A Holiday to Remember: An absolutely hilarious romantic comedy set under the Italian sun

by Susanne O’Leary

  While she was browsing, the phone pinged. A message from Tony with a time and place for their date. She replied with a thumbs-up emoji and he sent a kissing emoji back. Leanne smiled and lay back on the bed, looking dreamily out of the porthole at the bright blue sky overhead and the sea sending sprays of water against the glass. They’d be docking in Dubrovnik soon. She’d be able to freshen up in the luxury of the plush hotel room – and get ready for her secret date. She felt excitement buzz inside her, like champagne bubbles, as she thought of the evening ahead. She sat up again, too excited to rest, and opened her laptop.

  Gone with the wind.

  Hi from the ocean blue! We have nearly arrived at the pearl of the Adriatic, aka Dubrovnik. Can’t wait to discover the delights of this city I’ve heard so much about. But I’m also still glowing from a wild sailing trip I took yesterday with the cute doctor. As you can see from the photo, he’s one of the best sailors around, steering the boat through choppy waters and high winds without a flicker of an eyebrow. I crewed (as in helping with ropes and sails, don’t you dare put an ‘s’ in front!) as best I could but with all the modern equipment on this boat it was a breeze (in more ways than one). I haven’t sailed since I was twelve but it all came back to me in a flash as the winds took us across the straits in super-quick time. It was exhilarating! The boat leaned over so much we had to sit on the side to weigh it down but then when we reduced the sail she (as in the boat) calmed down and we managed to get back without sinking. Must do this again very soon. Especially with the cute doctor ;)

  Dubrovnik beckons. Watch this space for my review of this ancient city!

  Twenty-Six

  In the meantime, Maddy was making plans for the evening. She booked a table for six at the best restaurant in Dubrovnik on Claudia’s recommendation, and after a little hesitation also booked a massage and facial at the hotel spa. It wouldn’t do any harm to get an overhaul after the swimming and sunbathing that might have damaged her aging skin, according to Claudia. It was urgent, if she was to believe Claudia, who declared that even the nicest men were big liars who noticed dry skin, wrinkles, cellulite and stretch marks despite pretending not to. ‘Men are very visual,’ she declared. ‘They get turned on by what they see. Women are sensual, where feel and touch are more important to us. That’s why seemingly unattractive men appeal to women if they know how to touch them in the right way.’

  ‘Oh,’ was all Maddy managed before she hurried away to her cabin to send a message to Erik.

  He had beaten her to it and she found a long email in her inbox when she logged in.

  Dear, sweet Maddy,

  I’m sitting at my desk wondering how you are. I’ve followed the blog and seen you’re both hugely enjoying the trip. But when it comes to an end, I hope you will come back here for an extended visit and we can sort out what we want to do next. I know we only knew each for a short week, but I still feel we belong together. I understand and respect your wish to go back to Dublin for that last school year, and it will be a good way to test our relationship. During that year, I will visit you often, and I’d love you to come here for the longer holidays. After that I hope you will be ready to move in with me and share my dream that is now looking very real. I also hope you have had a talk with Leanne and managed to persuade her to accept my offer for her to take over my business once we’ve settled at the farm. I was pleased to hear about her romance with Carlo, which fits into my plans, as Carlo is based in Nice. They would make a fantastic corporate couple.

  Maddy gulped and stopped reading. She had completely forgotten to speak to Leanne about Erik’s plans for his firm, as she had promised him before she left Nice. And now with Leanne’s supposed romance with Carlo dead in the water, the whole thing was doomed to fail. How was she going to break this to Erik? He was the kind of person who believed he could draw up a plan and then everything would fall into place, even other people’s lives. His dream of building a new life on a little farm high in the hills above Nice depended on Leanne, and to a certain extent, Maddy, with whom he hoped to share it. She hated to shatter his dream, but he had to be told that some of the jigsaw pieces didn’t fit and probably never would. It wouldn’t be easy for him to accept it, she thought with a gulp. She continued reading the message.

  So with these plans growing in my head, I will leave you for tonight, my dear pen pal and, hopefully, future partner. Will speak to you soon when your adventure comes to an end and the new one is beginning.

