Before You Leave: A Romance Novel (14 page)

Crossing the room stamping my feet, I slam the door closed to the bathroom and turn on the shower. I need to shake off my attitude and start my day again and then I’ll call Kieran.

True to her word there’s a text message left on my phone with Kieran’s number and the word TRUST. With the non-fluffy towel wrapped around me, I dial his number. Twice I have to delete the wrong digits because of my fingers shaking. What if he rejects me, not want to talk? On the third try the phone starts ringing.

“You know how this goes, leave a message and I’ll get back to you,” His deep voice sounds and then a beep. I disconnect the call quickly.

Now what do I do?

A plan comes into my head to search for him tomorrow; I just hope he’ll talk to me.

After dressing in the yellow sundress that Sarah had packed for me, I tie up my hair that is long overdue a cut. The ponytail reaches down my back between my shoulder blades. The sun has kissed the colour since I have been here, leaving natural highlights through my hair. Slipping on my open toed sandals, I throw my bag over my shoulder, lock the patio doors and then head out of the room on a mission.

It doesn’t take long to find the small cafe I was at only a week ago. It seems like so much has happened in those seven days since. The place is busier this morning than it was the last time I was here. A couple of tables outside on the street are already full with people eating breakfast. As I pass my tummy reminds me that I am yet to feed it.

As I enter, the tables inside all look occupied. Approaching the counter I wait until I am seen. Pablo is running from one table to the next serving the customers. Surely he isn’t the only one working here? He catches my eye as he runs back into the kitchen and nods his head. With his hands laid down with plates he approaches me when he walks back out from the kitchen.

“You serve?”

“Like a waitress? Only a couple of times.” I tell him, unsure what he means.

“Take plates to that table over there. Cook is sick, I need to take over.”

“But, I can’t, I mean, I might mess it up.”

“No you fine, take quick.” He pushes the plates towards me and the only option is to take them from him before he drops them. Balancing the three plates in my hands I walk towards the table he indicated to me. Sitting there is a group of four that I gather are two sets of couples. With a smile I ask who ordered what and place the dishes in front of their owners. One lady has nothing but a cup in front of her.

“Did you order anything?” I ask her just in case I am missing a plate.

“No my darling,” she answers with a smile that brightens her whole face as she speaks, “I am unable to eat such amazing food.”

“Oh I am sorry to hear that, would you like me to top up your cup for you instead?”

“Margo has her own special granules that has to dissolve in hot water. You’re just waiting for it to dissolve aren’t you my love?” The man next to her replies placing his hand on top of hers and giving it a light squeeze.

“My breakfast in a cup.” She answers him cheerfully.

I leave them still holding hands on the table. What a beautiful couple they are, their love radiates from them both. I hope the woman is ok although looking at her smile she is happy regardless of her dietary needs. Reaching the next table to clear some plates I realise what they have is what I miss, that content and caring connection.

The morning rush lasts for the next hour. It doesn’t take me too long to pick up what to do and take the orders. Pablo looks less stressed as the time progresses and when there are only a couple of tables left he joins me for a coffee at an empty one.

“You done well. It was crazy.”

“I haven’t done that for a while. It was fun.”

“You need a job?”

“Haha don’t tempt me.”

“No joke, I pay well.”

“I have to go home soon. But I could help out if you are stuck until then.”

“Cook very sick, and Kieran no answer.”

“Does Kieran work here?”

“Only when I need him. He is a good boss.”

“Is he your boss?”

“Very good one.”

“Oh, I didn’t know, so he owns this cafe.”

“This and more. He is a very busy man but fair.”

“And he didn’t answer his phone?”

“He must be out sailing. He always sails when he needs to think.”

“Where is his yacht?” My curiosity is on overdrive.

“The Marina, you cannot miss it. It is very large.”

“So why does he live in an apartment surrounded by others if he is such a business man?”

“Kieran likes to keep things simple.”

“What do you mean by simple?”

“First you eat and then I will talk.”

With the rush when I entered the cafe, I totally forgot how hungry I am. Getting up from his seat he leaves to go back to the kitchen. I clear the tables that have become vacant, going behind the counter to tidy up the menus and cutlery. The smell of grilled bacon coming from the kitchen makes my mouth water.

A group of five walk inside from the mid-morning sun. Sitting them down at a table by the air-conditioning, I hand them the menus and leave them to decide what they would like. Pablo comes out of the kitchen carrying two plates laden down with a full breakfast on both. Placing them on the table we were sitting at, he tells me to sit.

“But we have customers, I will sit soon.” I tell him.

“I serve, you eat.”

“But yours will go cold.”

“No not mine, you sit.”

I do what I am told and leave him with the customers. Filling up a cup with hot water, I take a tea bag from my bag behind the counter and put it in before sitting at the table. The plate is over filled with sausages, bacon, eggs and tinned plum tomatoes with a rack of toast on the side. I really hope he doesn’t think I can finish off all of it and eat the other plateful.

Buttering the slice of toast, I dip it into the tomato juice. The soggy corner drips on the plate as I bite down letting it dissolve into my mouth before I swallow.

I don’t need to turn around to know the person who has just entered the cafe. I can feel his presence and recognise his aftershave. I try to keep my eyes focused on a spot on the floor and keep chewing.

“Hello Julia” Kieran takes the seat in front of the other plate opposite me.

“Kieran.”

“I thought I would join you for brunch.” He says while picking up the knife and fork and start cutting the bacon.

