Clouds Below the Mountains (15 page)

“I don't make a habit of looking in other people's cosmetic bags, Doreen, but are they comfortable to wear? Did you have much trouble getting used to them?”

“No, I had a free trial. The man showed me how to put them in and take them out, gave me a week's supply and I got on with it.”

“Well, I don't know how you can, manking about with your eyes like that,” said Jean with a shiver.

“I'd be frightened of sticking my finger nail in my eye and not being able to see again. Anyway, how do you manage with those long talons?”

“You learn to put them in, so that the lens pops in without a nail going near your iris. I have had the odd tear and I've had to throw one away, but that was because I wasn't concentrating.”

“Well, I might go and look into it, Doreen. Shall we walk some more or are you still watching that ferry, Jean, going off to the island?”

***

“I want to go in that little park, Daddy,” said Annabelle, running back from near the headland, where a netting enclosed area sported a Wacky warehouse style climbing frame with curly slides and a ball pond. “ Jack said he wants to go in there too.”

“But we'll never get to the car hire firm, Annabelle, the way you are carrying on. Already we've had to go and buy you that sparkly handbag you wanted, a laser mouse for Jack and two ice creams from the kiosks on the way. What about Mummy and Daddy, it's their holiday too?”

Annabelle though had run ahead with Jack, assured that her Daddy wouldn't deny her. Her Daddy loved her and she could have anything she wanted to.

“Those parents must be beside themselves with worry,” said Cheryl, as she and Paul sat on a bench, watching their children jumping up and down on a trampoline they'd discovered, throwing themselves into the ball pond and sliding quickly down the gaily painted slides. “Whatever would we do if a child of ours went missing, I'd be hysterical I'm sure?”

“Well, I can't see how they would go missing, darling,” said Paul confidently. “ They're watched like hawks when they are with us and at nursery and Annabelle's school have security measures in place. I was listening to some people talking as we were passing the police car, it seems that the parents were drinking beer at one of the beach huts. They've only really got themselves to blame.”

“Still, whatever the circumstances, there's a little boy gone missing, Paul,” said Cheryl, feeling close to tears. “I do hope they find him soon.”

***

Jenni, sat for a while on a bench looking out to sea. It was still a bit chilly, although there was some blue amongst the white clouds up above. The island in the distance was covered in a mist, the sea seemed to have worked itself up into a lather and the black sands looked very uninviting to Jenni.

People were wandering about in hooded tops and shorts on and children played in the water, some with swim wear on. She shivered in her long sleeved top, trackie bottoms and lavender coloured jacket and decided to walk a different way to get back to the warmth of the hotel.

***

Susanne walked up and down the perimeter of the swimming pool again. She was looking for guests who wanted to partake in aqua aerobics this time. She shivered in her black swimsuit and wondered what she was doing there?

This time last year, she had applied for teacher training at a college in Esjberg, but had decided to have a gap year before she started. Being employed in the sun appealed to her, when she had seen the website advertising for young people to work abroad. It was an agency that placed you, with no formal interview, just e'mail a C.V to them and they'd take it from there.

She had been working at the Hotel Valia since Autumn, when the weather was warm, the guests were happy go lucky and a hard working spirit existed amongst the team. She hadn't even minded the accommodation she had been allocated. A dingy, sparsely furnished room that she shared with a girl from Germany, though she had to admit the rent was very cheap. Things like that didn't matter when she was having the time of her life, so different from the strictures of living at home with her parents.

Then the enthusiasm for it all had gone, when the two people she had been working with, Pierre from Lille in France and Marie Anne, his girlfriend, had decided to go back home at Christmas. It had gone down hill from there on, as the two men who had replaced them were apathetic and chauvinistic, taking great delight in taunting her, which had produced a lot of resentment within her. She had no one she could appeal to, as the man who came with their wages each Friday didn't speak English, there was only a mobile number for the agency and she had a feeling they were international anyway. So here she was, sticking it out until she had enough saved for her fare back home to Denmark. Meanwhile, didn't anyone want to do aqua aerobics?

***

Lucy's mobile rang, just as she was walking into lunch with Jenni. It was Kath, so she asked Jenni to excuse her and walked into the lobby to take the call.

