‘Swell, good thinkin’. How long do you plan on going to Europe for?’
‘Well we do have custody arrangements in place, Cal. That depends on you,’ she said. ‘If you’re not happy with the idea it’s nixed.’
‘You know I’m not gonna make an issue out of it,’ he said, a little irritable that she would think he would.
‘It’s only manners to ask, darlin’.’
‘Appreciate it. Jake will miss them as much as I will. I expect you’ll be gone at least a month; not much point otherwise.’
Sally-Ann took a deep breath, trying to contain her excitement. Since she’d had the brainwave at sunrise, it was all she could think about. She would burst if she didn’t say it to him soon. ‘Yeah well here’s the thing, Cal. I was hoping you’d be OK with it. I thought I’d bring them to France for two weeks and then Spain for a month, so I rang Jutta to book the penthouse and I took a chance and provisionally booked a second apartment in the hopes that perhaps you and Jake and the au pair might come for a couple of weeks. It’s no big deal to cancel because it’s only January and I’ve booked for August. We could have some real good family time if you wanted to.’
‘Hey, that’s somethin’ to think about. I like it,’ he approved, relieved that she’d considered him in her plans. ‘It could be fun.’
‘That’s what I was thinkin’. And listen to this and don’t faint.’ Her eyes were sparkling. ‘I told y’all that poor Austen who owns the penthouse next to ours died last year; well Jutta told me that Anna’s put it up for sale, and I was thinkin’ I might just put in an offer. It would be good to have a place of my own. It would be an investment, and it would mean our extended family could spend time out there together if you wanted to.’
‘I really do like your thinkin’, woman. Where will I be sleepin’?’ he grinned.
‘In your own penthouse,’ she said firmly.
‘Now that we’re divorced and we’re reasonably good friends, couldn’t we be good friends with benefits?’ He studied her intently.
‘You could have had all the benefits y’all wanted when we were married before you . . . eh . . . ya know.’
‘OK, just checking, didn’t mean to offend you. You’re still a hot woman, and that’s a compliment.’
‘Cut it out, Cal,’ she laughed. ‘It ain’t gonna happen.’
‘I miss you.’
‘Well I don’t miss you,’ she said lightly, determined not to go down that path.
‘So you’re thinkin’ of becoming a woman of more property? Will you take out a mortgage or buy it outright?’ He stretched his long be-jeaned legs out in front of him and raised his face to the sun. All he needed was a Stetson and his spurs and he’d look like a cowboy, she thought in amusement. And a sexy one at that. She wasn’t going to close the door on bedding him again, but it would be at a time of her choosing, not his.
‘I don’t know yet. I want to have a chat with my accountant—’
‘Put in your offer either way, that’s a damn fine penthouse on a top class site. It won’t stay on the market for long, economic downturn notwithstanding,’ Cal advised. ‘The vultures are hovering all over Europe, snapping up bargains.’
‘And there are bargains to be had,’ she agreed. ‘By the way, Cal, just so y’all know. I would have put in an offer for the penthouse even if we hadn’t been divorced. I won’t have to touch my alimony. I made sure I became a woman of independent means, with my own business, when things went wrong for us.’ She stood up and took a note out of her wallet and put it under her empty cup. ‘Coffee’s on me. See y’all. Bring Jake over soon, I haven’t seen him in a while.’
‘OK, boss!’ Cal raised his hand in salute and smiled at her.
Sally-Ann blew him a kiss and headed to the parking lot. She felt strangely light-hearted. Divorcing Cal had been a liberation for her. She was her own woman. She knew where she stood personally, financially, and professionally. The girls were doing OK. And she and Cal were on an even keel and made a strong team as parents. It was a good place to be.
Cal watched Sally-Ann walk away, with that graceful long-legged stride of hers and couldn’t but admire his ex-wife. She was a great mother, he acknowledged. To his shame, he’d never really appreciated that when the children were young. He sighed and signalled for the bill. She’d stood firm in her desire to divorce him, much to his dismay. He’d hoped to persuade her to stay as they were and try and woo his way back to having a proper marriage, but she wasn’t having it. He’d never seen her so determined.
