Leanne peered at the screen. ‘Oh God.’
‘It is, isn’t it?’
‘Afraid so.’ Leanne put her hand on Maddy’s arm. ‘I’m so sorry. The bastard. But I already knew. Someone posted the photo in the comments on our blog, too. I just saw it while you were inside. Don’t know who put it there.’
‘Probably my sister-in-law. The bitch.’ Maddy looked at the picture on her screen again. Now that she was seeing it for the second time, it didn’t hurt so much. It was more like a confirmation of suspicions she had had but never confronted. Tom’s indifference to her was about more than golf. A lot more. ‘Younger than me, right?’
Leanne sighed. ‘Yes. Looks to be in her late twenties. Do you know her?’
‘No. Someone who has a connection to his golf club, I’d say.’
‘What are you going to do? Call him and bawl him out? Go back home and sort it all out?’
Maddy shook her head. ‘No. I’m going to carry on. But now… well, it’s strange, but I suddenly feel…’ She paused. ‘Free. And not at all guilty. Isn’t that mad?’
Leanne grinned. ‘No, it’s great.’ She pointed at the phone. ‘Just ask yourself the question – do you want to spend the rest of your life with that eejit? I mean, if he told you he was sorry and it was just a silly fling, would you want to stay with him?’
‘No. My marriage is dead,’ Maddy said flatly. After the jolt of the initial shock, she felt no overwhelming grief, just sadness that what had started with such happiness and hope all those years ago was now ending in a sordid, clichéd way.
‘What about the blog?’ Leanne asked. ‘You still want to do that?’
Maddy sat up, anger and outrage replaced by a new energy. ‘Are you kidding? Now I want to do it even more. He had the nerve to be angry about the blog. What a hypocrite! I want to be outrageous and fun and… wild,’ she ended. ‘He wants to snog some floozy in the golf club? I’ll be doing a lot worse than that. And it’ll be a lot less pathetic.’
Leanne laughed. ‘Bring it on!’
Maddy unwrapped one of the sandwiches. ‘God, I’m hungry.’ She took a huge bite.
‘What’s it like?’ Leanne asked. ‘The sandwich, I mean.’
‘Not bad,’ Maddy mumbled through her mouthful. ‘Pesto and ham with pickled gherkin. Didn’t quite know where I was when I ordered. So I just pointed at stuff.’
Leanne bit into hers. ‘Quite tasty. You know what?’ she continued as she ate. ‘In all the shock about your hubby and his shenanigans, I forgot to tell you we seem to have become influencers. Because of the success of the blog.’
Maddy opened her bottle of water. ‘Influencers?’
‘Yeah, you know, bloggers with large followings who mention brand names or wear big brands online and then their followers copy them. It’s a type of marketing.’
‘Oh. Okay.’ Maddy drank some water. ‘What will this mean for us?’
‘We could get sent stuff and be paid for wearing it in our pictures. Do you want to do that?’
Maddy thought for a while. ‘No, don’t think so. It seems false, somehow. How about you?’
‘Could bring in a lot of money. But no, I agree. It wouldn’t be true to what we want to do. Those women with boring lives wouldn’t be able to afford that stuff, anyway. They’re our target audience. But…’ Leanne winked. ‘I’m sure they’d love the Hovden stuff.’
Maddy laughed and threw her empty water bottle at Leanne. ‘That’s sneaky.’
Leanne grinned. ‘Sneaky is my middle name.’
‘I don’t even know what the Hovden products are like. I know they sell soaps and make up scents to order as well as making bath and shower gel.’
‘Body lotion too.’ Leanne held up her arm. ‘Here, smell. It’s one Dad gave me.’
Maddy sniffed. ‘Lovely and fresh.’
‘Crushed rose petals with some citrus undertones,’ Leanne filled in.
‘Gorgeous. Subtle but really nice.’
Leanne nodded. ‘That’s right. Sweet and sour. Just like me.’
Maddy laughed. ‘Spot on, darlin’. Do they make aromatherapy oils? I mean the oils you put in your bath.’
‘They do. And that’s something you can order to be made up.’ Leanne looked thoughtfully at Maddy. ‘For you, I’d make a mixture of lavender and orange blossom with a hint of heather. Provence and Ireland mixed up in one.’
