And now Ive gathered my things and Im slipping out the back door, Alex declared to his brothers wife.
Imogen! Can you hear me? Alex shouted, barely stepping into the house.
I hear you, came the voice, barely looking away from the tablet where she was sketching with a stylus.
Ian and his wife and daughter are asking to crash at our place!
Imogen knew exactly who Ian was Alexs younger brother, a restless lad about two years her senior. He seemed to have been born with a camera glued to his hand and never left home without it. He loved photographing everything, especially, of course, models; womens silhouettes were his favourite subjects.
He started out at a local newspaper, then moved to an advertising agency, and somehow ended up on a beautypage contest, which to him was a veritable gold mine. He didnt stop there: weddings, corporate launches, any gig that paid a fee saw his lens. He even chased the bride at his own brothers wedding, snapping away.
Imogen set her tablet aside, straightened up, and just then Alex entered the room. She smiled at him.
So Im giving the green light, she said.
It was pleasant that he asked her about the guests. After all, they lived by the sea, and everyone seemed eager to pop over. The only hitch was that their cottage was modest; theyd only begun building a guesthouse the previous year.
We need to finish the renovations, she reminded Alex, who wasnt exactly a handy man.
Just the finishing touches, really.
When are they planning to arrive? Imogen asked.
If everyones on board, Id say in two weeks,
Perfect, let them come.
Maybe we could take a walk? Alex ventured cautiously.
Too much work,
I understand, but perhaps
Imogen rarely left the house. In the evenings, when the heat wasnt oppressive, she tended the garden; otherwise she sat in her room drawing, drawing, drawing. She kept a strict diet, counted calories, then inevitably broke it, chastised herself, and started all over again.
Outside, the sea roared, roses scented the air, and a fluffy cat named Mog dozed on the windowsill, opening one eye now and then at passing seagulls.
Alex left the room. Imogen rose, massaged her lower back, stepped onto the bathroom scales and sighed as the needle climbed.
Again, she muttered sadly, noting half a kilo gained. She glanced at the bag of pastries shed brought to her studio that morning, already halfeaten.
Maybe one more, and thats it, she thought, reaching for another. Shame stopped her; she closed the bag and carried it to the kitchen instead.
When Imogen worked from home, all that was expected was the result she illustrated books. Alex, whod opened his own ad agency five years earlier, was often nowhere to be seen.
His business had begun with ordering businesscard equipment, then a camera, hiring artschool students, then graphic designers, then writers and, before he knew it, a small crew. He kept up with the everchanging advertising market, later adding web developers and ecommerce specialists. He employed about fifteen staff and a similar number of freelancers. The venture brought in a tidy income.
Theyd lived up north in Yorkshire, but after a summer down in Cornwall, the owner of the house they were staying in announced she wanted to sell the plot. Alex brushed it off he lived for work but Imogen fell in love with the idea of a larger plot: twenty acres on a gentle hillside, though not prime land.
After consulting his father, Alex supported her and sent the money. When the land appeared, Alex admitted a house needed to be built. A couple of years later they had a threeroom cottage, and when guests started arriving, they added a tiny guesthouse.
Even though Alex and Imogen had married before Ian, their daughter Ellie was the same age as Nell, Ians daughter. Ian remained single for a while, but eventually Tabitha, his longtime girlfriend, convinced him to marry.
At the start of summer Imogen sent Ellie to stay with her mother. Nell, five, was about to start school. Imogen wanted the girls to meet, so after a quick chat with Alex she volunteered to fetch Nell.
Ill be quick, in and out, she told Alex. Keep the guests entertained and she covered the monitor with a privacy film, make sure nobody wanders in.
Ill lock the door, Alex joked.
Imogen left with a light heart. A couple of days later Ian arrived with Tabitha, their daughter and a suitcase full of goodies.
Wow! Tabitha exclaimed, having heard countless stories about Alexs cottage but never visited.
Thats Imogens work, Alex said proudly, gesturing toward the garden.
The garden was mostly wild: a pear tree, a hazel, apple and plum saplings, all scattered about, and the grass grew so fast even a mower could barely keep up.
Ellie, look, theres a cherry tree, Alex said gently, pointing at a lofty branch.
The little girl bolted off.
Lovely place you have, Ian remarked, pulling his suitcase toward the guesthouse.
Whats inside? Tabitha asked.
Alex spent almost an hour touring the grounds, explaining each tree, before they all went down the hill into the main house. Seeing the door to Imogens studio ajar, Alex stepped inside. Ellie, acting like the lady of the house, swung away the privacy film and reached for her stylus.
Stop! Alex said calmly but firmly. Thats offlimits.
He took the stylus from her and placed it on a shelf.
And really, you shouldnt be in that room at all.
Ellie scampered out. Alex pulled the film back into place, shut the door tight, and turned to Ians wife.
Is your wife still as robust as ever? Tabitha asked with a teasing grin.
Alex winced. He knew Imogen wasnt exactly runwaymodel thin, and comparing her to Tabitha, whod once modeled, was rude. He tried to keep the peace.
Not everyone needs to be as slender as you,
Tabitha replied smugly.
Still, lets not harp on it,
she added.
To stay slim you just eat less,
Tabitha said.
I get it, Alex agreed. Imogen has tried every diet, counted every calorie, but
Eat less,
Tabitha repeated.
Alex realised his hint had gone over her head, so he blurted out,
Dont say that about Imogen.
Tabitha rolled her eyes, shrugged, and as she left the studio said,
Just eat less, thats all. Dont be a pig.
