Escape To Naples

Ellen couldn’t imagine anywhere she’d rather be. There was only one thing missing . . .

“Are you all right, Ellen? You don’t seem yourself.”

Ellen sighed and nodded. “I don’t know what’s got into me. I spoke to Graham and went to pieces. It’s so silly – after twenty-five years, I should be used to it.”

Simone smiled.

“I don’t think it’s strange. It’s your first year without any of the children here. You’re missing Cara.”

Simone was right. Ellen really missed her daughter. She and Graham had three children and now Cara, the youngest, had left home and was at university.

Ellen was very proud of her children, but the house was quiet without them. With Graham gone, too . . .

“You’ll adjust.” Simone patted her hand and topped up her glass.

“Your family love you, and you’ve got friends who love you, too.

“We’re more than happy to spend time with you in their absence.”

Ellen laughed. It was true. She was blessed.

She picked up a tortilla chip and sipped her wine.

Although the sun was leaving the garden, the air was still warm and she could hear children playing.

Now and then a light breeze carried the scent of lavender, and in the distance, there was the whirr of a lawnmower.

She changed the subject. “How are your holiday plans going?” Ellen asked.

“Good, thanks. I’m very excited. I can’t wait to get back there. I had such a great time at Easter. It’s idyllic around Capri and the Bay of Naples.”

Ellen nodded. She remembered her holiday in the area 10 years earlier.

She had loved it, too: walking around the streets of Pompeii, visiting Herculaneum and Paestum and a boat trip out to the beautiful island of Capri.

“Why don’t you come with me?” Simone said. “Come with you?”

“Why not? I might be able to get you a lastminute deal. You could do with a change of scene.”

“I don’t want to impose.”

“I’d love your company!” “Fantastic! I won’t have to spend our anniversary on my own.” Ellen grinned.

She had been dreading their wedding anniversary. Without Graham there was little point in celebrating.

Now, she could spend the day with Simone in Italy!

****

The hotel room looked out across the bay.

The town’s sandy walls and red-tiled roofs were vibrant in the morning sunlight. Mount Vesuvius towered in the background.

Ellen smiled and took a deep breath of air. The scent of coffee and fresh bread rose to greet her.

She made her way downstairs and found Simone already tucking into a large breakfast.

She looked up and smiled as Ellen approached.

“Good morning! Come and join me.”

Ellen glanced at the cakes, cookies and hot chocolate on the table and laughed.

“With your sweet tooth, I guess you’re in paradise.” Simone sighed. “I could definitely get used to this.

“How do you feel about a visit to Pompeii today?”

“Sounds great. It’s years since I’ve been. I wonder if it’s changed much?”

“We’ll go and see. Then I’m taking you for a meal at Bellissimo. You’ll love it.”

Soon, the two of them were armed with floppy hats and bottles of water, eager to explore the delights of ancient Italy.

Soon they were strolling down a street, large stones beneath their feet and ruins on either side.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Ellen said. “To think that real Romans walked here.”

“Do you think they were very different from us?”

“I guess their lives were, but I’m not sure people change much.”

Simone laughed.

“Maybe some wife was shopping in this very street, pining for her husband who’d been sent to England with his legion!”

“Maybe.” Ellen grinned. “Did Romans ever get divorced, do you think?”

“If they did, I bet the wife didn’t fare too well. I reckon we’re better off.”

Ellen agreed. They had a lot of blessings to count.

“Thank you so much for including me,” she said. “This is incredible.”

“My pleasure.” Simone smiled. “You’ve been a godsend to me. I don’t know how I’d have coped without you when Ivan left.”

Ivan’s departure had been a complete shock.

Simone hadn’t realised he was having an affair and, when he left her, she’d been devastated.

Now, however, she was living life to the full.

The two friends spent a wonderful day ambling amongst the ruins.

Later, Ellen got ready for the meal.

She put on an emerald dress and a pair of heels. She brushed her dark hair and decided to wear it up. She felt liberated.

The moment they entered the restaurant, her spirits plummeted once more.

“There’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Simone told her, her face glowing.

To Ellen’s dismay, there was a gentleman already at their table. A handsome, dark-haired Italian.

“This is Luigi.”

Ellen swallowed as he shook her hand, then turned and kissed her friend passionately.

What a nightmare! She had gatecrashed a romantic assignation!

****

Ellen woke with a headache. She groaned and rubbed her eyes as memories of the night before came flooding back.

She was delighted that her friend’s holiday romance had clearly been more serious than she’d realised.

Simone deserved someone special.

They had done their best to include her, but she had felt that she was in the way. She’d also missed Graham.

To make matters worse, on their return, she had been unable to call him.

Reception had apologised profusely, but apparently internet problems were commonplace here.

So here she was, stuck with Simone and Luigi, unable to contact Graham and, to top it all, today was their anniversary!

She got up and tried to put on a brave face.

She accompanied Simone around Herculaneum, exclaiming dutifully over houses and murals, but her thoughts were miles away.

Later, all she wanted to do was go to bed.

“You can’t go to bed!” Simone exclaimed. “I’ve organised a meal for your anniversary.”

“You and Luigi enjoy it. I’m exhausted.”

“But it’s all your favourite food and a table on the terrace – you’ll love it!”

Despite her protests, Ellen found herself in the shower, then putting on a beautiful outfit Simone had bought as a gift.

They entered the restaurant and were shown outside to a table with an incredible view.

Luigi was already there, and someone else. Was she expected to make smalltalk with a stranger?

What was Simone thinking?

As the man turned, Ellen caught her breath.

She felt dizzy, then she raced forward and fell into his arms.

“Graham! What are you doing here?”

He hugged her close. “You didn’t think I’d miss our anniversary, did you?” “But you’re on duty.”

“I’ve been given a few days’ leave.”

“But I don’t . . .”

There was laughter. Ellen looked around. They had been planning this for months!

A grin spread slowly across her own face.

How long was it since she and Graham had been away without the children?

She felt elated. She was truly blessed. And, she decided, when she got home, she would make the most of her me-time, too.

Simone handed her a glass of champagne.

“Happy anniversary!”

The End.