by Agnès Ruiz
As she often did, she regretted having spoken too soon. What was going on in her head? She wasn’t as rich as Croesus!
“Be careful, you’re going mad!” she mumbled to herself, parking near her building.
She stopped at Guillermo’s floor. The door to his flat was wide open. She went in and discovered scaffolding set up in the middle of the living room. She turned around to see if Guillermo was in the kitchen. She saw his computer on the table. She was surprised to see that he was looking at the seaside hotels’ website.
Perhaps he would take it upon himself to pay for his stay? Joanna wondered if she should refuse if he became too insistent. Or, split the difference and pay 50 percent? It could be an interesting solution.
“Joanna! I didn’t know you were going to stop by.”
The young woman turned around and found Guillermo moving toward her with his crutches. He smiled then his eyes fell on his computer and the open web page.
“I wanted to get to know my new place”, he commented, closing his computer with one hand.
“That’s a bit much. It’s only one week”, Joanna reminded him.
He wasn’t going to think about staying longer at her expense.
“I’m sure I’ll be very comfortable there. And no doubt you’ll take good care of me.”
They laughed, suddenly embarrassed by the long silence that passed between them.
“Aren’t the workers here?” Joanna asked just to say something.
“Gone out to eat. They sing when they work. Hard to concentrate”, he claimed. “You can hear them from your place, too.”
“Well, at least it’s cheerful...”
“Not when I’m working”, Guillermo grumbled.
“And what is it that you do? You’re not taking time off, because of your leg?”
“No, I work from home so moving isn’t a problem... Well, usually”, he said. “I’ll bring my computer to the hotel, so it’s fine.”
Joanna realised he hadn’t told her what he did. She guessed he didn’t want to or that he’d forgotten that part of the question. Never mind. She’d know soon enough. She explained that she’d come to pick him up. He frowned at her suggestion then accepted.
“Just need time to get my things ready.”
He was already limping around the living room when he turned back.
“Let’s start with my computer! I can’t do much without that!”
22
Meanwhile, Lorelli suddenly saw what happened to Amélie Blomingdale as a godsend. Always on the lookout for signs, she noticed them starting to make sense. That was how she knew her own marriage had been going down the drain.
Rodolphe G. Gaspardin had missed their wedding anniversary. And not only physically that year. He hadn’t even sent flowers to try to apologise for his absence. That was a sign that he was no longer interested in her. And three months later, when he filed for divorce, she had already prepared herself so she wouldn’t be left penniless.
It wasn’t just a matter of the part ownership she had in the seaside hotel. She had opened a safety-deposit box at the bank and she dropped material goods and other things inside. She also possessed a stock of personal photographs which she could use if need be, to comfort her in time of doubt.
Lorelli continued getting to know Mrs Blomingdale, joyful that she could finally put her plan into action. The woman had a head on her shoulders, despite her husband’s terrible betrayal. And she had some savings.
“To start a new life”, Lorelli repeated over and over.
With that she told her about her desire to open a small restaurant, just next to the seaside hotel.
“What a great idea”, said Mrs Blomingdale, enthusiastically. “I always wondered why you hadn’t done it before. Every time we came here, we always had to eat elsewhere, even though I only really wanted to stay here and watch the sea.”
Lorelli agreed.
“Rodolphe refused to do it for years. He’s so stubborn. Nobody at the hotel dares say a word against him.”
“Except you”, Mrs Blomingdale said, laughing.
“Men can be so tedious when they think they are right”, Lorelli finished.
She knew that by saying that, she reminded Amélie Blomingdale of her destitution because of her inconsistent husband. Why had he not gotten divorced before marrying Mrs Blomingdale?
“Incidentally, you should take back your maiden name.”
“I already have. Officially, I’m Amélie Flaque again. It feels strange and I detest using it again. Obviously, as I reserved as Blomingdale... As if I was ashamed.”
Amélie Flaque hung her head with her confession, but Lorelli took her in her arms and gave a surprising and sincere hug.
“I understand. A divorce is such a shock at any time, but you have had it all with that maniac Blomingdale. He was so mean to you. He only thought about himself and his little home instead of telling you...”
“I really don’t know what was going on in his head”, Amélie Flaque realised, troubled.
She hadn’t talked about the situation so much to anybody, apart from the appalling woman who announced she was Blomingdale’s wife, of course...
Since then, her life had resumed step by step, struggling against a tide that threatened to pull her away.
She thought she would never see the light at the end of the tunnel. Which is why she decided to come to stay at the seaside hotel. She could finally draw a line between the Blomingdale life, and that woman. At least that’s what she told herself...
“I kept my married name”, Lorelli informed her. “Of course my case is more mundane than yours. I just had a normal divorce. Difficult, it’s true, but nothing as terrible as you’ve been through. No doubt it’s easier to keep the name I’m used to. It was more practical because of the hotel, too. Rodolphe didn’t see any problem with it.”