  Much love, min kjære. From your mad Norwegian

  She smiled. He was so sweet and loving. Except for a tiny spark of irritation at his absolute belief that everything would work out the way he wanted, she felt her feelings for him growing and she longed to see him again. But he had to be taught that other people might have other plans and other dreams, especially his daughter. Barging into her life like this after all those years apart would be wrong.

  Maddy sighed and decided to talk to Leanne later that evening, just so she could tell Erik she had tried. Then he would have to work it out with Leanne and leave her out if it completely. Otherwise his dream would turn to ashes and he’d end up alone in that beautiful but remote farm. She had spent a lifetime living according to other people's wishes. She wasn't going to get into that trap again.

  ‘Maddy!’ Leanne called from outside. ‘We can see Dubrovnik. Come and look. It’s fabulous.’

  Maddy turned off her laptop and hurried to the sundeck, where Lucilla, Claudia and Leanne were watching the ruggedly beautiful coastline and Dubrovnik in the distance. Maddy stared at the town shimmering in the bright sunshine, its red roofs and cupolas rising above the walls of the Old Town. The entire city seemed to be turned towards the sun and the sea, blazing with rich colours of the blossoming gardens and terracotta roofs, as if it were floating on the deep blue water, surrounded by green islands.

  ‘Beautiful,’ she sighed.

  Claudia picked up the binoculars. ‘Even better up close. Look at the Venetian architecture. Fascinating.’

  ‘We’ll be docking at the marina soon,’ Nico announced from the bridge. ‘Are you all ready to go ashore?’

  ‘All ready,’ Claudia replied. ‘I’ve ordered a taxi to take us to the hotel.’

  ‘I’m packed.’ Leanne went to her cabin to get her bag and Bridget. ‘But could you take Bridget, Mads? I have to go straight to the beach for the photo shoot, or we’ll have nothing to post on Instagram later.’

  ‘Of course.’ Maddy took Bridget’s lead. ‘Come here, sweetheart. I just have to throw a few things in and I’ll be with you.’

  ‘Carlo and I are in the same hotel as you,’ Lucilla announced. ‘I’ll look after her if you want.’

  ‘She’ll be fine with me,’ Maddy said, picking up the dog. ‘But I’ll let you know if I have to go anywhere. I’ve checked with the hotel and they allow pets, so that’s all sorted.’

  They docked only minutes later and Nico laid out the gangplank. ‘See you in a few days,’ he said. ‘I have to fill in the logs and report to the harbour master. Then I’ll have dinner with some of the other skippers. Let me know your plans for the return trip when you know what you want to do.’

  ‘We will,’ Maddy said. ‘Thanks for everything, Nico.’

  Claudia handed him an envelope. ‘We did a collection last night. A small token of appreciation for being such a terrific skipper.’

  ‘That’s very kind. Thank you. Enjoy Dubrovnik, ladies.’ He took the envelope, smiled broadly and saluted as they left.

  ‘What collection?’ Lucilla asked in the taxi.

  Claudia shrugged. ‘I just thought of it before we left. But I believe it’s customary to leave a tip to the staff even on a yacht.’

  Lucilla looked glum. ‘Of course. I should have thought of that. Thank you, Claudia.’

  ‘Yes,’ Leanne agreed. ‘That was very thoughtful of you.’

  ‘Let us know how much and we’ll pay you back,’ Maddy said.

  ‘Fifty each,’ Claudia said. ‘We can
settle during dinner tonight. Maddy booked a table at a nice restaurant for us all.’

  ‘Oh. Sorry, but Carlo and I made other plans,’ Lucilla said.

  ‘And, uh, I…’ Leanne stopped. ‘I’m not up to going out tonight. Thought I’d get room service and watch some TV. I need to write a blogpost too and… stuff.’

  ‘Don’t forget the photo shoot in about an hour,’ Lucilla reminded her. ‘Just a few casual shots to finish off.’

  Leanne nodded, glancing at Maddy. ‘That’s fine. I’ll be there. But after that I’m just going to chill for a bit. Sorry to miss dinner, Mads.’

  ‘That’s fine. I understand.’ Maddy looked at Leanne, wondering what was going on with her. She wouldn’t normally pass up a meal at a top-notch restaurant. But maybe she was tired after all the upset with Carlo and the ensuing talk they’d had, which Leanne hadn’t filled her in on yet. Hopefully they had made up and decided to go their separate ways.

