Charlie was coming out of his room and they both hesitated. Apple smiled.
Charlie smiled too and Apple stepped away from her door. Then he did the same and they both paused – before darting for the stairs, laughing and jostling as they began a race to the bottom. An elderly couple reeled as they lunged past, Charlie shouted apologies and Apple sprinted ahead, out into the daylight, losing a shoe but not stopping as she skipped down the cascade of stairs to the jetty and punched a triumphant fist in the air.
Charlie dashed past and dived into one of the boats. ‘Champion!’
‘I’m the champion.’
‘No, it was first to the boats.’
‘You’re making up the rules as you go.’
‘Well, you dropped your shoe to slow me down. Your trick failed. You lost, I won, concede and kneel.’
‘You kneel.’ Apple leaped into the boat, tripped as it rocked then clunked her elbow. She winced, but started to laugh. ‘You made me hurt myself.’
‘Gracious in defeat, Pie, gracious in defeat.’ Charlie unlooped the boat’s line.
‘No! Let me off, loser.’
‘You’re the loser.’ Charlie kicked the jetty and they glided out. He leaned back, taking in the view. ‘Beautiful day.’
Apple pushed hair out of her eyes, feeling breathless. Charlie’s hand touched her leg.
He presented her shoe. ‘Cinderella.’
His blue eyes held hers, and his hands were warm as he slid the shoe back on her foot. She looked away, clearing her throat.
‘How was your drive?’
‘Yesterday?’ Charlie said. ‘Nice. You two must have arrived late.’
‘The car broke down.’ Apple tied up her hair. The sun was warm on her chest, dappled light shone through thinning leaves and branches hung low over water.
‘You’re joking. The Aston?’
‘It’s fixed now.’
‘Noah, that grease monkey. I’d have been useless.’
‘Not with your croquet mallet.’
Charlie smiled.
‘I drank too much of Will’s wine. It made your beautiful car feel very fast.’
‘It is very fast.’ There was a beat before Charlie added, ‘I had a dish at a restaurant the other night, Drunken Apples in Kataifi Boats. Now here I am: Drunken Apple in Wooden Boat.’
‘That’s silly.’ Apple tried a few strokes with the oars before shifting to nestle into the nook of the stern as they drifted. ‘Where’s Heidi?’
‘Getting ready. Give her an hour or two.’
Apple saw movement up at the guesthouse – Noah coming out. He made his hand into a visor, peered across the lake, then tramped down the stairs onto the jetty. He stood there for a moment, gazing about. Apple raised her hand in a wave.
He stared at her, at first did nothing, then tugged off his shirt and dived in.
Charlie looked up. ‘What was that?’
‘Noah.’
‘Where?’ Charlie frowned. Noah’s head surfaced and Charlie rocked the boat as he shuffled over to see him. ‘He’s in the water? Damn, that’s game.’
They watched as Noah freestyled towards them; as he arrived, he gripped the side of the boat, making it dip. Apple shrieked.
He dropped back into the water, grinning.
‘Whoa,’ Charlie said. ‘What did you have for breakfast?’
‘Nothing yet.’ Noah pushed his hair out of his face – dead leaves clinging to him from the water. ‘The Aston let me down last night, Charles.’
‘I was just hearing about it. I apologise.’
‘While it seems my transport delivered you safely, without event?’
‘It did.’
‘Well, it wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened.’ Noah met Apple’s gaze and she glanced away.
‘Anyway, good morning was all I wanted to say. And now, food.’ Noah dived back under and swam back towards the shore.
Charlie seemed to think before he said, ‘Drunken Apple in Wooden Boat, time to dine?’
The tavern had a three-hatted restaurant nestled on the ground floor – barn tables with starched linen. Before joining the others, Apple went upstairs for lip balm. Noah was in the hall when she reappeared.
‘Did I impress you?’ He tousled his wet hair.
‘So Loch Ness.’
Noah appeared pleased and followed her down the stairs. When they reached the restaurant, he pushed the door open and they heard, ‘Hold it for me!’
Apple was surprised that Noah didn’t turn. ‘Oh God’ was all he said.
