One Summer in Spain

by Ian Wilfred

  Rupert smiled. It had all been playing on his mind too. As far as he was concerned, it wasn’t a question of whether Janice was able to turn over a new leaf. He just didn’t want her around, having to walk on egg shells in case she erupted. He did admit that he wasn’t fully convinced that it was all an act; he still did have a niggling doubt she could be genuine, but now they would never know for sure.

  “That’s enough of all that. Let’s go for a stroll and you can show me everything you discovered the last time you were here.”

  They walked along the sea wall and as the tide was in the fisherman were fishing from the wall rather than down on the rocks. Gemma mentioned the beautiful view from the furthest point of Melencia, but thought it might be a bit too far for Rupert to walk. He was happy to continue and so they headed off at a brisk pace. Rupert was silent again, giving Gemma the impression that he preferred to mull things over alone. This was a side to him very rarely seen. Normally he was full of life, every opportunity was showtime for him, but today the mood was definitely different.

  “Look, Rupert. There’s a bench over there. Well, it’s more a piece of wood held in place by a couple of rocks. Do you fancy taking the weight off your feet for a while?”

  “Yes, I think that’s a good idea. Why don’t you carry on until the end and I’ll wait here for you? Yes, Gemma, that’s what we should do.”

  Gemma realised that Rupert wanted to be alone and she was more than happy to spend the next 20 minutes wandering along on her own. Perhaps she needed to do the same thing. Was she doing the right thing staying here in Spain? Rupert had said the same things to her that her mother had done when she told her about Dulcie and Rupert buying the villa. She had to be realistic. If she stayed in Graingcia to care for them both for the next ten years or so, what would she do then? She would be in her mid-30s. No, these thoughts were not helpful.

  Her parents were happy for her, opportunities like these don’t present themselves every day, and she had a job she loved doing. Most importantly, she felt valued and appreciated. Jamie had said it all – he didn’t have to worry about his grandmother and Rupert now that he knew they were in safe hands. No, once Jamie and Janice returned to England, she could get back into a routine with Spanish lessons, meeting new friends and preferably men who didn’t have children.

  “Gosh, you were right, Gemma! It’s similar to the chicken restaurant, but everyone’s eating paella instead. It smells wonderful. I’m so hungry, I can’t wait!”

  “Well, Rupert, I’ve done as you suggested and given it some thought. It didn’t take long of course, because I know I’m doing the right thing. Why would I turn my back on the wonderful life I’ve got here in Spain? And I don’t mean the millionaire’s villa or the sunshine, but being with you and Dulcie, doing a job I love and being appreciated for doing it.”

  “That’s very kind of you to say it like that, because to be honest, our biggest worry was what would happen if you did decide to leave. We both know we’d be unable to cope by ourselves, you understand our needs and have made life so much easier. Look, here comes our food. Shall we have another jug of wine, Gemma? There’s a lot of paella to soak up.”

  “If you think it’s okay.”

  “Of course it’s okay. It’s been a lovely day and you deciding to stay with us is the icing on the cake. It’s been more than the food and your company today though. This has brought back a lot of memories. Now let’s eat before our paella goes cold.”

  Chapter 40

  “Morning, dear. What a hard life, another day by the pool.”

  “Hi, Dulcie, yes, but someone has to do it, so it might as well be you. Would you like a coffee and some toast? Jamie’s already up, but he’s gone out for a walk. No sign of Janice or Rupert yet.”

  “A coffee would be lovely, thanks. Can I ask you something, Gemma? When you and Rupert were out in Melencia yesterday, you did have a nice time, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, it ranks as one of my favourite days since we’ve been here. Melencia’s beautiful, the paella was delicious and we had a glass or two of wine. Why do you ask, Dulcie?”

  “Oh, I’m probably worrying over nothing, but Rupert didn’t seem himself last night, not sick or anything but…”

  “…miles away in thought, do you mean?”

  “Yes, you noticed that as well?”

  “He did say that something brought back memories for him, but that’s all. He’s never been to Melencia before, has he, so I can’t think it was something he saw there.”

