Losing Juliet: A gripping psychological drama with twists you won’t see coming

by June Taylor

  ‘Hard to say.’

  ‘Oh come on, Mum, you’d be devastated. Your best friend.’

  Chrissy reappeared and climbed into bed. ‘I’d much rather never know,’ she said, switching off her light.

  ***

  The only tourist box left to tick was the Vatican City.

  ‘I’m not sure I feel like it today,’ said Chrissy. ‘The queues are awful, and in this heat.’

  ‘We won’t have to queue for long,’ said Juliet.

  ‘How come?’

  ‘I’ve got us Fast Track tickets.’

  ‘Don’t tell me the Ricci label gets us into the Vatican as well?’ said Chrissy. ‘Oh, I can just see the Pope in his little Ricci cape. ‘Comes in red or white, Your Holiness. And look, we have matching papal slippers.’

  It ought to have been funny, but there was an edge to her tone.

  ‘Don’t forget the papal underpants,’ Eloise added in desperation.

  ‘Anyone can get Fast Track tickets, Chrissy. You just pay a bit more, that’s all.’

  Chrissy held her face up to the ceiling fan, giving Eloise a sideways look. Eloise was making it perfectly clear that she was not impressed.

  ‘Right, I’ll go get ready then,’ said Chrissy.

  ***

  The Basilica was relatively peaceful at that time. Early morning sunbeams welcomed them with open arms; an irresistible pull drew them towards their transparent glow. The gold leaf mosaics above their heads glittered as if in fanfare to the vast beauty of the place, and Eloise felt herself shrinking as her eyes tried to gather it all in.

  Juliet suggested climbing the Cupola first. ‘It’s narrow though, Chrissy. You might want to wait for us. You could look around here instead.’

  ‘Why would I want to do that?’

  ‘Oh. Well, like I said it’s a bit of a tight squeeze, lots of steps, people in front and behind you all the way. It’s high when you reach the top.’

  ‘I’m fine with heights.’

  ‘There’s a lift you can get,’ Juliet persisted. ‘But still over three hundred steps after that.’

  ‘I’ll go buy the tickets,’ said Chrissy. ‘And I’m taking the stairs.’

  She insisted on going first, and with no one immediately in front of them, she soon disappeared from view. Once they entered the spiral tunnel there was no turning back. At times even Eloise felt claustrophobic.

  They emerged at the first ring, where Chrissy was already admiring the mosaics on the inside of the Dome.

  ‘When did you get so fit?’ asked Juliet, gasping. ‘Running upstairs like that. Phooph!’

  ‘Mum spends her life running. Don’t you, Mum?’

  Chrissy shot her a glance then moved off again, rejoining them at the entrance to the next set of stairs. ‘More?’ she said.

  If this was difficult for her then she certainly wasn’t showing it. But as they neared the end of the tunnel it began to twist narrower and darker and Eloise detected a sense of panic brewing. Chrissy was clinging to the rope with both hands, her breathing on the edge. She was determined to keep going, however. At last they emerged into daylight, where she made a desperate grab for the railings.

  ‘I’m okay,’ she said, holding up her hands, ‘before you ask. I just need a minute.’

  Juliet held down her hair so it wouldn’t blow into her face, rubbing her back gently. After a few minutes Chrissy managed a smile; the colour returned to her cheeks.

  ‘Wow,’ she said, when she could finally concentrate on the view.

  The colours of Rome stretched out before them: reds, browns, oranges and bold flashes of pink. The sun glinted on a small patch of river they could just make out, lined with bushy clumps of green. Directly below, tiny black dots scuttled across the Piazza.

  ‘Worth every step, eh?’ said Juliet, opening her hands out to St Peter’s Square and the Vatican obelisk. She pointed to the Vatican Museums, where they would go next, and then wandered off to have a cigarette despite telling them it wasn’t permitted.

  Eloise began taking photos.

  ‘Don’t you dare point that thing at me,’ said Chrissy.

  ‘Mum, I am aware after all these years,’ Eloise replied.

  ***

  ‘Is there really no photography allowed inside the Sistine Chapel?’ said Eloise, scowling at the sign as they shuffled along in the queue. ‘Not a single, measly photo. How mean is that?’

