Three's a Crowd

I could see Alejandro behind the drums. He hadn’t noticed me. Jealousy twisted its knife into my gut. He had smiled and smiled at me and all the time he was after Eve.

  With a jolt I remembered that first evening we’d gone out for a drink in Cala del Toro. How Alejandro had walked Eve back to the hotel. Is that when it had started? Or later, after his dad arrived and they went out for all those late-night meals together?

  I looked around for Eve. She wasn’t sitting at our usual table. No-one was. I scanned the room. There. She was at the far edge of the stage, looking anxiously up at Alejandro. At him. . .

  The knife twisted deeper. How bloody dare she? I’d given her my heart and she’d thrown it away like garbage.

  Blood pumped through my head. I could hardly breathe. I stormed towards the stage.

  Eve caught sight of me as I started pushing past tables full of people.

  She shook her head then, seeing I was still coming, rushed forwards to meet me.

  Jonno had finished making his announcements now. He was talking to one of the waiters, one eye still fixed on Alejandro. There was no sign of Lola. Jonno had obviously decided to go straight into the open mike session. The first singer was on stage, warbling out of tune.

  Eve and I reached each other at Jonno’s regular – and still empty – table, just under the stage. She slid into the nearest chair, motioning me into the next seat.

  I gritted my teeth and sat down. It was taking every bit of self-restraint I had not to yell at her. But I didn’t want to start yelling yet. I needed to hear her say it first. Admit what she’d done.

  “Please don’t make a big fuss, Luke,” she said quietly. “Alejandro and I were just talking.”

  I clenched my hands more tightly. The knife in my gut twisted again.

  “Don’t lie to me,” I said. “People don’t go to each other’s rooms at two in the morning to talk.”

  “We were,” Eve insisted. “Why won’t you-—?”

  “What were you talking about?” I spat. “How you like being kissed? Or maybe how he likes it? Because he’s so horny you’d do anything to please him, wouldn’t you?”

  Eve stared at me as if she was seeing me for the first time.

  The first open mike singer finished to a polite smattering of applause.

  “If I say nothing happened, that means nothing happened. Why won’t you—?”

  “Because it’s rubbish. I know you fancy him. You always fancied him—”

  “I don’t. I didn’t.”

  “So what, then? What did you talk about?”

  I stopped, my breath jerky and shallow.

  “We were talking about . . . stuff. About someone he needs to speak to. Look, I can’t tell you. I can’t tell anyone. I promised him.”

  The knife sliced up through my heart. “You promised him?” I hissed. “You promised him? What about me? What about us? You bitch.”

  Eve blinked at me. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Fine.”

  “What d’you mean ‘fine’?” I stared at her. “Are you dumping me?”

  She pressed her lips together and looked down at the tablecloth.

  My breath caught in my throat. “Are you going out with him?”

  Eve said nothing.

  I stood up and caught sight of Ryan and Chloe staring at us, horrorstruck, from the other end of the table.

  Unable to meet their gaze I turned and stumbled, blindly, out of the room.

  The next two hours were the worst I’d ever lived. I went down to the beach and found a deserted spot in the trees about three or four hundred yards along. I curled up in the leaf-strewn sandy grass and lay there, flooded with waves of rage and jealousy and humiliation. For the first time since we’d arrived at La Villa Bonita, it rained. A soft spattering rain that trickled down the leaves on the trees above and dripped onto me.

  After a while I heard Ryan walking along the beach, calling out my name. I didn’t answer. There was nothing to say. I was nothing. Without Eve I was no-one.

  I loved her so much and she didn’t love me at all.

  Misery swamped me, tears and rain running down my cheeks. And then the fear – the terrible emptiness of being without her. She couldn’t leave me. I couldn’t let her go. She couldn’t want him instead.

  Him.

  The storm of feelings in my head settled into a single focus.

  Alejandro. That smooth bastard.

  I got up and went back to the hotel. It was almost eleven o’clock. I knew the Open Mike Night would be drawing to a close and that the confrontation between Jonno and Alejandro was about to happen.

  I wanted to be there.

  I had completely forgotten how unreasonable I used to think Jonno was about Eve. I wanted to see Alejandro suffer.

