by Emily Hudson
Chapter Fourteen
‘This party is going to be amazing!’ Lucy enthused, thrusting yet another bundle of objects into my arms. In that I had to trust; I knew little of hosting parties and much less about the preparation for one. Flitting from shop to shop, stall to stall, only requiring my ability to carry things and the odd language translation here and there, she was getting by on her charm alone for the most part. This was the Lucy that I felt I knew after Ethan’s wedding. So full of life she reminded me of Livvy with her zest for life. As I continued to get weighed down with lanterns, garlands and the like, I knew if anyone could pull off this party it was Lucy.
I had anticipated a frosty reception at breakfast after last night’s little fracas. I’ve always been an early riser; it turned out I was up a good hour before she made an appearance. I sat back wearily, sipping my coffee, trying to gauge her mood as she made her way through the French doors. Relived to watch the corners of her mouth turned up, I assumed a truce had been declared. That was, as near as damn it, a white flag. Neither one of us brought up last night as a topic of conversation, far better to resort to the mainstay of all Brits; the weather. We were blessed with another beautiful day, which I took great satisfaction in, as it meant Lucy had ditched her prim and proper professional attire, revealing a feast for the eyes in a pair of gloriously short shorts and a cami top. How the hell I knew it was a cami top is beyond me, my only defence is perhaps having a younger sister, whose inane babble I often find myself subjected to.
After breakfast Lucy walked me through her ideas for the party and wow! I couldn’t have asked for anything more. She’d picked up a leaflet on a particular attraction, one of our many grottoes on the island and run with it. Having read that sailors would illuminate the caves by candlelight, this was the idea she wanted to transport back to my villa. ‘Imagine,’ she went on, ‘the light of a thousand candles, flickering with the breeze. Wouldn’t it be magical?’ She didn’t need to light the candle in front of me for me to realise the evocative atmosphere she aimed to create for the evening. She suggested we have some live music, with staff waiting to greet our guests with an awaiting aperitif. Her enthusiasm and descriptions went on. I was spellbound as she physically walked me through her thoughts; a lantern path down to a banqueting table, which would again be shrouded in the quivering candlelight. However, the pièce de resistance, twinkling fairy lights in the trees and on the lower terrace, mood lighting making a feature of the wall, with the floor, scattered with cushions so people could crash if the dance floor got too much. I say people, this is for the select few of Livvy’s friends. Turns out there is no end to how cunning I can be, managing to successfully contact each of them through somewhat dubious means. Well, if she will leave her phone out and logged onto a social media site, what more can she expect! At least this promises to be the surprise of all surprises.
And that, long story short, is how we ended up here, all the way across the island at the only market trading today. I hoped it would have the items Lucy was looking for but to be honest I wouldn’t mind if we continued on all afternoon, traipsing around, hell we could cover the whole island, if required. I believe I would do just about anything for Lucy.
‘What do you think of these?’ Ashamedly I’d barely registered the latest of Lucy’s acquisitions. My face must have said it all, I’d been thinking about the party and how I wanted Lucy more than anything to be there as my guest, but as she continued to throw herself into the task I knew how impossible that would be. ‘You’re doing that “man thing” aren’t you?’ she accused. Puzzled, I raised an eyebrow. ‘You know that thing where you pretend to listen but you haven’t got the foggiest.’ Ashen faced, she’d sussed me.
‘Guilty.’ I admitted.
‘Well it doesn’t matter anyway.’
‘See now you’re doing that female thing, pretending it doesn’t matter, so why did you ask me in the first place?’
‘Because I wanted your opinion, you’re the client after all and I want this to be special, for you and for your sister.’ She stuttered, showing her frustration, my little Lucy is a real firecracker when she wants to be. Damn it, somehow this had all the potential to head back to all out warfare again, I had to do something and quick. ‘Have no doubt, if you love it, then Livvy will too.’
With that brief affirmation, her shoulders relaxed, ‘I just want it to be perfect.’
