by Ian Wilfred
“Oh, Gemma! It’s even better than the photos. It’s like something from a film set, and to think this is your home. What do you think, Brian?”
“I’m amazed! One thing’s for sure, you won’t be giving all this up as quickly as you have the other jobs. I didn’t mean that to sound so bad, but it’s so gorgeous here, and like your mother said, it’s your home.”
Gemma led them up the path to the villa pointing out the different patios and of course the pool. She got them to leave their bags and cases at the open patio door and took them around to the side terrace to meet Rupert and Dulcie who they had briefly met once back in England. More hugs and kisses, and Rupert was in his element playing the happy host.
He insisted on them sitting down and chatting to Gemma while he got them all drinks. Brian joked that the employers were now waiting on the staff, but at least he and Linda seemed relaxed and comfortable in their new surroundings. Of course, the wine was helping, and as Rupert was topping up the glasses, Pablo and Dario arrived. Rupert then let Gemma take over, while he had a quick word with Dario. Surprise, surprise, he was asking him to man the barbecue. Dulcie and Gemma had a quick giggle over that out of earshot.
“While Dario gets the barbecue going, I’ll show you to your room. You might like to change clothes, as we’ll be eating in about half an hour.”
“Don’t just show them their rooms, dear. Show your parents the whole villa too. Rupert’s assured me his room is tidy and ready for inspection.”
“I don’t know how you dare say such a thing, Dulcie with all the clothes and shoes you have. The only reason we bought this place was that it was a cheaper option than shipping your clothes home.”
Rupert and Dulcie were on top form. They really did love entertaining and that always made Gemma’s job so much easier. So time for the tour of the villa, and both Linda and Brian were speechless with both the living area to the villa and the beautiful view. This was on a completely different scale to anything they’d ever experienced before.
“We’ve not seen your room yet, darling. Lead us to the staff quarters.”
Gemma was smiling to herself. As she led the way she knew what her dad would be expecting – a little room at the back of the building! They were both shocked to see Gemma had the same sized room as the guest room. Gemma left them both to get changed while she got the barbecue food out of the fridge. She was so pleased she had brought the huge trays to carry everything on as it would mean fewer trips back and forth and she could also group things like dips and sauces, and bread rolls together. With that, she heard footsteps coming her way.
“Hi, Dario. Have you come to collect the meat? I’ve put it all on that tray.”
“No, I want a kiss. I’ve been waiting all day.”
“Not now! My mum and dad could come through, but later, I promise. Wasn’t it nice this morning, having coffee together and…?”
“You’re only saying that because I bought you two pastries.”
Linda emerged as Dario went out with the tray of meat. She commented on Dario being such a nice young man, which made Gemma blush, but before she could answer, her dad came through and the three of them went out to the terrace area, each carrying a tray. That caused a few comments about Gemma already getting her parents working while they were on holiday.
The barbecue was a great success mainly due to Rupert handing over the cooking duties to Dario. Pablo couldn’t stop enthusing over Gemma’s skills in designing the refurbishment for the old villa, and becoming quite emotional; while Dulcie was saying how both she and Rupert had been worried that Gemma wouldn’t stay when she knew it would be a permanent home, and how they couldn’t manage without her.
By this time, Brian, who had had a few drinks, couldn’t help joking about how his daughter had suddenly turned into Wonder Woman. Linda kept telling him not to tease Gemma, but he did say how proud he was of her, and one day she’d make someone a lovely wife.
“That’s exactly what I keep telling my grandson, isn’t that right, Dario? If he’s not careful, someone else will whisk her off her feet and he’ll only have himself to blame.”
Both Dario and Gemma were blushing but Linda had that look on her face as if to say she knew what was going on. It had been a lovely evening and Gemma was so glad Rupert had suggested Dario and Pablo join them. It was getting late now; Rupert and Dulcie were looking tired, as were Linda and Brian. Dario helped carry everything into the kitchen, and they shared a little kiss and cuddle in the utility room. It had been the perfect evening to start her parents’ holiday.
