And now Im gathering my things and slipping out the door, Alex tells his brothers wife.
Emma! Can you hear me? he shouts before even stepping inside.
I hear you, she replies without looking away from the tablet shes drawing on with a stylus.
Ian and his wife and their daughter are asking for a room!
Emma knows exactly who Ian is the brother of her husband, a restless lad two years younger. Its as if he were born with a camera in his hands; he never parts from it.
He loves photographing everything, especially people, and he has a particular fascination with womens looks. He starts out at a local newspaper, moves to an ad agency, and then, almost by accident, ends up on a beautypage shoot a real goldmine for him.
He doesnt stop there. He shoots weddings, corporate launches, anything that pays. Even at his own brothers wedding he cant sit still; he darts around the bride, snapping away.
Emma puts the stylus down, straightens up. Just then Alex walks into the room. She smiles at him.
So I give the okay, she says.
His question about the guests lifts her spirits. They live by the sea, and everyone wants to drop by. Emma isnt opposed, but their cottage is small; they only started building a guest house last year.
We need to finish the renovations, she reminds her husband, who isnt the most handy of men.
There are only a few bits left, he answers.
When are they planning to arrive? Emma asks.
If everyone agrees, probably in two weeks, he replies.
Let them come, she says.
Shall we take a walk? Alex suggests gently.
Too much work.
I understand, but maybe
Emma rarely leaves the house. She only enjoys evenings, when it isnt sweltering, tending the garden. Most of the day she stays in her studio, drawing, drawing, drawing. She watches her weight, counts calories, goes on diets, then gives in, slams herself for the weakness, and starts over again.
Outside the window the sea roars, roses blossom in the garden, filling the air with a faint perfume.
On the windowsill a fluffy cat dozes, opening its eyes only for the gulls that swoop past.
Alex steps out. Emma stands, massages her lower back, walks to the scale and, sighing, steps on. The needle climbs.
Again, she thinks sadly, noting another halfkilogram.
She glances at the packet of scones she brought to her studio this morning; half is already gone.
Maybe one more, and thatll be it, she decides. Her hand reaches for the bag, then she pulls back, embarrassed. She closes it and carries the packet to the kitchen.
Emma works from home as an illustrator for books, so all thats expected of her is the finished product. Alex, who launched his own advertising firm five years ago, is often off chasing leads.
It all began when he bought printing equipment for business cards, then a camera, gradually hired students keen on graphic design, later artists and scriptwriters, and the firm grew almost unnoticed. He never stays still, knowing the advertising market constantly shifts. Soon he adds web developers and ecommerce specialists.
His staff is modest fifteen fulltime employees and a similar number of freelancers yet the agency brings in a healthy profit. They originally lived up north, but after a summer down south, the lady of the house where they were staying announced she wanted to sell her plot.
Alex waves it off; his mind is on work. Emma, however, falls in love with the idea of buying land a sizable 20acre plot, though not in the most coveted spot, on a gentle hillside.
After consulting his father, Alex supports her and transfers the money. When the land appears, Alex admits they need to build something.
A couple of years later they have a threeroom cottage, and when guests start arriving they decide to add a small guest house. Although Alex and Emma married before Ian, their daughter Olivia is the same age as Lucy, Emmas sisters daughter.
Ian remains single for a while, but eventually Yvonne, his partner, decides she wants to settle down, and he agrees to marry.
Early this summer Emma sends Olivia to stay with her mother. Lucy is five, about to start school. Emma wants the girls to meet, so after a quick chat with Alex she decides to drive down.
Ill be quick, in and out, she tells Alex. Keep the guests entertained and she pulls a protective film over the monitor, make sure no one wanders in.
Ill lock it, Alex jokes.
With a calm mind Emma heads out. A few days later Ian arrives with his wife and their daughter.
Wow! Yvonne exclaims. Shes heard Ian talk about his brothers house countless times but has never visited.
Thats all Emmas work, Alex says proudly, gesturing to the garden.
The garden is mostly wild: a pear tree, a hazel, apple and plum saplings scattered about, and grass that rushes up faster than a mower can tame it.
Olivia, look, theres a cherry tree, Alex says gently, pointing to a high branch.
The little girl darts off.
Lovely place you have, Ian comments, dragging his suitcase to the guest house.
What do you have in here? Yvonne asks.
Alex spends almost an hour strolling the grounds, describing each plant, then they trek down the hill to the main house. Seeing Emmas studio door ajar, Alex steps inside. Olivia, acting as hostess, pushes aside the protective film and grabs her stylus.
Stop! Alex says calmly but firmly. Thats offlimits.
He picks up the stylus and places it on a shelf. And really, you shouldnt be in this room.
The girl darts out, the film returns to the screen, and Alex shuts the door tight.
Is your wife still as heavy as before? Yvonne asks with a sly grin.
Alex grimaces. He knows Emma isnt slender and that comparing her to Yvonne, a former fashion model, would be rude. He chooses his words carefully.
Not everyone needs to be as lithe as you, he says.
Yvonne smirks. But you really should eat less.
I understand, Alex agrees. Emma has tried many diets, counted calories, but
Eat less, Yvonne repeats.
Alex realizes she isnt getting his hint, so he says outright:
Dont say that about Emma.
Yvonne huffs, shrugs, and as she leaves the guest house declares:
Just eat less, thats all. Dont be a pig.