‘That sounds terrific,’ Maddy said and instantly imagined sinking into silky water breathing in that scent. The image of Erik in the bath popped into her mind for a second before she pushed it away. She got up. ‘If you’re ready, we’ll get going, so.’
‘Grand.’ Leanne gathered the remains of the picnic. ‘I’ll just throw this in the bin over there and make a quick visit to the loo. Won’t be a tic.’
Maddy was just settling Bridget in the back seat when Leanne came rushing back in a panic. ‘Quick,’ she shouted, her voice filled with panic. ‘Get in the car and drive!’
Chapter Twenty-Two
‘What’s the panic?’ Maddy asked, as she revved the engine and took off down the slip road that led to the motorway.
Leanne looked over her shoulder. ‘There was a guy, a policeman, in the café when I came out of the loo. He was looking around and asking people about a dog. He said “chien perdu”. That’s lost dog in French, right?’
‘Yes. But that doesn’t have to be about us.’
‘No, but I have a creepy feeling something’s going on with Bridget. Maybe Horace has blabbed to the press. I wouldn’t put it past him. He loves attention, good or bad.’
‘Jesus,’ Maddy mumbled, ‘that’s all we need.’
‘I know.’ Leanne sat back. ‘I didn’t see the policeman or his car following. He’s probably still in there. But perhaps we should skip the blogging for a day or two.’
‘Or pretend we’re somewhere else? Maybe they, whoever they are, knew we were coming this way, according to the last post you wrote. So a red herring might be good right now.’
‘Brilliant.’ Leanne picked up her phone. ‘I’ll do a Twitter post and then something on Instagram, saying we’re taking a detour through the Cevennes. Lots of winding mountain roads. Should keep them busy for a while.’
‘Good idea.’ Maddy relaxed and started to enjoy driving the smooth car on the motorway. Her thoughts strayed to Tom and the woman in the photo. It didn’t have to mean he was having an affair, but the look in his eyes told her that even if they weren’t, he would have liked it to happen. That was enough for Maddy. In a way, it was a positive thing, she tried to tell herself. Pretending to be happy all this time had been a strain. They had slowly drifted apart until it was too late to find a way back. Not that it was solely his fault, but she had a feeling he had only thought of how he would amuse himself when the children had left home rather than wanting to spend time with her. And she had let it happen. Now all the cards were in her favour. Let him run around with other women; she would be the injured party. He might have pulled a long face about her going off on a holiday on her own and then the blogging, but his behaviour was far worse.
She sighed and relaxed her shoulders. What lay ahead was in the lap of the gods. This was now and she wanted to enjoy it. An ancient poem her grandmother used to quote popped into her head from nowhere. Something about the present being all there was. What was it she used to say? Oh yes.
Time is… the present moment well employ, Time was… is past… thou canst not it enjoy. Time future… is not and may never be. Time present is the only time for thee.
So true, even centuries later. And time present was truly enjoyable. Maddy felt a sudden rush of joy, like a breeze of warm flower-scented air through her hair. She was still young, still pretty and still looking forward to meeting Ludo again. Even if it turned out to be a disappointment. She had to see his face, look into his eyes and find out the truth.
* * *
They continued past Avignon and on to Orange, a small Provençal town, renowned, as Erik had told them,
for its Roman ruins. They took a break there in the early evening for tea and a quick look at the famous amphitheatre. They were met at the entrance by Erik, who was just leaving. He beamed at them as they approached with Bridget on the lead.
‘Hello! I’m glad you decided to stop. The theatre is unique. I believe it’s the best preserved Roman theatre in the world.’ He handed Maddy a brochure. ‘Here, you’ll need this. It’s the whole story in a nutshell.’
Maddy smiled at him. ‘Thank you. I can’t wait to see it.’
‘Do you want me to mind the dog? It’d be easier to climb all the steps without her.’
Leanne handed him the lead. ‘Great. Thanks, Dad. We’ll see you in half an hour at the café around the corner.’
‘Enjoy the visit.’ With a last look at Maddy, Erik left with Bridget.
