One Summer in Spain

by Ian Wilfred

  “You have plenty of time to get to the airport. Why not have a drink before you go?”

  They all looked shocked, especially Janice. She had just tried to provoke an argument and now she was being offered a drink. The only one who didn’t look surprised was Dulcie. Gemma realised that was because she knew Rupert inside out and how he reacted to situations. He had put up with Janice’s rudeness for two weeks and bitten his tongue not wishing to come between Dulcie and her daughter, but he had reached the end of his tether and something told Gemma he wasn’t going to mince his words now.

  “Right, help yourself to a glass. Yours is the smaller one, Jamie, as you’re driving.”

  Why was Rupert being so civilised? Janice looked worried, and even Dulcie was looking downwards, into her lap.

  “I want to clear a few things up before you leave, Janice. Firstly, I’m disgusted at the way you’ve spoken to Gemma. She’s a friend who has come into our lives to take care of us both. Thankfully, she can see through you for what you are and hasn’t chosen to leave us.

  “Secondly, the way you treat your mother, my dearest friend, hurts and upsets me. If it had been up to me, you wouldn’t have come to stay at all. I’ve put up with your unpleasant attitude for far too long because I believed it wasn’t my place to say anything.

  “Obviously, the main issue here is money, so let’s get things straight. Yes, we have more than we’ve led you to believe, but that’s for reasons you won’t need me to explain. We don’t own this villa, we’ve only rented it for the summer period, but who knows? Perhaps we will buy it as a future holiday home. We don’t have to rush to decisions.

  “And whilst I’m on the subject of money, let me tell you something. We’ve spent a lot of money on lawyers. If Dulcie and I get to a point where we need help, or we aren’t as sharp or on the ball as we are now, or even in the event of us not being here anymore, our lawyers will be in a very strong position to stop you getting your hands on a single penny of our wealth. Jamie will inherit any money we leave and he will be barred from giving you a lump sum. You’ll get some to squander in pubs, acting like an old slapper as you do.

  “Oh, and one more thing, Janice. I’d like to make it perfectly clear that you aren’t welcome here. So enjoy your final drink and have a safe journey home. Jamie, you’re more than welcome to pop over at any time you like, and that goes for wherever we’ll be living when we return to England. Now, excuse me, I have other things to attend to. Goodbye, and enjoy your journey home.”

  “Well, Mum, you’ve done it again. You’ve managed to spoil a happy family holiday while upsetting the two most important people in my life, Gran and Rupert. Thank you, Gran, it’s been so lovely spending time with you and Rupert, and thank you too, Gemma, for everything you’ve done for us. You certainly didn’t deserve to be treated so unfairly by my mother. I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to spend more time with you, but next time I pop over, perhaps we could go out for a nice meal or drink and get to know each other better.”

  Chapter 23

  It had been two days since Janice and Jamie had left and their names had not been mentioned once in that time. Gemma did wonder whether Dulcie and Rupert had discussed it privately when she hadn’t been in earshot, but everything was now back to normal. Rupert had paid Maria extra money to stay on in the afternoons to give the bedrooms a thorough clean and change the bed linen, etc, insisting that Gemma didn’t have to do these extra duties.

  Another thing which had happened was that Dulcie had wanted to go through the fridge and larder, and then do a huge shop. Gemma hadn’t questioned her, but they now had enough food in the villa to keep them and a family of five going for weeks. To be honest, that was all they had done since Janice and Jamie had left. They had appreciated having the villa to themselves again, and enjoyed relaxing out in the sun and early nights.

  Gemma was looking forward to the day ahead. It had been more than a week since she had been to Pablo and Dario’s to see the refurbishment, although Dario, when bringing Janice back from her nights out, had told her that all was progressing well. The walls had been skimmed and he and Pablo were busy tiling the bathrooms.

  Rupert was off to meet his friends at the coffee morning for lunch. Dulcie had told him not to eat too much and not to be late back either. She was looking forward to a nice meal out on the terrace later, which Gemma had ample time to prepare.