  “Not to worry. We’ll see how he is today.”

  Gemma made Dulcie’s coffee and brought it out to her, by which time Rupert was also up, so she made him a cup of tea. Opening the kitchen cupboard she noticed that a bottle of whisky was missing. It had only been opened once, when Rupert thought he had a cold and he’d mixed some with hot water and honey. Should she mention it to Dulcie or perhaps Jamie when he returned from his walk? She couldn‘t help but wonder how things would have panned out if they’d let Janice look after things. Would she have been able to stop drinking? Gemma couldn’t let it rest. She decided to say something before Janice and Jamie left to return to England.

  “One tea, and one coffee. Toast is on the way, but before I serve it, could I have a quick word, please? Now, I know this is none of my business, but it’s been playing on my mind. I know you all know Janice better than I do, but I do think she may mean well, and we haven’t given the opportunity to prove herself. I don’t know what the answer is, but I just feel…”

  “…you’re right in a way and Rupert’s said similar things to me. I’m sure it was all an act, but I ended it before she could prove herself. I’ve messed up, and I don’t know what to say.”

  “Ask her to stay for a little longer. I know Jamie has to go back to work, but she doesn’t. She only cleans for a couple of people and now she has an allowance from us, she doesn’t need to leave tomorrow. Tell her you want her to stay, Dulcie. She’s family and it just wouldn’t have worked out her looking after us. Don’t mention any rules, just that you want to build bridges with her. Don’t you agree, Gemma?”

  Gemma did agree. This would be the perfect opportunity to clear the air. Janice could see she was wanted and trusted and Dulcie would know she hadn’t given up on her daughter. Jamie might be a little bit more complicated to persuade as leaving his mother to the temptations of Spain would worry him, but Gemma thought it best to leave them all to it, sort out the breakfast things and then go and do some food shopping. She decided to walk down the hill and then phone Nico for a lift back. That way she wouldn’t be around while they all talked to Janice.

  Gemma hadn’t had any breakfast as she planned to pop into the bakery for a coffee and a sweet pastry or two. Reflecting on Dulcie’s concerns about Rupert, she wasn’t surprised that Dulcie had picked up on him being quieter than usual. Those two knew each other inside out, but she just hoped that whatever memories he had on his mind were happy ones.

  Gemma would really have missed these pastries if she had decided to go back to England. Thank goodness for the steep hill between the bakery and the villa, because otherwise she would be tempted to go more often. As she sat there going through the shopping list, she wondered how things were going up at the villa. Of course one of the things none of them had mentioned was that if Janice didn’t want to stay any longer, who knows what her life would be like in England?

  “Morning, Gemma, these pastries are becoming a habit!”

  “Oh, hi, Pablo, yes I know, but all the walking I do will soon work them off. Well, that’s what I keep telling myself. Anyway, how are all your guests?”

  “They’re all very happy, thanks. Mind you, I’m a bit lost for things to do now. I can’t keep popping in on them because it looks like I’m spying on them. They’ve booked the complex, not me as well!”

  Pablo ordered a coffee, sat down and chatted with Gemma. She told him how much she’d enjoyed her day in Melencia and that she and Rupert had been back there for the paella
. Gemma knew she had to be careful when mentioning Dario. Perhaps it would be wise not to bring him into the conversation at all, but would it be a way to find out the truth?

  “When’s Dario back? I would think the heat of Madrid will soon make him wish he was back here.”

  “Yes, he should go and see his parents more often. I’m always nagging at him to go there, but he always seems to find an excuse. He does work hard, I give him that, and they’re such long shifts. He’s a sensible young man, you know. He grew up very fast after the baby was born. One day he was a kid himself, the next a man.”

  This was Gemma’s opportunity to say that she knew all about Mateo. She explained that she was aware of the baby, so he hadn’t done anything wrong by mentioning it. Pablo was relieved, but he also said that he’d given up worrying about it. It seemed to be the norm these days, couples splitting up and children making the best of things. It was such a different world to the one he grew up in many years ago.

  “Maya’s a nice enough girl, but she and Dario aren’t suited to each other at all. They both want different things out of life and their relationship in respect to Mateo is purely friends and nothing more.”

