‘Have you and Robert spoken much?’ she wanted to know now. ‘Do you think you’ll be able to sort things out?’
At this, Liz’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I’m not sure. He’s very angry with me.’ She swallowed. ‘He has every right.’
Chabela would have left it at that, but without any prompting, Liz went on to explain a little about the background to the break-up, including her flirtation with Max, though she didn’t go into details. She was clearly in the mood for talking and it helped that the women were side by side on the bench, instead of facing each other; it felt less intense.
‘Things had got so bad between me and Robert,’ Liz said quietly. ‘He was always working and we hardly ever had any time on our own. I know I should have been brave and told him how I was feeling, instead of messing around with Max. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing.’ She gave a sad smile. ‘Robert was never going to take it well, after what his former girlfriend did to him.’
She glanced sideways at Chabela, her eyes full of fear. ‘You must think I’m a really bad person. Especially now you know Robert. He’s such a good man, and you know how considerate he is as a boss. He’s probably wondering what on earth he married.’
She was being very hard on herself, but Chabela knew a great deal more than most about the lure, potency and pitfalls of forbidden love. Feeling it would be hypocritical to stay silent or worse, seem to judge, she, in turn, revealed something of what she had been through with Alfonso. It wasn’t easy, but it seemed the right thing under the circumstances.
Liz listened quietly while she spoke, nodding occasionally and making supportive comments: ‘Go on’; ‘Oh my God!’; ‘What a bastard!’
Time was marching on, but so caught up was she in the story that she seemed to have forgotten all about Lowenna; perhaps the little girl would end up sleeping at Tabitha’s.
When Chabela finally finished, Liz shuddered before letting out a sigh. ‘That explains such a lot.’
Chabela, puzzled, asked what she meant.
‘I mean, it explains what you’re doing here in Tremarnock and why you had to get away. It’s not easy, trying to mend a broken heart.’ She shivered slightly, as if she knew what she was talking about. ‘I’m sorry for misjudging you.’
After some persuasion, she then admitted that she, along with quite a few others, had suspected Chabela for quite some time of being a femme fatale, or a man-stealer.
This wasn’t entirely surprising, but Chabela was hurt nevertheless, particularly as it couldn’t have been further from the truth. The thought that villagers had been gossiping about her behind her back was upsetting, and both women agreed that cultural differences probably played some part.
‘I’ll salsa with anyone and everyone,’ Chabela insisted, referring to her dance with Rafael. ‘He just happened to be nearby.’
When Liz explained the full extent of the trouble it had caused Rosie and her boyfriend, however, as well as Jesse and Loveday, Chabela felt embarrassed and a little ashamed. She understood better now why Liz had cooled towards her, and resolved to be more sensitive in future.
Both women had long since finished their drinks, but neither had wanted to interrupt the conversation by getting up and going back to the bar. Tired after so much deep talk, they were silent for a few moments and gazed out to sea, realising that the sun had set without their even noticing.
Now that it was dark, the streetlamps had been lit and were casting a soft, yellowy glow. The children from earlier had left the beach and gone home, and a slightly different crowd had appeared, in smarter evening clothes – long trousers for the men and, in some cases, strappy summer dresses for the women.
A slight breeze was coming off the water but the air was still warm and there was no need for a sweater.
‘Have you spoken to Max recently?’ Chabela asked at last, and Liz said that she’d texted him a few days after the plaque unveiling, just to say that Rosie was all right.
‘He replied straight away and we messaged a bit after that,’ she went on. She was still holding the empty glass between her hands, her shoulders hunched and knees pressed close together. ‘To tell you the truth…’ She swallowed, as if mustering courage to say what she wanted to. ‘…He mentioned that he’d seen his ex-wife a few times. I’m sure it was deliberate. I think he was trying to make me jealous, but it seemed to have the opposite effect.
‘He said they went for a meal together and she showed him round her new flat. I don’t know if he wanted me to imagine that they slept together, but you know, it made me realise I didn’t care that much if they did. Well, only a bit.
