Now Ive gathered my change and Im slipping out the back door, Alex tells his brothers wife.
Whats that, Claire? Can you hear me? he shouts before even stepping inside.
I hear you, she replies, still tapping a stylus on her tablet.
Ian and his wife June, with their little girl Lucy, are asking for a place to stay!
Claire knows exactly who Ian isher husbands younger brother, a restless lad about two years her junior. He seems born with a camera in his hands and never parts from it. He loves photographing everything, especially models, and is obsessed with the way women look on film.
He starts out at a local newspaper, moves to an advertising agency, and somehow ends up entering a beauty contest, which he treats like a gold rush. He doesnt stop there; he shoots weddings, corporate presentations, any gig that pays. Even at his brothers wedding he cant sit stillhe darts around the bride, snapping away.
Claire puts her tablet down, straightens up, and just then Alex walks into the room. She smiles at him.
Alright, I give my blessing, she says.
His question about the guests feels pleasant. They live by the sea, and everyone wants to drop by. Claire isnt opposed, though their cottage is modest and they only started building a guest house last year.
We need to finish the renovations, she reminds Alex, who isnt much of a handyman.
Just a few bits left, he replies.
When are they coming? Claire asks.
If were all agreed, I reckon in two weeks, Alex says.
Great, let them come, Claire agrees.
Shall we go for a walk? Alex suggests cautiously.
Too much work, she replies.
I understand, but maybe he presses.
Claire rarely leaves the house; she only enjoys evening gardening when it isnt sweltering. Most of her time is spent in her studio, drawing and drawing. Shes on a diet, counting calories, then binges, berates herself, and starts over again.
Outside the window the sea rolls, roses bloom in the garden, filling the air with a light perfume. A fluffy cat naps on the windowsill, opening its eyes only for the passing gulls.
Alex steps out. Claire stands, massages her lower back, walks to the scales and sighs as the needle climbs.
Again, she thinks sadly, noting shes gained half a kilo.
She glances at the packet of biscuits she brought to her office this morninghalf already eaten.
Maybe just one more, then Ill stop, she muses, reaching for the bag, but shame pulls her back. She closes the packet and carries it to the kitchen.
Claire works from home, illustrating books, so the only thing expected of her is the finished product. Alex, who founded his own ad agency five years ago, is often off somewhere else.
His business began with buying businesscard equipment, then a camera, hiring a couple of graphicdesign students, later bringing in illustrators, copywriters, and eventually a small team of developers and ecommerce specialists. He employs about fifteen staff plus a handful of freelancers, generating a decent income. They used to live up north, but after a summer down south they were about to leave when the landlady of their house announced she wanted to sell her plot.
Alex shrugs it off; hes too wrapped up in work. Claire, however, is thrilled at the prospect of buying landa twentyacre plot, albeit on a modest hillside.
After consulting his father, Alex supports her and sends the money. When the land appears, Alex concedes that something must be built. Two years later they have a threeroom house, and when guests arrive they decide to add a guest cottage.
Although Claire and Alex married before Ian, their daughter Olivia is the same age as Junes daughter Natalie.
At the start of summer Claire sends Olivia to stay with her mother. Natalie, five, is almost ready for school. Claire wants the girls to meet, so after talking with Alex she decides to travel for a quick visit.
Ill be back in a flash, she tells Alex. Entertain the guests, will you? She covers her monitor with a protective film so no one can look at her screen.
Ill lock the door, Alex jokes.
With a calm mind, Claire flies out. A few days later Ian, June, and Lucy land at Alexs place.
Wow! June exclaims. Shes heard Ian talk about the cottage many times but has never been there.
Thats all Claires doing, Alex says proudly, gesturing toward the garden.
The garden is mostly wild: a pear tree, a hazel, apple and plum bushes, all scattered, and the grass grows so fast Alex cant keep up even with a mower.
Olivia, looktheres a cherry tree, Alex says softly, pointing at a highbranched tree. The little girl darts over.
Nice garden youve got, Ian remarks, dragging his suitcase toward the guest cottage.
What do you have in there? June asks.
Alex spends almost an hour walking the premises, pointing out each tree, then they descend the hill and enter the main house. Seeing Claires studio door ajar, Alex steps in. Olivia, acting like the lady of the house, peels off the protective film from the monitor and picks up her stylus.
Stop! Alex says calmly but firmly. Dont touch that.
He takes the stylus from her and puts it on a shelf. And really, you shouldnt be in this room.
Olivia darts out. Alex replaces the protective film, shuts the door tight, and turns to June.
Is your wife still as plump as before? he asks with a smirk.
June winces. She knows Claire isnt exactly slim, but comparing her to Junewho used to modelfeels rude.
Not everyone can be as trim as you, Alex replies tactfully.
June smiles selfsatisfied. But really, you shouldnt talk about that.
Claire mutters, If you want to stay slim, just eat less.
I get it, Alex agrees. Claire has tried diets, counted calories, and still
Eat less, June repeats.
Alex realizes Claire isnt getting the hint, so he says it outright: Dont say that to Claire.
