Page 18 of The Girlfriend

T HE NEXT MORNING, LAURA EXPECTED DANIEL AND CHERRY TO RISE late again, but to her surprise, they’d already gotten up and had breakfast by the time she followed the waft of fresh coffee into the kitchen.

She could hear them laughing and chatting outside.

She liked listening to their youthful exuberance and enthusiasm, their limitless energy for what they wanted to do with their lives with no sense at all that the energy might run out or the beliefs might change.

The mix of determination and idealism was exciting.

She especially liked not knowing how it was all going to turn out, the joyful anticipation as you reached every milestone in a child’s life: Would it be a girl or a boy?

What would they look like? What would their personality be like?

How would they get on at school? Who would their friends be?

What would they choose to study, choose to become?

Having a child was the very best kind of lottery.

She still thought of Rose like that every time Daniel reached a touchstone, just briefly, a curious, painful wondering that would never be answered.

She poured herself a coffee and took a fresh croissant from the paper bag.

Carrying the plate and a cup and saucer, she made her way onto the terrace.

She stopped almost immediately at the sight of Cherry brushing her hand across Daniel’s stomach as they both lay back on side-by-side loungers, eyes closed against the sun.

Cherry’s hand went lower and her fingers tucked themselves into the top of Daniel’s shorts, and, Lordy, Laura thought she saw a twitch.

She was torn between a polite but firm cough or silently turning and slipping back inside, and the hesitation cost Laura her anonymity.

Cherry had opened her eyes and, for a moment, her hand stayed where it was.

She looked at Laura and then slowly removed it.

She looked embarrassed. Laura decided it was kindest to ignore it.

“Good morning,” she said, walking across and taking her place by the pool.

“Oh, hi, Mum,” said Daniel, with a conspiratorial grin across at Cherry. “How was Vincent?”

“Very well. Wanted to know everything you’d been up to.

I tried to fill him in as best I could, but you’ve yet to tell me much,” she said lightly.

“He wanted to meet you too, Cherry, and says there’s a table for you tonight, before you fly home, if you’d like.

No pressure, but if you do decide to go over, he’ll find you some space. ”

“How nice,” said Cherry.

Laura glanced up, but Cherry had closed her eyes.

Daniel pulled on Cherry’s hand. “Come on, time for a swim. Are you coming in, Mum?”

She didn’t much feel like it. She’d wait until after they got out. Do a few calm lengths. “Just going to have my breakfast first.”

They got into the pool. “Is it cold?” called Laura, already knowing the answer by Cherry’s squeals.

It was a little pathetic, she recognized, being unable to make conversation.

But no one answered. They didn’t hear, they were so absorbed in each other, and Laura watched them for a while from behind her sunglasses as she bit into her croissant.

There wasn’t much actual swimming going on, more ducking, splashing, arms wrapped around each other.

She looked away, feeling excluded and, she was ashamed to admit, rather jealous and lonely.

They climbed out about five minutes later and lay with arms hanging down, fingers surreptitiously meeting and touching .

Laura decided to go in. Swam for a bit and then floated, gazing up at the sky.

She felt weightless, and with her ears underwater, the sound of her thoughts became filtered and pure.

So far this trip, she’d felt distant, out of sync.

When she was in the pool, her son and his girlfriend were out with eyes closed.

When she wanted to go for dinner, they’d already done so and were heading for bed.

When she suggested a day out in the countryside, they’d already decided on the beach.

It wasn’t quite how she’d envisaged Cherry’s visit.

She smiled inwardly; she was being silly.

Laura had hoped to get to know Cherry a bit and found herself wondering why Daniel’s girlfriend didn’t seem to want to talk much.

She might have made a bit of an effort, seeing as she was a guest in the house.

Laura stretched out in the water. Never mind, let them have their time together, Cherry was leaving the next day.

She climbed out and went back to her lounger. Cherry was talking in that low, private voice that was exclusive to lovers, and Laura pulled out her book and started to read.

She awoke to find both of them gone. Groggy, she sat up and reached for her watch to check the time. It was noon. She suddenly saw Cherry in the doorway of the house, looking at her. Had she just arrived or had she been watching a while? Laura pulled her wrap around her and sat up.

“We’ve made lunch,” said Cherry, and she went back inside.