Hell, what was the right thing, what was the wrong thing to say? At that point I realised it wasn’t just what I needed to say it was what I needed to do. Clutching her arms, I swung her gently round to face me, tilting her head up until her eyes were focused on mine. ‘It wouldn’t be anything else.’ I think at that moment I could have said anything, with her eyes focused the pressure dissipated and she became putty in my hands. Lucy at that point was mine for the taking, vulnerable and open; I wasn’t about to capitalise, she had made it clear yesterday, we were to remain professional, but there was no harm in giving her a taster of what she was missing. Leaning forward, focused on her lips, it would be so easy, but no, chivalrous to the end I turned and whispered in her ear. ‘Lunch time gorgeous, come on I know this great place.’ With that I interlaced her fingers in mine and led the way.
I knew something would be wrong if she didn’t offer any resistance. ‘But the party is only in three weeks, there is lots to do, more we need to buy…’ Before she could continue her tirade, I put my fingers to her lips. ‘Construct a list, while we wait for lunch, I’ll give it to Frank, then there will be no more of this, you will enjoy the afternoon and I will show you the island. About to raise her opposition yet again I applied at little more pressure, just reminding her, ‘Do I have to kiss you?’ She looked up at me, pretending to be indifferent whilst her body language screamed yes. With that settled I removed my finger; the lust was still shining through her eyes.
‘It’s lobster for lunch.’ I said decisively, placing my hand at the small of her back leading her to one of my favourite seafood restaurants on the island.
Marco ensured his food was always superb and the view, well I would let that do the talking.
‘Marcus, it’s been a long time and you come with a beautiful lady, who is not your sister.’ After the customary, if somewhat embarrassing introduction, Marco continued to be charm personified, damn Italians. ‘Come, I have the perfect table.’
He led us out to the terrace and luckily there was a table for two not a foot from the powder white sand and yards from the turquoise waters that gently lapped the shore. ‘This is perfect Marco, thank you.’ With that he disappeared in search of some bread. ‘Come on then miss, do you have a pen and some paper?’ Reluctantly she tore her eyes away from the shore and dutifully started to compile her list. ‘I think that’s it?’ she said whilst biting the end of the pen. ‘Hang on, there’s still the accommodation, musicians and the catering to consider.’
‘All in good time, now, give me the list, I’ll email it to Frank.’ Once that was complete I folded up said list and deposited it in my pocket. ‘Now, no more worrying, it is time to enjoy your lunch.’ The last thing I wanted was her preoccupied with planning this event; ironic that my mastermind idea of getting her out here could also be my downfall. However, me confiscating the list appeared to do very little in clearing her mind. Apart from the complements she served on the food, Lucy wasn’t her usual self. I was confident enough to say that I hadn’t misjudged her at the wedding, that was the true Lucy but as I listened to her attempts at small talk I knew something else was up. The food, as delicious as it was, went down in a lump as I pondered the source of Lucy’s worry; was it me, this event, there was only one thing for it, ask her.
‘Lucy, I have to ask…’ she looked up, unexpectedly, unable to anticipate what I would say, her eyes went wide. ‘What’s the matter?’ I asked softly, trying to refrain from doing the annoying and somewhat patronising head-tilt.
Instantly on the defence, ‘Who says anything is the matter?’ She barked.
‘Oh
come on, don’t make out like I’m an idiot, Lucy.’ The stern tone in my voice made her eyes glisten, making me instantly feel worse.
‘Oh sweetheart, please tell me, let me help you.’ Drawing my chair closer as she wiped under her eyes with her finger.
‘God! I’m so emotional, I don’t know what the matter is with me, I’ve never done this on a client before.’
Offering her a clean napkin, ‘I hope, I’m a little more than a client.’ I may have seen a brief smile and maybe, just maybe a trace of a blush. ‘Seriously,’ I reiterated, ‘let me help you. Come on, or I’ll make you blush again.’ This time I got a giggle. ‘There she is.’ I signalled for the bill, throwing more than enough Euro’s down. Marco would forgive me not saying goodbye. ‘Come let’s walk and talk.’ I said leading her down the steps on the beach.
