Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
JOEY
Joey steeled herself to enter the party. Dani was about the only person she would go to a party for. She preferred smaller gatherings, or ideally, just her own company. It was easier that way.
Dani immediately approached and welcomed her and Vanessa. “Oh look at you,” she said to Joey’s flighty companion. “I love that top. Gorgeous.” Dani looked across at Joey. “And you always look radiant, my dear.” Joey screwed up her face and allowed herself to be hugged.
Vanessa, meanwhile, looked very at home, hugging Dani hello and chatting as she was introduced to her friends.
Joey made her way to Dani’s tiny kitchen and helped herself to a non-alcoholic beer from the fridge.
She knew she’d been grumpy on the walk to the party.
She’d promised herself she wouldn’t be, but Vanessa had emerged onto the street looking gorgeous, her legs brown and glowing, her eyes twinkling, smelling amazing.
Joey had lost her usual composure, and had reverted to being more judgemental than Vanessa probably deserved.
Quietly, she admired the woman’s optimism and drive; her ability to take a risk and run with it.
But she knew if she said that she’d end up betraying much more of how she felt.
“Oh there you are,” said Vanessa. “Ooh, is there another of those?”
Joey nodded and fished another beer from the fridge for her. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to give you a hard time just now,” she said as she handed Vanessa the chilled bottle.
Vanessa smiled. “Thanks. I know. I’m learning that’s your way.” She raised her bottle. “Cheers.”
“Cheers, Vanessa.” She gave a small grin and took a swig. “Tell me about this cafe you want to open, then.”
Vanessa beamed. “Really?” Joey nodded. “Well, it’s all because of my gran, really. She was from here. She left when she was young and never came back. She never really talked about it much, but after she died she left me this recipe book.”
“The old book you’ve been reading on the balcony?” asked Joey.
Vanessa’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re very observant.”
Joey could have kicked herself. She was coming off as a stalker. Just what she needed.
“Yes,” continued Vanessa. “It seems like a bit of a family heirloom. It has all kinds of Spanish recipes. So many sorts of cakes and pastries. They look so much more interesting than anything you can get in Birmingham.”
“That I can attest to,” said Joey. Vanessa didn’t seem to think she was a stalker. Good.
“I’d already started thinking about the cafe idea, and it seemed like serendipity,” said Vanessa. “And before you say anything, Joey, I know you probably don’t believe in such things.”
“Nope,” said Joey, “but I can see how you’ve ended up here, at least. Did your gran die recently?”
Vanessa chewed her lip, making Joey want to take the question back, or hold her hand, or anything gentler than the words that had just come out of her mouth. “I came here directly from her funeral.”
Joey’s heart stopped for a second. “You were close to her.” It was a statement, not a question, and the evidence was written all over Vanessa’s face. It was the first time she’d seen the woman look sad.
“Yes. I owe it to her to make this work,” said Vanessa, absentmindedly chewing a fingernail.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” said Joey. She chewed her lip. “Sorry, that always sounds so impersonal.” She placed a hand lightly on Vanessa’s upper arm. “I’m sorry about your gran.”
Vanessa smiled, her eyes wet. “Thank you. It’s nice to talk about her, to be honest.”
Joey nodded, and then felt awkward, so she removed her hand. It felt warm from Vanessa’s tanned skin. Vanessa looked down at where Joey’s hand had been, then cleared her throat. “Well, I guess we ought to be more sociable and talk to Dani’s friends.”
“You really are her kind of person,” said Joey with a chuckle, relieved the brief awkwardness had passed. “Dani knows I just tend to hang out in here and hide. I talk to people sometimes, but I’m not a people person, or at least, I don’t think you’d think I am.”
“Well, as I said before, you don’t know me that well yet,” said Vanessa, but this time there was a twinkle in her eye.
“You seem ok with this person for the moment.” She pointed at herself smiled before vanishing into the living area and greeting someone excitedly, her ‘hello’s and ‘how are you’s spoken in Spanish with a heavy English accent.
