Some Girls Do

Chapter Twenty-four




‘Ooh, you look very fancy, Luca,’ Jula said, as he emerged from the house the following Saturday. It had been a beautiful day, and Jula and Danuta, the thin, almost translucently pale Polish girls who shared the basement flat, were sitting on the front steps enjoying the last of the evening sunshine and sharing a bottle of wine.

‘Where are you going? Big date?’

‘Party.’ He sat down on the step above them, placing his gift-wrapped parcel beside him. ‘It’s my sister’s birthday.’ He tilted his face towards the sun and closed his eyes, trying to relax. There was still warmth in the evening air.

‘You want a glass of wine?’ Danuta asked. He opened his eyes to find her waving the bottle at him.

‘No, thanks,’ he said, glancing at his watch. ‘Claire will be picking me up in a few minutes.’ It was still only seven fifteen, but he had been ready far too early, and he had become increasingly twitchy and anxious as he waited for her. When he couldn’t handle any more antsy pacing around his flat, he’d decided to come down and wait outside.

‘Ah, your girlfriend?’ Jula smiled. ‘She’s pretty.’

Luca smiled. ‘Yeah, she is pretty. But she’s not my girlfriend.’

Jula and Danuta shared knowing smiles, but said nothing, and went back to their conversation.

Luca checked his watch again, but only a minute had passed. It was ridiculous how nervous he felt, but he really didn’t want to go to his parents’ house. He wouldn’t do it for anyone but Ali. Still, for her sake, he would grit his teeth and endure it. He would even try to be pleasant and play the part of the loving and beloved son. As if he knew f*ck all about that!

At least Claire would be with him, he thought. It wouldn’t be so bad with her there. In a way, he was almost looking forward to it. He liked the idea of his mother seeing him with Claire, this lovely, kind, decent girl who cared about him – even if it was just as a friend because her heart belonged to Mr Perfect. Childishly, he thought he could prove Jacqueline wrong, demonstrate to her that he was lovable, with Claire as his evidence. He knew it was twisted, but he wanted to highlight his mother’s inadequacies by flaunting Claire in front of her, so that she would finally realise: ‘It’s not you, it’s me.’

Claire pulled up almost on the dot of seven thirty.

‘Goodnight, girls,’ Luca said to his neighbours, grabbing his parcel as he jumped up. He bounded over to the car. ‘Hello, gorgeous.’ He smiled at Claire as he slid in beside her.

‘Hi.’ She turned to him. ‘You look lovely.’

‘So do you.’ He leaned in and kissed her cheek. She smelled amazing. ‘I wish we could blow out this party and just drive off somewhere together,’ he said on an impulse.

‘You couldn’t do that to your sister. She’d be so disappointed.’

‘I know. I wouldn’t. But I’m really glad you’re coming.’

‘Well, I’m the one with the car and the beer money,’ she quipped. Then she blushed. ‘Sorry, that sounded awful. I didn’t mean—’

‘I know.’ He wasn’t offended. He knew she’d only said it because she couldn’t take a compliment and laughing it off was a reflex with her. ‘Anyway, it’s free booze. But I don’t think I could face it on my own,’ he said seriously, taking her hand. ‘So thank you.’ He kissed her knuckles.

‘You’re welcome,’ she said, and he was glad that for once she had simply accepted that he was happy to have her with him.

‘Okay,’ she said, starting the engine. ‘I think I know my way to Dalkey village, but you’ll have to give me directions from there.’


Claire usually avoided routes she didn’t know well, and she hadn’t driven to Dalkey very often. It wasn’t helping her concentration that Luca was fidgety and restless, constantly shifting around in his seat, tapping his fingers on the dash or jiggling his legs. She tried to ignore him and focus on where she was going.

‘It’s so beautiful out here,’ she said, as they drove along the coast road, glancing at the perfect blue sea dotted with coloured sails. Summer had arrived at the beginning of June and seemed set to stay, with unbroken sunshine and soaring temperatures. Everywhere people were out enjoying the weather, playing games, strolling along with ice-creams, or sitting outside bars and restaurants under bright awnings, their high-spirited chatter and laughter drifting through the car window.