  I wanted to inflict some suffering of my own.

  The nightclub was emptying when I arrived. I saw Jonno instantly. He was still firmly planted next to Alejandro and the drum kit, chatting with some of the guests.

  Chloe rushed up to me. “Luke, where’ve you been? Oh, God, you’re all wet. Ry and I were looking everywhere for you.”

  I looked past her, searching the room for Eve. There she was. Still standing near the stage, looking anxiously across at her father and Alejandro.

  The guests were drifting out now. There would be a ten-minute break while the DJ set up for the crappy disco that came on every night. I could see Jonno checking how many people were left.

  “Luke, man.” Ryan’s voice was gentle. Sympathetic. “Why don’t we go outside. Get a beer. Just go somewhere and chill.”

  I shook my head, still staring at the stage. “I want to be here.”

  Ryan and Chloe exchanged alarmed glances. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Ryan touched my arm. “Come on, let’s go.”

  I shook his hand off angrily. “Leave me alone.” I strode towards the stage. The other musicians had gone now. Jonno was giving his last cheery handshake to a guest, his last instruction to a waiter. Then he was free. I could see the fury in his face as he turned and gripped Alejandro by the arm.

  They were speaking. I couldn’t hear what they were saying. I moved nearer. Eve was fluttering nervously next to them both. Jonno was clearly telling her to go. She was equally obviously refusing.

  Jonno looked round, taking in the number of guests still sitting around, chatting. He turned and strode backstage, his beefy hand still gripping Alejandro’s arm. Eve followed.

  I leaped up onto the stage after her, sensing Ryan and Chloe behind me.

  I had been backstage many times since Eve started singing every night. It was always dark, a warren of corridors, doors, painted screens propped against walls, lighting rigs above your head. I followed the glittery swish of Eve’s dress along the corridor, past the dressing rooms and out the back.

  A little alleyway, bricked off from the rest of the hotel. Nothing but dustbins. My heart started beating faster. Jonno had Alejandro pinned against the brick wall. Alejandro was struggling, but although he was tall and broad-shouldered, Jonno was simply bigger and stronger.

  Rain poured down. Jonno’s hair was already plastered to his head.

  “You evil little shit. If you weren’t my partner’s son you’d be dead.”

  “Eve and me is talking,” Alejandro said, his masterful English deserting him. “Talking. There was nothing bad.”

  “Daddy, stop.” Eve tugged at Jonno’s arm. He didn’t appear to notice her.

  “Talking?” Jonno shouted. “I know what kind of talking goes on in the middle of the night. Talking innocent girls into bed talking.”

  In the midst of my pleasure at seeing Alejandro literally backed up against a wall, I felt a pinprick of irritation at Jonno’s inability to see Eve as she was.

  Innocent, my arse.

  She was about as innocent as a rattlesnake.

  “Daddy, listen. Alejandro was upset. He had to talk to me about something important. Please.” I could hear the tears in Eve’s voice. Her face was wet, shining in the rain. r />
  “It is true, Señor Ripley.” Alejandro choked as Jonno’s hand tightened round his neck.

  “Oh God,” Chloe breathed. I looked round. She and Ryan were standing next to me by the door, open-mouthed.

  “He was upset, Daddy. He just needed a friend,” Eve pleaded, now trying to push her way between her father and Alejandro.

  My heart twisted as I watched her. She wasn’t even aware I was here. All she cared about was saving that bastard’s skin.

  “Daddy, listen.”

  Jonno suddenly straightened up, away from Alejandro, and turned on her. “SHUT UP, EVE,” he roared. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. If he was upset it was to . . . to get you into bed. If he said he needed a friend it was to turn you into something else.”

  I could feel myself nodding.

  “I knew I should have insisted you went to a Catholic school,” Jonno shouted. “That’s one thing the Spanish get right.”

  “But nothing happened,” Eve insisted, tears streaming down her face. “He didn’t touch me. We were just talking.”

  “IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,” Jonno bellowed.

  “Don’t say, Eva,” Alejandro pleaded.

  She looked at him, shaking her head.

  Jonno shoved Alejandro against the wall again.

