Three's a Crowd

  I stared at her. She’d been having singing lessons since before we’d started going out? Why hadn’t she ever mentioned it?

  “Is the teacher a man?” I said, suspiciously.

  Everyone stared at me.

  “For God’s sake, Luke,” Chloe said in a disgusted voice. “Is that all you ever think about?”

  “She’s a woman.” Eve looked down at the tablecloth.

  Awkward pause. Then Ryan squeezed Eve’s arm. “She’s obviously brilliant, whoever she is.” He stared at me. “Don’t you think, Luke? Didn’t Eve sound fantastic?”

  Eve looked up at me, her eyes all innocent and hopeful. In the heartbeat that followed, I opened my mouth. A little voice in my head was telling me just to tell her that she was great, that she’d sounded amazing, that I was so proud of her.

  I ignored it.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were having singing lessons?” I snapped.

  Eve’s mouth trembled. Then she turned and rushed out of the room.

  9

  Jealous guy

  “You are such an idiot,” Ryan said for the tenth time. “What were you thinking?”

  I sat, my eyes shut, my head resting in my hands, wishing he would stop.

  The evening lay in ruins.

  After Eve had rushed out, Chloe had followed her. That was over half an hour ago. Now the open mike sessions were reaching their climax, and the nightclub was buzzing with excitement.

  Except at our table.

  Jonno and Lola were nowhere to be seen. I almost wished they would come back. Maybe it would shut Ryan up.

  “Well?” he said. “What’s the matter with you?”

  I shook my head. I didn’t know what the matter was. All I knew was that I couldn’t bear the idea of Eve doing anything with anyone I didn’t know about.

  “You have to stop it, man.” Ryan’s voice was suddenly serious. “You’re going to drive her away.”

  I looked up at him, shocked. “D’you really think so?”

  Ryan rolled his eyes. “Frankly, I’m surprised she hasn’t already dumped you. You’re worse than her dad.”

  I stared at him, stung. “I’m not anything like him. He’s . . . he’s—”

  “Possessive and overbearing,” Ryan snapped. “Just like you.”

  “I’m not,” I protested. “I just don’t like it when other guys make it obvious . . . you know. . .”

  Ryan shook his head contemptuously at me.

  “You don’t either,” I said, feeling irritated. “I saw you telling that drummer Chloe fancied that she was your girlfriend.”

  Ryan’s face creased with exasperation. “I was telling him how we hang out at the Garito, you idiot,” he said. “I was asking if he ever went there.”

  I stared at him. “Why? Why would you do that when you can see Chloe liked him?”

  Ryan stared back at me. “Why get so heavy about it? Why’s it such a big deal?”

  A hand clipped the top of my head. “Ow.” I spun round. Chloe was standing behind my chair, glaring down at me.

  “You are such an idiot.”

  I grabbed her arm. “Where’s Eve?”

  “She’s been crying in the loo for the past thirty minutes.”

  I sank back in my seat.

  Chloe slid into the one next to me and folded her arms. “I told her she could do miles better than you.”

  “Thanks, Chlo,” I said bitterly. “I really app—”

  “Anyway, she’s gone out to the beach now, says she needs—”

  But I didn’t wait to hear what Eve had said she needed. I was already halfway across the nightclub floor, pushing past tables, rushing for the door. I ran across the main lobby and out past the pool, down to the beach.

  My heart thudded against my chest. I had to find Eve. Apologise. Make her see how much I cared about her. Wanted her. Needed her.

  I looked up and down the beach. It was another beautiful evening, a warm breeze rolling in off the sea, distant waves lapping at the sand.

  There. I saw Eve about a hundred yards ahead of me, her shoes dangling from her hand.

  I raced after her. I didn’t call out. I was scared if I did she would run away, into the trees at the side. The beach was almost empty. Most people were still at the Open Mike Night, though a few couples were strolling along, hand in hand.

  I ran up beside her. “Eve?” I said. “Eve?”

  She didn’t look at me, just kept walking.