  ‘I’ve seen people take them in there before,’ Juliet whispered. ‘As long as you don’t get caught. Here though, let me. I’ll be able to talk my way out of it.’

  Eloise handed her the camera; it was almost their turn to go in.

  ‘Shush, no talking,’ said Chrissy as they entered the Chapel. ‘Probably not allowed to breathe either,’ she whispered.

  Eloise felt herself being pushed slightly ahead of them. And, as a result, she missed Juliet pointing the camera at Chrissy, pretending to take her picture. She didn’t hear the click of the shutter either. But she couldn’t escape the fallout afterwards.

  ‘What the hell are you doing?’ said Chrissy.

  Someone shushed them.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Juliet whispered. ‘It was a mistake.’

  ‘Delete it. Now.’

  ‘Well, I will, I will. Just give me a second; it’s not my camera.’

  ‘What’s up?’ said Eloise, coming over quickly. ‘Everyone’s looking at you.’ She tried to divert Chrissy by pointing to the Michelangelo frescoes on the ceiling. ‘That’s the really famous one where they’re touching fingers. The Creation of Adam. See it?’

  ‘Eloise,’ said Juliet behind her in a hushed voice. She was pulling on her arm, which forced her to let go of Chrissy.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Can you delete this? I didn’t mean to take it.’

  Eloise winced when she saw the picture. Somebody ‘shushed’ them again. The Vatican staff were getting twitchy.

  ‘Has it gone yet? Bloody better have,’ said Chrissy.

  ‘Nearly,’ said Juliet. ‘Look, Chrissy, I really think you need to let this go …’

  ‘Deleted!’ Eloise announced. ‘Gone forever.’

  She hoped that was the end of it, but Chrissy moved in so close to Juliet their faces were almost touching. ‘Let go of what exactly? What do you think it is that I have to let go of, Juliet?’

  ‘Sssh.’

  ‘I think we should get out of here,’ said Eloise.

  ‘This fear and guilt you still feel,’ whispered Juliet. ‘After so long.’

  ‘How do you know how I feel? How can you possibly know?’

  Chrissy marched off towards the Exit and Eloise ran after her.

  ‘Mum. Are you okay? She didn’t mean to do it.’ Eloise was struggling to keep up. ‘Maybe Juliet’s right though. Mum!’

  By now they had emerged into Piazza San Pietro. The vast open space and bright sunlight came as a shock to both of them. And there was the heat to get used to again. Chrissy came to an abrupt standstill, and Eloise almost walked into her.

  ‘What do you know either?’ her mother said snappily, sweeping the sweat off her brow. Then her expression changed. ‘You already know too much, Eloise. That’s the problem.’

  ‘There you are!’

  Juliet positioned herself on the other side of Chrissy.

  ‘Mum, please. We only want to help. Don’t shut us out any more.’

  ***

  Juliet was up to something.

  Eloise chased her up the spiral steps and out onto the roof terrace, where Chrissy was fanning herself with a wide-brimmed hat that she had bought from a street vendor the day before. She seemed oblivious to the sky turning a delicate pink all around her.

  ‘Listen up,’ said Juliet, clapping her hands.

  It startled Chrissy. She sat up, raised her sunglasses, giving Juliet a frown.

  ‘Tomorrow I have una sorpresa for us.’

  ‘We ought to be booking a flight home actually. No more surprises.’

  ‘So tomorrow,�
�� said Juliet, disregarding what Chrissy had just said, ‘we get out of Rome and we go into the Tuscan hills. It’s so beautiful, you will love it there, both of you. We catch the train to Chiusi in the morning at eleven.’

  Juliet looked encouragingly at Eloise, as if to say: Work on your mother, before heading back down the staircase.

  Eloise stood helpless. She knew only one thing: ‘I’m not ready to go home yet, Mum. I want to stay, and I think you should, too.’

  ‘There’s a flight tomorrow evening,’ said Chrissy. ‘I checked.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Yes.’

  Eloise moved in, pointing her finger in her mother’s face. ‘Why don’t you go then? I want to be with Juliet.’ She was surprised at how angry that came out. It must be the heat.

