A Family Holiday (18 page)

‘It’s going to be hot, but that will help the pain,’ he said. ‘Okay Eleanor?’

The children suddenly stopped staring at Eleanor’s hands and looked at the Adonis.

‘Felix?’ said Charlie as everyone did a double-take.

‘Have you turned into our stalker?’ asked George.

Felix ignored them and focused on Eleanor. ‘I’m going to get these little black dots out of your palms because that’s what’s making them sting. Okay?’ Eleanor gave a teary nod. The barman produced some tweezers, dipped them in some boiling water and handed them to him. Everyone stayed quiet and watched intently as he carefully teased the little black dots from Eleanor’s palms. After a lot of wincing from all assembled, the worst of the stings were out and Eleanor was jiggling her fingers in a fresh bowl of hot water.

Charlie picked Millie up and she eyed Felix suspiciously from the safety of Charlie’s arms. He smiled at her but soon turned his attention to Charlie.

‘It’s nasty – a bit like running your hands down a cheese grater, but nothing serious. The stings will dissolve themselves in a few days if I’ve missed any.’

‘Thanks, I wouldn’t have known what to do.’

‘Good job it wasn’t a local that came to help; they still favour urine for healing urchin stings!’

‘Ewww!’ said Eleanor with feeling.

‘Cool,’ said George, ‘I could pee on her if you like?’ he said keenly, and was met by a chorus of ‘No!’

‘I knew it was you as soon as I heard Millie,’ said Felix as he leaned against the bar, making his abs appear to ripple and Charlie had to try very hard not to stare. ‘I thought I was dreaming for a bit watching you all together on the beach and…’ he seemed to run out of words.

Felix waved to get the barman’s attention. ‘Four fruit punches and two beers please.’

‘No problem, Blue,’ replied the barman.

‘Why did he call you Blue?’ came Eleanor’s feeble voice from the bar stool.

‘It’s what everyone calls me here. Because of these,’ he said, as he nonchalantly slid his sunglasses up to rest in his unruly sun-streaked hair. Even though she knew what was coming it was all Charlie could do not to gasp at those amazing eyes – they put the ocean to shame.

‘Yes, I remember those,’ said Charlie, who was feeling as if she had woken up in a parallel universe.

The first of the drinks appeared on the bar and Felix handed over a staff card and some dollars.

‘You work here?’ asked Ted taking a beer, which Charlie swiftly took from him and pointed at the fruit punch instead.

‘No, not exactly. Look Ted, could you keep an eye on the others while I find out from Charlie what exactly is going on.’

Ted was busy tasting the fruit punch, so had no chance to reply as Felix put his hand on Charlie’s shoulder and guided her quickly away.

‘So?’ he prompted when they were out of earshot.

Charlie resisted the very childish urge to go ‘found you!’ ‘We’re on holiday, how about you?’ she asked, feeling an odd sense of calm. Her emotions were all over the place.

‘Did Ruth agree that?’

Charlie took a swig of her beer. ‘She knows we’re on holiday but she didn’t exactly agree to it and she doesn’t know where we are.’ The beer was cold and refreshing as she savoured another mouthful.

He stared at her. ‘How did you find me?’ The way he was frowning made him look a little cross.

‘You found us,’ said Charlie, enjoying being annoying. It was nice to see him again, especially topless, but she still hadn’t forgiven him for running out on the children. He looked so very different in a pair of shorts. To think he’d been hiding that amazing body under all those layers the whole time he’d been in London. ‘You came along the beach and found us, Felix.’

‘Please can you not call me that? Just stick with Blue.’ Charlie pulled a noncommittal facial expression. ‘Why have you brought the children here? Oh God, you’re not planning on leaving them with me, are you?’

Charlie laughed and started to choke at the same time as her beer went down the wrong way. ‘Fe
…
Blue, calm down I had no idea that you lived here. The holiday details came in the post, Toby had booked it ages ago.’

‘Right,’ said Blue slowly. He finally took a long drink of beer. ‘Why here?’

‘I don’t know. Maybe Toby knew where you were and wanted to see you. Perhaps he thought it might be nice for you to get to know them.’ She pointed at the children, who were now playing stacking games with their empty cups.

