Starting Over

Chapter 14

Ellen lay there thinking things through in her head. Rolling over she could still smell him, his head print still indented in the pillow. He’d left early, insisting she stayed in bed, slept more; he was needed back at the hotel early. They’d had a wonderful night together, despite it being too brief. She blushed at the memories of him worshipping her like some sort of God all night, she stretched, her body ached, but she loved it....she loved him.

“Argh!” she rolled over and buried her face in the pillow. Where had that come from? She wondered, she didn’t ever remember admitting to being in love with Richard, and here she was a month into a relationship and realising that revelation. She covered her head with a pillow and groaned again, this was going to end in her heart being broken; again....she just knew it. But this far in she had the chance to run away, to leave now while she could...but she knew it wasn't an option. She wanted to spend as much time as she could with Jan, and if it honestly ended in a month, five or even a year she knew she’d be grateful for every moment of it. She’d just have to deal with the aftermath when it happened.

Ellen was working that day, it was very hot, and very stuffy in the shop. Her sisters called in as she was stacking shelves with jars of olives and peppers.

“Hi Ellen, we were melting on the beach then thought we’d come and buy from you!”

Ellen laughed, “Sorry I don’t have a staff discount!”

She introduced them to Pedro her boss, who was as enthralled with them as most men were. As they left, they arranged to meet that evening, all set for a full on Spanish Fiesta.

Ellen spent a long time getting ready; this was such an important night for her on so many levels. She wanted her sisters to like Jan, and she also had to continue to be with a man she loved, in a unilateral relationship, and she couldn’t tell him, couldn’t let that slip out to him.

Finally she was ready, in short white denim shorts, a colourful gypsy top and heeled sandals, the dark hair she usually spent hours straightening was loose and half curled but she wore no makeup. She failed to feel attractive in front of her sisters, so she felt any more effort was futile.

Jan was coming from the hotel with several of the other staff, originally he was calling to collect her, but now that she was bringing her sisters, she decided to meet him there. When she walked into the hotel reception to meet Charlotte and Sara she groaned, she knew it was going to be a long night. Sara at over six foot was wearing a floor length maxi dress, her hair piled up and immaculate make up, she’d look about as at home at the street party as she would in a football team’s changing room. Charlotte at five two was stood next to her in ridiculous heels at least four inches and a tiny white dress that showed off her tiny lithe and athletic body. Every man woman and child was absorbed by them both as they sat sipping what looked like sangria at the bar.

“Ellen!” they both gushed patting a stool beside them and finding a spare glass to empty the remainder of the jug into.

Taking a deep breath she stepped into the bar and headed towards them. After an elaborate round of air kissing she settled onto the stool, glad of the sangria to fog her mind. What the hell had she expected? Her sisters had never gone anywhere quietly, didn’t understand the word subtle, but then they both lived in the public eye. Charlotte dancing in all the most famous ballets in the most famous venues all over the World, Sara gracing the front cover of Vogue more often than any other model.

“So what’s the plan?” Sara asked before ordering another drink. “More Sangria? Or are we moving on?”

“Well the party’s about a forty five minute walk away at the old harbour, but there are several nice bars en route, so I thought we could wander over there slowly.”