The Secret Cove in Croatia

by Julie Caplin

  Nick grinned and shook his head. ‘Siri and Douglas, I didn’t see that coming. I knew she liked him but … looks like he likes her too.’

  Maddie rolled her eyes. ‘Well, you weren’t looking. It’s obvious that she’s crazy about him. Hopefully he’s just woken up to it.’

  Nick lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. ‘You have to bear with us poor sods; we take a while to catch onto a good thing but once we do …’ he paused, giving her a direct look that punched straight into her heart ‘… we don’t let go.’

  Ivan and Gordana were outside the gallery, wreathed in smiles. Their lawyer friend had OKed the contract and they ushered Maddie into the cool bright room ahead of them, exchanging glances brimming with excitement.

  As soon as he looked up from the marble counter, Franjo beamed at her. ‘I have a surprise for you.’

  Clearly Ivan and Gordana had already spoken with Franjo before she’d arrived because they crowded behind her like her very own entourage, following as Franjo led her to the wall opposite.

  ‘Oh! That looks wonderful.’ Maddie clasped her hands tight in front of her, fighting back sudden tears.

  Nick slipped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

  ‘Looks like a proper painting to me,’ he whispered into her ear.

  The picture had been framed and, looking at it now, positioned in the very centre of one pale wall, she couldn’t quite believe that she had painted it. It looked so professional in the stunning thick-edged white wooden frame, simple but elegant, the plain border highlighting the clear, bright colours of her subjects,: the sea, the sky, the sun and the people.

  For a dizzying moment she simply breathed and looked at the picture, a sense of peace and calm settling over her initial excitement. Her picture. In a gallery. It didn’t seem possible. She raised her head and gave Nick a brilliant smile, tears welling up.

  ‘I need to take a photo, for Nina,’ she said, scrabbling in her bag for her phone.

  Ivan nudged her and she looked up at him. He nodded towards the picture. She frowned at him and looked back at the painting and then back at him, realising he was trying to tell her something.

  He nodded again.

  Then she spotted it: the tiny red dot to the right of the picture on the wall. She whirled around to Franjo. ‘You’ve sold it.’

  ‘Provisionally, yes. If you are happy with the terms. We’d like to sell all three for you and more when you have them. Why don’t you come through to the office and we can discuss the contract?’

  ‘Of course they might not sell any more,’ said Maddie twenty minutes later when they emerged from the gallery, her face a little pale but wreathed in a shell-shocked smile.

  ‘Of course they won’t,’ said Nick in an ultra-cheerful voice. ‘Pure fluke. It just happened to sell the minute it went on the wall.’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ interrupted Gordana with an earnest lift of her chin, glowering at Nick. ‘That couple that just went in were very interested.’

  ‘She’s right,’ said Ivan. ‘And I asked around. Gordana’s boyfriend tells me Franjo is a good businessman. The gallery is well established, been here for fifteen years and he has a good reputation.’

  ‘Well, he’s sold a picture for me already. Six and a half thousand kuna. That’s crazy. Seven hundred and fifty pounds. For one of my paintings.’

  Nick nudged her. ‘Told you so.’

  With her lips twitching, ‘Feeling smug now. Do I have to pay you commission?’

  Nick’s eyes lit up. ‘Only in kind.’

  She laughed. ‘Name your price.’

  In high spirits they went back to the little square to find Douglas and Siri sitting side by side, their hands clasped on the table.

  ‘I think we should rename the gulet The Love Boat,’ declared Ivan with a knowing look at Maddie and Nick.

  Maddie blushed but Nick took her hand. Siri gave them both a broad beam.

  ‘I think this calls for a celebration,’ said Douglas, standing up still holding Siri’s hand.

  ‘Well,’ said Maddie, not quite puffing out her chest but very nearly. ‘The champagne is on me. I’ve just sold a painting.’

  ‘That’s amazing. Oh, well done, Maddie.’ Siri jumped up and gave her a big hug, whispering in her ear, ‘And bagged a damn fine man, by the looks of things. You and me have got a lot to talk about.’

  Maddie squeezed her back. ‘We have.’

  ‘Why don’t we buy some champers and take it back to the Avanturista?’ suggested Douglas. ‘I don’t know about you but I’ve missed the old girl and I’d quite like to get back on board.’

