An Italian Dream

STELLA

A couple of hours after Fern had stormed out, Amber had found Stella sobbing in her room and had comforted her before the whole truth had spilled out and Amber’s concern had morphed into anger. Stella couldn’t face retelling the sordid story again, but she knew she had to, so she called Chloe and made them both sit down in the living room. It felt as if she was talking about someone else as she matter-of-factly revealed her messy past, admitting to a one-night stand with Paul and the knowledge that he’d been unfaithful with other women more times than even Amber knew.

Chloe remained quiet and ashen-faced. When Stella finished talking, she didn’t say a word, just shook her head and rushed from the room. Amber’s earlier rage had evaporated and she stayed, looking confused and subdued. They sat in silence, the stormy weather raging outside. The wind rattled the windows and drops of water pattered on to the paving. Stella shivered and pulled her cardigan tighter.

‘You have every right to be angry with me.’ Stella eventually found her voice. ‘God knows Fern is.’

Amber huffed but didn’t say anything. She was frowning, her arms folded across her chest, a scowl on her lips. To Stella, she looked as if she was still trying to process what had happened. It was a lot to take in, she knew.

‘You do realise you’ve destroyed your friendship,’ Amber said coldly.

Stella tried to keep her voice steady. ‘I’m well aware of what I’ve done. But I couldn’t not tell her. She deserves to know the truth. You know that as much as I do.’

Amber sniffed. Her face looked pained, as if she was trying to hold back tears. ‘After catching him that one time, I… I didn’t think it was the first time. I assumed there were more women. I didn’t think you’d be one of them. He’s treated Mum like shit. You have too.’

‘I know. I know. There’s no excuse. I convinced myself that it wasn’t really cheating because I’d already slept with him before he was even with your mum, but somehow that just makes it worse, as if I’ve been hiding this big dark secret from her for all these years.’

‘You have.’

Stella held out her hands, attempting to placate Amber whose face was a storm cloud of emotion. ‘I can’t change what’s happened, but if there’s anything I can do to help Fern get through this, I will.’

Amber suddenly stood, knocking a candleholder off the coffee table in her haste. ‘You’ve done enough, don’t you think?’

‘It doesn’t mean I don’t care or that I don’t want to attempt to put things right.’

‘I don’t want to discuss this any longer. It’s my parents you’re talking about. My dad you’ve…’ She breathed in deeply and bit her lip. ‘I’m going to my room.’

‘You need to phone your dad and persuade him not to come out here tomorrow.’

‘No. I don’t have to do anything. This is your problem.’

Stella watched Amber stalk away. Moments later, a door upstairs slammed. She slumped on the edge of the nearest sofa. She’d messed up on an epic scale. She’d pissed off her own daughter and Fern’s daughter. And poor Fern. She couldn’t blame her for fleeing, probably into the arms of the Italian she so obviously fancied. Stella berated herself, knowing full well that would be the last thing Fern would be thinking about and even if she had, Stella understood she was in no position to judge. She’d left the villa because she’d wanted to escape from her. She was the cause of her heartache. Actually, no, not just her, Paul too. He’d made vows and had broken them countless times. He didn’t deserve to get off scot-free.

She grabbed her mobile from the coffee table and called Paul’s number. Still no answer. She rang his private number. It went straight to answerphone. She threw the phone on the sofa.

Maybe she should get a taxi and go to the retreat, apologise again and try to talk to Fern. It was a stupid idea, she knew. Fern had left for a reason and needed the time to process everything. The least she could do was give her that.

With Fern gone, Paul not answering and the girls in their rooms, there was nothing else Stella could do. She briefly considered calling Luca. She sighed. They’d said goodbye on Capri’s marina with a kiss. They’d swapped numbers and befriended each other on Facebook. They were going to keep in touch and he was going to help her find a villa on the island, but she was uncertain if there’d be any more to it than that. The last thing she was going to do was call him with her tearful story of what a total and utter bitch she’d been. Instead, she went to bed early, with a miserable evening spent on her own before her.

* * *

Stella woke to a watery sun straining through the windows. The sky was pale blue and streaked by high white clouds. Her head felt like she’d done ten rounds with Tyson Fury, but it wasn’t a hangover.

The day might be fine, she thought as she showered and dressed in a daze, but a storm is brewing.

Breakfast was a sombre affair, with neither Amber nor Chloe wanting to talk. If Violetta sensed that anything was wrong, she didn’t ask.

‘Enough of this,’ Stella eventually said, once they had drunk their lattes and had eaten fresh bread with strawberry jam. ‘You’re pissed with me, I get it, but it’s not helping anyone.’ She scraped back her chair and paced across the terrace and back again as she tried to formulate her thoughts. She looked at a sullen Amber. ‘I tried phoning your dad yesterday evening, but he’s not answering. He and your sister will be arriving this afternoon.’ She turned to Chloe, whose scowl had remained from the night before. ‘Jacob and Rhod will be arriving too. And Fern’s missing and upset and doesn’t know that Paul’s even going to be here. Not to mention we’re supposed to be celebrating our birthdays tomorrow. So, you know, fun times.’ She folded her arms and glared at them. ‘You can be as angry at me as you like, but we need to make sure Fern’s okay. Do you agree with me or not?’

They both nodded. Stella was relieved that they seemed to understand the gravity of the situation and didn’t make a snide remark, which she knew she deserved.

‘So,’ she said. ‘Fern is our priority.’

‘We don’t even know if she’s okay,’ Amber said with a wobble. ‘She left her phone here.’

‘I think it’s about time we went and found her. And by we, I mean you. I know where the retreat is; let’s get you a taxi.’