And now Im gathering my things and slipping out the back door, Alex announced to his brothers wife.
Claire! Can you hear me? he shouted, still outside the house.
I hear you, came the voice, never looking away from the tablet where she was sketching with a stylus.
James and his wife and their little girl want to stay over!
Claire knew exactly who James was her husbands younger brother, a restless lad two years her senior. He seemed born with a camera in his hands, never far from a lens.
He loved photographing everything, especially women. Hed started at the local paper, moved to an ad agency, and somehow wound up in a beautypage contest that he treated like a personal gold rush. He never stopped: weddings, corporate launches, any gig that paid. Even at his brothers wedding hed been darting around the bride, snapping away.
Claire set her tablet aside, straightened up just as Alex entered the room. She smiled at him.
So I give you the green light.
His question about the guests was a relief; living by the sea meant everyone wanted a piece of their quiet haven. Claire wasnt opposed, but their cottage was modest, and only last year had they begun erecting a guesthouse.
We still have a few touches left on the renovation, she reminded her husband, who wasnt exactly a master builder.
Just the finishing bits.
When are they arriving? Claire asked.
If were all in agreement, I reckon in two weeks.
Let them come.
Fancy a walk? Alex ventured cautiously.
Too much work.
I understand, but perhaps
Claire rarely left the house; evenings, when the heat eased, she tended the garden, otherwise she was cooped up in her studio, drawing, drawing, drawing. She kept herself on diets, counted calories, then, in a fit of rebellion, overindulged, berated herself, and started the cycle anew.
Outside the window the sea roared, roses perfumed the garden, and a fluffy cat lounged on the sill, halfopening its eyes at passing seagulls.
Alex left the room. Claire rose, massaged her lower back, stepped onto the scales and sighed as the needle crept upward.
Again, she thought mournfully, noting half a kilo added.
She glanced at the bag of scones shed brought to her studio that morninghalf already gone.
Maybe one more, and thats it, she mused. Her hand reached for another, then shame held it back. She closed the bag and carried it to the kitchen.
Claire worked from home, illustrating books, so all that was expected of her was the finished product. Alex, who had launched his own ad firm five years earlier, was often nowhere to be seen.
Hed begun by buying businesscard equipment, then a camera, hiring artschool students, then graphic designers, scriptwriters, and slowly the agency grew. He never rested, knowing the advertising world was always shifting. Soon he added web developers and ecommerce specialists. His staff numbered fifteen fulltime and about as many freelancers, bringing in a decent profit.
Theyd lived up north, but after a summer down south, the lady of the house where they were staying announced she wanted to sell the plot. Alex brushed it offwork consumed himbut Claire saw an opportunity. She fell in love with a 20acre (about eighthectare) plot on a hillside, though the land wasnt prime.
After consulting his father, Alex supported her and sent the money. When the land appeared, Alex realised they needed to build something. Two years later a threeroom cottage stood, and when guests arrived they decided to add a small guesthouse.
Even though Claire and Alex had been married longer than James and Sarah, their daughter Emily was the same age as Lily, Jamess little girl.
By early summer Claire sent Emily to stay with her mother. Lily was five, on the brink of starting school. Claire wanted the girls to meet, so after a quick chat with Alex she set off to fetch her daughter.
Ill be back in a flash, she told Alex. Keep the guests entertained, and could you she draped a protective film over the studio screen make sure nobody wanders in?
Ill lock it up, Alex joked.
With a calm heart Claire drove off. A few days later James arrived with Sarah and Lily.
Wow! exclaimed Sarah, who had heard countless stories about Alexs house but had never set foot there.
Thats all Claires doing, Alex said proudly, gesturing toward the garden.
The garden was mostly wild: a pear tree, hazelnut, apple and plum bushes, the grass growing so fast even a mower could barely keep up.
Emily, look, thats a cherry tree, Alex said gently, pointing at a lofty branch.
The little girl sprinted toward it.
Lovely place you have, James said approvingly, pulling his suitcase toward the guesthouse.
Whats inside? asked Sarah.
Alex spent nearly an hour strolling the grounds, pointing out each tree, then they descended the hill and entered the main house. Seeing Claires studio door ajar, Alex slipped in. Emily, playing the hostess, pushed the protective film aside and lifted her stylus.
Stop! Alex said calmly but firmly. Thats offlimits.
He stepped forward, took the stylus from the girl, and set it on a shelf.
And really, you shouldnt be in this room at all.
The child bolted out. Alex replaced the film, shut the door tight, and turned to Sarah.
Is your wife still as hefty as ever? he asked with a sardonic grin.
Sarahs eyes narrowed. She knew Claire wasnt a runway model, but comparing her to Sarahwhod once been a photo modelwas blunt.
Not everyone can be as trim as you, Alex said diplomatically.
Sarah smiled smugly.
Still, its not something to bring up.
To stay slender you simply eat less, she retorted.
I get it, Alex agreed. Claires tried diets, counted calories, and
Eat less, Sarah repeated.
Alex realised his hint had gone unheard, so he blurted outright:
Dont say that about Claire.
Sarah huffed, shrugged, and as she left the guesthouse muttered:
Just eat less, thats all. Dont be a pig.