Apple glanced back and saw a woman sweeping towards them: slender frame, lips coral red, angora cape nestled beneath dark, freshly ironed hair. She blinked at Noah, her smile thin as she sailed through the door, then stood by the table occupied by Charlie and his friends, waiting for Charlie to pull out her chair.
‘Heidi,’ Charlie said when Noah and Apple arrived. ‘This is Apple and . . .’ – he glanced around – ‘her sister Poppy over there.’
Poppy waved cheerfully from her seat and Heidi’s thin smile remained as she fanned her hand. ‘Morning, all.’
‘It’s so nice to finally meet you.’ Apple was nervous as she took a seat. ‘Charlie’s told me so much.’
‘Have you, Charles? That’s so sweet.’ The corners of Heidi’s eyes creased but the smile had gone. ‘I barely ever spend time with Charles’s friends. I think he should work more; he thinks I should relax more. Anyway.’ She forced a laugh.
‘So!’ Noah picked up the menu, prompting Heidi to lean over.
‘You have to get their signature breakfast. It’s a trout foam with crab meat and smoked cinnamon bark – unbelievable.’
‘Not for me,’ Noah said. ‘Eggs, scrambled, truffle salt, dill. That’ll do.’
‘Well, can you get the fruit box with raw milk yoghurt and St George’s Tavern honey, Charles? I’d like to try it but I want the trout.’
‘I think I feel like what Noah’s having.’
Heidi stared at him.
‘I’ll have the fruit box,’ Apple piped up. ‘Heidi and I can go halves.’
Heidi’s gaze drifted to Apple, eyes crinkling once more, but she didn’t speak again until their meals arrived. ‘So how do you fit in . . . Apple was it? Charles has never mentioned you. I’d have remembered such an awkward name, you poor thing. Parents can be so cruel.’
Apple paused. ‘I suppose.’
There was a beat before Heidi said slowly, as though Apple was stupid, ‘I asked how you fitted in.’
‘Oh . . .’ Apple said. ‘Funny story. Charlie found me broken down. I have this rickety old car and he was kind enough to rescue me using some unlikely croquet moves. He’s too kind, as you’d know. If I’d seen me, I probably would have driven on by.’
‘You just looked so helpless and pathetic,’ Charlie said. ‘This forlorn thing slinking around this decrepit car in the scorching sun. Anyone would have stopped.’
‘I wouldn’t,’ Heidi said. ‘No offence, but no way.’
Apple took a mouthful of food.
‘Do you work?’
She realised Heidi’s question was for her, and said, ‘I . . . yes, I manage a store.’
‘What kind?’
‘Just a clothing store.’
‘Which one?’
‘Loom.’
‘God.’ Heidi frowned. ‘I wouldn’t shop there. No offence, but the quality. We all know what it used to be like, but now, how embarrassing.’
‘It’s not that bad,’ Poppy piped up from across the table and Heidi squinted as though trying to find her in the dark.
‘It is in a transitional phase, that’s true,’ Apple said. ‘There have been production changes, but Veronica will figure it out.’
‘Is that the owner? That woman thinks she’s all that, hanging around the scene like a bad old smell.’
‘These eggs are delicious!’ Charlie held a forkful of scrambled egg in the air.
‘Mine’s good too,’ Apple said. ‘Would you l
ike some of the fruit, Heidi?’
Heidi stared at Apple without blinking and, seeming to think that was enough of a reply, went back to her breakfast.
‘Who’s paying for all this, anyway?’ Poppy tousled her fringe in the mirror in Apple’s bathroom.
‘Who’s what?’ Apple called.
‘Paying for all this?’ Poppy came back into the bedroom, pressing her bright pink lips together. ‘It’s so luxe. I feel like a freeloader.’
‘I felt that too,’ Apple said. ‘But I asked Noah and he said when their friend announced his spa opening this weekend, Charlie booked this whole floor of the guesthouse, just for their friends. There are still four empty rooms.’
‘God, Charlie’s nice! It’s scary.’
‘I think he just likes it when everyone’s enjoying themselves. Are you?’ Apple pinned her hair.
