by Lucy Coleman
I take the glass, accepting his toast and we clink. I find myself wondering if the real reason he sought me out is to break the news about getting back together with Beatriz. However, he’s standing there staring at me and I can see how tired he is, having been constantly in demand since the moment he arrived.
‘I was hiding, tucking myself away out of sight to grab a quiet moment.’ It’s hard to sound upbeat.
‘Carolina told me where to find you.’
We’re at the far end of the site, there’s no lighting here, on a small patch of rough ground that is awaiting development.
‘Few get a chance to see this,’ I murmur, a little overwhelmed as we stare out across the darkening sky. The stars are out, and some are clearly visible, despite the bright lights of the catwalk in the background and the light pollution from the city on the opposite bank of the river.
In the fading light of day when the monument is usually closed, we are privileged to see this enchanting view out across the river. As dusk settles the city begins to twinkle like Christmas lights on a tree.
‘Everyone else is looking in the other direction at what’s going on behind us,’ Reid points out. ‘But I knew that your eyes would be elsewhere. It’s all a little too intense to cope with, isn’t it?’
Accepting the inevitable is tough, I can’t lie, but I also can’t bear to hear him say the words. And maybe he can’t bring himself to utter them.
‘Yes,’ I reply softly. However, Reid is a client too, so I should probably be reassuring him. ‘It’s wonderful when all the hard work pays off, though, and the reaction tonight has been amazing. Have you spoken to Bernadette? She’s so excited about the project going forward.’
‘I’m not involved in that. Tomas was in on the negotiations, but Beatriz is taking over from him now, as he’s heading back to London the day after tomorrow. He has decided to move his operations back to Lisbon, so he won’t be around for a while until it’s all sorted. You delivered everything and more, Seren, you must be on a high tonight.’
The way he so casually slips in the reference to Beatriz leaves me feeling hollow inside. I’m on the verge of saying something I know I will regret, so I glance down at my watch.
‘I need to head back,’ I reply apologetically. I don’t know what he’s expecting me to say. Yes, it was a success and I’m so happy? ‘It’s time for Rafael to dismiss the models. They will be shattered after all that twirling.’
We lock eyes, so many unspoken words lie between us like a barrier, but the night is not yet over and there is still work to be done. Besides, this is no place for what is going to be a harrowing conversation, at best.
‘You look stunning tonight,’ he blurts out, unexpectedly shattering the silence around us. ‘You make a fabulous dress look out of this world and you’ve been turning heads. Your name is on everyone’s lips. I’ve hated every minute of this evening, not having you by my side,’ Reid’s tone is full of regret as he turns and walks away from me.
Shoulders slumped, he disappears into the growing darkness, leaving me feeling desolate. I can’t bear to think of him feeling as sad and alone as I am right now. Everyone around him is celebrating an artist who has no real idea how talented he is, and tonight’s event wowed everyone. Standing here, feeling like this while I hold a glass of expensive champagne in my hand, it’s a stark reminder of why this isn’t the life for me. I’m sure Beatriz is very happy indeed with what she’s achieved tonight but it’s blatantly obvious that she is no longer in love with Reid.
Why couldn’t I simply bring myself to wish Reid well and put an end to this unnecessary suffering? I draw in a deep breath as I empty the contents of the glass onto the ground next to me. It’s harrowing to see Reid giving up the fight and sounding so defeated. After tomorrow’s party at the gallery any involvement we have comes to an end and my heart aches for us both.
‘Rafael that was an amazing spectacle.’ I place my hand on my heart, realising he probably didn’t understand what I said. ‘Obrigada.’ Although a mere thank you isn’t enough. He turned those models into superstars tonight. The crowd was enthralled, and the girls all shone brightly, but, more importantly, in the image of Cristo Rei, they became the living artwork that celebrates Lisbon.
Rafael takes a step forward and I get ready to shake hands, but instead he bestows a swift kiss on my cheek, and I turn to let him kiss the other one.
