When Summer Fades (22 page)

‘You’re sure about the generator?’ she fretted.

‘Positive. Now why don’t you go to bed?’

‘I can’t. I don’t like being on my own in the dark. Won’t you please come?’

‘Rosa, I don’t think…’

‘Please!’ she begged again.

‘Oh, all right. Give me a few minutes to get dressed and I’ll be right over.’

‘Don’t forget the lift won’t be working.’

‘I won’t. I’ll use the stairs.’

Newly comforted in her cousin’s arms, Rosa freed herself from his embrace and watched him fold back the sheets.

‘You’ll feel so much better after a good night’s sleep,’ he insisted, drying her tears and guiding her to the bed.

‘And you will stay?’ she pleaded.

‘Yes, if you insist. I’ll be in the next room. I’ll sleep on the sofa.’

In her drunken haze, Rosa was suddenly reminded of England, Celia Sheffield and another occasion when she’d been equally confused. What had Celia said at the time? Something to do with Sophie and sofas.

‘I wish Sophie was here,’ she said wistfully.

‘So do I.’

Unzipping her dress and letting it fall to the floor Rosa watched a disturbed figure turn towards to the bedroom door. ‘Stay with me,’ she called after him. ‘At least until I fall asleep. When I was little and afraid of the dark, Father always stayed with me.’

‘But you’re not a little girl anymore, Rosa. You’re a beautiful young woman. I really don’t think it’s a good idea if I stay.’

Conscious of her cousin’s comforting presence and the familiar, intoxicating perfume of his aftershave, Rosa was no longer afraid. Slipping seductively between the sheets she held out her arms and whispered. ‘Hold me…
please
…’

*

Four weeks later, Sophie lay nestled in Carlos’s arms at Victoria Villas.

‘I still can’t believe you’re here,’ she whispered, snuggling against him. ‘What did you tell the family?’

‘Nothing,’ Carlos replied, stoking her hair. ‘It didn’t seem necessary, as it’s such a brief visit. Besides, I’ve been at everyone’s beck and call for weeks. I thought I deserved a rest.’

‘Most definitely, Sophie smiled. ‘Though I’m not so sure about the rest. You’ve hardly slept since you arrived.’

‘I never intended to … and with José making such good progress, at least it meant I could come away with a clear conscience.’

‘When will he start work again?’

‘My father and I have decided there’s little point in him coming back too soon, but I suppose he might be well enough by December.’

‘December?’ Sophie propped herself up on one elbow. ‘You’re going to be exhausted by Christmas.’

‘Possibly. Which is why I’d like you to come to Portugal in the early spring. Remember the almond blossom I mentioned? If I book a week’s holiday, will you come?’

‘Try and stop me!’ Sophie said, trailing her fingers across his bare chest. ‘Now tell me … what else is troubling you?

‘I should have realized I couldn’t keep any secrets from you, Sophie. For the moment, what concerns me the most is,
not
knowing when I’ll be able to see you again. José’s delicate condition means it could be dangerous to discuss the Rosa situation.’

‘I see … and how is Rosa?’

‘Surprisingly full of beans now her father’s out of intensive care. She coped badly at first, particularly when Elisabete was staying at the hospital. She used to ring me at all times of day and night.’

‘I know.’

‘You know?’

‘Well, at least I can guess as she also rang me several times at two o’clock in the morning. Fortunately, on most occasions I’d been working late. She was very distressed, even begged me to go and look after José once he came home.’

‘What did you say?’

‘I said I wished I could, but in the circumstances had to decline. She made me feel almost guilty.’

‘You mustn’t let that bother you. Believe me, Rosa can be
very
persuasive, particularly when she flashes those huge, brown eyes of hers.’

‘Ah, so you’ve noticed, have you?’

‘Mmm. Although they don’t have quite the same effect on me as my beautiful sand goddess does. By the way, I’ve also noticed you’re wearing the bracelet.’

‘That’s very observant of you.’

Carlos grinned and drew her towards him. ‘That isn’t too difficult is it, considering you’re wearing very little else!’

