Divided Loyalties

by Patricia Scanlan

  ‘I’m fine, I’ll paddle,’ Shauna said.

  ‘Me too.’ Monique slipped off her sandals and stepped into the warm green waters from the diving board at the back of the boat. Shauna hoisted up her dress and followed her in. The water was bath-warm, and she wriggled her toes in the soft sand. She was looking forward to a swim before lunch.

  The wind had not abated and a stiff breeze whipped the fine white sand around her legs as she padded ashore. It really wasn’t the ideal day for a picnic; if she and Jenna had been left to their own devices they wouldn’t have chosen a windy day for an island trip, but Pierre never liked to be thwarted.

  Twenty minutes later Jenna, Brett and the children joined them. Pierre, Rashid and Greg were struggling to erect the sun canopy, which was proving to be rather difficult because of the breeze. Monique and Shauna had arranged the chairs and were trying to set up the windbreaks, which were flapping madly between their poles.

  ‘Zut.’ Pierre’s exasperated imprecation carried on the breeze as the rope was torn out of his hand.

  ‘This is ridiculous,’ Monique murmured as she hammered a pole as hard as she could. ‘There’s sand everywhere. I suggested we all go and have lunch in the club but Pierre wouldn’t have it. He was coming out on his precious boat and that was that. He and Chantal had a row about it and that’s why she’s in a bad humour.’

  ‘Just what we need, Chantal in a bad humour.’ Shauna grinned as she tried to get her rug to lie flat.

  ‘Mom, can we go swimming?’ Chloe danced across the beach to her.

  ‘Sure, I’m going to come in a minute. Slip out of your trousers and T-shirt and don’t go out too far.’

  ‘OK, Mom,’ her daughter agreed, pulling her trousers off as quickly as she could. Carly was doing the same and Shauna watched the two little girls run shrieking happily to the water’s edge. It was wonderful for her daughter to have a good friend. If Greg got the Dubai posting she hoped desperately that Jenna and Brett were going too.

  ‘Are you comfortable, Chantal? Is there anything I can get for you before I go in for a swim?’ She walked over to where the older woman was sitting in a black canvas chair, waiting for the canopy to be sorted.

  ‘Non, but thank you for asking. I’m going to read my magazine, if that’s possible,’ she said dryly as a gust of wind fluttered the pages of her Paris Match.

  ‘It’s a little windy all right.’ Shauna smiled at her.

  ‘Hrummp,’ she snorted expressively. ‘Monique suggested we go to the club; it was a very sensible suggestion. These men and their toys!’ She arched an eyebrow and cast a dismissive glance towards her husband, who was tightening the ropes of the canopy. Shauna went back to her windbreak and slipped out of her sundress. She was wearing a turquoise one-piece swimsuit and it showed off her golden tan to perfection. She kept her figure in shape through gym work and walking on the Corniche early in the morning three days a week. This time next year she could have a big bump, she thought happily as she ran into the sea to join the girls. The water was utterly refreshing and she began a lazy crawl around Chloe and Carly, who were splashing and chatting and having fun. The island gleamed and shimmered. She had never seen such fine white sand as there was here. It was almost powdery; not at all like the harsh, coarse grains of home.

  She closed her eyes and listened to the swish swish of the waves against the shore. She liked the peace of the islands. No noisy roar of traffic, none of the fumes that were part and parcel of life in a very cosmopolitan city like Abu Dhabi. Pity about the wind, she thought as she drifted indolently along. The sun was hot on her arms; in another few months it would be unbearable. This was a lovely time of the year in the Gulf and she was glad Carrie was coming out when the weather would still be tolerable.

  The others, apart from Chantal, who sat like a sphinx under the flapping canopy, joined them a while later and they chatted and joked as they swam. Pierre made sure not to swim out of his depth or get his hair wet. Shauna could see that it had been well gelled down after the windblasting it had got on the trip out. He would look so much better if he got his hair cut short and just gave in to his baldness.

  ‘That’s a very pretty swimsuit,’ he told her admiringly as he circled round her. Almost like a shark, she thought, annoyed. Pierre had a lascivious way of looking at her that made her feel uncomfortable. ‘He’s French. He flirts,’ Greg had said dismissively when she’d complained about it. He hadn’t even been the slightest bit jealous, she’d thought, miffed.