As he brought in a tray of glasses, Dario’s phone bleeped with a text message. Gemma thought it was probably Nico updating him on the airport runs, but his expression told a different story. Gemma asked whether everything was alright, but Dario just placed the phone on the kitchen island unit and rubbed his face. It was obvious there was a problem.
“Maya’s managed to get a week off work, and wondered if the lovely couple at the villa where Mateo and I will be staying would mind if she came too.”
Chapter 45
Crash! Bang! Wallop! That’s exactly how Gemma felt. Her life was never straightforward; always someone or something to throw a spanner in the works and this time it was Maya.
However, Gemma felt sorry for Dario too. The last thing in the world he really wanted was to spend his holiday with her. He’d been so looking forward to time alone with Mateo. He’d have to tell Rupert and Dulcie that they wouldn’t be staying now. What a nerve Maya had to just phone up and ask like that. If Dario told her they’d be staying up in Roncia instead, that might be enough to make her change her mind, and furthermore there was no way Gemma wanted to stay under the same roof as her for two weeks.
Dulcie wanted the breakfast things laid out nicely on the terrace being that it was Linda and Brian’s first morning. They had already decided to spend the day by the pool and then Gemma and her parents were planning to walk down to the pizza restaurant in town for dinner.
“Morning, Mum. You’re up early. Didn’t you sleep well?”
“Oh, yes, I did actually, very well indeed. I’ve been awake for a couple of hours, but I saw you out the window as well as another lady sweeping around the pool”
Gemma explained that was Maria. Linda was shocked that those duties weren’t included in Gemma’s role. Gemma chatted to her mother while she prepared the table, and Linda joked that it was just like staying in a five star hotel, not that she really knew what that was like! She didn’t think Brian would be up for a while as he’d had far too much to drink as Rupert wouldn’t stop filling his glass.
“I don’t think Rupert and Dulcie will be up that early. After a night like that they generally take the next day a bit slower. Do you like them both, Mum? They treat me so well, and although I do work seven days a week, it’s not what you really call work, is it? To be honest, apart from when Dulcie’s daughter, Janice, is here, life is just one big laugh. As you can imagine, Rupert does love to hold court.”
“They couldn’t sing your praises loud enough last night. Dulcie said you really understand them, so anything they can’t do, you do without even mentioning it. Even Pablo became quite emotional telling us about all you’d done at his villa. By all accounts you saved his business from going under. You must be so proud of yourself, Gemma. I must say that both your father and I are extremely proud of the way you run this place.
“So, where does Dario fit into all of this? He’s a very good looking lad and he obviously thinks the world of you. I noticed how he couldn’t take his eyes off you last night, and if his grandfather has a say in it he would have you married with half a dozen children. If that’s what you want, Gemma, we’d be very happy for you. Oh, that sounds like someone in the kitchen. It’s Dulcie.”
“I’ll make her a coffee. Would you like another one, Mum? Stupid of me to ask really, of course you would.”
Gemma made the coffee and took a few things out of the fridge. She was right about Dulcie, who was looking a
little fragile – a combination of too much drink and a late night, but a couple of days rest and she’d be on the party bus again.
“Didn’t we have a lovely evening, dear, and did your parents enjoy themselves last night? I hope we made them welcome and Rupert didn’t frighten them. He does get a little excited at times.”
“We all had a great time, Dulcie, thanks to you and Rupert’s hospitality. Mum’s out on the terrace. Why don’t you go and join her, and I’ll bring your coffee? I think a large glass of water wouldn’t go a miss either.”
“Just one more thing. Did anything happen with you and Dario last night? He didn’t look at all happy when he left.”
