Waves of Betrayal (The Isabel Marsh Trilogy Book 1) (13 page)

‘Probably did!’ smirks Leanne, ‘Marcos is so laid back and never stops me from doing whatever I want to do, so it couldn’t be better! Plus, I have my job at the hotel so at least I don’t have to hang around here playing “Lady of the Manor”
all day
either!’

‘You’ve got it well and truly sorted Leanne. I’m so jealous! And not only that, he’s gorgeous!’ says Tracy, gazing over at Marcos talking to his parents and a group of people she doesn’t know.

As they raise their glasses again to the lucky bride-to-be, Leanne is distracted by something. ‘Who the hell is
that
?’ she gasps, spilling her champagne. She stares over in the direction of a girl in a very short yellow dress, with long dark hair and a perfect figure... talking to
her
fiancé.

‘Well, do any of you know her??’ she asks again, this time with real venom in her voice. They all shake their heads, looking up at Leanne in her formidable dress, her bitter, jealous expression dispelling any thoughts of Elven Queens.

‘Friend of Marcos’ parents?’ Tracy suggests innocently, ‘A teacher?’

‘
Teacher
??’ Leanne spits nastily, ‘she doesn’t look like a bloody teacher to me. More like some fucking Vogue model. What’s that bitch doing here and how the hell does she know Marcos!’ She slams down her glass and prepares to launch herself in their direction, but her friends just manage to pull her back and try to calm her down.

‘Listen Lea, you can’t go charging down there in this state. Calm down,’ urges Lucy, her best friend and beautician, ‘you look like the “Bitch Queen From Hell” with that expression. Come on hun, let’s get you calmed down, re-apply the lipstick and then you can go down there, looking divine and find out who she is, ok...? But you’re going to stay cool as a cucumber. Leanne? Come on, trust me,’ Lucy insists, as she gently pulls her friend inside, ‘you’re a hundred times better looking than her, but not like this, ok? Believe me.’

Marcos casually helps himself to another glass of champagne from one of the passing waiters as he heads hesitantly in the direction of Isabel and her friend, instinctively aware of her parents watching from the terrace.
Shit, shit, shit!
he thinks, as he tries to approach as nonchalantly as possible. One hand in his pocket in a “long time, no see” sort of way. He knows it won’t work. She’ll see straight through him. She’s just gorgeous, different of course, but in a very good way. He suddenly realises that he hasn’t told Leanne about Isabel, he just assumed that they’d never meet again. And now she’s here, in Spain, in his parents’ garden looking...

‘Isabel’ he blurts out a little louder than he’d planned and realises that he has to announce himself, before he literally crashes into her.

‘Marcos?’ utters Isabel, standing up on tip toes, even in her heels, to give him a kiss on the cheek. Marcos, going for the traditional two kisses, brushes Isabel’s lips by accident. Rachel steps in and hurriedly introduces herself, as they both blush awkwardly.

‘Hi,’ she gushes, ‘I’m Rachel, Isabel’s best friend from England. Thank you so much for inviting us. Well, for letting us come along! Your parents’ house is amazing,’ she continues excitedly as she leans in for the two kisses.

Marcos acknowledges her gratitude, but immediately returns his gaze to Isabel. ‘I can’t believe you’re here!’ he sighs, feeling the overwhelming urge to sweep her up in his arms like they were teenagers again.

‘I’ll go and get us some more drinks,’ announces Rachel tactfully, ‘back in a bit,’ as she skips across the lawn to admire the pool.

‘So...’ says Isabel.

‘So...’ Marcos finishes his drink and runs his hand through his hair. ‘Oh man, I don’t know what to say! I feel eighteen again... but you definitely don’t look fourteen! I mean, you look amazing but it’s just ...’ he hurries, feeling his face flush for the second time.

‘I know what you mean,’ Isabel laughs, feeling self-conscious, ‘I was a girl last time we met!’

‘
Exactamente...!
did you keep your Spanish up?’ he asks hopefully.

‘No, I’m sorry to say that I didn’t. I’m a French teacher now actually,’ she replies timidly. ‘And you’re getting married? To an English girl?’ she adds, trying to sound cheerful.

‘Yes, ironically. Leanne, she’s with friends.’ He looks over towards the sofas but she has gone. ‘I’m sure you’ll meet her later. She’s a real free spirit, I’m sure you’ll love her. Everyone does!’ he says with a nostalgic look in his eyes.

‘Sorry,’ he laughs, feeling like an insecure adolescent, rather than a wealthy, confident businessman. ‘Seeing you again! It’s just taken me by surprise. In a good way... in a totally good way...’

‘I know what you mean,’ agrees Isabel, ‘my parents called me and told me that they had invited us along and I was mortified! I wasn’t sure what you’d think or even if you’d remember me!’