Lorelli asked herself if it would still be the case now that he wanted to remarry. It wasn’t, she decided. He agreed to it after their divorce. He couldn’t go back on his word. Moreover, it would help her with her idea of a restaurant just next to the seaside hotel. She hoped to take advantage of the hotel’s guests so they would eat in her establishment and convince the banks to back her. The name Gaspardin would always help her in that sense.
Leaving to start up a new business was not the same as starting everything again from zero, she guessed, especially at her age.
“Were you young when you got married?” Amélie Flaque asked.
“Just a kid! Eighteen years old, imagine that!”
Lorelli laughed, but a shadow crossed her face that she tried to hide by blinking.
“Looking back, I don’t think it was all so rosy, even in the beginning.”
“How perceptive of you, Amélie. Actually, I wanted to live, and get away from my invasive family. These days I miss my mother terribly. It’s mad. Rodolphe was a good person. He still is, most of the time”, she clarified with a wink. “Still, I realise now that he always liked younger women. He is ten years older than me.”
“Joanna arrived much later on, then”, Amélie was surprised.
“That’s a long story”, Lorelli yawned, struggling with her past again.
She turned, bouncing back to her ex-husband, Rodolphe, remarrying.
Amélie was offended by the age difference. Lorelli said he ran the risk of not coming out unscathed. Her comment confirmed to Amélie Flaque that the relationship between Rodolphe G. Gaspardin and Lorelli was inconsistent.
Nevertheless, she knew it was none of her business. Lorelli made no mystery about the difficulties she had faced. She was frank and she appreciated that in her.
As they spoke, the two women visited the premises for sale that adjoined the seaside hotel. Lorelli became even more talkative, throwing herself into it.
“Here we could have the dining room; just a few tables, a dozen I’d say, no more than that. I would like it to be a warm and friendly place.”
Amélie Flaque ex-Blomingdale, moved forward w
ith a dreamy look, taking in the size of the main room with a different perspective. She liked the beautiful facades that faced the sea. It was an undeniable asset.
Amélie Flaque surprised herself. When she arrived at the hotel earlier, she thought it would be for the last time. She saw it as a time for mourning. Not only in mourning for the husband she had buried, but more so for her life; that of the Mrs Blomingdale she had once been. She was shedding the skin of that person, in order to allow the rebirth of Amélie Flaque.
The final straw was that she could no longer even say she was widowed since her marriage was null and void on account of bigamy.
Yet, she was happy she wasn’t being prosecuted in court for the same reason.
How could she prove that she didn’t know about her husband’s first marriage?
The idea to start a new life in Normandy was more and more tempting. Ms Flaque realised that she had finally stopped wallowing in self-pity. Better still, she was weaving herself a new canvas for a better future.
What’s more, Lorelli was a nice, cheerful person. Amélie Flaque really wanted to do something new. To stop being so sensible. What good had it done until now? She had to take a chance, said Lorelli. How to resist that power she held over her? So much enthusiasm could not be in vain.
Of course, the amount needed was an important investment for Ms Flaque and her meagre nest egg. It would be tight at the end of each month if she decided to go through with it. But at least she wouldn’t be out on the streets. The place was promising and in a good state. Lorelli spoke about each room as though she already had it all planned. Ms Flaque was surprised to agree wholeheartedly and had ideas to make the place warm and inviting.
“How many times have you been here?” she asked.
“Am I talking too much? Do you think I’m pushing you into a tough decision?”
Lorelli instantly shut up, worried that she was being too talkative. She wanted to buy this place. Perhaps it was too scary for Amélie?
“Did you say there was a flat upstairs?”
Lorelli craned her head forward to try to read the thoughts going through Amélie’s mind. She saw a succession of images. Every year when the Blomingdale couple came to the seaside hotel, Lorelli had tried to spend time with Amélie. She could say that they had established a good friendship.
They had had fun during organised parties, as much musical as the occasional card game or Bingo, among others. Once, they found themselves together during a Karaoke evening. They had laughed so much that Amélie’s husband was aloof for the rest of their stay. He was so jealous, Lorelli thought.
“He had a nerve”, she said harshly.
Amélie was in one of the two rooms above the restaurant. She turned, not knowing what Lorelli was talking about.
“The Karaoke”, Lorelli reminded her, “do you remember how your husband reacted?”
She expected her to laugh at the distant memory, but on the contrary, Amélie’s face clouded over.
“He made such a scene. He thought I didn’t take care of him, and that I was going to leave him.”
“That’s just what I was saying; he had a nerve!”
“He loved me”, Amélie defended herself, weakly.
“Of course he loved you. What else could he do? You are somebody you can count on.”
Lorelli went on flattering her and did not hesitate to round it off with a semi-serious quip:
“It’s because of that that I’d like us both to start this small restaurant together. We could share the flat, too. The rent would be cheaper...”
Amélie felt cornered. Could she really follow her heart and forget the eternal signs to be cautious? She wasn’t a gambler and never had been apart from the lottery once or twice, and Bingo with friends. But only sometimes.
23
Mélanie knocked on Joanna’s door.
“You just had this rose delivered”, she announced. “I wasn’t sure if I should bring it to you or wait until you came back to the reception...”