“Oh, you've found him, great. Where was he? Gone on the pirate ship to see Captain Hook and Peter Pan. How did he get on the pirate ship? Oh, because he pretended he was with a family and the chap didn't count heads. Well, that's a relief. It's a good job the ship had a radio or the parents would be out of their minds by now. They are out of their minds, the mother has gone to hospital with an asthma attack and you're waiting with the other children by the harbour, for the ship to come back again. Oh, poor Kath, do you want me to come and help you? Are you sure now? Well, if you change your mind, give me a ring and I'll come along.”

Lucy sighed with relief as she walked back to sit with Jenni. That was another trauma over with, though she couldn't imagine Kath, with a trio of whining kids.

Greg walked along the road that lead out of Costa Adeje, following a sign that he had seen for Playa del Duque. It wasn't too far away from the hotel and he knew he could be back in time to pick his grandson up from the Kid's Club. He passed the Casa del Duque, which looked to be an old fortress on a promontory jutting out to sea, then sat down at a wooden table in a cafe that overlooked a beach, which was covered with a top layer of yellow sand.

It was peaceful there. There were only a few locals, or people who owned property in the area, passing by as they walked their dogs and the chirrups from the green and yellow canaries, that fluttered about on the branches of nearby palm trees. He needed that peace, to get his head around things, as last night in the hotel bedroom, he had realized that he didn't love Kate anymore.

When had that happened, he wondered? He had been her husband for thirty years this summer and to not love her had never crossed his mind. There had been other women in his life of course. Being the owner of a manufacturing business, being a member of the Rotary club and the Golf club, gave unlimited opportunities to dally with the fairer sex, but he had always been loyal to Kate. Flirted, teased, chatted women up, yes, he'd hold his hand up to that, but never once had he crossed the line and been unfaithful to her. The realization that he wasn't in love with her, had come crashing into his mind last night.

He drank the coffee that he had ordered, wincing at the strong taste, as he liked his coffee weak, wondering was this the end of the marriage or did they soldier on?

He hated those couples that fell at their hurdles and then went on to divorce. That had happened to his parents when he was four and his mother had brought him up alone.

Not so him and Kate. Their first big hurdle was when their son had left home, eighteen years old and into cannabis when Kate had shown him the door. Well, she had made it clear to Andrew that she wouldn't tolerate him smoking the stuff and said he must abide by the house rules. Being a stubborn young man, he had packed a few clothes and gone. That had been five years ago and although Andrew had been in touch with him via the factory, he had never once contacted his mother, not even when little Evan was born, which had made him an uncle now.

Though it had to be said, Andrew was now into the “gay” scene down in London. A fact that Kate and Sonya were unaware of and another factor that would have had his mother in a bit of a state. Because what you got with Kate was black or white. You toed the line or you got out.

The same could be said over that trouble they'd had with Sonya. The young man had been, in the eyes of Kate, unsuitable for her daughter and the reason that Sonya had moved out too. And yet he had loved his wife for all her traits, he had admired her honest approach to life.

So when had this happened, when had he stopped loving Kate?

***

“Mum, there you are,” said Sonya, as she and Greg walked along to the pool bar with Evan, who was looking very pleased with himself.

“Made a hand print, Grandma,” he said, showing her a picture of his little hand that someone had helped him to trace with a pencil.

“Oh, that's wonderful,” cried Kate, scooping Evan up and hugging her to him, while his picture flapped behind her head. “You are a clever boy, sweetheart.”

“Are you feeling better for your sleep, Kate,” asked Greg, looking at her anxiously with his heart full of guilt.

“Yes, I think I can soldier on,” Kate replied, echoing his earlier sentiment.

“What about a drink, Mum, Dad? I started before you, as I've spent my morning sitting with my feet up in the foyer, reading a book that I found in the swap box. But look, I think the sun might be out this afternoon, we can spend it on the sun loungers if you like.”

“It's my turn to look after Evan,” Kate reminded her. “If it's warm enough I'll take him to the kiddie's pool. If not, little man, we'll buy ourselves a bucket and spade, wrap up well and head off down to the sea front.”

“Yeahhh!”, shouted Evan, jumping up and down with excitement.

