Her Last Promise

by Kathryn Hughes

  Tara was still in bed when Violet returned the next morning. She shook her daughter’s shoulder. ‘Hey, sleepy head, wake up. I’m dying to hear all about it.’

  Tara stirred and squinted at the clock. ‘There’s not much to tell.’ She closed her eyes again and pulled the blanket up tight beneath her chin. ‘I’m going back to sleep.’

  ‘No, Tara, don’t do that, I’ve got some exciting news.’ She peeled off the bedcovers. ‘Wake up, Tara.’

  Tara yanked the covers back.

  ‘You’re not getting married, are you?’

  ‘What? No, of course not, don’t be silly.’ Violet paused, noticing her daughter’s expression, her eyebrows drawn together. ‘Would that be such a terrible thing?’

  ‘Yes, it would! You hardly know him.’

  ‘There’s something there though, Tara. An intimacy I’ve never had with anyone before.’

  ‘Not even with my dad?’

  Violet resisted the urge to scoff and, not trusting her voice, merely shook her head.

  ‘What’s the big news then?’

  Violet clapped her hands together, squealing in delight. ‘Larry’s taking us on holiday.’

  ‘Us?’

  ‘Yes, Tara, you and me. We’re going to the continent.’

  ‘The continent? What continent?’

  ‘I don’t know, Tara. We’re going in the car, we’re going to get on the ferry and then we’ll be in France, I suppose. How exciting is that, eh?’

  ‘We don’t have passports.’

  ‘Then we’ll have to get them. Work with me here, Tara. We’re going on holiday abroad for the first time and all you want to do is throw up obstacles. You’ll love Larry when you get to meet him next week, I promise.’

  ‘What about Alf?’

  ‘What about him?’

  ‘He’ll be here on his own.’

  Violet stood up, throwing her hands in the air. ‘There you go again. What’s the matter with you? Alf was fine on his own before we came along, he’ll survive for a few weeks.’ She turned to the door. ‘I’m going to make some breakfast and then you can tell me all about your evening. Do you want a bacon butty?’

  Tara nodded. ‘OK then.’ She remembered the kitchen scissors, probably still lying in the hearth. ‘But don’t cut the rind off mine.’

  15

  Diablo stood patiently whilst Leo tightened the girth, only giving a slight flick of his head in protest. The pre-dawn air was still and thick with the promise of warm sunshine. Mateo finished brushing Lala’s flaxen tail. ‘Why can’t I come with you, Leo?’

  Leo crouched down so his face was level with his brother’s. ‘It’s too far, Little One. Lala wouldn’t be able to keep up and you can’t go all that way on one of the big horses.’

  ‘But . . .’

  ‘Shush, Mateo, listen.’ He stood up and pulled his little brother to one side. ‘There’s something else.’ He snapped a look towards the farmhouse. He could see his mama through the window, singing to herself as she scrubbed away at the breakfast pots in the sink. ‘Can you keep a secret?’

  Reaching into his saddle bag he pulled out a small package. He opened the lid and held it out to Mateo.

  ‘What’s that?’

  Leo lowered his voice. ‘I’m going to ask Gabriela to marry me.’ He took out the ring and let it rest on his palm. ‘It belonged to our abuela. Mama gave it to me some time ago.’

  Mateo picked up the ring and turned it over in his fingers. ‘It . . . it’s lovely, Leo. Gabriela will love it.’ He passed the ring back to Leo, balled his little hands into fists, then ran into the barn. In his haste, he clattered into a metal pail of water, sending the contents sloshing over the yard.

  ‘Hey, Mateo, wait. ‘What’s the matter?’

  Mateo sat on a bale of hay and scooped up a nearby cat, burying his nose in the soft fur. His dark eyes sparkled with unshed tears. His voice sounded small, almost petulant. ‘I don’t want you to marry Gabriela.’

  Leo sat down beside him. ‘Why not? You like her, don’t you? I seem to remember it was only a couple of months ago that you were encouraging me to ask her out. What’s changed, Mateo?’

  Mateo swallowed his tears. ‘I don’t want you to leave, Leo.’

  ‘Leave? I’m not going anywhere. Why would you think that?’

  The cat struggled in Mateo’s arms and he released his grip. ‘You’ll go and live with her in the panadería, won’t you?’

