Page 45 of An Island Promise

‘Be jealous of you? A million reasons, Belle. I’m jealous of your effortless beauty and how you manage to look just as beautiful the minute you get out of bed as well as when you’re made up to the nines; I’m jealous of how you’ve aced your career and worked hard to get where you are, particularly after such a shitty start in London. I’m jealous of that too, that you have this glamorous London life, which I so desperately wanted but ended up stuck in the backend of nowhere.’

‘My life in London has not always been glamorous.’

Gem reached out her hand but didn’t quite touch Belle. Her face softened as she looked at her. ‘I know it hasn’t been. You went through an awful time but you got through it and made something of yourself. That’s what I’m jealous of, and what I admire about you too. It’s not all negative feelings, I promise. It’s how I feel about myself that’s the real problem; constantly comparing myself to other people is torturous but I can’t help it. I have so many regrets for the many times I’ve messed up – they’re always in the background tormenting me.’ She wedged her sunglasses in her hair and turned to Laurie. ‘And to not leave you out, there’s a hell of a lot about your life I’m jealous of too. The perfect relationship that I would love to have. To haveeverhad. I’ve never been truly happy with someone. Yes, I’m sorry, but the honest truth is it makes me sad and bitter. That’s what my problem is and why I’m so flipping angry all the time.’

Gem shoved her sunglasses back on and folded her arms.

‘Do you feel better for that?’ Belle asked.

Gem gave a tepid smile. ‘I do actually, thanks for listening.’ She tied her hair into a messy bun and sighed. ‘Most of all I’m sorry for being a shitty friend. For not being honest with either of you. And for what I did to you, Belle.’

Belle placed her knife and fork neatly on her plate. ‘You need to stop blaming other people for your mistakes. Being jealous ofus or anyone will only make you more miserable. Start looking at what you do have and how you can change things. Being open and saying sorry is a start.’

‘You’re right. I need to own my mistakes, particularly drunken ones of the past.’ Gem wiped her eyes beneath her sunglasses. ‘I’m just fed up and don’t want to think about anything. Can we please get away from here today, go somewhere peaceful. Somewhere that doesn’t remind me of ten years ago and that side of Ibiza.’

It was so unlike Gem to suggest the need for peace and quiet that Belle and Laurie immediately agreed.

After breakfast they packed a bag for the day and Belle drove them across the island to Port de Sant Miquel, a small resort on the quieter north coast. Although there were still plenty of people about, there was a different vibe than at Spirit, with more families than couples camped out beneath the cream umbrellas on the beach. It was a world away from their experience of San Antonio. Two large hotels were built into the cliffs to the right, the surrounding pine trees encroaching and softening the boxy lines, but it was the sheltered bay with its sloping beach and clear and shallow water that stole the show.

Gem seemed keen to get going, so they took the dirt path beyond a rustic-looking beach bar that led away from the resort and up into the trees towards the Torre des Molar, an eighteenth-century stone watchtower with views over the privately owned S’Illa des Bosc and the surrounding coastline.

They walked along the dusty stone path between the trees, the fresh pops of green in every direction a world away from the vibrant beach resorts. Gem led the way at quite a pace, making Belle wonder if she was attempting to pound away her worries. Belle hoped this was what Gem needed, because the sun on her shoulders along the sun-dappled path with only birdsong and the chatter of insects for company was soothing and beautiful.

It wasn’t far until they descended to Caló des Moltons, a small picturesque bay that could only be reached on foot. The sea, dappled turquoise and dark blue, was so inviting that they peeled off their trainers and socks by the shore and cooled their hot feet in the crystalline water. Laurie hooked her arm in Belle’s and Gem’s. They gazed out together, the water lapping their feet, united as they breathed in the summer air. Gem’s mood in particular had been uplifted by the fresh air, walk, sweeping views and peace of the quieter north. A day out somewhere that didn’t remind them of a holiday fuelled by alcohol, partying and men was exactly what they’d needed. Just the three of them, pretending to be the best friends they once were. Belle had hoped this time together would bring them closer. So far all it had done was reveal secrets and lies, and highlight disappointment and frustration. Whether they could rebuild their friendship, particularly hers and Gem’s, was a worry for another day.

28

The Ushuaïa VIP Experience was for the guests staying at Spirit. It was an event that would start in the afternoon when a fleet of blacked-out Mercedes people carriers would taxi guests to the huge outdoor clubbing venue in Playa d’en Bossa for an evening of dancing to the best dance and house music on Ibiza. At least, that was how Diego had pitched it. And, with Calvin Harris headlining, the evening promised exactly that. With three more Ushuaïa VIP Experiences lined up over the summer, Belle was keen to experience it for herself, plus she hoped it would be a chance for her, Laurie and Gem to continue enjoying themselves and forget about the stresses of real life for a few hours.

‘I’m not sure I should go with you to Ushuaïa,’ Gem said as they were having pre-club drinks on their sunny pool terrace. ‘You know who will be there and you’re pissed at me. You’ll have a much better time without me.’

Belle swigged her glass of rosé Cava and shook her head. ‘I am pissed at you but not because you slept with Diego. I’ve already told you I’m pissed because you didn’t talk to me. You’re still not really talking to us.’ She motioned between her andLaurie. ‘So come to the club, have a good time, see Diego and stop shutting us out.’

Belle left them getting ready in the suite while she went back to her apartment to find something to wear. After an intense couple of days of revelations and heightened emotions, it was good to be on her own for a short while. She flicked through her wardrobe, uncertain what to wear for an evening at an iconic super club where she might bump into Diego and Caleb. It wasn’t unusual to go a day or two without seeing Caleb, but after what Gem had blurted out, it had crossed Belle’s mind that he was actively avoiding her.

On the bed she laid out an emerald and gold leopard-print maxi dress with a plunging neckline, with a shorter floaty blue one, and mulled over the look she was going for while she did her make-up in the bathroom.

When her phone pinged she expected it to be Laurie urging her to hurry up, but she was surprised to see a message from Cara.

Hey, Belle. Hope you’re getting on okay and sorry to disturb you on your week off. Just wondered if you’d seen or heard from Caleb today? Today being the 21st for you and not the 22nd as it now is here – it’s confusing being in a completely different time zone!

Belle reread the message and considered how best to reply.

No, I haven’t, but I think he may be avoiding me… Bit of a long and rather embarrassing story on my part and things feel rather complicated but I’m sure he’ll fill you in at some point. Anything I can do to help?

It didn’t take long for a reply to flash up.

No, ta. Just wanted to check he’s okay.

Belle slicked on a deep pink lipstick and wondered why Cara was concerned. She stared in the mirror and pressed her lips together with a satisfying smack. Her phone pinged with another message.

But in case you’re not aware, today would have been his and Paloma’s tenth wedding anniversary. That’s why I’m worried about him.

Belle’s heart dropped as she thumbed a quick reply.

Oh God I didn’t realise.

And here she was getting dolled up for a night out wondering if she looked good enough and stressing over what Caleb had thought about her and Diego, when he was dealing with something monumentally more emotional and challenging.

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