Page 6 of An Island Promise

‘Nice.’

‘Perfect. I was going to say perfect.’ She placed a hand on his shoulder. ‘But you already know that.Andyou like her.’

Caleb shut his MacBook. ‘I like her because she’s immensely qualified and I’m sure she could do the job with her eyes closed, but that still doesn’t change a thing. She’s not you.’

‘Nope, she’s not, but I think she’ll make an excellent replacementandshe can start soon.’

‘The others were enthusiastic…’ He wasn’t sure why he was feigning the possibility that he was even considering anyone other than Belle.

‘Yes, young, enthusiastic and keen on a summer in Ibiza. They’ll probably put having a good time over a decent work ethic whereas I get the feeling Belle Madden will work hard. And to find someone with her experience who’s available at short notice.’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘You’ll only have to manage one week without an events manager.’

‘You understand you’re way more than just my events manager, right?’ He gazed past her to the fronds of greenery and banana plants that divided the bar into private spaces. The sound of breakfast being served in the restaurant floated across the pool. The day at Spirit was getting off to a leisurely start, the sun already blazing across his pocket of Ibiza. ‘I’m going to miss you.’

Cara took his hand. ‘I’m going to miss you too. And you know there’s no way I’d be going back unless I had to. Mum and Dad need me.’

‘I know.’ Caleb squeezed her hand tight. He brushed away the tear rolling down Cara’s cheek. ‘It’ll be okay, I promise. Once you’re there, things will feel less stressful. It’s hard being so far away?—’

‘I feel utterly useless and helpless.’

‘Which is why it’ll be different when you’re back. You’ll be able to see them, be there for them. Say goodbye when the time comes.’

The sob that erupted from Cara jabbed at Caleb like a knife twisting into his heart. Of course he understood the loss she’d be facing, because his own grief consumed him as he pulled her into a tight hug. His grief was always rumbling beneath the surface, forever toying with him. He never knew quite when it would hit but he should have expected that talking about Cara’s dad’s terminal illness would make him relive his own loss.

Cara pulled away. ‘Fuck it. This was going to happen at some point.’ She gestured to her damp face and puffy eyes.

‘Don’t bottle it all up, Cara.’ Caleb drained his coffee and put the cup back on the bleached wood table. ‘Yes, you need to be strong to support your folks, but trust me, not letting your emotions out isn’t helpful in the long run.’

Cara nodded and bit her lip. ‘I’m more emotional about going back to Australia and having to confront the reason I left in the first place.’

‘All that other stuff, try not to worry about it. Focus on your parents and what’s important. Your psychotic arsehole of an ex is not in your life any longer so you won’t have to deal with any more shit. You’ve got friends back home who will protect and support you, plus you can call me anytime.’

‘Hmm, not quite so easy with the time difference.’

‘Anytime, Cara, I mean it.’ Caleb looked at her firmly. ‘I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night if you need to talk.’

‘The same goes for you – talk to me whenever you want to.’

‘See, I told you no one can ever replace you.’

‘No, no one can replace me, the same way no one will ever replace Paloma, but you’ll learn to move on and embrace someone new. I’m not opposed to you having another friend, Caleb, and at the very least Belle will make an excellent addition to the Spirit and Serenity team and will ease my stress that you’ll have help and someone who knows what the hell they’re doing while I’m gone.’

4

It was early on Monday morning and because Belle had been rushing about grabbing breakfast and a coffee, she hadn’t had time to feel nervous as she answered Caleb’s video call. While his face appeared on her phone screen, his warm voice filled the kitchen.

‘I was hoping I’d catch you before you left for work to give you the good news,’ he said. ‘I’d be delighted to welcome you to Spirit. The job is yours if you’re happy to take it?’

Holding the phone in one hand and clutching a half-eaten piece of toast in the other, Belle stared at the screen, his words taking a moment to sink in.

‘Belle?’ Caleb frowned. ‘You’ve not frozen again, have you?’

‘Yes. I mean no.’ She dropped her toast onto the plate and grinned. ‘I’m here, but my goodness yes, I’d absolutely love the position. Thank you.’

All her anxiety over her recent decisions, from breaking up with Isaac to handing in her notice, was replaced by a fizz of possibility.

She thanked Caleb profusely and he promised to be in touch with more details. Belle headed to work with renewed energy,her foreseeable future in motion. With only a week and a half left, she’d have very little to do with Isaac which was a huge relief. Now she needed to sort out what she was going to do about her house while she was away. And pack and plan. There was lots to do but she hadn’t felt this light, this free or excited for a long time.

On the Tube she messaged Hannah, her best friend in London, and arranged to meet for dinner at a pizza place not far from where they both worked. The job offer was as thrilling as it was terrifying and Hannah was the first person she wanted to tell.

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