Page 2 of An Island in the Sun

Tabitha gazed at the landscape as it dropped away from the road, a lush valley rising up into jagged green hills, the shadow of a solitary cloud the only thing to taint the sun-drenched hillside. As they powered along the fast road, in and out of tunnels, Rufus chatted about the island, suggesting that Tabitha take Funchal’s cable car up to the gardens at Monte Palace and telling her which levada trails – the system of channels built to carry water to different parts of the island – had the best waterfalls.

Eventually, they made it through the sprawling metropolis of Funchal and its outskirts. The tunnels continued where the mountainous island rolled right down to the ocean, the road cutting through the hillside and back out again to a village of cream and pink villas with banana plants and palm trees in gardens. Even after a year, the novelty of travelling hadn’t got old. She could already see what a wild and special place Madeira was.

Rufus seemed more than happy to dominate the conversation, which was fine by Tabitha – although at times his constant chatter felt as if he couldn’t bear for there to be even a few seconds of awkward silence. She found it interesting, though, listening to him talk about the island and the towns they passed as the volcanic interior loomed on their right, offset by the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean to the left.

The pets that she’d be looking after was another easy topic. After all, it was the reason she was here.

‘My wife Cordelia has been so worried about leaving the dogs again.’ Rufus glanced at her before turning his attention back to the road. ‘They pined so much for us last time, Bailey in particular. They went to a pet sitter’s house before, but Bailey is rather nervous, a real homebody. It’s just not fair on him, nor Fudge. Misty’s not fussed either way, you know how aloof cats can be, but we think the dogs will be much happier being looked after at home.’

‘It’s good to have that peace of mind,’ Tabitha said.

‘And you’re it.’ Rufus nodded. ‘Particularly as we’re going away for longer than usual.’

‘You’re going on safari, is that right?’

‘Oh yes, a holiday of a lifetime to celebrate our fortieth wedding anniversary – starting in Cape Town, then exploring Stellenbosch winelands, on to Tanzania for the safari, then Zanzibar for a relaxing last few days.’

Tabitha happily listened as Rufus described what they had planned. It was a good fifty-minute drive from the airport to the house in the southwest of the island and the sun was beginning to set, a wash of gold spreading across the horizon. After what felt like an endless day of travelling, Tabitha was eager to reach their destination and meet Bailey, Fudge and Misty. She was relieved when Rufus eventually announced, ‘We’re nearly there.’

They turned off the fast main road onto a single-track lane that finished at the gated entrance of a large driveway edged by palm trees and bushes fringed with pink flowers.

Tabitha had learned not to go by first impressions and she got the sense that it would be the same with this place, the unassuming stone exterior cleverly hiding the luxurious and chic interior she’d seen in pictures.

‘Well, we just made it back in daylight,’ Rufus said as he parked next to a white BMW.

They got out into the still evening air, which was pleasantly warm and scented by the flowers filling the borders. Rufus took her suitcase and rucksack out of the boot and Tabitha pulled her guitar off the back seat and followed him towards the villa.

The front door opened and a woman appeared with a beaming smile.

‘Tabitha, welcome!’ She greeted her with a kiss on each cheek and ushered her inside. ‘I’m Cordelia.’

Cordelia was also in her sixties, elegant and well-dressed for spending an evening at home. She had a deep tan, bright pink manicured nails, lots of rings, and her make-up was flawless. Long flowing baby-blue trousers were paired with a delicate floral blouse. Tabitha had opted for comfort in black cotton dungarees with a simple white T-shirt and she was wearing little make-up beyond mascara and her trademark red lipstick.

Leaving her bags in the entrance hall as instructed, Tabitha followed Cordelia and Rufus through to the large living and dining area at the heart of the villa. Despite the view through open bifold doors onto a terrace with an oblong pool, Tabitha’s eyes were immediately drawn to the two Cavalier King Charles spaniels rushing towards her.

‘The tricolour is Bailey,’ Cordelia said with a smile as a black, tan and white Cavalier reached Tabitha.

Tabitha knelt down and offered the back of her hand. Bailey sniffed, his damp nose connecting with it.

‘The tan and white is Fudge. They’re brothers and seven years old. Our cat Misty is a law unto herself – she spends most of her time outside, but I’m sure she’ll show herself later.’

Fudge was as eager as Bailey for Tabitha’s attention. She stroked their soft heads and tickled beneath their long drooping ears. She’d looked after a Cavalier before and knew them to be the friendliest dogs with a lovely nature.

‘They’re absolutely gorgeous,’ Tabitha said, thinking what good company they’d be.

Her attention flicked from them to outside. The tropical garden was bathed in the golden light of dusk and the sun was low on the horizon, retreating into the distant ocean. She breathed a satisfied sigh, knowing how, despite craving travel, she was more than happy to have this place and its four-legged inhabitants to herself for the next three weeks.

2

Cordelia was as affable and chatty as her husband and Tabitha began to relax. It wasn’t always this way; not everyone she’d met over the last year was as easy to talk to. Cordelia took charge, showing Tabitha around, the dogs following them. The main living area had direct access to the pool and garden, plus stairs going up to a mezzanine level with two en suite guest rooms. At the back of the house was a swish kitchen filled with the delicious smell of something roasting. Rufus pulled on oven gloves and ushered them out.

‘I chose well,’ Cordelia commented as they returned to the living room. ‘A husband who’s a sublime cook.’

Misty, their velvety soft, grey-haired cat, silently appeared, smoothing herself around the furniture while eyeing Tabitha.

‘I told you she was aloof – just until she gets used to you.’ Cordelia led the way from the living room along a hallway with a bathroom and utility room off it. She pushed open a door on the garden side of the house. ‘You’ll be staying in our room. As we discussed via email, the dogs always sleep in here, Bailey in his basket, Fudge usually on the bed. As Bailey can be quite nervous, we thought it best to keep things as much the same for them as possible. It’s also the best bedroom.’ She smiled and wafted her hand around the space.

Everything was spotless with not a speck of dog hair visible. The wall behind the king-size bed, painted a deep peppermint green, echoed the outside. The dressing table was empty apart from a box of tissues and an unused scented candle. It looked like a show home, not that there was anything wrong with that, but Tabitha felt the pressure of having to be on her best behaviour.

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