Page 20 of Best Laid Plans

Sorrento to Capri. It could be a rough ride between the mainland and the island, so be prepared for turbulence on your journey. Don’t worry – once you’re there it’ll all be worth it…

He’d not been able to find Indigo in Sorrento.

It was ridiculous for him to feel miffed about the fact because the town had a population of over fifteen thousand, which no doubt doubled in high season, but after not being able to avoid her at the beginning of the week, he’d fully expected to bump into her as soon as he set foot on dry land.

But after a fruitless search through the town, where he felt as if he’d visited every eatery and hotel that Sorrento had to offer, his heart lurching every time he caught so much as a flash of the colour red, he’d finally given up, deciding the best place to catch her would be the small port in Capri where the ferries sailed in from Sorrento on a regular basis.

Mooring the yacht in the marina just to the west of the main ferry port, he holed up early for the evening, determined to get up at the crack of dawn in order to meet the first ferry of the day in case Indigo was on it.

It felt good to have a purpose after spending the rest of the week in a state of disconnected limbo, occasionally checking his work email for news, only to find that everything was running smoothly without him. This had both heartened and distressed him.

He didn’t like the idea of not being needed.

The early morning air felt fresh and cool on his skin as he made his way over to where the passenger ferries docked in the marina, armed with a bag full of food and beverages so he wouldn’t have to run the risk of missing Indigo in between landings.

When he arrived, the place was only just waking up for business, catering for a few early risers who paced about waiting for the first ferry to arrive and take them back to the mainland.

He could tell from the intensity of the first rays of the sun burning through the low hanging clouds that it was going to be another hot day.

Settling down onto one of the long stone benches that faced out across the water, he took out a book he’d borrowed from his yacht’s small library, made himself as comfortable as possible on a seat that wasn’t really designed for people to sit on for more than a few minutes and prepared himself to wait until Indigo made an appearance.

* * *

Since leaving Julien on the beach in Nerano, Indigo had spent her time making good on her decision to continue the walk to Sorrento. In a stroke of pure luck, she’d bumped into Ruth and her group heading that way too and was somewhat relieved to find herself warmly integrated back into the group.

She’d needed the distraction after spending the morning in a state of torment after saying goodbye to Julien.

It had taken Ruth a couple of miles’ worth of small talk before she finally got round to asking about him, clearly sensing that there was something wrong in Indigo’s world but that she wasn’t going to bring it up herself.

Indigo had been preparing herself to talk about Julien but, even so, it was still hard to make her story of their walk to Nerano and subsequent night on the yacht sound as inconsequential as she’d wanted it to.

Ruth had not been fooled by her bluster though and had pressed her about their relationship until Indigo had given up on the pretence that he meant nothing important to her and blurted out the whole sorry tale.

‘He sounds like he needs more time, love,’ Ruth told her as they walked the last leg towards Sorrento.

‘Yeah, I know,’ she said with a sigh. ‘It was just really bad timing.’ They walked for another mile or so in companionable silence, with Indigo’s thoughts spinning through her head until she couldn’t keep it in any longer.

‘I just felt like we were meant to meet,’ she blurted. ‘It was like some force kept dragging us back together. It felt right to be with him, you know?’

‘I do,’ Ruth agreed. ‘My husband and I met in Western Samoa, of all places, after living only five miles apart for twelve years, never having crossed paths before. We kept missing each other, even though we now realise we’d attended quite a few of the same events.

He was married to someone else at the time, though, who sadly died after a long illness a year before he and I met each other in Samoa, so it wouldn’t have worked out if we’d bumped into each other earlier.

It’s funny how these things happen. You can’t help but suspect there’s some kind of benevolent force pushing you together at the right time. ’

‘Yeah, but if the other person isn’t ready, there’s only so much magic fate can weave.’

They’d come to a halt on the outskirts of the town at that point and Ruth put a comforting arm around her.

‘If it’s meant to be, you’ll see him again, honey,’ she said with a warmth in her voice that made Indigo think of the cuddles her mum used to give her when she was upset about something.

