‘I’ll persuade you. And you can be a brave little soldier and try one. You might even like them.’
This easy conversation continued once they’d got in the car and headed home.
‘I’m not sure I want to go back to real life,’ said Felipe when they were an hour into the journey. The thought of going back to the hotel daunted him. So many responsibilities and decisions to make. So many people he was responsible for.
‘Must be so tough,’ said Rebecca, nudging him, and part of him regretted that he’d created such a good alter ego. ‘Whereas some of us have to go back and work. Although I never think of teaching Pilates as work. It’s better than working in the brewery with my brothers, which is my proper job at home.’
‘What made you take up teaching Pilates?’
‘I wanted something of my own that was completely separate from my family. As you can probably imagine, we’re all a bit competitive. My brothers are both really sporty, so anything I can do, they can do better– or think they can. Pilates is for girls– or that’s what they think. It was a safe option and, luckily for me, something that I really enjoy. I did a class for years and then my teacher was doing an advanced qualification and asked if I’d go with her, to be her “body”. While I was there, I thought, why don’t I train to teach? So I did.’
‘And when you set your mind to something…’ He remembered having that passion and determination when he was cycling. The thrill of winning a speed trial, cresting a mountain, racing downhill or breaking away from the peloton and cruising to victory in a stage.
‘I’m pretty determined,’ she said. ‘I go for what I want.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, really. You sound sceptical– what do you mean?’
It was interesting that she read him so well.
‘You say you love this man, Will, so why haven’t you gone for him?’
‘I have. I did.’ He could hear the defensiveness in her voice. ‘It’s not that easy. You can’t force someone to love you.’
‘True but… I would say you haven’t gone for it– not all out– because you don’t think you’re good enough for him.’
Beside him, he sensed her hunching into her seat and it made him sad and angry at the same time. No one should feel they’re not good enough. And she should be fighting back against that feeling, not accepting it.
‘I’m not his type.’
‘Says who?’
She laughed bitterly. ‘He pretty much did, going off with someone who was my complete opposite. In her cute little dress. I think it was a pretty good sign.’
‘I thought your dress last night was very sexy.’
‘I had help. There was a girl in the changing room who insisted I buy it. I’m clueless about shopping.’
‘I know someone– a couple of someones– who would be delighted to help you out there.’
‘Cristina and Katerina.’
‘And Ana. You should ask them– it will give me a rest from their makeover attempts.’ He rubbed at his hair, grateful that thus far he’d escaped Cristina’s enthusiasm for cutting it.
Rebecca sighed. ‘It would be nice to have a better idea. I really got it wrong that night. No wonder Will went off with her. I’m just not his type.’
Or Will was incredibly cruel and cowardly, thought Felipe. Men knew when women were attracted to them. This Will guy could have let her down gently. He sounded like afilho da puta. Felipe didn’t like the guy on principle, just for making Rebecca think she wasn’t enough. Mind you, her brothers didn’t sound as if they were that much better. He found it contradictory that in so many ways Rebecca was so confident and forceful and yet when it came to this guy Will she had so little self-esteem.
‘I’ve been thinking about you wanting to teach more classes. And your idea of a Pilates retreat. In fact, seeing Kimberly and Alfonso this weekend gave me an idea. What do you think about a winter cycling-slash-wellness retreat for professional athletes?’ He’d been mulling the idea for a while, but offering Pilates was the final piece of the jigsaw and now it all made perfect sense.
‘That’s a great idea,’ she said, her voice brimming with gratifying enthusiasm. ‘You could include Pilates, massage, swimming. The hotel would be perfect. Or… you know what you could do? Offer that to your pro cycling friends– free accommodation in return for leading cycle rides. You could sell it as an exclusive holiday guided by a pro cyclist for cycling enthusiasts. They’d love that. Cycling with someone who’s done the Tour de France.’
Felipe took his foot off the accelerator and the car groaned in protest. He quickly changed gears and moved into the slow lane. ‘Rebecca, that’s a genius idea.’
‘I know,’ she said, sitting straighter in her seat. ‘I thought so. And I’ve been thinking about running classes in the evenings. In fact, you should come.’
‘What, and be at your mercy? I’m not sure about that.’
