The Olive Tree (23 page)

‘I don’t want to break into the desk if I can help it, it’s so lovely.’ Helena ran her hands over the smooth green leather covering the top of it.

‘Apart from making sure you were okay, I just came to alert you to the fact that something very odd was going on at the pool this morning.’ Sadie perched in front of Helena on the
edge of the desk. ‘I was gazing out of my bedroom window earlier, and I saw Rupes and Alex standing on opposite sides of it, squaring up. Looked like pistols at dawn to me,’ Sadie said
with a giggle. ‘Then there was a big splash and some shouting, and everything went quiet.’

‘Oh God! Have you seen them both since?’ Helena asked anxiously.

‘Yes. Rupes was marching up the stairs to his bedroom as I was coming down, then I saw Alex disappearing into his broom cupboard. He looked as if he’d been for a swim fully
clothed.’

‘Really? I hope Rupes isn’t bullying Alex, but you saw them both afterwards so they’re obviously still alive.’

‘They were, yes.’

‘I’ll go and check on Alex now.’ Helena made to stand up. ‘I’ve been in here since seven and I didn’t hear a thing.’

‘Are you hiding?’ Sadie asked Helena as she reached the door.

‘What do you mean?’

‘You
know
what I mean. You’re usually at the centre of everything at breakfast-time, not ferreting around in the study. Have you and William had a bust-up?’

‘No. Why?’

‘Last night, he hardly spoke to you. Usually he’s so . . . attentive.’ Sadie crossed her arms. ‘Something’s pissed him off.’

‘Well, I’ve no idea what.’

‘And you . . . sorry, but you look terrible, sweetie.’

‘Thanks.’

‘You seem to have a permanent frown. Helena . . . why don’t you open up and tell me what’s going on? I’m your closest friend, remember? Not the enemy.’

‘Really, I’m fine. I just . . . haven’t felt great in the past few days, that’s all.’

‘Okay, have it your way,’ Sadie sighed. ‘But you could cut the atmosphere in this house with a knife.’

‘Could you? I’m sorry, Sadie. I’m obviously being a terrible hostess.’

‘Nonsense! You’re being wonderful and you know it, so please don’t manufacture a guilt-trip, because that really isn’t the point. It’s nothing to do with Alexis, is
it?’

‘Why do you ask?’ Helena’s hand was still clutching the doorknob.

‘William was on great form yesterday afternoon at the beach, then we all came home and he walked round to the terrace to find you. And the next thing I see is Alexis marching away down the
path. He’d obviously been here whilst we were all out.’

‘He had, yes.’ Helena sighed in resignation.

‘Which I’m sure didn’t please your husband.’

‘No, but I can’t
make
him believe there’s nothing going on between us if he chooses to think there is. Anyway, I have to go and see if Alex is okay.’ Helena opened
the door and left the room.

After a few moments, Sadie followed suit and found William in the kitchen making toast. ‘Morning,’ she greeted him. ‘Another effing beautiful day in paradise. Did you sleep
well?’

‘Fine, thanks. Coffee?’

‘Lovely. By the way, what’s the form for the party tonight?’

‘What party?’ asked William.

‘The engagement “do” for Alexis’ son. Remember? He invited all of us. It might be fun,’ said Sadie.

There was an awkward pause before William spoke. ‘I
had
forgotten . . . And the fact that it’s our tenth wedding anniversary today. Well, under the circumstances, perhaps the
rest of you should all go. I’ll stay here and babysit the kids. It’s going to be far too late for them and they’ll no doubt behave appallingly,’ he added morosely.

‘I think Helena’s already asked Angelina,’ Sadie commented as he handed her a coffee. ‘And of course you must come. It’s a special night for the two of
you.’

At that moment Helena walked into the kitchen. ‘What have I asked Angelina to do?’

‘Look after the little ones whilst we go to Alexis’ son’s engagement party,’ repeated Sadie. ‘And happy anniversary, you two, by the way,’ she encouraged.

‘Oh. Yes, thanks Sadie.’ Helena cast a quick glance at William, who had his back to her.

‘I’m taking my coffee onto the terrace. Coming, Sadie?’ he said eventually, standing up.

Left alone in the kitchen, Helena sank into a chair and put her head in her hands. William had studiously ignored her since the previous afternoon. By the time they’d arrived home from the
village last night, he was already in bed, ostensibly asleep. And he hadn’t even wished her happy anniversary just now, or mentioned the card she’d left on his bedside table. How ironic
that it was today of all days.