  I fell into step beside her. My heart was pumping so fast now I thought it might burst. “Please, Eve.” My voice cracked. “I’m sorry I upset you. I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I just hate being here and not being able to be with you. It’s . . . it’s driving me crazy.”

  She looked up at me at last. Her face was pale in the moonlight. I could make out the tracks of her tears down her cheeks.

  “You’re so beautiful,” I said. “And you sang so beautifully too. And I’m such an idiot.”

  I stopped, not knowing what else to say.

  We walked along silently for a few minutes. What should I do now? I wanted just to grab her and hug her and make everything all right. But I didn’t know if that’s what she wanted. I reached out and felt for her hand.

  I curled my fingers round hers, half expecting her to pull her hand away. She didn’t. She stopped walking and looked up at me.

  “Luke.” Her eyes filled with tears.

  Jesus. She’s going to dump me.

  My stomach twisted into a huge, agonising knot. I pulled her towards me and kissed her. At first I just wanted to stop her saying anything else. But then I felt her respond, her tongue soft in my mouth. And all I could think about was wanting her.

  I kissed her as slowly and gently as I could, trying to do it exactly how she’d taught me, all those months ago.

  She drew back and smiled up at me.

  “I love the way we do that,” she whispered.

  I nestled my forehead down against hers and ran my fingertips down her back. She shivered and closed her eyes. I kissed her again, my hands moving lower and lower. . .

  Then suddenly Eve was twisting away. I stumbled slightly on the sand.

  “Luke,” she said softly. “It’s too easy to just . . . I mean . . . we ought to talk. Don’t you think?”

  “Okay.” To be honest, I didn’t really see what there was to talk about. Whatever had gone wrong between us was all right now, wasn’t it? Still. If Eve had something on her mind I knew she wouldn’t be happy until she’d talked it through.

  I took her hand and we walked further up the beach.

  Eve explained how she’d been too embarrassed to tell anyone about her singing lessons.

  “I thought it would sound all stupid and pretentious,” she said, putting her arm round my waist. “I didn’t even want to do it that much, but my dad made me. You know what he’s like.” She rested her head on my shoulder. “I don’t know why I didn’t say anything. It just felt like this really private thing. And I didn’t want Chloe and Ryan to laugh at me or expect me to perform or something. And now I’m going to have to put up with Lola going on about it – she’ll probably suggest we sing a duet or something. Honestly, she is such a bitch, she. . .”

  As Eve segued into another rant about Lola, my mind drifted off, mainlining on the feel of her body next to mine.

  A minute later Eve sighed. “Are you even listening to me?”

  I jumped guiltily. “Of course.” I looked round. We had wandered way past the staff cabins and the Garito. The beach was completely deserted up here. “Why don’t we sit down for a bit?” I said.

  I pulled Eve over to the trees at the top of the beach and smoothed out a patch of sand for her. “Sorry I haven’t got anything for you to sit on,” I mumbled.

  She smiled at me. “’S okay.” She sat down beside me and looked out at the sea, her arms wrapped round her knees.

  We were silent for what felt like a long time. Then Eve leaned back and put her hands on the sand
beside her.

  “I hate the way I look,” she said.

  I stared at her. The moon was shining on her hair, lighting the side of her face. She was, without doubt, the best-looking person I’d ever met. “But you look amazing,” I frowned. “You’re . . . you’re beautiful.”

  She smiled sadly at me. “That’s what I mean.” She paused, scrunching a handful of sand between her fingers. “It’s like . . . like being pretty is all anyone ever sees. No-one sees me. Who I am.”

  I reached out for her hand. “I do,” I said.

  Eve gazed at my hand on top of hers. She pulled hers away and let the sand run out from between her fingers. “Do you?” she said, dully.

  “Yes.” I scrambled onto my knees, eager to prove it.

  “How do I feel about my dad, then?” she asked.

  “Um . . . well . . . you love him, obviously, because he’s your dad.” I paused, trying to work it out. “But he also annoys you, like with the singing thing and ’cause he’s weird with you about boys and stuff.”

