The Olive Tree (26 page)

The fact I have a stepdad, that we have no choice but to tolerate each other, that he won’t buy ice creams over a pound, and that I know he thinks I’m weird for
preferring Plato to Pelé, is hardly perfect.

But I’ve realised tonight that he isn’t that bad. In fact, he’s quite a decent bloke. He’s . . . safe, compared to other alternatives I could mention. Which
are not . . .
he
is not . . . an alternative.

There is a timid knock on my door.

‘Alex, are you awake?’

It’s Viola. Oh, crap. ‘Er, no, not really.’

‘Okay.’

Then I hear her little feet padding away. And feel so guilty that I manoeuvre myself to standing and open the door. ‘I am now,’ I say to the shadowy ghost in her white
nightgown. ‘You okay?’

She shakes her head. ‘I just heard Mummy come in with Rupes, but she’s locked her bedroom door and told me to go away,’ she whispers desolately.

I reach out my hand to her. ‘Want to come into my Broom Cupboard for a bit?’

‘Thank you.’ And she takes my hand and follows me inside.

It was five thirty in the morning when William woke to bright sunlight streaming through unshuttered windows. It took him a few seconds to realise that he was not in bed at
Cedar House back in Hampshire, or at Pandora. He was in one of the guest rooms at Alexis Lisle’s elegant old house, which stood adjacent to the winery.

Slowly, the events of last night began to filter into his drowsy brain, and he groaned softly.

What a mess.

He shook himself fully awake, then clambered out of the single bed and peered at the figure lying in the other bed next to him. Having satisfied himself that Sacha was breathing steadily and
sound asleep, and knowing that the chances of dropping off again himself were negligible, he dressed and crept downstairs into the cool, tiled hallway.

There were no other sounds of activity in the house, so he let himself out by the front door and wandered aimlessly down the long drive, across the rough track at the end of it, and into the
dusty rows of vines in the vineyard beyond.

As he walked in the soft, misty light of the early morning, he tried to make sense of what had happened at the party. Quite apart from Sacha’s alcohol-fuelled revelations, he suspected
that he too had behaved badly.

Helena . . .

He’d been consumed by a red-hot lava of jealousy when he’d arrived to see her dancing with such abandon in Alexis’ arms. His anger had finally exploded, after days of slowly
burning resentment and confusion over the exact status of Helena and Alexis’ relationship.

And the fact it was their tenth wedding anniversary had only exacerbated the situation.

William plucked a bunch of grapes from a vine and ate a couple, knowing their juicy flesh would not placate his growing thirst. The heat was already overpowering, and he needed some water. As he
turned back and began to retrace his footsteps, he mused on Helena’s general reluctance to open up emotionally to him.

Why did he feel that she always held back? Stood just a heartbeat away from truly being
his
. . . ?

Was it to do with Alexis?

Well, he decided, there was only one way to find out.

And that was to confront the man himself.

Letting himself into the house, he heard sounds of activity from a room at the far end of the hallway. Making his way towards it, he tentatively opened the door to a large, sunlit kitchen, where
he found Alexis busy brewing coffee.

‘How are you, William? Did you sleep well?’ Alexis turned and gave him a sympathetic smile.

‘For a short while, yes, thank you. Alexis, I must apologise for putting upon you like this. And for that very unfortunate scene last night.’

‘These things happen, William. I checked on Sacha just now and he’s still out cold.’

‘It will do him good to sleep. I doubt he has for a long time.’

‘Coffee?’

‘Yes – and some water, please, Alexis.’

Alexis poured water and then two cups from the coffee pot on the stove, and set them on the table. ‘Please, my friend, be seated.’

The two of them sat opposite each other and concentrated for a few moments on sipping the hot, reviving liquid.

It was William who eventually broke the silence. ‘Alexis, forgive me if it’s not an appropriate time to have this conversation, given what happened last night, but I have to ask you
bluntly, as I don’t know any other way . . . what exactly
is
the story between you and Helena?’

Alexis paused for a few seconds, then nodded slowly. ‘I am glad you ask me. And that we have an unexpected opportunity to talk in private. I was going to make sure that I engineered one
myself. So . . .’ he sighed, ‘I think it is no secret that Helena and I had a summer romance when we were younger. When she left here, I saw her only once after that.’

‘But she told me she hadn’t laid eyes on you after her last summer here.’

