Chapter 9 #2
But deep down, Ellie knew that school wasn’t the only reason she was in a different headspace.
Alba’s arrival in her life had been unexpected in every possible way.
Not just professionally, but personally too.
Without even realising it, Alba had turned Ellie’s world on its axis.
Conversations after work, those perfect evenings together, laughter that had come far more easily than Ellie had thought possible again.
And for that, Ellie would always be grateful.
If nothing else, Alba had reminded her that it was okay to smile and that life hadn’t stopped completely.
Ellie lifted a photograph from the album and studied it carefully.
It had been taken in Spain during one of their summer holidays.
Eloise couldn’t have been older than five, and she was clinging to Ellie’s neck in the hotel pool, half submerged in the bright blue water while Ellie held her steady.
Something had clearly amused her. Her tiny face was scrunched up in laughter, her eyes squeezed shut with delight.
If Ellie concentrated hard enough, she could almost hear it. Eloise’s laugh.
It had always been distinctive—full and uncontrollable, the kind that made other people laugh along with her, whether they wanted to or not.
When something truly amused Ellie, she laughed exactly the same way.
She gently brushed her fingers over the glossy photograph and smiled. “Oh, I miss you so much.”
Ellie lifted her wine glass and took a sip before leaning back on the stool she’d been perched on for nearly an hour.
Once she’d opened the box of albums, she hadn’t been able to stop looking.
Each photograph felt like a doorway to a memory she’d almost been afraid to revisit.
She pressed the photograph gently against her chest and closed her eyes.
The sudden sound of the doorbell made her jump.
Ellie blinked and sat upright. She considered checking the doorbell app on her phone to see who it was, but she didn’t bother.
Whoever it was would still be there in the thirty seconds it took her to answer.
She slid down from her stool and strolled through the house, still holding the photograph against her chest.
When she opened the front door, Alba stood there. “Oh, hi.” Ellie frowned. “Did you text? I’m sorry if you did. I was preoccupied.”
“No, and I won’t stay. I just wanted to give something to you.” Alba rummaged through the small satchel slung across her shoulder and pulled out several folded pieces of paper. “I thought maybe you could appreciate it more than I would.”
Ellie accepted the papers, glancing down at them before moving aside. “Come in.” Alba hesitated before stepping through the door. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans and shifted in the hallway, her posture awkward in a way Ellie hadn’t seen before. “Go through and have a seat.”
They moved into the living room together, and Alba took a seat on the couch. Ellie joined her a moment later, unfolding the papers. “What is it?”
“My weekend plans. They’re now yours if you’re able to go.”
Ellie scanned the page, her eyebrows lifting immediately. “A…spa break? Why would you offer me this when it sounds like heaven?”
“I was going with Lois. She can’t make it now because of work, and I don’t want to go alone. I thought maybe you could take your best friend with you. It saves it from going to waste, and to be honest, I think it could be good for you.”
Ellie looked up. God, this woman was beautiful.
Not just outwardly, but in the way she moved through the world.
Thoughtful, generous, and the kind of person who instinctively gave things away if it meant someone else might enjoy them.
But Ellie couldn’t accept this. Alba had clearly been looking forward to it. “I can’t take it, but thank you.”
Alba immediately pushed the papers back towards her. “Please. You deserve it. You should take a break when it’s offered.”
Ellie chewed the inside of her cheek. Truthfully, she would love to go, but Danielle would never agree to a weekend spa trip. As much as Ellie adored her best friend, Danielle had always preferred the comfort of her own home. “I’d only be going alone, too. Danielle isn’t available.”
“Oh.” Alba’s shoulders sagged. “Do you know anybody else you could take with you?”
Ellie glanced down at the booking form again. Then a slow smile spread across her face. “Yes. Um…Alba Clifford?”
Alba frowned. “You want me to go with you?”
“I don’t see why not. It’s the perfect solution. You’d be going alone, and I’d be going alone. Why not go together, and then it doesn’t go to waste?”
Alba suddenly looked flustered as she rubbed her palms down her denim-clad thighs nervously. “I mean, I guess we could. But would that be okay with you? And the school?”
“The school?” Ellie gazed back at Alba. What on earth was she talking about? “What does the school have to do with outside plans? Why wouldn’t it be okay?”
“I know you don’t like me to refer to you as the boss, but that’s still what you are, Ellie.
I don’t know whether going to a spa together is overstepping or not.
” Alba shifted in her seat. “I mean, I can ask for another room. If they have any available, I’m happy to cover the cost since I invited you along. That’s no problem.”
“Why waste money on another room when we can just share? I’m more than happy to share.
Actually, I’m just happy to have been offered the chance at all.
” Ellie’s pulse quickened unexpectedly. The idea of spending an entire weekend with Alba was exciting enough, but sharing a room?
Sharing that kind of space with her? Ellie couldn’t ignore the way the thought made her stomach flutter.
And maybe, if she was feeling something towards Alba, she might finally understand it properly by the time the weekend was over. “What do you think?”
“If you’re willing to share a room, then I guess it’s decided.” Alba smiled as she reached for the photograph Ellie had set down beside her. “This is a great picture.”
“I pulled it out of one of the photo albums. It’s the first time I’ve looked at them since she died.”
Alba nodded slowly. “I’m glad you feel ready to do that.”
Ellie wasn’t entirely sure she could explain why she felt ready now. Even inside her own mind, it barely made sense. “I’ve enjoyed looking through them. I think the glass of red helped.”
“Just because it’s a school night, that doesn’t mean you can’t reminisce with some grapes.” Alba winked and rose to her feet. “Right, well, I’ll see you in the morning…bright and early!”
“You’re welcome to stay a while.” Please stay a while. Ellie hoped Alba could somehow hear the unspoken part of the sentence. Life would be so much easier if she could simply read Ellie’s mind.
“Thank you, but I have some lesson plans to go through for tomorrow morning. If I don’t head off now, I’ll only be sorry later when I get home.” Alba rested a hand gently on Ellie’s shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Ellie.”
Ellie looked up at her, still feeling the faint rush of adrenaline from the idea of their weekend away. “Goodnight.”