‘Mm,’ Luca agreed distractedly, seeming oblivious to his surroundings. ‘We’re almost there. Turn right here.’ He pointed to a narrow road climbing away from the sea front and directed her along a hilly, twisting road lined with massive, gated houses. ‘This is it,’ he said, indicating a set of wrought-iron gates standing open to the left. The tree-lined gravel drive sloped towards the sea, turned right and opened out onto a paved area to the side of a tall double-fronted house.

‘Wow!’ Claire breathed, as she parked beside a black BMW. She couldn’t believe this was where Luca had grown up. ‘This is an amazing house,’ she said, peeping at him warily. He had gone very quiet.

He shrugged in reply and removed his seatbelt, but made no move to open his door. His agitation seemed to have been replaced by gloom, and she sensed he was reluctant to get out. She touched his leg, giving him a reassuring smile.

‘Right, let’s get this over with,’ he said, opening his door.

As Claire stepped out onto the drive, the sound of the waves on one side mingled with the buzz of the party on the other. The location was stunning. The house clung to the cliff, nothing between it and the broad sweep of Killiney Bay, breathtakingly beautiful panoramic views spreading out in every direction. She went to the low stone wall at the edge of the garden and looked down to the beach at the bottom of the cliff, where foamy white waves crashed against the rocks. She turned back to the house, which was fronted by a terraced garden dotted with tiled benches, flowerbeds and quirky sculptures, and planted with an abundance of shrubs. Lanterns hung in the trees, and the deck around a large sunroom was strung with fairy lights.

Luca grabbed her hand, holding it so tightly it was almost painful as he led her towards the house.

‘Luca and Claire are here,’ Ali called over her shoulder, as she came barrelling down the steps that led to the front door. She threw her arms around Luca, and the tension seemed to leave his body, his grip on Claire’s hand relaxing.


‘Happy birthday, Ali,’ he said, kissing her cheek.

Ali released him and hugged Claire. ‘Thank you so much for coming. It’s lovely to have you here – both of you.’

‘Thanks for inviting me,’ Claire said. ‘Happy birthday!’

‘Come and meet Mum and Dad,’ Ali said, leading the way to the house.

Luca’s hand tightened around Claire’s again as they followed Ali up the steps to the open front door. They stepped into a high-ceilinged hall with a wooden floor. A large vase of tall white lilies on an elegant side table perfumed the air. Claire recognised the slim blonde woman who came to meet them from her author photo.

‘Why don’t you do the introductions?’ Ali said to Luca. ‘I have to check on the caterers.’ She skipped off through a side door.

‘Claire, this is my – this is Jacqueline,’ Luca said, as he drew her forward. Claire noticed Jacqueline’s hastily disguised wince at his use of her name. ‘Jacqueline, this is Claire.’

‘It’s lovely to meet you, Claire.’ Jacqueline smiled as she extended her hand.

‘Nice to meet you too,’ Claire said stiffly, as they shook. She felt Jacqueline scrutinising her closely, as if she was trying to figure something out.

‘I wish I could say I’ve heard a lot about you,’ she said, ‘but I’m afraid I haven’t.’

‘There’s not much to tell,’ Claire said, blushing. ‘We’re not really—’

‘We haven’t been together very long,’ Luca interrupted, putting an arm around her waist and pulling her into his side.

Claire smiled helplessly, feeling wrong-footed.

‘This is my husband, Jonathan,’ Jacqueline said, as a tall, lean man joined them in the hall. Grey-haired and handsome, he was considerably older than his wife. ‘Jonathan, this is Luca’s … friend, Claire.’

‘Pleased to meet you,’ he said, as he shook her hand, eyeing her as curiously as his wife had done. ‘Hey, Luca,’ he said, pulling him into a hug.

‘Why don’t you take Claire upstairs, Luca, and show her where everything is?’ Jacqueline said. ‘We’re putting jackets in your old bedroom. Then come down and join everyone in the sunroom.’