‘I’m sorry, but nothing has changed. I can’t be their guardian.’ There was the frown again.

‘I know that. But you’re still their uncle.’ Charlie didn’t want to have this fight again, not here. ‘I’d better get these back to the villa. Thanks again for your help. We’re here to have a quiet holiday but I expect we’ll see you around,’ she said, downing the last of her beer.

‘So it’s really just a holiday?’ asked Blue.

‘Yep. Just a holiday.’ Although Charlie was already thinking what a stroke of luck it was to have found their runaway uncle. This was a definite opportunity for the children to get to know him better and there was always a chance he might change his mind, however minuscule that chance was.

Blue followed her back to the bar, where she started to round up the children. Charlie tucked Eleanor’s damp hair behind her ear. She was still looking very sorry for herself, slumped on the bar stool with her hands in the bowl.

‘Try soaking them in vinegar for a bit, pat them dry and put some cream on, Eleanor,’ said Blue and she gave him a brief nod.

‘Good to see you guys,’ he said awkwardly to Ted and George. ‘I’m sure I’ll see you about if you’re here for a couple of weeks.’

‘Four,’ said Charlie, hardly believing it herself. Blue’s forehead scrunched up in response but he didn’t say anything. He watched them gather up their belongings and walk across the beach. He flicked down his sunglasses and turned his head slightly so it looked as if he was looking out to sea, but what he was actually doing was following every step of their slow progress until they disappeared from view.

Tigi was sat on the porch of a small wooden building decorated in faded pink. He was making the rocking chair sway gently as Blue pulled up outside.

‘You feeling any better?’ Blue asked as he bounded up the steps.

‘Ah, don’t fuss, man. I’m fine.’

‘Tigi, you have multiple sclerosis and your flare-ups are getting more frequent.’

Tigi waved his words away. ‘I’m fine. You need to feel the breeze,’ said Tigi, rocking a little slower.

‘I worry, that’s all.’

‘I don’t and you shouldn’t either. It’s one of the wonders of life that we don’t know what is coming around the corner to challenge us next. It keeps us on our toes,’ said Tigi, with a throaty laugh.

Blue let out a heavy sigh. ‘I don’t know, it feels like everything is changing. The easy life is… well, not as easy as it once was, that’s all.’

‘You need to lighten up, Blue, I’ll be back to normal soon enough. But in the meantime a cold beer would be good.’

Blue shook his head and disappeared into the small dwelling. He returned with two beers and handed one to Tigi, together with a lipstick. ‘Found this in the truck. Is it yours?’

‘Not my colour, but I’ll return it to its owner,’ said Tigi, taking it from him.

‘This week’s golf widow?’ Blue sat down on the top wooden step.

‘Never you mind,’ said Tigi, tapping his nose. ‘I heard you were a hero today,’ he said, changing the subject.

‘News travels quicker than a barrel over a waterfall here.’

‘You should know by now that it’s a small island.’ Tigi closed his eyes as he sipped his beer.

‘Yeah, I know. It was some kid with an urchin sting, that’s all.’

Tigi watched Blue closely and rocked steadily in his chair. ‘I heard it was your niece?’ he said, raising one eyebrow.

Blue laughed and shook his head. ‘God damn it, it
is
a small island!’

Fleur was enjoying the feel of the cotton against her bare skin and snuggled her face into the pillow, aware that her torso was uncovered and felt cool but comfortable. She stirred and turned onto her back as she heard a door shut, which made her sit up quickly. She pulled the duvet up to cover her bare chest even quicker. Fleur’s mind was foggy but she recalled the previous evening in the pub, a discussion about her refusing to go home and Jonathan suggesting that she go to his. She vaguely remembered being helped into a car but the rest was a mystery.

‘Jonathan, is that you?’ asked Fleur to the empty room. The door opened just a crack.

‘There’s a fresh cup of coffee on the bedside cabinet for you,’ he said, before the door was closed again.

‘Thanks, Jonathan,’ she said, but the words fell away as she realised he must have seen her half-naked. She shrugged. Oh well, he was most likely more embarrassed by that than she was.