Leanne and Maddy spent an enjoyable half hour walking up and down the different levels of the amphitheatre, amazed at the ancient site and the history behind it. They finally sat down on one of the seats at the very top, looking down at the half circle that made up the front of the theatre. Up here, they were hit by the magnitude of the edifice, and how the stage down there seemed to echo with voices from the past. The sense of history was so strong, they could nearly see ghostly figures in strange costumes moving around, hear the applause from the people on the packed terraces and smell dusty air, thick with atmosphere.
‘Incredible,’ Maddy said with awe.
‘Yes. I’m so glad we stopped to see it.’ Leanne closed her eyes. ‘This place smells of decadence and Roman orgies. So different from the holy smell of old churches.’
‘I can’t get over that nose of yours.’
‘It’s a bit of a curse, to be honest. I can even smell vibes between people.’ Leanne glanced at Maddy. ‘Like between you and my dad. Come on, tell me. Is there something going on there I should know about?’
Maddy felt her cheeks flush, more with annoyance than embarrassment. ‘You know what? I find him a little smug.’
Leanne looked startled. ‘Smug?’
‘Yeah. He swans around looking aloof and handsome, fixing me with his ice-green eyes and kind of second-guessing how I feel. Okay, so he’s attractive and had we met in different circumstances, we might flirt or something. But at this moment in my life, I don’t need some wannabe guru to fix my problems or look into my soul.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean that he…’ She paused, trying to explain the feeling of being drawn into something she couldn’t control. ‘I don’t know. Maybe it’s just that I feel vulnerable right now. Like you said, he’s just being kind, I suppose. But he’s so powerful, somehow. So sure of his charisma.’
Leanne stared at Maddy for a moment. She burst out laughing. ‘Yeah, he’s a bit of a poseur, my dad. I have a feeling it’s his marketing image or something. Like he developed it to sell his scents and soaps. Have you seen his new website? He just set it up. Totally aimed at the middle-aged woman longing for healing or some such crap. But it works somehow.’
Maddy nodded. ‘Yes, I’ve seen it. The target audience is exactly what you said, but there is a core of something there. Something spiritual and wholesome.’
Leanne grinned and nodded. ‘See? You’re buying it.’ She leant forward. ‘You’re a middle-aged woman, longing for healing,’ she whispered.
Maddy bristled, not because it wasn’t true, but because it was so close to the bone. ‘No, I’m not one of those women,’ she snapped.
Leanne raised an eyebrow. ‘Oh no?’
Then Maddy couldn’t help laughing. ‘Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re saying. Clever marketing. But he lays it on a bit thick. He should make it more subtle.’
Leanne nodded. ‘You’re right. Why don’t you tell him?’
‘Why don’t you? You’re his daughter.’
‘Yeah, but you’re…’ Leanne paused.
Maddy frowned. ‘I’m what?’
‘His willing victim.’ Leanne laughed and pushed at Maddy with her elbow. ‘You big sucker.’
‘Oh, shut up.’ Maddy returned Leanne’s playful push. She got up and started down the steps. ‘I’m going for a walk. Enjoy tea with the Norse god. See you at the car in half an hour.’
She stumbled down the steep steps, not quite knowing why she was so unsettled. Was it her confusion every time she was in Erik’s presence? The vibes between them were like a collision waiting to happen, something that would be a complete disaster for them both, not to mention Leanne. She had to stay away from him, resist the temptation to get closer and to let him into her sphere, her soul. She didn’t want to get close to him, or anyone, in this way yet. Not while she was struggling with a marriage heading for the rocks and trying to find a conclusion to her long-lost romance. But it wasn’t Erik’s fault that she felt so confused. She realised in a flash of understanding that she was more afraid of her own feelings than his.
The atmosphere in this ancient place felt suddenly like an evil, threatening force. Leanne was right. There was a smell of decadence, something cloying and sweet. She glanced at the statues and effigies, their frozen grins suddenly alive. Maddy ran out through the entrance, into the bright sunlight and breathed the petrol-laden air. She laughed at herself when a car hooted its horn as she ran across the street against a red light. How ridiculous she had been. She suddenly felt silly for having run off like that. Why not join Leanne and Erik at the café? He wasn’t some kind of satyr from Roman times or anything. Just a man of flesh and blood and maybe just as confused and lost as she was.