Upstairs, Luca showed Claire into his room. While she ducked into the en-suite to fix her hair and makeup, he went to the window and stared out at the sea. He wished he could have brought Claire here and shown her all this as something that was a part of him, somewhere he belonged – the beautiful house, his clever, talented family and the lovely life they led. But it was nothing to do with him. He felt as much a guest as she was – just as welcome, just as superfluous; every bit as much of an outsider. It highlighted how little he had to offer on his own account, and it struck him how bare and bleak his life must seem to her, how rich hers was by comparison – not just materially, but in people who cared about her and would always be there for her.

He was beginning to regret his insistence that she come. He didn’t like who he was around Jacqueline and he didn’t want Claire to see him like that – so cold and churlish, so ungrateful to the woman who had rescued him. He knew he owed her everything, and he had tried to make allowances and forgive her – not for not loving him, that wasn’t her fault: there hadn’t been much to love in the cold, scarred, battle-wounded boy she had brought home and, anyway, love wasn’t a decision you could make. But he did blame her for writing that book. It wasn’t because it came as a surprise to him that he was unloved, but until then it had been their secret, and keeping it was something they had done together. They’d worked as a team, the magician and her little accomplice – some sleight of hand here, a bit of misdirection there and, ta-da!, no one was the wiser. Until the day she broke faith with him and let everyone see behind the curtain, exposing him as the graceless impostor he really was.

‘This is an amazing house,’ Claire said, as she emerged from the bathroom. ‘Your parents must be loaded.’

‘They’re pretty well off. Jonathan’s a surgeon and Jacqueline’s a very successful journalist. So …’

‘Wow.’ She was looking troubled, probably wondering why his parents didn’t help him out when they were so wealthy.

‘And what about Ali?’

‘Ali has her trust fund. She has plenty of money of her own.’

‘Oh!’

‘They did the same for me,’ he told her. ‘I got money when I was twenty-one, same as Ali.’

‘What happened to it?’

He affected nonchalance. ‘I burned through it pretty quickly. I spent most of it on drugs and generally getting wrecked.’

He waited for her reaction, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t seem shocked or disapproving, just looked at him calmly, accepting what he was saying without comment or judgement.

‘They were pretty decent about it,’ he continued. ‘Obviously they couldn’t keep giving me money to squander on drugs so they cut me off, but they paid to send me to a pretty high-end rehab. And they made it clear I was welcome to move back here when I’d sorted myself out.’

‘But you didn’t?’

‘No. I’d leeched off them long enough. Rehab was all about standing on your own two feet. I thought I should try that for a while.’

‘Good for you!’

It killed him that she actually looked proud of him. ‘Well, I’m not making much of a go of it.’ He gave a self-deprecating laugh. ‘I’m not exactly the poster child for turning your life around. You’ve seen where I live.’

‘But you’re standing on your own two feet. You’re not relying on anyone else for handouts when you could easily have moved back here and continued to take money from your parents. And you’ve got off drugs and stayed clean. I think that’s pretty admirable.’

‘Less admirable than not getting f*cked up in the first place.’

‘I’m not so sure.’

He smiled. He knew he didn’t deserve her faith in him, but it felt good having it. ‘Come on,’ he said, taking her hand. ‘We should find Ali and give her her presents.’


Downstairs, Luca led Claire into the large sunroom. Decorated in creams and greens, filled with plants and overlooking the sea on three sides, it felt like an extension of the garden. The walls were strung with fairy lights, and a long table in the centre of the room was set for dinner, with little vases of flowers dotted along the centre, the coloured glasses and floral tablecloth giving it a light, summery feel. The doors were thrown open, and guests were milling around on the deck overlooking the garden.

‘This is gorgeous!’ Claire gasped.

‘Where have you two been?’ Ali rushed up to them. ‘I probably shouldn’t ask,’ she continued, without waiting for an answer. ‘Come and have a drink.’ She linked Claire’s arm and led them to a table covered with ice buckets containing champagne, where Jacqueline and Jonathan were distributing drinks.

