And Then There Was You (12 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY

After breakfast, I'd taken a long leisurely walk down to the beach, watching the Atlantic Ocean pound against the cliffs. Numerous surfers were demonstrating how easy it was for those in the know. Clearly I wasn't such a person, and I smiled, eventually sitting down in the soft sand. The sun was a little too warm, so I moved to a shadier spot and just relaxed, watching families making sand castles while others kicked a football about together. They all seemed so content in this little corner of the Algarvean coast.

A toddler with shoulder-length blonde curly hair carried a ball towards me, holding it out. She grinned at me. I took the ball and she nodded. I pointed to her family and she chuckled.

'Do you want me to throw it?' I asked.

She took the ball out of my hands and tried to bounce it on the sand. It just sat there. She stood looking over it, frowning.

Suddenly, a tall man with matching curls appeared. 'Sorry,' he said, taking the little girl's hand in his. 'Come on, Eliza. Stop bothering the nice lady.'

'She's no bother,' I said as they walked away, him kicking the ball at their feet. The girl giggled every time he touched it with his foot.

I smiled and looked away. My heart ached a little bit, like it did every time a child paid me some attention. It had been over ten years since I'd found out I would never have children of my own; sometimes it seemed to be getting easier, yet at other times my heart felt like it would break in two, knowing that kids would never be a part of my life. Knowing that nobody would ever call me Mum. I would never be that person that someone relied on over anyone else in the world to raise them.

Before I realised it, I was crying. I sniffled and wiped at the tears in my eyes. Mum, Mother, Ma, Mom, Mama... I would only ever be Eve. It still hurt, but it was a pain that was slowly dissolving. I was forty years old, now; I had to accept what life had dealt me. And that meant that it would only ever be just me. I could live with that, right?

Glancing upwards when a rogue cloud blocked out the sun, I noticed a couple of restaurants and coffee bars beside the beach, so I carefully stood up and made my way over to the nearest one. Looking down at my watch, I noticed it was lunchtime already. The restaurant was getting busier but I managed to find a table overlooking the beach.

Perusing the menu, I decided on sardines. They were certainly not something I would ordinarily choose, but it was my fortieth birthday, and after I'd tried and failed at surfing, I'd decided today would be the day I would slowly start to change my life. It was the day I would start experimenting a little more, doing things I wouldn't ordinarily do.

So there I was, sitting in a restaurant tucking into a plate of sardines, drinking half a bottle of wine. Alone. But the thing was, I didn't seem to mind. For the first time in a while, I felt content.

oOo

Pushing open the door to my room, I grinned at the sight of a lovely little cake, a bottle of wine with a single wine glass and a very pretty handmade card wishing me a happy fortieth birthday. 'With very best wishes from your hosts, Michele & Flavia.'

I grinned, flopping onto the bed. The sight of a solitary wine glass didn't seem to bother me anymore, either. Even though I'd eaten a traditional little custard tart
,
pastel de nata
,
at the restaurant, it didn't stop me from tucking into the delicious cake so kindly supplied by the owners of Onda Vicentina. It was such a lovely gesture, and it had certainly helped to make my birthday a special one.

However, I was keen to share the wine with them, so I headed round to the main house, knocking on the door to see if they were still home.

'Flavia?' I asked, knocking again. 'Michele?'

'Happy birthday,' came a shout from within as Michele appeared.

'Hi, Michele. Thank you so much for the cake and wine. It was a lovely surprise,' I said, grinning.

'Happy birthday Eve,' yelled Flavia, appearing behind him, wearing a chef's apron. She came outside and hugged me, kissing me on both cheeks. 'Are you having a nice day?' she asked.

I nodded. 'Yes, it's lovely. I've been to the beach, and I've had my first ever sardines.'

'Your first?' asked Michele, frowning. 'But your parents live here, right?'

'Yes they do, but I never wanted to try them. I always thought they looked gross.'

'And?' asked Flavia. 'Do you still think so?'

I waited a moment before shaking my head. 'Delicious.'

'See,' Michele said, laughing. 'It's always good to step out of your comfort zone.'

'Actually, I agree. But surfing is definitely still a no-no.'

Michele and Flavia both laughed.

'Thank you for this,' I said, holding up the wine. 'But I'd really like to share it with you. It's not too early for you, is it?'

Michele checked his watch. 'It is a little early...'

'But it is my fortieth birthday,' I pleaded.