Stopping before the bottom I offered my arm to help her balance, whilst she removed her shoes.
‘This sand, it’s amazing, it’s so…soft. Can’t we just stay here, that might solve all my problems.’
‘Aha, so the lady admits, she has problems, but let’s just focus on that ‘we’ part for a moment; ‘we’ sounds good, doesn’t it?’
‘You are incorrigible.’ She said nudging me with her elbow, I took the opportunity to take that one step further as I slipped my arm around her.
‘So, come on, do I need to tickle it out of you?’
That was enough, it all came flooding out of her. By the time, she had finished, I wanted to tear her landlord, limb from limb, how dare he. And to think, she had considered putting her stuff in storage and contemplated sleeping in her car. As the words tumbled out of her I could see the weight visibly lifting off her, she even admitted that she hadn’t told Alicia how bad things were. The more I let her words sink in I realised how fiercely independent she was trying to be.
‘What about your parents?’ Shaking her head vigorously told me no.
‘They would wave their magic wand, make it all go away, I have to do this myself, I’m not going cap in hand to them.’ That’s when I had a brainwave.
‘How about you help me out with a little problem I have?’ As we continued along the bay, I explained about Kitty’s passing and her leaving me the house. ‘So, you see, I have two problems. 1) The house needs to be emptied and 2) All the while it stays unoccupied it’s a worry, if squatters hear about it, they’ll be in like a shot. So, what do you say?’
‘Really, that would be amazing, thank you so much.’ She gushed.
‘It’s nothing, like I said, you’d be doing me the favour.’
‘I’ll pay you rent, this is going to be all above board.’ She said nervously.
‘Luce, I’m not your landlord, I’m not about to ask for some sexual payment but I don’t want to hear another thing about rent. That’s one problem down, think I’ve done all I can to steer your boss towards the best divorce lawyer in the land. But if it doesn’t pan out the way you want it to, we can cross that bridge when we come to it too.’ With my words, she moulded into my side as we walked and gently leaned her head on my arm. Reading her cue, I pulled her in tighter. I meant every word, we would tackle it together, everything from now on in.
***
Thank goodness, I brought a selection of ‘down time’ clothes. I thought about maintaining my professional image but to be perfectly honest, the man had seen me naked, there was no hiding that fact, I thought as I examined my reflection in the mirror and considered whether my shorts were appropriate or not. The task of getting dressed had already taken too long, I checked my watch, nearly nine, hells, bells, what would he think?
I couldn’t help but smile as I saw him sat out on the terrace, his face relaxed. He was one fine specimen. Look at him, I told myself, a giant to most men, well-built and muscular and that voice, those eyes. Any woman would bite off their own right arm to enjoy his company. And I’ve already sampled that delight, I couldn’t help the grin that formed across my lips.
‘Isn’t it a beautiful day?’ A lame opener but it worked, thankfully neither of us brought up the events of last night, so breakfast wasn’t as uncomfortable as I imagined it might be. Once I’d had my caffeine fix and walked him through my ideas, I suggested that it would perhaps be a good day to get some essentials for the party. This mean’t travelling and Marcus insisted that I might need him, particularly with language translation. He was right, but I wasn’t about to admit that to him. Having left the island we drove for a good hour to reach a market that he hoped would have what I was looking for. It did, I was in my element, I love spending money and spending other people’s money is just as fun. I was particularly proud of my latest acquisition, some glass lanterns that I managed to barter a third off. As I showed Marcus he was miles away, but gave me lip service, that annoying male thing where they pretend they’re listening but you know damn fine, its gone in one ear and out the other. Calling him out on it was perhaps not a great idea, realising we could so very easily ruin the day with another humdinger of an argument.
