Fair-Weather Friend

by Patricia Scanlan

  ‘Oh for God’s sake, Melissa, it’s a mosquito. Spray some stuff on yourself and go to sleep,’ she raged, finding the light and snapping it on.

  ‘I think it’s a bat!’ wailed Melissa.

  ‘It’s not a bat. It’s a mosquito. Here.’ She sprayed mosquito repellent over the tormented Melissa. She sprayed herself just in case and switched off the light.

  ‘You’ve got really grumpy these days. You used to be much nicer,’ Melissa said in her little-girl voice.

  Spears of guilt prodded Sophie. She was being a bit of a bitch. Melissa had a fear of insects. ‘Sorry!’ she apologised. ‘PMT,’ she fibbed.

  ‘We’re going to have a good holiday, aren’t we?’ Melissa asked anxiously.

  ‘We’re going to have a great holiday. You’re going to get a MEGA tan and find a hunk for your photos and The Rat is going to be the sorriest rat in the world.’ Sophie was doing her best to be kind.

  ‘Yes. He is a rat, isn’t he? But I’m not taking him back. Definitely not.’

  ‘No you’re not. He’s not worthy of you. There’s a much nicer man waiting for you out there,’ Sophie said kindly.

  ‘Yes there is. A millionaire, possibly,’ Melissa agreed. She always thought big. ‘There’s a marina around here somewhere where the jet set of the Mediterranean park their yachts.’

  ‘Berth,’ Sophie corrected, sleepily.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Berth their yachts, not park,’ Sophie explained.

  ‘Oh! Right, I better remember that.’ She leaned on her elbow and stared over at Sophie. ‘You know Majorca is very “in”. Don’t forget Princess Di used to come here. The Spanish royal family come here and Michael Douglas brought Catherine Zeta-Jones here. He has a big villa in Deya. I’ve read about it in Hello! Maybe we should go there for a day. We’ll hire a car.’

  ‘Fine,’ murmured Sophie, wishing Melissa would go back asleep.

  ‘Imagine if I met a millionaire! I might even invite Tony and Jane to the wedding,’ Melissa decided. ‘That would really rub their noses in it. Wouldn’t it, Sophie?’

  Silence.

  ‘Sophie?’

  But Sophie was far away – in a deep and dreamless sleep.

  She awoke to find sunlight dancing through the green shutters. Melissa was standing on the patio, arms crossed as she surveyed the scene in front of her.

  ‘We can’t possibly stay here, Sophie!’ she declared, shocked. ‘It’s in the sticks. We don’t even have a sea view. I definitely asked for a sea view. I was told I’d get one. The swimming-pool, if you could call it a swimming-pool, is no bigger than a bath!’

  ‘Beggars can’t be choosers, Melissa. After all it was a cancellation. We might not have got anywhere at such short notice.’ Sophie scrambled out of bed and went to join her friend on the postage-stamp sized patio. The sun was shining. That was all that mattered in her opinion.

  She gazed around at the dry, barren scrubland that backed onto a scree-filled cliff. A few pine trees grew here and there in little clumps. Their building was perched on a small hill. Below she could see other apartment blocks nestled among trees. In the distance was the glittering, silver-blue sparkle of sunlight dancing on water.

  ‘There’s your sea view,’ she grinned, pointing. She stretched and breathed in the warm, scented Mediterranean breeze.

  ‘This is the pits! The pits!’ Melissa moaned. ‘And look at those kids jumping up and down in the pool. Horrible little beasties. Urrgh.’ Melissa was not at all the maternal type.

  ‘Well it did say suitable for families and it did say this was a quiet area in the brochure,’ Sophie pointed out reasonably.

  ‘I wonder would they move us to Palma Nova if I kicked up a fuss?’ Melissa asked hopefully.

  ‘Let’s give it a chance for a day or two until we get our bearings. It’s only ten minutes by taxi to Palma Nova anyway.’

  ‘How do you know?’ Melissa asked sulkily.

  ‘The rep told us last night when you were asleep.’

  ‘Oh, OK then. But if it’s dead quiet we’re moving and that’s it,’ Melissa declared as she marched back into the bedroom. ‘Let’s go and see what they serve for breakfast in that snack bar by the pool.’