  “Before you go, Gemma, dear, can I just check we have everything we need for tonight?”

  “Yes, we both went shopping yesterday. Are you sure you’re alright, Dulcie, because I’m quite happy to stay in if you’d prefer? I can go to Pablo and Dario’s any time, so if you’d like me to spend the day with you instead…”

  “Oh, no, dear, don’t be silly, I’m fine. I’m just going to potter around today, and then we can have a lovely meal tonight. What time did you say you’d be back?”

  “I didn‘t mention a time, but what time did you want to eat?”

  “Sorry, Gemma, that sounded like me controlling you a bit, didn’t it? It’s just that over the past two weeks we’ve got used to looking at the clock and I haven’t quite reverted to our own routine. Shall we say any time after six?”

  Gemma was rather baffled. What was all that about? Did Dulcie want to discuss something over dinner? She would have to wait and find out. The height of the summer season was now approaching, the beach was a lot busier and the schoolchildren were home for the holidays. This was the ideal time for Pablo’s holiday apartments to be a success – they had a swimming pool, which would be far more private than sharing a crowded beach.

  “Hi, Dario, how’s it all going? I’m so looking forward to seeing what you’ve been doing since I was here last. Gosh! All the bushes have gone! Doesn’t that space look so much bigger now. It’s perfect for an outdoor lounge area. You must be delighted with the space you’ve created here.”

  “Morning, Gemma, yes we are, and the cheapest option is actually working out the best. We’re just going to put a slab of concrete down here, and with some plants and neatly spaced outdoor furniture it will soon look great. If you think the outside’s good, just wait until you go into the rooms. Some are more finished than others, but we’re getting on well. Come and see.”

  Dario took Gemma to see one of the apartments which just needed a final coat of paint and the furniture added. The bathroom looked bright and fresh with its new tiles and splashbacks, and all it needed was a splash of colour with the towels and wall hangings of some description. Their hard work was paying off, and with only two more bathrooms and painting to complete, Dario explained that even at cost price his father couldn’t compete with Ikea, so at some point when Gemma had more time he would like her to go through the website with him to agree on accessories.

  “I’ve got something else to show you too, Gemma. My grandfather’s not convinced about it, but if you think it will work I’m sure you could persuade him.”

  Following Dario across to the old garage which he informed her was going to be demolished and replaced by a planting area, Gemma was intrigued.

  “Well, what do you think? Was this what you had in mind for…?”

  “Oh, yes, the feature headboard. It will look stunning, but you’ll need another five.”

  Dario had got hold of a very old worn door which after cleaning up would make an ideal headboard. It would definitely give the room quite a bespoke look against the modern contemporary furniture. Gemma looked forward to seeing the finished article, especially when Dario said that he could easily make five more.

  “I was just going to get something to eat. Fancy a baguette? Pablo will be back soon as he’s just taken all the old tiles and rubbish to the tip. He’s made so many trips there this week. You wouldn’t believe how thick all these bushes were, but like he said, cutting it all back has really opened up the space and made it far more attractive.”

  Gemma could tell that they hadn’t yet started work on the house. It was still full of clutter and in comparison to
the other rooms with their new modern look, it seemed even more dated. As Dario made them both lunch, Gemma started to imagine what it would look like if the drab, dark furniture were replaced and the ornaments and pictures taken out.

  “Come on, let’s eat these outdoors in the shade. By the way, did you enjoy Janice and Jamie’s visit?”

  “No, not really. It’s a bit of a long story, but we’re getting back to a normal routine, thank goodness. Now, what did you have in mind for a colour theme for cushions and throws? Also, I think one abstract picture in each room would look good.”

  With that the main gate opened and in came Pablo. They decided not to tell him about their headboard idea, preferring to just wait until the room was painted and tidied up. They would then put the headboard in place and see his reaction. Gemma was sure he would approve.

  “Hi, Gemma, so what do you think? Have we been carrying out your instructions properly?”