‘I can’t be bothered with silly games. It just reminded me how honest Robert’s always been. He never once messed me around when we were dating. I’m the one who’s behaved so badly. I felt like saying that to Max but I didn’t. I haven’t talked to him about the fact Robert’s moved out, either. I don’t want him to know, actually. It seems quite telling, don’t you think?’
Chabela touched her lightly on the arm and nodded. ‘You don’t need to mention anything to him if you don’t want to.’
‘When do you plan to go back to Mexico?’ Liz wanted to know next. She was keen to change the subject.
Chabela admitted that she wasn’t sure.
‘I’m due back at work at the end of August, but I might ask for more time off. They like me and I’ve never had a day off sick while I’ve been there. I think they’ll say yes, especially if I tell them I’m having personal problems. It’s the truth, after all.’
Liz agreed. ‘I hope you can stay here longer. Up until Christmas, maybe. It’s lovely in winter – much quieter. I’m not sure when Robert’s planning on closing the Secret Shack, probably at the end of October. But I expect he could find you some work at the restaurant if you want it. He always needs people.’
Chabela was touched, particularly now she knew that Liz had been so wary of her motives. She was quick to forgive and forget, clearly. After that, they somehow got on to the subject of winters in Mexico City and Liz said that she’d love to visit the country one day.
‘I’ve never been. It’s on my bucket list. I’d like to see Frida Kahlo’s house, and the ancient pyramids.’
Her enthusiasm seemed genuine and before Chabela knew it, she was inviting Liz to stay.
‘We could go for a week or two? You can use my apartment. I’ve got two spare bedrooms. I’d love to show you around.’
Liz looked doubtful.
‘Rosie can come, too,’ Chabela went on, warming to her theme. ‘It’d be a good opportunity for her to practise her Spanish. And bring Lowenna, if you think she’s old enough.’ She frowned. ‘When’s the next school holiday?’
Liz told her about the October half-term and the two-week Christmas break.
‘October’s a perfect time to visit,’ Chabela replied. ‘It’ll be warm then but not too hot – around twenty-three degrees Celsius. There’s not much rain, either. Sometimes a bit in the afternoons, but only for an hour or so, then the sun shines again.’
Clearly taken with the idea, Liz asked how much the flights would be. The answer made her wince, but Chabela pointed out that she wouldn’t have to pay for accommodation. Moreover, food, drink and entrance tickets to museums and so on were cheap.
‘Come!’ she urged, conscious that Liz was buckling. ‘I’ll be ready to go back then, at least for a short while. It’ll be good to see a few people and I’ll probably have some admin to catch up on. You deserve a holiday, and it would be nice for you and Rosie to have some time away together.’
Still, Liz hesitated. ‘I don’t know. Everything’s so bad at the moment, and what would Robert think?’ She paused. ‘He’d probably say he doesn’t care what I do, though he’d want to know about the girls. I’ve never been to North America, never mind Mexico,’ she added in a small voice. ‘In fact I’ve hardly ever been out of the UK, to be honest.’
Sensing that victory was close, Chabela went in for the kill. ‘All the more reason to say
yes,’ she said with a grin. ‘You’ll regret it if you don’t. And it would be an amazing experience for Rosie. We can ask Rafael, too, if you like, or another school friend, to keep her company. She’ll come home speaking Spanish with a Mexican accent!’
This finally swung it for Liz. If she had been invited on her own, Chabela suspected that she would have said no.
‘All right,’ she said finally. ‘I’ll talk to Rosie and check out dates and flights. If you’re sure…?’ She was looking for reassurance, and Chabela duly obliged.
‘I’d be so happy to show you my country,’ she said warmly. ‘I was sad and desperate when I arrived here, I didn’t know which way to turn. You picked me up, dusted me off and made me feel so welcome. It would be an absolute honour to return the favour.’
Chapter Nineteen
Liz felt better after the chat, and the prospect of a trip to Mexico helped lift her mood, too. She and Robert rarely went on holiday with the girls, mainly because he didn’t like to leave his businesses, and in summer they always had the beach, anyway.