  Eve shook her head and stared out to sea. “I adore my dad,” she said. “I always have. When I was little I couldn’t wait for him to come and take me out. I wouldn’t be able to sleep the night before, I’d be so excited. And then sometimes he wouldn’t make it and I’d get so upset.” She paused and when she spoke again her voice was practically a whisper. “When he did come, it was always so fantastic. He was so handsome and he’d take me out and buy me stuff and make me feel like a princess. His princess. Like the most special person in the world.”

  I looked from her to the sea, stretched out in front of us like a soft, dark blanket.

  Eve sighed. “But when I got older I realised that he didn’t see who I was at all. He doesn’t want me to grow up and have a life. He just wants me to stay his little Babycakes. Only there for him to look at and show off. And, as far as I can see, that’s what all guys want.” Eve’s voice wobbled. “They don’t care who you are, just so long as you look hot and their friends are impressed.”

  “That’s not me,” I said. “That was Ben, maybe, but. . .”

  “Then why d’you get so jealous all the time?” Eve started sobbing, her voice all broken and small. “Why can’t you see how I feel about you? Why don’t you trust me?”

  I couldn’t bear seeing her cry. I hugged her, stroking her hair. “I do trust you,” I said. “It’s the other guys I don’t trust.”

  Eve pulled away from me, wiping her face. She smiled exasperatedly at me. “God, Luke. That’s exactly what my dad says.”

  “Okay,” I said. “I’ll change. I’ll stop being jealous. I promise.” I pulled her towards me again.

  “EVE!” Jonno’s voice bellowed in the distance.

  Eve sprang away from me. She scrambled to her feet.

  “Quick. Go.” She pointed to the woods behind us. “Hide there until he’s gone.”

  I stood up and grabbed her hand. “No,” I said. “We’re not doing anything wrong. Why should I hide?”

  Eve’s eyes widened. “He’ll kill you if he finds you out here with me.”

  The sensible part of me was pretty sure she was right. Or close enough to it. But I was angry. “He’s got no right to tell you that you can’t see me. Why don’t we just go and tell him we’re going out together?”

  Eve looked at me as if I was mad.

  “EVE!” Jonno’s voice was getting closer.

  Eve wrenched her hand out of mine.

  “What are you so frightened of?” I whispered, suddenly seeing it in her eyes. “I mean he might be pissed off to start with, but there’s nothing he can he actually do about us being together, is there?”

  Eve blinked at me, then turned and ran rapidly along the beach.

  I flumped down on the sand, watching her disappear behind the line of trees.

  “There you are, Babycakes.” Jonno’s voice – part angry, part relieved – grated on my nerves. “I was worried about you. I don’t like you coming out this far by yourself.”

  She wasn’t by herself. I was here. I was looking after her.

  Eve said something quickly I couldn’t catch.

  “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Jonno said. “I want you to sing every night. Just a couple of numbers, when Lola takes her breaks.”

  I froze. No way. Eve and I were already separated in the mornings and afternoons. The old bastard couldn’t do this.

  “It’ll be good for you – build your confidence,” Jonno went on. “And it’ll give you something to do while you’re here.”

  You mean give her even less time to enjoy herself. With me.

  “But Daddy, I was so scared.” Eve’s voice rose to a squeak. “I don’t think I can.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Babycakes. You sounded fantastic. Everybody said so. I talked to the band. They reckon you need a bit of work on the performance side of things, but you’ve got all the raw materials. Lola’s done a song-list for you to choose some songs from. Here.”

  I heard the sound of paper rustling. Tell him, Eve. Tell him “no”.

  But in my heart I knew it was hopeless.

  As their voices drifted out of earshot I heard her little-girly voice, all anxious and eager to please: “Okay, Daddy. Okay, if that’s what you want. Of course I will.”

  I flung myself back on the sand and thumped it, hard.

  10

  The baby magnet

  I woke the next morning to find Ryan prodding my shoulder.

  “What?” I said, irritably.

  “Up,” he said. “We’re on pool duty, nine till eleven.”

  I groaned and sat up. “What time is it now?”

  “Five to nine.”

  “What?” I scrambled out of bed and reached for my shorts. “Why didn’t you wake me earlier?”