  Leo pulled Mateo onto his knee. ‘What nonsense you talk. Of course I won’t.’ He flicked Mateo under his chin. ‘As if I’d leave my little camarada. Gabriela will come and live here with us. She can help Mama with the guests.’

  Mateo brightened, his eyes losing their wounded look. ‘Do you promise?’

  Leo made the sign of a cross on his chest. ‘I promise.’

  ‘In that case, I hope she says yes. I like her, Leo. And she’s very pretty.’

  Leo gazed up at the rafters, his heart lurching as he thought of Gabriela. He’d wasted enough time already, even though he would never admit this to his mama. ‘Me too, Mateo. Now run up that ladder and look under my bed. I’ve got a present for you.’

  Mateo wrapped his arms around his brother’s neck. ‘I love you, Leo.’

  Leo watched Mateo climb the ladder, listening as he scrabbled around on the wooden floor above. He drew a long piece of straw from a bale and slipped it between his teeth. He’d been too nervous to eat breakfast, and now he fidgeted with the ring, turning it over and over until his fumbling fingers lost their grip and it clattered to the ground.

  ‘Leo, I’ve found it,’ sang Mateo from above.

  Leo was on his hands and knees scratching round for the ring. He retrieved it and stuffed it into the pocket of his jeans. ‘What do you think, Mateo?’

  ‘It’s nice but I’ve already got a fishing net.’

  ‘It’s not a fishing net, Mateo.’ Leo held up his hands. ‘Throw it to me and I’ll show you. Come back down, carefully now.’ Leo caught the net, then waited at the bottom of the ladder for Mateo.

  ‘It’s a butterfly net,’ he said, as Mateo jumped off the last rung. ‘I’m going to show you how to catch butterflies and learn to recognise all the different ones. Would you like that?’

  Mateo nodded, his bright eyes wide and eager. ‘Butterfly hunting? Yes, I would, Leo. Can I keep them?’

  ‘No, that wouldn’t be fair. You can keep them for a little while but then you must let them go. You can keep a journal of all the ones you’ve caught, maybe draw a sketch of them, but they deserve to be free, free to spread their wings and bring joy to other people as well.’

  Mateo fingered the netting. ‘Where did you get it?’

  ‘I made it just for you, Mateo. Now come on, let’s get you cleaned up. Gabriela will be here soon and you can show it to her.’

  They had been climbing for almost three hours and Diablo’s sides heaved with the effort as they emerged from the cool forested hills into the blinding sunlight. The sun’s rays had grown stronger and now they coloured the landscape, highlighting the ochre limestone cliffs rising either side of the emerald river below. Diablo tossed his mane and flicked his tail to rid himself of the flies, his gait bouncy and alert but never threatening.

  ‘You’ve worked a miracle with that horse,’ said Gabriela. She sat astride the more placid Armonia, the reins loose as she held onto the front of the saddle.

  Leo patted Diablo’s neck. ‘Horses need kindness and patience not brutality. I always knew he wasn’t bad.’

  They rode side by side along the top of the gorge, a vertiginous drop to the winding river far below. Peregrine falcons and griffon vultures glided on the thermals above them, occasionally swooping to land on a poor unfortunate vole or mouse.

  ‘It’s glorious up here, Leo. Thank you for bringing me.’

  ‘I wanted us to have a special day out before the guests start arriving. There’s not much time for anything once they’re here.’ He reached behind and patted the saddle
bag, swallowing hard as he felt the bulk of the little box.

  ‘You’re unusually quiet, Leo. Is anything the matter?’

  How could he tell her that this day would live in his memory for the rest of his life? Hers too, if all went according to plan. He reached over and took her hand. ‘I’m fine, Gabriela.’ An overnight shower had doused the pine trees and their mood-elevating freshness filled the air. ‘Everything’s just perfect.’

  She returned his smile. ‘I’m getting hungry, Leo. Shall we stop for an early lunch?’

  Food was the last thing on his mind. His stomach felt as though he’d swallowed an inflated balloon. ‘Why not?’

  They chose a spot beneath an almond tree, its green velvet hulls beginning to swell with the promise of the sweet nut inside. After dismounting, Leo secured the horses’ reins to a nearby tree. Both dipped their heads and began to nibble at the new grass.