Alex winced again. He didnt understand why those models were so nasty; they prided themselves on looks theyd never earned, using their natural gifts to judge others.
The next day, just as promised, Imogen returned with Nell. Alex met them, sighed, sat down and gave Nell a hug. The little girl looked healthier, cheeks puffed, lips pink.
Grandma, Imogen said protectively,
Shell be fine, a few days of fresh air and a swim and shell be back to normal, Alex reassured.
How are our guests? Imogen asked.
Theyve gone to the sea, will be back soon.
They didnt starve, did they? Only pizza? the housekeeper asked, opening the fridge.
No, Tabitha cooked something, so theyre not starving.
Ill make lunch, Imogen said, changing into an apron and heading to the kitchen.
An hour later the guests returned. Tabitha was quiet, but Alex could see from her eyes that she was displeased, not just with Imogens figure but also with Ellies. She kept her criticism to herself.
The meal was hearty. Imogen, thinking the visitors were hungry, served a meat casserole, salads, fruit, and two pies. The children ate everything, but after ten minutes Tabitha scolded Nell,
Dont eat so much or youll end up like Nell.
Luckily Nell and Imogen had already gone outside, but Alex heard everything. His face flushed with anger; he was about to retort when his daughter burst into the room.
Dad, dad, dad! Can I go up the hill?
The guesthouse sat at the bottom of a slope that led up to the very plot Imogen had boughtperhaps why it wasnt pricey. The hill was covered in hazel and wild vines clinging to the steepest parts. Mornings here didnt need alarms; the birds sang enough to rouse anyone. At first Alex found the birds chatter irritating, then grew to love it.
Take Ellie with you, Alex suggested.
Ellie ran to Tabitha, offered her hand, and said,
Come on, Ill show you the nest, theres a cliff and rocks!
Nell glanced at her mother, then at Imogen with a hint of contempt and declared,
I dont keep company with pigs.
Alex lifted Ellie, told her to fetch her mother who was watering the garden, and watched the irritated little girl bolt away.
He turned to Ian, who had been sitting with Tabitha and Ellie the whole time.
Youve insulted my daughter, Alex said bitterly, calling her a pig.
I never said that! Ian protested instantly.
You both stayed silent,
Alex continued, glancing from Ian to Tabitha and then to Ellie. You all called my daughter a pig at the same time.
Tabithas cheeks reddened. Ian had nothing to add; hed indeed kept his mouth shut. Alex stared coldly at the family, then, with a disdainful look, walked out.
Later that evening, when Imogen set the table, Ians family arrived. Alex expected an apology, but they behaved as if nothing had happened. Imogen, the gracious hostess, prepared a lovely dinner. Ian praised the food, Alex nodded in agreement. Nell, feeling full, slumped into a chair. Imogen brought tea and biscuits that Alex had bought.
Tabitha took one, cut off a slice of cream, and began to nibble, as did Ellie. Imogen reached for a biscuit, remembered a promise to herself to stop, and put it aside. Tabitha noticed, smiled, and whispered,
To stay thin you simply eat less.
Alex slapped the table; the sudden noise made Tabitha jump and stare bewildered at him.
Go for a walk, Alex told Imogen.
She took Ellie and stepped outside, leaving the house quiet except for the remaining guests.
Alex returned to Ian, who was still his brother in the end,
This time youve insulted my wife.
It wasnt like that! Ian replied.
You were silent when she he nodded toward Tabitha said my wife was fat.
But she is a bit heavy! Tabitha defended herself.
Alexs hand struck the table again; Tabitha flinched. He turned back to Ian,
First you called my daughter a pig.
Stop it! Ian begged, realizing where his brother was heading.
And now youve called my wife fat, telling her to eat less.
Shes right,
Tabitha said, looking at herself.
I wont let anyone insult my family in my house, Alex said, then fell silent.
Fine, sorry, Tabitha retorted disdainfully. Im not responsible for her
Alex stared coldly at her, then slowly declared,
You may stay the night, but youll be out by morning.
What?! Ian shouted.
And thats because Im right?! Tabitha screamed. Shes heavy, and your daughters heavy!
One more word Alex rose, braced his elbows on the table and warned,
One more word and youll be out of my house right now.
Tabitha leapt from her seat, fled to the guesthouse without thanking anyone for the meal, with Ellie hurrying after her.
Alex addressed Ian,
Ive said my piece.
Ian stayed silent, likely understanding his wifes nature.
At dawn, having skipped breakfast, Ians family hurried toward the exit. The scent of blooming magnolias filled the air, and the sun just began to warm the ground.
Where are they going? Imogen asked Alex, drying the table with a kitchen towel. Not happy with the guesthouse or my cooking?
All good, Alex hugged his wife, tugging the curtains back into place.
But how did this happen? Imogen fretted, settling onto the edge of a chair.
Thats life, he replied. How about we head to the sea and spend the whole day there?
Hearing that, cheerful Nell sprinted to her bedroom, returned in a swimsuit with a huge inflatable ring, her steps echoing through the house.
Im ready! she announced, marching to the door, humming a jaunty tune.
Not so fast! her mother called, also changing clothes.
Alex felt a pang of sadness; hed not seen his brother in ages and hoped the girls would become friends. Imogen, ever the planner, approached him.
Weve got water, fruit, towels and sunscreen, she said, stuffing everything into a big beach bag.
Great, lets go, he replied, tossing Ians familys belongings into his own room to change.
Within five minutes they were strolling down the hill toward the sea. The southern sun grew hotter, and the salty breeze carried the faint scent of seaweed.