Fleur looked around the small bedroom and her eyes found the plain-white coffee mug. The room was painted a pale grey and had a huge bookcase on the far wall, which was so full of books they were double stacked on every shelf and also piled on top.

Fleur put on the dark-grey dressing gown from the back of the bedroom door and took her coffee cup with her. Jonathan’s flat was compact, a couple of steps along the short hallway brought her into a living room cum kitchen and dining area. There was a large black leather corner sofa scattered with red and cream cushions, where Jonathan sat with his feet up on a low glass coffee table. When Fleur walked in he almost spilled his coffee with the speed that he stood up.

‘Oh, you’re up. Look I’m sorry about before. I hadn’t realised you were… that you hadn’t… I was concentrating on not spilling the coffee… I hadn’t realised that you didn’t… you know…’

‘Well, someone undressed me last night. Was that not you?’

‘No! Goodness, no. I took off your jacket and shoes, but that was all. I swear!’

‘Don’t worry, I believe you. Thousands wouldn’t,’ she said with a sly smile and sat down on the edge of the sofa. Jonathan remained standing and rubbed his unshaven chin. Fleur indicated for him to join her. ‘Oh, relax.’ She patted the seat.

Jonathan sat down, picked up his mug and they sipped coffee in a silent synchronised motion. ‘How are you feeling? You had quite a bit of wine last night.’

‘I’m fine… a little fuzzy round the edges, but fine. Was I frightful?’

‘No. Not at all,’ said Jonathan, vehemently shaking his head. Fleur gave him a sideways look. ‘Well, perhaps a bit. Yes,’ he conceded. ‘What’s the plan for today?’

Fleur let out a big slow breath, put her mug on the coffee table and wrapped the now slightly gaping dressing gown tightly around her petite frame. ‘I don’t know. I can’t go home. There’s nobody at Charlie’s. I don’t know what to do.’

‘I have to work, but you’re very welcome to stay here.’

‘That’s kind, but I think I’ll book into a hotel and let you have your bed back.’

‘Up to you. No rush,’ he said, getting to his feet and taking the mugs to the sink. ‘There are cereals in the cupboard. Fruit in the fridge and more coffee in the pot. I’m going to shave and get going.’

After Jonathan had said good-bye for the fourth time she found herself alone. She decided to formulate a plan whilst she was in the shower. She raided Jonathan’s shelves and quite liked the citrus smell of his Penhaligon’s shower gel; she thought she detected a hint of basil in there too somewhere. She realised the smell reminded her of Jonathan, she’d smelt it when he’d greeted her yesterday and before at the Criterion. She breathed in the fresh scent and started to form a plan of action.

Whatever her father said about there being a bed-bug infestation at his London flat, she didn’t believe him. It was a good cover story because she could see why he wouldn’t tell her mother as she most likely wouldn’t have let him back into bed with her for years and he clearly thought it was enough to put Fleur off the scent too. But he was underestimating his daughter. There was something going on and she was going to find out exactly what it was.

Fleur had decided to take the tube and, although it hadn’t been too busy with most of the commuter traffic now dispersed to their office cubicles and designated squares of utility carpet, she had rather wished that she’d taken a cab. At least she was now outside in the open air and a slight whiff of Thames was assaulting her nostrils as she clip-clopped her way across the South Quay footbridge. Each metal-heeled footstep rang out across the modern metal structure and echoed around her. She confidently followed its slightly snaking path until she was on the paved edge of the water and her heels sounded altogether less impressive. It wasn’t far to her father’s apartment from here but already she was wishing that she had worn flats, but all she had available was what she’d worn last night for her date with Duggan the Dumper.

Thankfully, she turned the last corner, promising herself that it was a taxi all the way back. The block of flats was like a series of boxes stuck together, some wood-clad, some with cream rectangular tiles and some in a menacing dark grey, but it was modern, low-maintenance and it fitted into its surroundings on the Isle of Dogs. She pulled out the key and used the magic key fob to open the communal entrance door. She took the stairs to the first floor and stood outside the door for a few moments collecting her thoughts, few that there were. She hadn’t really thought this bit through. If there were a bug infestation she really didn’t want to go inside, and she wasn’t sure how she would know. How big were bed bugs? Could you see them with the naked eye or were they microscopic little beasts? She had no idea. She wasn’t expecting to find any evidence of the other woman because clearly the flat wasn’t good enough for her. So what was she expecting to find on the other side of that door?

