Chapter Twenty-Five
When the girls finally leave for uni, I get the flat ready for Elias’s arrival. The thought of seeing him in this country makes me nervous. I know I’m desperate to see him, but what if it’s all different without the sunshine, French wines and romantic settings that played such a big part in our whirlwind romance? Butterflies are playing havoc in my tummy by the time I set off to collect him from the station. I even manage to drop my keys as I try to lock the car.
But the moment I set eyes on him at the station, I know that I have nothing to worry about. He bounds towards me and lifts me into his arms.
‘Oh, you’re a sight for sore eyes,’ he grins.
‘You too,’ I smile.
As we chat in the car on the way home, it dawns on me quite how much I have missed his wonderful company.
Back at the apartment, Elias is the perfect guest, removing his shoes without me saying anything. He is so considerate, and I force myself not to compare him with Michael in my head, not wanting to give that ex-husband of mine any more thought while I am with Elias. I make him a coffee, and we catch up for a while on what we have been doing since we returned, and I tell him of tonight’s dinner plans.
Since Elias has already met Soraya and Carol, I have arranged for us all to go out for a drink this evening. I thought I had better do something in case I needed a bit of support if things were awkward seeing Elias again. I can already see that there was no need to worry, but it will be nice for him to meet Andrew, along with Carol’s new friend, Duncan. She wasted no time once she was back from the holiday. Apparently, he came in to have a man weave, something that Carol specialises in at the salon. She says they got on incredibly well from the moment he sat down in front of her and confided in her about his vulnerabilities since his hair loss. It will be good to meet him – and check him out a bit, just in case there is more to it and he is only after a discount on his regular treatment. After all, those weaves don’t come cheap.
Soraya and Andrew are already seated at the table by the time Elias and I arrive. They wave over to us, and I pray that Elias gets on well with Andrew. I am hoping that since they have both run their own businesses, albeit very different ones, they will hit it off. I introduce the two of them and they seem to get along. Soraya and I catch up, and just as I had hoped, Elias and Andrew discuss their relative businesses. It is amazing how much they have in common despite their different industries.
I notice someone walk into the pub and immediately know it is Duncan, even though I have never met him before. He has the most incredible hair I’ve ever seen on a sixty-year-old. Then Carol pops out from behind him, confirming I was right.
With everyone at the table, we order our drinks, and all enjoy each other’s company. That is until Duncan announces that he works in the tax office. He has recently moved there, and I pray he isn’t in the same department as Michael. I don’t need him knowing about tonight.
By the end of the evening, Elias and Andrew have swapped numbers and become big buddies. On the way home, Elias tells me how much he liked Andrew.
‘I noticed how well you seemed to get on,’ I say.
‘Yeah, we might even do some business together.’
‘Oh, that’s great.’
‘Yeah, you never know. He’s a nice guy.’ Elias puts his arm around me in the back of the taxi, and I lean into him. I’m glad he gets on with my friends. That’s always so important to me. I could never date someone who disliked my besties.
Back at the flat, it’s just the two of us again. I had nothing to worry about as this is exactly like the nights we spent in each other’s arms in France. As Elias lies beside me in bed, stroking my shoulder, I look into his eyes and tell him how glad I am to see him again. It’s more wonderful than I ever imagined having him here. We definitely don’t need fancy things around us to enjoy each other’s company.
Waking up together to a brand-new day, I plan on taking him down to the Mumbles and showing him the lovely area I grew up in. But I should have known that my life is never straightforward. I have just thrown my kimono on to make us tea in bed when I hear a key in the door. Only Poppy and Jasmine have keys, so it must be one of them. I instinctively tighten my kimono around me as the door flies open.
‘Poppy. I wasn’t expecting you!’
‘I’m not well. I did message you,’ she says with a croaky voice.
She promptly tells me she has strep throat and has been sent off for the week despite having only just returned to uni. Her first thought was to come back here and have me look after her. I smile and tell her to go and sit down; my poor love looks pale.
While I am concerned for Poppy not being well, my heart is beating at a million miles an hour as I wonder how I can announce that there is a man in my bedroom, and it’s not her dad. I can’t exactly smuggle him out now that Poppy needs me.
‘Why are you making two cups of tea?’ says Poppy.
‘One for you,’ I smile. I lean against the kitchen island nonchalantly as I think on my feet. I am not going to be able to keep this up for long.
‘Oh, thanks. Just what I need for my throat,’ she croaks.
I notice her eyes as they turn towards the loafers that Elias left by the front door last night.
‘Whose are those shoes? They’re not Dad’s.’
‘What shoes?’
Poppy stands up and goes for a closer inspection.
‘Whoever they belong to has got big feet. What’s going on? Is there a man here?’
Right on cue, Elias walks out of the bedroom.
‘Who the hell is this?’
‘Now, Poppy. There’s no need to be like that. This is Elias. You remember how I told you about the lovely man I met in Monaco?’
‘You told me about a scammer who is probably after my inheritance,’ she says.
‘Poppy. Don’t you dare be so rude. Elias is not a scammer. I really like him, love.’
‘I don’t care who he is. Dad told me you two are getting back together, so, what, now you’re being unfaithful to my father?’
Elias’s eyes open wide as he looks between the two of us. ‘Umm, I’ll get my things. I should probably go.’
‘I’m not getting back with her dad,’ I say, giving Elias a pleading look.
‘Yes, you are. Why are you lying, Mam? Dad told us when we went bowling.’
‘Look, I know what he might think, but I’ve put him straight since then, okay?’
I turn back to Elias. I feel as though I am caught in a crossfire.
‘Look, please don’t go because Poppy is here. Maybe the two of you can get to know each other.’ Even as I say it, I realise what a futile hope this is. Poppy is never going to want to get to know anyone whilst being brainwashed by Michael that there is a chance of reconciliation.
‘I think it’s clear she doesn’t want me here. I get that. And it sounds like you’ve things to sort out with, what’s his name, Michael, was it?’
‘Yes, Michael. My dad ,’ croaks Poppy.
I open my mouth and then shut it again. Anything I say now will only lead to a more heated argument. I know Elias has the wrong idea and I can also see that my girl is ill, confused and hurting. I feel frozen, torn in two directions and unsure what to do or say next.
Elias walks into the bedroom to get his stuff. I watch in regret as he removes his toothbrush from my toothbrush holder. It was nice seeing our toothbrushes side-by-side for that short time. It brought a sense of togetherness.
‘I’m so incredibly sorry, Elias,’ I say. ‘Let’s talk later.’
He doesn’t answer but quietly packs his things away. His silence feels like the worst thing. What if he isn’t open to talking it through with me and hearing what I have to say? What if this is over almost before it has begun? Elias throws everything in at great speed, and it’s obvious that he can’t get out of here quickly enough.
‘If you’re leaving, at least let me drive you to the train station.’
‘It’s fine. It didn’t seem far when we drove over yesterday. I can manage.’
‘Well, umm, see you soon?’
‘Yeah, let’s see, hey.’ I can tell that it is one of those times when you say the words ‘let’s see’ so that you can escape from a conversation. His face says it all. With his bag in his hand, he attempts to say goodbye to Poppy who is refusing to look at either of us, and he closes the door behind him.
It is obvious that he thinks I am getting back with Michael. That couldn’t be further from the truth, but somehow, I need to convince Elias, and also Poppy.