  ***

  Juliet was in the kitchen. She made out as if she wasn’t aware of Eloise standing there, opened the fridge door, humming to herself. Three tall glasses were lined up on the unit. She tipped ice cubes into each one; they clattered against the sides as though in shock at being disturbed.

  ‘Maybe we should stay in Rome, Juliet. She’s got used to it here. She can go running with Luca and—’

  Juliet was shaking her head. She filled the glasses with water then drank from one of them. ‘We need a change of scene,’ she said. ‘It’s very important. Trust me, Eloise, I know what’s best. Now go and convince your mother.’ She handed her the other two glasses. ‘You can come back to Rome anytime you like. With or without her, you’ll always be welcome.’

  CHAPTER 25

  Tuscany: 2007

  A woman called Marianna picked them up at Chiusi-Chianciano Terme railway station. She was waiting for them on the platform clutching a pair of folded sunglasses, looking elegant in a pale blue linen dress.

  ‘Buongiorno. How was your trip?’ She took Chrissy’s bag. ‘Not too hot on the train, I hope. It’s a wonderful journey but can get so crowded.’

  ‘If I can rough it for an hour and a half, anyone can,’ said Juliet. ‘And it’s well worth it.’

  ‘Very beautiful,’ Chrissy added.

  ‘We’re just over here.’ Marianna pointed to a dusty Opel 4x4. They loaded their luggage into the boot then got in. ‘Non è molto lontano da qui,’ she said, turning to Eloise. ‘Parli Italiano?’

  ‘If that means, “do I speak Italian?”, then no.’

  Marianna laughed. ‘No problem,’ she said in perfect English. ‘We don’t have far to go. In this heat I expect you’ll be glad.’

  She chatted to Juliet in Italian for most of the journey, whilst Eloise and Chrissy tried to survive in the back. Even with the air-con it was like a pizza oven, at least to begin with. But once they were past Chiusi Scalo and out into open countryside they didn’t notice the heat any more. Huge skies and patchwork fields of green and gold stretched out on either side. Dirt roads lined with cypress trees zigzagged up the hillsides, leading to farmhouses perched right on the hill tops.

  ‘Where are we?’ Chrissy asked.

  ‘Mi dispiace,’ said Marianna. ‘You really must forgive me. This is the Val d’Orcia. Beautiful, isn’t it?’

  ‘Stunning,’ said Chrissy.

  ‘I just love it when the wheat is ripening; it’s like a golden desert. Also you see the hills of the Crete Senesi. The soil is clay so it makes a sort of blue-grey colour. In this area they grow a lot of olives. And Vino rosso, of course. The wine from Montepulciano and Montalcino is very good. Oh, and you must try the pecorino cheese di Pienza. It’s made from sheep’s milk.’

  Eloise was so enthralled she hadn’t realized that half an hour had gone by, not until they were being bounced about like Lotto balls in the back and she glanced at her phone. They had turned down a winding track, passing through two large iron gates, after which the track became even rougher. At first she thought it was the stone farmhouse they were making for, but as they came to the end of the track, a whole estate came into view. She spotted a swimming pool, tennis court and a number of horses in one of the fields.

  ‘Oh my god!’

  ‘Bellissimo, no?’ said Marianna, pulling on the handbrake.

  ‘Just a bit.’

  Marianna asked Chrissy to pass her jacket from the parcel shelf. They noticed it had a Ricci label in it. Juliet gave Eloise a wink as they got out.

  ‘Follow me,’ said Marianna.

  There was a serenity about her, and she didn’t appear to be at all bothered by the heat. Chrissy’s face was red and shiny, Eloise assumed her own must be too, and even Juliet was fanning herself. They walked away from the main buildings passing what looked like the stable block, then alongside the tennis court. Eventually they arrived at a large stone building. Marianna pushed open the door, holding it open for them.

  The inside temperature was gloriously cool: oak chestnut beams and terracotta floors. A stone terrace, accessible through sliding glass doors, ran one length of the living/dining area, giving them an uninterrupted view of olive groves, cypress trees and the surprisingly green valley and surrounding hills beyond.

  They each had their own bedroom: queen-sized beds with crisp white sheets and fluffy white towels.

  ‘Let me show you the pool,’ said Marianna.