‘She tells the truth. I went to watch her dance with the La Scala ballet at the amphitheatre in Limassol. She never even knew that I was there.’

‘I see,’ murmured William.

‘And I will admit now that when I heard she was returning to Pandora after all these years . . . well, I cannot deny that there was a part of me that wondered if our old feelings for each
other might reignite. But I tell you truthfully, William, that I know now there can never be more than memories and friendship between us. Because it is obvious she loves you, and she has told me
so. Please forgive me, William. And you must not doubt her feelings for you. And if I have given you cause to, then all I can do is apologise wholeheartedly. It is no fault of Helena’s, I
swear.’

‘Thank you.’ William swallowed hard, fighting to control his emotions as a wave of relief washed over him. ‘But I can’t help feeling there’s more to it than
she’s telling me. Is there, Alexis?’

‘That, my friend’ – Alexis glanced at him – ‘is something you must ask your wife.’

Helena looked at the clock, gasping when she saw it was past nine o’clock and wondering why the little ones hadn’t climbed into bed with her, as they often did if
she was still sleeping. Grabbing her robe from the back of the door, she left the bedroom and made her way downstairs to the kitchen.

‘Hi, Mummy! You weren’t up, so I made Fred and me some breakfast,’ Immy announced proudly.

Helena looked around at the devastation. She picked up a half-eaten bar of cooking chocolate and an upturned pot of olives from the floor. There was flour and sugar all over the table and floor,
which would soon summon the local massed armies of ants.

‘Hello, Mummy,’ said a voice from under the table.

Helena pulled up the tablecloth, took one look at Fred’s mouth and knew immediately where the other half of the cooking chocolate had gone.

‘Hello, Fred,’ she replied wearily, deciding she couldn’t even begin to start clearing up until she’d downed a cup of coffee, and she filled and switched on the
kettle.

‘Can Immy make me breakfast every day, Mummy? She does it really good. Better than you,’ he added gleefully.

‘I’m sure she does. Why didn’t you come in to wake me up like you usually do?’ she asked.

‘We did, Mummy, but you didn’t wake up. You must have been very tired. Here’s a drink for you.’ Immy smiled and handed Helena a plastic cup full of some rank-smelling
green gunk. ‘I made it. Taste it. It’s got lots of good things in it.’

‘I . . . will, in a minute.’ Helena almost gagged on the smell, feeling the effects of last night, which had prompted an alcoholic and emotional hangover. ‘Thank you,
Immy,’ she managed as she put the cup down.

‘Where Daddy?’ asked Fred from his hidey-hole.

‘He went with Uncle Sacha to do some . . . business. He’ll be back later.’ Helena decided to forget the coffee, and went to the fridge to pour herself a pint of water instead.
She took a large gulp as the kitchen door opened and Angelina came in.

‘Good morning, leetle ones.’ She peered under the table at Fred and kissed Immy. ‘You have good time last night, Helena?’

‘Yes, thank you.’

‘My friends tell me eet was good party. And you dance beautiful with Mr Alexis.’ Angelina’s dark eyes sparkled.

‘Did you dance, Mummy?’ Immy asked, wide-eyed.

‘Yes, I did, Immy. Everyone did. Angelina, I was wondering whether you could take them both down to the pool and watch them whilst they have a swim? Would you like that, you
two?’

Fred was out from under the table like a shot. ‘Yes, please!’

‘I will take them. But first’ – Angelina put her hands on her hips and surveyed Immy and Fred – ‘who make this mess in my tidy kitchen?’

‘We did! We did!’ Fred started jumping around excitedly, as Immy looked on guiltily.

‘Then first we tidy together, then we swim? Hokay?’

‘Hokay,’ they agreed in unison.

Gratefully, Helena took the opportunity to exit the kitchen and take a shower.

‘Hello, Auntie Helena. I was just looking for you.’ Viola was standing at the top of the stairs as Helena made her way upwards.

‘How are you, darling?’ she asked.

She looked down at Helena and shrugged miserably. ‘Was it all a bad dream?’

‘Oh Viola, I’m so sorry, but we both know it wasn’t. Do you want to come with me into my bedroom? We could sit and have a talk together.’

‘Okay.’ Viola followed Helena into the bedroom, and onto the little balcony. ‘Mummy’s door is still locked. I just tried it.’