  “That makes me sound a bit bossy, Pablo.”

  They all laughed and Dario went off to get Pablo a drink and something to eat when. While he had gone, Pablo told Gemma how Dario had thrown himself into refurbishment, putting every spare hour possible into the job in hand, but that it had also enabled them to bond better and they were happy to have a joint project to work on. It had also created a lot of interest among local residents who also owned apartments and holiday complexes. Most of them had taken it for granted that holidaymakers would return each season regardless of whether the accommodation was up to date. Pablo’s only regret was that he hadn’t started work earlier as he'd missed out on some of the summer trade.

  “September and October are still fairly warm months, so I don’t think you’ll have any problems attracting holidaymakers for the late season. Don’t forget, if it’s windy on the beach or here in the courtyard, the pool area is quite sheltered. Come to think of it, the November and December temperatures are far higher here than they are in England. If your price is right, I’m sure people will still come.”

  “There you go, Grandad, lunch is served. By the way, hope you’re not both talking about me behind my back.”

  “As if! Now come and sit down and explain what’s next to be done after the bathrooms are tiled.”

  Dario went on to say that a friend of the family was going to come and paint them all, concrete was going to be laid and there was just the matter of sorting out the house.

  “Where on earth would we start with that? For a start, all the cupboards are full. You know your grandmother didn’t like to throw anything out. There must be dozens of plates, cups, saucers, etc. None of them match, but she always said you could never have enough crockery. Then there’s the sofa and chairs. They’re probably more than fifty years old. That’s why we’ve got so many cushions, they hide the uncomfortable sofas. Come on, Gemma, we need some more of your fantastic ideas here. What do you suggest?”

  “I think the more dishes you have, the more you’ll use. So if there’s only going to be a minimum of twelve guests, just have twelve of everything, two sizes of plates and a selection of glasses, plus of course cooking utensils, saucepans and cutlery. Of course, it would be better if the crockery did match though.”

  “If you take a look in those kitchen cupboards, Gemma, you’ll be lucky to find three things which match, but Ikea sell everything and you can buy a set of mugs quite cheaply, so perhaps we can go through the catalogue, together.”

  “Surely it would be better to drive to one of their stores, Pablo. You could have a good look round, buy exactly what you need and more importantly, it would be a fun day out.”

  “I know what you mean, but the nearest Ikea store is far too far away for a trip out. It would involve an overnight stay, and I don’t suppose you’d want to do that, would you, Gemma. You might have other things to be getting on with.”

  Gemma immediately felt herself blushing, a night away with Dario! A couple of weeks ago she would have jumped at the idea, but ever since the situation with the girl in Madrid, it was a different matter. However, they would have a good reason to go, and she had a far better idea of what to buy than either Pablo or Dario did. Gemma didn’t reply. She felt uncomfortable.

  Dario broke the silence. “We haven’t spoken about the actual kitchen. Does that need replacing too? It won’t be cheap, and to be honest, we don’t have the money to do that as well as buy new sofas.”

  Gemma realised this, she knew a new kitchen would be the best option but if it had to stay, it could perhaps be updated. With the sofas and huge dining tables needing to be the focus of the rooms, there was a lot to be considered and Gemma was finding it difficult to think straight. All she could think of was a night away with Dario. It would be a business trip rather than a leisure outing, and she would think of it as a way to help out friends. After all, Dario and his grandfather had now become friends and there was no way she intended to fall for his Spanish charm.

  “No, Pablo, the kitchen’s fine and the new furniture will be perfect. Don’t forget that most holidaymakers will be spending their time outside. They won’t want to stay indoors too much. The barbecue area will probably be more popular than the cookers, and you could take all the old crockery to the market in Ceola. I’m sure they would sell. People seem to love retro items like those.”

  Both Dario and Pablo thought that was a brilliant idea and burst out laughing, explaining that the market was where most of it had come from in the first place. Pablo’s wife was always coming back with bits and pieces every time they went to Ceola. Gemma offered to spend time helping sort through the kitchen items, but was she just saying that because she wanted to spend more time with Dario? The answer to that question was a definite yes!

