One Moment At Sunrise

by Karen Aldous

  ‘I’ll carry her up to her room.’ Immediately, he shifted around the other side of her bed and went to scoop Charlotte into his arms.

  Evie peered up at him, raising an eyebrow. ‘No. Leave her. She’s just gone off. I’m just recovering. I really don’t need shaking up. ‘Later maybe?’ Evie executed a blank stare.

  Seb returned a sulky one.

  Recollections from the previous evening suddenly surged into her head.

  Chapter 25

  That first afternoon was difficult for Evie. Queasiness from the hangover lurked as well as her sore eyes and vision. She still couldn’t understand or remember drinking that much wine. In fact, since she had bathed and put Charlotte to bed that evening, she failed to remember any of it apart from protesting. She remembered telling him she didn’t want to go, but not the resolution of that discussion. She must have drunk a bad batch of wine. She’d never felt this bad. Having no better explanation and with Seb being so kind, it set her wondering. It was a bit confusing, but maybe Seb had brought her here to work at their relationship.

  The next few days were surprisingly pleasant. Apart from playing games in the pool together, Seb played his guitar and sang to them. He even sang Evie and Charlotte’s favourite Adele song which they sang along to; all the while, Evie was dreaming of Ben. It was a song she had on repeat at times at home. But she continued to try to enjoy Seb’s company. He was being exceptionally kind. They shared evenings sipping champagne on the terrace, talking about their daughter and his music. Evie found herself letting down her guard and beginning to relax around him. Not that happy relaxed state she felt with Ben however, that was something special. Something she and Seb were never going to share, nor the intimacy. That much was now clear in her mind. Her responses to Seb had cooled and she found herself having to act interested, especially when she and Seb were in the bedroom. Her head was becoming quite confused as to whether she could last the holiday. Their magic had definitely waned. For once, Evie wished to be alone.

  That’s when Evie suggested they take some walks along the coast to explore the island. Without coastal paths however, it became difficult. Rocky underfoot and thick with spikey shrubs, they’d had to turn back several times and try different routes. Crevices sometimes seventy to a hundred feet appeared which they had to navigate around, only to discover more. The only sign of any path was a track running from the property which petered out further down, with plant growth recovering the clearance. Seb informed her that they’d had to fly in building materials and equipment, so at the top was a small clearing for helicopters.

  ‘So, how did we get here, did we fly?’

  ‘Helicopter.’

  ‘Really, and I missed it. How annoying.’

  ‘And a deadweight. You were out cold.’

  Evie shook her head. ‘That must have been a high volume of wine I consumed.’

  ‘Nothing unusual to my knowledge. You didn’t eat much.’ Seb shifted Charlotte slightly on his shoulders. ‘Sometimes alcohol can catch you out, especially if you haven’t eaten, or if you’re in a good mood.’

  ‘I think it might have been off. Anyway, urgh, don’t want to think about it now. Shall we go back? I think it’s getting too hot.’

  Seb checked his watch. ‘Yes, it’s almost midday.’ They turned around and began their walk back to the villa.

  ‘What about a nice swim to cool us down? It’s such a shame there’s no beaches or a beach bar.’

  ‘We have a bar and a great terrace.’

  ‘Yes but Charlotte loves the sand. I’m not complaining, it would make a change, that’s all.’

  ‘Well, beaches are in short supply here. I’ll order her a sandpit and some sand. I’m sure they do them for kids.’

  ‘Have you got a signal here?’

  ‘Occasionally. I have a booster but it’s not great.’

  ‘Aww, she would love that, yes… but it seems rather extravagant. We only have a few days left.’

  Seb put his arms around her, gripping Charlotte with the other. ‘Look, I don’t get to treat you two very often. We’ve got several more days and I’ll order some fresh supplies.’

  Evie was both wary but overwhelmed. Several more days. She just hoped his good mood continued and he didn’t become sulky. It was nice to be spoilt for once but he must be minted with all this spending, not to mention having the huge villa built. How was it she was scrimping so much in her own not-quite-so-huge villa when he lavished so much on everything else? Clearly he’d been feeding her lies. He was a bit of an oddball to work out. So tight and controlling at times and then so overly generous at others.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said as a shrill of alarm bells jarred her. Was this all possibly a deliberate part of his control?

  ‘Is there anything else you need?’

  ‘Only a phone but that’s not much good without the numbers to contact anyone is it?’

