Villa of Sun and Secrets

by Jennifer Bohnet

  It was an hour later when he rang again. This time on her mobile. Deciding it would be childish to ignore him she picked up the phone. ‘Hello David.’

  ‘Carla, darling. Everything all right? Settled back in okay?’

  ‘Thank you, yes. I’ve made a good start on sorting out my things. Planning a charity shop run first thing Monday morning.’

  Silence at the other end.

  ‘David, are you still there?’

  ‘Yes, I’m still here, wishing you didn’t feel the need to move out.’

  ‘Well, you’re the guilty party in this so why don’t you move out and I’ll stay until the house is sold.’ Carla heard David’s sharp intake of breath.

  ‘I’m not moving anywhere. I think we can work through this. Did you like the roses?’

  ‘The roses are beautiful, thank you,’ Carla said. ‘But I wish you’d accept the fact that I need to move on with my life.’ When David didn’t respond, Carla added, ‘Filling the fridge with so much food was very generous of you. Maddy’s coming for supper tomorrow to help eat some of it.’ No need to mention she was bringing a friend. David would only demand details and she didn’t have any to give him.

  ‘That’s good,’ David said. ‘Wish I could join you both. Long time since we had a family supper in the kitchen.’

  ‘You’ve been busy in the evenings for a long time, David,’ Carla said, trying to keep her voice neutral but determined to make him realise whose fault that was.

  ‘I’m sorry about that,’ David said before lapsing into silence again.

  ‘Was there anything else? I’m planning an early night.’

  ‘I’ll say goodnight then. Talk to you in the week. Sleep well.’

  Sunday morning and Carla was up early to fetch a couple of suitcases from the rack in the garage ready to start filling with her things. It was mid-afternoon before everything was tidied away, the car full of bags ready for delivery to the charity shop and rubbish in the boot to throw away and she could begin to prepare supper. Roast chicken with all the trimmings. Followed by upside-down apple cake with cream for dessert. She hummed happily to herself as she worked. The house was full of delicious cooking smells when she jumped in the shower to freshen up before Maddy and her friend arrived.

  Sam was a surprise. Maddy’s recent boyfriends had all tended to be sophisticated men about town with high-powered jobs in banking or IT. Sam, at six feet, with a physique that could only be described as burly, ginger stubble and a smile that went all the way up to his eyes, was the complete antithesis to them. Carla liked him immediately. She couldn’t help but wonder what David would make of him though. The fact that Maddy seemed nervous as she introduced Sam made Carla wonder if she was serious about him.

  Chatting over aperitifs in the sitting room, she learnt that Sam, a qualified architect, had recently started his own ecological building business.

  ‘I like getting hands on,’ he explained. ‘Being in an office for too long frustrates me. Now I design, get my hands dirty with the building and help the environment. Win-win,’ and he smiled disarmingly at Carla.

  ‘I’m looking at a couple of houses this week,’ Carla said. ‘But I doubt that any of them will tick many boxes on the ecological front, none of them are new-build.’

  Sam looked as if he was about to say something, but Maddy got in first.

  ‘I can’t imagine you and Dad not being together in this house any more. I’m so cross with him. I still can’t get my head around the two of you divorcing.’

  ‘To be honest, neither can I, but it will happen,’ Carla said. ‘I’ll go and check on things in the kitchen. I’m sure Sam would appreciate a change in the conversation, so take a look at the house brochures on the coffee table. Sam, you can tell me if any of them would be considered environmentally friendly. I’ve got an appointment to view the top one next week.’

  The phone rang at eight o’clock, just as Sam was spearing the last roast potato.

  Carla sighed. ‘That’ll be David. I’m not answering it. If you want to, Maddy, you can.’

  ‘Hi, Dad.’

  Carla took a sip of her wine as she tried not to listen to the one-sided conversation. Sam leant across the table and whispered, ‘I survived my parents’ divorce three years ago and Maddy will do the same. Don’t worry.’

  Carla smiled at him gratefully.

