The Road Trip_A feel-good romantic comedy that will make you laugh out loud!

by Susanne O’Leary

  ‘I won’t.’ Maddy closed her eyes, breathing in his scent: clean linen and smoke from the barbeque. His breath smelt of champagne and peaches. She was about to say something else, but his lips silenced her. The kiss was light at first, then deeper, and she instinctively returned his embrace, pressing herself against him. She felt safe in his arms in a way she had never experienced before, not even with Tom. Erik was as solid as a rock, honest and true. The feel of his body and his hands on her bare skin made her head spin and her heart race.

  He pulled back and took her hand. ‘I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a dirty old man, but do you want to see my bedroom?’

  ‘A dirty old man at fifty-four?’ She laughed and stood up. ‘Take me to your room.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘I can’t think of anything I’d like more right now.’

  ‘Thank God for that.’ He grabbed her hand, and they ran across the grass to the house, up the steps to the terrace, in through the open glass doors of the living room and up the wide stairs, finally coming to a stop in a big dimly lit bedroom.

  Maddy stood still to catch her breath and looked around. ‘Oh wow, what a room!’

  ‘It’s a bit different from the rest of the house.’

  ‘A bit?’ Maddy walked slowly across the deep pile of the carpet in blue, white and sea-green, admiring the paintings on the deep-red walls. There were a few portraits, but the rest were mostly landscapes mixed with some abstract paintings and a few small tapestries in hues of purple, orange and red. The room vibrated with colour; even the king-size bed with its patchwork quilt and piles of cushions was a mass of rich soft patterns and shades. The room was a startling contrast to the Spartan look of the rest of the house. And the smell… Maddy sniffed, trying to make out what it was. ‘Patchouli?’ she asked. ‘And something musky and sensual.’

  ‘Excellent. Do you like it?’ Erik asked.

  ‘The room? Or the smell?’ Maddy sighed and sank down on the bed. ‘I love all of it. I don’t think I’ve ever been in such a seductive, sensual room. It’s like – the boudoir of the Queen of Sheba, or…’

  He walked across to the bed and silenced her with his mouth on hers. ‘I’m so glad you like it,’ he mumbled. ‘It’s my very secret personal space.’

  Maddy grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him down on the bed beside her. ‘Okay,’ she whispered, her body on fire. ‘I get it. You’re trying to seduce me, aren’t you? And you’ve succeeded with flying colours. So let’s just—’

  He laughed. ‘Your will is my command.’ With the skill of a practised lover, he proceeded to undress her while she removed his clothes.

  This was it, she thought, that passion she had felt with Ludo, but never with Tom. With him it had been sweet, comfortable and – dull. Erik’s touch lit senses that had been dormant for so long.

  Naked, they lay back on the soft quilt and did what Maddy knew they had both wanted to do since their first encounter. She knew this was different from any of her other relationships: not like her short, intense affair with Ludo and certainly not like her lovemaking over the years with Tom. But it didn’t matter. This was now and the past was the past. She was entering a new phase in her life, when she would live for the moment and not fret about how it would affect the future. The thought filled her with joy.

  Erik was, as she had suspected, an experienced lover but also considerate and gentle. He didn’t notice her stretch marks and cellulite, and her pleasure seemed to be as important to him as his own, which surprised and delighted her. His slow rhythm and gentle touch turned her skin to fire, and they finished in a heated frenzy, their breathing laboured, skin to skin: hot, sweaty and, finally, relaxed.

  Maddy lay back, her eyes closed and a blissful smile on her face. ‘Oh, wow,’ she whispered. ‘That was hot.’

  ‘In more ways than one,’ Erik said, wiping her face with a towel. ‘How about a midnight swim?’

  ‘Is it midnight?’ Maddy said, alarmed. ‘Leanne isn’t back yet, is she?’

  Erik walked to the open window and looked out. ‘No. There’s nobody out there. Only the moon and the stars will see us.’

  Maddy got out of bed and stood beside him at the window. She took his hand. ‘Let’s go then,’ she whispered.

  ‘Where are you taking me?’

  ‘Wherever you want to go.’

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Hand in hand, still naked, they retraced their steps through the house and garden until they were at the pool, glinting in the moonlight. Maddy climbed down the ladder and sank into the cool water with a sigh, floating, her head back, looking up at Erik, who was still standing on the edge. She couldn’t believe the turn of events and she was revelling in soaking it all in.

