He released his grip and his arm fell to his side. She would have liked to run away but couldn’t, because of the boulders blocking her path.
It seemed to take an age to find a route through, either by shinning over the rocks or seeking out the narrow cracks and shimmying between them. She didn’t look back once and had no idea if Jon were following, so it was a surprise when she heard her name being called.
‘Mum!’
Turning round, she saw Lily hurrying to catch up. She wasn’t with Louise, Amelia or Will. Or Jon, come to that.
‘Are you all right?’
Stella was touched by her daughter’s concern and waited for her. When Lily made it to the top of the same rock, they sat down on a flattish shelf, side by side.
‘What happened?’ Lily wanted to know. ‘I saw him grab you.’
She didn’t use his name. She was clearly outraged.
Stella paused for a moment, wondering how much to give away.
‘Nothing,’ she replied at last. ‘I’m fine, honestly.’
Lily scowled. ‘Mum, I know you’re lying. Tell me the truth. Everyone’s behaving weirdly. Louise, him, you. I’m not stupid. What’s going on?’
Stella had pulled up her knees and was gazing down at the rough, grey stone by her legs. Lily cupped a hand under her mother’s chin and gently but firmly twisted her head round so she could see her face.
‘And you’ve been crying,’ she said, staring accusingly into her mother’s eyes.
Stella sniffed. She hadn’t realised it was that obvious.
‘We had a bit of a disagreement, that’s all.’
Lily’s eyes widened. ‘You and Jon? Why?’
Picking up a small, flat stone, Stella proceeded to roll it between her palms. It helped to distract from the sickening swooping in her chest.
‘He’s got a silly crush on me,’ she explained hoarsely. ‘I didn’t want to tell you; I didn’t think you needed to know. It’s not real; it’s all to do with Harriet. I can’t explain. He’ll get over it, but it’s made things awkward between us.’
‘Oh God.’ Lily flung both arms round Stella’s shoulders and pulled her close. ‘Poor Mum. You don’t need this.’
Warmth flowed through Stella’s body, making her want to cry again, but this time with gratitude.
The temporary mother-daughter role reversal reminded her momentarily of the black and white photograph of Katerina, hugging the older woman. Had she felt comforted in the same way?
‘It’ll be all right,’ she said, not sounding particularly convincing.
‘I hate him,’ Lily muttered through gritted teeth.
Stella sighed. ‘No you don’t. He’s not a bad person; he’s confused, that’s all.’
‘Well, he shouldn’t makeyousuffer. It was so kind of you to ask him on holiday and now he’s just making you miserable. I wish he’d never come.’
There was a shout and when they looked up, Amelia and Will were standing on the brow of the nearby rocky hill, waving.
‘Let’s keep going,’ Stella said, waving back and doing a thumbs up. She was afraid Jon and Louise would appear at any moment and she wanted to stay ahead.
To her surprise, Lily agreed. Stella thought she’d insist on waiting for her friend.
‘We must be halfway by now, surely?’ Stella said, trying to negotiate a particularly sheer drop. On reaching the bottom safely, she noticed several new cuts on her knees and shins and a fresh array of bumps, which would no doubt turn into ugly bruises. She was going to return home looking like a prize fighter.
As they walked on, through a path lined with glorious pink Bougainvillea trees, Lily asked more questions about Jon. She seemed protective, wanting to be sure her mother wasn’t afraid of him.