  ‘And I need to go back to work, Papa,’ said Gordana. ‘And Mama will be wondering what your plan is. Do you need to go back?’

  Ivan looked at Douglas. ‘The boat is moored in a little bay not far from here. Do you want to come back to port? Or stay there?’

  ‘It’s gorgeous,’ said Maddie. ‘And so peaceful.’

  ‘Peaceful settles it,’ said Douglas. ‘I’ve had enough excitement, thank you.’

  Siri ruefully rubbed his cheek. ‘I am sorry.’

  He placed his hand over hers. ‘That kind of excitement I’m not complaining about, although I’d rather you didn’t do it again.’

  ‘I promise,’ said Siri with uncharacteristic submissiveness.

  ‘Why don’t you bring Zita and the family for lunch tomorrow?’ said Maddie impulsively. ‘I’d like to see her again and thank her for all her help. Without her inside information, I couldn’t have managed. You don’t mind, do you, Douglas?’

  ‘No, not at all.’

  ‘I could take you fishing,’ suggested Ivan. ‘Catch something for dinner.’

  ‘I’m not sure about that,’ said Maddie, holding up both hands in protest. She didn’t have the first clue about scaling or gutting fish.

  ‘It’s all right, Zita can do that for you,’ said Ivan, laughing at her horrified gesture.

  And suddenly it was all decided – tomorrow there’d be nine for lunch and Maddie was looking forward to it.

  Chapter 26

  Siri cornered her in the galley not long after they returned to the boat. Douglas, with a masterful turn, had decided to move into one of the spare cabins rather than go back to the one he’d shared with Cory and had disappeared below deck to move his things. Nick, spotting Siri and her determined intent to get the full story, had snagged a beer from the fridge and kissed Maddie on the nose, preparing to take evasive action.

  ‘Cute,’ said Siri. ‘So how long’s this been going on?’

  She hoisted herself up onto one of the counters with a gin and tonic in her hand as Maddie tried to look busy as she prepared dinner. She’d decided to cook the pasta she’d bought the other day and toss it in truffle oil and lightly toasted walnuts and serve it with a rocket and Parmesan salad. None of which took that much effort or concentration, so it was difficult to avoid Siri’s forthright questioning.

  ‘Three days,’ said Maddie a little shortly. The truth was she was a little nervous as to what Siri might say. How much loyalty did the other girl owe Tara? After all, they’d known each other a lot longer and came from the same sort of world.

  ‘Maddie …’ There was warmth in Siri’s wheedling voice, which made her turn around from her diligent Parmesan-shaving.

  ‘Yes,’ she said, her expression guarded.

  ‘You’re not worried about what I think, are you?’

  Maddie sighed and put down the cheese grater. ‘Yes.’

  ‘But why?’

  ‘Because I’m … the hired help, you know, and not like you lot.’

  ‘Oh, for fuck’s sake,’ exploded Siri. ‘I’m surrounded by idiots. First Douglas. Now you. I think I’ve walked onto the set of fucking Downton bloody Abbey! He’s gone all “gentlemanly” on me and you’re pulling the below-stairs crap.’

  Maddie turned round with a flash of temper. ‘It’s all right for you –you all went to posh private schools and have parents who are
loaded. My mum works down the local factory and only just makes enough to cover the rent. We were the kids on free school meals. I’m the first to go to university, which my mum views with deep suspicion. The way she carries on, you’d think I’d taken up witchcraft. And now I’ve graduated and haven’t got some amazing job, my brothers and sisters never miss the chance to rub it in that it was a huge waste of time and that’s what you get for thinking you’re better than everyone else.’ The truth was she felt like she was in some limbo between two worlds.

  ‘Yeah, and have you stopped to look at what a bunch of fuck-ups we are, despite having money? Douglas has been trying to keep up with the Joneses and bankrolling bloody Cory, making himself miserable for the last two years.’ She tugged at the big beaded necklace around her neck, her thumb rubbing the biggest amber bead in the centre. ‘We’re nothing special, just got lucky with our birth. Douglas’s granddad was a coal miner. Douglas’s dad was an engineer who happened to invent some clever widget and, lucky for me, asked my dad to go into business with him. They made the money which gave us the chance to go to good schools.

