My Mum wouldn’t have known what to do. It should never have happened. But he died. They later found out that the man had a police record the length of your arm, and he went straight back inside for manslaughter. That didn’t help my grandfather any. It didn’t help my mum either, as she watched him die.
She still didn’t have to run out on us though.
***
“Yes please, I’ll try the red.”
Make it a large one.
My glass was filled up halfway and I licked my lips, looking forward to sampling some local goodness. Then there’d be the free bar back at the hotel too. This would do for now though.
We had been ushered into a rustic old stone building, up on a small hill, surrounded by the many cobbled wall circles of a substantial vineyard plot. It was musty inside and windowless. It was strangely cold and dark after coming in from the hot sunlight outside. My eyes had taken time to adjust, seeing shadows everywhere. I leaned against the bar further down, opposite the door to the gift shop, as tourists continued to filter in behind me to receive their half glass each.
Then I saw him.
14
“Vicky – it is you?”
“Mr. Walker.”
“Well I think you can call me Richard,” he said with a smooth smile, taking my hand lightly in a shake, pressing my arm with his other hand.
I suppose I could. We had shagged each other after all.
We naturally moved together away from the doorway and further along the bar. I could feel my jaw locked in a kind of stunned smile. You don’t expect to bump into anyone you know on holiday, particularly on the way down from a volcano.
“Of course, Richard, what a surprise! So lovely to see you.”
“And you Vicky, and you.”
His lips eased into a smile again, thin laughter lines appearing around his eyes. He looked well. It must have been three years since I had seen him, and I had only met him a few times. He was probably past fifty now, but he was in good shape, his hair still thick and brown, though probably dyed. He wore skinny jeans and a plain blue Next poloshirt. I suppose he just had something about him.
“So were you just up Timanfaya too Richard – amazing wasn’t it?”
“No, actually we’re going there next. This is our first stop – we must be on a different coach. Incredible is it?”
“Oh yeah – breathtaking – just a bit hairy going around a few of the bends,” I said with a little giggle.
Jesus, I’m not a schoolgirl.
“Sure, sure,” he said thoughtfully, “So who are you here with?”
“Oh,” I said awkwardly, feeling embarrassed for some reason, “I’m just here on my own, just having a wee week to myself.”
“Why not?” he said, eyes sparkling, “You’re still performing?”
“Yes, still at it. I am indeed, for my sins.”
I’m starting to babble.
“Are you here with…”
“Yes, with Ivan,” he interrupted, spotting the man himself, making his way through the shop towards us. The shop was crammed with tourists, Ivan battling through against the flow.
“Ivan, over here,” he called.
Ivan came through the adjoining door, a little hassled. He considered me for a moment, squinting, then recognition seemed to come to him.
“You remember Vicky – from playing at our wedding?”
“Of course,” he said, slapping on a smile.
He took my hand firmly and shook it.
“My goodness Victoria, whatever brings you here?”
“Oh well, same as you I suppose,” I said, feeling awkward, longing to get away. “A bit of sightseeing, a wee week off for me.”
“Good, good,” he said. His eyes appeared to still be questioning.
“Victoria is travelling by herself, on a little adventure,” added Richard.
“Is she? How interesting.”
“Are you having a good holiday so far?” I asked breezily – looking from one to the other.
I ran my eyes over Ivan. He would have been nearer to sixty now, bald and not as in shape as Richard. However, he possessed a presence too, a dark charisma. Neither man was in any way camp, but Ivan was still the more masculine of the two, or at least the one wanting to appear that way.
“We’re having a lovely time, yes,” said Richard. “We only came yesterday, but it’s just a fabulous island. The hotel is incredible too – we’re in the Iberostar.”
Christ.
“Oh wow, I’m there as well,” I said with a goofy snort.
“Really?” said Ivan with genuine surprise; maybe he thought I couldn’t afford such a place on a musician’s wage. I suppose if that’s all I did, then I wouldn’t have.
“Yes, what a funny coincidence.”
The discomfort was really starting to aggravate me, and the room was filling up with noise and people, as tour groups began to file out towards the coaches that had restarted the low hum of their engines.
“Well, you must join us for dinner one night,” said Ivan abruptly and enthusiastically, breaking into a wide smile.
“Yes, of course you must,” agreed Richard, giving his husband an uncertain look.
“Oh, lovely… thank you,” I said, “How about tomorrow?” I blurted out.
“Just fine,”