Fighting the urge to pack a suitcase, grab her children and run from a haven that was rapidly becoming a hell on earth, Helena looked heavenwards for inspiration.

And found none.

With Jules, Rupes, Sadie and Chloë tanning themselves by the pool, and William determinedly absorbed in a book, Helena made her escape. She shoehorned her three children
and Viola into the car, and headed for Latchi. Sadie was right – despite outward appearances, the atmosphere at Pandora currently felt like a ticking time bomb.

Alex was unusually morose, even for him. He sat silently next to her as they drove towards the coast.

‘Your eyes look red, darling. Are you sure you’re feeling all right?’ she asked him.

‘Fine.’

‘Probably the chlorine from your swim this morning. Is there a problem between you and Rupes?’

‘Mum, I told you earlier there wasn’t.’

‘Okay, if you insist.’ Helena was too exhausted to argue.

‘I do.’

‘Anyway, you’ll love Latchi town,’ she said with false brightness. ‘It’s very pretty, and there are lots of souvenir shops around the harbour. You can spend your
holiday money on your usual selection of quality local merchandise.’

‘A euphemism for the crap I always buy, you mean?’ Alex pulled a face. ‘Charmed, I’m sure.’

‘Come on, Alex, I’m only teasing. You can spend your money on whatever you like.’

‘Yeah.’ He turned away and stared out of the window.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘I could ask you the same thing,’ he fired back.

‘I’m fine, but thanks for asking.’

‘Could have fooled me,’ he muttered. ‘I’m as “fine” as you are.’

‘Okay,’ Helena sighed. ‘Let’s call it quits, but in case you’ve forgotten, I’m the adult and you’re the child in this relationship. If you have a
problem, please promise you’ll come and talk to me.’

‘Yep.’

‘Good. Now, let’s find somewhere to park.’

Helena sat at the water’s edge, watching the children playing in the sea. Relieved that she’d run from the cloying atmosphere of Pandora, where her life felt as if
it was held at the central point of the compass and any direction was a possibility, she did what she always did during difficult moments in her life: counted her blessings.

In front of her were three happy, healthy children. If the worst happened, Pandora was hers and would provide a roof over their heads, with Angus’ financial bequest funding their living
costs for at least a few months. Maybe she’d have to sell Pandora, move back to England and start teaching ballet classes – something she’d been thinking about recently. The point
was, they would survive,
she
would survive. After all, she’d done it before. She could do it again. But she hoped with all her heart it wouldn’t come to that.

‘Look, Daddee! Mummy bought a prezzie for me!’

Fred plonked the toy car onto William’s oiled and browning stomach.

‘Wow! Another car! Aren’t you lucky?’ He smiled, ruffling his son’s hair.

‘And I got a sticker book,’ Immy added, promptly sticking a shiny pink fairy onto William’s forehead. ‘That’s for you, Daddy.’

‘Thanks, Immy.’

Immy floated off round the pool to present the other sunbathers with the fruits of her generosity.

Chloë, woken from her slumber by Immy, sauntered across to her father and sat on the bottom of his bed.

‘Hi, Daddy.’

‘Hi, Chloë.’

‘You know this party tonight?’

‘Yes.’

‘Do I have to come?’

‘You do. We’ve all been invited and I’d like you to be there.’

‘’Kay. Then can I bring Christoff?’

‘The guy you met at the airport?’

‘Yeah. He was taking me out again tonight so I thought he could hook up with us.’

‘No, he couldn’t “hook up”. He’s not been invited and this is a family party.’

‘Oh Dad, I’ll tell him not to eat much.’

‘No. And that’s my final word.’

Chloë sighed heavily, then shrugged. ‘Whatever.’ She stood up and wandered off in the direction of the house.

There was a knock on Helena’s bedroom door as she emerged from the shower.

‘Come in.’

‘Only me.’

It was Jules, sporting a badly peeling nose.

‘Hello.’ Helena gave a ghost of a smile and slipped hastily into her robe as Jules sat down on the bed.

‘I was wondering, Helena, whether tomorrow you’d come and look at this house I’m thinking of buying. I did ask William, but frankly he didn’t seem that
interested.’

There was a moment’s hesitation before Helena replied, ‘Of course I will.’

‘Thanks.’ Jules nodded gratefully. ‘I’d like another opinion before I sign on the dotted line and put down the deposit.’

‘Which is due when?’

‘Next week some time.’