  ‘I’m a complete screw-up. Been pining for the stupid bastard and taking every job I could to get out of the country away from him. And you do know Simon comes from a council estate himself?’

  ‘What? Simon?’

  ‘Yeah. He doesn’t have a pot to piss in. Douglas bails him out all the time. They were at school together because Simon got some amazing tennis scholarship, but he’s got no money.’

  ‘Simon?’ That couldn’t be right. He was as posh as posh came.

  ‘I promise. You should hear how he speaks when he goes home to Dagenham.’

  ‘But … but …’

  ‘Cory’s no better. She likes to say she went to school in Cheltenham, as if it were Cheltenham Ladies College; what she means is she went to the local secondary school there. In fact, I think Tara probably is the only one who is properly posh and, let’s face it, she’s the biggest fuck-up of us all. Neurotic, with absolutely no self-esteem.’

  Maddie winced.

  ‘Exactly. So, out of everyone, well, perhaps apart from Nick, who seems a genuinely nice guy from a nice family, I’d say you were the most decent person of all of us. And please –’ she twisted her lips ‘– don’t you think that going to university despite your background shows you really wanted to go, shows that you’ve got more guts and initiative than the rest of us put together? Douglas and I went to uni because we didn’t have a clue what else to do and it was expected of us.’

  Maddie almost grated her thumbnail, her mind digesting all that Siri had said.

  ‘Now, lecture over. And if you say anything that bloody stupid again I might just slap you too.’ Siri’s mischievous grin robbed the words of any genuine threat, although, on past performance, Maddie wasn’t sure she wouldn’t.

  ‘Now, what can I do to help?’

  ‘You can lay the table,’ said Maddie. ‘And get the champagne flutes out. We’re celebrating tonight.’

  ‘Hmm, yes. We might need more than champers. I’ve got to work out how to get Douglas drunk enough to take me to bed.’

  Maddie laughed. ‘Can’t you just seduce him?’

  ‘Is that what you did with Nick? I mean, how much more sodding obvious do I have to be?’

  ‘I kissed him and …’ she lifted her shoulders, her face lit with a misty smile at the memory ‘… let’s just say he got with the programme pretty quickly.’

  ‘Hmph, lucky you. Stupid idiot’s got some stupid idea that we need to wait so that we’re sure this isn’t just a holiday thing. Doesn’t want to ruin our friendship.’ She pulled a face so grumpy that Maddie had to turn round to hide her smile.

  ‘Ah,’ she said, trying to sound sympathetic.

  ‘Thing is,’ Siri huffed, ‘I’ve been bloody waiting since I was sixteen.’

  ‘Oh, that is a long time. And you’ve never changed your mind?’

  ‘Nope. As soon as I knew he was the one, that was it. I think it’s a family trait. My dad was the same. Fell in love with my mum and she was engaged to someone else. But he waited it out. Although Mum cut it fine, only called the wedding off two weeks before. I’m like Dad, I’ve been waiting even though I thought it was hopeless.’

  ‘Right, I’m taking these glasses up. Anything else? Gosh, it reminds me of that first night when you brought up that tray of glasses. Seems ages ago. And now … everything’s changed. You. Nick. Me. Douglas. And it’s amazing about your paintings. When you’re exhibiting at Tate Modern, I’ll be able to say, I knew her before she was famous.’

  Maddie snorted. ‘We’ll see.’ But the sale of the first picture had fired up her desire to paint more. As well as the business card that Bill had insisted she keep. Maybe, just maybe, she might be able to earn some money from her drawing and painting. She already had some ideas for beach scenes with typical holidaymakers on the British coast; perhaps she could visit places and paint the landscape for local galleries and shops.

  It turned into one of the nicest evenings of the whole trip and Maddie felt like she was one of four friends on holiday. Siri kept her company in the galley while she cooked, fetching and carrying, and the two men did the washing-up afterwards.

  ‘Will you stop topping up my wine glass, Siri?’ said Douglas after their fourth round of cards, as the tealights flickered on the table on the deck. ‘I’m not stupid, you know.’ He folded his arms, attempting to look implacable, which made Siri’s lips twitch before she peered at him over the top of her hand of cards. ‘I could have suggested strip poker.’