  They followed her outside underneath a large pergola covered in vine and down some steps. The water rippled like blue silk. It was a decent size, too, Eloise thought. She longed to dive into it; cool off from this searing heat.

  At the end of their tour Marianna informed them there was wine and beer in the fridge, plus a few provisions. They must say if they needed anything else, and if they wanted to hire a car she could arrange that too. In addition, there were bicycles and Vespas available for guests, so they only had to ask if they were interested in using them.

  ‘Welcome, and make yourselves at home. There are some people around who can help you. Anyone who doesn’t look like a guest, you can ask them. Do you like horses?’

  She was directing the question at Eloise.

  ‘Oh. Erm yes.’

  ‘Do you ride?’

  ‘I’ve never tried actually.’

  ‘Well, maybe this is the time. We do some nice treks in the hills. Come over and see the horses later if you want.’

  Eloise nodded.

  ‘Very unusual brooch,’ Marianna remarked as she was leaving.

  Juliet exchanged glances with Eloise; they couldn’t help but grin.

  ‘Thank you,’ Juliet replied. ‘It was a gift. From a friend.’

  ‘This friend?’ said Marianna, looking to Chrissy.

  ‘An old friend,’ said Juliet.

  When Marianna was out of earshot the pair of them cracked up laughing.

  ‘A cat burglar friend,’ Eloise joked.

  Chrissy was stony-faced.

  Juliet tried to redeem herself. She cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted: ‘Last one in the pool is a piece of merde!’

  Nobody moved. Juliet seemed to be waiting for Chrissy.

  ‘Well, I’m up for it,’ said Eloise, diving into her suitcase, and Juliet took this as her cue to do the same. ‘Come on, Mum,’ she hollered, waving her striped bikini in the air.

  Juliet had more luggage than the two of theirs combined. It looked like she would need hours, not seconds, to locate her swimwear. She fished out a sarong, gold flip-flops, suntan cream, floppy sunhat, shades, book, beach towel.

  ‘Look, Mum! You can still catch up,’ said Eloise, nodding at Juliet’s great pile of stuff. She flew past the pair of them and ran towards the steps leading down to the pool.

  ‘Wait for me,’ said a voice behind her. It was Juliet, but she didn’t wait. Instead she dive-bombed into the water creating a satisfying explosion. Wiping the drips from her eyes she saw Juliet preparing to dive in and applauded as she hit the water.

  When Chrissy finally appeared she put down her book, laid her towel over the back of a chair, removed her flip-flops and entered the pool via the steps.

  ‘Well, I think you’re both the piece of merde,�
� said Eloise. ‘You’ve both got far too much baggage.’

  Chrissy kicked off the side to swim underwater. Eloise stayed alongside her, but neither of them was a match for Juliet’s front crawl; she was soon lapping them.

  Juliet got out of the pool, announcing she was going to unpack. Eloise watched her go then turned her attention to her mother, who was already drying herself over by the sunloungers. She stopped for a moment to take in the view, shielding her eyes from the glaring sun. The sweeping valley and rolling hills of Montepulciano were quite a change from Rome. Eloise went to sit by her, although it wasn’t long before Chrissy said she could only bear it for another ten minutes.

  ‘If you’re staying out here be careful not to burn, Eloise,’ were her parting words.

  It felt good to be alone. She could fully soak up the peace and quiet of the place. Reaching lazily for her phone, she sent a text to Anya.

  ‘Wish you were here. xxx’

  Even though Anya had forgiven her, eventually, Eloise had come to realize that there were things she could never share with her best friend; with anyone, in fact. And when things flared up between Juliet and Chrissy she had no one to talk to about it.

  Perhaps they would get on better now they were out of Rome. That was probably why Juliet had brought them here.

  Eloise got back into the pool, floating aimlessly in the stillness. The sky was a deep blue; the water lapping at her ears the only sound. Gradually, though, a sense of unease began to creep in: the feeling of being watched. Splashing noisily, treading water, she searched all around. There didn’t seem to be anyone about. Then a ginger cat strolled lethargically out of the shrubbery, giving her a look that said so what?

  She flipped herself underwater and swam an entire length, her lungs ready to burst when she reached for the tiles at the other end. Her eyes were stinging then, so she rubbed them with her fists. That was when she heard a voice shout: ‘Ciao.’