Alex winces at her cruelty. He often meets such models through work; they pride themselves on looks they never earned, relying on natures gifts while looking for faults in others.
The next day, as promised, Emma returns with Lucy. Alex meets them, sighs, sits down and hugs his daughter. Olivia looks healthier her cheeks plumped, her lips
Grandma, Emma says protectively.
Shell be fine after a few days of running and swimming, Alex reassures.
How are our guests? Emma asks.
Theyre off to the sea, almost back, Alex replies.
They didnt starve, did they? Only pizza? Emma wonders, opening the fridge.
No, Yvonne cooked something, so they didnt die of hunger, Alex says.
Ill whip up lunch, Emma declares, changing into an apron and heading to the kitchen.
An hour later the guests return. Yvonne stays quiet, but Alex can see shes displeased not just with Emmas appearance but also with Olivias. She keeps her criticism to herself.
Emma prepares a hearty meat bake, slices salads, fruits, and two pies. The children eat everything, but after ten minutes Yvonne scolds Lucy:
Dont eat so much, or youll end up as round as Natalie.
By then Emma and Lucy have stepped outside, yet Alex hears everything. His face reddens with anger; hes about to speak up when his daughter bursts into the room.
Dad, dad, dad! she cries. Can I go up the hill?
The guest house sits in a lowlying spot, with a path that climbs the hill where Emma bought the land perhaps why it was affordable. The hill is thick with hazel and wild vines on its steep sides. Dawns birdsong wakes the house without an alarm.
At first the noise annoys Alex, but he soon grows used to it and cant imagine life without the birds.
Take Olivia with you, Alex suggests to his daughter.
She runs to Olivia, extends her hand and says:
Come on, Ill show you a nest, and theres a cliff and stones too!
Olivia looks at her mother, then at Lucy with a hint of disdain, and says:
I dont mix with pigs.
Alex lifts Olivia, asks her to fetch her mother whos watering the roses. Hurt, Olivia runs off.
Alex turns to his brother, who has been sitting with his wife and Olivia the whole time.
Youve hurt my daughter, he says bitterly, by letting her be called a pig.
I didnt say it! Ian protests immediately.
You stayed silent, as did your wife, Alex replies, shifting his gaze from Ian to Yvonne and then to Olivia. All of you called my girl a pig at once.
Lucy flushes. Ian has nothing to add; he truly stayed quiet. Alex looks coldly at the family, then, with a disdainful glance, walks outside.
Later that evening Emma sets the table. Ians family arrives. Alex expects an apology, but they act as if nothing happened.
Emma, as the lady of the house, serves a wonderful dinner. Ian compliments the food, and Alex backs him up.
Lucy, having eaten a lot, slumps into a chair. Emma brings tea and a few biscuits, which she had asked Alex to buy.
Yvonne snatches one, cuts off the frosting and bites it; Olivia does the same. Emma reaches for a biscuit but, remembering a promise to herself, puts it aside.
Yvonne notices, smiles, and whispers:
To stay thin, just dont eat.
Alex slams his hand on the table. The sudden noise startles Yvonne, who looks at Alex, bewildered.
Go for a walk, Alex tells his wife.
She gathers Olivia and steps outside. The house owner remains alone with the guests.
Alex returns to his brother, still the man of his family:
This time you insulted my wife.
That never happened! Ian retorts.
You were quiet when she he looks at Yvonne said my wife is heavy.
But she is heavy! Yvonne defends herself.
Alexs palm strikes the table again; Yvonne jumps. He turns to Ian:
First you called my daughter a pig.
Stop it! Ian says, realizing where his brother is heading.
Then you called my wife heavy and told her to eat less.
Shes right, Yvonne says, looking at her husband.
I wont let anyone insult my family in my house, Alex says, then falls silent.
Fine, sorry, Yvonne answers with a sneer. Im not to blame for how she looks.
Alex eyes her coldly, then slowly says:
You may stay the night, but youll leave first thing in the morning.
What?! Ian shouts.
And thats because Im right?! Yvonne screams. Shes heavy, and your daughter is heavy too!
One more word Alex stands, leans on the table and says: One more word, and youll be out of my house right now.
Yvonne jumps up, storms out of the chair, and, without thanking anyone for the meal, dashes to the guest house. Olivia follows.
Ive said my piece, Alex tells Ian.
Ian stays silent, likely understanding his wifes position.
At dawn, having missed breakfast, Ians family hurries toward the exit. The scent of blooming magnolias hangs in the air, and the sun just begins to warm the garden.
Where are they going? Emma asks Alex, wiping the table with a kitchen towel. Didnt you like the guest house or my cooking?
All good, Alex embraces his wife, readjusting the curtain.
But why? Emma worries, sitting on the edge of a chair.
Its what it should be, he replies. How about we head to the sea today and spend the whole day there?
Hearing that, cheerful Lucy darts to her bedroom, returns in a swimsuit with a huge inflatable ring.
Im ready! she declares, marching toward the door, humming a jaunty tune.
Not so fast! her mother calls, also heading to change.
Alex feels a pang of sadness he hasnt seen his brother in ages and hoped the two girls would become friends.
Emma, ever practical, steps up.
Weve packed water, fruit, towels, and sun cream, she says, loading a large beach bag.
Brilliant, lets go, Alex replies, shedding his coat and joining the rush.
Within five minutes theyre descending the hill, heading for the sea. The southern sun grows hotter, and the salty sea breeze carries the scent of tide and kelp.
