Chapter 24
GENIE
Now
It’s such a relief to get away from London and Jonesy’s villa is the perfect relaxing hideaway.
I keep going over and over how I’ll break the news to the children that somewhere out there they have an older sister.
I just can’t tell how they’re going to react.
Cassie seems so withdrawn since she got back from Mel’s but, wrapped up in my own drama, I’ve neglected to really talk to her about what’s wrong.
Cassie and Will have already had a bust-up over Will splashing Cassie with water from the pool.
Hopefully, they’ll settle down. Everyone’s probably tired and jetlagged, so things will seem better in the morning, after we’ve all had a good night’s sleep.
‘Fancy a dip?’ Gray asks suggestively, moving his chair closer to mine.
‘Are you sure that’s all you’re after?’ I reply with a tired smile.
‘Well, at my age, I’ll take anything I’m offered.’ Gray winks.
‘Gray! Don’t forget the kids are here, you know.’
‘Come on, Genie. We’re on holiday…’ Gray says, kissing my neck gently but passionately.
‘I’m not sure where my swimsuit is.’ I protest weakly. I know I’m making excuses but all I want to do is have a few glasses of wine and then go to bed.
‘Who needs a swimsuit?’ Gray pulls back slightly and shrugs, starting to read my mood.
‘I do. I’m not going skinny dipping, so you can get that idea out of your head.’ I mean for it to sound like a gentle rejection, but it comes out harsh.
‘Spoilsport. Don’t worry, we’ve got two weeks.’ Gray says, finally giving up on the idea of skinny dipping but only for tonight.
Gray pours us another couple of glasses of wine as we sit, enjoying the water on our tired feet. When the wine’s all finished, we stay outside, taking advantage of the warm night air and then dry our feet on a couple of towels and make our way inside.
Gray checks the locks, sets the house alarm and looks in on the kids - an old habit that seems hard to break - before he gets ready for bed in our ensuite bathroom.
We each have our own vanity basin, so I have plenty of room for all my pots and potions.
Within a couple of minutes, Gray has undressed and brushed his teeth.
By the time I’ve taken off my makeup and cleaned my teeth, Gray’s already fast asleep, letting out a very light but equally annoying snore.
I climb into bed beside him, switch off the bedside light and fail miserably trying to find the curve of his legs, Gray usually finding the curve of mine, but this bed is so big that there is such a huge amount of space between us it’s an impossible task.
I toss and turn for what seems hours, but when I check the time, I’ve only been in bed for about half an hour.
Thankfully, Gray’s in such a deep sleep and I’m physically so far away from him that my constant tossing and turning doesn’t seem to trouble him.
‘Good morning.’ I open my eyes to a very cheery and very awake Gray, cup of tea in hand.
‘Good morning.’ I say groggily, sitting up in bed, propped up by several plump pillows.
I try to wake myself up, feeling like I’ve not slept at all.
Taking the tea from him, I glance at the time.
My eyes widen, and if I’d taken a sip of tea, I probably would have spat it out.
‘Gray, it’s only 6 a.m. What on earth are you doing up?
’ I pause. ‘What on earth are you doing waking me up?’
‘Well, I’m obviously still working on London time. Sorry, I just thought I’d treat you to a cup of tea, for a change.’ Gray genuinely looks like a wounded puppy.
‘It took me ages to get to sleep. I had to listen to you snoring for ages.’ I grumpily reply.
‘Ok. Point taken. I’ll take myself back downstairs and let you sleep.’ he says, kissing me gently on the top of my head.
I drink my tea and then snuggle back under the covers.
I manage about another hour of sleep and then decide to join Gray downstairs.
I’m still tired but I’m certainly not going to get any more sleep this morning, what with Gray crashing and moving about downstairs.
Our bedroom is directly above the kitchen, which is just so where he happens to be.
Incredibly, the kids are still managing to sleep through all the noise.
I slip on my kimono-style dressing gown over my nightdress, complete with a pair of flipflops, and walk downstairs.
Gray, bless him, is trying to cook poached eggs and bacon.
I’ve not seen such a mess in a kitchen before though.
Well, not since he last “cooked” a breakfast, which was for my last birthday.
I’m dreading the washing-up and cleaning.
‘I thought I would cook you some breakfast.’ he says, looking at me with a big smile. He adds, somewhat sheepishly, ‘Sorry. As per usual, I’ve made a bit of a mess.’
How could I be cross with him? He’s always trying so hard to do nice things for me. Although, to be honest, looking at the mess, I would have been grateful for just another cup of tea. I could have cooked and cleaned, and it would have probably taken me less time than this will take to clean.
‘It looks wonderful. Thank you. Is it warm enough to eat outside, do you think?’
‘You go and check, let me know, and I’ll bring you your breakfast in a minute.’
I slide open the patio doors. It is warm enough to sit outside, although the sun hasn’t quite come over the pool yet.
The villa overlooks a tranquil lake where, if you’re lucky enough, you can see different species of birds swooping down to try and find fish.
I call out to Gray to bring the breakfast outside.
He’s managed to find a tray and is carefully trying to balance poached eggs on toast with a couple of glasses of orange juice.
I close the door behind Gray, and we tuck into our breakfast.
‘Sorry, the eggs aren’t really up to your usual standards, but I am trying.’ Gray says.