  ‘Come on in,’ she said, splashing her feet. ‘The water’s lovely.’

  He sat on the edge and eased himself in, swimming alongside her until they were at the end, looking out over the still, moonlit landscape.

  ‘Where do we go from here?’ he asked, his voice echoing in the silence.

  ‘Who knows?’ she replied. ‘Do you?’

  ‘No,’ he said, taking her hand. ‘But maybe that’s a good thing. Not knowing but trusting that somehow all will be well. Eventually.’

  ‘Whatever happens, we have tonight,’ she said. ‘Nothing can change that.’

  * * *

  Much later, they were still at the pool wearing identical bathrobes and reclining in the deck chairs, drinking champagne.

  ‘I have a dream,’ Erik said.

  ‘You sound like Martin Luther King.’

  He laughed. ‘Not that kind of dream. Although it would be much nobler. No, my dream is of a more selfish nature. It’s about what I want to do next.’

  Maddy sipped her champagne, enjoying the crisp flavour and the bubbles dancing on her tongue. ‘Do next? But I thought you’d achieved your dream. Isn’t all this everything you ever wanted?’

  ‘Yes. And no.’ He sighed. ‘It was my ambition to build my own company. It was a huge challenge, but with all such challenges, when you reach the summit, you miss the struggle. When you get what you want, you find you don’t want it any more. The saying that it’s better to travel hopefully than to arrive is so true. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, but I don’t want to grow old here. I want to get back to real life, to nature, to—’ He paused, looking at her meaningfully. ‘To a simpler life.’

  ‘I see what you mean.’ Maddy looked at him through the darkness. ‘You want something closer to earth, maybe? Where you get your hands dirty and grow your own food?’

  He sat bolt upright. ‘That’s it,’ he exclaimed, his voice laced with excitement. ‘I’ve just bought an old farm in Haute Provence. An ancient olive grove with buildings in ruins. Old stones waiting to be built up again. I want to rebuild the house with my own hands, grow olives, fruit and vegetables, keep goats and a few sheep.’ He put his glass on the table beside him. ‘Please don’t laugh.’

  ‘I’m not laughing,’ Maddy assured him, touched by the longing in his voice. ‘I understand what you’re saying. But what about this place? Your company? Who’s going to run that?’

  ‘I was hoping Leanne—’

  ‘Ask her,’ Maddy said. ‘I don’t know how she’ll react. I mean, she always thought you’d deserted her but now she knows the truth. Being asked to take over your life’s work is a huge legacy. And remember, only a short time ago, she only knew you as the father who walked out on his wife and child.’

  ‘But I didn’t—’ Erik started to protest.

  ‘I know you didn’t,’ Maddy soothed. ‘And so does she. But that was what she had to live with for the past twenty years. She knows what happened now, which must have been a shock. Then you throw all this at her. That’s a lot to deal with in a very short time.’

  ‘I suppose. So you think she’ll say no?’

  Maddy shrugged. ‘I have no idea. She might jump at the chance. And if she doesn’t, she might in time. You could al
ways appoint a manager for now and then see what Leanne wants later? I wouldn’t push her, though.’

  He lay back. ‘No. You’re right.’ He touched her hand. ‘Thank you. You’re a font of wisdom.’

  ‘I don’t feel wise,’ Maddy protested. ‘Look at my own life. Not what you’d call impressive.’

  ‘You were dealt some dud cards. You did the best you could. What do you want to do next, then? Now that you’re free to choose.’

  ‘Me? Funny, that’s the first time anyone has asked me what I want.’ Maddy mused while she stared into the darkness. ‘There’s a lot to do before I can live my own life. The divorce, sorting out our assets, selling the house. Telling our kids and helping them cope with the situation. I don’t think it’ll affect them much. They both have their own lives to live. My daughter’s in Australia but will come home eventually. My son has just started a career in the hotel business. Then my job… the school. I want to go back and see those girls through to their finals next year. After that—’ She stopped. ‘I don’t know what’ll happen.’

  ‘That’s a year away,’ Erik remarked. ‘What about the rest of the summer? Will you stay here with me? I’d love that.’