Charlie was lying on a sun lounger by the villa’s pool, sipping fresh pineapple juice and listening hard as she tried to hear the sea, which was a little too far away to be heard. She was starting to think that if she lay there any longer she was going to fall asleep and be eaten alive by tiny winged biting things, when she heard footsteps bounding up the steps behind her. She lurched forward, ready to fight, and was greeted by Blue, who nonchalantly sat down on the sun lounger next to her.

‘Evening Charlie,’ he said, as casual as you like.

‘Er, hello,’ she said, giving him the once-over. He was still wearing the shorts he’d had on at the beach, but now his rippling stomach muscles were hidden from view by a pale-green t-shirt advertising Wadadli Beer, which according to the logo under the picture purported to be ‘the beer of Antigua’.

‘How’s Eleanor?’ he asked, leaning forward, his forearms resting on his tanned legs. Charlie noticed the hairs on his legs had been bleached blonde by the sun and she tried to drag her eyes back up to his face.

‘Yeah, she’s fine. Tonight I bathed them a second time in vinegar and put some cream on. They look loads better, thanks. She’s asleep now, anyway.’

‘That’s good to hear.’

‘How did you know where we were staying?’

‘Small island,’ he said, with a grin. ‘Interesting suntan,’ he added, failing to hide a smirk.

‘Oh, I put sun cream on the kids and forgot about myself,’ said Charlie, who had noticed the heat of her burnt shoulders kick in a while ago but had yet to thoroughly inspect the damage.

‘Right. So the white hand print, just above your…’ he tailed off and pointed abstractly in the direction of her left breast. ‘That wasn’t intentional, then?’

Charlie followed his gaze and gave a little gasp as she saw Millie’s perfect handprint immortalised on her chest and her mind rewound itself to the moment that a factor-fifty-clad Millie had landed a slap on that exact spot.

‘Terrific!’ she said, as she pulled her chin down to her chest to get a better look. The redness offset the milk-white patch of skin brilliantly. ‘You know, that’s better than the expensive baby hand print she has in a frame at home,’ she laughed.

‘Hang on a sec,’ said Blue and he jogged off across the garden. He produced a penknife from his pocket and sliced the top off a spikey plant. He walked back and presented it to Charlie, who looked doubtfully at the oozing goo that was seeping out of the end.

‘It’s aloe vera and if you spread it on your skin it will relieve the burn.’ Charlie looked suspicious. ‘Trust me,’ he said, with a grin. She took it from him and tentatively spread it on her shoulders.

Blue watched her before making himself comfy on a sun lounger. ‘How are you settling in?’

It was so very strange to see him. Here in Antigua he was somehow different and now he was so much more relaxed than he had been at the beach. ‘Yeah, it’s fine thanks… no that’s unfair, it’s amazing. The villa is totally beautiful and the beach is paradise so, yeah, everything is great, thanks.’

‘You’ve only seen the villa and the beach?’

‘Apart from what we can see from the balcony. I expect we’ll venture a bit further when we’ve found our bearings.’

‘I was going to ask if you’d like me to show you round the island tomorrow?’

‘I see. You’re selling me a tour?’

‘No, suspicious Londoner, I’m not going to charge you. I’m not working tomorrow and I thought it would be a nice thing to do. Okay?’

‘Okay,’ smiled Charlie.

‘Anyway I figured while you’re here we should make the most of the time together.’

‘What you and the kids?’ said Charlie, pausing with the now very squished aloe vera plant held aloft.

Blue moved very slowly as he turned to face her, his expression unreadable. ‘Yeah, and you and me.’

Charlie felt the colour rise in her cheeks so at least now they matched her shoulders. She nodded and asked the question that had been buzzing around her head since the incident on the beach. ‘Are you going to tell anyone at home that we’re here?’

Charlie was still trying to dress the wriggling octopus that was Millie when she heard the friendly beep of a car horn outside.

