“This looks amazing,” she said, staring over the spread of tortilla, pickled carrots, grilled gambas with lemon and sea salt, fresh salads and a black rice dish that looked similar to paella. “I’d love to learn how to make all of this.”
“Then we’ll do it together next time.” María took Lisa’s plate and started serving up a generous portion with a bit of everything. “Make sure Stella brings you over again soon, she doesn’t visit often enough.”
Next time…Lisa smiled at her and nodded. “Yes, I would like that.” This wasn’t just a trip to see the city; it was a very special visit, she realised then. The markings of a new beginning, of new relationships.
“Does your mother cook?” María asked.
“She’s not great but she tries,” Lisa said. “My mother has a busy full-time job so my father, who’s retired, usually does the cooking and he’s not much better either. My mother cooks a good Sunday lunch though; it’s a tradition in the UK. Roast beef, vegetables, homemade gravy, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and horseradish sauce.”
“That sounds delicious. I’d like to try it, so make sure you’re here on a Sunday next time.” Stella’s father said with an amused twinkle in his eyes. “And don’t wait too long.”
58
Lisa was busy making a comfortable corner for the puppies on the roof terrace when her phone rang. She dropped the blanket she was folding and groaned when she saw it was Sandrine. She’d been ignoring her, putting off the conversation that was long overdue.
“Hey,” she said, settling on the sofa in the shade. “Sorry I didn’t call you back. I’ve been busy.”
“That’s okay, I gathered as much.” Sandrine paused. “It’s good to hear your voice. How are you?”
“I’m good. Really good, actually.” Lisa took a deep breath, a little shocked to hear Sandrine’s voice after so long. “What about you?”
“I’m good too. Missing you, though. Have you thought about that job? I have a big penthouse flat. I know it might be a bit presumptuous but if you get the job, you’re welcome to move in here.”
A sarcastic chuckle escaped Lisa’s lips. “What about your new girlfriend? I bet she wouldn’t be impressed if your ex moved in with you.”
Sandrine chuckled. “We’re not together anymore.”
“Right.”Of course you’re not, otherwise you wouldn’t be pursuing me.“I’m sorry to hear that.” Lisa noted that there was no melancholy from her side. In fact, she felt nothing at all.
“It’s fine. We weren’t that compatible anyway. Not like you and me. We were—”
“Sandrine, it’s not going to happen,” Lisa cut her off. “I’ve moved on and I’m happy without you. I wish the same for you.”
“But… I love you.” The tremble in Sandrine’s voice did not sound genuine and Lisa had a feeling she was putting on an act simply because she wasn’t used to not getting what she wanted.
“Well, you hurt me, and I don’t love you anymore.” Lisa paused. “And if I’m honest, Sandrine, I don’t think you love me either. You just love the idea of us, as long as I have a successful job and we can have the dream life you always envisioned. As soon as I hit rock bottom, you couldn’t get rid of me fast enough. I don’t want to be with you, and I’m sorry but I don’t want to work with you either.”
“So, you’re not even going for the job?” Sandrine asked incredulously.
“No. I’m in Spain at the moment and I intend to stay. I’m going to look for a job here.”
Sandrine cleared her throat. “You’re joking, right? You can’t possibly be serious…”
“I am serious. I like it here and life’s not all about work. If there’s one good thing that’s come out of this whole disaster, it’s that valuable insight.”
“Then what is it about?” Sandrine asked.
“It’s about love.”
“Right.” While Sandrine paused, Lisa imagined her doing an eyeroll behind her desk in her swanky office. She’d never been the sentimental type. “The Lisa I know is the most driven career woman I’ve met in my life. That’s what I always admired about you.” Again, there was a pause before Sandrine continued. “So, love, huh? That means you’ve met someone.”
“Yes,” Lisa said matter-of-factly. She didn’t necessarily take pleasure in telling Sandrine she was in a new relationship—revenge was pointless in her opinion—but she did want to be very clear that she’d moved on.
“Who is she? What does she do?”
“She’s the poolside manager at the hotel I was staying at when I first arrived in Benidorm.” Lisa knew Sandrine’s brain was churning as she waited for her reaction.
“First arrived? What does that mean? How long have you been there? And why the hell are you in Benidorm of all places?”