Gemma told Dulcie about the text from Maya and because of that they wouldn’t be staying at the villa but up at Pablo’s sister’s house in Roncia. Dulcie was quite upset as she was really looking forward to having Mateo come to stay. That reminded her, she’d forgotten to tell Gemma that Craig had sent them a text congratulating them on buying the villa. Apparently, he was sad not to be coming back now, but he knew where all his future holidays would be spent. It was strange, but Craig hadn’t crossed Gemma’s mind for weeks, if not months. How their lives had moved on!
Breakfast, as usual, was a huge success. Everyone was a little fragile and the rest of the day was spent by the pool and in the shade. Linda was finding it hard to adapt to Gemma doing everything. She had to be reminded it was her job even though it didn’t look like one. Gemma got up to date with everything and at seven o’clock headed down the hill with her parents to walk the full length of the promenade before going to the pizza restaurant for dinner.
“This is so beautiful and to have it right on your door step! You’re so lucky, and I still can’t get over the fact that this all started with you helping Dulcie when she fell over.”
“Yes, Brian. Gemma’s very lucky to have a good job and a lovely home, but from what I can see she works very hard for it.”
“You’re right, and I know what’s on your mind. You want to ask me what I’ll do when Dulcie and Rupert are no longer here. Well, I don’t think I need to worry about that for now as their health has improved so much since moving here. We don’t make plans for the future, just take each day at a time, visitors come and go and that’s basically it. Why worry about the future when you don’t know what that future is? Now come on, let’s pick up the pace a bit or we’ll never get to the end of the promenade.”
Eventually they did reach the end, with Gemma pointing different things out to them on the way. They couldn’t believe how many local people stopped to speak to them, even just saying hello to Gemma. It was all so friendly. The walk had taken away any doubts Linda and Brian had about their daughter emigrating to Spain, and Gemma could tell they were very happy for her. Finally they arrived at the pizza restaurant and as usual it was busy. They managed to get a table and ordered two pizzas between them to share and a carafe of wine, which was drunk very slowly – unlike the previous evening when Rupert had constantly been topping up their glasses.
Gemma could tell that her father was getting round to asking her something and guessed that it would be about Dario, being that Pablo and the villa had come up in the conversation several times. Instead, she brought him into the conversation telling them that he moved to Graingcia to help Pablo out after his grandmother had passed away. She also mentioned that his parents lived in Madrid and owned a furniture shop. Brian was impressed. He commented on what a decent young man Dario was, and Linda then asked if perhaps one evening the four of them could go out to dinner together.
“Yes, Mum, that would be lovely, and I know Dario would really like that. However, everything isn’t quite as perfect as it looks. There is something you need to know and that’s Dario has a son, Mateo. I won’t go into all the details, but he lives in Madrid and sadly doesn’t see him very often. I haven’t met him yet, but Dario’s never kept him a secret from me. Anyway, I might be meeting him in two weeks’ time. Dario has a good relationship with Mateo’s mother, but they don’t have a future together. They just want what’s best for Mateo.”
“Gemma, that tells me that Dario really must think a lot of you if he wants you to be part of his son’s life, don’t you agree, Linda? You do know that it won’t be easy to build a relationship with this little boy. It could take years, but like you said earlier, why worry about the future? Now, did you mention ice cream?”
Chapter 46
Linda and Brian’s holiday was nearly over, and Gemma had thoroughly enjoyed her time with them. It had been a relaxing holiday, mainly spent by the pool with meals either at the villa or down in the town. They’d also been out with Dario and Rupert and Dulcie had enjoyed their company. It really had been a good two weeks and today Gemma was going to take her parents to the beach at Ceola, then onto Melencia for a paella where Dario would join them with Rupert and Dulcie.
The other thing which had been finalised was the arrangements for Mateo’s stay. Dulcie and Dario had spent a lot of time discussing this and it had been suggested that only Maya and Mateo would stay at the villa, while Dario would stay in Roncia. Gemma wasn’t happy that Maya was coming at all, and knew the reason was because of the beautiful villa. At least Dario wouldn’t be spending too much time with her though. He’d planned to come down to play with his son during the day, spending time on the beach and then move down to the villa for the second week when Maya was to be leaving.
