping hands.
Roberto looks at me, and his face hardens. “Ramiro asks if you are free of the bastard that has hurt you. Did Benito sort everything out?”
“Tell him that I will be very soon, but yes, for the time being I am safe from him.”
Roberto tells his brother this and the expressions soften to a smile.
Our visit seems to fly by. I have learnt so much about my family, my new family, even though I will never, ever forget the people who raised me – they will always be my mum and dad, but I feel that I am now complete. I know all about me, where I came from and, more importantly, who I am.
The four of us return to the villa in the taxi. We stop in the village so that Gia can pick up some food to make us a decent supper; she buys wine as well. I can’t help but think that we should have bought Ramiro with us, but maybe it’s a little too soon for both him and me to be playing happy families. I think that Roberto feels this way too – I know that James does, he’s just so protective.
After we’ve eaten I go to our room. I’m tired, very tired, and even though the events of last week seem to have now passed, I still feel like I’m riding an emotional wave that feels like it’s going on forever.
James comes to bed shortly after me. He climbs in beside me and pulls me close. I roll towards him and snuggle into his embrace.
“I do love you, Alex,” he growls into my neck.
“Umm… Do you?” I lie on my side, looking at him, just smiling.
“Yes, I do. Very, very much.” He pulls me closer.
I f
all asleep in his arms. He makes no attempt at love-making, I know that he respects me too much to try this now. I sleep in his arms all night.
I wake the following morning and have turned my back towards James. He’s still holding me and I hear and feel his soft breathing against my neck. I can also hear someone in the kitchen, probably Gia. The smell of breakfast and coffee drifts upstairs, but I don’t want to move, I’m happy here. The sun is spilling through the open window and the soft voile drapes are fluttering in the gentle breeze. Who would ever want to leave this idyllic place?
Eventually I stir, unfortunately waking James in the process. “Getting up?” he croaks.
“Umm, whoever’s in the kitchen and whatever they’re making smells very good.”
“It does,” he agrees.
I remove myself from James’s arms and kiss him lightly. I use the bathroom, brush my teeth and wash quickly. Rummaging through my suitcase I find some denim shorts and a t-shirt. I sort out my flip-flops and pull my hair back into a ponytail, I then leave James sprawled out on our huge bed and walk down the stairs to the kitchen. Gia has prepared warm pastries and coffee; it looks and smells divine. I note Roberto is already sat outside on the porch with his coffee, just looking out at the countryside. It really is a beautiful place.
“You want some?” Gia offers me a plate of pastries and some coffee. I normally wouldn’t drink coffee in the morning but it seems the right thing to do. James comes down shortly afterwards and joins us.
He grabs a croissant from the large plate. “This is good,” he says to Gia with his mouth full. “Are there any strawberries?” he asks.
“There, son.” Gia points to a bowl on the table full of fresh, large berries which he tucks into with his croissant.
Once breakfast is over, James and I clear away, leaving Gia and Roberto time to get themselves ready. We talk about Ramiro and about Maggie. When he’s finished washing up he pulls the plug and grabs a handful of soap suds; a blob ends up on my nose!
“Don’t!” I shout, and make a grab for what’s left of the suds in the sink. He sees what I’ve done and makes a run for it. I chase him around the kitchen table with my handful of suds but he’s much too quick for me and evades me at each opportunity. “I’ll get my own back… when you least expect it!” I hiss playfully.
“Oh, does that mean I have to be on my guard forever?” He laughs.
“Oh yes.” I laugh.
We spend the next few days getting to know Ramiro a little more and we eat in the village, Ramiro seems to really enjoy getting out. We soon have to say goodbye to Gia and Roberto as they head home to London. The brothers embrace, hugging tightly, appearing not to want to let go of each other. Roberto tells me that he has told Ramiro that he and Gia will visit again soon. There is no reason why they shouldn’t – they’re free to use the villa whenever they want.
We have two days on our own, two days which I am really pleased to have. We spend this time exploring the area, taking lunch and dinner in bistros that we find and spending some time in Florence, a most beautiful place and a city that I definitely want to return to. We see Ramiro a couple of times before we have to leave and we take him for lunch again. Even though we have the language barrier, we manage to get by with hand signals and pointing at various things, plus the phrase book that I picked up at the airport. Despite the lack of conversation with him, because we really do struggle, I find him very good company.
After lunch on Thursday we start to pack our cases ready for our early flight the next day. My mobile rings, the first call I’ve had since I’ve been in Italy, although James’s hasn’t stopped ringing with questions from the hotel.
“Hello.”
“Mrs Drake, it’s Shauna from Parry’s.”
I mouth to James, “solicitors”.
“Hi Shauna, is everything okay?”
“Yes, just ringing to let you know that your Decree Nisi has been granted,” she says. I can tell she’s smiling as she tells me, her voice sounds so upbeat.
“That’s great, absolutely fantastic. So what happens now?” I ask.