Flavia disappeared into the kitchen, returning with three glasses.

'But we would be delighted to drink a glass with you,' Michele finished.

After he had opened the bottle and poured us all a glass of the local wine, we stood up and clinked glasses.
'
Salut
e
,' they said loudly.

'
Salute
,
guys, and thank you so much for being such wonderful hosts.'

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

'You look lovely, dear. It's just such a shame about your ha... well, enough of that. Our guests will be arriving soon, so come on down when you're ready,' Mum said as she closed my bedroom door.

I'd returned from the west coast to discover Mum had organised a party in my honour. To cheer me up, apparently; a belated fortieth birthday party.

Had she done it before I'd gone away, I would have probably refused to attend, but the week long break had done me a lot of good and I was ready to face the world again. Straightening my spine, I smiled at myself in the mirror as I stood up, grabbing a cardigan just in case it got chilly out by the pool later.  I wore a new dress that I'd purchased from a surf shop in Vila do Bispo, on a day out with Stephen and Elena. It was covered in large yellow and pink flowers and was fitted at the waist and flared out, ending just below the knee. It was completely different from anything I'd ever owned. Matt would have hated it, but I loved it, and that thought made me smile as I turned and walked down the stairs. Dad was busy flitting from the fridge to the barbecue beside the pool, and Mum was busy entertaining the first few guests who had just arrived.

'Ah here you are, dear,' she said, pulling me towards them. 'You might remember Geoff and Helen. They bought the house next door about a year after us?' she asked.

I nodded and smiled. 'Of course. It's lovely to see you again. How are you?' I asked, as Mum left us to chat.

Minutes later, another group arrived, followed by more and more people. Eventually there were about thirty people all milling about, mingling, drinking, helping Dad cook the meat on the barbie. The weather was perfect, just warm enough but not too overpowering for a day in early May.

It hadn't gone unnoticed that Mum had invited several single men, a couple of whom had clamoured for my attention, competing with each other. But I hadn't been attracted to either one, so I'd merely smiled and gone to help Mum in the kitchen.

'Thanks for this, Mum,' I said, as we took the cling-film off of a couple more salads.

'Are you enjoying yourself, love?'

I stood for a moment, and when I didn't reply she stopped what she was doing and turned around.

'Love?'

'I was thinking about it... and the answer is yes, I am. It's... nice to just relax and be me. I don't think I've really been myself for a long time.'

'I agree. That...Matt,' she practically spat out his name, 'took that away from you.'

'No, Mum. It was me that took it away from me. It wasn't Matt's fault. I was the other one that let it happen. I allowed myself to become someone else because I wanted to be a good wife, I wanted to please him. For a while, anyway. I guess that all changed in the year before it all went tits up.'

Mum looked at me disapprovingly. 'Evelyn, that's such a horrible expression.'

'Oh, Mum,' I chuckled. 'You'll never change, will you? I do love that about you, even when you drive me insane sometimes.'

Trying not to laugh, I elbowed her gently in the side and then tickled her.

'Evie,' she suddenly giggled. 'Oh Evie, it's like you're back again. You're really back. I missed you.'

'I missed me too, Mum.'

oOo

Hey honey.

How are you doing? I mean, really doing? You said you'd email! I guess you forgot. I hope spending some time in Portugal is doing you the world of good. I'd love to hear what you've been up to, if anything. If not, I want to hear about that too. There's been lots happening here, but I won't bore you with any of that at the moment. We can talk about everything when you're ready. I'm not going to name any names, because I don't want you getting all upset again, but we are missing you. Write soon, honey. Even if it's just a one liner to say you're okay. Okay?

Big hug from the most dismal May in history.

Lisa xxx

I read it again. 'We miss you'. 'We miss you'? Who's we? She meant Adam, right? He was really missing me. I hit reply.

Hey Lisa.

Just a quick one. I'm fine. Better than fine, actually. I'm finding myself. All is okay. No need to worry.

I'm coming home.

Miss you too.

Eve xxx

I lay back on the bed and grinned. Something stirred in my stomach, but I pushed it down. I didn't want to think about it yet. I just wanted to continue on my journey to find me. And that would be hurried along by going home and finally being with the man I loved.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

I knew he was there the second I stepped foot off the plane; I just felt his presence. Rushing through passport control and impatiently waiting for my luggage to appear on the carousel, I finally ran to the exit. Searching the sea of faces, my eyes eventually stopped on his.

Adam.