Jonathan picked up a bottle as they approached and poured a glass, handing it to Claire.

‘Oh, thanks, but I’m driving,’ she said. ‘You have this.’ She passed it to Luca, and Jacqueline frowned as he took it from her. ‘I’ll just have a mineral water, please.’


‘Oh no!’ Ali exclaimed. ‘You should have come in a taxi. Everyone should have champagne for my birthday.’ She pouted prettily.

‘You could have one glass,’ Jonathan said. ‘You’re allowed one, and it’ll be well out of your system by the time you leave anyway.’

‘And we’ll be eating too,’ Jacqueline added.

‘Okay, thanks.’ Claire smiled. Jonathan poured another glass and handed it to her.

‘You should stay the night,’ Ali said. ‘Then you could drink as much as you like.’

‘Yes, why don’t you?’ Jacqueline said. ‘Luca’s room is ready.’

‘I don’t mind not drinking,’ Claire said, glancing at Luca. She wasn’t sure how he would feel about staying over. She knew it was upsetting for him being there, and she didn’t want to make it any worse.

‘You need to get back early in the morning, don’t you?’ he said to her.

‘Yes!’ she said, glad he had given her an indication of what he wanted to do.

‘Well, she can drive home in the morning from here, can’t she?’ Ali said. ‘We’re not in Outer Mongolia.’

‘Might as well be for all he visits,’ Jacqueline muttered, under her breath.

‘I really should get home tonight,’ Claire said apologetically, to Ali.

‘So, how did you two meet?’ Jacqueline asked.

‘Claire works with Yvonne Redmond,’ Luca said. ‘We met through her.’

‘Oh, and where do you work?’

‘In a bookshop,’ Claire said.

‘Which one?’ Jonathan asked.

‘Bookends. Do you know it?’

‘Yes, it’s a great shop.’

‘How long have you been there?’ Jacqueline asked.

‘Um … almost four years now.’

‘And Ali tells us you live in Ranelagh?’

‘Yes. I live in the house I grew up in – with my mother.’

‘With your mother?’

‘Yes, she’s – well, she’s a bit incapacitated, and she has a heart condition, so she needs someone there.’

Claire was starting to feel uncomfortable under Jacqueline’s intense scrutiny and incessant questioning.

‘Have you always lived at home, then?’

‘No, I went to university in Edinburgh.’

‘And what did you study?’

‘English literature.’ This was beginning to feel like a job interview.

‘You’ll have to forgive Mum,’ Ali said, smiling indulgently at her mother. ‘She doesn’t usually give people the third degree, but it’s the first time Luca’s brought a girlfriend home.’

‘Oh, I’m not—’

‘Yes, you’re a first,’ Luca said, smiling fondly at her as he put an arm around her waist. She didn’t understand why, but for some reason Luca obviously wanted his mother to think they were a couple. So she put an arm around him and smiled back at him, gratified when she felt him relax beside her.

‘Yes, well, I must admit I was quite surprised when Ali told me Luca was bringing someone,’ Jacqueline said to Claire. ‘I’m sorry if I’m being rude—’

‘It’s fine,’ Claire hastened to assure her.

‘But it’s really lovely to have you here, Claire,’ she said, once more giving Claire that look, as if she was a complicated puzzle. ‘I must say, you’re not at all what I expected.’

‘Oh.’ Claire tried not to let her expression falter, but she felt hurt by Jacqueline’s remark, taking it to mean she found her a disappointment.

‘Stop that,’ Luca whispered to her, frowning at her sternly, as if he knew what she was thinking. In a louder voice, he said, ‘She means she thinks you’re too good for me. Don’t you, Jacqueline?’

‘No, of course not,’ Jacqueline snapped. ‘Please don’t do this today, Luca.’

‘What did you expect?’ he asked his mother, his lip curling in a sneer. ‘Some skank or junkie? Someone more suitable for a scumbag like me?’

‘Of course not!’

‘Luca, please,’ Ali whispered, her eyes darting between her mother and brother.