  ‘Thank you, Pierre. Chantal not coming in?’ She kept her tone light.

  He shook his head. ‘She hates the water.’

  ‘Why did she come?’ Shauna asked.

  He gave a low chuckle. ‘Do you think she would let me come alone with all you beautiful women?’ He waved his hand expansively, his gold Rolex watch glittering in the sunlight.

  As if you’d have a chance with any of us, you prat, Shauna thought derisively but she smiled sweetly and said ‘Wise woman’ before swimming out deeper where he wouldn’t venture. She’d done enough brown-nosing.

  ‘Was the lech trying it on with you?’ Jenna joined her and they swam together parallel to the shore.

  ‘Yeah. It’s really irritating. He’s pathetic, isn’t he? And I hate myself for pandering to him. I feel like telling him to get lost. Could you imagine Greg’s face if I said that?’ She scowled.

  ‘I know. It’s so false out here sometimes, isn’t it? With everybody trying to impress somebody. And the “position” or the “big contract” the most important thing. Brett and I are getting sick of it, to be honest. And there’s the political stuff too. It’s got a lot more tense out here. It’s going to get worse. Americans aren’t the most popular expats,’ she said wryly.

  ‘Don’t say that,’ Shauna protested.

  ‘It’s true, unfortunately, and facts have to be faced. If he doesn’t get the Dubai job we think we might head home,’ she confided.

  Shauna’s heart sank. ‘Oh no!’ She stopped swimming and began to tread water. ‘Are you serious?’

  ‘Yup. Carly’s due to start school and we have to think of what we want for her. I’d like her to have more stability. If we get Dubai it’s going to be our last move, then we’re definitely going back home. If we don’t get it, we’re thinking of going back home later this year.’

  ‘Oh, no. Don’t do that. I’d really miss you, Jenna.’ Shauna couldn’t hide her dismay. ‘I can be myself with you. We think the same. We can have a joke about some of those dreadful women we meet on the circuit. Don’t go,’ she urged. ‘Don’t leave me to Chantal and Pierre’s tender mercies.’

  ‘I didn’t think you were going to stay out here this long,’ Jenna remarked as they turned and began to swim back towards the shore.

  ‘Greg loves it. I don’t think he’ll ever settle down at home. We’re going to try for a baby in the summer. At least if I get pregnant and have another child, I’ll feel we’re more of a family,’ Shauna told her.

  ‘That’s great, honey. I know you’re longing for another baby. I hope it all works out,’ Jenna said warmly.

  ‘Thanks. Me too. Poor Chloe will be devastated if Carly leaves.’ Shauna sighed.

  ‘She’ll make new friends at school,’ Jenna said comfortingly. ‘Anyway, we might all be going to Dubai so let’s not worry about it until it happens. We’d better go in and get the lunch. I don’t expect her ladyship will have got it all ready for us, or even set the table.’

  They waded in to the shore and Shauna grimaced as the fine sand whipped around her wet legs. It was almost a mini-sandstorm, she thought crossly as she dried herself off and wrapped a sarong round her waist.

  Although on the surface the lunch was a jolly affair and Shauna chatted and laughed with the others she was dismayed by her friend’s news.

  That was the problem with life out here, she thought glumly as she sipped a white wine spritzer and nibbled on a stuffed mushroom that Chantal had prepared. Friendships never lasted. People moved on.
If they went to Dubai she was going to have to start all over again making a new circle of friends. So would poor Chloe. Was it worth it? she wondered, listening to the gay, superficial chat around the table.

  They began to pack up two hours later, the wind having increased as the afternoon progressed. ‘I’m going to go with Chloe in Brett and Jenna’s boat,’ she told Pierre. ‘Carly’s having a sleepover in our house.’ She was damned if she was going to put up with another endurance test on the way home.

  ‘Oh! But I so enjoy driving you in my boat.’ Pierre made a face.

  ‘I know, Pierre, but you know the way it is with children. Thank you for a lovely day.’ She turned to Chantal and kissed her on the cheek.

  ‘You’re welcome. You enjoyed your swim, I noticed,’ the other woman said tightly.

  Oh, get a life; I wouldn’t look at Pierre if he were the last man on earth, she groaned silently. You’re welcome to him.

