Chapter Thirty-One
Michael would always leave all the holiday preparations to me. I’d have to check the passports, apply for new ones when necessary and get everyone packed and on their way. So, it is refreshing to find myself in a hire car on the way to a stunning villa near the beach knowing I haven’t had to lift a finger. Except for packing, of course, which took ages, considering I am just here for the summer. I hadn’t thought of the practical stuff like whether the property has a washing machine. As we pull into the driveway, I no longer care what utilities the kitchen has as the imposing double-storey creamy white villa looks like it has had no expense spared. It is huge! From the marble steps leading up to the front door to the huge columns and palm trees that hang over us, this villa is sheer paradise.
Two patches of lawn on either side of the villa have sprinklers keeping it lush and green. I dare not think how much the water bill must be for this place, between the lawns and the abundant bougainvillea, frangipani and jasmine plants.
Through into the spacious hallway, the villa is decorated with minimalist furniture and a deep blue velvet chaise longue that looks as though it is asking to be laid on. I can just imagine lying there reading a good book when the midday temperature gets up high.
‘Oh, Elias. It’s just beautiful.’
‘I knew you’d like it. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?’
‘It’s palatial, yet it feels homely too. I don’t know how the owner managed that. Could you imagine living here?’
‘Well, that’s what we’ll be doing for the next eight weeks, and I can’t wait to spend every moment here with you,’ says Elias, leaning over to kiss me.
I look at the villa and Elias, thanking the universe that I went to the supermarket that morning. Lady Luck was shining on me that day. My life has been transformed since meeting Elias in all the best ways possible.
‘Come with me, I have something I want to show you,’ he says.
I follow him to one of the rooms upstairs, which has a view of the sea that is not far away from the villa.
‘I didn’t show you this in the pictures as I wanted it to be a surprise, but I thought you could finish your book in here.’
I look around the study, which is so different to where I work at home, on the table with my laptop. A large Victorian mahogany wooden desk with a green leather pad faces the window. The huge matching leather chair looks comfy, and I run over to it, swinging around full circle from the view of the sea to face Elias. I feel like a director from one of those award-winning movies in Cannes.
‘I couldn’t think of a better place to finish the last chapter of the book. Oh, Elias, you’re so thoughtful.’
‘Come, let me show you the rest of it.’
The master bedroom is next to the study and so offers the same sea views. I look down at the swimming pool that can be clearly seen from the master bedroom and can’t decide what I want to do first. Do I get changed and dive into the pool or have a sleep on the queen-sized bed that is stacked up with pillows and cushions? I remind myself that I have plenty of time to try it all, but I feel too excited to wait. I want to experience everything now.
Back downstairs, I am pleased to see a washing machine, although understanding the spaceship-like buttons might be a little tricky. The owner obviously opted for a top-of-the-range machine. Elias heads over to the super-duper coffee machine and starts making us a brew when his phone rings.
‘I’ve got to take this,’ he says apologetically. While he takes the call outside, I try to work the machine but don’t want to break anything, and so I wait for Elias to return. However, he takes a while, and when he comes back, he seems upset.
‘Everything okay?’
‘Yeah, yeah. All fine.’ The words he says don’t match the expression on his face, and I am curious about who was on the phone. Whilst there might be some business dealings I am unaware of, my bet is that it was Danny.
Elias quickly changes the subject and suggests we have dinner out this evening. He says there are some places nearby where we can get a casual bite to eat. As he says it, his usual excitement about doing anything seems to be missing. I’m sure it has something to do with the phone call. I want to probe him further, but I’m aware that it might spoil the mood of our first night here. Although perhaps that is something that has already been ruined.
By the time we lock up the villa and head out that evening, Elias is still quiet, and it is only when we are sat sharing a bottle of wine at a streetside bistro that he admits it was Danny on the phone earlier.
‘I’m so sorry, I’m going to have to fly back and see Danny. There’s some trouble at home.’
I could see there was a problem, but I didn’t expect that he would have to go home. I guess our holiday has ended before it began. My heart sinks. It’s a reminder that when things seem too good to be true, they usually are. I should have known wonderful things like this don’t happen to me.
‘What sort of trouble?’
‘Oh, it’s the business. He’s worried about a few things. I don’t think he’s got the confidence to run it himself. I suppose it’s a big responsibility. As his sleeping partner, he turns to me for advice whenever he doubts himself.’
I suspect it’s more likely that Danny thinks his dad is having too good a time with someone who isn’t his beloved mother and could be a money-grabber. He has every right to be protective of his dad, and so I stop myself from getting annoyed. We were probably being far too optimistic to think this would work out.
‘I’d better pack my things again then. I shouldn’t have bothered unpacking,’ I say.
‘No, you don’t have to leave just because I have to dash back. It won’t be for long. I’ll sort Danny out and be back as soon as I can. It’ll be three days tops.’
‘I can’t stay here alone. I came with you. Maybe this was all a bad idea. Perhaps we were being a bit ambitious arranging a summer break together so soon, knowing how Danny feels and with things so complicated for you back home.’
‘Oh, no. My goodness, no. It’s just some contract with a chemical supplier I need to sort out. It’s just unfortunate that it’s happened now. It’s not Danny’s fault.’
‘Well, can’t they email you the documents you need? Surely you don’t have to fly back?’
‘If I don’t go back and sort this out, then I’ll never hear the end of it.’
I nod my head, trying to show Elias some understanding no matter how difficult this is for me. Blood is always thicker than water, and Danny needs him.
‘So, yeah, just enjoy the pool, finish writing your book and relax. Then I’ll be back, and we have the rest of the summer to enjoy.’
‘Okay. I mean, it wasn’t what I envisaged this morning, but I do understand that things come up. So when will you fly back?’
‘Tomorrow.’
‘Tomorrow? I thought perhaps we would have a day or two first. You’ve only just arrived.’
‘Yeah, I know. Sorry. Danny’s already arranged the flight for first thing.’
I rub my finger along the rim of the glass as I think of Danny possibly planning this all along. He may have even booked the flight before we had taken off.
‘Okay, so I suppose we should make the most of this evening then,’ I say.
Although, truthfully, Elias’s news has turned the evening into one mighty damp squib.