***

Paul and his family rolled up outside the hotel in a Renault Espace. He parked it with a flourish in a space reserved for guests and visitors, looking around to see if anyone was watching him. He had hoped that Greg or Steve would be in the vicinity, so they would see what they were missing out on.

Never mind, he would tell them later and the price he had paid. It made a mockery of the charges quoted by the rep' at the meeting, he figured he had saved at least half.

The chap he had dealt with had been very conciliatory. No doubt hoping that more referrals would come his way and what was more he had been charming with Cheryl and the children, offering soft drinks and coffee and was pleasant in every way.

“Do you want to go in for some lunch, darling,” he asked his wife, his eyes falling lovingly on her perfect figure, pretty face and beautiful mane of hair that she had loosened onto her shoulders.

“Just a little lunch I think, Paul, maybe a salad or something. I don't know if the children will be hungry though, they're probably stuffed with those hot dogs you bought them on the promenade.”

“But I really, really wanted one, Mummy,” said Annabelle, listening to their conversation as they walked along. “The smell was gorgeous and we did a lot of exercise in that play area, you know.”

Paul laughed and ruffled his daughter's hair. It was something that she hated him doing, so she treated him to a dirty look.

“Well, we've paid for it, so we'll go and get our money's worth. Come on, poppet, give me a smile, we are on holiday, you know.”

***

“Oh no, here comes “Mr. Look I've Arrived,” said Greg, as Evan hung out of his high chair to wave wildly to his friend, Jack. “Oh dear, he's coming over, I suppose we had better make some space.”

“Paul, Cheryl, have you had a good morning? Yes, bring that table over and we'll ask the waiter to get more chairs,” Greg said in a friendly tone, causing his wife and daughter to look at him in surprise.

“We've had our main course, we're just about to choose our desserts, but do sit down while we're over at the food bar.”

Kate and Sonya got up, while Miguel made sure that Paul and his family were comfortable, asking them could he fetch them something to drink? The two women stood at the counter with the dessert selection, eyeing the tempting puddings and cakes.

“What's got into Dad?”, asked Sonya, while Greg stood over by the far wall with Evan in his arms, choosing which ice cream the child wanted from the flavours on display. “I didn't think he could stand the fellow, much less asking him to sit with us.”

“I'm as amazed as you are,” Kate replied. “ Perhaps he was having a “Road to Damascus” conversion this morning when he disappeared.”

As it happened she couldn't have been nearer to the truth, as Greg had begun to dislike himself, after he had faced up to his feelings down at the Playa del Duque.

***

The sun was out, a warming sparkly sun, that had all the guests finishing their meals quickly and rushing out to get their share of it.

Doreen, Jean and Milly lay three in a row on the sun loungers, resting their tired legs from their morning ramble. A comfortable silence existed between them, each with their thoughts of what they had done.

Doreen had enjoyed fuddling, she liked to look at clothes and shoes, though she would never dream of purchasing anything from a foreign country. She liked to buy at Marks & Spencers, where you could take anything that didn't fit back to the shop. It would be a very expensive visit to Tenerife to get your money back.

Jean had liked the harbour and the view from the sea front looking out to the island of La Gomera. She had enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the little fishing boats, as they brought their catches back.

Milly had enjoyed everything, from the carefree looks on the holiday maker's faces, to the cosmopolitan feel of the stalls in the market. Though she hadn't liked the pestering of the timeshare touts, who had accosted lots of couples as they ambled by.

***

Mavis sat on a sun bed, looking around at everyone through her prescription sun glasses. There was that nice family of Evan's, sitting at a pool bar table with that other family, who also had a cute little boy. The grandma was in the children's pool, looking slim and elegant in a azure blue swim suit, splashing happily with the two little tykes and a young girl who sat watching from the side of the pool.

What a pleasant scene they were making, she thought, racking her brain to remember a similar occasion with her own grandchildren. There was just that time at Derrynane, when Lillian and the family had taken her and Fred out for a run in their mini bus. The kids and Mavis had spent an hour paddling, while the grownups had sat on the headland there.

Over in a corner by the tennis courts, sat that poor girl whose boyfriend was evicted. She looked quite happy though, was wearing a deep purple bikini and had her hair up in a pony tail, which made her look about twelve years old.