“Well, this means that the court is satisfied that your marriage has broken down irretrievably, so in six weeks’ time we can apply for your Decree Absolute. Once that’s finalised it means you will no longer be married, so not too long now. Hold tight for the next six weeks or so and you’ll be free.”
“Thank you so much for letting me know, Shauna. I’m back in the UK tomorrow afternoon. If you need me for anything you’ll have to let me know,” I tell her.
“Well, we’ll need to arrange the transfer of the settlement to Mr Drake, but we’ve got a few weeks to sort that and I don’t think we should do it until the very last minute.”
“Agreed. Thank you again, Shauna, for all of your help.” I smile. I feel so happy, with such a wonderful feeling in my stomach, my heart full of happiness.
I hang up and run over to James, throwing my arms around his neck. “I’m going to be free – James, you’ve freed me!” I whisper against his ear.
He pushes me away, holding onto my shoulders at arm’s length, smiling broadly. “I’ve done no such thing. Helped you along the way, maybe, but Maggie did this for you. Do you honestly think you would have left him if Maggie hadn’t given you the push you needed?”
“No, maybe not, but you’ve made it more bearable and as Maggie’s not here, I’ve only got you to thank. So thank you.” And I mean every word of what I say to him.
I hug him tightly. He looks down at me and our mouths find each other. We kiss deeply, passionately. We move upstairs, holding on to each other as we go, wrapped in each other as we stumble into our room.
“I’m going to be free of the bastard,” I whisper. “Free!”
He smiles at me as we both tumble onto the white cotton duvet.
Alex’s story continues in book two of this series
Loving Alex
Loving Alex…Chapter 1.
sit in the middle seat and hold onto James’s hand tightly as we take off on our return flight to London. I’m sandwiched between him and a podgy bloke whose arse somehow spills into my seat. I lean towards him, “I love you.” I whisper. I never, ever thought I’d say that to anyone else ever again, but this past few days James has shown me that it is possible to love again and to be loved, he’s been kind and caring, he’s made me laugh and comforted me when I’ve cried, and there has been some crying! He’s supported me when I miscarried our baby, although prior to the actual miscarriage I didn’t even know I was pregnant, and when I met my birth father for the first time, checking at each step of the way to make sure that I’ve been happy with everything. He’s instigated the lesson that my soon-to-be ex husband, aka the bastard, received, although he won’t admit it and most importantly he’s shown me that not all men are the same, that some, like James, are truly loving and caring.
He holds my hand tighter, “Not as much as I love you! You complete me Alexandra Drake.”
“Don’t call me Alexandra!” I slap his arm playfully.
“Okay……Blossom!”
I frown, “That’s worse!”
We sit quietly as the aircraft ascends to its cruising level, once we’re levelled out and the cabin crew start their drinks service I think it’s time to ask a question that’s been hovering at the back of my mind for the last few days.
“James,” I draw his attention to me, “how would you feel about giving up the General Manager’s job at Reid’s?”
“No way! I’m not freeloading off you Alex, I work for my keep!” He’s very defensive.
“I wasn’t suggesting that you would give up work and freeload. I was thinking more of creating a new role, someone to still run the hotel but in a more senior position.” I explain.
“As what?” He’s abrupt.
“I don’t know. I did say that I wanted to stay close to the hotel, to be involved, not like Maggie - distant. But, I’ve so enjoyed these last few days away it’s given me time to think, and I want to
be involved still but I really don’t want to be there all the time, so I need someone to do it for me - you!” I look at him, he’s listening intently, taking everything in. In my mind I’m willing him to say ‘yes’.
He stares at me, blankly giving nothing away, “I enjoy my job, I can’t think about it now.” He’s dismissive and, unlike James doesn’t sound too sure of himself.
I look longingly at him, “Please!”
He turns his terribly handsome face towards me, “I promise, I’ll think about it, but really Alex, I don’t know?”
“Your main issue being?” I press for his rationale behind this refusal.
I can see him thinking, formulating his response, he opens his mouth as if to speak but stops, the cogs continue to whir around under that stunning hair. “The main issue being that people will think that I’m kept and I don’t like that, I don’t want it!”
I lean forward and look out of the window, seeing the white clouds, I huff. “Will you at least think about it some more. Please?”
“I will Alex and that’s it. End of conversation.” He dismisses me turning his face to the window.
I root around for a magazine in the pocket in front of me and flick through the pages as the flight attendant approaches us with the drinks service. “Can I get you anything?” She asks looking at the three of us in the row.
The podgy man asks for a whiskey and soda, peanuts and a bar of chocolate. The attendant completes his transaction and then looks at me, “Anything for you Madam?”
“Do you have any champagne?” I ask.
“We’ve some Prosecco.” She pulls on the metal drawers from her trolley and shows me a small bottle of fizz.
“That’ll be great, thank you.” She places two plastic cups on mine and James tray and a small square napkin on each. “You don’t have anything strawberry flavoured do you?” I ask quietly, I know it’s probably a stupid question, but worth asking.
Freeing Alex (The Alexandra Drake Series) Page 29