  ‘Yes, let’s. I’m starving. And I’m dying for a cup of coffee. Let’s explore.’ Sophie didn’t care if the apartment wasn’t exactly the Ritz. She was in Majorca, the sun was shining and the beach beckoned.

  They breakfasted on fresh coffee, croissants, crusty white rolls and jam and fruit. Even Melissa had to admit that it was tasty.

  ‘Let’s go to the marina and see if we can nab a millionaire,’ she suggested gaily. Her humour was improving by the minute.

  Sophie heaved a mental sigh of relief. Maybe they were going to have a great holiday after all.

  Chapter Five

  ‘This is where we’re going to breakfast from now on,’ Melissa announced joyfully an hour later. They were strolling along the sea front, which had plenty of places to eat. A fifteen-minute walk from their apartment block had brought them to a completely different world.

  ‘This is where I was born to be.’ Melissa was giddy with excitement.

  Yachts filled with beautiful people bobbed up and down on the gentle waves. The chic designer boutiques oozed posh. There were no prices on display. It was that kind of place.

  Melissa strode along in her tight white shorts and bikini top, black glasses hiding her eyes. She looked like a film star. Sophie, in her denim shorts and black T-shirt, felt lumpy and frumpy beside her.

  ‘Let’s go to the beach. It’s getting hot. I’d like to go for a swim,’ she said.

  ‘Don’t be silly, Sophie. We have to do some serious strutting here!’ Melissa smiled at a tanned gigolo-type in a cream Armani suit.

  Gigolo smiled back.

  ‘See,’ Melissa whispered.

  ‘Melissa, you can strut. I’m going to the beach over there and I’m flopping.’

  Gigolo was leering at Melissa from head to toe.

  ‘See you on the beach. I’ll get a lounger for you,’ Sophie offered.

  ‘Fine,’ Melissa said snootily. ‘If you want to miss the chance of a lifetime to go and slob out on a lounger, do it! I’m staying here.’

  ‘Have fun,’ Sophie said dryly as Gigolo flashed a wide, toothy grin at Melissa.

  Melissa smiled back and fluttered her eyelashes.

  Sophie left her to it.

  The beach was a golden crescent of paradise. Pines tree fringed the edge of the cliffs. White-crested whisps of waves lapped the shore. It was off the beaten track. It wasn’t crowded like the big resort beaches with their rows of white loungers. This beach was a little jewel, dotted with coconut umbrellas and delightful green loungers that could be hired for the day.

  A small island lay about a mile offshore. There were no motor boats or hang-gliders or pedalos in sight. It was a most peaceful place. Sophie chose two loungers. She laid her towel on one, stripped to her black M&S bikini, lay down, closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She was in heaven. It was too relaxing even to read. A balmy little breeze whispered around her. The sea murmured its soothing, rhythmic lullaby. Sophie fell asleep.

  Melissa joined her several hours later. She was on a high.

  ‘Remember that guy?’ she asked excitedly. ‘He asked me would I like coffee. His name is Paulo and he’s absolutely loaded! He’s staying on a yacht with friends. They’re cruising around the islands for a month. Imagine! He asked me out to dinner tonight. What will I wear Sophie? It will have to be something very sophisticated. Do you think the little black silk dress I bought would be OK?’

  ‘It will be fine,’ Sophie said, trying to sound interested. Melissa hadn’t wasted any time. It looked like Sophie would be eating alone tonight. Her heart sank. Just as well she had plenty of books to read.

  ‘I better get some serious sunbathing done before tonight.’ Melissa unhooked her bikini top and slathered on some sun-tan oil. ‘Sophie, it’s great that we came to this pla
ce. I’d never have met anybody like Paulo in Palma Nova. The marina here is mega posh.’ She gave a huge smile as she slid elegantly onto her lounger. She stretched out and closed her eyes.

  Sophie tried not to feel envious as she surveyed her friend. Melissa had everything: looks, fabulous figure, bubbly personality. No wonder she was never man-less for long. A deep sigh came up from her toes as she looked at her own tummy that was not flat and taut like Melissa’s. Hers was curved and rounded with a little, soft, jelly sort of bulge, no matter how tight she held her muscles in. Her thighs were dimpled at the top – not like Melissa’s firm, toned, satin-skinned ones. And there was no denying that she had thick ankles, Sophie thought glumly as she looked at Melissa’s shapely turned ankles and perfectly painted toes.

  She felt fed up … and hungry.