Perhaps the summer in Europe might be the time to renew his efforts, because they were good together, and their family – including Jake, and that was a big thanks to Sally-Ann – was solid. In the meantime he’d keep having coffee-morning dates with her. He really looked forward to them. He picked up his phone and dialled Eva, Jake’s au pair. ‘Everything OK, Eva?’
‘He’s sleeping, he’s eating and he’s poohing,’ Eva laughed.
‘How do you fancy travelling to Europe in the summer? Just letting you know it’s on the cards, if you decide to stay longer than the six months you’d planned.’
‘Ooohhh, I like it, Cal. Perhaps I’ll stay for a year instead.’
‘Sally-Ann and the girls will be with us so you’ll be able to have some good free time.’
‘It sounds better and better,’ his au pair replied gaily.
And so it does, thought Cal, and so it does.
‘Please eat your mashed banana, liebling,’ Jutta urged, pressing a spoonful against Alicia’s pursed lips.
‘No, no, Mama,’ the toddler waved the spoon away and the mashed fruit spattered across Jutta’s blouse. ‘Scheisse,’ she cursed, wiping it away with a tissue, but there was a stain right on the boob. She’d have to change. She had a meet and greet in three-quarters of an hour, in Mi Capricho. She’d need to get her skates on. Her phone rang and she saw Eduardo De La Fuente’s name come up on the screen. There was no point in even taking the call. Alicia was starting to wail. She wouldn’t be able to converse with him. She’d ring him later.
‘Felipe, will you try and get this into her? I’ll have to change and I’ll have to leave soon,’ she asked her husband who was slouched on the sofa, watching a football match.
‘Sure,’ he agreed, taking the dish and spoon she handed him. He sat down at the table beside Alicia’s high chair and waved the spoon at his daughter, before dipping it into the mash. ‘Open up for the choo choo train,’ he said in a funny voice. Alicia giggled and opened her mouth wide as the spoon got nearer.
‘Num, num,’ said Felipe, spooning the mash in.
‘Num, num,’ echoed Alicia, eating it.
‘Simple,’ her husband raised an eyebrow. ‘At least I’m good at something. Maybe I should have opened a crèche instead of going into the development business.’
‘Oh don’t start,’ she snapped putting her phone in her bag. She wasn’t in the humour to listen to him beating his breast about his failing business. She went into their bedroom and unfastened her blouse and threw it in the laundry basket. Two clients had failed to renew their contracts this week; that was six lost this year so far and it was only January. She could understand why. Money was tight. Maintenance fees were going up. Municipal taxes were going up. Owners were looking to make cutbacks. All along the coast, businesses like hers were suffering.
She opened a drawer and selected a pale lemon V-neck jumper from the neat pile. It looked good with her tailored black trousers. She’d stay well away from Alicia.
Her phone pinged with a message. It was her clients to say they had just landed. She’d better get on the road. She touched up her make-up, brushed her hair and went to the balcony that ran the length of their apartment and looked out. The sun was dipping low towards Africa, and to the east, banks of rainclouds loomed ominously along the coast. The clients she was meeting would not have good weather for the next few days, and it was chilly too, now that the sun was setting.
Her phone rang again and she half
expected it to be Eduardo, but Sally-Ann Connolly Cooper’s name appeared and she answered it.
‘Sally-Ann, how can I help?’ Jutta put on her most businesslike voice.
‘Hey, Jutta, this is not out of curiosity but a genuine query. How much is Anna looking for for the penthouse? I’m interested in putting in an offer.’ Jutta’s jaw dropped. She could hardly believe her ears. Anna’s penthouse was hardly up on the boards and she was getting an offer. Win, win situation. If Sally-Ann bought it, hopefully she would retain Jutta for management and cleaning services and, icing on the cake, she would get her seller’s fee, and a good one at that.
‘That’s great news, Sally-Ann. You’ve seen it, and the high standard of décor. The sale will include all fixtures and fittings. I’m just on my way to meet some clients who are arriving. Can I call you back in five minutes when I’m in the car and I’ll give you all the details then.’
‘Perfect,’ Sally-Ann agreed. ‘Talk to y’all in five.’