  ‘Yes, I had fun with the children,’ she said gaily. ‘See you at the ballet next week. Say goodbye, Chloe,’ she instructed her daughter, relieved that the day was almost over.

  ‘I’m going to take everyone to dinner. Do you want to join us later?’ Greg murmured. ‘We should repay Pierre and Chantal’s hospitality for taking us out on his boat.’

  ‘No, Greg. I promised the girls a sleepover.’ She was glad of the excuse.

  ‘Filomena can babysit,’ he retorted. ‘Come on, Shauna.’

  ‘Not tonight, Greg. I want to spend time with Chloe,’ she said pointedly.

  ‘It might be good for—’

  ‘No, Greg. I spent the day with your colleagues. I’m spending the night with our daughter,’ she hissed and didn’t care if he was annoyed.

  As she watched the two little girls asleep in Chloe’s bedroom that night she knew that the time was going to come when her loyalties would be divided over what was right for Chloe and what was right for Greg. Jenna and Brett had already made their decisions in that regard for their daughter. They were united about putting Carly first. They had their priorities right.

  Carrie never had divided loyalties with Dan and the kids; they all seemed to pull together. But then, according to Greg, they had a boring life. Certainly, compared to theirs, that was a pertinent comment. But as regards family unity and stability, Carrie and Dan had what it took. Would her husband’s priority always be work? she wondered. It was something she didn’t care to dwell on because she was afraid of what the answer might be.

  It would be interesting to see what her sister thought of the lifestyle out here, she thought wryly as she closed the door gently on the sleeping children. She was looking forward immensely to Carrie’s visit. It would be very different from having that lazy lump Della to stay. Della expected to be entertained and wined and dined. She’d attempted to treat Filomena like a servant. She’d even left her used bath towels lying on the floor for Filomena to pick up until Shauna had seen Filomena doing it and put a stop to it there and then.

  ‘Right, that’s it, Filomena. You are not to so much as make their bed or hoover that room until they’re gone,’ Shauna had instructed grimly on the fifth day of their first visit.

  ‘The maid never cleaned our room today,’ Della had complained later that evening, after a day at the club.

  ‘I told her to leave it. That’s not part of her duties; she has enough to be doing,’ Shauna said coolly. ‘This isn’t a hotel,’ she’d added caustically, not that it made any impact on Della, who was immune to such sarcasms.

  She was dying to tell Carrie all about her trials and tribulations with her sister-in-law. They’d have a laugh together, she thought, cheering up. She’d send her an email to fill her in on the day’s events and then she’d have a nice long soak in the bath with a glass of wine.

  Greg wouldn’t be home too late, as he had to get up for work in the morning. He was driving to Al Ain so it would be an early start. She’d like to be asleep before he got home. She didn’t want an earbashing about not going out to dinner.

  22

  ‘Shauna, we’ve loads of food. We’ll be taking them out to eat, and we can shop every day. Will you stop panicking,’ Greg said irritably as he pushed a laden trolley round the huge Co-op.

  ‘Don’t forget there’s five of them coming. Now, do you think we’ve enough cereal? I wonder is there anything in particular that they like? I should have checked with Carrie.’ Shauna stood in front of the cereals, pondering.

  Greg had had enough. ‘Shauna, we’re going. I’ve to meet Amir Saeedi for coffee to discuss the revisions on the plans for the Buraimi Oasis project and I don’t want to be late.’ He pushed the trolley purposefully towards the checkout. He knew Shauna wasn’t impressed that he’d arranged to meet Amir on his day off, but it was the only time that suited them both as his colleague was heading off to New York for a week of meetings. Life didn’t stop just because the bloody Waltons were coming, he thought grumpily as he began unloading the shopping onto the belt, having had to queue behind a very slow, elderly lady.

  ‘Right, see you later,’ he said twenty minutes later, after he had packed the shopping into the boot of Shauna’s car.

  ‘’Bye,’ she said in a none-too-friendly tone and he scowled as he strode to his own car. She never went to such trouble when his family was coming, he thought sourly as he nosed out into the traffic. He liked Carrie and Dan and the kids, but Shauna was always rubbing his nose in it, saying how they were the perfect family, and how she would like to have a new baby to make their family more like the Morgans. He wasn’t convinced that Chloe would like a new baby as much as Shauna seemed to think she would. He remembered well how neglected and put out he’d felt when Della had been born. He’d been the one everyone had made a fuss of. The one his parents had doted on. Then she had arrived. In the blink of an eye, as far as Greg had been concerned, his position had been usurped by the squawking intruder, never to be regained.