June snorts, shrugs, and as she leaves the cottage says, Just eat less, thats all. No need to be a pig.
Alex winces at the comment. Hes tired of the models vanitypeople who brag about their looks, which theyve got by birth, yet constantly look for flaws in others.
The next day, as promised, Claire returns with Natalie. Alex greets her, sighs, sits down, and embraces his daughter. Olivias cheeks are fuller now.
Grandma, Claire says, defending her.
Dont worry, shell be running around, swimming, and back to normal in a few days, Alex reassures.
How are our guests? Claire asks.
Theyre at the beach, will be back soon.
Did they survive on pizza alone? the housekeeper jokes as she opens the fridge.
No, June cooked something, so they didnt starve, Alex replies.
Ill whip up lunch, Claire says, changing into an apron.
An hour later the guests return. June is quiet, but Alex can see shes not just upset about Claires looks; she also dislikes Olivias appearance, though she keeps her opinions to herself.
Claire serves a hearty meat bake, salads, fruit, and two pies. The children eat everything, but after ten minutes June scolds Lucy: Dont eat so much or youll end up as round as Natalie.
Claire and Natalie have already stepped outside, but Alex hears everything. His face reddens with anger, ready to intervene, when Olivia bursts into the room.
Dad, dad, can I go up the hill? she asks excitedly.
The cottage sits at the bottom of a slope that leads up to the land they bought, a hill covered in hazel and wild vines. Mornings here wake you without an alarmbirds do the job.
At first the birds bother Alex, but now he cant imagine life without their song.
Take Olivia with you, Alex suggests.
Olivia runs to Lucy, offers her hand, and says, Come on, Ill show you the nest, theres a cliff and stones too!
Lucy glances at Claire, then at Natalie with a hint of disdain, and declares, I dont make friends with pigs.
Alex lifts Olivia, tells her to go find her mother whos watering the roses. A hurt Lucy runs off.
Alex turns to his brother, who has been sitting with his family the whole time.
You insulted my daughter, he says coldly, by calling her a pig.
I didnt say it! Ian snaps.
You both stayed silent, Alex replies, moving his gaze from Ian to June and then to Olivia. You all called my child a pig at once.
Junes face burns. Ian has nothing to sayhe indeed kept quiet.
Alex looks at the family with disdain and walks out onto the porch.
That evening Claire sets the table. Ians family arrives. Alex expects an apology, but they behave as if nothing happened.
Claire, as hostess, serves a wonderful dinner. Ian compliments the food, Alex backs him up. Natalie, full, leans back in her chair. Claire brings tea and some biscuits that Alex had bought.
June takes one, cuts off the frosting, and starts munching, as does Olivia.
Claire picks up another biscuit but, remembering her promise not to overindulge, puts it aside.
June notices, smiles, and whispers, If you dont want to be heavy, just dont eat so much.
Alex slams his hand on the table. June startles, looks bewildered at him.
Take a walk, love, Alex tells his wife.
She gathers Olivia and steps outside. The house is left with the guests.
Alex returns to Ian. Youve hurt my wife this time.
It wasnt like that, Ian protests.
You stayed quiet when June said my wife is heavy, Alex says, pointing at her. Shes heavy, yes, but thats not your business.
June retorts, Shes right, Im heavy.
Alexs hand strikes the table again. June jumps. He faces Ian. First you called my daughter a pig.
Enough! Ian says, realizing where Alex is heading.
And now you insult my wife, saying eat less, Alex continues. I wont let anyone insult my family in my house.
June sneers, Sorry, Im not to blame for her size.
Alex, cold, says, You can stay the night, but youll leave in the morning.
What?! Ian shouts.
And thats because Im right! Shes heavy, your daughter is heavy too!
Another word Alex stands, leans on the table, and warns, One more word and youll be out of my home right now.
June jumps from her seat, grabs her bag, and rushes to the guest cottage without a thankyou. Olivia follows.
Everythings said, Alex tells his brother.
Ian stays silent, clearly understanding his wifes nature.
At dawn, skipping breakfast, Ians family hurries toward the exit. The scent of blooming magnolias fills the air, the sun just beginning to warm the garden.
Where are they going? Claire asks Alex, wiping the table with a kitchen towel. Did they not like the cottage or my cooking?
All good, Alex replies, hugging his wife and pulling the curtains aside. How about we head to the beach and spend the whole day there?
The lively Natalie darts to the bedroom, returns in a swimsuit and a big inflatable ring, her footsteps echoing through the house.
Im ready! she declares, marching to the door, humming a cheerful tune.
Not so fast! her mother calls, also changing clothes.
Alex feels a twinge of sadnesshe hasnt seen his brother in ages and hoped the two girls would become friends.
Claire, ever practical, steps forward. Weve packed water, fruit, towels, and sunscreen, she says, loading a large beach bag.
Great, lets go, Alex replies, shedding the thoughts of Ians family, and heads to his room to change.
Within five minutes theyre descending the hill, heading for the sea. The southern sun beats down harder, and the salty breeze carries the scent of seaweed.