  ‘Will we have some lunch?’ she asked.

  ‘Oh God no! I couldn’t eat a thing. I’m so excited.’ Melissa yawned. ‘Besides, Paulo bought me a gorgeous cake with the coffee, earlier.’

  ‘Well I’ve had nothing to eat since breakfast. I’ll just go and get something myself.’ Sophie pulled on her sundress, grabbed her bag and flounced off.

  ‘Enjoy it,’ Melissa called airily after her. She hadn’t even noticed that Sophie was annoyed.

  Bitch! thought Sophie, simmering with resentment. Denise was right. Melissa was so self-centred. She thought the world revolved around her. Barely their first day on holidays and Sophie would have to eat alone twice.

  She climbed the curving wooden steps up the side of the cliff and tried not to pant. She was so unfit it was a disaster. Still there was nothing she could do about it now. She might as well treat herself to something tasty for lunch, she decided. Food was always a great comforter.

  It was quite nice to sit at a shaded table outside the cliff-top restaurant. She tucked into deep-fried squid in batter, with a crispy, crunchy side salad, and sipped ice-cold San Miguel beer.

  For a treat she had a banana split smothered in cream. A girl had to have something to cheer her up. It was clear that Melissa was doing her hot-potato act. Sophie should have known better than to go on holidays with her. Denise had been right to warn her off. It was her own fault for not listening. She sighed deeply. She was fed up being a doormat. She had two choices now. She could sit and mope and feel sorry for herself. Or she could make up her mind to enjoy herself.

  Sophie ate a spoonful of banana dripping with honey and cream. A balmy breeze ruffled her hair. She could be stuck in hot, humid London. She knew where she preferred to be – even if she was on her own. Melissa could get lost, Sophie decided. She didn’t need a fair-weather friend in her life. From now on, she was going to be very cool indeed to Miss Melissa Harris.

  Chapter Six

  It was her fifth day alone. She might as well have come on a singles holiday after all. Sophie gave a deep sigh as she lay on the lounger in her favourite spot on the beach. She was annoyed with herself. Why, after all her good intentions, was she letting Melissa still get to her? She had to admit that even she had been surprised at how much of a user Melissa was.

  Her ‘friend’ had spent two days with Paulo after the first big dinner-date.

  ‘You don’t mind, sweetie? He’s such a pet. You should hear the lovely things he says to me and he’s such a gentleman. He’s really smitten, Sophie,’ Melissa twittered as she changed into yet another outfit for a shopping trip to Palma. Her new boyfriend wanted to show her the sights. She was preening in front of the mirror in a vivid pink mini-dress. Sophie couldn’t help a pang of envy. Melissa looked a million dollars. Her tan was golden. Her skin was like satin. The dress clung to all the right curves. She looked like a model.

  That night she arrived back at the apartment, eyes shining.

  ‘You’ll never guess, Sophie! Paulo has asked me to go to Marbella on the yacht. I’m so excited.’

  ‘How long are you going for?’ Sophie demanded. ‘You came on holidays with me, you know!’ She was furious. She just couldn’t help it. Melissa was rubbing her nose in it.

  ‘Don’t be like that, Sophie,’ Melissa muttered defensively. ‘This is the chance of a lifetime. Paulo is just what I need after The Rat.’

  ‘Look, Melissa, you asked me to come on holidays with you. So far we’ve had one breakfast together and I’ve been left on my own ever since. You’re being really selfish and I don’t think much of your behaviour,’ Sophie exploded.

  ‘No you’re being selfish!’ Melissa rounded on her. ‘This could be the best thing that’s ever happened to me. If you were truly my friend you wouldn’t be so mean.’ She took her case from the wardrobe and began to pack. Sophie felt like thumping her. How typical of Melissa to turn the argument to her advantage.

  They didn’t speak for the rest of the night. The following morning Sophie kept her head under the pillow until she heard Melissa leave the apartment, dragging her case behind her.

  So much for the gentleman. He didn’t even come to collect the cow, she thought grumpily as she heard the click-clack of Melissa’s white high heels fade away.