Jutta almost did a little dance in the bedroom but restrained herself. She knew of apartments that were still on the market two years down the line because of the property crash, their owners not willing to make a loss. And she was selling a penthouse in less than twenty-four hours of it going up for sale. That would encourage other sellers to come to her, although she doubted she’d ever be so lucky again.
She was just about to rush into the lounge to tell Felipe the great news when she stopped short. She’d better not say anything, Jutta thought regretfully. Her husband would think she was rubbing his nose in it. Her business was doing fine, his wasn’t. She should take cognizance of his masculine sensibilities, she thought ruefully. But if it were the other way around, that wouldn’t even be a consideration and he wouldn’t think twice about telling her his good news. So much for equality in marriage. Why should she hide her light under a bushel? Because it was the easiest thing to do, Jutta admitted, slipping her phone back into her bag. ‘See you in a while,’ she said, blowing a kiss at Alicia who was pulling Felipe’s ears and chuckling happily as he pretended it hurt.
‘Adiós.’ Felipe didn’t even look in her direction, he was so busy entertaining their daughter.
Jutta took the lift to the foyer. She was the breadwinner in the family, she’d better go and earn a tasty loaf she decided, anxious to get back to Sally-Ann and secure the deal as soon as possible.
‘I’m sorry I missed your call yesterday evening, Señor De La Fuente—’s
‘Eduardo, please.’
‘Thank you, Eduardo. I’m Jutta. How is your aunt doing?’
‘Quite well, Jutta. We are back in Madrid today and she will be in convalescence for another while. I would like to thank you very much for your great kindness to her when she took ill.’
‘Not at all, Eduardo. I have an elderly parent myself. I know the worry of taking care of aged relatives.’
‘Indeed.’
‘Well thank you for letting me know,’ Jutta said politely. ‘I’m glad to hear the good news.’
‘De nada muchas gracias once again, Jutta. Um . . . just before you go . . . I might be interested in buying the MacDonald penthouse. I saw on the board in Reception, that it’s up for sale.’
‘Oh!’ exclaimed Jutta, completely thrown by this new development.
‘Yes, it’s rather spectacular. The views are magnificent. Could you tell me what price Señora MacDonald is looking for?’
‘Well actually, I have a buyer. It’s off the market,’ Jutta informed him proudly.
‘Oh! So soon. Is it someone in La Joya?’ Eduardo asked, and she knew by his tone that he was quite miffed.
‘As you, more than anyone, can appreciate, Eduardo, I have to be mindful of confidentiality regarding my clients,’ Jutta said diplomatically.
‘Of course. Of course,’ Eduardo exclaimed hastily. ‘I should not have asked.’
‘If anything goes awry and the sale doesn’t go through, I’ll get back to you straight away if you would like me to,’ Jutta promised.
‘That would be excellent. Adios.’
‘Adiós, Eduardo.’ Jutta hung up, delighted with herself. If – and it was a big if, because Sally-Ann was gung-ho to buy the penthouse – but if the American’s deal didn’t go through, now Jutta had a safety net to fall back on. The Gods were smiling on her for sure. And if another penthouse came up, she had a potential buyer already. What more could she ask for?
‘Are you sure y’all don’t mind me buying it, Anna? Please say straight out if you do,’ Sally-Ann urged.
‘I couldn’t think of anyone I’d prefer to have it, honestly, Sally-Ann. And are you OK with the price?’ Anna asked hesitantly.
‘Yup I sure am. It’s a fabulous penthouse in a fabulous location, I can’t wait to get the girls over, and Cal and Jake are coming too. A real family holiday. I’m glad for the girls. They don’t even know we’re divorced. We never said it to ’em.’ Sally-Ann laughed.
‘That’s a terrific idea. The less they have to worry about at that age the better.’
‘And listen y’all, if you and the ladies ever want to come over, because it will be empty a lot – I’m not going to rent it out – feel free, Anna, won’t you?’ Sally-Ann urged.
‘That’s kind of you, love, but I don’t think I could ever go back again. Too many memories. It’s hard enough here at home.’
‘I can’t imagine,’ Sally-Ann said sympathetically. ‘Well if y’all, and the girls, ever feel like coming to Texas I’d love to have ya.’
