Some Girls Do (38 page)

‘This is gorgeous!’ Claire gasped.

‘Where have you two been?’ Ali rushed up to them. ‘I probably shouldn’t ask,’ she continued, without waiting for an answer. ‘Come and have a drink.’ She linked Claire’s arm and led them to a table covered with ice buckets containing champagne, where Jacqueline and Jonathan were distributing drinks.

Jonathan picked up a bottle as they approached and poured a glass, handing it to Claire.

‘Oh, thanks, but I’m driving,’ she said. ‘You have this.’ She passed it to Luca, and Jacqueline frowned as he took it from her. ‘I’ll just have a mineral water, please.’

‘Oh no!’ Ali exclaimed. ‘You should have come in a taxi. Everyone should have champagne for my birthday.’ She pouted prettily.

‘You could have one glass,’ Jonathan said. ‘You’re allowed one, and it’ll be well out of your system by the time you leave anyway.’

‘And we’ll be eating too,’ Jacqueline added.

‘Okay, thanks.’ Claire smiled. Jonathan poured another glass and handed it to her.

‘You should stay the night,’ Ali said. ‘Then you could drink as much as you like.’

‘Yes, why don’t you?’ Jacqueline said. ‘Luca’s room is ready.’

‘I don’t mind not drinking,’ Claire said, glancing at Luca. She wasn’t sure how he would feel about staying over. She knew it was upsetting for him being there, and she didn’t want to make it any worse.

‘You need to get back early in the morning, don’t you?’ he said to her.

‘Yes!’ she said, glad he had given her an indication of what he wanted to do.

‘Well, she can drive home in the morning from here, can’t she?’ Ali said. ‘We’re not in Outer Mongolia.’

‘Might as well be for all he visits,’ Jacqueline muttered, under her breath.

‘I really should get home tonight,’ Claire said apologetically, to Ali.

‘So, how did you two meet?’ Jacqueline asked.

‘Claire works with Yvonne Redmond,’ Luca said. ‘We met through her.’

‘Oh, and where do you work?’

‘In a bookshop,’ Claire said.

‘Which one?’ Jonathan asked.

‘Bookends. Do you know it?’

‘Yes, it’s a great shop.’

‘How long have you been there?’ Jacqueline asked.

‘Um … almost four years now.’

‘And Ali tells us you live in Ranelagh?’

‘Yes. I live in the house I grew up in – with my mother.’

‘With your mother?’

‘Yes, she’s – well, she’s a bit incapacitated, and she has a heart condition, so she needs someone there.’

Claire was starting to feel uncomfortable under Jacqueline’s intense scrutiny and incessant questioning.

‘Have you always lived at home, then?’

‘No, I went to university in Edinburgh.’

‘And what did you study?’

‘English literature.’ This was beginning to feel like a job interview.

‘You’ll have to forgive Mum,’ Ali said, smiling indulgently at her mother. ‘She doesn’t usually give people the third degree, but it’s the first time Luca’s brought a girlfriend home.’

‘Oh, I’m not—’

‘Yes, you’re a first,’ Luca said, smiling fondly at her as he put an arm around her waist. She didn’t understand why, but for some reason Luca obviously wanted his mother to think they were a couple. So she put an arm around him and smiled back at him, gratified when she felt him relax beside her.

‘Yes, well, I must admit I was quite surprised when Ali told me Luca was bringing someone,’ Jacqueline said to Claire. ‘I’m sorry if I’m being rude—’

‘It’s fine,’ Claire hastened to assure her.

‘But it’s really lovely to have you here, Claire,’ she said, once more giving Claire that look, as if she was a complicated puzzle. ‘I must say, you’re not at all what I expected.’

‘Oh.’ Claire tried not to let her expression falter, but she felt hurt by Jacqueline’s remark, taking it to mean she found her a disappointment.

‘Stop that,’ Luca whispered to her, frowning at her sternly, as if he knew what she was thinking. In a louder voice, he said, ‘She means she thinks you’re too good for me. Don’t you, Jacqueline?’

‘No, of course not,’ Jacqueline snapped. ‘Please don’t do this today, Luca.’

‘What did you expect?’ he asked his mother, his lip curling in a sneer. ‘Some skank or junkie? Someone more suitable for a scumbag like me?’

‘Of course not!’

‘Luca, please,’ Ali whispered, her eyes darting between her mother and brother.

‘Sorry, Ali.’

Claire felt his body slump against her, the fight seeming to go out of him. He took a swig of champagne.

‘You’re drinking,’ Jacqueline said tightly, her eyes frosty as they focused on his glass.