“You’ve done the right thing”, Joanna replied.
The young girl left and Joanna read the card that accompanied the rose. It was from Paul. The emergency doctor told her he was taking his time before seeing her again. She found it thoughtful. She appreciated it and enjoyed the flower’s perfume for a moment longer. Finally, after a hesitating a short time, she called Paul, but got his answer machine. He must be working, she guessed.
She thought about going to the emergency room, randomly passing by to see if he was free later that evening. She would use it as an excuse to thank him for the rose. She held it in her hand and went to the small kitchen, her heart light. She found a slender vase, perfect for a single rose.
Then, she stopped short when she came across Guillermo, in a discussion with a trainee.
“What are you doing here?”
Guillermo smiled then let the young boy leave.
“I was getting bored in my room so I decided to go for a stroll around the hotel corridors.”
“This part is strictly for staff only”, Joanna insisted, unhappy.
“I didn’t know.”
"Not to mention you are disturbing the staff. Vincent has other things to do than talk.”
“I’m sure you’re just making a fuss”, Guillermo answered back. “You only serve lunch as far as I know. Vincent could easily take his break with me.”
“It isn’t time for his break. And even so, there is a time and a place for chattering.”
“You are really upset about it. I’m sorry. There, are you happy?”
Joanna sighed; looking at the rose that she was still holding in her hand then shook her head.
“Yes, well, it’s fine, this time. But please, enjoy yourself. Imagine if you broke your other leg here? What would be your excuse for being here?”
“I couldn’t say there was a leak, anyway...”
“That was below the belt... Let’s not talk about that anymore.”
“You’re right. You must be in a good mood. You have a flower delivery; your heart is full of joy and not discontentment...”
Joanna looked at the flower again then brought her eyes slowly up to Guillermo. In a mischievous mood, she shot back:
“It’s from Paul, imagine that. He’s thinking of me...”
“Me too, I think of you, of your smile, your eyes; sometimes sweet, melancholic, cheerful, or ready for a fight...”
Joanna wanted to tease Guillermo, to see if he could give as good as he got. She was surprised by his response. He was eager to tell her that he thought about her. He hadn’t stopped there. She blushed, flattered, and would have preferred having a whole bouquet rather than a simple rose to be able to hide her face. She turned away, pretending to look for a larger vase on a higher shelf.
“When are you going to see your emergency doctor?”
Joanna was standing tip-toe when she grabbed a pink glass vase. She remained with her back to him to answer.
“Paul, he’s called Paul. Could you please stop being rude about him? And to answer your question, even though it’s none of your business, I don’t know when we are going to see each other. Maybe this evening.”
“That’s good. I guess the sooner the better.”
“Why do you say that?”
This time, Joanna turned to face her neighbour.
“I told you, I don’t have a good feeling about this Paul. The sooner you see him, the sooner you’ll realise he’s no good for you. He’s nice, but...”
“But nothing at all. You’re an idiot. You saw him when you were in agony with your leg. You weren’t in your right mind.”
“Neither were you... You were grinning like a fool when he spoke to you.”
“That’s my business how I look when I see a man I like. And now, I will ask you to go back to your room, to the beach, or anywhere but here.”
With that, she tapped her toes to show that she was waiting for him to leave. Limping, Guillermo left the room. Joanna returned to her office. Yet, when
she put the rose in the vase, she thought about what Guillermo had said about her.
He thought about her, about her smile. He made her understand that he liked her eyes, well, that’s what she had picked up. Maybe she was wrong.
She was surprised to see him so soon. He was suddenly not just a neighbour anymore, but more like a friend... Perhaps a bit more than that?
“Whatever!” she was annoyed.
Putting up a front and sweeping away her thoughts, she dialled Paul’s number again. This time, she heard somebody answer. She called out “Paul, Paul?” several times, but it was giggling that she heard. A man and a woman, obviously.
She hung up, thinking she had a wrong number. Her telephone rang a few seconds later.
“Joanna, did you try to call me?” she heard.
“Yes... I wanted to thank you for the rose and see if we could go for a drink this evening somewhere... Well, if you are free, of course.”
Joanna gulped and waited. She was afraid he would refuse. She wondered what it was she had really heard.
“This week is going to be a bit tricky, I think... Work!”
This time she was positive, it was definitely giggling she caught in the background.
“You’re not alone; I’m not disturbing you, am I?”
Paul assured her that she wasn’t. It was his colleagues being silly he said again, when she heard laughing. He said he would call her back then hung up, quickly.
Puzzled, Joanna thought of Guillermo’s warning again. He wasn’t right for her. He was a ladies’ man. Whatever, she rebelled. She wasn’t looking for a life partner. She just wanted to get out, have a social life outside of work. And so what if Guillermo said it again, she decided. He wasn’t her father. He didn’t have to poke his nose into her business.
24
Joanna went to the bathroom, pretending to freshen up a little, but really it was to make a point, and get away from her neighbour, Guillermo.
She was pleased to see she was alone in the room. There restaurant they were eating in was quite busy.