  In that second I flashbacked to the night Ben beat me up. The same terror I’d felt was in Alejandro’s eyes now. For a moment the old panic rose in me. I pushed it away as Jonno drew back his fist. Yes. Hate burned like acid in my chest.

  “What could possibly explain my daughter being in your room and you not taking advantage of her?” Jonno spat.

  Alejandro stared back at him – silent and defiant.

  “For God’s sake, Dad,” Eve sobbed. “He’s not even into girls. He’s gay.”

  17

  A bunch of flowers

  Time seemed to stop for a few seconds. I was suddenly aware of the rain falling on the roof behind me. A relentless spatter. Somewhere nearby an overflow pipe was gushing water into a drain. The world smelled damp and fresh.

  Alejandro was gay? Which meant he wasn’t into girls? Which meant he wasn’t after Eve?

  I stared at him. He was hanging his head, his face suddenly flushed. Then he looked up at Eve. He didn’t say anything but the expression in his eyes was clear, even from where I was standing.

  You’ve betrayed me.

  “I’m sorry,” Eve stammered.

  “Gay?” Jonno let go of Alejandro’s shoulder. He stood back, his forehead wrinkled in a frown. “Really?”

  Alejandro said nothing.

  Jonno’s frown deepened. “Does your dad know?”

  “No.” Alejandro glared at him. “I do not choose to tell him yet.” He looked away and caught sight of me and Chloe and Ryan over by the door. His face flooded a deeper red, then he muttered something in Spanish and turned and strode away round the side of the alley.

  My heart was beating fast. I was so used to thinking that every guy who saw Eve wanted her that I was finding it difficult to absorb what had just happened and what it meant.

  Jonno looked equally confused. He made no attempt to follow Alejandro. Instead, he brushed his wet hair from his face and turned to Eve. “What were you doing in his room so late?”

  Eve put her hands on her hips. “I told you,” she said. “We were talking. He’d just got back from your meal and he was really upset about his dad. He’s desperate to come out to his family, but he’s terrified of what they’ll say. They’re very traditional, Dad. You know that.”

  Jonno nodded slowly. “He’s totally gay? He’s sure?”

  “Yes.” Eve gripped his arm. “You won’t say anything to his dad, will you?”

  I watched them, a delicious glow spreading through my entire body. Eve wasn’t after Alejandro. He wasn’t after her. They were friends, like she’d said. Just talking. Which meant she must still want me.

  “Eve.” I took a step towards her, my whole face stretched in a smile.

  Eve and Jonno spun round. Eve’s mouth fell open.

  “What are you doing here?” Jonno roared.

  “I just want to talk to Eve.” I was still grinning at her. If I could just get her on her own, everything would be all right.

  “Get out of it,” Jonno bellowed.

  Ryan grabbed my arm. “Not now.” He dragged me backwards towards the stage door.

  I struggled against him. Eve had turned back to her dad. Jonno had his arm round her shoulders, guiding her past the wall and out of the alley. “I have to talk to her.”

  “Later, man.” Ryan pulled me through the stage door. Chloe slammed it shut behind us and leaned against it, blocking my way out.

  The thud of the disco bass echoed in the distance.

  “No.” I pulled away from Ryan.

  He yanked me back again. “The last thing Eve needs is to have to stop her dad beating up on another guy.”

  “Ryan’s right.” I felt Chloe’s hand on my arm. “Let it go for now. You’ll see her in the morning.”

  I slumped back against the wall. It didn’t matter. Like Chloe said, I would see Eve in the morning. Everything was sorted now. I was suddenly aware of my damp shirt clinging to my back. Soaked to the skin, and exhausted. Completely drained, like I could hardly stand up.

  “Okay.” I straightened up and reached for the door leading outside again. “I’m going to bed.” Chloe stood back as I opened the door and dragged myself back out, into the soft, falling rain.

  I slept late the next morning. When I woke the sun was streaming in through the open window. I could hear the faint squeals of excitement from the kids in the pool, and birds singing in the trees round the back of the room. I leaped out of bed, determined to find Eve straight away.