‘Jesus!’ Luca swore under his breath. ‘Yeah, I’m drinking. So what? So are you.’

‘Yes, but I’m not—’

‘Neither am I!’ he roared.

‘You have a problem, Luca,’ Jacqueline hissed. ‘And the sooner you face up to it, the better. You can’t drink in moderation, so—’

‘That’s not true,’ Claire said. ‘I’ve never seen Luca drunk.’ Now that she thought about it, she’d never seen him drink more than a beer or two, or a couple of glasses of wine at the most. ‘I’ve never seen him even slightly tipsy.’

‘Well, lucky you. I hope you never have to. But he’s put us through hell—’

‘I think you’ve got that the wrong way around,’ Claire said quietly.

‘I beg your pardon?’ Jacqueline said haughtily. ‘I don’t know what he’s told you but—’

‘He didn’t have to tell me anything,’ Claire said, wishing her
voice wasn’t trembling. ‘It’s all in the public domain. You put it there.’

‘Oh, God!’ Jacqueline rolled her eyes. ‘Not the book again!’

‘Leave it, Claire,’ Luca said quietly to her. ‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘Of course it
matters!
’ She turned to Jacqueline. ‘Luca is one of the kindest, sweetest, most lovable people I’ve ever met, and if you can’t see that, then it’s your loss.’ Not sure what to do after delivering her speech, she put down her glass, turned on her heel and made for the door.

‘Claire!’ she heard Luca call after her, as she bolted outside and down the steps into the garden.

She ran to the wall that edged the cliff, shaking and on the verge of tears. Oh, God, what had got into her? She hated rows and she was useless at confrontation. She couldn’t believe she’d spoken to Luca’s mother like that – and in the middle of Ali’s party. It was a horrible thing to do, she thought, as she swiped away tears with the back of her hand. How could she face any of them again? She just wanted to run away. Maybe she could hide in her car until it was time to leave. She felt she should go back and apologise, but she hadn’t really said anything she was sorry for. She’d said that Luca was sweet and lovable, and she wouldn’t take that back. She’d said he didn’t drink much, which was true. Oh, yeah – and she’d accused his mother of putting him through hell. That
was
rude, but she still wasn’t sure she regretted it. However, she should at least apologise to Ali for causing a scene at her party. She genuinely felt bad about that.

‘Claire!’ She turned to see Luca hurtling down the steps towards her.

‘God, I’m so sorry,’ she said when he reached her.

‘Hey, it’s okay,’ he said, pulling her into his arms. ‘Don’t be upset. I shouldn’t have brought you here. I’m sorry.’ He took her to one of the seats and sat her down beside him.

‘What must Ali think of me, behaving like that at her party? I have to apologise to her.’

‘Don’t worry about it. She’s used to me and Jacqueline kicking off.’

‘That’s different – you’re family. You’re allowed. It just got to me, the things she was saying about you. It’s not fair.’

‘But it’s true what she said. Except the bit about not being able to control my drinking. Jacqueline has very black-and-white ideas about drug use. She doesn’t understand that I can drink normally. But I can.’

‘I know.’

‘I’m not going to turn into some Dr Jekyll type after a couple of drinks. Or do I mean Mr Hyde? Anyway, whichever was the scary one.’

‘Mr Hyde.’

‘Right. I was never a very committed druggie in the first place, and I don’t have a drink problem. But the rest …’ He sighed. ‘Jacqueline knows me a lot better than you do. It was sweet of you to say those things about me, but they’re not true. I’m not a very nice person. And I did put them through hell. I was out of control when I was younger – doing drugs, always getting into fights—’

‘It’s understandable you were a bit messed up.’

‘Because I decided to be. I did it deliberately to get back at her. I went looking for trouble, and if I couldn’t find it, I made it. I wanted to make her life a misery.’

‘I still don’t think that means you were bad – just unhappy and troubled. And, anyway, you’ve changed now.’

‘Maybe,’ he said. ‘Anyway, just forget about it and come back inside. We still haven’t given Ali her presents.’

‘I don’t think I can face any of them again – especially not Ali. I could really use a drink, though.’

‘Wait here, then. I’ll get you one.’

She watched as he bounded up the steps to the deck. He passed Ali on the way and spoke to her, waving in Claire’s direction before continuing into the house. Ali came over to her, carrying a bottle of champagne as well as her own glass.

‘Are you okay?’ she asked, sitting down beside Claire and setting the bottle on the ground.

‘I’m so sorry, Ali. I don’t know what got into me.’

