Chapter 15
Thought of the day…
Prepare for difficult conversations – know what you want to say and how you’ll say it.
(Practise on your pet. If you don’t have one, a potted plant will do.)
Leaving Julian’s, my mind was abuzz – and it wasn’t the sugar rush from the bougatsa. I’d planted the seed. Now I just needed to wait.
And telling him I was in a pickle hadn’t been a complete lie – I’d just left out the part where the pickle was Aetheria. Which, as it turned out, was the right move. Because Julian’s advice? Cut ties with this dubious partner.
Meaning, I should walk away from Aetheria. And Julian.
Exactly as Tommy had said.
I was rounding a bend in the path, chewing on my dilemma, when a hand darted out, grabbing my wrist and tugging me into the bushes.
‘Will you please stop doing that?’ I hissed.
‘I thought you were leaving the island,’ Tommy retorted.
‘Well, that was a bold assumption. I never said that. In fact, I’m extending my stay.’ I glowered at him so he’d understand just how serious I was.
‘Extending your st—’ He stopped himself, muttering under his breath.
‘You don’t get to be frustrated with me. I didn’t ask to be brought here – and I certainly wouldn’t have come if I’d known you’d be here.’
From his wounded expression, the jibe had hit its mark. Good – after his disappearing act last night, he deserves to feel a little sting.
Looking back, that barb was me re-buckling my armour – but in the moment it felt satisfying.
‘Just— just be careful.’
‘You be careful. All this sneaking about.’ I flapped my hand to demonstrate. ‘Someone’s bound to see you and start asking questions.’
‘Oh, you don’t need to worry about me,’ he growled.
How was I supposed to respond to that? I mean, in a way he was right. It had been years since Tommy was any of my concern.
We stared at each other for several beats, then he broke eye contact and backed away. Like Homer Simpson disappearing into the hedge. Only hot.
I turned in the other direction, swatting at branches to get back to the path. ‘Apparently, I should have packed a machete for my Greek Island getaway!’ I muttered to myself.
I hid behind a branch that was bursting with pink flowers and peeked out in both directions. No one coming, so I stepped out from the bushes as if it was a perfectly normal thing to do, then headed off towards the spa.
My appointment wasn’t for half an hour, but I’d happily wait – especially if I could change into a robe, put my feet up, and sip some herbal tea.
As I neared the spa, still partially in a tizz, the air grew redolent of lemon and thyme.
Some places, like Paris or Prague, have a soundtrack – melodies and sounds that follow you, marking your journey through the city. A choir practising in the cathedral, birdsong in the park, the thrum of traffic, a busker strumming a guitar.
The Greek Islands had a scent-track. I couldn’t remember ever being so aware of how good the air smelled – whether the aromas from a kitchen, the briny sea air, the island’s flora, or in this case, native botanicals.
When I pushed open the door to the spa, the scent intensified and I inhaled deeply.
The woman on reception – twenty-something, with long dark hair and a heart-shaped, perfectly made-up face – looked up as I entered, breaking into a welcoming smile.
‘Good morning, Ms Novak.’ Impressive considering I hadn’t met her yet. ‘I’m Eleni. I’ll be looking after you today.’
‘I’m very early,’ I apologised, my English manners taking over. ‘I can come back if you like.’ So much for lounging in a robe and sipping herbal tea until my appointment.
‘No need. You’re my sole client today, so we can get started right away.’
‘Oh, lovely. Wait, sorry… it’s just, my friend. She’d hoped you could fit her in but—’
‘Mrs Bennet? Yes, Niki called earlier. My friend Sofia is coming now. She will attend to Mrs Bennet.’
‘Brilliant,’ I said with a small sigh. I didn’t want Trudy to miss out.
‘This way, please,’ Eleni said, leading me into a beautifully appointed treatment room, decorated in soft tones of cream and sage green. Across from us, next to a large picture window with a similar view to the one from my villa, was an enormous standalone bathtub.
Eleni must has caught me gawping. ‘I can run the bath for you, if you like. It only takes a few minutes to fill. Or…’ she began enticingly, her brows lifted.
She stepped around me and opened a glass-and-wood door.
‘There’s an outside shower.’ I followed her to the door and peered out.