They ate together, and then Laura, knowing she couldn’t face another afternoon playing third wheel, decided to go out for the rest of the day. As she left, she was aware she felt uncomfortable in her own home.

* * *

On Cherry’s last day, Laura felt a little guilty about her churlish thoughts and resolved to make one last effort before the girl went home.

“What time’s your flight today, Cherry? I was wondering if you’d like to see some of the smaller villages up the coast before you go.”

“Oh . . . ,” said Cherry, looking to Daniel for reinforcement.

“I’m actually due quite a bit of leave. My boss has said he’d prefer it if I took it now, rather than in the middle of the summer, when everyone else wants to go away.

I know it’s a bit last-minute . . . a bit cheeky, and please say no if it’s not possible . . . ?”

Laura tried to keep the welcoming smile on her face. “You mean, you’d like to stay a bit longer?”

“That’s incredibly kind of you,” said Cherry, her face lit up in the first genuine smile that Laura felt was actually directed at her.

“That’s okay, isn’t it, Mum?”

“Of course, it is,” said Laura, recovering just in time. “How long . . . Do you have a lot of holiday to use up?”

“A fair bit.”

“Mum, we were thinking of doing that trip to the vineyard you suggested. Fancy it?”

Laura was still thrown by the revelation that her houseguest didn’t seem to be leaving, after all, that morning; in fact, she didn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. “No, it’s okay. You go. I might go over and see Isabella today.”

They left soon after and Laura made herself a cup of coffee and took it out onto the terrace. She realized she was distinctly heavyhearted about the next few days.

* * *

Isabella was more philosophical about the situation. “Darling, it’s nice she wants to stay longer. Shows she’s keen to get on with you.”

“Does it?”

“Of course. Otherwise, she’d be leaving on the first plane out.” They watched as the pool boy methodically scooped out some leaves, moving the net slowly through the water.

“There’s something really calming about him, don’t you think?” said Isabella. “His movements. Like some kind of tai chi.”

“Is he new?”

“Madame Baudin’s son.” Isabella smiled naughtily. “He’s come of age.”

Laura lowered her sunglasses, both horrified and amused. “Isabella, you are not . . .”

“Oh, darling, relax. I just like to look.” She turned back to Laura. “I quite liked Cherry actually. Despite my earlier misgivings. She seemed quite charming. Happy to pitch in. Anyway, I thought it’s what you wanted. One big happy family. ”

“Well, yes . . . except I get the feeling she doesn’t want to let me in.... In fact”—Laura laughed uncomfortably—“I’d go as far as to say she wishes I weren’t there.”

“Really? Why?”

“I don’t know. Just a feeling. She doesn’t talk to me much. Open up.”

“Darling, give her a chance. She’s only just met you. Probably terrified of you.”

Laura looked astonished. “Whatever for?”

“You’re the mother of her new boyfriend. And you always were very protective of him.”

Laura laughed. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“Come on, you were always the territorial one at the playgroups. A real tiger mother. Do you remember the time you pinched that little boy? He was only about two.”

“He bit Daniel on the leg. Drew blood. There was a row of teeth marks on him for days.”

“And wasn’t there some incident with a kid in Daniel’s class? I seem to remember a cricket bat . . . and did the boy not end up crying or something and then . . . leave the school?”

Laura’s gaze turned to the pool boy. “Do you remember being young? Late teens . . . early twenties?”

“I seem to remember a lot of parties, at least going to them, but, funnily enough, not a lot of detail.”

“I wonder what Rose would’ve been like.”

“Beautiful and talented, probably. Like her mother.”

Laura smiled. “It’s funny with Cherry. I was hoping . . .”

“Oh no, darling,” said Isabella quickly. “Don’t hope that.”

“I know. Silly,” said Laura. “Fanciful, really.”

They sat, both enjoying the measured, slow movements of the pool boy, the regular whoosh of the water, and the drip-drip-drip as he lifted his net.

* * *

When Laura got back to the house, Cherry and Daniel were still out.

She made herself a bit of lunch, but picked at it.

Then suddenly impatient, she knew this was an opportunity she should be making the most of.

After all, she had the place to herself and could enjoy the peace.

Could swim in the pool without feeling like a third wheel.