The comment made Alexs jaw clench. Hed seen models act cruelly, proud of faces theyd never earned, using their looks to belittle others.
The next day, as promised, Claire returned with Lily. Alex met them, sighed, sat down and hugged his daughter. Emilys cheeks were flushed, her lips full.
Grandma, Claire said protectively.
No worries, shell eat, run around, swimshell be fine, Alex reassured.
How are our guests? Claire asked.
Theyve gone to the sea, will be back soon.
They didnt starve, did they? Only pizza? the housekeeper asked, opening the fridge.
No, Sarahs been cooking, so were not starving.
Ill whip up lunch, Claire said, changing into an apron and heading to the kitchen.
An hour later the guests returned. Sarah stayed silent, but her eyes flicked at Claire, clearly displeased not just with Claires looks but also with Emilys. She kept her criticism to herself.
Claire prepared a hearty meat bake, sliced salads, fruit, and two pies. The children ate eagerly, but after ten minutes Sarah scolded Lily:
Dont eat so much, or youll end up plump like Natalie.
By then Emily and Lily had stepped outside, but Alex heard everything. His face flushed with anger; he was about to protest when his own daughter burst in:
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! Can I go up the hill?
The guesthouse sat at the bottom of a slope that led to the hillside Claire had bought. The hill was overgrown with hazel and wild vines clinging to its steepest faces. Dawn birds sang, waking the house without an alarm.
Then take Emily with you, Alex suggested.
Emily ran to Lily, extended her hand and said:
Come, Ill show you the nest, and theres a ravine and stones!
Lily turned to her mother, glared at Natalie, and with a cold tone said:
I dont get along with pigs.
Alex lifted Emily, sent her off to her mother who was watering the roses. Offended, Lily fled.
Alex turned to his brother, who sat with Sarah and Emily:
You insulted my daughter, calling her a pig, he said bitterly.
I never said that! James protested instantly.
You both stayed silent, as did your wife, Alex replied, his gaze shifting from James to Sarah, then to Emily. You all called my daughter a pig at the same time.
Sarahs face turned crimson. James had nothing to say; hed indeed kept quiet.
Alex stared coldly at the family, then, with contempt, walked out onto the terrace.
That evening, when Claire set the table, Jamess family arrived. Alex expected an apology, but they acted as if nothing had happened. Claire, as hostess, served a splendid dinner. James praised the food, Alex echoed the compliment.
Lily, stuffed, slumped back in her chair. Claire fetched tea and biscuits her husband had bought. Sarah grabbed one, sliced off the cream, and bit into it, as did Emily.
Claire reached for another biscuit but, remembering her promise to herself, set it aside. Sarah noticed, smiled, and whispered:
To stay thin, just dont eat.
Alex slammed his hand on the table. The sudden noise startled Sarah, who looked at him bewildered.
Go for a walk, Alex said to Claire.
She took Emily, and they stepped outside, leaving the house owner alone with the guests.
Alex returned to James, his brother, the man of his own household:
This time you hurt my wife.
Thats not true! James replied.
You were silent when she he glanced at Sarah said my wife was fat.
But she is a bit plump! Sarah defended herself.
Alexs palm hit the table again; Sarah flinched. He turned back to James:
First you insulted my daughter, calling her a pig.
Listen, stop! James begged, sensing where his brother was heading.
Then you insulted my wife, calling her fat and telling her to eat less.
Shes right, Sarah said, looking at herself.
I wont let anyone disparage my family in my house, Alex said, silencing himself.
Fine, sorry, Sarah replied disdainfully. Im not to blame for her size
Alex stared coldly at her, then, slowly, to make his point, said:
You may stay the night, but youll be out by morning.
What?! James shouted.
And thats because Im right?! Sarah screamed. Shes fat, and your daughter is fat too!
One more word Alex rose, braced his elbows on the table and warned: One more word, and youll be out of my door right now.
Sarah leapt from her seat, grabbed her bag, and fled to the guesthouse without thanking anyone for the meal. Emily ran after her.
Ive said my piece, Alex told his brother.
James remained silent, likely understanding his wifes role.
At dawn, skipping breakfast, Jamess family hurried toward the exit. The air was scented with blooming magnolias, and the sun just began to warm the earth.
Where are they going? Claire asked Alex, wiping the table with a kitchen towel. Not happy with the guesthouse or my cooking?
Its fine, Alex embraced his wife, adjusting the curtains.
But why? Claire fretted, settling onto the edge of a chair.
Its what it has to be, he replied. How about we head to the sea and spend the whole day there?
Hearing that, cheerful Lily squealed, darted to her bedroom, and moments later emerged in a swimsuit, clutching a large inflatable ring.
Im ready! she announced, marching toward the door, humming a jaunty tune.
Not so fast! her mother called, also changing clothes.
Alex felt a pang of sadnesshe hadnt seen his brother in ages and hoped the two girls might become friends.
Claire, ever the practical host, approached him.
Weve packed water, fruit, towels, and sunscreen, she said, loading a big beach bag.
Brilliant, lets go, he replied, tossing the belongings of Jamess family aside and hurried to change.
Within five minutes they were descending the hill toward the sea, the southern sun beating down harder, the salty breeze carrying the scent of seaweed.