  ‘You’re incorrigible,’ he said. ‘What would your mother say?’

  ‘Why don’t you ring her and ask her? You do know that she and your mum will be choosing wedding hats, so we might as well get on with it.’

  Both Nick and Maddie tried to hide their sniggers as he took her hand under the table.

  ‘Get on with it?’ Douglas narrowed his eyes. ‘You’re such a romantic, Siri.’

  ‘Well, I’m just being practical.’

  ‘And I’m trying to be a gentleman and you’re making it very difficult,’ said Douglas very grumpily.

  ‘Good,’ said Siri with decided relish, a triumphant tilt to her head. ‘And a gentleman is the last thing I want you to be.’ She shot him a look that suggested so many indecent things that Maddie choked on her wine.

  Nick tugged at her hand and pulled her to her feet, grabbing his wine glass. ‘I think we’ll go and do some stargazing on the top deck for a while.’

  As they mounted the steps to the sun deck, carefully carrying their glasses of wine, Maddie whispered with another snigger, ‘I feel quite guilty leaving him unprotected.’

  Nick laughed. ‘So do I but I’m more scared of Siri. She’s a woman on a mission.’ He put his arm around her to lead her towards the bank of sunloungers.

  ‘Want me to be a woman on a mission?’ murmured Maddie against his neck as she grazed his skin with a quick kiss.

  He pulled her tighter to him. ‘That boat is already well and truly docked. It’s not going anywhere for a while.’

  They dragged two sunloungers to the edge of the deck to look out over the dark bay, lit by a half moon reflected in the water. Maddie could hear the gentle lap, lap of the water against the hull of the boat. The clear night sky revealed thousands upon thousands of stars. More than Maddie had ever imagined were in the sky. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it,’ she said.

  ‘No light pollution,’ said Nick, wrapping an arm around her. ‘Reminds me of home.’

  As her eyes adjusted to the light, she studied his profile. He looked thoughtful as he stared out at the moonlit bay full of shadows and secrets. ‘I sometimes go up on the fell on a summer’s night. It’s beautiful. Just look up. Stare for ages.’ He took her hand, carefully lacing his fingers through hers and clasping it with the other in a careful protective gesture that for some reason made her heart pinch. ‘Looking up like this makes me feel homesick.’ She saw him swallow
and squeezed his fingers between hers. ‘I don’t think I could live anywhere else. This is nice. But it’s not home.’ He paused and without turning around he asked very quietly, ‘Think you could live on a sheep farm in the middle of nowhere? Twenty miles from the nearest supermarket. Cut off in the winter.’

  In the quietness of the night, she felt the import of the question and took her time before answering.

  ‘I lived in Paris.’ She stared at the oasis of light on the water cast by the moon, reflecting on the contrast. ‘One of the most beautiful, cosmopolitan cities in the world. And I was the loneliest I’d ever been. Meeting your sister and the others at the patisserie made such a difference. It made me realise it doesn’t matter where you live, it’s the people you live with, or around you, that matter.’ She paused, realising that Nick had gone very still next to her, and leaned against him, feeling his rock-solid shoulder next to hers. ‘I’d … I think I’d be willing to give it a go. I’m guessing it’s quite beautiful.’

  ‘I think so, but I might be biased.’

  ‘Would people buy paintings of the scenery?’

  Nick turned and kissed her temple, his warm breath fanning her face. ‘If they were painted by you, definitely.’

  ‘This is all moving fast.’ Maddie felt anxiety rub low in her belly. Nick seemed so sure and confident. She felt way out of her depth.

  ‘Maddie …’ he kissed her gently on the lips ‘… there’s no pressure. Let’s just take each day as it comes. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?’

  Chapter 27

  Siri emerged looking tousled and triumphant the next morning as Nick was down in the galley cooking breakfast, the tantalising smell of bacon drifting up to the deck.

  ‘Morning,’ said Maddie. ‘You look like the cat that’s drunk an entire vat of cream and then some.’

  Siri raised her arms above her head and stretched with a lazy groan. ‘And then some.’

  ‘Douglas succumbed to your womanly wiles, then.’