Fern and Stella grinned at each other as they discovered the dining room, with a large circular table laid out with silver cutlery, the textured wallpaper shimmering gold in the sunlight streaming through the windows. Fern was in awe; she’d never been anywhere quite so beautiful. The location was perfect, within walking distance of the bustling Piazza Umberto, but tucked away in achingly beautiful and peaceful surroundings.
‘Come on,’ Stella said, running her fingers across the cut glasses on a drinks’ tray in the corner. ‘Let me show you your room.’
Stella led Fern back across the villa to The Green Room and smiled as Fern’s jaw dropped open in disbelief. The room was spacious, airy, and flooded with light. Green, turquoise and burnt-orange patterned floor tiles were offset by the white walls which added to the cool calmness. The king-size bed looked invitingly large and comfortable, piled high with sumptuous pillows.
With tears in her eyes, Fern grabbed Stella and hugged her. ‘Thank you, Stella, I mean it. This is unbelievably generous of you.’
‘It’s my pleasure,’ Stella said, looking bashful while batting away her thanks. ‘I’ll let you unpack.’
Fern spent the next twenty minutes putting away her clothes. Laughter filtered from somewhere upstairs, unmistakably Amber and Chloe. Fern had missed that joyous sound. When Amber was home, she rarely seemed happy around her, and laughter was a distant memory. It reminded her of the girls growing up and simpler, happier times.
She perched on the end of the bed and messaged Paul.
We’re here safely. The place is stunning, will send pics. Amber is beyond excited. Hope you’ve had a good day. Xx
She dropped her phone on the forest- and bird-patterned bedspread. The sense of calm the room evoked was immense. From the nature-inspired decor and furnishings to the flood of sunlit green through the open French doors, she could see where it got its name.
On the dressing table was a new, tropical leaves print washbag filled with make-up and toiletries, including an Acqua di Parma shower gel and body cream. She ran her fingers over the typed note:
A little something special for you. Love Stella xx
It was more than a little something. Gratitude rushed through Fern, for the thoughtful gift and for being in a place like this, where money wasn’t an issue and she didn’t have to think about anything. The idea of being able to truly relax was seeping through her, the general aches and tiredness from a long journey beginning to disperse.
Fern changed out of her trousers into a long white maxi skirt. She put on her sunglasses, slipped her feet into sandals and went out of the French doors onto a private terrace which was dappled with sunlight. Nestled in the L-shaped wall and screened by trees was a shady reading spot with a large rattan chair and oversized cushions that invited her to sink into their depths. To the front of the patio, a wooden table with two chairs overlooked the gardens. Fern glimpsed the glistening turquoise water of a pool and the deeper blue of the sky beyond.
She left the terrace and wandered into the sunshine. The inside of the villa had blown her away, but the garden was idyllic. Yellow inflorescences hung from the branches of holm oaks and the bright yellow flowers of broom splashed colour along the path that led to the pool. Birdsong danced on the light breeze, while a gentle warmth caressed her, helping to dispel her worries even further.
Fern pushed her sunglasses down her nose and looked over them. The pool was large, curved and perched right on the clifftop, with a view that could only be described as magical. Her initial impression of Capri was of glitz and glamour, but this oozed sophistication. There was a quiet beauty in the craggy green-clad cliffs jutting out of the sea, the town glittering in between.
Everything was so far removed from her life back in England. Her detached house seemed luxurious, but it was nothing remarkable, in a nondescript town. Much like her life really; she had nothing interesting to talk about beyond her kids. Her grown-up children. Life had always revolved around them and she needed to find her way again. Forge a path of her own away from Ruby and Amber. Branch out from being a housewife with a part-time job that she didn’t really care about. She needed to become more than just Paul’s wife and Ruby and Amber’s mum. As clichéd as it sounded, she needed to find herself. Wasn’t this the perfect opportunity? It was also a chance to reconnect with Amber, and reclaim a relationship with her built on respect and love.