  ‘This is special, Leo. It’s wonderful to have time to ourselves for once.’ She spread out the picnic rug. ‘Come and sit down.’ She unwrapped a packet of greaseproof paper and pulled out a fresh pan blanco, a hunk of cheese and a little pot of quince jam. Leo paced the bridle path, chewing on his thumb nail, the words circling in his head. He’d over-rehearsed, he knew that now. Everything was going to come out in a jumble and he would ruin the best moment of his life.

  ‘Leo!’

  He turned around, startled. ‘Yes?’

  ‘I said come and sit down. Honestly, I don’t know what’s wrong with you today. You’re so jumpy.’ She patted the rug. ‘Come here and have something to eat.’

  He sat down beside her and took a slug of water from his canteen. He could use something stronger.

  As though reading his mind, Gabriela produced a bottle of rosé and poured out two small paper cups.

  ‘To us,’ she toasted. She kissed him on the mouth, pausing briefly before making contact. He closed his eyes and felt the merest brush of her lips before she pulled away again.

  He fought the urge to grab her and press his mouth to hers. ‘Gabriela, I . . .’

  ‘Shush, Leo.’ She broke off a small piece of manchego and pulled back the orange rind. She held the cheese up to Leo’s face. ‘Open.’

  He dutifully obeyed and she popped the cheese into his mouth, leaving her finger resting on his lips for longer than was necessary. She gazed at him from under her long lashes, the powdery scent of her perfume mingling with the smell of the saddle soap on her thighs. He inwardly marvelled at the power she exerted over him. At this moment, she could have asked him to do anything and he would have acquiesced.

  It took a couple of cups of wine to settle his nerves. Enough to make him relax a little but not too much that he wouldn’t be able to remember every last detail later. ‘It’s so peaceful here, Gabriela. It’s as though we’re the only two people in the whole wide world.’ He finished his custard pastry and flicked the crumbs off his jeans.

  ‘Look at you, Leo, you’ve got custard on your cheek.’ She delicately scooped it off with her forefinger, her touch excruciatingly tender, her eyes locked on his as she opened her mouth and licked off the custard.

  Leo could stand it no more. He rolled her onto her back, revelling in the comforting folds of her soft body. ‘Oh Gabriela, marry me.’ He kissed her face, her neck, her chest, any bare flesh he could find.

  She propped herself up on her elbows. ‘What did you just say?’

  He laughed as the relief took hold. After all that preparation, all that rehearsing, the words had just come out exactly as they should have done. In the right moment, with feeling, with passion and with absolute conviction, even though it may have sounded more like a command than a question. ‘What I meant was, Gabriela, I love you, will you marry me?’

  She pulled him to her and whispered into his ear, her hot breath made him shiver. ‘Yes, Leo, I will.’

  16

  As she lay in his arms, her eyes closed, a contented smile on her lips, Leo traced his finger across her forehead, thinking about what they’d just done. He’d slept with girls before, plenty of them, but it was the first time he’d ever made love. He understood the difference now. He could see those dalliances for the vacuous acts they were, devoid of any feelings. ‘Any regrets, Gabriela?’

  She sat up, sighing as she fastened the buttons on her shirt. ‘Leo, it was everything I’d ever dreamed of, more in fact.’ She looked down the deserted path. ‘But what if someone saw us?’

  He smoothed her hair, then wound a strand of it between his fingers. ‘There’s no one around for miles.’ He nodded towards the horses. ‘And they’re oblivious.’

  ‘This is the happiest day of my life, Leo.’

  ‘And that is exactly how I wanted you to feel.’

  He stood up and stretched his legs. ‘Wait here for a minute.’

  He approached Diablo and took the box out of the saddlebag, stopping to give the horse a gentle pull on his ears. ‘She said yes,’ he whispered.

  He returned to Gabriela and dropped to one knee.

  ‘Leo?’

  He opened the box and held it out to her. ‘It was my grandmother’s.’

  ‘Oh, Leo, it’s beautiful.’ She took the ring and slipped it onto her finger. The tiny diamond sparkled under the sun. ‘And it fits perfectly.’

  She began to kiss him again, weaving her hands into his hair, her body pressed close to his. ‘Leo . . . I love . . .’ She stopped and looked in the direction of the rustling sound close by. ‘What was that?’