  Surprisingly, once her anger and resentment had lessened, Sophie had actually enjoyed herself. She spent her days on the beach, reading and swimming. She liked watching the confident, noisy young Spaniards that gathered after school. It was an entertainment in itself just to watch them flirt. The girls were always dressed in fabulous bikinis that showed off their sallow, supple figures to perfection. Sophie promised herself that one day she too would be a beach princess. To start, she decided to walk for an hour every day. She got into the habit of walking along the seashore in the morning and in the evening. She was sure she could feel her thighs toning already.

  At night she took a taxi to Palma Nova to eat at one of the beach-side restaurants. After her meal she strolled around the shops before going home to sit on her patio with her book and an ice-cold beer. The days melted into one another. Sophie realised that being on holidays alone was not half as daunting as she’d imagined. It was a liberation of sorts to know that she was perfectly able to enjoy herself alone.

  She was relaxing in the late-afternoon sun, reading her crime novel, when a child’s loud scream rent the air. Sophie looked up to see a little Spanish girl howling in pain. Her elderly grandfather was doing his best to comfort her. She had seen them at the beach every afternoon and thought they were very sweet. The grandfather doted on the little girl. He spent hours building big sand-castles to entertain her.

  Sophie jumped up and hurried over. ‘Can I help? I’m a nurse,’ she said.

  ‘Oh, thank you very much. Maria has been stung.’The man spoke perfect English.

  Sophie soothed the little girl. ‘Could you get me some vinegar from the café and I’ll remove the sting and put some cream on it?’ she asked the grandfather. The man spoke in rapid Spanish to a young student nearby who raced off up the steps towards the café.

  Sophie kept talking in a calm tone to the little girl. She stopped screaming but whimpered pitifully.

  ‘There, there, Maria, you’ll be fine,’ Sophie said gently. She wiped the little girl’s tears and offered her a Polo mint. Maria took one shyly and stopped crying. The old man looked very relieved.

  ‘Thank you, thank you,’ he said, patting Sophie on the arm.

  Maria cried again as Sophie dabbed on the vinegar and removed the sting. But once the balm of antiseptic cream had done its trick, she was soon playing again, the drama forgotten.

  The grandfather was very grateful. ‘My daughter is pregnant and Maria’s nanny had to return to Madrid, as her mother is very ill. So I have been taking care of her in the afternoons,’ he explained. ‘I am Juan Santander.’ He held out his hand.

  ‘Sophie Mason,’ Sophie said.

  They chatted for a while. It was nice to have someone to talk to.

  ‘Your friend has not come back?’ Juan remarked. ‘She was here with you just one day.’

  How observant, Sophie thought.

  ‘She went on a cruise to Marbe
lla.’

  ‘Did you not want to go?’ Juan looked surprised.

  ‘I wasn’t asked.’ Sophie laughed.

  ‘I see.’ His eyes were kind. ‘You will be here tomorrow?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘We will see you then.’ Juan gathered up his granddaughter’s bits and bobs. ‘Tomorrow.’

  Sophie watched them climb the path to the top of the cliff. She was glad to have been of help. He was a nice man and the little girl was a pet.

  The following afternoon Sophie smiled as she saw the pair make their way down the steps. Maria raced over to proudly show off her bandage.

  Juan winked. ‘For such an injury a bandage was necessary. May we join you?’

  ‘Please do,’ Sophie invited.

  ‘I wonder would you consider something?’ Juan asked. ‘I told my daughter what had happened and that you were a nurse. I told her that your friend had left you alone. She thought that was not very nice.’ The old man shook his head. ‘Not nice at all.’ He smiled at Sophie. His brown eyes were kind. Sophie warmed to him. He reminded her of her own grandfather.

  ‘We wondered if you would like to come and stay with us for a few days in our villa up in the hills? We have a pool and lovely grounds. It is most comfortable. I’m sure you would like it. My daughter is looking for someone to mind Maria and the new baby for at least six months. Maybe you might be interested in the job? If you spent a few days with us you would know if it is something you might consider.’

  Sophie’s eyes widened. It sounded like a fantastic offer. Leave dreary, humid, stuffy-old London and spend six months in this paradise. It sounded like a dream.

  To her amazement she heard herself say, ‘I’d love to.’

  Juan rubbed his hands. ‘Excellent. Can you come today?’ he asked eagerly.

  Sophie laughed. ‘It’s a bit sudden.’

  ‘Why wait?’ the old man said matter-of-factly.

  ‘You’re right,’ Sophie agreed happily. ‘I’ll just go up to the apartment and get my things.’