  Seb released her shoulder, reaching his hand back to Charlotte’s other hand. ‘No. Sorry, I just didn’t think. I should have checked it was in your bag.’

  ‘I should have put it away in the first place. I was looking for my charger. I’ll ring Cally as soon as we get back.’ Evie scooped her hair back as the heat was becoming unbearable. ‘At least Cally is around if they call.’

  Evie just prayed her father was ok. Her mother seemed to think everything was under control. Now however, she would be relying on her fee from Ben to get home to see them. A few more days. Of course, she would have some apologies to make to Suzanne and it made her feel dreadful that she had let her down so badly when her friend had done so much to help. Suzanne may never speak to her again and she and Charlotte could lose a very good friend. Her only friend. She did miss Ben too, but he wouldn’t be there forever. That would be sad. He would be gone once his production was finished. But, just seeing him and getting a wave, she missed those little things.

  Evie changed Charlotte into her swimming costume as soon as they got back to the villa and then put on her own. Taking another bottle of sun cream from the bathroom cupboard, and three fresh beach towels from another, she held Charlotte’s hand and led her down the stairs and to the pool. Seb was still in his clothes and on the terrace, pacing up and down one end.

  ‘Let’s put our towels down first, poppet, and put your life jacket on. Daddy must be ordering your surprise. One arm in, there’s a good girl, now the other.’ Evie zipped her up. ‘Right, shall we jump in?’

  ‘Jump.’ Charlotte gurgled. ‘Jump in.’

  Evie laughed at her words coming together as they stood on the side. ‘Ready. One, two, three, jump.’ And splash, it was cool but refreshing. They played and splashed for a while, before Evie removed her daughter’s life jacket for a little swim. Charlotte was already becoming a competent swimmer, able to complete a width of the pool.

  ‘More Mummy,’ she babbled as she reached the edge.

  ‘In a minute, poppet. Have a rest first.’ Evie told her and reached for Charlotte’s life jacket. Seb kicked off his shoes and sat on the side.

  He chewed on his lip. ‘Bad news I’m afraid. Bit of a pain, but Keith, my manager has managed to mess up my schedule. I did try to wriggle out of it but it’s a charity event in San Francisco which is too big to ignore. It’s just one night but,’ he shrugged, ‘the travelling will make it about three days. I’ll come back as soon as I can though, and I’ve arranged for supplies. I’ll go back with the chopper. They will bring the supplies, sandpit for Charlotte and a phone. Sorry it’s not your own but if there’s an emergency, you’ll be able to get hold of services.’

  ‘Well, I can go back.’

  ‘No, no. I’ll come back. I don’t want to ruin your holiday.’

  No. ‘It’s fine. I can come back with you….’

  ‘Wouldn’t hear of it. Come here.’ He beckoned her over to the edge of the pool where he sat and Evie swam the few metres with Charlotte into his dangling legs. He bent his neck and kissed her head. ‘You and Charlotte stay and enjoy your time here. Yo
u deserve a rest. I realise it’s not been great, so stay and have a treat. I’ll be back. Don’t go overboard with the booze though. Charlotte won’t know how to use the phone, nor put you to bed.’

  Evie peered at him with a squint as she bounced Charlotte in the water. She didn’t find his sarcasm in the least bit funny.

  ‘You know me better than that. It’s never happened before.’ Her thoughts suddenly turned to her accident. ‘You did order the phone though? I’ll need one here in case.’

  ‘Yes of course, and I’m teasing, you are a wonderful mother. I’ve really enjoyed this week getting to know you and Charlotte again. I can’t believe I have to go. It’s so infuriating when work takes over.’

  ‘Look Seb, Charlotte and I can go back while you’re working, I don’t mind, really.’

  ‘My beauty. I won’t be long and I’m enjoying family life.’

  She didn’t know the difference any more. He was good at playing with her head. They had definitely begun to relax and enjoy each other’s company. But, hey, she could handle this for a few days. Having him around had been restrictive in other ways. There would certainly be an opportunity to get her notebooks out in his absence. After all, it wasn’t unusual to be on her own. Being completely alone with a child on a deserted island was daunting, but two or three days alone might actually give her time to think. She was more confused than ever now.

  ‘Ok, it’s only a few days. We’ll be fine. When do you have to leave?’

  He lifted the phone still in his hand. ‘In two hours and ten minutes. Keith has sent Dom shopping, and then I fly to Heathrow tonight.’