‘Sorry, Ali.’

Claire felt his body slump against her, the fight seeming to go out of him. He took a swig of champagne.

‘You’re drinking,’ Jacqueline said tightly, her eyes frosty as they focused on his glass.

‘Jesus!’ Luca swore under his breath. ‘Yeah, I’m drinking. So what? So are you.’

‘Yes, but I’m not—’

‘Neither am I!’ he roared.

‘You have a problem, Luca,’ Jacqueline hissed. ‘And the sooner you face up to it, the better. You can’t drink in moderation, so—’

‘That’s not true,’ Claire said. ‘I’ve never seen Luca drunk.’ Now that she thought about it, she’d never seen him drink more than a beer or two, or a couple of glasses of wine at the most. ‘I’ve never seen him even slightly tipsy.’

‘Well, lucky you. I hope you never have to. But he’s put us through hell—’

‘I think you’ve got that the wrong way around,’ Claire said quietly.

‘I beg your pardon?’ Jacqueline said haughtily. ‘I don’t know what he’s told you but—’

‘He didn’t have to tell me anything,’ Claire said, wishing her voice wasn’t trembling. ‘It’s all in the public domain. You put it there.’

‘Oh, God!’ Jacqueline rolled her eyes. ‘Not the book again!’

‘Leave it, Claire,’ Luca said quietly to her. ‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘Of course it matters!’ She turned to Jacqueline. ‘Luca is one of the kindest, sweetest, most lovable people I’ve ever met, and if you can’t see that, then it’s your loss.’ Not sure what to do after delivering her speech, she put down her glass, turned on her heel and made for the door.

‘Claire!’ she heard Luca call after her, as she bolted outside and down the steps into the garden.

She ran to the wall that edged the cliff, shaking and on the verge of tears. Oh, God, what had got into her? She hated rows and she was useless at confrontation. She couldn’t believe she’d spoken to Luca’s mother like that – and in the middle of Ali’s party. It was a horrible thing to do, she thought, as she swiped away tears with the back of her hand. How could she face any of them again? She just wanted to run away. Maybe she could hide in her car until it was time to leave. She felt she should go back and apologise, but she hadn’t really said anything she was sorry for. She’d said that Luca was sweet and lovable, and she wouldn’t take that back. She’d said he didn’t drink much, which was true. Oh, yeah – and she’d accused his mother of putting him through hell. That was rude, but she still wasn’t sure she regretted it. However, she should at least apologise to Ali for causing a scene at her party. She genuinely felt bad about that.

‘Claire!’ She turned to see Luca hurtling down the steps towards her.

‘God, I’m so sorry,’ she said when he reached her.

‘Hey, it’s okay,’ he said, pulling her into his arms. ‘Don’t be upset. I shouldn’t have brought you here. I’m sorry.’ He took her to one of the seats and sat her down beside him.


‘What must Ali think of me, behaving like that at her party? I have to apologise to her.’

‘Don’t worry about it. She’s used to me and Jacqueline kicking off.’

‘That’s different – you’re family. You’re allowed. It just got to me, the things she was saying about you. It’s not fair.’

‘But it’s true what she said. Except the bit about not being able to control my drinking. Jacqueline has very black-and-white ideas about drug use. She doesn’t understand that I can drink normally. But I can.’

‘I know.’

‘I’m not going to turn into some Dr Jekyll type after a couple of drinks. Or do I mean Mr Hyde? Anyway, whichever was the scary one.’

‘Mr Hyde.’

‘Right. I was never a very committed druggie in the first place, and I don’t have a drink problem. But the rest …’ He sighed. ‘Jacqueline knows me a lot better than you do. It was sweet of you to say those things about me, but they’re not true. I’m not a very nice person. And I did put them through hell. I was out of control when I was younger – doing drugs, always getting into fights—’

‘It’s understandable you were a bit messed up.’

‘Because I decided to be. I did it deliberately to get back at her. I went looking for trouble, and if I couldn’t find it, I made it. I wanted to make her life a misery.’