From out of nowhere, she experienced a sudden and intense pang of loss.

The grief of losing her mother never seemed to lessen, though it hit her less often these days, usually when she was feeling particularly low.

This time it had the disconcerting effect of reminding her just how alone in the world she was right then.

Forcing back the tears that threatened to spill over, she hugged Ruth back hard, finally pulling away to give her a grateful smile.

‘Thanks for taking me under your wing; I really needed the company today,’ she said.

‘You’re welcome, sweetheart. We’re flying back to England tomorrow so I’m afraid we won’t be able to continue on your travels with you. I hope you enjoy your time in Capri, though – and that you find what you’re looking for,’ she said with a kind smile.

Indigo couldn’t help but smile back, albeit with a twist of sad scepticism.

‘Yeah, you never know,’ she said.

And now here she was, stepping off the ferry in Capri into the bright morning sunshine and the first person she laid eyes on was Julien.

He appeared to have been watching the people getting off the ferry and as soon as he locked eyes with her, he stood up and started walking towards her.

She came to a sudden halt in shock, feeling the other passengers push past her and hearing the odd ‘tut’ as she blocked part of the gangway. Her heart hammered in her chest, her senses on high alert as she watched him pushing his way through the crowd.

What was he doing here?

Pulling herself together, she started walking towards him again, feeling the tide of people drawing them ever closer together, until finally they were standing only feet apart, grinning as if they’d not seen each other for a year.

A gentle breeze whipped her hair around her head, and she pushed it away from her face with a shaking hand.

‘Julien – I thought I’d seen the last of you,’ she said, hyperaware of a tremble in her voice. ‘Were you waiting here for me?’

‘ Oui .’

She gazed into his eyes, looking for a clue as to why, hardly daring to hope that he’d come to tell her he’d changed his mind about being ready for a new relationship, but his expression was inscrutable.

‘I wanted to catch you before I leave Capri and sail on to Naples,’ he said, taking her hand and leading her gently away from the crowd of people still mingling around the ferry and over towards the quieter side of the port.

So he wasn’t staying on Capri? Was he here to try and persuade her to leave with him then? The idea of it made her stomach flutter.

When they reached a small stone bench next to a closed ticket office he let go of her hand and, reaching for her rucksack, lifted it from her shoulder and propped it up against the bench.

The anticipation was killing her. ‘What’s going on? Is everything okay?’ she asked, hugging her arms around her. Despite her conviction they were meant to be together, something in the back of her brain warned her not to get her hopes up, just in case.

‘I have something I want to give you.’ He moved his hand around to his back pocket, glancing behind him as he removed whatever he had in there.

For one ridiculous, heart-thumping second she thought he was going to produce a ring and she drew in a sharp, shaky breath…

It was a large white envelope.

He held it out towards her, an expectant smile lighting up his eyes.

She tried hard not to let her disappointment show on her face as she stared down at it.

‘What’s this?’ she asked.

‘Open it and see.’

Her hands shook as she took the envelope from him and lifted up the flap at the back.

She stared at the contents, a heavy sinking sensation turning her stomach over.

It was money. Lots and lots of money. All in fifty-euro notes.

‘It’s a donation to help with the running of your cafe. So you can keep working there,’ he said, not appearing to notice her distress.

‘I felt bad about the way we’d left things after what happened between us,’ he said. ‘I kept thinking about what a struggle you’ll have when you get back to London. I wanted to do something to help you.’

‘You came here to give me money?’ she asked, her voice barely making it past her throat. Bitter disillusionment coursed through her, causing her eyes to burn with unshed tears and her skin to prickle as if she were being attacked by a thousand bees.

He frowned, looking visibly shocked by her lack of enthusiasm. ‘What’s wrong? I thought you’d be pleased.’

‘Do you even know me at all? Did you really think I wouldn’t be offended by you giving me money after I’d slept with you?’ Her voice crackled with dismay. ‘It’s like you’re paying me off to relieve your conscience!’

She knew it was a low blow, but she was so angry with him right now. Couldn’t he see how humiliating this was for her?