  ‘Wow, so soon. You’d better get packed.’

  ‘I won’t need much for one night. They’ll have everything I need. I’d better show you the security system and anything you might need to know. Don’t worry about the pool, that takes care of itself.’

  Evie put Charlotte to bed for her nap and followed Seb along to the kitchen where he took a notebook and pen from a drawer and fed it to her hand.

  ‘You might want this.’

  She followed him out the front door and down a concrete ramp to large industrial gates. Beside the gates, he unlocked a wide fire-door. Once they were inside he locked it again, making Evie a little nervous. He opened a door to her right which led to a large double garage containing, she noted, an old jeep, fishing rods and tackle, diving suits and equipment. Then back out of the door and across the corridor, they took some steps down and entered another door with several electronic panels and boilers. There were so many keys and fobs as well as codes for operating electrics and security. Remembering her experience with the CCTV, she wrote down Seb’s instructions in the pad.

  ‘So, are you happy with that?’ he asked, swinging round and opening another door which led to another room with two walls full of cupboards, two large chest freezers and a double fridge and, at the far end, another staircase. ‘This will take you up to the laundry room and then back to the kitchen,’ ‘he continued as they reached the top of the stairs. ‘It’s easier to carry supplies up this end but anything you want to store, just put it in the garage.’

  ‘Hmmm. As long as I can read my notes, I’ll be fine.’

  ‘You probably won’t need to come down here other than for food. I’m only showing you all this in case something goes off. The power is mainly solar for the water. It has an air-pump, which is for air-con or heating, which can be operated from the rooms.’

  ‘Good. Fingers crossed I won’t need it. I should go check on Charlotte. I’ll wake her. She won’t want to miss the helicopter when it comes.’

  As they reached the kitchen, Seb grabbed her by the waist. ‘I’ll miss you both.’ he said, sliding a hand through her hair and kissing her on the lips.’

  ‘I’ll miss you too. Try not to be too long.’

  ‘I should be back Thursday or Friday.’

  Evie held Charlotte in her arms as the helicopter flew over and then landed on the track. Charlotte held her fingers in her ears, her hair blowing fiercely around her face. Evie also had to keep sweeping her hair off her face as she observed a young man step out the helicopter whilst Seb drove the jeep up from the garage and parked it close. Seb told Dom to start loading and, as Dom took heavy-duty plastic bags full of fine sand and put them in jeep, she saw Seb grabbing a large circular item which she guessed was the sand-pit, and sliding it over the bags. Dom collected a few more boxes of supplies before they both jumped in, with Seb driving it back to the garage. To Evie, it seemed such a slick operation.

  They waited, watching the pilot as he poked at his controls. Several minutes later, Dom ran up and waved at them both, followed by Seb, with a light bag. He ran over and kissed them both.

  ‘Sandpit is on the terrace. Toys, food supplies and phone will be in the box. See you soon.’

  ‘Yes, have fun.’ Evie shouted back, then she and Charlotte waved as he got in and the helicopter whooshed into the air and was gone within seconds.

  True to his word, Seb had put the new sandpit on the terrace. He’d even placed it under the canopy in the shade and emptied the bags of sand.

  ‘Oh poppet, look. Daddy has filled up the sandpit. Shall we spread it out?’

  ‘Sandpit. Play sand, Mummy.’ Charlotte’s little legs hopped impatiently.

  Evie smiled to herself as they evened out the sand. Sometimes Seb really surprised her. They soon had a beautifully manicured sandpit with the cutest little footprints. If only she had a camera, she grimaced.

  ‘Oh, phone. Hopefully the new phone will have one. Come with Mummy, we’ll have a look for some toys to put in your sandpit.’ Taking Charlotte inside through the kitchen and back down to the supplies, she opened one of the boxes. In it was fresh fruits and vegetables for refrigeration, cold meats and cheeses, snacks and breads. Evie immediately stored them away and opened another box.

  ‘A bucket and spade. Perfect. Daddy has surpassed himself.’ Evie said, handing her daughter the bucket and spade to carry whilst she searched through the box for the new phone Seb had mentioned. She pulled out several smaller boxes; bath toys, children’s puzzles, scenic puzzles for adults, a mini blackboard with chalks, colouring books with crayons and, she chuckled to herself, a mini-piano and mini-guitar.

