The Mermaid Garden(138)

He pulled out his BlackBerry and called his mother. At times like this he missed her dreadfully. He missed the sound of her voice and all that it represented. “Mamá.”

“Rafa, mi amor. Is everything okay?”

“Mamá, I’m in love.”

There was a moment’s silence. Then she spoke with surprising calmness. “Is she very special?”

“She’s unique.”

Maria Carmela might not have understood his motives for being there, but when it came to love, she understood very clearly indeed. “So, why do you sound so sad?”

“I’m confused. I came here for one thing and one thing only. I didn’t come here to fall in love.”

“Follow your heart, Rafa.”

“I want to. But I can’t if I’m unable to be honest with her.”

“Then you have to come clean, Rafa. You have to tell her why you’re there. You have to tell all of them the truth.”

“It could go horribly wrong.” Another moment of silence ensued. Maria Carmela did not know what to advise. This was beyond her. “They know nothing. Nothing. And I’m still not sure. I need more time.” He sighed heavily. “Am I being selfish? They’re a happy family, and I like them all so much. Then there’s you. You’re the most important person in my life—if you doubt me, then I cannot do it.”

“I’ve been thinking, if this is really so important to you, then you must do it and I will support you. Your father wouldn’t be happy, but I’ll deal with him when I see him in the next life. Leave him to me. Right now, you have to find peace. That is all that matters. It is your right, and I am beside you all the way.”

He was almost too choked to speak. “Thank you.”

“It is love that gives me the courage to let you go.”

“You’re not afraid anymore?”

“No. I am resigned, and I am content. I don’t know why I ever doubted you.”

He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”

“Oh, yes, I do. Now, do you want to hear what that silly parrot did today?”

He laughed and wiped the damp from his eye. “Yes, tell me.”


When Clementine arrived at work on Monday morning, Sylvia was at the filing cabinet, her face hidden by a cascading wall of wavy hair. On close inspection Clementine could see that she was crying.

Mr. Atwood wasn’t in yet, neither was Mr. Fisher. Clementine ignored the telephone, put the coffees on her desk, and approached her.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Sylvia sniffed and nodded. “I hear you’ve broken up with Joe.”

“Yes, I’m afraid I have. It wasn’t going anywhere. It was unfair of me to lead him on.”

“And you’re in love with Rafa, aren’t you?”

Clementine frowned. “Is that why you’re crying?”

Sylvia looked up from the drawer and pulled a sorry smile. She nodded. “I don’t love Freddie,” she confided. “I never have. To be honest, I’ve never loved anyone, really. But the other day …”

“Come and sit down.” Clementine put her arm around her. Sylvia allowed herself to be led to her chair. Clementine gave her a cup of coffee, which she began to sip halfheartedly.

“I saw you and Rafa together, and, well, I could feel it.”

“Feel what?”

“Feel this incredible thing you have together. I’ve never had that. I’ve never believed in it.” She gazed at Clementine helplessly. “I want it.”

Clementine felt relief. It wouldn’t be fun chasing the same man. “So, you’re not in love with Rafa?”

“Oh, I could be—he’s very sexy—but no, I’m not in love. I just want to be.”

“Then stop being so cynical and wait for someone to rock your boat hard!”

Sylva’s scarlet lips curled into a small smile. “I doubt Freddie was ever going to leave his wife.”

“I don’t know, but you shouldn’t break up a marriage if you can help it.”

“I’m a bad person.”

“Misguided, that’s all.”

She sighed. “What must I look like! Have I got mascara halfway down my face?”

“You’d better hit the loo before Mr. Fisher gets in. Hasn’t he got a nine thirty meeting?”

“Oh Lord, I forgot. Do me a favor, lovely, go and get some buns? And if you bump into another handsome foreigner, for goodness’ sake bring him back for me!”

Clementine hurried out into the street. It was a warm, sunny day, pigeons dropped onto the pavements to scrounge for scraps, and gulls circled high above like gliders. She sighed happily, filling her lungs with fresh sea air. Today she felt lighter inside, as if she had been relieved of a heavy burden. She walked with her shoulders back and her chin held high, and noticed the interested glances of the men she passed in the street. It had little to do with her clothes or high heels, and everything to do with her attitude. She liked herself, and that confidence radiated around her like sunshine. As she stepped into the Black Bean Coffee Shop she resolved to follow Marina’s advice and just be herself. Rafa thought she was beautiful—that was a good start—and hadn’t he said it was impossible to love someone without knowing them properly. They had the whole summer to get to know each other—and she looked forward to lying on her stepmother’s bed and confiding her progress.