The panic in his eyes, when Carolina and I approached him to tell him what had happened earlier in the evening, is still etched on my mind. He wasn’t worried for himself, but for Yolanda. When we quickly ran through the solution we came up with, together with Yolanda’s record producers and publicist, he simply nodded his agreement. The reality is that when they wake up in the morning, photos of them will appear along with headlines that one of the songs from Yolanda’s new album will be the backing track to Reid Henderson’s voice-over of the fashion shoot. There is also an exclusive interview scheduled with the happy couple for the same week that the album is released. I suspect, by then, Yolanda will be wearing a sparkly new engagement ring, so everyone wins in the end.
Senhor Sequeira seemed happy, Tomas thought it was an advantageous collaboration and Rafael realised a secret like that will always trip you up if you lower your guard for one single moment.
‘How you say… uh… win-win tomorrow? I hope.’ He shrugs his shoulders and we exchange fleeting smiles. It’s been a long day, but while the general public are beginning to head for home, the VIP marquee is still buzzing. How much business will have been conducted under that canopy this evening? I wonder how many old friends were called upon to do favours. And Beatriz, thanks to an appeal from Senhora Veloso, made one, short phone call and called in a favour for me to put a spin on the story that will break tomorrow. I haven’t had a chance to thank Beatriz yet and it would be unprofessional of me not to do so, but I’m dreading it.
I wish I could go straight home, but I can’t simply disappear. First I need to find Judi and Mum. There are still groups of people scattered around the site, chatting and laughing after having had a couple of drinks and some excellent food, that looked and smelt divine. It’s getting darker by the moment and even the sturdy lights erected around the catwalk and the catering marquees make it hard to identify people from a distance.
My feet are aching and eventually I end up wending my way back to the VIP area. I immediately spot Reid, who is over in the far corner talking to two men I don’t know. He doesn’t look my way and as I walk towards the bar, Beatriz calls me over to the little group she’s with.
‘Seren, we were just about to leave. I’m so glad we caught you, you must meet Ana, my darling daughter. What a great success tonight has been.’
I can see Ana is rather shy, so I give her a very British little wave, like the Queen and, to my relief, she waves back, laughing.
‘I’m so sorry I got caught up. Did you have a good time?’ I include Leonor in my question and it’s plain to see they’ve had a wonderful time.
‘Rafael was amazing, wasn’t he?’ Ana replies, unable to hide her excitement, her eyes shining.
‘He took some photos of us and he’s going to email them to Dad,’ Leonor adds. ‘It was such fun. And we took some selfies with him.’
I glance at Beatriz and she seems delighted with how things have gone, and she has every right to feel that way.
As she begins preparing the girls to leave, I beckon to Vicente, who is standing guard. Whispering into his ear to take Leonor and Ana over to Reid to say goodnight, I turn to Beatriz.
‘Beatriz, thank you for your help earlier on. It was unfortunate we were unable to stop the photographer leaving the site. But it was very good of you to make the call and come to my assistance.’
‘It was not a problem. These things happen, Seren.’ A momentary look of pure satisfaction flashes over her face.
Ironically, we both glance in Reid’s direction, watching as he throws his arms around Ana and they hug. He looks so happy and so
does Ana.
‘It upset me to find out that Reid was seeing someone. It was hard for me not having a role in his life even though he could not understand that. His career was my life for so long and that will continue.’
‘Oh, I… I am sorry if I…’
‘There is no need for you to explain Reid’s questionable behaviour and his total disregard for my feelings,’ she snaps. ‘As difficult as it has been to witness this little crisis he’s been going through, the one good thing to come out of it is that this project has given him back his motivation. I am grateful for that, believe me. And now it’s time for you to move on. I’m sure you understand that and there will be no need for me to raise the subject with Filipe.’
I’m dumbstruck at the way she’s trying to put me down, as if I tried to steal her husband. They aren’t even married, but she acts as if that’s not the case. Before I can assemble my thoughts, Leonor and Ana appear, eager to head off home.