  ‘It’s just you and me, then,’ Claudia said. ‘But that’ll be nice too, won’t it?’

  ‘Of course,’ Maddy replied. ‘Looking forward to it. But I think I’ll cancel the reservation at the restaurant and book a table for two at the hotel. What do you think?’

  ‘Good idea,’ Claudia said.

  Leanne looked out the window of the taxi. ‘Wow, this town is gorgeous. Look at those old walls and the amazing architecture. Can’t wait to explore the Old Town tomorrow.’

  They all looked out the windows and admired the ancient city, the curve of the harbour and the mellow stones of the city walls. The Old Town, which flew past them in the taxi, was steeped in history and oozed a mediaeval atmosphere. Throngs of people wandered around, peeking into quaint shops, drinking coffee outside picturesque cafés and taking photographs of the stunning views of the deep-blue sea.

  Twenty minutes later, the taxi drew up outside the hotel and they stepped out into the brilliant sunshine. Leanne sniffed the air. ‘I love the smell here. Such a gorgeous mix of rosemary, lemons, pine and good food.’

  Claudia inhaled noisily through her nose. ‘Can’t smell a thing.’

  Leanne laughed. ‘That’s because you don’t have “the nose”.’

  ‘I suppose.’ Claudia paid the driver and handed her bag to the uniformed porter who had just appeared. ‘Let’s check in.’

  The hotel was a modern building backed by the pine-wooded slopes of Petka Hill, on the shore of the Lapad peninsula. It looked onto the open sea, the tiny rocky Grebeni islets, capped by a lighthouse, and the island of Koločep. Set in grounds planted with rosemary, oleander, olive trees and pines, it included a stunning beachfront and rooftop spa. The rooms were large and luxurious, each with spectacular views of the Adriatic.

  Maddy could see straight down into the crystal-clear waters from her balcony. She stood there for a moment, looking out at the dramatic coastline with its rugged cliffs and inlets. This was truly paradise. How lovely it would be if Erik was here to share this experience. Then she remembered she hadn’t replied to his latest email and felt a pang of guilt. She hadn’t kept her promise to speak to Leanne and couldn’t reply until she had.

  She sighed as she leant on the railing and spotted Carlo and Leanne on the little beach far below. What was going on between them? And why hadn’t Leanne told her what had happened during their discussion? She realised, with a dart of sadness, that she and Leanne were not as close as they had been during their drive through France. Something had shifted between them. Relationships, she thought, between friends or lovers, never stayed the same.

  The phone on the bedside table rang. It was the hotel spa reminding her she had an appointment for a massage and facial in ten minutes. Maddy settled Bridget on a cushion, looking forward to an hour of pampering. It seemed selfish but it would be good to take a break from other people for a while – Erik and his plans, Leanne and her problems and even Tom and the divorce. She wished she could be more like Claudia, who thought of herself first, everything happening on her terms. Maybe that was the secret to survival? She’d soon find out.

  Twenty-Seven

  While Maddy continued her soul-searching during a massage at the spa, Leanne was striking a pose on the beach, dressed in a white strapless sundress. Carlo wore a pair of black shorts, his torso gleaming. Awkward and stiff at first, they tried to follow Lucilla’s directions until she told them to stop. ‘It’s not working,’ she said. ‘You’ve lost that – thing you had before.’

  Carlo glanced at Leanne and then looked down at the sand. ‘We never had anything,’ he muttered.

  Lucilla waved away his explanations. ‘All right, whatever. Just see if you can look a little less hostile, Leanne. And Carlo, you could maybe – I don’t know – pretend to have a fight with Leanne?’

  ‘Fight?’ Leanne said and straightened up. ‘Great idea.’ She put up her fists. ‘Come on, big boy, try to punch me.’

  Carlo laughed and relaxed. His fist shot out and hit Leanne playfully on the jaw. ‘There. Take that, ragazza!’

  Just as he lunged forward, Leanne put out her foot and tripped him while Lucilla snapped away with her camera. ‘Excellent!’ she shouted. ‘Now change into the tunic and shorts, Leanne, and we’ll do a few with you on your own, standing in the water with your hair wet.’

  Leanne quickly changed and waded into the sea until she was knee-deep, scooping some water onto her hair. ‘Like this?’