The shower was enclosed on three sides, exposed only to the view.
I turned to Eleni. ‘Could I have a shower before my treatments and a bath afterwards?’ I asked cheekily.
‘Of course, Ms Novak.’ She went to the door.
‘Please take your time. There is a robe for you here,’ she said, indicating the fluffiest robe I’d ever seen, ‘and when you’re ready, please press this button and I will return.
’ She bowed her head and backed out of the room, silently closing the door behind her.
‘Jesus, Jules,’ I whispered. It was already the most luxurious spa I’d ever been to. If Aetheria didn’t come undone before it even got going, he’d make a killing.
I slipped out of my dress and knickers, draping them over the valet stand – a classy touch – and stepped outside to shower. I lathered myself from top to toe, then rinsed under the steamy stream, letting it wash away the morning’s madness.
And just as I turned off the tap, I heard that cry again. Kee-kee-kee. I looked up and there she was, effortlessly riding the pockets of air.
‘Hello there,’ I said, watching the falcon until she flew out of sight.
* * *
‘Oh, my goodness, Dale is going to have a hard time getting me back to Ottawa.’
I sniggered softly, unable to move my face, which was encrusted in a clay mask. How Trudy was able to talk through her mask was baffling.
Nearby, Minh hovered discreetly, taking photos. He’d been in and out of the treatment room all afternoon, only staying long enough to get the shot, then retreating to the waiting room. He must have been bored off his trolley.
‘Oh, yes, right there,’ groaned Trudy.
I cracked an eyelid. Thank god – it was just a foot massage.
For a second there, I thought maybe the ‘full package’ came with a more…
specialised service. Still, she wasn’t wrong – it was divine.
Not even Tommy, whose foot rubs were bliss after a long day in sky-high heels, could hold a candle to Eleni.
She had magic hands. And from the sound of things, so did Sofia.
Is Julian bedding one of them? I wondered. Or both? I wouldn’t have put it past him. He was only forty-nine and Julian had the sort of sex appeal that could land a twenty-something stunner. And her bestie. Possibly at the same time.
That had been a bone of contention when we were married. For some reason, Julian figured that having a ‘young, hot, sexy wife’ (his words) meant he’d be the C in a two-Vs-one-C threesome every other weekend.
When I’d calmly explained that I’d had a threesome at uni – same configuration – and that it had been grossly unsatisfying and had led to the end of my friendship with the other V, he’d replied, ‘So bloody what?’
I’d gone into my wardrobe and come out wearing a long, red, curly wig, and in my best Scottish accent (still terrible to this day) said, ‘No need for a threesome when you’ve got this sexy lassie in the house.’
He’d laughed long and loud, then fucked me within an inch of my life on the sofa in the front room, the curtains open several inches to up the thrill factor.
We added ‘Roleplay Sundays’ to our calendar and sometimes it was Julian who wore a wig.
I cracked a smile at the memory, which of course cracked the mask. ‘Only five more minutes, Ms Novak,’ said Eleni.
I cleared my throat. ‘Thank you,’ I said through barely parted lips.
And yes, all right, I was a little turned on. Too bad I hadn’t known about the spa’s epic bathtub ahead of time – I would have brought a toy with me. Next time.
If there is a next time, I thought, my mind revisiting Julian’s unknown dilemma.
* * *
I do work hard – most days, most of every day – and it can take a lot out of me, always being on, always being the Diva. But as Tommy said, it’s hardly a grind.
And there are certainly perks – like spending the afternoon at the super-lush Spa Aetheria. After being slathered, lathered, scrubbed, and rubbed over (nearly) every inch of my body (definitely not the sort of spa that specialises in happy endings), I floated back to my villa on a cloud.
I stretched out on the sofa, trying to decide what to do next.
I was supposed to leave Aetheria tomorrow, but so much felt unfinished.
Julian’s circumstances – was he really in trouble?
And what about the partnership between Divorced Diva and Aetheria?
Maybe Tommy was barking up the wrong tree.
It’s not like this was his area of expertise; he was a structural engineer turned boat skipper.
And then there was Tommy – a walking question mark.
How could I leave without discussing what had happened between us? Besides, I’d already told him I was extending my stay.