*

Sophie found saying goodbye to Carlos for a second time, marginally less painful than the first.

‘It’s not quite so bad,’ he reassured her, when they walked hand in hand through departures. ‘Especially as I’m determined to come to England at least once before Christmas. In the meantime, I’ll ring as often as I can, but I won’t write. Writing to you makes me sad. At least if I speak to you on the phone, I can hear your voice.’

‘Oh, there’s no need for letters. Rosa is forever sending scribbled notes or postcards that invariably end with “
C
.
this
” or “
C
.
that
.” I’m usually up to date with what you’re doing. Not only that, having stayed with you all makes it so much easier. I can picture everything in my mind’s eye,’ Sophie said, squeezing his hand. ‘Particularly the beach house.’

Bending to kiss her on the lips, Carlos murmured in understanding. ‘Alvor was very special for me too, Sophie.’

*

In the nurses’ rest room, Callie gazed longingly at a box of chocolates. ‘It’s not fair! All these chocolates from grateful patients, if only they realized what it does to our waistlines.’

‘Waistlines!’ Sister Swallow remonstrated. ‘At least you’ve got one, Callie! When I saw you walk in here, I was green with envy. The pounds are simply falling off you. As for Sophie, it’s sickening that she’s so slim.’

‘I don’t know about pounds
falling
off
,’ Callie replied, ‘but the kilos are certainly shifting around a bit.’

‘And shifting in all the right places,’ Sophie encouraged. ‘So, close that box of chocolates immediately!’

With a mournful groan, Callie finished her apple.

‘Well done!’ Sister Swallow said. ‘If only I had your will power.’

‘It’s not Will Power you need. It’s Sergeant-Major Fuller here’ Callie replied. ‘Do you know it’s more than my life’s worth to succumb to temptation?’

‘Think of the dress!’ Sophie commanded.

Reminded of the emerald-green silk evening dress that she’d yearned for so much, Callie turned to Sophie and stuck out her tongue. ‘Spoil-sport!’

‘Who, me? Never!
You’re
the one who wants to get into that dress by Christmas. I recollect something about Patrick taking you to a ball?’

‘Please don’t talk about Christmas! It’s only October!’ Jill Swallow exclaimed, rising from the chair. Patting her stomach and plucking at her blue and white top in disgust, she cautioned wisely, ‘If I were you, Callie, I’d follow your Sergeant-Major’s orders. You don’t want to end up looking like me. Whoever designed these uniforms never had me in mind when they sat at the drawing board. My kids are forever telling me I look eight months pregnant in this. Thank goodness we can at least wear trousers!’

Before leaving the room, Jill picked up a strawberry cream and with a cheery, ‘Well, one more isn’t going to make that much difference,’ popped it in her mouth.

‘Hmph!’ Callie muttered. ‘It depends who’s watching you eat it at the time!’

*

Several days later, calling at Victoria Villas, Callie peered at the assortment of used teaspoons on the kitchen worktop.

‘Sophie. I’m sure there is a logical reason, but what’s with all the teaspoons?’

‘They’re for the condensed milk. Uncle Monty has condensed milk in his tea.’

‘Monty’s not here, is he?’

‘No. But when I was there the other weekend, he was telling me how it reminds him of his time in the navy. Edna loathes it in tea, but apparently likes it on bread and butter. As I felt peckish and not knowing when we’d be eating at the Hallowe’en party, I thought I’d try some.’

‘I see,’ Callie said, surveying the collection of teaspoons.

‘I think I got carried away,’ Sophie giggled, following Callie’s gaze. ‘I tried some on bread and butter, and liked it – although it ran all over my fingers – then I thought I’d try a spoonful on its own and that led to...’

‘Another spoonful?’ Callie volunteered. ‘So, why all the teaspoons?’

‘Hygiene, of course. It wouldn’t be very hygienic to keep using the same spoon.’

‘But it’s only you who’s been eating it, Sophie!’ Callie peered into the tin. ‘And as it’s practically empty…’

‘Is it? That probably explains why I feel sick.’