  Both horses looked up and stared along the path where the vegetation thickened. ‘It’ll be an ibex or a mountain goat or something,’ said Leo. ‘Nothing to worry about. Now, where were we?’

  The sound came again, closer this time. Something was shuffling along the dusty track. Leo placed a protective arm in front of Gabriela. ‘Shush, don’t make a sound.’ He spoke slowly and calmly. ‘Just back away and wrap up the food. Put it in the bag and hang it from the tree, as high as you can.’

  ‘Why, Leo, what is it?’ Her excitement of a moment ago had been replaced by apprehension.

  ‘It might be a wild boar after the food.’

  ‘Are they dangerous?’

  ‘Don’t worry, Gabriela, I’m here and I won’t let anything happen to you.’

  She packed up the remnants of their picnic as Leo stood guard, hands on his hips, ready to . . . ready to do what? Even he couldn’t take on a wild boar, or worse, a wild boar with young to protect. A tense moment passed before a figure swathed in white, from his hood-covered head to his sandal-clad toes, emerged from the bushes, his face puce and shimmering with sweat.

  ‘Buenos dias,’ he panted. ‘Forgive me if I startled you. I heard voices and I need help.’

  He pulled out his flask, removed the cap and tipped it upside down. ‘I’ve nothing left . . . and . . . I need . . . something to drink.’ He clutched at his throat as if to further demonstrate his need.

  ‘Of course,’ said Gabriela. She passed over their canteen of water and he gave a slight bow before taking a couple of mouthfuls.

  ‘Please, have as much as you need.’

  He shook his head. ‘That will be plenty.’ He handed back the canteen. ‘Gracias.’

  Leo regarded the young monk; his heavy white robes were hardly suitable for hiking in the heat and his thin-soled sandals were wholly inadequate for this terrain.

  ‘Are you hungry?’ Gabriela asked. Without waiting for his answer, she turned to Leo. ‘Get that bag out of the tree and bring over some bread and cheese, will you?’

  She addressed the monk again. ‘Can you tell us your name?’

  ‘Brother Florian.’ He accepted a hunk of bread from Leo. ‘Although that’s not the name I was baptised with. I chose it when I entered the monastery because Saint Florian is the patron saint of Austria, where my mother was born

  ‘How far have you come today then?’ asked Gabriela, slicing some cheese.

  ‘From Monasterio de Justina.’

  Leo took a step back
wards. He knew about the community of cloistered monks who inhabited the crumbling monastery perched high on the cliffs above the river. He’d never met one though or been anywhere near the monastery for that matter. A hermitic existence, deprived of family, friends and all contact with the outside world, was just too horrific to even think about. He couldn’t imagine a more suffocating existence. ‘Have you escaped then?’

  ‘It’s not a prison. I’m there because I want to be. I’m there to atone for my sins.’

  ‘Good Heavens!’ exclaimed Leo. ‘What did you do?’

  Br Florian took a cup of water from Gabriela. ‘We’re all sinners . . . um . . . Leo, is it?’

  Leo nodded although he was not prepared for an impromptu modern-day sermon on the mount.

  ‘In God’s eyes,’ continued Br Florian, ‘we’re all sinners but a monk dedicates his life to worship and prayer. He eschews the outside world for all its worthlessness.’

  ‘But you could pray anywhere. You don’t have to give up your life to do it.’

  ‘I’ll admit the ascetic life is not for everyone, Leo. It is a calling. We abandon ourselves to God and trust Him to lead us along paths we do not know.’

  ‘He didn’t do a very good job of leading you along this particular path.’

  ‘Leo,’ hissed Gabriela. ‘What’s wrong with you?’

  Br Florian gave a good-natured laugh. ‘Who knows what God has in store for us? This meeting may yet prove to be serendipitous. It might be part of God’s plan.’ He looked from Leo to Gabriela. ‘For all of us.’

  Leo steered the conversation away from divine intervention. ‘How far have you actually walked then?’

  Br Florian ran a hand over his smooth head and squinted at the sun. ‘I’d estimate I’ve been walking for around three hours.’

  ‘Three hours!’ said Gabriela. ‘You seem to be wholly unprepared if you don’t mind me saying so.’

  ‘I guess I got carried away. Once a week we’re permitted to take a walk, either alone or in a group. I always go alone.’