I really didn’t want to make a dent in my blissful state – I could easily have fallen asleep on that dreamy sofa – but there was too much that required my attention. No rest for the Diva. Literally.
I swung my legs over the edge of the sofa and sat up, mentally sorting the tasks I needed to tick off before dinner.
First, tell Claude I was staying on Aetheria for a couple more days. Then put the PR campaign on ice – just until I was sure it wouldn’t blow up in our faces. Claude could handle that, but how was I supposed to ask without spilling the entire pot of tea?
‘Figure it out as you go, Ally.’ I took my phone off charge and called her.
‘How was the spa day?’ she asked without preamble. ‘And spare no detail – I’m living vicariously.’
I laughed. ‘Claude, how many times have I told you – just book in at Elysium!’
I understood Claude’s desire to live a frugal life – well, sort of, but not really – but we were partnered with one of the best spas in London. She could go anytime for free!
She laughed at herself – unusual for her.
‘You’re in good spirits,’ I said. ‘Especially for a Monday.’
‘I know, right? It might be the weather – it’s twenty today and the sun is shining. I actually took my sandwich to the park instead of eating at my desk.’
‘Wow. Big day!’
She chuckled again.
‘And to answer your question, the spa’s incredible. They have an outdoor shower overlooking the sea – like something out of a shampoo ad – and the most delicious treatments. Oh, and the facial! My skin has never looked this good without makeup.’
‘You’re doing a very good job of selling me on Aetheria,’ she admitted.
‘I am? That’s wonderful.’
Only it wasn’t wonderful – our partnership might be dead in the water. Which brought me back to why I’d called.
‘Al?’
I’d done it again – I was in my head and not the conversation.
‘Hi, sorry…’ Out with it, Ally. ‘Er, look, I’ve decided to stay two or three more days.’
‘Oh?’
Did I worry Claude with the truth or add to the half-truths (and outright lies) I’d already told her?
‘Just some matters to work out with Julian – about the partnership,’ I said vaguely.
‘Wait, shouldn’t I be involved in those discussions?’ she asked, suddenly serious.
Bugger – she was right. Any discussions about the terms of the partnership would involve Claude. Gah! Going into this conversation without a plan was stupid. I needed to be upfront.
‘Actually, there’s more…’
I explained, attributing Tommy’s suspicions about Julian to me.
‘God, Ally, that’s—’ I could picture her exact expression, her brows knitted as she worried her lower lip between her teeth. ‘Should I come? Do you want me to come?’
‘You mean now?’ I blurted. ‘Er, no… I can handle things here. Just… I think we should delay the launch of the PR campaign.’
‘Top of my list,’ she replied, all business. ‘I’ll set up a meeting with Maya and Niki for tomorrow morning.’
‘What will you tell Niki?’ I asked.
‘Potential conflict of interest – with Elysium.’
‘Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. Is it?’
‘No, you’re allowed to endorse other spas if they’re outside of London. I checked that before we signed the agreement with Julian.’
God, I loved my sister – whip-smart and exactly who I needed in my corner.
‘Thank you, Claude – really.’
‘It’s my job, Ally,’ she replied simply.
‘And you’re brilliant at it.’ Would she take the compliment or fob it off like usual?
‘Thanks.’ It may not seem like it, but acknowledging her own brilliance was a leap forward for Claude.
She said Ruby would check with me about travel plans, then we chatted a bit longer, mostly about Mum’s ongoing fixation with The Traitors. Last night, poor Claude had endured a blow-by-blow recap that was longer than the episode.
After we hung up, I was typing a message to Julian about having dinner when a knock sounded at my door.
It was too early for turndown service. That left two possibilities – and I’d been married to both of them. Maybe it was Julian, coming to me for help. I got up from the sofa and went to the door.
Not Julian – Tommy.
‘Why, hello, Tom.’
‘I need to talk to you.’
‘Again? Something you forgot to mention when you dragged me into the bushes?’ I teased.
‘I didn’t forget; it’s new information.’
‘Okay. Well, come on in.’
I stepped aside, sweeping my arm theatrically, as if I were ready for what he had to say. Spoiler: I wasn’t.