  Maddy didn’t reply for a long time. She was taken aback, not knowing what to say. It was such early days. She wasn’t quite sure of her feelings for him, apart from a sizzling sexual attraction and perhaps a mutual understanding that might, much later, turn to love. It was too soon to go further, to even contemplate a relationship. Especially after everything she had been through with Ludo and Tom. ‘Erik…’ she started. ‘I can’t—’

  He took her hand. ‘I know. You don’t want to rush into anything. I have to be patient. Sorry. That was just wishful thinking. I thought I should say it, just in case.’

  Maddy took a deep breath, realising what she needed to do. ‘You have to let me go before I can come back.’

  ‘Yes. And I need to sort myself out and get going on the new project before I can make a life with anyone else.’

  A car door slammed in the distance. Leanne was back. Time to get back to reality. Maddy got out of the deck chair and drained her glass. ‘I have to go.’

  He didn’t stir. ‘Yes. I’ll stay here for a bit. To think.’

  ‘Don’t be sad. It’ll be okay.’

  ‘Eventually,’ he said with a touch of sadness in his voice. ‘But I won’t wait forever, Maddy.’

  ‘Neither will I,’ she whispered before walking away.

  * * *

  ‘I think I’m in love,’ Leanne said in Maddy’s ear the next morning.

  Maddy turned in the bed and squinted at Leanne. ‘What time is it?’

  ‘Nearly eleven. You slept around the clock. Dad’s already up and gone to the office. What time did you go to bed last night?’

  ‘What time did you come home?’ Maddy countered.

  Leanne sat down on the edge of the bed. ‘Uh, around two or so. I found Dad at the pool fast asleep in a deck chair. What did you two get up to last night, eh?’

  Maddy sat up, her mind still on what had happened the night before. ‘Nothing much. What was that about being in love? With whom?’

  Leanne sighed. ‘Carlo. You know, that gorgeous Italian guy. He was at the party last night.’

  ‘You mean the tall one with black hair and green eyes? Very handsome, I have to admit. I thought he was a male model or something.’

  ‘I think he did some modelling a while back when he was living in New York. But now he’s in marketing. He has started this company with Lucilla. You know, the curvy brunette in the red top and short skirt. Not to mention the Louboutins.’

  Maddy stretched and yawned. ‘Oh yes. I remember her. Very beautiful. And the shoes – to die for. But she also seemed glued to your man all evening. I thought they were married.’

  ‘No, they’re just business partners, he said. They do the marketing for Hovden.’

  ‘He said? What did she say?’

  Leanne shrugged. ‘I didn’t ask her. But whatever. He was very romantic and smoochy last night. We danced under the stars outside this amazing club and drank champagne – and talked for hours.’

  ‘And where was the lovely Lucilla during all this?’

  Leanne frowned. ‘I don’t know. I think she left early. I kind of lost touch with reality there. I mean, the warm night, the stars, this hot guy and me…’

  ‘Sounds fabulous,’ Maddy said, the memory of her own evening giving her a burst of pure joy. ‘No wonder some of those stars are still in your eyes.’ She got out of bed and pulled on a silk kimono she found hanging in the wardrobe. She tied the belt and looked squarely at Leanne. ‘So where are we in all of this? Are we going on down to Italy as planned or…? I want to see Naples and drive down that amazing Amalfi coast.’

  ‘How about staying here for another few days?’ Leanne suggested.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Maddy said. ‘Maybe it’s better to leave before…’

  ‘Before what?’ There was a suspicious look in Leanne’s eyes as she met Maddy’s gaze.

  Maddy turned and picked up a hairbrush from the bedside table. ‘I don’t know what I meant really. Before we – I mean you – get involved in something that could end in tears, perhaps.’

  Leanne shot up from the bed and grabbed Maddy’s hairbrush. ‘What are you really saying? It sounds as if you’re thinking of yourself here. Is there something going on between you and Dad?’

  Suddenly exhausted, Maddy let her arms fall. Words started to pour out of her mouth in a torrent, like turning on a tap. ‘Yes. And no. I don’t know. I feel drawn to him in a weird way, as if he has been there waiting for me all my life. And the road to him has been long and full of bends and dead ends. But at the same time, I feel scared. I’ve just left my husband. My lifelong fantasy turned out to be a foolish dream. I can’t jump into something new just like that.’