He was holding a large bunch of yellow roses, and his face lit up at the sight of me. I left the trolley behind me and ran straight towards him. In my heart, I wanted to kiss him, but my head was stopping me. So I just stood there, swallowing, trying to figure out what to do.

I could tell Adam was feeling the same way. 'Why didn't you call me?' he said.

'Sorry?' I asked.

'You didn't call me. You just got on a plane and buggered off. How was I supposed to feel about that, Eve? Not a word, nothing.'

'Hang on just a minute. You were the one that ran out of the hospital after calling Matt a son of a bitch, then sent your ex-wife round to see me. Not you? Not the day later. Nothing, Adam. You left me to pick up the pieces.'

'No, Eve. It wasn't like that. This is so messed up.'

'Too right it's messed... no, it's fucked up. That's what this is,' I cried, not understanding what was happening any more. Didn't he want me? But he brought roses.

'Eve, don't,' he whispered, reaching out to me.

I turned to look at him, and in that instant I saw it. The hurt. The hurt that I had showered on him and I crumbled. He caught me and pulled me close.

'Oh Eve, we both messed this up, didn't we? I thought you wanted to get away from me. I was giving you space, but when you didn't try to reach out to me, I figured you wanted nothing to do with me. Oh Eve. You thought the same thing, didn't you?'

I nodded and looked up into his eyes.

'Don't you get it?'

I searched his eyes. 'Get what?' I whispered.

'I love you, Eve. I always have.'

'You do?'

He nodded.

'But what about Charlie?'

'You're asking me about Charlie? She's in love with Matt. Matt's in love with Charlie. They're both in love, with baby Eviemay and I'm in love with you.'

'Eviemay?' I cringed.

'Yes, it's a little creepy, right?' He laughed.

I nodded as he pulled me up into his arms.

'Eve, why did you run away?'

'I was so hurt, Adam.'

'Because of the baby?'

I nodded silently.

Adam stroked my cheek. 'Oh babe. You should have run to me, not away from me. I can help soothe that hurt,' he said, placing his hand lovingly over my heart.

'But you were so angry. The way you stormed out of the hospital, like that… I thought you must have still loved Charlie a little bit.'

'Eve, don't you understand? I was so angry because if they'd come clean right at the beginning, we could have been together from the start. We wouldn't have had to fight it all that time. It could have been me and you months earlier. I was angry because they let me believe it was my baby. I thought I had to do the right thing because of my baby, but it wasn't my baby, was it? I thought I could never be with you again, but I could... They lied, and that's what pissed me off. You're all I care about now.'

'And your kids.' I smiled.

'Well yes, the kids too.'

'I'm sorry, Adam.'

'I'm sorry too, Eve.'

oOo

'What's bothering you, Eve?' Adam asked, in the car, a little while later.

'What makes you think something's bothering me?'

He shrugged. 'Isn't there?'

He was right, of course. There was something worrying me. 'I'm homeless, Adam. I don't have a base to go back to. I don't know what to do. Should I go to a hotel for a while? I just don't know.'

'Eve, you certainly won't go to a hotel. I'd just assumed you would move in with me.'

I looked up at him in shock. 'You had?'

'Of course. I assumed that's what you wanted. I know it's what I want. I'm sorry... was I wrong? I can set up different accommodations, if that makes you feel more comfortable?'

Those butterflies in my tummy started fluttering around like crazy again and I grinned. 'Oh my God, Adam, really? Of course that's what I'd like. I'd love to. Yes, yes,' I said, almost jumping out of my seat. 'I'm the happiest woman in the world, right now. But it will be a bit weird.'

'What will be?' he asked.

'Living in a house that also belonged to Charlie, and seeing someone else living in my old house.'

'Oh no,' Adam said. 'Didn't I tell you?'

'Tell me what?'

'I signed the deeds of that place over to Charlie. When I asked you to move in with me, I meant for you to live with me at the manor.'

'Holy shit,' I muttered. 'Nothing would make me happier. Will we go straight there from the airport?'

'Unless you want to go somewhere else?'

I shook my head. There was only one thing on my mind, and my cheeks flushed red. 'I want to finish what we started... in the pool,' I whispered into his ear.

He grinned and then took my hand, placing it ever so carefully in his crotch. 'I think this proves I want that too, Eve,' he said wickedly.

Holy crap. Electricity shot out from my stomach and crept slowly downwards until the heat started to throb right where it mattered.