‘I just want it to be perfect.’ I admitted and it was true, I also wanted Marcus’ approval for some unknown reason, it was more than a client thing. I wanted this event to be the best I had ever pulled off, he had faith in me, I just hoped to hell his sister liked it all, me included.
Self doubt was bubbling up inside me, I was doing the very thing I had criticised others for. But as my brain was working overtime, I didn’t notice his presence in front of me until this fingers raised my eyes to meet his, there and then he told me he believed in me, all that self loathing disappeared. I felt my knees buckle as I focused on his icy blue eyes. If he kissed me now there is no way that I could resist, in fact, I wanted nothing more than the touch of his lips, they felt like a vague memory, a spectacular vague memory, and sadly that was the way it was going to remain, as he drew closer I closed my eyes waiting for the impact that never came. Me and my bloody silly rules, I’ve only got myself to blame.
I knew what he was up to, as frustrating as it was he was trying to prove to me that he could be trusted, that he was true to his word. He took my hand, too shell-shocked I let him lead me, to be honest I didn’t want to be without his touch. His hands were warm, his fingers interlocked with mine, I looked down at the sight, it felt right, it looked right. But what was I thinking, this was crazy, there was so much to do, I couldn’t just take time out for lunch; I wouldn’t do it at home. Marcus however, was in no mood to be challenged, threatening the very thing I wanted more than anything else right now but the one thing I knew we were both too principled to give in to.
We got a very warm welcome when we arrived at the restaurant, nothing much to look at from the front but as we were led out to the back, the powder white sand and turquoise sea came into view. Marcus had used the word perfect, that is precisely what it was; a little piece of heaven. As ordered, I started compiling my list. Eventually and thankfully before Marcus demolished all the bread I declared, ‘I think, that’s it?’ Having racked my brains for a good twenty minutes. To my surprise, Marcus was all set to get the ball rolling, having photographed a copy of the list and emailing it to Frank directly. Poor Frank, he won’t know what’s hit him. Refusing to give me my list back, I was told to enjoy lunch, the problem was my mind was focused on something else. Marco had commented on the fact that Marcus usually came here with his sister and that got me thinking to the time I had seen a few weeks back with another woman. I knew somewhat of his reputation, but I tried to dismiss it, we all came with a past. That really was the least of my problems, it wasn’t as if she was here now. It wasn’t her he was getting to organise his sister’s party, it was me. I had bigger problems to worry about, namely the fact that I would be homeless within a couple of days of getting back to the UK.
Lunch went by in a bit of a blur, the food was delicious and the surroundings stunning, but being here only made my problems back at home seem more real. I tried to disguise my mood, either not very well or Marcus is a lot better at reading me than I assumed.<
br />
‘What’s the matter?’ he enquired. Shocked I’d been found out I resorted to attack back, so called the greatest form of defence, ‘Who says anything is the matter?’ I barked.
‘Oh, come on, don’t make out like I’m an idiot, Lucy.’ There was a harsh tone it his voice, one that said, cut this shit out and just tell me. The thing is I’m just trying to survive, the only luxury I have is my gym membership, I was paying through the nose for a basement flat in London with practically no natural light and I couldn’t afford to make up the extra rent unless I never wanted to eat again. I’ve been getting by on a meagre wage by London standards and as loving as my parents are, they can’t wait for me to admit defeat and stop ‘playing house’ as if my life was some sort of childish fantasy and give up on my dreams. My father’s pep talks rang through my head. ‘Not everyone is cut out for London, puddin’ pie, you can come home whenever you like.’ Here I was on brink of failure and I was too proud to even let my parents help me. As my eyes began to water, there was nothing but worry and concern in those beautiful eyes of his.
‘Oh sweetheart, please let me help you.’ Pulling his chair closer I tried to dry my tears. What the hell is the matter with me. I’m so not a crier.
‘God! I’m so emotional, I don’t know what the matter is with me, I’m sorry, I’ve never done this on a client before.’ I admitted as he gave me a napkin.