Ali held up a hand, stopping her. ‘Don’t worry about it. Believe me, I’m used to a bit of drama whenever Mum and Luca have to share the same space. To be honest, I think it’s lovely that he has someone on his side. I’m always caught in the middle between him and Mum, and then I feel bad that I don’t stick up for him more.’ She smiled and took a sip of champagne. ‘He really doesn’t have a drink problem. She’s wrong about that.’

‘I know.’

‘I’m glad he’s got you, Claire. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy.’

‘Oh, but we’re not—’

‘Yeah, yeah – whatever. I don’t know why you’re both so keen to keep it a big secret.’ She gasped, clutching Claire’s arm. ‘You’re not married, are you?’

Claire laughed. ‘No!’ She debated whether she should tell Ali that there was someone else, but Mark wasn’t her boyfriend – at least, not yet. Besides, she’d upset Ali enough for one night.

‘Phew! Thank goodness for that. I might have had to challenge you to a duel or something if I found out you were messing my brother around.’

Luca returned with a couple of glasses and Ali’s present, and sat down on Claire’s other side. ‘All okay now?’ he asked, handing Claire a glass and picking up the bottle of champagne.

Claire nodded.

‘Why don’t you stay the night?’ Ali said to Claire. ‘Then you could relax and have a proper drink.’

‘We could leave first thing in the morning,’ Luca added.

‘I doubt your mother would want me spending the night here after that performance.’

‘You’re
my
guest,’ Ali said. ‘I’m inviting you to stay. Anyway, she’s seen a lot worse than that, hasn’t she, Luca?’

Luca laughed. ‘Much worse.’

It would be nice to be able to relax and enjoy a good drink, Claire thought – and she wasn’t looking forward to the drive home in the dark.

‘If you don’t mind …’ she said to Luca.

‘No. Whatever you want.’

‘Okay, then. Thanks.’ She smiled at Ali. Then she fished in her bag and pulled out a small gift-wrapped parcel and a card. ‘Happy birthday,’ she said, handing them to Ali.

Luca handed his over too and Ali immediately began ripping them open.

‘Oh, I love it!’ she exclaimed, when she uncovered the blue sea-glass pendant Claire had given her. ‘Thank you.’ She hugged her.

She was even more enraptured by Luca’s painting. ‘You know that’s my absolute favourite and I’ve hankered after it for ages.’

‘I know. I’ve seen you eyeing it up every time you’re over. I’m surprised you didn’t just ask me for it.’

‘Because I knew you’d give it to me, and I didn’t want you to lose out on a sale. I was planning to save up to buy it, but I was afraid you’d sell it to someone else before I got the chance. Thank you so much.’ She hugged him tightly. Then she stood up. ‘Right. I’d better go and mingle – and collect more booty. See you guys later. The food will be served shortly.’

‘Do you really not mind staying over?’ Claire asked Luca, once she was gone.

‘No, I really don’t. Besides, I kind of like the idea of fulfilling some of my lurid teenage fantasies by having a girl in that room.’

‘Okay, then,’ she said, clinking her glass against his. ‘Here’s to making your teenage fantasies come true.’ She sipped her champagne.

‘I should warn you,’ Luca grinned, ‘I had some pretty filthy fantasies when I was a teenager.’

‘Nothing I can’t handle, I’m sure.’ Claire nestled into him as he put his arm around her. ‘It’s so beautiful here. Nothing but sea everywhere you look. It must have been amazing growing up in this place.’

‘When I got used to it, I suppose it was. It completely freaked me out at first.’ Luca chuckled.

‘Why?’

‘I was terrified of the sea. Didn’t know what to make of it, I suppose. I’d never seen it before – never even heard about it.’

‘Never heard about it? You’d never seen it in a book or anything?’

‘There weren’t any books,’ he said quietly. ‘The first time I saw a book was on the plane coming over here. Jacqueline had got some for us.’

‘Oh.’ Claire swallowed the lump in her throat.

‘The first time I was brought to the beach I went ballistic. Screamed my lungs out, and had to be taken home. It was the same with grass.’

‘Grass?’ She frowned.

‘Yeah, I didn’t know what that was either. I was afraid to walk on it.’

Claire drank some more champagne, letting her hair fall over her face to hide the tears that had welled in her eyes. She couldn’t bear to think of Luca as that deprived, frightened little boy who’d never heard of the sea or felt grass beneath his feet. It made her want to wrap her arms around him and hold him tight, as if she could absorb all the hurt. It was no wonder he was a bit screwed up – it was amazing he could function at all.

‘Top-up?’ he asked, holding up the bottle.

Claire realised she had drained her glass. She turned to him, holding it out.