‘I… um, Vicente will escort you to the minibus. Thank you all for coming this evening,’ I say, trying my best to maintain my composure, despite the fact that I’m trembling all over.
‘Our pleasure,’ Beatriz throws over her shoulder as they all follow Vicente.
Behind me, Carolina calls my name and I turn around, still in a daze.
‘Seren, look who I found.’
She’s ushering Judi and Mum towards me. Both look happy, but tired, and then I spot Miguel, bringing up the rear.
It takes a lot of determination to compose myself and act normally, but my pride won’t allow me to make a spectacle of myself.
‘I’ve walked the entire site looking for you two. I thought you’d gone back to the hotel.’ My eyes feel heavy and I steel myself, refusing to let Beatriz’s scathing comments get to me.
‘Miguel’s been waiting to take us back, but we didn’t want to leave without saying goodnight. We’re too tired to stay any longer, I’m afraid. I feel like I’ve walked for miles, but it’s been amazing, Seren. What an introduction to Lisbon. And Miguel just took us on a tour of the site, so we’ll know our way around when we come back to see it all in daylight,’ Mum explains.
He looks at me, a little embarrassed.
‘Miguel, I can’t thank you enough for looking after Mum and my best friend, tonight. It was so kind of you.’ I didn’t give it a thought that Carolina would phone Miguel to come to my rescue, but I am grateful. In the midst of my gut-wrenching sadness, I have true friends around me. They might have no idea what I’m going through, or how I value every little act of kindness. Rubbing shoulders with affluent people only serves to remind me how easy it is to become detached from the real world, because like attracts like.
‘It was not a problem. And I was coming tonight anyway. I’ve enjoyed the company.’ I can see that he has, and I can also see that both Mum and Judi are flagging.
Mum throws her arms around me, whispering in my ear: ‘I’m so proud of you, Seren. Your father would be too if he wasn’t such a stubborn, lost soul.’
When I turn to Judi, she looks at me, eyes wide. ‘What a result, Seren, you did it! You upped the bar and some.’
‘Ah, it’s just so good to have you both here,’ I reply, swiping away a solitary tear as I try my best to sound jolly. ‘One more day then it’s kick-back time and I can show you the sights. But, first, a few days at the beach I think to relax.’
‘You bet,’ she says, relinquishing me.
That leaves Miguel. Poor Miguel. I can’t leave him out. As I lean in to give him a brief, but heart-felt hug, I find myself staring over his shoulder at Judi and plotting. What if you put together a rash, kind-hearted musician and a woman who organises every little aspect of her life to the nth degree? Would she become mellower and would he become more in control of his life? I realise this hug is going on and on, and as I draw back, I look at Miguel for a second or two, measuring him up and thinking this might work. I give him a genuinely grateful smile and then turn back to Mum and Judi.
‘I’ll text you tomorrow. It might not be that early, but I’ll fetch you late morning and bring you back to the house for lunch. Sleep well.’
As I watch them walk away, they have no idea how much it means to me to have them here right now when I’m at my lowest ebb. I can get through this, I tell myself, the end is in sight.
There are only four small groups of people still gathered inside the marquee as I express my thanks to Carolina for everything she’s done.
‘Where’s Antero?’
‘He’s helping some of the guys carry their equipment back to the trailers. It’s strange, but I feel a bit sad that it’s all over. I know we have the party tomorrow evening, but we’ve spent so much time working on this—’
Filipe appears at my side. ‘Seren, I’m glad I caught you.’ He steps aside, raising a hand in the air. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, can we all gather around for a moment?’
People drift towards us and, as if by magic, waiters appear to top up everyone’s glasses. I glance at my boss nervously.
When we had that awkward talk in his office, I have no doubt at all that Beatriz would have been very circumspect about what she said, while dropping hints to try to undermine my position. Filipe did his duty by raising her concerns, but did the fact that he didn’t issue me an ultimatum mean he, too, believes she’s overstepping the mark? And with hindsight, I’m beginning to wonder whether Beatriz purposely rowed with Ana just before the party at Reid’s house. She knew he would have no choice but to drop everything as soon as he got the call. If Beatriz had been really concerned about her daughter, she wouldn’t have left him to it just to play hostess. No, she knew Ana would go to a friend’s house and that’s why she wouldn’t let Reid call the police. Now it’s all beginning to make sense. But that doesn’t alter the fact that Reid is caught in the middle and I’m the only one who can see that.