‘Perhaps she’s still sleeping, but I’m sure we can wake her up if you want to see her.’

‘No, she’ll just say horrid things about Daddy. I’m sure it’s not all his fault, but she’ll blame him anyway.’

‘Darling Viola.’ Helena’s heart went out to her. ‘You have to understand that she’s as upset and as shocked as you are.’

‘Will they get divorced, do you think? Alex said they might.’

‘I really don’t know what will happen. They need to talk, that’s for sure.’

‘But they never
do
talk! Daddy tries, but then Mummy just shouts at him. She never listens to him, ever. What will happen to me, Auntie Helena?’

‘Darling, you’ll still have your mum and dad, and Rupes, but maybe you’ll need to move somewhere else, go to a different school, that’s all.’

‘I don’t care about that. I hate my school anyway. But if Daddy and Mummy divorce, I’m living with Daddy, so there!’ Viola buried her face in her hands. ‘I still
love him, even if Mummy doesn’t.’

‘I know, darling, and he loves you.’

‘If I can’t live with Daddy, can I live with you instead? You’re so kind, and so is Alex. And I’d help with Immy and Fred, I promise,’ Viola offered
desperately.

‘We’d love you to live with us, but I think your mum might not want you to.’

‘She won’t care. She’ll just want her precious Rupes. I think
they
should get married, they love each other so much.’ Viola let out a small, strangled chuckle.

‘Oh Viola, don’t say things like that. Mummy adores you.’

‘No she doesn’t, Auntie Helena. I don’t know why she adopted me in the first place.’

‘Because she loved you. And
still
loves you.’ Helena struggled to find the right words of comfort.

‘Besides’ – Viola’s face darkened – ‘she’s a liar.’

‘Why do you say that?’

‘Mummy has money that she’s never told Daddy about.’

‘How do you know?’

‘I saw her bank statement in her handbag once, just after Granny died. It had noughts on the end of the number.’

‘Did it?’ Helena remembered Jules mentioning the amount her mother had left her the other night. ‘Well, surely that’s good news? Maybe things aren’t so bad, after
all?’

‘She might not share it with Daddy, though. Which is wrong because he shares all his money with us. Do you think I should tell him?’

‘Not for now, no.’

‘Okay.’ Viola rubbed her nose distractedly. ‘Do you think he will come and see us today?’

‘I really don’t know. I think that’s up to your mum and dad to decide.’

‘But what about me?’

‘Oh, darling.’ Helena reached for Viola, and pulled her gently onto her lap. ‘I’m so sorry for what’s happened, but you’re safe here with us for now, and
I’m sure your mum and dad will sort things out. They’ve both had a big shock too.’

‘I want to see Daddy, Auntie Helena. He needs a hug.’

‘I know he does, and I’m sure you’ll be able to give him one soon. Now, how about finding your bathing costume and coming downstairs with me and Immy and Fred for a
swim?’

‘Okay,’ Viola said with a defeated shrug. Pulling out of Helena’s embrace, she padded miserably out of the bedroom.

By eleven, Helena was feeling much better. A swim, coupled with the exuberance of her children, had revived her, although she was still distracted by what was happening up at
the winery between William, Alexis and Sacha.

Alex emerged to join them, as did Chloë, and the two of them organised games to keep the little ones amused. Helena was relieved to see Viola shouting and screaming with the rest as Alex
chased her up and down the pool.

‘Helena.’ Angelina sidled up to her, smiling. ‘I clean house this morning, but when I finish may I take little ones to the village? My parents wish to meet them. We will have
tea together. And Alexis . . . I mean,
Alex
, and Chloë and Viola with the lovely hair too, if they wish.’

‘I’m sure they’d love to come with you, Angelina, but please don’t go to any trouble.’

‘Eet is no trouble! We love the childrens here, you know that. Maybe one day, I have some too, but for now, I adopt yours instead.’

‘That’s absolutely fine by me,’ Helena said with a grateful smile.

As she walked back up to the house to change out of her wet bikini, she found Rupes sitting alone on the terrace.

‘Hello, Rupes,’ she said tentatively.

‘Hi.’

‘How are you?’

He shrugged listlessly.

‘Seen your mother yet this morning?’

He nodded in reply.

‘How is she?’

‘How do you think she is?’

Helena sat down beside him. ‘Not so great, I’m sure.’