Page 27 of An Island Promise

‘Really? Would you mind?’

‘Of course not.’

Laurie’s relief at not having to break her sad news to Gem was palpable as they said goodbye. Having children wasn’t something that Belle had spent much time thinking about; she needed to find love and be in a steady committed relationship before even thinking along those lines, but having a family was something Laurie had wanted for years.

Belle pocketed her keys, grabbed her phone and headed out to call Gem. She liked the vibe of the beach at night with the sound of the surf rushing onto the sand mixing with the chatter and upbeat music drifting from Spirit’s beachside restaurant and bars. The tables were packed and people were still by the pool which glowed aqua amid the warm lamplight and flickering candles.

How hard was it to phone someone she’d been friends with since they were children? She strolled away from Spirit down the beach towards where the Río de Santa Eulalia met the sea and clicked on Gem’s name before she could change her mind. She should have got the kids to bed by now; if she wanted to chat, she’d answer.

‘Hey, stranger.’

Belle bit back a retort that Gem was just as guilty for letting weeks go by since they’d last talked. ‘Hey, I’ve just spoken to Laurie; she did a pregnancy test earlier today.’

‘Ah shit,’ Gem said. ‘What was the outcome?’

‘It was negative; she’s understandably gutted.’

‘I bet she is. I’d totally forgotten it’d be round about now.’

‘She didn’t expect you to remember.’ Belle kicked off her shoes and enjoyed the feel of the sand between her toes as she wandered back towards Spirit.

‘But of course you did.’

‘Yes, I did,’ Belle said through gritted teeth. ‘But perhaps it’s better that I was the one she spoke to – less potential for conflict when that’s the last thing she needs at the moment.’

‘Yeah, because my life’s so perfect. She’s not the only one going through shit.’

‘She doesn’t think she is.’ Belle sat down on the sand on the quiet stretch between Spirit and the beach bar by the river. ‘But unless you talk to us and actually tell us what’s going on, how are we ever going to know any different?’

‘Dan’s left me.’

Belle’s heart dropped into her stomach. She wasn’t expecting that. ‘Oh shit, Gem. When did this happen?’

‘Weeks ago.’

Belle shook her head. ‘That’s why he wasn’t at the wedding? Why the hell didn’t you tell us then?’

‘It was my one night to myself; I didn’t want to ruin it with tears, although we managed plenty of that without me unloading my sob story as well.’ There was a hint of humour in her tone, the Gem of old filtering through. ‘We’re still figuring stuff out with the house, the kids. It was supposed to be a trial separation but considering he’s moved in with the woman he was cheating with, it seems pretty fucking over to me.’

‘Oh my goodness Gem, I’m so sorry.’

‘I really don’t need your pity.’

‘Me being concerned that you’re going through something like this is not pity.’

‘Yeah, well, it’s not like this will surprise you when it’s been a long time coming.’

Belle faltered, not knowing how to reply, because wasn’t that the truth? Gem and Dan should have split up years ago. It had been Gem’s intention to after their Ibiza holiday when she’d behaved like she was single, which would have been fine if she actually had been. Her heart hadn’t been in the relationship, and the only reason she’d stayed with him was because she’d found out she was pregnant. They’d remained together because their circumstances had changed with a baby neither of them had planned.

‘What a state, eh?’ Gem broke through Belle’s silence. ‘I’m home alone with a nine- and four-year-old because I’ve been dumped by their dad; Laurie’s crying her eyes out because she can’t get pregnant even with bloody help, and you’re off in Ibiza chasing fuck knows what.’

Belle sucked in a sharp breath of salt-tinged air. ‘I suggest you don’t answer if Laurie calls you tomorrow. If you need to scream and vent and blame everyone else for your problems, give me an earful, not Laurie.’

‘Yeah, yeah, I get it, Laurie’s fragile while I’m ballsy and can take all the shit thrown at me.’

‘That’s not what I’m saying at all, Gem.’ Belle’s eyes blurred as she watched the tips of the waves break, foam and bubble. ‘I hate that you’re so sad. I hate that every time I’ve spoken to you recently you’ve been angry and scared. I just wish you had some of Laurie’s vulnerability so you could open up and share your feelings instead of bottling everything up, putting on a brave face and blustering through by attacking everyone else.’

‘Yeah well, I’m definitely not like Laurie. And do me a favour when you next speak to her, please don’t say anything about me and Dan.’

---