‘I still don’t think that means you were bad – just unhappy and troubled. And, anyway, you’ve changed now.’

‘Maybe,’ he said. ‘Anyway, just forget about it and come back inside. We still haven’t given Ali her presents.’

‘I don’t think I can face any of them again – especially not Ali. I could really use a drink, though.’

‘Wait here, then. I’ll get you one.’

She watched as he bounded up the steps to the deck. He passed Ali on the way and spoke to her, waving in Claire’s direction before continuing into the house. Ali came over to her, carrying a bottle of champagne as well as her own glass.

‘Are you okay?’ she asked, sitting down beside Claire and setting the bottle on the ground.

‘I’m so sorry, Ali. I don’t know what got into me.’

Ali held up a hand, stopping her. ‘Don’t worry about it. Believe me, I’m used to a bit of drama whenever Mum and Luca have to share the same space. To be honest, I think it’s lovely that he has someone on his side. I’m always caught in the middle between him and Mum, and then I feel bad that I don’t stick up for him more.’ She smiled and took a sip of champagne. ‘He really doesn’t have a drink problem. She’s wrong about that.’

‘I know.’

‘I’m glad he’s got you, Claire. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy.’

‘Oh, but we’re not—’

‘Yeah, yeah – whatever. I don’t know why you’re both so keen to keep it a big secret.’ She gasped, clutching Claire’s arm. ‘You’re not married, are you?’

Claire laughed. ‘No!’ She debated whether she should tell Ali that there was someone else, but Mark wasn’t her boyfriend – at least, not yet. Besides, she’d upset Ali enough for one night.

‘Phew! Thank goodness for that. I might have had to challenge you to a duel or something if I found out you were messing my brother around.’

Luca returned with a couple of glasses and Ali’s present, and sat down on Claire’s other side. ‘All okay now?’ he asked, handing Claire a glass and picking up the bottle of champagne.

Claire nodded.

‘Why don’t you stay the night?’ Ali said to Claire. ‘Then you could relax and have a proper drink.’

‘We could leave first thing in the morning,’ Luca added.

‘I doubt your mother would want me spending the night here after that performance.’

‘You’re my guest,’ Ali said. ‘I’m inviting you to stay. Anyway, she’s seen a lot worse than that, hasn’t she, Luca?’

Luca laughed. ‘Much worse.’

It would be nice to be able to relax and enjoy a good drink, Claire thought – and she wasn’t looking forward to the drive home in the dark.

‘If you don’t mind …’ she said to Luca.

‘No. Whatever you want.’

‘Okay, then. Thanks.’ She smiled at Ali. Then she fished in her bag and pulled out a small gift-wrapped parcel and a card. ‘Happy birthday,’ she said, handing them to Ali.

Luca handed his over too and Ali immediately began ripping them open.

‘Oh, I love it!’ she exclaimed, when she uncovered the blue sea-glass pendant Claire had given her. ‘Thank you.’ She hugged her.

She was even more enraptured by Luca’s painting. ‘You know that’s my absolute favourite and I’ve hankered after it for ages.’

‘I know. I’ve seen you eyeing it up every time you’re over. I’m surprised you didn’t just ask me for it.’

‘Because I knew you’d give it to me, and I didn’t want you to lose out on a sale. I was planning to save up to buy it, but I was afraid you’d sell it to someone else before I got the chance. Thank you so much.’ She hugged him tightly. Then she stood up. ‘Right. I’d better go and mingle – and collect more booty. See you guys later. The food will be served shortly.’

‘Do you really not mind staying over?’ Claire asked Luca, once she was gone.

‘No, I really don’t. Besides, I kind of like the idea of fulfilling some of my lurid teenage fantasies by having a girl in that room.’

‘Okay, then,’ she said, clinking her glass against his. ‘Here’s to making your teenage fantasies come true.’ She sipped her champagne.

‘I should warn you,’ Luca grinned, ‘I had some pretty filthy fantasies when I was a teenager.’

