‘Oh God!’ Jacqueline rolled her eyes. ‘Not the book again!’
‘Leave it, Claire,’ Luca said quietly to her. ‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘Of course itmatters!’ She turned to Jacqueline. ‘Luca is one of the kindest, sweetest, most lovable people I’ve ever met, and if you can’t see that, then it’s your loss.’ Not sure what to do after delivering her speech, she put down her glass, turned on her heel and made for the door.
‘Claire!’ she heard Luca call after her, as she bolted outside and down the steps into the garden.
She ran to the wall that edged the cliff, shaking and on the verge of tears. Oh God, what had got into her? She hated rows and she was useless at confrontation. She couldn’t believe she’d spoken to Luca’s mother like that – and in the middle of Ali’s party. It was a horrible thing to do, she thought, as she swiped away tears with the back of her hand. How could she face any of them again? She just wanted to run away. Maybe she could hide in her car until it was time to leave. She felt she should go back and apologise, but she hadn’t really said anything she was sorry for. She’d said that Luca was sweet and lovable, and she wouldn’t take that back. She’d said he didn’t drink much, which was true. Oh, yeah – and she’d accused his mother of putting him through hell. That was rude, but she still wasn’t sure she regretted it. However, she should at least apologise to Ali for causing a scene at her party. She genuinely felt bad about that.
‘Claire!’ She turned to see Luca hurtling down the steps towards her.
‘God, I’m so sorry,’ she said, when he reached her.
‘Hey, it’s okay,’ he said, pulling her into his arms. ‘Don’t be upset. I shouldn’t have brought you here. I’m sorry.’ He took her to one of the seats and sat her down beside him.
‘What must Ali think of me, behaving like that at her party? I have to apologise to her.’
‘Don’t worry about it. She’s used to me and Jacqueline kicking off.’
‘That’s different – you’re family. You’re allowed. It just got to me, the things she was saying about you. It’s not fair.’
‘But it’s true what she said. Except the bit about not being able to control my drinking. Jacqueline has veryblack-and-white ideas about drug use. She doesn’t understand that I can drink normally. But I can.’
‘I know.’
‘I’m not going to turn into some Dr Jekyll type after a couple of drinks. Or do I mean Mr Hyde? Anyway, whichever was the scary one.’
‘Mr Hyde.’
‘Right. I was never a very committed druggie in the first place, and I don’t have a drink problem. But the rest…’ He sighed. ‘Jacqueline knows me a lot better than you do. It was sweet of you to say those things about me, but they’re not true. I’m not a very nice person. And I did put them through hell. I was out of control when I was younger – doing drugs, always getting into fights…’
‘It’s understandable you were a bit messed up.’
‘Because I decided to be. I did it deliberately to get back at her. I went looking for trouble, and if I couldn’t find it, I made it. I wanted to make her life a misery.’
‘I still don’t think that means you were bad – just unhappy and troubled. And, anyway, you’ve changed now.’
‘Maybe,’ he said. ‘Anyway, just forget about it and come back inside. We still haven’t given Ali her presents.’
‘I don’t think I can face any of them again – especially not Ali. I could really use a drink, though.’
‘Wait here, then. I’ll get you one.’
She watched as he bounded up the steps to the deck. He passed Ali on the way and spoke to her, waving in Claire’s direction before continuing into the house. Ali came over to her, carrying a bottle of champagne as well as her own glass.
‘Are you okay?’ she asked, sitting down beside Claire and setting the bottle on the ground.
‘I’m so sorry, Ali. I don’t know what got into me.’
Ali held up a hand, stopping her. ‘Don’t worry about it.Believe me, I’m used to a bit of drama whenever Mum and Luca have to share the same space. To be honest, I think it’s lovely that he has someone on his side. I’m always caught in the middle between him and Mum, and then I feel bad that I don’t stick up for him more.’ She smiled and took a sip of champagne. ‘He really doesn’t have a drink problem. She’s wrong about that.’
‘I know.’
‘I’m glad he’s got you, Claire. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy.’
‘Oh, but we’re not?—’
‘Yeah, yeah – whatever. I don’t know why you’re both so keen to keep it a big secret.’ She gasped, clutching Claire’s arm. ‘You’re not married, are you?’