My heart aches with love that after what he’s recently found out about me, he somehow feels he’s the one who needs to make an effort. How did I get so lucky?
‘They taste all the nicer because you cooked them.’ And they really do. The love put into this breakfast really changes the whole appeal.
‘Really? You’re not just saying that to not hurt my feelings?’
‘Really. It’s all just perfect. Thank you.’ I lean over to plant a kiss on his cheek, but he turns his head, so gets a gentle peck on the lips instead.
‘Gray!’ I begin as he artfully kisses me again just as Cassie comes outside to join us.
‘O-M-G, you two, get a room.’ she shouts, shielding her eyes, pretending to be embarrassed.
‘You should be happy that your parents still fancy each other.’ says Gray.
‘Ok, Dad, just stop. I really don’t want to hear any more.’
As if on a Cassie rescue attempt, Will joins us, rubbing his eyes whilst looking at our empty plates. ‘Have you had breakfast already without me?’ he says indignantly.
I nod. ‘Your dad treated me.’
‘Nice. Is there anymore, Dad?’ Will looks at Gray expectantly.
‘Sit yourself down and I’ll cook you the same. How about you, Cassie?’
‘Don’t bother. I’ll help myself to some yoghurt. I want to look good in my bikini.’ Cassie replies curtly.
‘You’re on holiday, for God’s sake. Have something a bit more substantial.’ Gray says encouragingly. ‘Plus, who you trying to impress? Me? Your mum? Will? Because I don’t see anyone else here.’
‘Oh, go on, then.’ she relents. Finally, there’s a smile from her.
Gray causes yet more havoc in the kitchen as he cooks for the children whilst I discreetly try to tidy up after him.
We then all sit outside, happily watching as the sun finally comes over the pool.
It’s not long before Will is splashing around in the pool again.
Cassie sits on a sun lounger, shades on, busily messaging Mel whilst Gray and I sunbathe.
I sent Maura a message last night just so she knows we’ve arrived safely.
She messaged to confirm she’s able to join us, she just needs to sort out a cattery for her beloved cats and book her flight.
I also left a voicemail for my parents to let them know we decided to go away.
It was more for my dad’s benefit, as I know he’ll now pop over to water the garden and take in the post. Mother probably won’t approve of us going away at such short notice, but she no longer controls my life.
I half-heartedly pick up a novel that I’ve been “reading” for months but failing to make any headway with.
No fault of the book itself, I’ve just been too on edge since Ed and his music re-entered my life and turned it upside down.
I don’t blame him for exploiting our teenage relationship to further his music career.
By the sound of things, he’s drifted for pretty much most of his life up until recently, and he probably just needs the money.
When I had to give Milly away, I shelved any feelings I had for Ed, as it was just easier that way.
As I was quite weak after having Milly, my mother used that as an excuse to keep me at home.
I wasn’t allowed anywhere by myself. To be honest, it was worse than when she didn’t allow me out after Ginny’s party.
At least then I could see my friends at school.
Stuck in Bournemouth, I was like a prisoner, as I didn’t know anyone there except my mother and my aunt.
Dad was still working in London, and as they’d sold the family home in Barnes, he was renting a bedsit close to where he worked, coming down to see us in Bournemouth every other weekend.
I would have loved to have spent more time with Emma, but friendships weren’t allowed.
Nothing I ever did was good enough for Mother. My exam results weren’t as good as I’d hoped for after all the upheaval. So, there I was, stuck in an unfamiliar area, penniless, alone and locked up with two malicious middle-aged women.
‘Fancy a drink?’ Gray asks, interrupting my teenage memories.
I nod and smile. ‘Just a diet coke please.’
Gray grabs a beer and my diet coke from the fridge and goes in the pool. I follow and join him, undoing my sarong.
‘This is just what we needed, isn’t it?’ says Gray, moving closer to me in the water.
“Yes, it’s perfect. Thank you. Although I think Cassie is very quiet, don’t you?’ I ask, wanting reassurance that Gray too has realised things with Cassie aren’t quite right.
‘Oh, she’s probably just a bit jetlagged. You know it takes a while to acclimatize and what with the time difference and the fact she probably didn’t get much sleep at Mel’s the other night. She must be just feeling a bit off.’
‘Yeah, maybe. But call it a mother’s intuition - I don’t think she’s her normal self. And we’re just about to drop a bombshell on them.’ I continue, refusing to be placated by Gray.
‘Is tonight the night?’ Gray whispers.
I nod. ‘I’m so scared about what they’re going to say though.’
‘It’ll be ok. They’re good kids. I’m sure they’ll understand.’ Gray says, always the optimist.
‘I really hope so.’
‘We’ve brought them up well. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of questions, but we’ll get through it.’
‘You think?’ I say, desperately wanting to believe him.
‘Positive.’ he replies, leaning over to kiss me. ‘You taste of sun cream.’ He laughs.
‘And you taste of beer.’ I laugh back at him.
‘What do you expect? I’m on my holidays.’
When Gray’s away from the stresses of work, he’s just like a big kid.
I can see so much of Gray in Will. They’re both so refreshingly uncomplicated and full of fun, whereas I fear that Cassie has inherited all my worries and anxieties.
Time will tell how they will both cope with my latest bombshell.