  ‘Mum’s fine considering what you’re putting her through,’ Maddy said, an edge to her voice. There was silence for about a minute as Maddy listened to David, before taking a deep sigh. ‘Whatever, Dad, but you’re going to have your work cut out to persuade her, she’s looking at houses next week. No, she doesn’t want to talk to you, that’s why I answered the phone. Bye,’ and Maddy ended the call.

  Carla got up from the table. ‘I’ll fetch dessert and then I need to pick your brains about Granny’s ashes. I have no idea where to scatter them. I’m hoping you’ll come up with a place and come with me when I do the deed.’

  12

  Over the next week, Carla slipped into a routine that, apart from the fact that she had a couple of house viewings with the estate agent, was depressingly similar to the one she’d followed before going to France. But she did manage to fit in a couple of hours to help Mavis out in the charity shop one afternoon, something she enjoyed.

  The estate agent had reacted with a relieved sigh when she’d told him her plans for using No. 29 as a temporary bolthole looked unlikely to happen. He’d been worried about things delaying completion.

  The solicitor, too, had reacted with caution when she’d mentioned her plans. ‘Moving out of the marital home before a settlement is reached is never a good idea.’

  Scouring the local paper and letting agencies proved futile, unless she fancied renting a top-floor flat in the prestigious block overlooking the park, which, to be honest, she did quite fancy, until she saw the price per month, £1800. The obvious solution was to find a house she liked enough to buy and push for a same-day completion date as No. 29. But so far none of the houses she’d seen had appealed. Despite having told David she had no intention of staying in the house with him, she was realising that, sensibly, she had no real alternative. But if she stayed, she was determined it would be on her terms. She’d spell it out so that David would be left in no doubt the divorce was going ahead. Having insisted she wouldn’t be staying when he returned, he was sure to take her continued presence as a hopeful sign of her forgiveness.

  Driving home after yet another disappointing house viewing, she thought about the next day when David was due back. Even with a six hour drive ahead of him, he was unlikely to set off before ten o’clock, so hopefully it would be late afternoon before he arrived home and she had to face him.

  Swinging quickly onto the drive, she almost drove straight into the back of the car parked in front of the garage doors before slamming the brakes on and stopping a mere millimetre away from its bumper. David was home.

  She was sitting there shaken and trying to resist the urge to reverse and drive off when David appeared and opened the driver’s door. Carla turned off the engine, pulled on the handbrake and got out of the car.

  ‘Thought I’d surprise you and come home early,’ David said.

  ‘You certainly did that and you very nearly had a surprise dent in your car,’ Carla said. ‘How long have you been back?’

  ‘About a minute. I thought you’d be here and we could spend some time together. Haven’t even got my things out of the car yet.’ David opened the rear door of his car and took out his case. ‘Where have you been?’

  ‘Viewing a house.’

  ‘Any good?’ David asked, clearly trying and failing to sound interested.

  Carla shook her head. ‘House could be fine, but I got the feeling the neighbours could be a problem. Lots of dogs.’ She locked her car and followed David into the house. ‘I’m going to make a cup of tea. Want one?’

  ‘Thanks. I’ll just pop my stuff upstairs.’

  When he came down, he looked
at Carla. ‘You didn’t sleep in our room.’

  Carla, pouring the boiling water into the teapot, didn’t answer. She wasn’t yet ready for where that conversation would lead. Instead, she said, ‘How come you left the conference early?’

  David shrugged. ‘I’d done my bit and the last day of these things is always a bit of an anti-climax. I’d rather be at home. With you,’ he added. ‘I thought I could take you out for dinner this evening.’

  Carla took a deep breath. There was still lots of the food that David had filled the fridge with left. Going out to dinner with him was not on her agenda. ‘I’d rather eat in. I need to talk to you and it would be easier to talk here.’ It would be churlish not to make a meal for the two of them. She moved across and opened the fridge. ‘How about I make us steak and sauté potatoes with a salad?’