  ‘I know. That would be mad.’ Leanne handed the brush to Maddy. ‘Here. Sorry.’

  ‘It’s okay. I know it must be weird to you – your dad getting involved with one of your friends.’

  Leanne smiled. ‘Nah, that doesn’t matter. Yeah, if it had been someone my age, maybe. But you’re twelve years older than me, so you bridge a gap in some way. I think it would be great if the two of you got it together. But you’re right. It’s too soon for you – and me. I need to get used to the idea and you need to take a break and be on your own for a while.’

  ‘That’s true. Thank you for understanding.’ Maddy gave Leanne brief hug, feeling relieved that she had got it off her chest. ‘But you want to stay around to see if you and Carlo could work?’

  Leanne nodded and pressed her face against Maddy’s shoulder. ‘Yes. I do. I haven’t had much luck in love really. I don’t think I’ve ever had a guy look at me like Carlo did last night.’

  Maddy let go of Leanne. ‘God, I had no idea. I’ve been going on about me all this time and never stopped to ask or listen to you. What a self-centred bitch I’ve been.’

  Leanne laughed. ‘No, please. Don’t beat yourself up about it. You helped me when I found Dad. That was my mission on this trip. My love life was a minor matter. Until now.’

  ‘Do you want to talk about it?’

  ‘I dunno. Maybe. A bit, just so you have an idea. There’s only you and me here today. So let’s eat, swim and relax. We can spend all day sorting out our emotions. And take pictures of us having the time of our lives. That should make the bitches green with envy.’

  Chapter Thirty

  ‘Bitches? What bitches?’ Maddy asked when they were sitting under a huge umbrella on the main terrace having a late breakfast of crusty bread and strawberry jam.

  Leanne’s eyes flashed. ‘All those bitches with huge, sparkling engagement rings on their fingers. Showing off on social media, filling up our newsfeeds. Those who’ve been going on and on about their wedding plans and honeymoons in Ibiza and sofa cushions and kitchen islands in their new semi-detached little boxes in the suburbs. Do you know that I am the
only one in my class not to be married or engaged?’

  ‘But you left school more than ten years ago. You mean you’re still in touch with them?’

  ‘Some of them, yeah. We meet every Friday for drinks in Temple Bar. Used to be a hoot. Now it’s just like a show-off club.’

  Maddy slipped on her sunglasses. ‘Oh. I see. So getting married is the new black?’

  Leanne sighed and tore a bread roll apart. ‘Yeah. Something like that. But it seems so false somehow. It’s all about the ring, then the wedding in some fancy hotel and the wedding dress and what the bridesmaids are wearing, blah, blah. They all merge into one. Some of them have had babies and are pregnant now with their second child. So it’s beginning to be more about breastfeeding and potty training and how to cope with a job and family and a career. It’s getting to be really boring. And I can’t stand the constant needling about me being still single. They can’t seem to get their heads around the fact I haven’t met a suitable guy yet.’

  ‘So why do you still meet them?’

  Leanne stuffed a piece of flaky, buttery croissant into her mouth. ‘Don’t know. Just habit, I suppose.’ She leaned forward with a wicked smile. ‘But you know what? A lot of them follow our blog. I bet the semi-detached dream is beginning to fade.’

  Maddy had to laugh. ‘Revenge at last. Even if the blog is not about that, it’s about inspiring women, not showing off. But to those girls in your class, it could be justified. You’re having fun while they have to face the reality of marriage. Funny how girls these days think the wedding is the most important thing about getting married. They never seem to spare a thought for their future life or the man they married. But…’ She paused. ‘Is that what you want? Getting married? I don’t see you walking up the aisle in one of those meringue dresses, somehow.’

  ‘Me – the blushing bride?’ Leanne let out a raucous laugh. ‘Nah, I’m not into marriage and weddings and all that crap. But I still don’t want to live alone for the rest of my life either. And children—’ She shrugged and looked away. ‘Maybe. One day.’ She looked back at Maddy, her eyes suddenly full of tears. ‘Yeah, I’d like kids, I really would.’ She sighed deeply. ‘It’s all my own fault. I’ve put blokes off by looking the way I did and my prickly attitude. All that was to stick it to my mam, but I managed to stick it to everyone else as well.’