‘Remember you?? Oh Isa, I thought of you every day since I left. But, five years ago I met Leanne,’ he sighs, wishing everyone around them would just disappear.

‘I met my boyfriend five years ago too,’ Isabel admits to her own surprise.

‘Oh so you have a partner? Married?’ he enquires, trying to sound casual.

‘Well, it’s a long story but no... on both counts. That’s why I’m here really. Getting away from
things
for a while.’

‘Oh, I see,’ says Marcos, trying to hide his initial reaction of relief and then thinking of Leanne and the reason for this party. ‘How long are you staying?’

‘About another month I think. Rachel goes back the day after tomorrow... Rach! Oh thanks hun, we were just talking about you,’ Isabel says, relieved to see her friend and accepting the full glass of champagne.

‘Cheers to friends, old and new,’ says Rachel, smiling widely, adjusting her dress and helping herself to another canapé from the passing waiter.

‘Darling, where have you
been
?’ both Isabel and Rachel look up and stare at the woman embracing Marcos. She nuzzles her chin into his neck and wraps a slender, tanned leg around his, staring inquisitively at the two women in front of her. ‘Will you introduce me to your friends?’

Marcos stiffens impulsively, clasps his fiancées hand and smiles awkwardly at Isabel and Rachel. ‘Of course
guapa,
this is Isabel... and her friend Rachel from England.’

‘
Encantada,’
smirks Leanne with an icy stare, ‘and how is it that you are invited this evening?’

‘My parents are friends with Marcos’s parents,’ answers Isabel simply, ‘we met for the last time thirteen years ago when I was just fourteen. Rachel and I are on holiday here. Bit of a happy coincidence!’ she adds, nervously.

‘Hi,’ says Rachel, leaning forward to shake hands with Leanne, ‘great party!’

‘Mmmmm, isn’t it?’ Leanne clasps Marcos firmly around the waist and poses, one leg extended, emphasizing the curve of her slim hips, waiting for an explanation from one of them. When nobody speaks, Leanne continues. ‘Thirteen years ago?’ she questions, almost to herself, twisting a length of blonde hair delicately through her fingers, ‘so you must have been... what? eighteen?’ She turns her gaze to meet her fiancé’s eyes, searching for any hint of guilt. She sees nothing, but turns again towards Isabel. She can’t fail to notice her cleavage and toned stomach, clearly visible beneath the sheer material of Isabel’s dress. ‘So, you were good friends?’ she asks, with a challenging tone in her voice.

‘No, not really,’ answers Isabel, as flippantly as she can, aware of the tension between the three of them ‘Marcos gave me Spanish lessons after school for a couple of years, that’s all really and then...’

‘And then
what
exactly Isabel?’ Leanne spits.

‘And then nothing, Leanne. He left.’

‘He left, just like that?!’

‘Lea, darling, what’s the matter?’ laughs Marcos in disbelief, trying to make her realise how she is really over-reacting.

Leanne shrugs his arm from around her shoulder, her eyes still on Isabel. ‘You were studying in England for four years as far as I remember. So why did you
suddenly
leave the home of your father’s friend? What happened?’ she turns to stare at her fiancé.

‘Nothing,’ says Marcos innocently, hands up in front of him in mock defence, ‘I just wanted my independence that’s all.’

‘And you never met Isabel again?’

‘No,’ he smiles, shaking his head, hands still raised.

‘And why would that be? You still lived close by. You were at college. And yet you never once went back, not even to say goodbye?’

‘Leanne, I don’t know what you’re getting at? Come on
cielo.
Can’t you see how silly you’re being. We are engaged. I asked you to marry me and you said yes! Why would I have done that if there had been anyone else in the world for me?’

‘You tell
me!’
she hisses angrily, spinning on her heels and heading over to her group of friends, trying to look as calm as possible as she weaves her way through the guests, all seemingly oblivious to their dispute.

‘Shit. Marcos, do you want us to leave?’ asks Rachel, holding her friend tightly, ‘it might be best for everyone?’

‘No,’ says Marcos adamantly, ‘no, please stay. You are guests of my parents. I can’t imagine what has got into Leanne. I’m so sorry Isabel.’ He looks over at her, wanting to take her in his arms, but he also understands how inappropriate that would be. ‘Please don’t worry. Leanne has had a lot to drink, that’s all and she won’t make a scene in front of everybody. Please say you’ll stay?’

‘If you really want us to?’ asks Isabel quietly, ‘I really don’t want to cause any problems.’

‘That’s settled then,’ he smiles, ‘I’m going to circulate for a while and see if I can find Leanne. My father wants to make a speech later. Just enjoy the party, girls!’ he smiles, a big warm sympathetic smile and they watch as he embraces and welcomes more guests, in his natural, charming way.