‘He’s here!’ shouted George, all thoughts of being pulled out of a tree a few weeks ago long forgotten as he ran downstairs, bumping into Eleanor as he went.

‘Ow!’ she protested, and started to cry.

Millie escaped from Charlie’s grip wearing her pants and t-shirt and Charlie decided that would probably be all right for today, seeing as she had been covered from head to the very tip of her toes in factor-fifty sun cream and her swimming costume was in one of the bags. Charlie put her arm around Eleanor and guided her downstairs.

‘Is it a sad day?’ Charlie asked her.

Eleanor nodded and wiped her nose on the back of her hand. Charlie produced a tissue and handed it to her. ‘But it’s not why you think. I miss Wriggly,’ his name was almost lost in the sob.

‘Oh, sweetie, come here.’ Charlie pulled her into a hug. ‘He will be having the best holiday ever. He will be driving Ralph crazy, he’ll be having walks in the fields and he’ll be sleeping on Fleur’s bed, I bet.’

‘But I love him,’ said Eleanor with a sniff.

‘And he loves you too, but it won’t stop him having a good time. And it shouldn’t stop you. Okay?’

Eleanor nodded. ‘I’m missing Mum and Dad too,’ she added. ‘It feels like we’ve left them behind.’

‘I know,’ said Charlie, kissing the top of her fair hair, ‘But we’ve not left them behind, they’re always with us.’

‘In our hearts?’

‘I was going to say in our memories, but yeah if you like, in our hearts too.’ Eleanor wiped away a tear with her arm and it left a streak. Charlie thought she might have overdone the sun cream on her too.

‘Are we ready for the Amazing Antiguan Island Tour?’ Blue announced through the open doors.

The children answered him in varying levels of shrill reply, making Charlie smile as she joined the others in the entrance hall. She handed Blue a selection of rucksacks, buckets and more hats than there were heads and he pulled a puzzled face but took them anyway. She couldn’t help noticing the muscle definition under his t-shirt and, for a moment, her mind wandered off. Whatever the Antiguan air was doing to her, it needed to stop.

‘Is Winnie excited about his adventure?’ Blue asked Millie and in reply she took hold of the only free finger he had and went with him.

Outside there was a large white truck-like vehicle that, according to its bonnet, had been made by Range Rover. It had a canvas roof and open sides and, with ten seats in the back and two up front, there was plenty of space for them all and their detritus.

‘Front or back?’ asked Blue, with a very cheeky grin.

‘I don’t think I can leave the children in the back on their own, do you?’ said Charlie.

‘Good point. Okay, Teddy you can come up front with me if you like.’

‘It’s Ted. I’ll be fine in the back.’ Ted was not going to be so quick to forgive and forget, it seemed.

‘Sure thing,’ said Blue, jumping into the driver’s seat and starting the engine, making Millie squeal with delight. Eleanor looked alarmed as Charlie was still making her way round to the back of the truck.

Berta came to wave them off, which added to the excitement in the jeep. Charlie checked she had the sick bags, returned Millie’s hat to her head once again and they set off. With Blue up front it was a magical mystery tour, as only he knew where they were heading. The Range Rover could cope much better with the Antiguan roads than Tigi’s mini bus and in daylight there was so much to take in that the small bumps were quickly forgotten. The breeze that the open-sided truck created was welcome. Charlie closed her eyes and breathed in deeply; it did smell so very different here, she couldn’t really describe it – it was simply clean, fresh and somehow sweeter and lighter than the air at home. Someone once told Charlie that ‘Fresh air blows in a contented spirit’ and that felt true today. She could feel her lungs rejoice as the unsullied breeze was gulped down.

It wasn’t far to their first stop. ‘Windmill!’ shouted Eleanor as they trundled along a dirt track.

‘Welcome to Betty’s Hope,’ said Blue as he helped them out of the jeep. Millie was the last one and she kept hold of Blue’s hand as they walked over the uneven ground. He acknowledged two men sitting in chairs a few yards away and ushered everyone towards the large sugar mill. Inside was a large piece of faded red machinery, which, Blue explained, was what had once crushed the sugar cane. He took them through the whole process of sugar production. Ted read the information boards behind him, suddenly becoming interested when Blue got to the part about making rum.