But she was curious about the world and wanted to see more. There wasn’t much money around when she was a child so she didn’t travel far with her parents, mostly just to Sussex or Dorset. Max had invited her and the girls to Munich and she’d been sorely tempted, but had turned the offer down, fearing at that time that she couldn’t trust herself – or him.
Chabela’s suggestion, however, was fraught with no such dangers. It would undoubtedly benefit Rosie and perhaps be good for Liz and Robert as well. Who knew? He might find that he missed her when she was away and feel more inclined to come back home.
By October half-term, she’d be eligible for some leave from her job, and there were no obstacles in Rosie’s way, either. The only problem was Lowenna. Liz felt that it was probably too far for her to travel and besides, she’d cramp their style. The little girl wouldn’t want to be climbing pyramids or mooching around art galleries, she’d much rather be at the local play park, messing around with her friends.
It was almost ten p.m. by the time Liz reached Tabitha’s house, and she was full of apologies for being so late. She needn’t have worried, though. Lowenna and Oscar were still wide awake, running around making a racket, but Tabitha seemed perfectly relaxed about it.
‘They haven’t got playgroup, so it doesn’t matter how grumpy they are tomorrow,’ she said reasonably. ‘Anyway, they both napped in the car this afternoon.’
‘No wonder they’re so full of energy,’ said Liz, who had stepped inside and could hear the children through the open back door, tearing around her friend’s small garden. ‘Lucky things.’
Tabitha, who was in rolled up jeans, bare feet and a baggy white man’s shirt, presumably Danny’s, examined her friend anxiously.
‘You look knackered,’ she said, taking a red scrunchie off her wrist and pulling her curly black hair off her neck into a high ponytail. ‘Have you been working all this time?’
Liz said no, and as she followed Tabitha into the sitting room next door, she started to explain about her chance encounter with the Mexican.
‘You know, I think I got her wrong.’ She was careful not to break any confidences or mention Alfonso. ‘She’s been through a lot recently. She doesn’t want any trouble; she’s genuinely just come here to research her family history and recuperate.’
Tabitha nodded. ‘I never saw her as some sort of cougar or man-eater, but I always thought there was more to her story than meets the eye.’ She settled on the sofa next to Liz. ‘I’m glad you had a chat. Did you tell her about you and Robert, too?’
Liz glanced at the delicate gold watch on her wrist, which her husband had given her, and fiddled with the strap.
‘Yes,’ she said, before mentioning Chabela’s suggestion about a holiday. ‘She offered to show Rosie and me around. It’s a nice idea, but not exactly practical right now.’
Tabitha was quiet for a few moments, staring at the pink scallop chair, seemingly lost in thought, and Liz wondered what was going through her mind. Then all of a sudden, she leaned forwards, rested her elbows on her knees and propped her hands under her chin.
‘I can have Lowenna,’ she said. ‘She’d be happier here than anywhere else – when she’s not with her dad, that is.’
‘What?’ Liz was bewildered; Tabitha had lost her.
‘When you and Rosie go to Mexico,’ she said patiently, leaning back against the sofa once more. ‘You must go. It’ll be amazing. Lowenna and Oscar are like siblings. They’ll love it. I’ll keep them really busy and she’ll be fine for a week or two. If there are any problems, Robert will be just round the corner.’
It was an incredibly generous offer and Liz thanked her friend profusely, reflecting on the fact that now, with the problem of what to do with Lowenna seemingly sorted, all the other barriers that she’d mentally erected seemed to be melting away, too.
She could really think of no reason why she shouldn’t go, not even cash.
After all, what was money for if you never spent it? You couldn’t take it with you, that was for sure. She was naturally quite frugal and had saved enough over the years to fund the whole trip; she wouldn’t need to ask Robert for a penny.
‘I’ll have a proper think about it – and talk to Robert and Rosie,’ she said. ‘I’d only go for a week, though. That’d be quite long enough for Lowenna – and you!’