Joey sighed. Vanessa was irresistible, and would no doubt cause no end of trouble while she was in Barcelona.
“Well hola, Josefina,” said Dani, appearing in the doorway. “Hiding in the kitchen as usual, I see?”
“In my defence, I was talking to your newest friend and actually being sociable,” said Joey, refilling Dani’s wine from the bottle of red on the side without being asked.
“She’s your newest friend, I think,” said Dani. “But I’ll happily share. You look very chilled in here. I don’t remember you ever being this relaxed with someone new before.”
“It’s standing near the fridge that does it,” Joey replied.
“A likely story,” said Dani. “When does the Spanish bakery teaching start?”
“Tomorrow, I guess,” said Joey, “if Vanessa doesn’t have a roaring hangover by then. I’m glad I don’t drink. I think I must be the only person who doesn’t feel like death the morning after one of your gatherings.”
Dani laughed and patted Joey’s arm. “Come on, come and say hello. You know most of them, so you know they don’t bite.”
Joey grimaced.
“Although I’m not so sure about Vanessa,” teased Dani over her shoulder, “she has a good pair of teeth on her.”
“Shut up,” said Joey.
“Joey!” exclaimed Vanessa. “Come and say hello to Sebi, he’s a fish chef from the other side of Barcelona.”
“Hola, Sebi,” said Joey, relieved that Vanessa hadn’t seemed to hear what Dani had just said. “Nice to see you.” She addressed the young Catalan chef in English. She knew him well; she sometimes provided pastries for his restaurant.
Dani gave Joey a wink, and headed into the crowd. Joey listened to Vanessa and Sebi chatting, interjecting occasionally. After a time, to her surprise, she realised she was enjoying the party atmosphere.
It was late by the time Vanessa started to flag. Joey had ended up deep in conversation with Sebi about the best fish to eat at this time of year, while Vanessa had flown about the party like the social butterfly she evidently was, mingling with consummate ease despite her limited Spanish.
Joey said her goodbyes to Sebi and Dani, and gently touched Vanessa’s arm. “We have to be up at 5am tomorrow if we’re to make a good start on your baking lesson. By all means stay longer and drink more. But, just saying.”
“5am?” Vanessa raised her eyebrows, her eyelids drooping slightly. “I’ll be fine,” she said, clearly making an effort not to slur her words. “But I guess we should get going.”
“Come on, party girl,” said Joey.
“It’s lucky you know where I live!” exclaimed Vanessa. “I have literally no idea where I am.” Her slightly lop-sided smile roused something unfamiliar in Joey, a protectiveness she didn’t want to acknowledge.
“Here we go, let’s walk this way,” said Joey.
“So chivalrous,” mumbled Vanessa, who was holding onto Joey’s arm.
“Mmm, I’m not so sure about that,” said Joey, her lips pursed.
“I am. Some people would use this as an opportunity to take advantage, but not you,” she said, squeezing Joey’s arm. “Are your muscles from kneading dough?”
“Probably,” said Joey, grateful for the darkness that hid her blush.
“Why don’t you have a girlfriend, Joey?” Vanessa stopped suddenly and turned to face her, her hand still resting on Joey’s arm. “You’re really nice and beautiful, in a handsome way.” She swayed a little. “Is that ok to say?”
Joey could hear the blood roaring through her veins. No one usually spoke to her like this. “Well, you’ve said it now,” she muttered.
“It’s true, though,” Vanessa continued, bringing her other hand up to Joey’s cheek. “Beautiful. Yes.” Joey wasn’t sure whether Vanessa was speaking to her, or to herself.
Joey could see Vanessa’s dark eyes gazing at her.
It felt like the other woman could see right through her, hear her every thought.
Vanessa looked relaxed and serene in that moment, and Joey’s eyes were drawn to her full lips and the smoothness of the skin on her neck. She took a breath and then sighed.
“Come on,” said Joey. “We need to get you home. Less talking, more walking.”