by Mandy Lee
‘It’s a lovely house.’
‘It’s the guest house. Bill’s place is up the hill. You’ll meet him tomorrow.’
My eyes must be the size of saucers. If this is just the guest house, then God only knows what the main residence is like. Realising that I’m close to collapse, I roll my shoulders.
‘I need to go to bed.’
He hesitates. ‘Shall I come with you?’
Holding out a hand, he watches me, and I wonder if that’s fear in his eyes. I have no idea, but as soon as I put my fingers into his, it melts away. With a smile, he guides me out of the living area, down a corridor and into the master bedroom. Again, everything around me is solid and luxurious: the blinds that hang at the windows, the mahogany furniture; the vast wooden bed that’s draped with rich white cotton sheets. At the centre of the ceiling, attached to the main light, a fan circles slowly, and in the background, I can hear the quiet hum of an air conditioning unit.
Without a word, I take myself into the bathroom, brush my teeth, let my hair down and return to the bedroom where I find that Dan’s already slipped off his shoes and socks. Staring at another of his mother’s water colours, he’s currently unbuttoning his shirt.
I stand absolutely still, staring at the bed, sensing him when he comes behind me and begins to unlace the bodice of my dress, slowly, sliding a palm under the material. Soft against my skin, it’s warm in contrast to the cooling air. He loosens the dress from my torso, letting it fall from me, and draws me in to him, nuzzling his face against my neck. His arms are around my waist now and I rest my hands over his, melting at his touch. At last, he rouses himself, turns me round to face him and kisses me slowly, tenderly, brushing his lips across mine before he claims my mouth completely.
‘Let’s sleep,’ he whispers.
With a nod, I peel his shirt away from his shoulders and run my hands across his bare flesh. I have no intention of turning him on. All I want is to reassure him. And he seems to understand. I get into bed, loving the fresh smell of the sheets, the rich comfort of the pillows, and wait while he undresses. Climbing into bed next to me, he clicks off the lights. I feel the touch of a finger against my hip, put my hand over his, and guide it further round. He readjusts his position, urging me to move so that my back is against his chest. And then gently, very gently, he strokes my hair, and I close my eyes in a strange land, spiralling quickly into the dark.
***
When I wake up, I remember no dreams. Just a solid wall of sleep separates me from yesterday. Rolling over onto my back and finding an empty space next to me, I spend a minute or two watching the fan rotate above the bed before I gaze at the window. The wooden blinds are still closed, but here and there, a glimmer of sunlight winks through the slats. Feeling distinctly lazy, I’d love to stay here all day, but there’s a whole new world to discover outside and at least one person waiting to meet me. With a yawn, I get up, find my suitcase and open it. After the manic, last-minute packing session, everything’s creased beyond recognition, but never mind. Putting on a pair of shorts and one of my old strappy T-shirts, I freshen up in the bathroom, fix my hair into something that passes for an up-do and wander out into the day, bare-footed.
The living room is empty, and so is the kitchen, but the French windows are open wide, framing a scene of brilliant sunlight and vibrant colour. Edging my way forwards, allowing my eyes to accustom themselves to the light, I begin to take it all in: the deep green of a lawn edged by flower beds, a slight incline leading down to a clump of trees, an azure blue sea in the background.
‘Wow,’ I whisper, completely overwhelmed by the view.
The slow murmur of conversation leads me out onto the covered veranda. With his back to me, dressed in dark blue shorts and a white T-shirt, Dan sits at a wooden table, opposite a grey-haired old man. As I approach, the old man notices me. His pale blue eyes twinkle with delight. He takes off a pair of steel-rimmed spectacles, placing them on the table top.
‘Here she is,’ he announces.
Dan looks up.
‘Maya.’ He smiles warily. ‘Come and meet Bill.’
Both men stand and while I’m clasped on the arms and kissed on the cheek by Bill, Dan pulls out the chair next to him and gestures for me to sit. When I’ve taken my place, I turn to Bill.
‘It’s good to meet you.’
‘And it’s good to meet you.’ He nods his approval at Dan. ‘You’re a lucky man.’
‘I know.’
‘He told me you’re a beauty.’
