Fair-Weather Friend (3 page)

Melissa joined her several hours later. She was on a high.

‘Remember that guy?' she asked excitedly. ‘He asked me would I like coffee. His name is Paulo and he's
absolutely
loaded! He's staying on a yacht with friends. They're cruising around the islands for a month. Imagine! He asked me out to dinner tonight. What will I wear Sophie? It will have to be something very sophisticated. Do you think the little
black silk dress I bought would be OK?'

‘It will be fine,' Sophie said, trying to sound interested. Melissa hadn't wasted any time. It looked like Sophie would be eating alone tonight. Her heart sank. Just as well she had plenty of books to read.

‘I better get some serious sunbathing done before tonight.' Melissa unhooked her bikini top and slathered on some sun-tan oil. ‘Sophie, it's great that we came to this place. I'd never have met anybody like Paulo in Palma Nova. The marina here is mega posh.' She gave a huge smile as she slid elegantly onto her lounger. She stretched out and closed her eyes.

Sophie tried not to feel envious as she surveyed her friend. Melissa had everything: looks, fabulous figure, bubbly personality. No wonder she was
never man-less for long. A deep sigh came up from her toes as she looked at her own tummy that was not flat and taut like Melissa's. Hers was curved and rounded with a little, soft, jelly sort of bulge, no matter how tight she held her muscles in. Her thighs were dimpled at the top – not like Melissa's firm, toned, satin-skinned ones. And there was no denying that she had thick ankles, Sophie thought glumly as she looked at Melissa's shapely turned ankles and perfectly painted toes.

She felt fed up … and hungry.

‘Will we have some lunch?' she asked.

‘Oh God no! I couldn't eat a thing. I'm so excited.' Melissa yawned. ‘Besides, Paulo bought me a gorgeous cake with the coffee, earlier.'

‘Well I've had nothing to eat since breakfast. I'll just go and get something
myself.' Sophie pulled on her sundress, grabbed her bag and flounced off.

‘Enjoy it,' Melissa called airily after her. She hadn't even noticed that Sophie was annoyed.

Bitch!
thought Sophie, simmering with resentment. Denise was right. Melissa was so self-centred. She thought the world revolved around her. Barely their first day on holidays and Sophie would have to eat alone twice.

She climbed the curving wooden steps up the side of the cliff and tried not to pant. She was so unfit it was a disaster. Still there was nothing she could do about it now. She might as well treat herself to something tasty for lunch, she decided. Food was always a great comforter.

It was quite nice to sit at a shaded table outside the cliff-top restaurant. She tucked into deep-fried squid in
batter, with a crispy, crunchy side salad, and sipped ice-cold San Miguel beer.

For a treat she had a banana split smothered in cream. A girl had to have something to cheer her up. It was clear that Melissa was doing her hot-potato act. Sophie should have known better than to go on holidays with her. Denise had been right to warn her off. It was her own fault for not listening. She sighed deeply. She was fed up being a doormat. She had two choices now. She could sit and mope and feel sorry for herself. Or she could make up her mind to enjoy herself.

Sophie ate a spoonful of banana dripping with honey and cream. A balmy breeze ruffled her hair. She could be stuck in hot, humid London. She knew where she preferred to be – even if she was on her own. Melissa
could get lost, Sophie decided. She didn't need a fair-weather friend in her life. From now on, she was going to be very cool indeed to Miss Melissa Harris.

It was her fifth day alone. She might as well have come on a singles holiday after all. Sophie gave a deep sigh as she lay on the lounger in her favourite spot on the beach. She was annoyed with herself. Why, after all her good intentions, was she letting Melissa still get to her? She had to admit that even she had been surprised at how much of a user Melissa was.

Her ‘friend' had spent two days with Paulo after the first big dinner-date.

‘You don't mind, sweetie? He's such a pet. You should hear the lovely things
he says to me and he's
such
a gentleman. He's really smitten, Sophie,' Melissa twittered as she changed into yet another outfit for a shopping trip to Palma. Her new boyfriend wanted to show her the sights. She was preening in front of the mirror in a vivid pink mini-dress. Sophie couldn't help a pang of envy. Melissa looked a million dollars. Her tan was golden. Her skin was like satin. The dress clung to all the right curves. She looked like a model.