  “Who am I – your mother?” Ryan grinned at me. “You make up with Eve, then?”

  Last night flooded back. After Eve had left I’d stayed on the beach a long time, falling asleep and waking up cold much later.

  “I think so.”

  Ryan sniffed at a T-shirt, then pulled it on over his head. “You missed a great night at the Garito. Catalina asked where you were. And Alejandro was there too.”

  “Who’s Alejandro?” I said, trying to copy the way Ryan pronounced the “j” as an exaggerated “h”.

  “The drummer from the band – remember? He’s cool – loads of money, but doesn’t flash it around. His dad’s one of Eve’s dad’s business partners. That’s why he’s here, playing in the band. But he’s really into rock music. He’s going on tour with some Spanish group when he’s finished here.”

  “Sounds like he really opened up to you,” I stuck my head under the cold tap in the bathroom. “D’you think you’ll kiss on the second date?”

  “Piss off.” Ryan appeared in the bathroom doorway, grinning. “Chloe did most of the talking. I just stood there, chatting up all the hot girls who were hanging around hoping Alejandro’d speak to them.”

  A minute later and we were out the door and racing round to the pool. Jonno was already out there, cigar clamped between his lips.

  He pointed to his watch as we ran up. “You’re late.”

  “Sorry, sir,” Ryan panted. “Won’t happen again.”

  “Make sure it doesn’t,” Jonno growled.

  We set out the loungers and sun umbrellas. Soon the pool area was full of small kids with their parents, splashing and yelling in the water.

  Catalina turned up half an hour into the shift. She went straight over to Jonno, who was leaning against the pool bar, drinking a cup of coffee.

  I looked up, expecting to see him shouting at her for being late, but to my surprise they were laughing together.

  “How come she doesn’t get told off?” I said to Ryan as we sorted through the dirty pool towels. “She’s way later than we were.”

  Ryan gave me a withering look. “Why d’you think?”

  Catalina skipped towards us with a smile.

&
nbsp; “Where are you last night?” she pouted up at me. “You said you come to El Garito.”

  I smiled uneasily. “Fell asleep on the beach,” I said.

  Catalina brushed past me, reaching for the pile of clean towels. She put her hand on my arm to steady herself. “Mmmn,” she said, squeezing above my elbow. “Nice muskells.”

  Ryan snorted as Catalina wiggled off down the side of the pool, towels in her arms. “One day, that girl is gonna get sooo busted,” he said.

  I watched her lean over and take a drinks order from one of the sunbathers.

  “You’re just jealous ’cause it’s my muskells she likes,” I grinned.

  But inside my head, in a part of my brain completely separate from how I felt about Eve, I couldn’t help imagining what it would be like to kiss her.

  Eve didn’t appear all morning and she didn’t reply to my texts. After pool duty finished, I wandered around for about thirty minutes, looking for her. Eventually I gave up and went to do my homework in the unairconditioned broom cupboard. It was even hotter and noisier than yesterday.

  I struggled with some maths questions on probability, then – deciding I deserved a break – checked out my emails. There was another message from Mum.

  Dear Luke. Not sure if you got my last email. Here’s the early scan of the baby. All healthy as far as they can tell. It’s too soon to know, but I’m sure it’s a boy! Lots and lots of love to everyone, Mum.

  I clicked on the attachment. A fuzzy, black and white photograph flashed onto the screen. I stared at it for a few minutes but couldn’t, for the life of me, work out any part of it that remotely resembled human life. Remembering how annoyed Chloe had been at me yesterday, though, I printed it out and shoved it in my pocket.

  Pushing away thoughts of Dad and how he would feel about the baby, I sent an email back to Mum saying how pleased Chloe and I were that everything was okay.

  See? I’m not completely insensitive.

  I ploughed on with the next load of maths, a series of immensely complicated and incredibly boring equations. My head grew heavy. In fact, I was almost asleep on the keyboard when Ryan and Marco barged in.

  “Brought you some lunch.” Ryan shoved a slice of dried-up pizza under my nose.