Page 81 of The Dolce Vita Divas
‘Spare room? Really?’ I teased.
Susie blushed. ‘Maybe.’ She fiddled a little with her cutlery and then took a bite of her Danish pastry. ‘It’s years since I’ve felt this happy. Since a man has been kind to me and made me feel good about myself. It will take getting used to. I’m not being silly, am I? My track record with choosing men isn’t great.’
‘Of course you’re not being silly, but look at the practicalities. You still haven’t got all of Simon’s stuff out of your flat. In the grand scheme of things, you’ve only just broken up with him. The other woman, remember her? You need time, to properly finish off one relationship before you go dashing into another one. You’ve only known this man for a short time. You can exist perfectly happily without someone for a bit, you know.’
Susie sighed. ‘I know you’re right. But I don’t like being on my own, I never did. What if this is my last chance? I’ve made such a mess of things in the past.’
‘Last chance for what? Can you hear yourself?’ My voice got a bit squeaky with indignation at that point. ‘Last chance to be happy? In these last few days, I’ve realised I have to be happy with myself first. It’s taken me a long time to see that. For the last few years I’ve been plodding on, doing the same things, putting the bins out on the right day, cutting the hedges back, balancing things and budgeting because that’s what I always did. There’s more to life than just carrying on, there has to be.’
‘What things?’
‘Living. Learning new things. We always considered ourselves liberated women, didn’t we? Going to university, having the sort of careers our mothers never could, buying our own car, changing phone providers. I don’t know – doing the things we always put off because we chose to put someone else first. Now we don’t have to. Now we really can just do what the heck we like. Go to Paris in the spring, paint our nails blue, sit in bed all day and eat cake, redecorate without having to ask for someone else’s opinion. Isn’t that the ultimate liberation?’
‘I’m not really enjoying this pastry. I wish I’d had one of those almond croissants instead,’ Susie said, eyeing the buffet table.
‘Then have one,’ I said, and we both laughed.
21
‘We’ve come to say goodbye,’ Raleigh said. ‘I hope you really are feeling better. Your black eye doesn’t look quite so bad.’
‘I’ve been using some concealer,’ I said with a grin.
‘We will be leaving for the airport soon. I could get some more there and send it on to you?’
I had been in the middle of my packing, sorting out my things into the depressing groups of dirty laundry, things I had brought and not worn, and the few gifts I had bought for my granddaughters. How was it that my belongings never fitted into the cases as easily on the return journey?
I realised I was being careless with none of the special folding and rolling techniques I had used, and my shoulder and ribs were still sore, so that didn’t help. Packing a case to go home was never very enjoyable at the best of times. Perhaps I would have to take everything out and start again, which would be even more annoying.
Leo and Eric stood next to her in the doorway of my room, Eric still wearing his new jeans, but this time teamed with a check shirt. Evidently the stegosaurus T-shirt was a step too far for Raleigh. Leo was smart in well-pressed chinos and a white polo shirt; Raleigh looked as though she was going to a fundraising event in a grey silk dress and heels. I could only assume they were flying in the posh seats, otherwise she would look like wreck by the time they got home. Or maybe rich people’s clothes didn’t crease and stain like mine did?
‘I’ll be fine,’ I said. ‘Honestly, my shoulder feels so much better already. Come on, Eric, there’s no need to look so tragic.’
‘Well, I disagree,’ Leo said firmly. ‘It could have been a lot worse, and Eric needs to know that. Actions have consequences.’
I held out an arm to the boy and after a moment he raised his head, ran to my side and buried his face in my waist.
‘I’m sorry,’ he muttered, his voice muffled.
‘I’m fine, really, I am,’ I said. ‘Just don’t do anything like that again. Do you promise me?’
He nodded silently.
‘Then that’s okay.’ I looked across at Leo. ‘I take it your dad has told you his plans?’
Leo nodded. ‘He has. He explained everything and I’m glad for him. And more than a little relieved. It’s been something that has been worrying me for a while. Leaving a management team in charge is never the same.’
Raleigh agreed. ‘We knew we wouldn’t be able to take over. I mean, what do I know about running a hotel? Although I’m good at staying in them. And I have so much to do when we get back. There’s a black-tie dinner for St Xavier’s to celebrate the school’s tenth anniversary which I have to help plan.’
‘What do they need now? A Hadron Collider?’ I said, and Raleigh giggled.
Eric looked up at me.
‘Can’t you come with us? Please?’
‘No, I have my own little boy to sort out,’ I said firmly. ‘Have a safe trip home, be a good boy on the plane and look after Andrea.’
He nodded again.