* * *
Maddy found Erik and Leanne deep in conversation when she arrived at the café, the terrace of which overlooked the Roman ruins.
Leanne looked up as Maddy reached their table. ‘I thought you said you were going to wait in the car.’
‘I changed my mind.’
Erik got up and pulled out a chair. ‘Sit down. What can I get you?’
Maddy sat down. ‘Perrier, please. I’m very thirsty.’
Erik ordered the drink and sat down again. ‘It’s getting hotter. I suggest you get going as soon as you can. We booked a room in a little hotel in the town of Gordes. Then you can do some research tomorrow and see if you can find that man you’re looking for. Maybe even where you’ll be staying. I hope you do.’
Maddy met his gaze, expecting laughter, but all she saw was kindness and understanding. ‘Thank you.’
He touched her hand briefly before getting up again. ‘I’ll be off. As soon as I’ve called into the new shop here to check how it’s coming along, I’m driving straight to Nice. We’ll catch up there. You’re both welcome to stay in my house just outside Vence. Might be better than a hotel. There’s a guest cottage, so you’ll have some peace.’
‘That’d be lovely.’ Leanne sighed. ‘What do you say, Mads?’
‘Peace,’ Maddy said, as if to herself. ‘That sounds wonderful. I have a feeling I’ll need it after whatever happens next. Yes, Erik. I would love to stay. Thank you.’
‘Good.’ Erik nodded. ‘See you then. Good luck, Maddy.’
‘Thank you. I hope I’ll get some clues at least.’
‘You will.’ He squeezed her shoulder. ‘Stay calm.’ He left before she had a chance to ask him what he meant.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Situated on the edge of the plateau of the Vaucluse, Gordes was a village of exceptional beauty, Maddy discovered as they approached in the early evening. The sun sank slowly behind the mountains, illuminating the old buildings in a rosy glow and streaking the sky with pink, red and orange. They opened the roof of the car when they got off the motorway and could fully appreciate the warm breeze laced with herbs, garlic and pine. Swallows swooped around the old buildings, filling the air with their loud chirping.
‘What a magic place.’ Maddy rolled her stiff shoulders. ‘But I’m looking forward to the hotel. Does it have a pool?’
‘I think so,’ Leanne replied. ‘I didn’t book it. Dad made all the arrangements. It’s o
utside town, near that famous monastery. You know, the one in the middle of a field of lavender. I’m sure you’ve seen the photos. Very famous.’
Maddy nodded. ‘Of course. L’Abbaye de Sénanque. I have a poster of it in my bedroom. Love it. I’m so excited we’ll be seeing it in real life.’
‘Me too. But it’s getting late and I’m hungry. Let’s go and check into the hotel.’
‘Show me the way,’ Maddy ordered, mentally sinking into the cool water of the pool.
She did just that only half an hour later after checking into what was in reality a charming Provençal villa with only eight bedrooms, a terrace overlooking the Vaucluse valley and the famous nearby abbey, its lavender fields filling the air with their scent. The rooms were bright and airy, all with windows overlooking the garden and the pool, the turquoise water glinting seductively through the screen of shrubs.
Maddy threw her bag on the bed, and changed into her bikini, glancing at herself in the mirror. Not bad for forty-four, she reflected, and with Bridget in tow, headed to the pool. She put a towel on a lounger, and Bridget immediately jumped up and settled on it. Maddy padded to the edge of the pool and eased herself into the water, sighing deeply as she floated on her back, looking up at the darkening sky and the stars beginning to appear. She closed her eyes. Nothing seemed real or urgent here, nothing pressed her to do anything or even think. It was as if her very soul was floating into space as the faint rush of wind in the trees and the soft gurgling of the pool filled her ears. Doves cooed and cicadas chirped, a sound forever associated with summer in Provence. Her thoughts drifted to Tom and that photo of him with another woman, then to Ludo, who she might meet soon, then she pushed it all away and emptied her mind. It was lovely to float here and enjoy this moment of peace and leave whatever would happen next to fate – or God.
The Road Trip_A feel-good romantic comedy that will make you laugh out loud! Page 16