That night she arrived back at the apartment, eyes shining.

‘You'll never guess, Sophie! Paulo has asked me to go to Marbella on the yacht. I'm so excited.'

‘How long are you going for?' Sophie demanded. ‘You came on holidays with
me
, you know!' She was furious. She just couldn't help it. Melissa was rubbing her nose in it.

‘Don't be like that, Sophie,' Melissa muttered defensively. ‘This is the chance of a lifetime. Paulo is just what I need after The Rat.'

‘Look, Melissa, you asked me to come on holidays with you. So far we've had one breakfast together and I've been left on my own ever since. You're being really selfish and I don't think much of your behaviour,' Sophie exploded.

‘No
you're
being selfish!' Melissa rounded on her. ‘This could be the best thing that's ever happened to me. If you were truly my friend you wouldn't be so mean.' She took her case from the wardrobe and began to pack. Sophie felt like thumping her. How typical of Melissa to turn the argument to her advantage.

They didn't speak for the rest of the night. The following morning Sophie
kept her head under the pillow until she heard Melissa leave the apartment, dragging her case behind her.

So much for the gentleman. He didn't even come to collect the cow, she thought grumpily as she heard the click-clack of Melissa's white high heels fade away.

Surprisingly, once her anger and resentment had lessened, Sophie had actually enjoyed herself. She spent her days on the beach, reading and swimming. She liked watching the confident, noisy young Spaniards that gathered after school. It was an entertainment in itself just to watch them flirt. The girls were always dressed in fabulous bikinis that showed off their sallow, supple figures to perfection. Sophie promised herself that one day she too would be a beach princess. To start, she decided to walk
for an hour every day. She got into the habit of walking along the seashore in the morning and in the evening. She was sure she could feel her thighs toning already.

At night she took a taxi to Palma Nova to eat at one of the beach-side restaurants. After her meal she strolled around the shops before going home to sit on her patio with her book and an ice-cold beer. The days melted into one another. Sophie realised that being on holidays alone was not half as daunting as she'd imagined. It was a liberation of sorts to know that she was perfectly able to enjoy herself alone.

She was relaxing in the late-afternoon sun, reading her crime novel, when a child's loud scream rent the air. Sophie looked up to see a little Spanish girl howling in pain. Her elderly grandfather was doing his best to
comfort her. She had seen them at the beach every afternoon and thought they were very sweet. The grandfather doted on the little girl. He spent hours building big sand-castles to entertain her.

Sophie jumped up and hurried over. ‘Can I help? I'm a nurse,' she said.

‘Oh, thank you very much. Maria has been stung.'The man spoke perfect English.

Sophie soothed the little girl. ‘Could you get me some vinegar from the café and I'll remove the sting and put some cream on it?' she asked the grandfather. The man spoke in rapid Spanish to a young student nearby who raced off up the steps towards the café.

Sophie kept talking in a calm tone to the little girl. She stopped screaming but whimpered pitifully.

‘There, there, Maria, you'll be fine,'
Sophie said gently. She wiped the little girl's tears and offered her a Polo mint. Maria took one shyly and stopped crying. The old man looked very relieved.

‘Thank you, thank you,' he said, patting Sophie on the arm.

Maria cried again as Sophie dabbed on the vinegar and removed the sting. But once the balm of antiseptic cream had done its trick, she was soon playing again, the drama forgotten.

The grandfather was very grateful. ‘My daughter is pregnant and Maria's nanny had to return to Madrid, as her mother is very ill. So I have been taking care of her in the afternoons,' he explained. ‘I am Juan Santander.' He held out his hand.

‘Sophie Mason,' Sophie said.

They chatted for a while. It was nice to have someone to talk to.

‘Your friend has not come back?' Juan remarked. ‘She was here with you just one day.'

How observant, Sophie thought.

‘She went on a cruise to Marbella.'

‘Did you not want to go?' Juan looked surprised.

‘I wasn't asked.' Sophie laughed.

‘I see.' His eyes were kind. ‘You will be here tomorrow?'

‘Yes.'

‘We will see you then.' Juan gathered up his granddaughter's bits and bobs. ‘Tomorrow.'

Sophie watched them climb the path to the top of the cliff. She was glad to have been of help. He was a nice man and the little girl was a pet.