‘It feels wrong to end the night without a toast to the team, Seren’s team, who pulled this together so perfectly tonight. Every single member involved, and at a rough guess I’d say that’s in excess of a hundred people, has executed their role diligently. On behalf of the directors, I would like to propose a toast to acknowledge the sheer dedication that has paid off so handsomely. Seren, please pass on our grateful thanks to everyone involved. Bottoms up!’
That raises a genuine smile – where on earth did Filipe hear that expression?
It’s only polite to stay a little longer, but after half an hour, I just want to escape as my nerves are in shreds. Antero is giving Carolina a lift back and we walk out together, leaving Vicente and the site manager sitting drinking coffee. It’s likely it will still be a few hours before the catering staff are ready to leave.
‘You’re not walking back, are you?’ Carolina asks as we hug goodbye.
‘No, I offered to give Seren a lift home.’ Reid’s voice appears out of nowhere.
‘You look exhausted, so don’t hang around,’ she whispers into my ear before drawing back. ‘Make sure you have a lie-in tomorrow, and we’ll see you late afternoon at the gallery, then. Sleep well.’
‘You, too, my friend.’
Carolina’s eyes scan my face to see if I’m comfortable accepting a lift from Reid. She thinks we’ll end up talking about work, but I give her a reassuring nod.
When they are out of earshot, I turn to look at him. ‘You don’t have to take me home, it’s not far.’
‘I have no intention of letting you walk, Seren,’ he replies and I can tell there’s no point in protesting.
‘I didn’t realise you drove here, I assumed you came in the minibus with Beatriz, Ana and Leonor.’
‘Tomas and I wanted to chat through a couple of things in private, so I gave him a lift. He’s travelling back with Beatriz and the girls. When I drove past your place earlier and saw the car parked up, I guessed you had walked.’
Why did Reid take the detour in the first place? Those little streets are narrow, so it meant going out of his way. He planned this; he was keeping an ey
e on me while we were in the marquee, I could feel it, but every time I turned my head to look his way, his eyes were elsewhere. I fall in line with him, too dispirited to make polite conversation for the sake of it.
Several of the contractors’ vehicles have been driven around to the main car park and Antero is one of the men helping to pack up the equipment. He waves and I wave back, but he’s too far away to wander over and say goodnight. I know he’ll understand. Reid and I walk over to his car, keeping a distance between us and it’s awkward.
‘You’re very subdued,’ he remarks.
‘Just exhausted. Are the problems with the container sorted now?’ I ask, as he opens the passenger door for me, and I settle myself into the seat.
I wait anxiously as he walks around the car, nervously fiddling with the bag on my lap. My fear is that he’ll want to talk about this morning, but I just don’t have the energy. It won’t have been an easy day for him, but I’ve had the day from hell, too, and this is about self-preservation.
‘Pretty much. It’s a pity about the damage to the paintings, as they will have to be substituted. But it could have been worse.’
My stomach is in knots, but they begin to ease as it dawns on me that Reid is as tired as I am and unlikely to want to enter into a heavy conversation.
As the car pulls out onto the road, Reid starts speaking. ‘Ana and Leonor had a great time. Thank you for thinking of them, Seren, it was an oversight on my part.’
‘You’ve been busy, so I’m sure they understood. I had a last-minute panic getting my friend and my mum collected from the airport.’
‘It wasn’t on one of your tick lists?’ he teases.
‘I guess we both messed up a little.’
‘You didn’t tell me that your mum was flying over, too. I saw the likeness immediately and it was obvious from your reaction who it was. Will l get to meet them, or were you purposely keeping us apart?’
I close my eyes for a moment, not quite sure what to say to him.