‘Of course. His friends are so fun and rich and weird, and this place is so old and cool. And the spa opening tonight is for one of his friends? Will it be fancy? I don’t even know what “resort cocktail” is. Is this outfit okay?’
Apple eyed Poppy’s olive green silk romper as she dropped a long black dress over her own swimsuit and cinched it with a vintage gold python belt. ‘I love your outfit,’ she said. ‘Wear these with it.’
Poppy took the gold, draping earrings and slid them into her ears. ‘Ooh, yes.’
‘Cabs are leaving!’ someone called from the hall.
The others were waiting outside when the sisters came down. Noah beckoned to Apple from one of the cabs.
‘I’ll go in this one.’ Poppy jumped into another.
‘Thought I’d never get you to myself again,’ Noah said as Apple climbed in.
‘You look sharp.’ She gauged his tux.
His gaze slid over her. ‘You look—’
Apple was shunted into the middle seat by someone coming in from the side.
‘Sorry!’ Charlie said, closing the door. ‘Sorry we took so long.’
‘These fucking two,’ Noah muttered.
‘It’s not my fault, Charles.’ Heidi got into the front seat and smoothed her short sheath.
‘Of course not,’ Charlie said. ‘You look beautiful. I’m sure it was all worth it.’
‘Let’s go!’ Noah tapped the driver.
The pubs and restaurants in the township were full, but soon they left the bustle behind as the cars made their way up into the hills and eventually came to a sealed drive leading to a rise. From a forecourt, guests disappeared through pivot doors into a sculptural rammed-earth rectangle set into the terrain.
They got out and at once Apple felt self-conscious amid the formality. She looked for Poppy, then Poppy’s hand.
‘Fancy,’ Poppy said as they walked the length of an illuminated earthen wall, the door looming.
Inside it was warm and humid, and there was a slight tension in the air, the sense of people not long free of the city. Someone was waving.
‘Bartley!’ Charlie said. ‘I have to congratulate him on all this. The spa, it’s brilliant. Back in a tic.’
He and Noah strode ahead, a waiter appeared, and Apple found herself standing with Poppy and Heidi, sipping champagne.
‘So what do you do?’ Heidi asked Poppy, as she eyed the crowd.
‘I work as a brand consultant.’
‘That’s . . . niche.’
‘Is it?’ Poppy appeared nervy, glancing at Apple, who offered a nervy smile in return. ‘What do you do?’
Heidi’s nostrils flared. ‘The Huntington Group.’
‘Oh yes, of course, your parents, The Huntington Group . . .’ Poppy’s voice trailed off. ‘Cool.’
Heidi’s sigh seemed despairing as she looked Apple up and down. ‘So why don’t you have a real job?’
Apple was halfway through a sip of champagne; she coughed. ‘Pardon?’
‘Why do you work in a store? Didn’t you go to university?’
Charlie appeared, drawing Heidi close. ‘You’re not coming down on retail, are you? Your family’s lifeblood? You used to love working the shop floor at your stores. You liked it more than the job you have now.’ He nudged her playfully.
‘I liked it when I was seventeen, Charlie. I wasn’t being rude, I was just saying that by the time you get to our age people tend to want something more. Oh look, there’s Lucy.’ She walked away, leading Charlie by the hand.
‘Holy fuck.’ Poppy stared after her.
Apple’s cheeks felt warm. She took another draught of champagne.
‘Apple, you have to apply for that Lac Compt internship.’ Poppy suddenly faced her.
Apple stared. ‘Pardon?’
‘You have to, please?’
‘Why are you speaking so loudly? Shh.’
‘I’m not speaking loudly. Just tell me, just fucking tell me that you’ll apply.’
‘Why?’
‘So morons like that can’t treat you like crap anymore!’
‘What, are you embarrassed about me? About what I do?’
‘Don’t be an idiot.’
‘I’m not embarrassed. I don’t care what anyone thinks.’
‘For someone who doesn’t care you look pretty red in the face.’
‘Your voice is too loud.’
‘I don’t care. And I don’t care what anyone thinks. I do care that you never get any respect, though.’
‘Why should I get respect? What have I done?’
‘So much, but no one will ever know if you keep hiding away, acting like you’re nothing!’
