Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
JOEY
The sea was cooling on Joey’s hot skin. It washed away the fine mist of sugar that always migrated to her arms and face. Today there was honey there, too. She smiled and inadvertently took in a mouthful of salt water. She was thinking of the kiss she’d shared with Vanessa. Their second kiss.
She’d had every intention of keeping her distance and working things out in her head.
But just a few hours in such close quarters with the beautiful newcomer in her life seemed to send the complications drifting away.
Life felt less confusing while Vanessa was in her presence.
Granted, it then seemed more confusing whenever they parted.
She looked back at the beach, where Vanessa was sitting on a towel with a book, large sunglasses lending her an air of glamour.
Joey had made a beeline for the sea the moment Vanessa had stripped off her clothes to reveal a bikini underneath.
It was a simple turquoise garment that sent Joey’s head – and other parts of her – into a spin.
“See you in the water?” she’d called, as she took off her shirt and shorts to reveal her plain black swimming costume.
“Perhaps,” said Vanessa, although she lounged back onto the sand as she said it.
Joey laughed and ran into the water. And now she was swimming gently along the coast of Barceloneta, replaying that morning’s kiss over and over. Perhaps there was hope after all?
She swam around a group of teenagers who were splashing about with a ball, enjoying the ebb and flow of the small waves. The sky was blue, the sun was out, and she was at the beach with a beautiful woman. Maybe her luck was finally changing.
“Slow down, Adam Peaty,” came a voice from behind her.
“Hey…” the rest of Joey’s sentence was washed from her mouth by a wave.
“You were right, this is so refreshing,” said Vanessa, bobbing around beside Joey, who had begun to tread water.
“I’d never lie to you,” said Joey. “Besides, how else was I going to wash all this honey off my face!”
Vanessa gave her a wicked smile that showed off her dark brown eyes. Her wet hair was slicked back on her head. She looked like the Bond girls Joey’s father had watched on the TV when she was young. “You’re welcome,” Vanessa said with a laugh.
“This is the best way to unwind after a long baking shift.” Joey stretched out her arms to continue swimming. Vanessa picked up the pace beside her.
“I’m beginning to agree with you.” Vanessa’s breast stroke was smooth and, Joey suspected, technically far superior to her own. She had such long and elegant limbs. Joey checked herself. She shouldn’t be objectifying Vanessa like this. “But perhaps we need to get the rest of that honey off you.”
Vanessa lunged towards Joey, splashing her and knocking her stroke off its rhythm. Joey yelled, placing her feet on the sand beneath, grabbing Vanessa around her slender waist and throwing her backwards into the next wave.
“You meanie!” exclaimed Vanessa once she had regained her balance. She splashed Joey in mock indignation.
“What?” Joey feigned ignorance. “I assumed you needed honey cleaning off you, too.” They laughed before heading back to the beach.
They were eating ice-cream when Joey screwed up the courage to turn the conversation to Vanessa’s eventual return to the UK. “Have you lined up premises for your new cafe, then?”
Vanessa took a generous lick of her pistachio ice-cream topped cone before answering. “I’m looking around at the moment,” she said. “There are a few options.” She frowned.
“Do they not match your expectations?” Joey put her head on one side.
“No, it’s not that,” said Vanessa. “It’s just, while I’m here I find it hard to picture the cafe in Birmingham. It’s so hot and sunny and Spanish here.”
“Yes, Barcelona is indeed very Spanish.” Joey raised her eyebrows.
“You know what I mean,” said Vanessa. “I’m just finding it hard to picture myself turning one of those dull old buildings into something as vibrant and delicious as Carmen’s place.”
“Don’t doubt yourself,” said Joey. “Remember, you’re the woman who had a dream, who travelled thousands of miles, and managed to become Carmen’s second favourite baker.”
Vanessa jostled Joey with her arm. “Second favourite? I think I’m edging you out, babe.”
Babe? That was new.
“But seriously, though. You’ve got the skills, you’re getting the knowledge. And it sounds like you have the drive,” said Joey.
“I think so. It was my last promise to my gran, you know. So it’s important I do this, that I see this through.” Vanessa sighed. “Sometimes I think she knew me better than I know myself.”
“You spent a lot of time with her?” asked Joey.
“Yes, definitely,” said Vanessa. “And I’m glad I got to spend time with her right up until the end. You just never know how much time you’ve got.”
“She was lucky to have you,” said Joey. “Dani’s uncle’s lucky to have her.” Joey thought of her own family, and fell silent. There was no one there who had been there for her. But then, she hadn’t been there for any of them, either.
As if reading her mind, her phone rang, and she glanced at the display only to see her father’s name. Joey’s heart sank. It was unusual for him to be so insistent. It was only a few days since he’d last messaged.
“Don’t mind me if you want to take a call,” said Vanessa, waving her ice-cream at Joey’s mobile.
“No, it’s fine.” Joey felt herself begin the shut-down. She looked at her phone, ringing out, and then over to Vanessa. Maybe she didn’t need to shut down. “It’s my dad.”
The phone stopped, and Joey replaced it in her pocket. She took a lick of her coffee flavoured ice-cream. “You don’t need to say any more,” said Vanessa. “I know your relationship is complicated.”
“Yeah,” said Joey. “Although talking about you and your gran, and Dani and her uncle, makes me wonder if I ought to reconsider my approach to him. I’ve not seen or spoken to him in years. Perhaps he’s changed? Or maybe there’s something important he wants to tell me?”
“Well, maybe,” said Vanessa. “Only you can decide what’s the right thing to do.”
“Hmm. Yeah.” Joey bit off the edge of her cone.
“You could text him, I guess. It’s a bit easier than a call. But only if that works for you.” Vanessa polished off the last vestiges of her ice-cream. “That was delicious. Is it me, or is everything better in Spain?”
“Well, I think so. Otherwise I wouldn’t have stayed.” Joey gave a rueful grin.