‘Really? What else did he say?’
‘Oh.’ Bill touches the side of his nose. ‘There are some things I can’t divulge. Let’s just say that I’m certain we’re going to be good friends.’
And I know exactly what that means. Mr Rush-it just can’t help himself. In spite of everything else that’s going on, he’s clearly already informed his old friend – in no uncertain terms – that I’m the future ball and chain. Resisting the urge to slap my apparent fiancé around the back of the head for his impatience, I settle for a demure smile and something fairly non-committal.
‘I’m sure we will.’
‘Tea?’
‘Yes, please.’
Bill picks up a silver teapot and pours me a cup. I take the opportunity to examine him in more detail. At least as old as Norman, he’s lean and trim and sprightly. On the surface, he’s nothing more than a kindly old gent, dressed in a ridiculous pair of Bermuda shorts and a pink polo shirt, but I get the distinct feeling that there’s much more to this man. His keen eyes flick between us, his face wrinkling into a smile every now and then, and he has the look of someone who’s seen and done it all, someone who knows plenty, but doesn’t feel the need to broadcast the fact.
‘Maya, I’ve sorted a little brunch for you. You must be hungry.’ He waves a hand at a silver platter, laid out with French toast, crispy bacon, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms. ‘Take whatever you want.’
While the two men chat, I help myself to a selection of everything and finish it off. I’m washing it all down with a second cup of tea when my attention is lured back to the sea, casting me away into a world of colour. For the most part, it’s glass-like and calm, a giant blend of gemstones: from zircon and aquamarine at the shore, through sapphire where the waters deepen, to lapis lazuli along the horizon. In a trance, I watch as the colours merge and mutate in the light, wishing that I had my oils with me.
‘That’s impressive,’ Bill remarks.
His words jolt me back into the real world. I’m in the middle of a conversation.
‘What is?’ I ask.
‘Flying. Dan was just telling me about your fear of flying.’
‘Oh that.’
‘It’s good that you’ve faced it head-on.’ He laughs. ‘And my God, you don’t get any more head-on than six hours on a Lear jet. Quite some accomplishment. Are there any other fears we need to know about, Maya?’
‘Heights,’ Dan answers absently, running his fingertip across the table top. ‘And storms.’
‘We’ve all got fears,’ I mutter.
The fingertip stops mid-movement. He squints up at me.
‘Not Dan.’ Bill smiles. ‘Dan’s afraid of nothing.’
Apart from his own past, I’d like to add. And believe you me, I’d like to see him face that head-on.
‘So what are your plans for today?’ Reaching forwards, Bill offers to pour me a third cup of tea.
‘No plans.’ Clearly relieved that the conversation’s moving on, Dan leans back, resting an arm across the back of his chair. ‘We just need to relax. De-stress a little.’
The old man places the teapot back onto the end of the table. ‘So, this is your first time on the island, Maya?’
‘Yes.’
‘It’s a beautiful place. Dan used to visit a lot, but I haven’t seen him since he was eighteen. Can you imagine that? All those years and he never bothered.’
Dan looks down, seemingly sheepish.
‘I’m teasing
him,’ Bill laughs. ‘We’ve talked on the phone. I’ve tried to get him to come back, but he was always too busy. Always.’
And now my apparent fiancé shifts about in his chair. Suddenly, he doesn’t seem quite so relaxed. ‘Running that company isn’t easy, Bill.’
‘I know that, but you could have taken a holiday every once in a while. Maya, have you met Norman?’
‘Yes.’
‘An old friend of mine. He hasn’t been out here for a few years now. Too old for the flight, he says. But me and Norman talk. And I know what goes on with this boyfriend of yours. I know he works too hard. Why did you never take a holiday, Dan?’
‘I’ve travelled all over the world with Fosters. There’s been no need.’
Bill shakes his head. ‘You’ve been punishing yourself.’
I watch as Dan bites back a scowl, realise that Bill’s managed to hit the nail right on the head, and resolve to change the course of the conversation.
‘How did you know Mr and Mrs Foster?’ I ask.