‘I am nothing!’
Poppy stared before spitting a laugh. ‘Well, that’s exactly how you’re acting, and it’s pathetic.’
Apple began walking away but Poppy followed, grabbing her arm, and they jostled towards a corner of the room.
‘Are you happy?’ Poppy said.
Apple glanced. ‘Why are you acting like this? Stop.’
‘Why am I acting like this? Because the happiest I’ve seen you in years was the moment you told me you were making my wedding dress.’
‘You won’t get one if you don’t be quiet.’
‘Did you know you’re probably the most talented person in this room?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
‘It’s true, you are. Look around! But who’s everyone fawning over? Some guy who probably just inherited his dead grandfather’s dough. That’s how fucking imaginative these people are.’
‘I don’t want to be fawned over.’
‘What do you want?’
‘To relax! Enjoy myself!’ Apple grabbed a passing champagne then slid into the waiter’s slipstream, leaving Poppy behind.
10
Apple hurried along, sipping her drink, feeling angry and trapped.
She didn’t want to be there in her silly flowing dress, playing nice with people she didn’t know or care about. She wanted to be anywhere else, being angry.
She pressed her hand against the rammed earth and let the coarse wall graze her as she walked.
‘There you are.’ Noah was striding along the corridor in swimming trunks.
He took her hand, his pace not slowing as he led her down the hall and around a corner, where they found a row of doors. He pushed the first open, seeming pleased as he drew her through it.
Steam rose from a slate waterhole, water dripped from lush plants.
‘The Lovers’ Sanctuaries.’ He slid the door closed. ‘I told Bartley to spot the most beautiful woman in the room then show me somewhere she could take her clothes off.’
‘I’ll go find her. Tell her where you are.’ Apple turned away.
He leaned against the door, smiling.
‘May I leave?’
He stepped aside and Apple put her hand on the lever.
She paused.
She waited some more.
‘Are you leaving?’
‘I am,’ she replied, but she didn’t move, sensed his bare arm, wanted to touch it.
Noah showed her how to turn the handle a
nd she gazed at his hand, imagined it on her. She undid her belt, then the tie at the back of her neck. Her dress fell and she walked to the spa and slid into the water.
She positioned herself beneath an overhanging plant. Condensation dripped from a leaf onto her shoulder. She wondered if Poppy had found someone to talk to, then decided not to think about it.
Noah was watching her from the door.
His forehead glistened as he came towards her, then, one solid, loping step at a time, descended into the water until he was almost submerged. He spread his arms wide along the rim and gazed at her.
Sweat beaded on Apple’s face.
‘You look hot.’
Apple didn’t know if it was the heat or him but her heart was beating quicker than she would have liked.
Noah slipped his hands under the water and lifted his wet trunks out. Apple wiped more sweat away, trying not to think about Poppy, Lac Compt, the heat.
‘I can help you with yours if you like.’ He laid his trunks on the side of the spa.
‘I’m fine,’ Apple said, but she wasn’t. She was sweating, yearning and muddled. She stood, tripped up the stairs and stopped, resting her head against the cool wall.
‘Are you okay?’
The concern in Noah’s voice was surprising, made her dizzier, and she fumbled for a towel, hid her face in it and wished she could be more – more for Poppy, more for Noah – and less of Apple, less of whatever this person was that she’d become.
Noah rose from the pool and started walking over. Apple thought of Paul, the way he’d walked around naked. She closed her eyes, wanting to run from herself.
‘Here.’ Noah offered her a bottle of water, but Apple shook her head, clutching her towel and dress to her as she pulled the door wide.
Charlie was rounding the corner.
He halted at the open door and Apple glanced back to see Noah watching, his body still bare. She mumbled incoherently, her hand slippery on the door as she tried to swing it closed.
‘Apple,’ Charlie began. ‘I was just—’ Catching sight of Noah, he stopped abruptly, turned and strode back the other way.
Bartley’s speech felt overwrought. Apple stood through it anyway, tucked at the back of the crowd, dress damp as she listened to his practised private-school ramble – his vision for the luxury spa, his inspiration, the love he had for every single guest.
The Rules of Backyard Croquet Page 10