  ‘Perfect!’ Lucilla shouted, taking several shots before she took the camera off the tripod. ‘That’s enough for today, Great finish, I think. Right, Carlo?’

  ‘Yes,’ Carlo replied from the water’s edge where he’d been watching them.

  ‘Great.’ Leanne felt him looking at her, wearing a worried expression. Their eyes met for a split second. She waded back to the beach, touching Carlo’s shoulder as she passed him. ‘It’s okay,’ she whispered. ‘I’m not mad at you or anything.’

  ‘Oh. Good.’ He relaxed and smiled, not the usual practised white grin, but a sweet little smile.

  ‘I’m too tired and hot anyway,’ she said to Lucilla. ‘I just want to have swim and relax. We’re on holiday after all!’

  ‘That’s okay,’ Lucilla said. ‘I want to swim too and then go and look at the photos.’ She snapped her fingers. ‘Come here, Carlo, and help me put everything away.’

  ‘Yes, Lucilla,’ Carlo mumbled and did as he was told.

  Leanne walked to the sun lounger where she had left her towel. She stripped down to her bikini and was about to run into the sea when someone stopped her.

  ‘Excuse me, but…’

  Leanne turned and squinted at the tall, blonde woman. ‘Yes?’

  ‘Sorry to barge in on your photo shoot,’ the woman said in a posh British accent, ‘but I was wondering if I could have a word with you.’

  ‘About what?’ Leanne asked.

  ‘The clothes you were modelling just now. I’ve never seen anything like them.’

  ‘Why?’ Leanne stared at the woman. ‘I… Well, I’m not a model. And that little photo session was just for a new brand that I’m promoting for a friend.’

  ‘Looks amazing.’ The woman touched the tunic Leanne had thrown on the lounger. ‘This fabric – it feels incredibly soft. Like… like the belly of a new-born puppy. What is it?’

  ‘It’s a new fabric. A linen and paper mix that’s completely biodegradable. You just throw it into the compost bin when you don’t want it any more and it melts away.’

  ‘Fabulous,’ the woman said, looking impressed. ‘Love the concept of throwing last year’s wardrobe away without guilt. Who was the genius who came up with that?’

  ‘A company called Risorse Naturali. Actually, all the details are on my Instagram.’

  The woman nodded. ‘I see.’ The woman took her phone out of her beach bag. ‘So… Risorse Naturali… And your Instagram account?’

  Leanne gave the woman the details before they said goodbye.

  ‘Who was that?’ Lucilla asked beside her, shaking water out of he
r hair.

  Leanne handed her a towel. ‘An English woman asking about the clothes. She was very interested. Sounded fierce posh too. I gave her all the details. You should tell your client to work harder on their Insta account, now that they’ve got a bit of notice from me,’ Leanne suggested. ‘Then you’ll go seriously upmarket. That woman is one of the people you need to appeal to, not my friends and followers.’ She glanced at Lucilla’s voluptuous body in a black swimsuit. ‘And you should start wearing those clothes yourself. They’d look fab on a body like yours.’

  Lucilla looked at Leanne with a sour expression. ‘That woman could be a fashion spy. She might steal the whole concept. I don’t think it was a good idea for you to tell her everything.’

  Leanne rolled her eyes. ‘Jaysus, I’m not thick. All the details are already out there. I didn’t tell her anything she couldn’t look up herself.’ She threw her towel on the lounger and picked up her bag. ‘I’m off now. And off the whole marketing word-of-mouth thing. You’re on your own. I think I’ve done my bit.’

  Lucilla looked annoyed. ‘So you have. Not that it was a huge effort to fool around with Carlo while I worked hard behind the camera, was it?’

  Leanne stared back at Lucilla. ‘Nah, that was easy.’ She paused while their eyes locked. ‘But what was going on behind the camera was a pain in the neck.’ Without waiting to see if Lucilla got the full meaning of what she had said, Leanne walked off . The nail in the coffin of a friendship that never was, she thought. Good riddance to her and her lapdog. Leanne walked up the steps to the hotel with a heady feeling that the next chapter in her life was about to start. And a very important chapter too. Bring it on.

  * * *

  ‘You look so fresh and glowing,’ Claudia said when Maddy joined her in the hotel restaurant.