‘Nothing I can’t handle, I’m sure.’ Claire nestled into him as he put his arm around her. ‘It’s so beautiful here. Nothing but sea everywhere you look. It must have been amazing growing up in this place.’

‘When I got used to it, I suppose it was. It completely freaked me out at first.’ Luca chuckled.

‘Why?’

‘I was terrified of the sea. Didn’t know what to make of it, I suppose. I’d never seen it before – never even heard about it.’

‘Never heard about it? You’d never seen it in a book or anything?’

‘There weren’t any books,’ he said quietly. ‘The first time I saw a book was on the plane coming over here. Jacqueline had got some for us.’

‘Oh.’ Claire swallowed the lump in her throat.

‘The first time I was brought to the beach I went ballistic. Screamed my lungs out, and had to be taken home. It was the same with grass.’

‘Grass?’ She frowned.

‘Yeah, I didn’t know what that was either. I was afraid to walk on it.’

Claire drank some more champagne, letting her hair fall over her face to hide the tears that had welled in her eyes. She couldn’t bear to think of Luca as that deprived, frightened little boy who’d never heard of the sea or felt grass beneath his feet. It made her want to wrap her arms around him and hold him tight, as if she could absorb all the hurt. It was no wonder he was a bit screwed up – it was amazing he could function at all.


‘Top-up?’ he asked, holding up the bottle.

Claire realised she had drained her glass. She turned to him, holding it out.

‘Claire?’ His smile faded as he saw the tears in her eyes. ‘Shit, I didn’t mean to upset you. It was supposed to be a funny story.’

‘Hilarious,’ she said drily as he filled her glass.

‘Sorry.’ He hugged her, kissing her forehead. ‘No more stories about Little Orphan Luca.’


The food was laid out as a buffet in the sunroom, and Claire was relieved that when they had loaded their plates Luca found them seats at the opposite end of the long table from his parents. She knew she was an awful coward, but she would be happy if she never had to face Jacqueline again, and was determined to avoid her for the rest of the evening – though she felt her eyes on her sometimes during the meal, watching her and Luca with that perplexed expression.

They sat near a group of Ali’s friends whom Luca knew well. They were welcoming and fun, and she was glad that Luca had relaxed and seemed to be enjoying himself as they talked and laughed.

When they dimmed the lights and everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’, Claire saw Luca watching Jacqueline as she carried a cake covered with candles to the table, her smiling face illuminated in their glow. Something in his expression struck her like a knife to the heart, and it hit her with devastating clarity why he was so truculent, defensive and cold with Jacqueline. It wasn’t because he hated her: it was because he loved her and knew she didn’t love him back. Maybe there was a bit of him that wanted to hurt her, but mostly, he just wanted to protect himself from being hurt any more than he already had been. So he pretended he didn’t care, that he didn’t love her any more than she loved him, that he didn’t want or need anything from her. Maybe that was why he kept all women at a distance.


Later, as Bono and Andrea Corr sang ‘When The Stars Go Blue’, she spun in Luca’s arms beneath the canopy of stars, the music drifting out across the bay, drowning the crash of the waves below. Sky and sea bled into one in the darkness, and Claire’s head, on Luca’s shoulder, was pleasantly fuzzy from the champagne. The party was winding down around them.

‘Tired?’ he asked her when the song finished.

She lifted her head. ‘I’m still up for a few teenage fantasies, if you are.’

‘Hold that thought.’ He clasped her hand and led her towards the house.

She followed him into his bedroom, but when he turned to her, she pushed him down onto the bed, locked the door and leaned against it. Holding his gaze, she unzipped her dress all the way down the back and pushed it off, letting it slide down her legs to pool at her feet.

‘What’s all this?’ Luca asked, his eyes dark and hungry as Claire reached around to unclip her strapless bra.

‘Call it my end-of-term showcase.’ She smiled, looking right at him as she removed her bra and tossed it aside, not squirming even when his eyes dropped to her chest. She was happy for him to look as she walked slowly to him in nothing but her knickers and high-heels.

‘You are so getting an A,’ he muttered, as she crawled over him on the bed.