And then there was Fred, waiting for his turn at the dart board that somebody had pinned to a palm tree. Mavis threw a frosty look at him and then turned away.

***

Lucy switched off her mobile, after listening to Kath who was on her way to the hotel. She had been hoping to join Jenni and get a little sun on her face, but Kath wanted to go over the list of the guests who were departing and arriving, as tomorrow was another changeover day. She looked at her watch and wondered if she had time to sit at the bar? Surely Kath couldn't deny her a cooling drink, now that the sun had come out? She'd risk it and she'd take her jacket off, perhaps Kath would like to consult her lists in the sun?

***

“So, I thought I got a really good deal, don't you agree Greg?,” said Paul complacently, as he sipped at his plastic cup which held a cooling beer. “Not only that, I got comprehensive insurance, a full tank and breakdown cover. It doesn't add up to hire a car from here.”

Greg nodded, determined to listen to the man and have a smile on his face, but his thoughts were over with his wife, as she splashed about happily with Evan and Jack. Any man would be delighted to have such an attractive spouse, he kept telling himself, so why had he got these feelings that he didn't love his wife?

***

“Oh, what a day I've had,” said Kath, all of a fluster as she joined Lucy at her table, putting her briefcase down on the floor in front of her, that held a copious amount of report papers that she was going to have to fill in. “Get me a drink of juice will you, there's a dear?”

She sank into the chair next to where Lucy had been sitting and wiped her face with a serviette, then stared into space for a moment, while Lucy ordered her drink from the bar.

“Oh, that's better,” she said, after she had sipped on the orange juice. “What a performance. That little lad wants a good shaking, he came off the ship with a big grin on his face. I had to look after his siblings for a very long couple of hours before the ship got back, apologize to the Captain, then put them all into my car and drive over to reunite them with their parents at the hospital. You know, just twenty minutes in those children's company reminded me of why I have never had kids of my own. Talk about naughty…” Kath sipped at her drink again. “You know, if I smoked I would have had a packet of cigarettes by now. Look at my hands…they're shaking.”

Lucy had to smile inwardly as she looked at her superior. Dishevelled and ruffled was not how she had ever imagined Kath could be.

“Well, it's over now, she soothed. “At least the boy is back with his parents. Did you find out how he was spotted? That he wasn't with a family.”

“It transpires that he had an argument with another boy, whose parents had gone to the snack bar.

Brandon was hungry and had snatched the boy's hot dog out of his hand. A battle ensued and the father of the boy complained to a crewman, thus they got Brandon's story and the Captain radioed ashore.”

“And what about Miss Hollins, has she recovered from her asthma attack?”

“Oh yes, but there were forms to fill in, in triplicate, at the hospital before I got her out.”

“Never mind,” said Lucy. “He's had his adventure, perhaps the little imp will stick around his parents now.”

***

“Do yer fancy a walk, Mavis?” Fred asked, as he came back from his darts match with a winner's certificate in his hand.

“No, I don't Fred, thank you. I'm resting my leg, it's got a bit of a twinge this afternoon.”

“Well, I told yer, didn't I, that the stretching lark was for the young people? No wonder your leg's playing up again.”

“I enjoyed it, Fred and if it's on again tomorrow I'll give it another go. There's a saying, “ no pain, no gain”, I believe.”

“Then I'm off for a walk on the front. I might pop in and have a look at the Antilla while I'm passing.”

“Well, you do that Fred,” said Mavis, hoping she didn't sound miffed about him going to the Antilla without her, “I'm enjoying the sunshine here, so I'll see you later when you return.”

***

“I hope you don't mind me asking, Lucy,” said Jenni, as she found the rep' behind her desk, whilst she checked over the coach transfer lists again, “ but when will it be possible for you to go to your cash point to see if my father's money has come through?”

“Well, it's too late today, Jenni,” Lucy said, looking at her watch, “I suppose I could ring the bank, but I won't be able to visit it.”

“Oh, it's all right,” said Jenni, feeling very embarrassed about asking her friend. “It's just I feel rather uneasy being without a little money. I thought it would be through by now.”

“It might be, Jenni, but there's nothing I can do about it. You can see how I'm fixed and Kath has gone back to her office, so I can't get a lift in her car.”