  ‘Food sounds great, not sure about the talk though,’ David said. ‘I was hoping you…’ his voice trailed away as Carla looked at him. ‘Okay. I’ll open a bottle of red to breathe. Then I’m going to jump in the shower.’

  Before starting to make supper, Carla opened her iPad and started to make a note of the things she needed to remember to say to David. It was important that he understood exactly where she was coming from. When she was sure she’d remembered everything, she clicked save and switched it off.

  By the time David came back downstairs, the salad was made, the potatoes were cooking ready to be sautéed in the steak juices, fried mushrooms and onions were keeping warm in the oven set on low and the steaks were seasoned and ready to hit the hot pan.

  David poured two glasses of red wine and handed one to Carla. ‘Cheers. It’s good to be home.’

  Carla clinked his glass with hers silently and returned her attention to the stove.

  Ten minutes later, when they were both sitting at the kitchen table with their meal in front of them, Carla spoke. ‘David, I’m sorry, but I’m not moving out as I said I would.’

  ‘I’m not sorry. I’m glad you’re staying. We’ll work things out, you’ll see,’ David said, reaching across the table to hold her hand and sighing as she moved it out of his grasp.

  ‘No, David, I’m not staying to “work things out” with you. I’m staying for two reasons. The first is my solicitor has advised me to stay until we’ve reached a financial settlement. The second reason is moving into No. 29 isn’t practical and I don’t have anywhere else to go yet.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Lots of people are having to stay living in the same house for financial reasons these days when their marriage fails, so we’re not alone. At least we’re lucky in that we know it won’t be for ever – probably no longer than three months, six, maximum. Once Mum’s house has sold, I’ll be out of your way.’

  ‘That’s lucky, is it?’

  Carla ignored his remark. ‘But we do need to talk about a few ground rules for living separate lives in the same house. I’ve taken over the guest room, as you know, and I’ll use the family bathroom. I’ll do the cleaning necessary for both. Master bedroom and en suite is down to you.’ She held her hand up as David went to speak. ‘Let me finish. I won’t be doing any washing, cooking or shopping for you, so you’ll need to organise yourself there. I’ll clear a shelf in the fridge for my food. Lastly, I will endeavour to stay out of your way as much as possible. Anything you want to add to the list?’

  David sighed. ‘You seem hell-bent on ending our marriage without giving me a chance to prove how sorry I am. Other couples survive infidelity.’

  ‘Foolishly I’ve ignored your infidelity for years. If this was the first time you’d cheated on me and you were promising it would never happen again, I might have considered staying,’ Carla said. ‘But we both know it’s not the first time and we know that six months, a year, down the line the chances are you’ll meet someone else you fancy and it will all start again. Sorry, but I don’t want to hang around waiting for that to happen – I deserve better.’

  In the silence that followed, Carla continued to eat her meal, although her appetite had diminished somewhat and she had difficulty swallowing. David seemed to prefer drinking the red wine to eating and pushed his food around his plate. When Carla stood up to put her things in the dishwasher, David pushed his plate away and stood up.

  ‘I’m going to watch the sports channel,’ he said and he poured the last of the wine into his glass.

  ‘This came for you while you were away,’ Carla said, taking the large white envelope with the name of her solicitors postmarked across the top from the dresser and handing it to David. From the look on his face, David realised what it was and he took it from her without a word and left the kitchen.

  Carla sank back down onto her chair, exhausted. That had been harder than she’d expected and, as unresponsive as David had been, she knew there was every chance he’d make life as difficult as he could for her rather than let her walk away.

  Her mobile rang. Wearily, she picked it up and glanced at the caller ID. And was instantly alert.

  ‘Tante Josette. Ça va?’

  ‘Oui merci. The notaire has the papers ready for signature. Can you come soon? The tenants moved out of the villa yesterday, so you will be able to see inside when you come.’

  ‘I’ll book a flight for early next week. May I stay with you again or shall I book a room somewhere?’