  “Don’t you think they’ll ever get together again?”

  “Oh, no, that’s never going to happen, but they’re a good team because they’re not romantically involved, although to the outsider it looks like the perfect family set up. I know a lot of people, including both sets of parents, would love them to get together because they do get on well, but no, it’s not going to happen.”

  So that’s all it is. Nico thinks because they look good together and they don’t fight or argue, they should be a couple. Gemma was even more confused.

  “Are you alright, Gemma? You were miles away there. I know you’re shocked to hear about Mateo. I wasn’t even aware of it at first, I think because my wife had just died, they thought it would be all too much for me to deal with at once. Something else I’ve figured out is that you two like each other a lot, but he needs to convince you that Maya will never be a part of his life. You need to be a hundred per cent sure that she isn’t too. I might be old, Gemma, but I don’t miss much, I can assure you.”

  Gemma didn’t know what to say, but she gave Pablo a hug and kiss. Had he just told her what he thought she wanted to hear or was he hoping that Gemma would get together with Dario because he wasn’t overly fond of Maya? They said goodbye, and Gemma went to the supermarket, thankful that she had made a list because she couldn’t think straight.

  “Hi Nico, thanks for coming to pick me up. There’s not too much shopping because the visitors are leaving tomorrow and I’ll do a big shop after the weekend. I suppose you’ve been busy with Dario away. Hope he’s having a nice time with his family.”

  “Oh, he will. He’s always happy when he gets together with Mateo, but I think he enjoys having him here the most.”

  “Is that because Maya’s not around when Mateo’s here?”

  “It could be. I’ve never really given it much thought, but most of the time she goes off to Almeria and leaves the little boy for a few days, so you could be right.”

  When they pulled up at the villa, Gemma didn’t need a hand with the shopping as she didn’t have too much. She said goodbye to Nico and took a deep breath. Would Janice be staying or not? As she closed the gate, she could see Rupert down by the pool and Dulcie and Jamie sitting at the table with the computer, but no sign of Janice. She was either not up yet, or they’d had a fall out.

  Gemma went into the kitchen to unpack the shopping and put it away. Suddenly she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. It had to be Janice. Gemma needed to compose herself, ready for the verbal onslaught Janice was about to unleash.

  “Hi Janice. Can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea? Anything to eat?”

  “No, I’m fine, thanks. I just wanted to apologise for the other day and also to thank you for defending me. The three of them have all said how…”

  “It’s all forgotten as far as I’m concerned, Janice.”

  “I’ve come to tell you that I shan’t be staying. I know I’ll be in the town partying as if I was on holiday, and I wouldn’t know where to stop. I’ll come back to visit when I’m settled. Yes, Mum and Jamie are going to find me somewhere in the UK where I can get some help. I do need it, otherwise I’ll probably kill myself with all the drink. Then I’ll come back and stay in this beautiful villa and appreciate all I have. More importantly, the people who care for me, and Gemma, I know one of them is you. Thank you!”

  Chapter 41

  “And breathe, they’ve gone! Well, that was an experience not to be repeated again. Agree Rupert?”

  Rupert did agree with Dulcie, but neither held out much hope of Janice changing her ways. Gemma, however, did feel differently. She believed her totally, someone had to as there had to be a glimmer of hope for the future. Janice hadn’t had a drink at dinner last night, but Dulcie wasn’t stupid. She knew the booze kitchen cupboard would have taken quite a battering, and it was only a matter of time before she realised what had gone missing. At the moment though, Dulcie was exhausted after Janice’s stay.

  “Look, I know I’m tired, but for the first time since I’ve been here I just want to get out of the villa to take my mind off Janice. How about climbing a mountain, hiring some canoes, running a marathon or getting a taxi up to Roncia and enjoy the view with a lager or a gin and tonic.”

  Gemma and Rupert thought it was funny, but they knew it would do Dulcie the world of good. Gemma gave Nico a call and arranged for him to pick them up in an hour. Rupert got into a flap about what to wear. Did Dulcie know where she wanted to go for a gin because Rupert’s outfit depended on the establishment. More laughter ensued, but that was just what all three of them needed after the week they had just had.