‘Fair enough,’ replied Tabitha, ‘though I wouldn’t mind doing ten days or two weeks. But that’s the spirit. Seize the day! If you don’t go, I will, so you’d better hurry up and book!’
At that moment, Oscar and Lowenna shoved open the door and tumbled into the room like a couple of overexcited puppies. Straight away they threw themselves on the floor at their mothers’ feet and rolled around, play-fighting.
‘Careful,’ Tabitha said. Oscar was bigger and rougher; he didn’t know his own strength. ‘Don’t hurt Lowie.’
Right on cue, the little girl let out a yelp, because he’d accidentally pulled her hair. She jumped up, ran over to Liz and buried her face in her lap while Oscar looked on, perplexed; he had no idea what he’d done wrong.
It seemed like the right time to leave, but Liz suddenly felt a little lonely saying goodbye to Tabitha and driving back to Bag End: Robert wouldn’t be coming home tonight; she thought she’d never get used to it.
Although he had always worked long hours, he’d sometimes gone in later or returned between the lunchtime and evening shifts, and she’d looked forward to his occasional days off.
Now, when he popped in to see the girls, he hardly spoke to her and she had the feeling that her very presence made him recoil, as if she had bad breath or an infectious disease. As a result, she did her best to stay out of his way.
In any case, it was preferable for Lowenna not to be exposed any more than necessary to the hostile atmosphere between them. Quite often, Robert would leave without Liz even knowing and she’d only find out when her youngest came searching for her.
The little girl was half asleep by the time they entered the house. Liz carried her upstairs and put her straight to bed, fully clothed. The sole items that she removed were her daughter’s sandals, and she barely even stirred when Liz dropped one accidentally on the floor.
Afterwards, she tiptoed along the landing to Rosie’s room and knocked on the door, but she wasn’t surprised when no one answered. She had guessed that her eldest must be out because the cottage was so quiet and there were no telltale shoes, bags or sweatshirts in the hall.
Back downstairs, she checked her phone and was relieved to find a message from Robert saying that Rosie was with him at the restaurant and he’d make sure that she was home by eleven p.m.
There were no kisses, or indeed any kind words, just the bare facts, but Liz was grateful for them; at least now she had one less thing to worry about.
For some reason, she didn’t feel sleepy at all and after filling the kettle, she wandered aimlessly around downstairs, checking each room
for something, though she wasn’t sure what.
Everything was exactly where it had been when she’d left that afternoon, which was only to be expected, as there was no one else to tidy up. Lowenna had tipped out all the plastic bricks from her toy box and strewn them across the sitting room floor, while the dining table was covered in bits of wooden puzzle. Liz couldn’t be bothered to clear them away now; they could wait till morning.
She realised as she glanced about that it wasn’t so much Robert’s stuff that was missing, for he’d left plenty of things behind. Rather, it was his presence, an ill-defined feeling of his actually having been here, doing the normal things he always did.
Usually, she’d find the novel he’d been reading lying face down on the coffee table, and she’d pop a bookmark in the right place and close it for him. Or he’d take off his shoes and deposit them by the armchair, along with an empty mug and a half-eaten packet of biscuits, and leave behind a dent in the cushion when he’d got up.
It wasn’t that he was particularly untidy, just that sometimes he forgot to put things away and she was exactly the same. She’d leave sewing on the kitchen table, or a dirty plate in the sink instead of putting it in the dishwasher.
Robert’s absence seemed to have damaged the atmosphere, like a hole in the precious ozone layer, and it dawned on her that even if he came back now, the house would probably never feel quite as safe again.
The sound of a key in the front door brought her back to the present. The lock was a bit sticky, and the person on the other side was having trouble opening up.
She went to help but before she could get there, the door flew open and she was confronted by the sight not just of Rosie but of Robert, too, standing right behind, towering over her.
Liz’s heart fluttered. He looked handsome and a bit wild, she thought, and strangely unfamiliar. His hair was uncombed, his pale blue linen shirt crumpled, and his hazel eyes were darting hither and thither, like leaves tossed about in a storm.
The Girl Who Came Home to Cornwall Page 25