The following afternoon Sophie smiled as she saw the pair make their way down the steps. Maria raced over to proudly show off her bandage.

Juan winked. ‘For such an injury a bandage was necessary. May we join you?'

‘Please do,' Sophie invited.

‘I wonder would you consider something?' Juan asked. ‘I told my daughter what had happened and that you were a nurse. I told her that your friend had left you alone. She thought that was not very nice.' The old man shook his head. ‘Not nice at all.' He smiled at Sophie. His brown eyes were kind. Sophie warmed to him. He reminded her of her own grandfather.

‘We wondered if you would like to come and stay with us for a few days in our villa up in the hills? We have a pool and lovely grounds. It is most comfortable. I'm sure you would like it. My daughter is looking for someone to mind Maria and the new baby for at least six months. Maybe you might be
interested in the job? If you spent a few days with us you would know if it is something you might consider.'

Sophie's eyes widened. It sounded like a fantastic offer. Leave dreary, humid, stuffy-old London and spend six months in this paradise. It sounded like a dream.

To her amazement she heard herself say, ‘I'd love to.'

Juan rubbed his hands. ‘Excellent. Can you come today?' he asked eagerly.

Sophie laughed. ‘It's a bit sudden.'

‘Why wait?' the old man said matter-of-factly.

‘You're right,' Sophie agreed happily. ‘I'll just go up to the apartment and get my things.'

‘We'll collect you. Just give me the address,' Juan offered. ‘We will pick
you up. Won't we Maria?' He spoke in Spanish to his little granddaughter.

‘Sí
,
sí
.' She hopped up and down with delight.

‘See you in an hour then,' Juan said briskly.

Sophie couldn't believe how impulsive she was being. But this was a chance of a lifetime. She'd kick herself if she let it pass. Although she didn't realise it, Melissa had done her a huge favour leaving her on her own.

‘Thanks, Melissa,' Sophie murmured twenty minutes later as she flung her clothes into her suitcase. Life had just started to get a whole lot better.

Sophie had just packed her books when the door of the apartment burst open. She almost jumped.

Melissa appeared, red-eyed and on crutches.

‘Thank God I'm here. That pig was so cruel,' she raged. ‘I broke my leg on the yacht in Marbella. It was a nightmare. I had to go to hospital. He wouldn't even stay with me.' She looked at Sophie forlornly. ‘Can you believe it?'

Sophie shook her head. She couldn't
believe her bad luck. Another ten minutes and she would have been gone. Melissa plonked onto her bed and threw her crutches on the floor.

‘And then do you know what the bastard said when I got back to the yacht?' she said. ‘He had the nerve to suggest that I fly from Malaga to Palma so I wouldn't delay their departure for Tangiers.' Her lips tightened into a thin line. ‘I told him only if he paid for my flight and taxis to and from the airport.'

‘And did he?' Sophie asked faintly.

‘No he didn't!' retorted Melissa indignantly. ‘The skinflint. It was only when I threatened to sue that his friends started to panic. They chipped in € 50 each for the taxis and he had to pay for the plane ticket. What a miser! He couldn't get rid of me quick enough. I even had to hang around the
marina. They let me off and then they sailed away before my taxi arrived. Can you believe it?' Melissa burst into tears. ‘My luggage is in reception. Can you collect it for me?' she sniffled.

‘Sure.' Sophie's heart sank as she headed off to reception. Trust Melissa to do something dramatic like break her leg. She wasn't too surprised at Paulo's behaviour. She hadn't liked him at all. But of course all Melissa had seen was the expensive clothes and jewellery – and the smarmy charm. They were two shallow people who were well suited to each other, she thought glumly. She grabbed Melissa's case angrily. Typical. Melissa was only back five minutes and already Sophie was running after her like a little skivvy.

She saw a big silver BMW drive up to the entrance. It was Juan and Maria.
She couldn't really go with them now and leave Melissa alone.

She'd leave you
.

The thought popped into her head.

Don't fool yourself that she wouldn't!

Sophie stood still. What kind of a fool was she? Melissa wouldn't think twice about putting herself first. It was a way of life with her. It was time Sophie did the same. For once in her life she was going to be number one. She wasn't going to be a doormat for Melissa for the rest of her life. She lugged her friend's case back to the apartment.