Rachel and Isabel settle themselves on a couple of comfortable high backed chairs and accept a plate of mixed canapés and drinks from an attentive waiter.

Isabel lets her head drop back against the chair and puffs out her cheeks, ‘Shit, what on earth was
that?!!!
’

‘That, my lovely friend, was the biggest display of evil jealousy that I have ever seen...!! But, you know who she is, don’t you?’

‘Of course. Shit Rach, what are we going to do??!’

P
edro’s speech is beautiful and, luckily, the forced smiles of the happy couple standing next to him are only obvious to Rachel and Isabel. They even manage to kiss convincingly when everybody raises their glasses to them. Although, Isabel notices, there is no eye contact. She doesn’t really know how to feel, but she does know that the last thing she wants is to be responsible for a breakup.

After the speech, the DJ cranks up the music, helium balloons are released and people dance bare-footed around the lawn beneath the trees, twinkling with little fairy lights.
If it wasn’t for what happened earlier, this sure as hell would have been every girl’s dream
, thinks Isabel.

Small groups of people help themselves to plates of food from the enormous buffet that has been uncovered. A whole salmon, garnished beautifully, in the centre. There are salads, meats, prawns, cheeses and, at the far end, a spectacular array of desserts.

‘I’m so glad we decided to stay Iz, this is too good to miss!! Can you imagine what the wedding will be like...
if
there’s a wedding,’ says Rachel, leaning in to her friend.

‘Well I’m not going to be the one to tell him,’ says Isabel sadly, ‘he wouldn’t believe me anyway and it would just ruin our friendship.’

‘So you’d let this farce of a marriage go ahead and let him find out afterwards what a cheating cow she is, would you?’ asks Rachel.

‘I don’t know Rach... ohhhh but he’s just sooooo gorgeous,’ she sighs, bringing her clasped hands up to her chest.

Rachel shakes her head, ‘we have some serious talking to do tomorrow but, for now, you up for a swim?! We’ll have the pool to ourselves for a while, no Leanne. I don’t know about you but I don’t fancy playing water volleyball with her and her bitchy entourage!!’

Marcos looks down at the party from the balcony of his bedroom. He had given Leanne a while to calm down and then went in search of her, before his father made his speech. He had found her in the summer house surrounded by her friends and had calmly and politely asked them all to leave the two of them alone. Leanne was drunk, unreasonable and hadn’t wanted to be left with him, but her friends did as he asked.

She sat with her legs tucked under her, looking like a sulking child. She wouldn’t look him in the eyes as he knelt in front of her, lifting her chin gently with his fingers. She was hurt. She had guessed about his involvement with Isabel, he supposed. Maybe it was the body language? He wasn’t sure, but he knew that disclosing the truth now would not help one bit.

He thinks about how she had gone on to accuse him of sleeping with Isabel. Her jealousy had made her unattractive to him. It was almost physically disfiguring. Her lips, thin and tight, her eyes cold whilst she gathered herself up from the chair, slipped on her shoes and strutted defiantly out into the garden to join her friends.
She probably expected me to follow
, he thinks. He hadn’t followed, he would not be dragged into her games this evening.

They stood side by side whilst his father made his speech, but there was an emotional gulf between them. Tomorrow, he hopes, she will sober up and regret her over-reactions and they will talk like adults.

From the balcony, glass of brandy in his hand, he smiles as he secretly watches everybody at the party. Some of the older relatives are dancing together on the lawn doing a Waltz to Status Quo’s “Rockin’ all over the World”! His parents are laughing and sipping Pimms with a group of friends; a group of teachers from his school are lounging on the grass with plates of food; he sees Leanne talking intensely with her friend Lucy on the sofa until his eyes drift over to the pool. He swallows hard as he realizes that it is Isabel and her friend. Rachel stoops to feel the temperature of the water and they set their glasses down on a table next to the loungers. Suddenly, Marcos feels like a voyeur as he steps back from the balcony and into the shadows of the bedroom. Taking a sip of his drink, he looks back over towards the dimly lit pool area and watches Isabel tip her head back and laugh out loud over something that her friend has said. She unstraps her shoes and elegantly removes them, placing them under the sun lounger. He knows that he shouldn’t be watching but he can’t seem to stop himself. She removes her necklace and then slowly pulls her dress over her head, throwing it carelessly onto the floor. She is even more beautiful than he could have imagined. Petite, flat-toned stomach, the swell of her firm breasts in her bikini, long, slim tanned legs. His breath becomes fast and shallow and he ducks back into the room, torn between trying to forget what he has just seen and the desire to repeat the fantasy endlessly.