‘Well I might do that sometime,’ Anna laughed. ‘I better go, I hear Charlotte waking up from her nap. There’s a nappy – you call them diapers don’t you – waiting to be changed.’
‘I’m doing a bit of diaper changing myself. And I still have the knack of it,’ Sally-Ann boasted. ‘Take care, Anna darlin’.’
‘And you too,’ Anna returned, cheered by the call from her friend.
She couldn’t believe she had an offer for the penthouse already. And from Sally-Ann at that. Austen was looking out for her, she thought sadly, walking up the stairs to her granddaughter. It was kind of Sally-Ann to invite her to use the penthouse, but that chapter in her life was closed.
She glanced out the bedroom window when she opened the blinds. The rain was pelting down, the wind blowing the skeletal trees mercilessly. How lovely it would have been to be in Spain with her husband. And oh, how she missed him. Grief overwhelmed her, as it always did when she thought about him. Her mother had an old country saying: ‘You never miss the shelter of the bush until it’s gone.’ How she missed the shelter of Austen’s love and care. His stalwart presence had given her a strength she’d never really acknowledged, until it was gone. She felt like one of those trees out there, battered in the wind. Would it ever end? she wondered. This indescribable sorrow that had her wrapped so tightly in its unrelenting grip that sometimes she almost felt she could not breathe.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
May
EDUARDO / JUTTA
Should he tell Consuela that he was meeting Jutta Sauer for coffee? Eduardo wondered as he took out his phone to call his wife. But then she would want to know why, and he didn’t want her to know that he was interested in buying another penthouse that had come up for sale in La Joya. Best to say nothing for the time being. There would be nothing worse than telling Consuela about it and then having it fall through.
He was excited, Eduardo admitted. The particular penthouse that was for sale had a better aspect than the MacDonald one. The roof terrace would give him views over the whole complex, as well as across the Mediterranean. He would be the king of all he surveyed in his well-appointed eyrie. There was only one problem. He did not get on well with the current owner. In fact they loathed each other. Eduardo had sent stern letters to him demanding an immediate settlement of his maintenance arrears or face imminent legal action.
The owner had knocked on his apartment door and told him in no uncertain terms to ‘Fuck off and stop annoying me, you’ll get t
he arrears when I sell up’, while his revolting parrot had hurled obscenities from his perch. Eduardo had told the owner the previous year that he must get rid of that pesky bird, and again, he’d been treated to a tirade from both the owner and his obnoxious pet. The Englishman had been intimidatingly threatening and even Eduardo’s imperious authority had quailed under the aggressive response.
Eduardo felt certain that because of the bad feeling between them, he would be the last person the owner would want to sell to. Hence his coffee meeting with Jutta. He’d a strategy to deal with the problem if she was willing.
‘Hola,’ he said, hearing his wife’s voice at the other end of the phone. ‘How are things?’
‘Muy bien,’ Consuela said in her usual calm tones. ‘I’m just home from my classes. I dropped in to Beatriz and had lunch with her and she was in good form, and afterwards I pushed her along the riverbank in her wheelchair and we sat and read our books in the sun. It’s a beautiful day in Madrid.’
‘It’s beautiful down here too. May is such a pleasant month,’ Eduardo said, relieved that Consuela was in one of her serene moods. ‘It was kind of you to take Beatriz for a walk.’
‘She loves the río, and it was relaxing to sit under the shade of the trees and watch the world go by. How did your meeting go?’
‘It’s all about finances really; the coastal erosion is getting worse, and we need protection, but we are one of many urbanizations along the coast with the same problem. We spoke with the engineers and they are going to compile a report, and I can bring it up at the AGM so that owners are aware that there is a problem. All in all it went fine so I’ll take the 8.05 tonight and get a taxi from the station.’
‘OK, text me when you’re in the taxi. I’ll have a light supper waiting for you.’
‘Muchas gracias, querida,’ he said gratefully. ‘Adiós.’
‘Adiós, safe journey,’ his wife said and he exhaled as he hung up. He never quite knew what to expect with Consuela these days, but today they were friendly and there had been no arguments and that was a plus.
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