‘John and Lydia? I lived near them. We were good friends. John did some work for me on my house. I was in banking. I had a pretty big house in Surrey, but it was falling to pieces. John helped me put it back together again. I moved out here about twenty-five years ago. They used to come out every summer. And then Dan arrived.’ He shoots a questioning look at Dan.
‘It’s alright,’ he says quietly. ‘She knows.’
Bill nods. ‘I first met him when he was thirteen. Those were good holidays, eh, Dan?’
‘They were.’ He smiles.
‘I know I’ve said it on the phone, but I’m sorry about what happened. They were taken from us too soon.’
While Dan goes back to trailing his fingertip across the table, Bill watches him carefully.
‘Well,’ he says at last. ‘I’ll leave you two alone for now.’ Standing up, he touches Dan on the shoulder. ‘I want you to come up for dinner tonight. Seven o’clock. Shorts and T-shirts. We don’t stand on ceremony here, Maya. Have a relaxing day.’ He leans down and kisses me on the cheek. ‘And make sure he takes you for a swim.’
‘But I don’t have a swimming costume.’
‘I’ll have a quiet word with Kathy. She’ll go into Hamilton and pick something up for you and Danny boy.’
I catch a wince from Dan.
‘Seven o’clock. Be late if you like.’
With a laugh, Bill makes his way up the path, back to the big house, stopping off here and there to smell a flower or take a look at the ocean. When I turn back to Dan, he’s gazing at me.
‘So,’ he begins.
‘So?’ I bat the word right back at him.
‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry I lied to you. It was stupid and I’m an idiot.’
‘You can say that again.’
‘I just didn’t know how to tell you. I was terrified of losing you. I still am.’
‘You’re not going to lose me.’
‘But now you know what I’ve done.’ He frowns. ‘I caused a woman to kill herself.’
‘You’ve got it all wrong,’ I inform him. A good night’s sleep has clarified matters for me, and with the clouds of shock and exhaustion finally lifted, I’m as clear-headed as they come. ‘You’ve had it wrong for years.’
He’s clearly confused now, and I really don’t blame him. After all, while he’s been busy preparing to ask for my forgiveness and understanding, I’ve been slowly coming to the conclusion that he’s not the guilty party at all.
‘You didn’t mislead her?’ I ask.
‘No.’
‘Then she’s the one who caused the situation. She trapped you. You just reacted the same way anyone else would have done. Whatever decisions she made, that was her business, but you’re not responsible for her death.’
He lowers his head.
‘It all makes sense now,’ I press on quickly. ‘Why you closed yourself off. Why you worked yourself half to death. It was because you didn’t want to hurt anyone again. It was guilt. You punished yourself for what happened … only it wasn’t your fault.’
He takes in a breath, but says nothing. And he doesn’t have to. I can see it in his face: I’ve finally got to the truth.
‘The past is the past. That’s your mantra, isn’t it? Draw a line under everything, block it all out.’
‘It’s seen me through.’
‘But at what cost?’ I pause, already knowing the answer. ‘You didn’t confront the past. You just buried it … and you ended up lonely.’
He frowns, disbelieving, as if I’ve just told him he’s grown an extra leg.
‘I’ve always had people around me.’
‘But you never let anyone get close. You’ve already admitted that.’
He’s still not convinced. And maybe I should provide a little first-hand evidence of my own.
‘I saw you, Dan. That first time I ever stayed over, I saw you in the morning, out on the terrace. You didn’t know I was there but I was watching you, and I’ve never seen anyone look so lonely in my life.’
‘I’m not lonely any more.’
‘Maybe not. But you still need a new mantra. You’ve got to deal with the past, not hide from it. You’ve got to face your demons just like I’ve got to face mine. We’re the king and queen of brushing the crap under the carpet, you and me, and because we’ve never really faced it, we’ve never really lived.’
His lips curl up into a smile.
‘So, we’re both fucked up then?’
‘Maybe,’ I smile back at him. ‘But we can both undo the damage. Together.’
Taking my hand in his, he begins to stroke his thumb across my palm, over and over, watching its slow progress against my skin.