Washing a teaspoon, Callie scooped up what little remained from the bottom of the tin.

‘Yuk! That’s disgustingly sickly. No wonder you feel ill. When I think how you nagged me for wanting one measly chocolate ... You wait until I tell Patrick! Now get your coat on, Sophie Fuller, because Patrick will be wondering why we’ve kept him waiting so long. I hope, for your sake, all that condensed milk isn’t going to argue with the sausage casserole and chilli con carne Mum’s made for Hallowe’en!’

Early next morning, Sophie gathered up the post and wandered aimlessly into the kitchen. She groaned, spying assorted teaspoons, which were still left scattered across the worktop. Callie was right: condensed milk, chilli con carne and sausage casserole did not go at all well together! Thank heavens she wasn’t expected on duty.

Feeling unusually sorry for herself, she made a cup of herbal tea and studied her post. She recognized Rosa’s handwriting almost immediately, and then, to her surprise, she found a letter from Carlos, postmarked Milan. Thrilled to have his letter, she traced her fingers across the page as if hoping to feel his very presence. All too soon however, her heart sank. Not only were there horrendous problems in the Milan office, but also José had suffered a relapse.

‘Which can only mean,’ she announced miserably to Carlos’s photograph, ‘you won’t be coming next month, after all.’

‘You look absolutely awful, Sophie,’ Callie observed, when, having purchased the emerald silk dress, they made their way to a nearby coffee bar. ‘And I know why.’

‘You do?’

‘It’s obvious, isn’t it? Condensed milk, chilli and—.’

‘Please! Don’t remind me,’ Sophie begged, pushing her coffee away. ‘Anyway, it’s not only that, I’ve had a letter from Carlos. José’s had a relapse.’

‘What! You’re joking? I thought he was doing so well.’

‘So did I, but it appears we were all wrong, and this changes everything. Carlos won’t be coming in mid-November after all. Of course I always knew things weren’t going to be easy.’

Studying Sophie’s crestfallen face, Callie patted her hand. ‘Poor you. And here’s me dragging you round the shops when you don’t feel up to it.’

‘I’m OK, honest.’ Sophie lied, dabbing at her eyes. ‘But I never dreamt I’d miss Carlos quite so much. Without him, I’m so utterly wretched and miserable.’

‘Which isn’t like you at all, is it? Usually you’re the strong one, keeping
me
going, especially with this diet. Do you know,’ Callie said, eyeing a trolley laden with assorted cream cakes and pastries. ‘I couldn’t even eat one of those now.’

‘Not even half an almond Danish?’

‘You mean you
could
eat one? I thought you said you felt awful.’

‘I did, but now I’m beginning to feel a bit peckish, I didn’t have any breakfast.’

Puzzled, Callie ordered an almond Danish and cut it in two. ‘If I can’t get in to my green frock, it will be all your fault!’

Forcing a smile, Sophie ate her half of almond Danish in silence. Then, wiping at her mouth with a paper serviette, she brushed crumbs from her lap and murmured thoughtfully, ‘Carlos still wants me to go and see the almond blossom.’

‘Early spring in the Algarve,’ she explained, in response to Callie’s bewildered frown, ‘that’s when the almond trees are in full bloom. He says it’s as if the fields are all covered in snow.’

Returning to Victoria Villas, Callie passed Sophie the emerald silk frock. ‘You’re sure you don’t mind looking after this? If I keep it at the pub, one of my sisters will only want to borrow it. This dress is very special to me. I intend to be the first person to wear it.’

‘I should think so, too,’ Sophie said, carefully draping tissue paper over the shoulders before placing the dress in her wardrobe.

‘At least you’ve got more space now. This time last year, Rosa had just arrived, remember?’

‘How could I ever forget?’

‘By the way, how is Rosa?’

‘Oh, you know, just the same. Her usual madcap self. Here, there and everywhere, by all accounts. I had a letter from her only this morning.’

‘Has she found a job yet? Not that I suppose she’s particularly looking for one.’