  After Della was born life revolved round her and her whims and fancies. And so it had been into adulthood. Even to this day she was still ‘the queen’, expecting everyone to run around after her. As far as Greg was concerned he was doing Chloe a favour by not exposing her to the hurt, trauma and jealousy that a new baby in the family could cause, especially when a child has been the centre of attention for so long.

  The traffic was heavy and slow-moving on Zayed Street due to an accident, and he inched along towards the Emirates Plaza where he was meeting Amir.

  He was annoyed to see his colleague there before him, seated sipping coffee in the foyer. Greg liked arriving first at hotel meetings; it always gave him that feeling of being in control. He took a deep breath, strode forward and held out his hand, beaming. It could be worse, he could be at home unpacking the shopping, he thought with a flash of humour as he sat down opposite the other man and waved his hand to attract the attention of a waiter.

  Hi Carrie

  Well I’ve just unpacked the shopping and the fridge is bursting, so you won’t starve!! Chloe is in a tizzy of excitement. When we put the extra fold-up bed into her room she informed me that she wanted to sleep on it and that Davey could have her bed. I didn’t even go there. They can sort it out among themselves. Don’t forget the King crisps. I’m dying for a packet. And the Club Milks. Yum! Oh what a feast I’m going to have! And bring some newspapers and magazines so I catch up with what’s going on at home.

  Weather is gorgeous. The high seventies, low eighties, but it hasn’t been too humid. Don’t forget to come to the glass partition so that I can throw your visa over to you before you go to the passport control. Switch on your mobile as soon as you get into Arrivals and ring me. I’m dying to see you. I can’t think when I’ve been so excited. I’m just as bad as Chloe!!!!!

  Lots and lots of love,

  S xxx

  ‘I can’t believe I drove down without the bag of bits and pieces I’d bought for Chloe and Shauna and Greg.’ Della tutted with feigned disgust. Carrie wasn’t fooled. She knew full well that Della hadn
’t bought anything and was just visiting to be fed and entertained. Well she’d picked the wrong day for it, Carrie thought, highly annoyed.

  ‘That’s a shame,’ she said coolly. ‘Listen, Della, I’ve cleared out the fridge, seeing as we’re going for two weeks, so will you come down to Seashells for a bowl of soup? And then I’ll have to love you and leave you because I’ve to do a supermarket shop for Dad and get a thousand and one other bits and pieces. You know yourself what it’s like when you’re going away en masse,’ she added pointedly, ushering Della and Ashley out the door.

  Hannah held her tightly by the hand. She didn’t like Ashley. He was rough and aggressive, always demanding attention. Della’s little son was thoroughly spoilt and she rarely chastised him.

  ‘Oh, I thought we’d have time for a chat and catch-up.’ Della made a moue of disappointment.

  ‘We will, in the café,’ Carrie said airily as she fastened the seat belt on Hannah’s booster seat. ‘Just follow me.’

  It was so typical of Della to arrive unannounced, she thought crossly as she drove out onto the road. Carrie had phoned Shauna’s sister-in-law three weeks before to say that they were going to Abu Dhabi, if she wanted to send anything out. Della had said that she’d get back to her. When Carrie hadn’t heard from her, she hadn’t made any attempts to contact the other woman, figuring that once was enough to tell her of their impending trip. She hadn’t bargained on Della’s arriving the day before they were leaving. And then arriving empty-handed, she thought in disgust. Imagine pretending to forget her gifts. With anyone else she would have accepted the excuse, but with Della she knew full well what lay behind it. Now she was going to have to waste a good hour of her precious time entertaining her, but at least she was out of the house. That was half the battle with Della, who could spend a full hour saying goodbye.

  Thank God she’d brought Davey and Olivia to get their hair cut after school yesterday and hadn’t left it to the last minute. She was only going to spend the shortest time she could get away with lunching with Della, she decided. It would take her an hour at least to do her father’s shopping and unpack it. She’d just be home in time for the kids to get out of school.