‘You’ve already told me what I need to do. I need to talk to Sara.’ I hold my breath for a moment. We’re both fully aware of what’s coming next. ‘And you know what you need to do. You need to get back in touch with your sisters.’
Still stroking my hand, he looks out to sea.
‘Whatever you did to hurt them, they’ll forgive you for it.’
He turns back to me and gazes into my eyes for an age.
‘Does this mean I’m forgiven?’ he asks at last.
‘For getting married? There’s nothing to forgive. For lying to me? I suppose so.’ Prising my hand out of his, I take another sip of tea. ‘But, just for the record, I’m still bloody angry with you, and I can’t deal with any more secrets, and I definitely don’t want any more lies.’
With a sigh, he picks up a teaspoon and taps the table.
‘There won’t be any.’
‘You’d better make sure of it, Mr Foster.’
‘I certainly will, Miss Scotton.’
I finish off the tea.
‘Anyway.’ Putting down my cup, I sit back in my chair. ‘I’ve actually had a gutful of big talk. Are we going to get on with the business of relaxing now, or what?’
His face melts into a broad smile and my heart rate accelerates. I’m lost again in the blue of those irises, as bright and complex as the sea in front of me. I’m about to suggest that we go straight back to bed for a good old session when his attention wanders to something behind me.
‘Here comes Kathy.’
An older woman approaches the table, maybe in her sixties, dark-skinned, almost as rotund as Betty.
‘Danny boy!’ she screeches. ‘Come here and give your aunty Kathy a big hug!’
With another wince, he gets to his feet and wraps his arms around Kathy. She laughs loudly, her eyes bright with pleasure. ‘Oh Lord, you’ve grown into a big, strapping man. And this is Maya?’
‘Hi Kathy. It’s good to meet you.’
I stand up and let myself be squeezed half to death.
‘You two getting married, eh?’
I shoot a look of almost certain death at Dan. He grins back at me, and I really could give him his comeuppance. But Kathy’s appearance seems to have completely banished the serious mood, and I want it to stay that way. After we put
in our orders for swimwear and two pairs of sunglasses, Kathy collects up the remnants of the breakfast.
‘A couple of hours.’ She smiles. ‘Hamilton’s only down the road, but we’re on island time. I’ll leave you two love birds alone now. Hey!’ She touches Dan on the arm. ‘You’d better have your honeymoon right here.’
Chapter Twenty-One
‘So …’ He stands up and holds out a hand. ‘How about that swim?’
It’s an automatic reaction: I slip my fingers into his. And then I glance up the hill at Kathy’s receding figure. ‘But I need a bikini.’
‘Bollocks to that.’
Urging me to my feet, he tightens his grip on my hand and leads me across the lawn. In silence, we thread our way down a path where the trees overhang the walkway, forming a canopy of welcome shade, further down a set of steps, encroached by bushes that seem to be overflowing with flowers in every possible colour. Eventually, the bushes and trees give way to a small, secluded cove. Walking out over the sand, he releases my hand and I come to a halt, turning slowly to take in the view. Joining up with the woodland behind, two banks of grey, volcanic cliffs curl around us like a pair of arms hiding their secret from the world. In front of me, a bed of untouched pink sand glistens in the sunlight, burying itself into a turquoise sea. In between the fingertips of rock, wave after wave rolls gently against the shore and further out, shimmering in the late morning sun, I spot a tiny island, topped with a clump of strange, jagged trees. It’s incredible. Just perfect.
I’m about to tell him as much when I realise he’s taking off his T-shirt and ruffling his hair. Suddenly, instead of gawping at the scene, I’m gawping at his muscles, wishing that he’d drag me back to the bedroom for another slice of sexual paradise.
‘Come on, Maya,’ he grins. ‘Get your clothes off.’
‘We’re skinny dipping?’
‘Oh yes.’ He scans the cove, homing in on a patch of shade beneath a cliff, and a pair of huge sunbeds. ‘Actually …’ Obviously having second thoughts about the swim, he leaves his shorts in place. ‘We should stay out of the sun for a while. Don’t want you to burn up.’ Raising an eyebrow, he saunters over to the cliff, settles onto a sunbed, puts up his feet and leans back, making himself completely comfortable.
