Chapter 28
‘Tori,’ Amy exclaims in mock surprise as I join the rest of the group in the lobby the next day. ‘Do my eyes deceive me? Are you actually planning on joining us for an activity?’
‘I’m glad to see you’re feeling better, Amy,’ I say neutrally.
I’m feeling so low after being dropped like a hot brick by Gabriel yesterday afternoon that I don’t have the energy to let her goad me.
He did text his apologies and has promised to send a car to collect me for the concert tonight, but the way he just let Harvey shove me aside so easily has left a bitter taste in my mouth.
‘Has your pianist deserted you?’ Amy continues triumphantly.
‘I have to say that I don’t know what you saw in him.
They seemed a most unsavoury family to me.
I’ve told Stewie I don’t want him going to that bar any more.
They obviously have no concept of food hygiene and I’d hate for him to go through what I did. ’
Amy is staring at me, seemingly willing me to come at her, and normally I would spring to the defence of the Campbells. Unsurprisingly, however, I’m just not feeling it today.
‘I’m sure Raphael will be very upset to lose Stuart’s custom,’ I say mildly instead.
‘It’s no more than he deserves,’ Amy declares, clearly enjoying being on what she thinks is the moral high ground.
‘Stewie and I are going to celebrate our final night here with dinner and a couple of glasses of wine at the Blue Dolphin instead. From what I’ve heard, that’s a proper bar, rather than some ramshackle hut.
You’re all most welcome to join us. One thing I realised from that disgusting lunch with your friends is that the food here doesn’t really reflect Jamaican cuisine, but I’m sure the Blue Dolphin will offer something more authentic. So, who’s in?’
‘I’ve got plans, but thank you for the invitation,’ I tell her.
‘Surprise, surprise. Lily, what about you?’
‘Umm. Dan and I also have plans. I hope you don’t mind.’
‘Robert?’
‘I’ll take my chances at Raphael’s, thanks, Amy.’
‘Looks like a romantic dinner a deux for you and me, babe,’ Amy says to Stuart, planting a kiss on his lips. ‘Play your cards right and it could be your lucky night.’
‘Oh, God,’ Robert whispers to me. ‘I think I’m going to puke.’
Thankfully, we’re spared any further insights into Amy and Stuart’s sex life by the arrival of the tour bus.
Even better, Amy and Stuart decide to sit several rows behind Robert and me, so I can neither see nor hear them.
Dan and Lily are across the aisle from us and, once the guide has introduced himself, given us a summary of the attractions we’re going to visit, and set off, Lily leans across.
‘I really am sorry about Amy,’ she says quietly. ‘I don’t know what’s got into her this holiday. I think it was the right decision not to say anything about you and Stuart until we get home though. Are you OK?’
‘I’m fine,’ I reassure her.
‘How come you’re not seeing Gabriel today?’
‘He’s tied up with rehearsals for the concert tonight,’ I tell her flatly. ‘He’s sending a car later though.’
‘He seems really nice.’ She grins conspiratorially. ‘His mother’s a bit terrifying though, isn’t she? I’m not sure I’d want her as my mother-in-law.’
‘We’re a long way from having to worry about stuff like that.’
She studies me for a moment. ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ she asks. ‘You seem a bit down.’
‘I really am fine, honestly.’ I’m not, but I need time to get my thoughts in order before I share them.
Lily nods surreptitiously in the direction of Robert, who’s staring out of the window, evidently in a world of his own. ‘How’s he getting on? Any signs of a thaw between him and Fliss?’
‘Nope. I think he’s resigned himself to the fact that they’re over. He’s learned a lot about himself and grown through this process though, so I think he’ll do a lot better next time.’
She laughs softly. ‘You make it sound like he’s had a bad job experience, not been dumped by his girlfriend. Ever the recruiter, Tori. Do you have an idea of the type of role that would suit him, boyfriend-wise?’
This is a welcome distraction, and I smile back at her. ‘I am aware of a potential vacancy that might be a good fit. I just need to test the waters and arrange an initial interview.’
‘I think we’ve all learned a lot this holiday,’ she observes after a moment. ‘It’s certainly been eventful.’
‘Who the fuck does this Harvey guy think he is?’ Priya asks in outrage when I’ve told her and Rosie about the events at the airport yesterday.
I’m sitting in the hotel bar, waiting for the car that’s going to take me to the concert, and, in the absence of Dutch courage, I badly needed to see and hear my two dearest friends.
I’ve been flip-flopping about whether to go to this thing all day.
Part of me feels like I shouldn’t go, as a punishment for the way I feel I’ve been treated, but then how can Gabriel redeem himself if I’m not there?
Despite having dressed up for it, I’m still undecided, and hoping that Priya and Rosie will know what I should do.
‘What she said,’ Rosie adds. ‘It sounds like someone needs to take him down a peg or two.’
‘Which is what Gabriel should have done,’ I agree. ‘But he just caved.’
‘He did stop Harvey from bundling you into a cab,’ Rosie observes. ‘He deserves some credit for that.’
‘Only because they were passing the hotel anyway,’ Priya counters. ‘So that cancels the credit, Rosie. Nul points for Gabriel. I don’t get it though, because he seemed really genuine.’
‘Another style over substance guy to add to my collection,’ I tell them bitterly. ‘You would have thought I’d learn by now. Fuck it. I’m not going to go to this concert.’
‘Umm,’ Rosie says tentatively.
‘What?’ I ask her.
‘Look, obviously it’s up to you and everything, but something just doesn’t add up here. Normally, I’d be the first to agree that you’ve selected yet another useless loser, but his actions to date don’t support that theory. He really seemed to care for you.’
‘What’s your point?’ Priya asks.
‘I guess I just wonder whether this was an unfortunate blip and you should give him another chance. If he’s still being a dick and letting Harvey call the shots, then you know you’re well off out of it. If you don’t go, you’ll always have that doubt.’
‘I don’t know,’ I sigh. ‘Right now, changing back into my shorts and going to Raphael’s with Robert, Dan and Lily feels more appealing than trekking halfway across the island to be treated like something Harvey stepped in.’
‘What about Robert?’ Priya asks suddenly.
‘What?’
‘Well, he’s a good guy, isn’t he? Now that you’ve house trained him and everything. Maybe switch horses?’
‘That’s not a bad idea,’ Rosie agrees. ‘You’ve certainly been getting along well with him.’
‘He’s grown on me, and I like to think we’re good friends now,’ I tell them. ‘But we don’t have a sexual spark.’
‘That’s because you haven’t allowed yourself to think of him like that,’ Priya counters. ‘Think about it now.’
I try to imagine kissing Robert, undressing him, having sex with him, but it feels icky.
‘Nope,’ I tell them. ‘It would be like kissing my brother.’
‘Then I’m with Rosie,’ Priya says firmly. ‘Whatever you think of Gabriel right now, you definitely had a spark with him. Give him this one chance to redeem himself.’
I sigh. ‘Fine. I’ll go.’