  “A good choice, Dulcie, but I wish you’d have mentioned this earlier as I wouldn‘t have eaten so much lunch. We could have gone to the chicken restaurant, but I must call it by its proper name, EL Pollo. Not to worry, it’s still very early and we might feel like some food later.”

  It was a good choice, overlooking the piazza and with the mountains in the distance. Gemma could tell that Dulcie was beginning to look better as she took in the scenery around her. The restaurant wasn’t that busy as it was early evening, the time when holidaymakers generally returned to their accommodation to get ready for the evening, so there was a real mix of evening wear and beachwear styles.

  There was no further mention of Janice. They sat there in silence contemplating various issues – Gemma thinking about things which Pablo had said, Dulcie mulling over the week they’d all had, and Rupert in a world of his own, similar to the day in Melencia. Dulcie asked Rupert to get the waiter’s attention to take their order.

  “Thank you. Would it be possible to have a bottle of champagne, please? A nice chilled bottle. Don’t look surprised either of you. We’re celebrating tonight. We’re not holidaymakers anymore, but property owners. With all the upheaval going on, we haven’t actually toasted our new lives here in Spain, have we?”

  “Put like that, Dulcie, I suppose you’re right, and since we’ve been back from Almeria and had to go through all that paperwork and legal stuff, it does feel different. How about you, Gemma, what’re your thoughts on it all?”

  “You’re right, it does seem different, but I can’t put my finger on why exactly. All I can say is I’m so content now, and I haven’t felt like this for a long time. I’ve always drifted from one thing to another, hoping that the next thing would be the one to keep my attention. This just seems right for some reason. Whoever would have thought Spain would be the answer.”

  Champagne poured, and the clinking of glasses to toast their new lives in Spain reminded them of how their lives had all changed in less than a year. None of them found it particularly strange though, it was just as if they were meant to be there.

  “Dulcie, do you remember when we had champagne at that flat in South London? I don’t remember the n
ame of the road, but it was the first flat after we’d split up from our partners. We lived together for about eighteen months, didn‘t we, and it was such a special time, before you met Janice’s dad, that is.”

  “Yes, but this is so different, Rupert. The other times we were running away from life, or should I say, moving on. I remember now. It was Hanson Road and we bought the champagne from the little off-licence on the corner of the street. It cost a fortune, but we wanted it and we were going to have it regardless.”

  “Yes, but we didn’t appreciate it at the time. However, we do both remember it and it’s important to keep hold of memories. We have so many, don’t we, Dulcie.”

  “I’m so jealous of your friendship. There’s nothing more I love than listening to the stories of when you two lived together, the times when you weren’t with each other and seeing you now closer than any couple I know.”

  “Yes, but there was a time when our friendship nearly ended permanently, wasn’t there, Rupert?”

  “What? Did you two fall out? I can hardly believe that.”

  Gemma could tell that Dulcie was obviously referring to a difficult situation. As much as she was curious to learn more about it, she wasn’t sure it was the best time and place to do so. Rupert beckoned the waiter over and ordered another bottle of champagne. Was he building up to telling the whole story? The waiter returned with the bottle and opened it for them, but as Rupert stretched over and held Dulcie’s hand, something gave Gemma the impression he was upset. This could possibly spoil their lovely afternoon.

  “It was the worst point in our relationship, wasn’t it, Dulcie? We’ve never had such a horrible time as that, but you got me through it. We were in our late forties, Gemma. We weren’t living together at the time, and Dulcie had Janice and her work. I was enjoying life working as the Breakfast Manager in an upmarket hotel. We saw each other on the odd weekend, and holidays, and pretend Christmases in February. I should explain that really. Because I always worked the Christmas period and it was extremely busy, we’d get together in February and pretend it was Christmas Day. We’d go the full works too, with a Christmas tree, turkey dinner and even Christmas carols. Janice loved it when she was little, didn’t she? Two Christmases and lots of presents. They were such special times.