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‘Well, my flight—’
‘Doesn’t leave for almost two hours,’ Margarita reasoned, making it difficult for Annalisa to refuse without appearing rude.
‘I have to check in.’
‘I’ll help you.’ Without waiting for an answer, Margarita took the passport and travel documents from her hand and walked along to a desk that seemed to be out of use. Several young men rushed to her assistance.
‘There. That’s done,’ she said, coming back to hand the empty envelope and passport to Annalisa. ‘Shall we find that drink?’
Annalisa’s legal training took over that part of her brain that was still able to function. It was better to hear what the other side had to say before you opened your mouth. That way you didn’t reveal anything they didn’t know. But against all her instincts for self-preservation came the realisation that she had already warmed to Margarita.
‘How did you know I’d be here?’ Annalisa said when they had both settled into a discreet booth in the self-service café.
‘Maria Teresa told me,’ Margarita replied with a quick smile. ‘She thinks a lot of you,’ she added. ‘They all do.’
‘They?’
‘The villagers,’ Margarita explained. ‘They can see what you are trying to do. Your father was a wonderful man. And now they see that you mean to carry on his legacy—’ She broke off and reached out to touch Annalisa’s arm. ‘I’m sorry. Did I say something to upset you?’
‘No,’ Annalisa said softly. She was the one who was sorry. ‘I had hoped to make a go of things here—’ There was an air of closure about the remark. It was both a commitment for herself and a silent promise to Margarita.
Margarita’s expression changed from empathy to concern. ‘You can’t mean you’re leaving the island for good?’
‘It just didn’t work out.’ Annalisa spread her hands in a helpless gesture. How could she explain? Their gazes glanced off each other and she realised that under different circumstances they might have been friends.
‘That’s not what I heard,’ Margarita argued, reaching across the table to touch her hand. ‘No one here can understand why you are going back to England. Surely they are mistaken? Surely this is just a visit?’
‘No,’ Annalisa said flatly as she drained the last dregs of coffee. ‘What you’ve heard is true. I am leaving for good.’
‘Would it change your mind if I told you that all the villagers who used to work for your father are planning to gather at the finca this afternoon to show their support for you?’
‘Their support—’
‘They want to work for you, Annalisa…for nothing to start with, if they have to. They will put in a few hours each evening to get the estate running again and then—’
‘I can’t let them do that.’
‘Why not? If that’s what they want—’
‘No!’ Annalisa said sharply, covering her ears in an instinctive gesture. ‘It’s too late for that.’
This time Margarita would not be put off, and taking both Annalisa’s hands in her own she drew them down to the table, keeping a firm hold. ‘Please, Annalisa. They deserve this chance. Even if you won’t reconsider for your own sake, think of them. They begged me to come here to try and change your mind.’
Her innocent plea settled around Annalisa’s heart like a band of thorns, but her answer was a slow shake of her head.
‘If you won’t come back for them, then at least come back for Ramon.’
Even her astonished expression failed to deflect Margarita.
‘He’s devastated,’ she carried on in a tense whisper. ‘But he’s so proud—’
Snatching her hands away, Annalisa stumbled to her feet. ‘You don’t understand. I can’t—’ She made a clumsy attempt at pushing the table back and only succeeded in banging it hard into Margarita’s leg. ‘Oh! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!’
Making a dismissive sound, Margarita reached for Annalisa’s wrist. ‘Then sit down again and listen to me.’
Annalisa held back, then gave in. ‘You’re right. It’s time I was honest with you.’
‘Good,’ Margarita said with a smile of encouragement. ‘Come and sit down again. Happiness is such a fragile condition, Annalisa. We must never waste an opportunity to preserve it.’
‘I’ll get some more coffee first.’ Annalisa was desperate to regroup her thoughts before she caused any more damage in Margarita’s life.
Returning with a selection of pastries and two cups of coffee, she cautiously restarted the conversation, ‘You want to talk to me about Ramon?’