  “Come on. No time like the present. Let’s go and have a look at what Gran hid away in the cupboards. Some haven’t been open for years. Sorry, I’m presuming you have time, Gemma.”

  “I don’t need to be back at the villa until six on the dot.”

  “That’s a bit precise.”

  “I know, but I’m not too sure why exactly. Come on, that gives us a few hours.”

  All three of them couldn’t believe how much stuff had been accumulated in the kitchen cupboards, everything from side plates, dinner plates to huge serving dishes. Pablo did say that the items would represent a fair chunk of money, but Dario thought it was shame to sell them as they were sentimental family heirlooms. Pablo hadn’t even realised they had most of it, and what would he do with it apart from store it away out of sight. That would just be like moving it from one place to another. Sentimental thoughts and memories were in his heart and mind and they could never be replaced.

  It had been a productive afternoon, and Pablo was looking forward to taking a table in the market. All he had to do was box everything up and book the table, which he planned to do tomorrow. Gemma realised that it was now five-thirty, giving her half an hour to get back up to the villa. Dario offered to drive her back, but she preferred to walk as the fresh air would do her good. He walked her as far as the gate and thanked her for all the help and support she had given them both. Gemma explained that she had enjoyed doing so, it had been a pleasure rather than a chore, and she had got a lot out of it.

  “Gemma, about this trip to Ikea, you can trust me, you know. I promise you, I’d never take advantage of the situation, but it would be nice to get away from Graingcia for a couple of days.”

  “Yes, I’m looking forward to it too. Right, I’d best be off now, Dario.”

  Gemma was on Cloud Nine. A night away with Dario! How lucky she was, and perhaps he would tell her the truth about the so called friend who happened to be a girl. Did she really want to know though?

  The weather was still warm and she couldn’t wait to have a quick shower before dinner. Sorting out the kitchen had been dirty work, as most of the items hadn’t been touched for years, and the dust had lingered in her hair. Six-fifteen! Once she’d got ready and made headway with the cooking, she estimated it would be around eight o’clock by the ti
me they sat down to eat. She shut the gate behind her and noticed Rupert and Dulcie sitting out on the terrace with a drink. However, there were three glasses on the table. Who did the third one belong to?

  “Hello, dear. Did you have a nice day at Dario’s? We’ve got a little surprise for you. Well, actually a surprise for all of us.”

  With that, Craig came out of the kitchen with a huge smile on his face. Gemma’s first thought was whether he was alone or had he brought his wife with him. They’d just got rid of one awkward guest, she couldn’t face another one.

  “Surprise, surprise, Gemma! I’ve flown over for a holiday, and yes, I’m on my own! In fact, I’ve got some good news. Claire and I have split up. We’re getting divorced, and I’ll be a single man again!”

  Chapter 24

  It hadn’t taken Dulcie long to notice that Gemma wasn’t overly happy to see Craig. Cooking the evening meal had given her enough time to take it all in and put on a bit of an act, but he hadn’t mentioned why he was splitting up with Claire. He’d only said that it had been Paul’s idea for him to come over to Spain for a break. Gemma was a little sceptical, sure that it would have been Craig’s idea, but all of that was irrelevant. He was here now, and at some point Gemma would have to tell him that the last thing he needed was the complication of another woman in his life. He needed time to work out where life was heading, and she had no intention of being a part of it. However, in all fairness, Craig had given no indication that was what he was hoping for anyway, but nevertheless, the atmosphere was still rather tense.

  It was Maria’s day off, giving Gemma the perfect opportunity to keep herself busy with chores around the villa. She swept and mopped around the pool and the bottom terracing while keeping a subtle watch on the others drinking coffee and relaxing on the top terrace. Gemma knew she couldn’t avoid them for long, and that they would soon pick up on her mood, so reluctantly she decided that it would be better to confront them and start the conversation.