  ‘Of course you can stay here,’ Josette said. ‘We have a lot to discuss. Let me know the flight details and I’ll book a rendezvous with the notaire. A bientôt.’

  Carla smiled as she put the phone down on the table. A short reprieve from living in the house with David. Her smiled faded as she realised she had yet to tell him about inheriting a half share in Villa Mimosa.

  13

  Carla dragged her suitcase down the ancient street towards Josette’s cottage past the same collie dog asleep in a doorway. Overhead, the sun shone from a cloudless blue sky and Carla could feel the perspiration trickling down her back.

  Josette answered her knock on the door immediately with an ‘Entre, it’s open’ and enveloped her in a hug as soon as she was inside.

  ‘Gordon and I have just finished lunch. You remember my friend, Gordon? Can I get you something to eat?’ Josette asked.

  ‘I had a sandwich on the plane, but a glass of ice-cold rosé would be welcome,’ Carla said. ‘But, first, can I change into something cooler? I can’t believe how hot it is here.’

  Five minutes later, she’d slipped into her favourite sundress and was sitting under the shade of the parasol in the courtyard sipping a glass of wine.

  ‘Oh, it’s good to be back.’

  Gordon stood up. ‘Sorry, ladies, I have to leave. Got a date with a horse in Cagnes-sur-mer. Wish me luck. I’ll see both of you tomorrow evening. I’ll let myself out,’ he said to Josette as he took his empty wine glass into the kitchen.

  ‘We’ve both been invited to a May Day party on board a boat moored in the marina. A friend of Gordon’s,’ Josette said when Carla looked at her questioningly. ‘Should be fun. How’s things at home?’

  Carla pulled a face. ‘Not good. Glad to get away. David is not happy with the current arrangement of us living separate lives in the same house.’

  ‘Can’t be easy for you either,’ Josette said. ‘Fancy a walk round to Villa Mimosa this afternoon?’

  ‘Please – I can’t wait to see inside. Wonder if I’ll recognise it after all these years. When’s our rendezvous with the notaire?’

  ‘Ah, I hope you’re not planning on rushing back home? He couldn’t fit us in until Wednesday afternoon of next week in the end.’ Josette didn’t add that she’d refused the offer of a meeting first thing in the morning, suspecting that Carla would feel she ought to go home soon afterwards, which Josette thought would be a waste of the air fare.

  ‘No, not rushing anywhere. Right now I don’t care if the meeting had been postponed until next month,’ Carla said. ‘I’m just happy to be here. Away from the atmosphere at home. And having to make important decisions when I’m not sure about a
nything.’

  ‘That bad, hmm?’

  ‘David doesn’t believe we should be divorcing. He seems to think if he pays me more attention and is extra nice to me I’ll forgive him and our marriage can be saved. When I told him about Villa Mimosa, the first thing he did was to start speculating about what we could do with the money.’ Carla shook her head. ‘My solicitor has already told me that any assets I own separately will have to be divided between the two of us unless we agree to settle otherwise. Apparently, that includes the money from Mum’s house as well as the villa.’

  ‘So it would be better for you if we do continue to rent the place out?’ Josette asked.

  ‘Yes, I think so. I know Mum left you to deal with everything via the agency, but I wouldn’t do that. I’d come over regularly and if you rang to say you needed me here, I’d jump on a plane.’ Carla glanced across at Josette. ‘There’s something else I need your advice and, possibly, your help with. But I will understand if you don’t want anything to do with what I’m about to ask.’

  ‘Sounds ominous.’

  ‘It’s Mum’s ashes. I don’t know what to do with them. Maddy couldn’t think of anywhere to scatter them either. I thought you might have a suggestion. Somewhere over here that Mum loved.’

  Josette was silent for so long, Carla thought she’d upset her with the request.

  ‘Don’t worry, Tante Josette. It was just a thought. I know Mum wasn’t always happy living in England – I heard her berating Dad often enough for making her leave France, but I’m sure I’ll find the perfect place eventually.’