Gemma had purposely kept out of the planning discussions, although there were times when she felt like screaming. The last thing she wanted was to be in the same house as Maya. Even though she had never met her before, and it was probably true to say that she was a lovely person, the fact that she and Dario had produced a child together meant that there had once been a lot of love and affection between them, and Gemma was having difficulty coming to terms with that.
“Gemma, you’re miles away. I don’t think you’ve heard a word I’ve been saying. We’re ready to go to the beach now.”
“Sorry, Mum. Yes, just let me get my bag and check that Dulcie doesn’t need anything.”
Dulcie was fine and was looking forward to meeting up with them for an evening meal later. She also tried to reassure Gemma that Maya’s visit would work out well. It would only be for a week and then she’d be able to enjoy being with Dario and Mateo herself.
“I hope you’re right, Dulcie, but it’s going to be so awkward, isn’t it? She’s bound to pick up on how Dario looks at me and then that could cause problems.”
“So what if she does? She’s going to find out about the pair of you eventually anyway, and when she does she’ll realise what a caring person you’ll be to Mateo and she’ll be happy.”
“Oh, I don’t know, Dulcie. I’m beginning to wonder whether my relationship with Dario is a step too far. Do I really want a child in my life? I can’t say I do, and that’s not a nice thing to have to admit. I’d best be going now, so see you tonight at the restaurant. Have a lovely day.”
Once they had walked down into the town Brian suggested they go and get some pastries to take with them. Gemma explained that there were dozens of bakeries in Ceola, which brought a big smile to his face and gave Linda a chance to joke about how much weight he’d put on during his holiday.
Gemma’s phone bleeped with a text message from Dario to say how much he was looking forward to the evening meal. It crossed her mind that in some respects she wished she was only going to spend the evening with her parents, but then she knew she would miss them when they returned to England. They were now the closest they’d been for a long time and it felt quite special. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too long before they‘d be back for another holiday. Rupert and Dulcie had told them there was an open invitation to them, and they would be sure of a warm welcome.
The bus to Ceola was hot, packed full of passengers and with a lot of noisy children, but Brian and Linda loved it. They said the atmosphere reminded them of their childhood outings to the seaside and all they needed was a good sing
song. Thankfully, it was time to get off before Brian started singing!
“First stop the bakery! Lead the way, Gemma.”
Brian was like a little child being taken to the sweet shop! Although he’d eaten far too many naughty things during his holiday, Gemma enjoyed seeing his face light up when he saw a cake.
Pastries bought, and now to find a nice spot on the beach, although that meant a long walk from the town.
“Oh look, a market! Let’s go and have a look.”
“Linda, it’s too busy. Come on, let’s get to the beach.”
“Well, you’ve got what you wanted, the pastries. It won’t take too long.”
Of course Brian agreed, he would do anything to please his wife although Gemma thought it was hot and too busy, so hopefully her mother wouldn’t want to spend too long there. As they wandered down one side of the market Gemma noticed Pablo walking towards them. She had forgotten he came here once a week to get rid of all the old china from the villa.
“Morning, Pablo.”
“Hi, Gemma. Hi, you two, how’s the holiday going?”
“Lovely, thanks. We’re going home the day after tomorrow, so we’re having a day on the beach today, although reluctantly these two are letting me look around the market first.”
“It’s not that busy today as it’s rather hot now. I think I’ll give it a miss after this market day, as at the moment the people only seem to want ice creams.”
“Oh, what a good idea. Time for an ice cream.”
They all laughed and told Pablo how Brian had a bag full of pastries. Pablo smiled and said they were his downfall too, joking that Brian would have to go on a diet before his next holiday. He’d have to look his best as hopefully before too long his grandson would be planning a wedding. With all eyes on a blushing Gemma, she hurriedly tried to change the subject back to getting to the beach. They said their goodbyes, left the market and headed off towards the beach.