  Charlotte’ eyed up the guitar and threw down the bucket. ‘Ch-lottes,’ she said, waiting for Evie to open the box and then eagerly dancing and strumming.

  Evie laughed. ‘Trust Daddy.’ Then she continued inspecting the boxes again. ‘Where is the phone? Please don’t tell me that’s the only thing missing?’

  Evie began again, going through every item, one by one. She even checked through the food she had placed in the fridge. Damn.

  ‘Come on, let’s go and play in your new sandpit. Get your bucket and spade.’ Furious, Evie picked up the bag of bath toys and carried them up the stairs and out to the sandpit. She wanted to scream. Climbing into the pit and helping Charlotte in, she sat with her demonstrating how they could use the bath toys with sand; but all the while she was raging inside. Unless there was another box, Seb or one of his team had missed the one essential item. She got up and slumped in the chair, cradling a head heavy with suspicion. Seb was up to something.

  Chapter 26

  Evie and Charlotte had completed each of their puzzles several times by Friday lunchtime and Evie glanced repeatedly, almost obsessively, up at the sky – expecting Seb’s helicopter to appear. There was only so much swimming and walking she and Charlotte could do. They’d had plenty of fun playing in the sandpit and making music with the new guitar and piano, but if it wasn’t for her notebooks and writing to keep her occupied in the evenings, Evie was sure she would have gone mad. If only she had insisted she return home. She really missed Ben and her cycle rides every day. This wasn’t much of a holiday, even with all the luxuries. In fact, knowing Seb would return today was the only thing keeping her sane, but that was more in the hope that he would change his mind and take them home. She feared she would slip back to her d
arker days alone. Months and months of the same walls and only a baby to talk to.

  Not that she didn’t love her child, in fact Charlotte was becoming wonderful company, but the isolation she’d felt then was very similar to what she was experiencing now. Like a mental trigger, her spirit was sinking. She felt as though she was the island, abandoned, unnoticed, unloved and deflating. It was the little things she had begun to appreciate, like getting out and being part of the human race even if she didn’t always talk to people. Once Seb had bought her the bike, it had made such a difference being able to cycle along the canal and feel the breeze through her hair and see the beauty surrounding her. Meeting Suzanne and feeling someone cared and wanted to know her improved her confidence. Accidently meeting Ben, and being included in his world, not to mention having a valued purpose, had created such a rise in her spirit. And of course, building bridges with her family; her sister now almost a friend – someone she cared about. Hopefully she would make the same progress with her parents. She was beginning to engage in real life and there was no way she would return to those patterns of self-destruction. No, she was’ better than that now.

  It was now almost two weeks. Her stomach curdled and her face flushed, the heat was suddenly escalating.

  ‘Ok, little lady,’ she told Charlotte, ‘let’s have another swim to cool down and you can have a sleep before Daddy gets back.’

  They leaped into the pool and Evie held Charlotte afloat just lightly under her belly so that she could begin to swim. These last few days, her child’s swimming had improved so much, she imagined if they stayed much longer, her daughter would become a little mermaid. They hadn’t used the pool at home as much in a year as they had in the two weeks here. After drying her off, she put Charlotte in her cot for her nap then returned to the terrace on sky watch.

  Irritated by the heat and the waiting, Evie retreated to her room; a white vacuous space. Here she was, alone again. Closing her eyes prompted a relapse into isolation but this time, she looked up and marvelled at the wide horizon before her; a whole new set of possibilities. Unlocking her case where her notepads stealthily lay she took one out and picked up her pen. She lay on her bed, adjusting her pillow, and let her mind drift. She began writing down random words with her pen and scribbling down fresh ideas for travel articles. The Saint-Ferreol Lake at Revel, The Chateau de Paraza, Riquet’s home during building of the canal, and his home in Central Square in Revel. But Riquet was not the central character in her story, was he? Riquet’s story belonged to Ben. Her pen poised, the character of Maria Mendoza wandered into her mind’s eye. Where would this take her, she asked herself. Whilst her imagination sewed together new material, the veil of stress slipped from her shoulders. When she had written the additions to Ben’s script, she had thoroughly enjoyed creating Maria’s character and placing her into the life of Pierre-Paul Riquet. Maybe she could create Maria’s life story too, as a separate entity, with articles which could at least complement some of the film’s. At least if she built her name with those articles, she had a good foundation on which to continue her writing career and contacts.