Having It Away by Patrice Chaplin

Author:Patrice Chaplin [Chaplin, Patrice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lume Books
Published: 2017-07-09T04:00:00+00:00

VI

The next morning was bright and dear and Luis lay, arms outstretched, on the bed with the children, like birds, nesting all over him. Afterwards he went with Jenny to the village for breakfast. They ate bread smeared with oil and tomato and drank red wine.

‘I used to come to San Pedro when I was a child,’ he said. ‘There were no tourists then, just fishermen. I loved San Pedro.’ The old men sat in their line by the church, and next to them were the stalls selling plastic goods for the house and sun-dresses. ‘Tourism has ruined everything. It’s taken away the Spaniards’ natural generosity and liveliness.’

‘It’s brought money.’

‘Not to the people who do the work, because the taxes are enormous.’

Norman appeared, pushing the pram piled with the day’s shopping, looking threatened and miserable.

Luis sprang up and called to him, but Norman didn’t look round.

Luis ran and grabbed his arm.

‘Come and have a drink.’

He wouldn’t and withdrew into his routine.

‘I have to get Charmian up. I have to get this food in the fridge. Oh yes. I’ve been to the agency and they’re going to send a surveyor to see why the water’s been cut off.’

He trundled off with the pram, its wheels beginning to squeal.

Luis sat down, preoccupied.

‘He’s not being rude,’ said Jenny. ‘It’s just their affair isn’t too good.’

‘The children of Charmian are not right.’

‘They need a psychiatrist perhaps?’

‘No. It is simply a question of affection. She doesn’t give it.’

‘She doesn’t get it.’ Jenny realised that what Norman gave wasn’t love. They played a tortuous game — their sexual desire, their insecurities like the antlers of sparring deer, locked together.

On the way back he bought some food and Spanish champagne. ‘I will make lunch, a good one. That will cheer them.’

She didn’t quite see it as the solution.

Charmian came out wearing a new and exciting swimsuit, and a full make-up. ‘Let’s all go to the beach.’

‘No. Let’s go separately,’ said Norman.

‘Why?’

‘Because there won’t be room in the taxi,’ he said.

‘What do you think, Luis?’ Charmian asked. ‘We could all sit on each other’s laps.’

‘You go this morning and Luis and I’ll go this afternoon,’ Jenny said.

Norman liked this idea. Luis liked it too — because, he said, he’d have a chance to make a marvellous lunch.

What time would they like it? What would they like for dessert?

At the bottom of the steps Charmian realised she’d forgotten her cigarettes. No, Norman wouldn’t run up and get them, but there was Luis, all smiles, coming like lightning towards her, the packet on his outstretched hand. He was the day’s contestant for the Cinderella role, and willing at that.

Luis said the air made him hungry, and he boiled some eggs. Looking in the mirror, Jenny saw he’d transformed her. He’d transformed Señora Vim. She rushed about laying a table on the terrace. She brought him the eggs. She wrenched the coffee pot away from Jenny.

‘No no. The Spanish men like it this way.’

Napkins were got out of locked cupboards, and her gums were exposed constantly in one ecstatic smile.

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