I couldn't wait to get there.

oOo

I woke up the next morning to the delicious aroma of bacon floating up from the kitchen. For a split second I was confused, and then, when the wonderful memories came flooding back, I grinned and jumped out of bed. Grabbing my dressing gown from the floor, I ran downstairs.

'Hey sexy,' breathed the most erotic voice I've ever heard. Adam stood in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.

'You're cooking breakfast for me?' I asked, rushing towards him.

He nodded and picked me up by my bottom, placing me carefully on the worktop. 'I am. I hope you're hungry.'

'Ooh yes, I'm always hungry,' I replied as seductively as possible.

He grinned and pulled me close, kissing every part of my face and neck.

'God, you smell so good,' he murmured, before turning off the bacon and carrying me back up to the bedroom for a repeat performance of the night before.

An hour later, we were back in the kitchen, famished. Adam prepared bacon, eggs, sausages and toast while I simply made the coffee and poured some orange juice. He whistled as he worked, and I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. I was in heaven. It had been such a long time coming, but here it was. I'd never felt so good and boy was it amazing.

The sound of a buzzing noise broke me out of my reverie and I realised it was Adam's phone. He walked over to it and clicked on the text message.

'Is everything all right?' I asked.

'Let's just eat breakfast and I'll tell you...'

'Tell me what?'

'What's been going on.'

'That sounds ominous.'

He placed all the food on our plates and carried them to the table, where we sat down.

'So what's up, Adam? What's going on?'

'One of the reasons I was unable to come and find you in Portugal…' He stopped and took a gulp of orange juice.

'Yes?'

'It was because of Amy.'

'Amy? What happened to Amy? Is she okay, Adam?'

He looked away and shook his head. 'She's...she's... pregnant.'

'Oh,' I said, smiling. 'Well that's wonderful, isn't it? Or are you frightened of becoming a grandfather?' I teased. 'Or don't you like the father?'

The look on his face made my smile drop. 'What?'

'The baby's father. He's... he's...not really in the picture.'

'Oh, that's a shame.'

Adam shook his head, 'It's not that. It's, erm, it's Amy. She came out.'

'She came out of where?' I asked innocently.

'No, Eve
.
She came ou
t
,' he reiterated.

'You mean's she's...she's gay?' I asked tentatively.

Adam slowly nodded, taking a swig of orange juice.

'Oh Adam, you look like you need something stronger than orange juice.' I smiled. 'She's gay. So what? What's the problem? If she's happy, that's all that matters. Is she having a baby with her girlfriend, then? Are they together?'

Adam nodded. 'Clare. I've known her for years. They've been best friends since they were thirteen.'

'Have they been, erm, together since then?'

'Apparently,' Adam said, through gritted teeth.

'Are you not okay with this?' I asked.

'She's my daughter, Eve. How can I be okay with it?'

'Because she's your daughter, Adam. That's exactly the reason yo
u
shoul
d
be okay with it. Do you love your daughter?'

'Of course I do. She means the world to me.'

I smiled. 'Which would suggest that her happiness means the world to you too, right?'

Adam smiled. 'You're so smart, aren't you?'

'You're not the first person to tell me that,' I said, tucking in to my breakfast, before adding, 'there I was, worried sick that there was something wrong with her. How has Lisa taken it?' I asked.

Adam snorted. 'Apparently Amy confided in Lisa a few years ago.'

'Ouch,' I said.

'I know, that's what hurt the most. That and the fact that...'

'What?'

'Amy didn't want to tell me because she knew I was going through something deeply upsetting myself.'

'Aww, I'd love to meet her. She sounds like a wonderful girl.'

Smiling, Adam nodded. 'Oh, she is.'

'How did she know you were going through something?'

'Do you really want to know?'

I raised my eyebrows.

'Jack told her about his encounter with us here.'

'Oh.'

'Exactly.'

'What did they say when you told them what happened?' I asked as I finished eating, putting my knife and fork down.

'Actually, they weren't surprised. Amy used some pretty foul language to describe Charlie and said I should go and find you immediately.'

'Really?' I asked as I felt my eyes well up with tears. 'She wants us to be together?'

'It certainly seems that way,' he said, pushing his chair back and dragging me out of my seat and onto his lap. 'She wants her father to be happy, and Lisa told her only one person could make me the happiest man on Earth.'

'Oh really? And who might that be?' I asked inquisitively.

His mouth on mine answered that question.