‘Besides, we can’t let them win,’ says Tim.
‘Win?’ replies Lottie. ‘So you agree this is a war?’
He smiles, reading the humour in her face.
‘I didn’t say that,’ he says with a shake of his head but she has already reached in for a hug, taking it as confirmation of some kind. The battle lines are drawn.
26
Olivia and Bella emerge from the hotel spa; faces rosy and slick, feet smooth and buffed, their toenails shiny in their flip-flops. Olivia has chosen a pretty coral shade while Bella has opted for French tips, a look which she declares is ‘eating’ every time she glances down to admire her feet.
‘Mum, can I have a super juice and drink it on the terrace?’
‘Sure, I’ll join you as long as we can sit in the shade.’
Bella tuts at this but says nothing. She is playing nice while Olivia is paying the bill.
‘Let’s compromise,’ says her daughter. ‘There’s a couple of sun loungers over there. I’ll pull mine into the sun.’
‘As long as you put some of this on,’ says Olivia, reaching into her bag and producing a bottle of sun cream.
‘No way, it’s factor 50, mother. I might as well sit inside.’
‘Please, Belle. You have your father’s skin tone. You’ll burn.’
‘I’m not plastering myself in that masonry paint,’ her daughter replies with a huff.
‘Oh look, here’s your brother,’ says Olivia, spotting Drew sauntering across the gardens towards them. He seems to have a more relaxed gait these days, she notices. It could almost be described as a swagger. His nose bears a red stripe where he has caught the sun but she decides not to say anything. He looks so happy and healthy after all.
‘Can I get in on that?’ he asks, approaching the sun loungers, overhearing Bella as she orders from the passing waitress.
‘Please don’t talk like that, darling. We’re not American,’ says Olivia. ‘And yes, of course. You must be thirsty after your lesson.’
‘Mum, it was so good. Brad took us all the way out and around to the other side of the bay this time. You can see so much more. There are some awesome houses – ‘Millionaire’s Row’, Brad calls it – with their own private beaches and wharfs. He was also telling me about how he and his mates are getting together for the Bank Holiday fireworks on Saturday night. They know some great places where you can watch them from, away from all the tourists followed by late-night beach parties as well.’
‘I know a pretty cool place where you can watch the display too,’ pipes up Bella. ‘Nice and private and a great view,’ she says with a laugh.
‘But I thought we’d all be watching the fireworks as a family,’ wails Olivia with disappointment.
‘Oh, we can still have dinner together,’ says Drew. ‘But I was hoping to go out with some mates afterwards.’
‘You mean the Taco Lads,’ says Bella with a snort.
‘Why, who are you going to be with, sis. A hot date?’
Bella gives him a kick and shoots him a warning look.
‘I might have plans,’ she replies coolly. ‘I haven’t decided yet.’
‘Oh,’ says Olivia despondently as the waitress arrives with three glasses and a pitcher of bright green juice, which her children fall upon greedily.
‘Thought you and Dad would be watching it from the hotel anyway,’ adds Drew. He takes a huge draught of the juice, slaking his thirst. ‘Won’t want to be rubbing shoulders with the riff-raff in town.’
She frowns but doesn’t correct him.
‘All right, well I can’t force you I suppose. Just make sure you’re careful, wherever you do end up watching.’
Bella extends her leg in the air to admire her new pedicure again and then crosses it over the other one, taking a sip of her drink.