  Ryan had left me a text:

  E & C in crèche til 12. c u l8r. R.

  Crap. It was now ten-thirty. I didn’t dare go anywhere near the crèche. Never mind. I would go and get a headstart on Mum’s homework. Then meet Eve when she finished. I checked the timetable for the week. Good. My waiting tables shift didn’t begin until four this afternoon. Even allowing for homework time and Eve’s rehearsal, we should get an hour or two together.

  I showered, pulled on some long shorts and a T-shirt and raced happily up to the stuffy little office. I’d started leaving my homework papers in there. Jonno didn’t seem to mind, and it saved lugging them backwards and forwards from the room. I rifled through the English language worksheets, pulling out what I knew I was supposed to be working on today. Then I switched on the computer and checked my emails. There was one from Mum.

  Dear Luke, Here’s another scan of the baby. This one a bit clearer I think. I’m still sure it’s a boy. You have been so good with your homework I’ve decided to let you off the last ten days. You deserve a break. All my love, Mum.

  I stared at the email, reading it twice to make sure I’d properly understood.

  Yeees.

  No more stupid homework. I’d have masses more time with Eve now. I quickly opened up the attachment. Another grainy, black and white photograph. I squinted at it. How was that any clearer? Never mind, I’d look at it later. Chloe had loved the last scan. I clicked on the printer icon and waited impatiently for the picture to appear.

  I sent Mum an email.

  Thanks, you are brilliant. Is baby really there – can’t work out where any of it is! lots of love. L.

  I grinned. Just the sort of email Mum would like.

  I pressed send, scrunched the scan up in my pocket and shoved all my old homework sheets in the bin. Seconds later I was switching off the computer and heading out the door, happier than I could ever remember feeling.

  I wandered down to the pool, where Marco was on duty. We chatted for a bit. Apparently Lola had walked out after her row with Jonno last night. No-one had seen her since.

  “She go,” Marco said dramatically. “And she take her big chest also.” He grinned at me. “I shall miss.”

  Th
e news filled me with further happiness. Eve hated Lola. If Lola had left, Eve would be ecstatic. The day was getting better and better.

  I wandered down to the crèche just before twelve. I could see Pilar outside in the playground. Chloe was there too, grimly pushing three little girls on the swings. She looked bored as hell.

  No sign of Eve. She must be indoors.

  Not wanting to risk Pilar’s wrath by getting too close, I sat a hundred yards or so away in the shade of the olive trees. The grass was still a little damp from last night, but the sun was burning hot now in a bright blue sky. It was a beautiful day. A perfect day. While I was waiting I picked a few wild flowers from under the trees. Eve always loved little romantic gestures like that. It wasn’t often I thought of them. But I did today.

  Then I sat and waited.

  She came out at five past twelve, looking round for Chloe. The two of them sauntered along the path together, waving goodbye to Pilar. The sun glinted off Eve’s blonde hair as she walked. She was wearing jeans and her Bonita Babe T-shirt was filthy with paint and glue. I didn’t think she’d ever looked more beautiful. I rushed over, the little bunch of flowers gripped tightly in my hand.

  Eve and Chloe were deep in conversation and didn’t see me until I was right in front of them. Eve looked up. She didn’t smile.

  “Eve?” I said.

  I was grinning, so sure she would be happy to see me.

  But she looked away.

  I stepped closer. “Eve?” I touched her arm.

  She whipped it away like I’d burned her. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

  What? I glanced at Chloe, bewildered. Chloe bit her lip. I motioned her to go away. With a look at Eve, Chloe sighed and slunk off.

  I moved round in front of Eve. The sun was fierce on the back of my neck. “Eve? What’s wrong?”

  She looked up at me, her eyes full of contempt. “You didn’t believe me.”

  “You mean about Alejandro?” I frowned. “But . . . but I didn’t understand before. He’s . . . it’s like you were with a girlfriend or something. I get it, now.”

  Eve’s eyes were like chips of ice. “You don’t get it at all, Luke. I asked you to trust me and you didn’t.”

  “But you admitted you were in his room.” I clenched my fists, every nerve and muscle in my body tensed with the effort of making her see that I hadn’t been unreasonable.