Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
JOEY
Joey stomped through the streets of old Barcelona, sweat pouring down her face, moving faster than usual to get to the ingredient supplier. Carmen had sent her out to stock up at the last minute, ready for the following day.
Joey’s head was bowed, her lips pursed and her brow furrowed.
Why did he do this? How could he do this now?
She felt her phone, burning a hole in her pocket, but she didn’t take it out.
Arriving at the wholesaler, she tersely listed what she needed and paid for it, barely sparing the usual niceties for the older man behind the counter. Instead she just offered a quick goodbye before heading back out into the heat.
Normally she’d have taken her time. Summer in Barcelona wasn’t the time to hurry anywhere.
She’d learnt that a long time ago. But today, her pace wasn’t about getting anywhere.
Her fists clenched around the handles of the bags she carried, her muscles aching with the weight, but she refused to stop or take a break.
Somehow this made her anger easier to bear. For the time being, at least.
She reached the bakery, put away the ingredients, and left with the briefest of goodbyes to Carmen. She needed to get away from people. People were not helpful to her right now. People were unreliable. They hurt you, they made things difficult.
She raced up to her apartment and slammed the door violently, so violently that a flake of paint floated down to the floor from the doorframe. She swore.
Why had he chosen now to get in touch? Why now, for the second time in one week?
She hoped a cool shower might help. She turned the power to maximum, in the hope that the pressure would rinse away the sensations needling her body. She leaned her head against the tiles and closed her eyes.
Why did he still have this effect on her? Why, after all these years?
She quickly dried herself and put on some cotton trousers and a vest top.
She made herself some mint tea and took a book onto her balcony.
Perhaps distraction was the way forward.
It might help her get some distance. Instinctively, she looked across towards Vanessa’s balcony.
She wasn’t there. That was probably a good thing.
It took some time, but eventually she was able to lose herself in her reading as the temperature outside began to drop. Her breathing settled and she felt a little more like herself. It was a relief.
It was an hour or so later that the doors of the apartment opposite opened and Vanessa appeared, her hair wet, and wearing a simple wrap dress. Joey could smell her freshly showered aroma travelling across the gap between them.
“Good evening,” Vanessa beamed.
“Hi,” said Joey, her mouth turning up slightly for the first time that day, despite her foul mood.
“I know you’re reading, so I won’t disturb you. I just wanted to say hi.” Vanessa sat at her own little table. “It would be weird if I didn’t, right?”
“It’s fine,” said Joey, surprising herself. Because it really was fine. Having Vanessa in such close proximity didn’t feel like the invasion of her personal space it had been just a few days earlier. “What have you been up to?”
“Oh, me?” Vanessa turned her seat slightly to face Joey. “I got my tourist pants on and went to see the Sagrada Familia.”
“Oh yes,” Joey nodded, “I can understand why people flock there. I mean, it’s a nightmare with all the crowds. But the place itself.” She sighed and smiled. “Beautiful.”
“I didn’t think you’d be the church kind of person,” Vanessa pushed her hair behind her ears, leaning forward towards Joey.
Joey chuckled. “You read me right. But the architecture and the beauty of that place is extraordinary. In places it looks like it grew there. And the light coming through those stained-glass windows is incredible.”
Vanessa laughed.
Joey furrowed her brow. “Did I say something funny?”
“No,” said Vanessa. “It’s just that I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard you say in one go. You’re usually a woman of few words.” She put her head on one side. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a criticism. It’s just you.” She smiled.
“Hmm, whereas you, Vanessa…” Joey trailed off.
Vanessa grinned. “I’m an insufferable chatterbox. I know. I’m a lot.” She frowned a little.
“No,” said Joey. “Don’t be like that. You’re you. And that’s ok.”
Joey could have sworn that Vanessa’s cheeks had gone pink, her hand reaching for the back of her neck under her drying hair. “Thank you,” said Vanessa, simply. She shifted in her chair. “You seem different today.”
“Oh?” Joey fiddled with the book she’d placed on the table in front of her.
“Yeah. Has something happened? I mean, you don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want,” said Vanessa, putting up her hands.
Joey thought for a moment before replying. “We can’t keep shouting across the street like this. Come over. I have some goodies left over from the bakery.”
“Really?” Vanessa looked mildly shocked. Then her eyes sparkled. “Sounds great.”
A few moments later there was a knock on Joey’s door. It wasn’t until she’d let Vanessa in that Joey realised she’d made a tactical error. “I’ve just remembered I only have one chair on my balcony.”
“Hmm,” said Vanessa, “and I don’t think we know each other well enough for me to sit on your lap.” She reddened as soon as she’d said it, and Joey gave a nervous laugh. “Sorry, that was a silly thing to say.”
Joey averted her eyes. She couldn’t speak, her head suddenly full of what it would feel like if Vanessa sat on her lap, her damp hair falling on her own skin, her hands on Vanessa’s arms.
“Where are these goodies?” Vanessa asked, much to Joey’s relief.
“In the pantry, over there. You grab those. I think I’ve had an idea for the balcony, so I’ll sort that out.” Joey made a beeline to the bedroom, then took both the table and the chair off the balcony. She set to work.
“Ok,” said Vanessa a few minutes later. “I’ve just put everything on a couple of plates. I found some lemonade in your fridge so I’ve brought that, too, hope that’s ok. Oh, wow!”
“Is it ok? It seemed inequitable to only have one chair, so I thought we could both sit here.” Joey gestured towards the seating area she’d hastily arranged using the pillows from her bed.
With some added cushions and a couple of blankets, it looks quite inviting, and there was more than enough space for them both.
“It’s perfect,” said Vanessa. “You’re so creative.”