“I think you will find that isn’t your food.”

Holding the fork mid-air he points it at me.

“I think you will find it is.”

“Pablo made that for himself, he will be back in a minute.”

Stabbing the thin sausage in the middle, he lifts it up to his mouth and takes a bite out of the end.

“Not as nice as Denny sausages back home but I am planning to change that.”

“Kieran what do you want?”

“You.”

With my knife and fork now left balancing at the side of my plate, I blow the top of my tea and then sip it a little. The soothing acquired taste flows down my throat while my mind is in a panic.

“Ok that was a bit strong. I should rephrase that. I would like your company, at least until you leave.” He quickly recovers.

I don’t know if he can see the disappointed on my face as he stares at me waiting for an answer. Putting the cup down I take a large breath in before slowly letting it out, calming my nerves that are making my hands shake.

“Ok Kieran, I think this is a good time to put all of our cards on the table.”

Leaning across, Kieran takes my hand into his. “Not here. Finish eating and then we will talk, I promise. But the food is getting cold and I am starving.”

“Where then?”

“I know a quiet spot but first eat.” He orders me with a smile that makes my heart skip a beat.

After just eating the toast, an egg and a slice of bacon I push my plate away from me.

“Are you finished?” Kieran looks up from his plate from under his lashes, his dark eyes piercing.

“I’m full.” I confess to him. “I’m going to help Pablo while you’re finishing. He might need me.” Pushing the chair back, I take my plate and cup and head towards the kitchen. Just as I pass Kieran I stop and turn to him. He looks up and again I feel butterflies dancing inside of me.

“Your hair looks very windswept.” Putting his knife down, he uses his fingers to brush the slight curls back that have fallen over his forehead, still focusing on me.

“Better?”

“Yes, much better.” I answer him with a smile that this time is genuine.

Pablo thanks me for all my help as I leave and tries to hand me money for my work. I bluntly refuse much to his annoyance. Kieran and I walk in step with each other stopping at a moped on the side of the pavement.

“Is this yours?” I ask him in wonder that it could be.

“It is. Have you been on one before?”

“Not a moped I haven’t. Didn’t think this would be your thing.”

“There are lots you don’t know about me, yet. Here put this on.” Taking an open-faced helmet out of the back box, Kieran hands it over to me. “Why?” I ask him as I take the helmet from him.

“Because I want to take you somewhere for us to talk.” Without any more questions, I put it on; Kieran unclips a similar one from the handlebars and does the same. Throwing his long leg over the seat he slides forward and rolls it off the stand.

“Jump on, don’t worry I have it steady.” He explains to me as his biceps strain in his shirt while he keeps it steady. I try to look as skilful as Kieran did but my yellow dress rides up more than it should as I sit behind him. Turning at the waist he looks at my predicament and gives a little laugh.

“Nice underwear.” He smirks as I push him slightly on his arm to make him turn around. When he does so, I slide up behind him to stop anyone else viewing what he had just seen.

Holding on to the white cotton t-shirt he is wearing, the bike flows smoothly around the small village. The route Kieran takes isn’t one I have ventured on yet with its narrow roads and white washed houses. The further we go the fewer houses I see and the land is vast for such a small island.

Burnt brown and dusty.

Kieran rides around an acute bend slowly. We both lean into the corner and I slide further against him, breathing in his aftershave that I’ve grown attached too. Resting my head on his back I entwine my fingers around the front of him, holding on to him tighter as we straighten up again. Watching the coastline disappear, we drive for another while before Kieran starts to slow down. The automatic gates we drive up to open as we approach and I sit upright taking notice of my surroundings. A white stonewall borders the entrance opening up to the garden. There is a pebbled walkway surrounding plants that I have seen growing near other houses; I’m guessing ideal for the sunny climate. The driveway is short and Kieran pulls up under the canopy at the front of the building. Switching off the engine, he waits for me to climb off before he puts the bike on the stand and dismounts it with ease. I unclasp my helmet and take it off.

“Are we visiting someone?” I ask in a whisper so no one can hear us.

“Kind of, you wanted to talk. Well this M’lady,” he says while bowing and using his hand to present the house to me, “is my home.”

Standing upright again, I can feel his eyes watching me, waiting for my response.

“Yours?”

“Yes, mine.”

“Bu…but what about the apartment?” I’m not fully understanding what he is telling me, this villa with electric gates and well, I haven’t even seen what is around the back but from here it looks amazing.

“The apartment I usually rent out, it was empty for a few days so that is why we could stay there.” I know I am staring and I know my mouth is ajar. More questions, more uncertainty rears its ugly head.

“So you lied to us, I mean why not bring us straight here or was that never the plan, to let us see the real you.”

I can see his chest expand as he inhales deeply. Taking a step closer, he exhales and takes my hand enclosing it in his.

“Julia, look around you. This place is far from any amenities. I didn’t think Sarah or you would be impressed if I brought you here first. No shops, no wifi, the phone reception isn’t that reliable and it is further from the airport. It was bad enough I had to leave you that hour yesterday when I took Sarah for her flight.”

“So why now?”

“You wanted to talk and well, I thought somewhere we couldn’t be disturbed would be ideal. I can take you back if you want?” Kieran licks his bottom lip, something I’ve noticed he does when he is unsure of how I’m going to react. I take my hand and fold my arms across my chest. Going back would be the best thing to ask him to do. It would be the sensible thing, the Julia thing to do, but I don’t want to be that person anymore, and I don’t want to keep running.