‘Goodness, that’s fast. Will you tell Sacha before you sign?’ she asked carefully.

‘
Who?
’

‘You haven’t heard from him, then?’

‘Yes, I have, he’s left a couple of messages on my mobile. But I think it’s about time I made some decisions without him, don’t you?’

‘Jules, it’s none of my business, really it isn’t.’

‘No.’ Jules was studying her nails. ‘I know it isn’t.’ Then she looked up at Helena and smiled brightly. ‘Well, if I do buy it, we’ll almost be
neighbours. It’s only on the other side of the village. That would be fun, wouldn’t it?’

‘Yes. Of course it would. By the way, you haven’t forgotten about this party tonight, have you?’ Helena changed the subject.

‘William reminded me. I’m looking forward to it. It’ll give me a chance to meet some of the locals.’ Jules stood up, then gazed around the bedroom. ‘Bet you
can’t wait to give this house a decent paint job. The grey colour in here is just
too
depressing. See you later.’

At six thirty, everyone gathered on the terrace for pre-party drinks. Sadie had alerted the household to the fact that it was Helena and William’s anniversary, and had arranged for
Angelina to serve local sparkling wine and canapés she’d made earlier.

‘Chloë, is that a pelmet you have slung round your hips?’ asked William, staring in horror at the tiny leather skirt, which barely covered his daughter’s bottom.

‘Oh Dad, don’t be such a prude. We’re all practically naked during the day here, so why should the evenings be any different?’ She swung her sheet of shiny hair and
flounced off to talk to Rupes, who was wearing a lurid pink shirt that only served to exacerbate his sun-enhanced complexion.

‘You look nice, Mum,’ Alex offered, emerging onto the terrace. ‘Happy anniversary, by the way.’

‘Thank you, darling,’ Helena said gratefully.

‘Doesn’t she look nice, Dad?’ urged Alex.

William turned round and studied the cornflower-blue silk dress his wife was wearing. It was one of his favourites, matching the colour of her eyes. With her freshly washed, sun-bleached hair
hanging loose around her face and her skin subtly tanned, William thought with immense sadness that she had never looked more beautiful. ‘Yes.’ He nodded. And turned away.

An hour later, everyone was piling into the cars to take them up to Alexis’ house when a taxi turned the corner and began making its way down the hill.

‘Well, I never! It’s the prodigal returned,’ said Jules, resplendent in a gold top with a matching headband worn Greek-style across her forehead.

‘It’s Daddy!’ Viola shouted delightedly, running towards the oncoming car.

‘Hello, lovely.’ Sacha clambered out of the car as his daughter threw herself at him. He hugged her tightly.

‘We’ve missed you, Daddy.’

‘And I’ve missed you.’ He looked up at the assembled company. ‘Well, this is a nice welcome! You all look smart. Are you off out somewhere?’

‘We’re going to a party, Daddy,’ said Viola.

‘Ahh,’ Sacha responded with a nod. ‘Can I come?’

‘Of course you can, can’t he, Mummy?’

‘Never one to miss a good bash, were you darling? You probably smelt the alcohol from London,’ Jules replied sarcastically.

‘Why don’t the two of you stay here? We’ll take the kids with us, give you a chance to say hello to each other, then you could both follow us up a little later?’ William
suggested hopefully, trying to provide the opportunity for Sacha and Jules to talk alone.

‘
He
can follow us up, if he wants.
I’m
going now. Come on, you lot. We’re going to be late. See you later,
sweetheart
,’ Jules drawled as she ushered
her children into her car.

Sacha shrugged helplessly as he watched his wife snap the driver’s door shut.

‘Okay, change of plan,’ William said to Helena. ‘I’ll stay here with Sacha, let him change and have a wash, then drive him up. You lead the rest.’

‘Do you know where to go?’ she asked him.

‘Vaguely. I’ll find it.’ William turned his attention to Sacha, ‘Come on, old chap, let’s go and have a chat.’

21st July 2006

It’s not often I feel anger. The deep, burn-through-your-heart-and-set-your-soul-on-fire sort.

I understand now how men can kill in moments of high emotion. This was what I felt by the pool this morning.

I should have known at the start it would not go to plan.

My faithful sidekick Immy had a humongous tantrum about not being able to put on her favourite dress to be a spy.

An overgrown woodland pixie in a voluminous piece of lurid pink netting and chiffon, wearing sparkly flip-flops and a pair of yellow sunglasses shaped like stars, just might have
been noticeable in the olive trees and given the game away.