Ciao Bella - Chapter One

Evelyn wasn’t sure how Mike was going to react. Mike had always said no to her suggestion of going away on a girly holiday with her two good friends Becs and Meena. Remembering the first time she had mentioned the idea to Mike a few months ago, Mike’s eyes had opened wide in disbeliefand his lips had pursed together followed by a deep inhale of breath.

‘No’, Mike had said. ‘I don’t think so’.

Just that, nothing else. Mike had turned back to his computer and he’d continued tapping away at the keyboard as if she’d just suggested a cup of tea, or something a little more trivial. Irritation had gnawed at Evelyn but she hadn’t said anything.

She had tried to bring up the subject a couple more times after that but it was a fruitless effort.

‘About that holiday with Becs and Meena’, Evelyn tried a second time a few weeks later. Mike had raised his eyebrows and made as if to speak but initially remained silent instead.

‘Well, I’ve saved some money and I haven’t had a break in a while, since we got together really, it’ll only be a week. I’ll be back before you know it’. Evelyn was aware she was rambling, but couldn’t stop the words from tumbling from her mouth anyway.

Mike started to speak bofore Evelyn had finished her last sentence. ‘You know we can’t afford it. Anyway, more importantly, what’s for tea?’ and Evelyn had wandered into the kitchen to see what was in the cupboard.

Evelyn wasn’t feeling great right now. She was disappointed in herself and had a tight feeling in her stomach. Did she stand up for herself enough? Was she confident enough? Did she just let other people walk over her? Well, that was the thing, she just wasn’t sure. Was it just Mike or did she let her friends and family do the same? Walking home from town, for the exercise rather than lack of a car, she had time to mull over the problem.

Evelyn had just been with Becs and Meena at the Travel Agents to book their long awaited holiday together. Had she let her two longest and oldest friends bully her into booking the holiday to Italy? But the villa and the pool sounded amazing, and she’d heard about the icecream, the food, the history, the art and don’t forget the climate. It would be a lot warmer in Italy in April than it would be in England. No, they hadn’t bullied her, she wanted to go, and she needed this holiday. She had not had a holiday since she met Mike. Evelyn, Becs and Meena used to go somewhere every year. It was her own money; she worked, so really why did Mike say no all the time? The more she thought about it the angrier she got, so by the time Evelyn was putting the key in the front door she was biting her lip with her teeth in frustration.

Two years ago she and Mike had moved in with each other, having only dated each other for three months. It had been at Mike’s suggestion and she’d just said yes. His flat was big enough for two and so she’d moved in. Evelyn suspected that she let Mike have more control over her than she really liked but she didn’t like conflict and she liked to please. Anyway, at that time her lease on her flat had just come up for renewal and the rent was increasing as well. It’s not like Mike made her move in. She had already decided to move out or find a flatmate so why not share with Mike?

Evelyn walked into the halway, hung up her coat and saw that Mike was just putting his biking shoes on, his helmet was nearby, obviously about to head out on his bike somewhere.
‘Hey’, said Mike. ‘How was your afternoon with the girls?’
‘Great’, replied Evelyn. ‘How was afternoon here?’
‘Relaxing. Did you post my letters?’
‘Yep’.
‘Did you put my cheque in the bank?’
‘Yep’.
‘Good’

Trying to think of a way to tell Mike exactly what she had done this afternoon, Evelyn wondered if she should broach the subject lightly, or just bowl straight into it? She’d never been any good at this sort of thing. Imagine if she were a lawyer in court in America, knowing all the right words to say to win any argument. Oh, if only. It would make this easier. Why was she nervous? She was annoying herself now. Ok, deep breath, out with it.

‘I’ve booked my holiday. With Becs and Meena. We all did today. We’re going to Italy for a fortnight next month’.

‘Well, you’ll just have to cancel won’t you?’ Mike said far too quickly.

‘Why are you so against me going away for two weeks?’

‘I said no’, Mike’s voice was tense and Eveyln could smell the anger caught in his throat waiting for the moment it was finally unleashed. Mike was very good lucking and Evelyn often wondered why such an attractive man would ever be interested in her. Evelyn loved to just watch Mike, his beautiful blue eyes, and his toned body. Or she used to. Today she wasn’t finding him very appealing. His anger seemed to take the sheen away from him.

‘Or tell me where you booked and I’ll go and cancel for you’, he said.

Mike took a couple of steps towards Evelyn and her initial reaction was to shrink closer to the wall. As she felt the wall behind her she felt trapped, but instead she found herself taking a step forward towards Mike and lifted her chin to look him in the eyes.

‘No’, she said ‘I’m going. I’m not cancelling, you’re not cancelling, and everything’s confirmed. I am going. I am going’.

Wow, so much like a rebellious teenager, and such a silly emotion from a 32 year old, Evelyn felt young and idiotic. A voice spoke inside her head, it had become more and more frequent over the past two months and now started to get louder. It’s time to leave. Don’t argue. Come home from work early tomorrow; pack your things and go. Or just take the day off. You can be gone before Mike is home. Mike had never been violent towards her or abusive but there was something in his personality that she couldn’t quite define. It was like he was holding back in some way, though some cracks in his wall were starting to appear.

‘There’s nothing you can say to make me change my mind’, added Evelyn.

Mike smirked and raised his hand as if to slap Evelyn but realised in time what he was doing and brushed his fingers through his hair instead. He hoped Evelyn hadn’t noticed how he’d reacted.
Evelyn silently agreed with the voice in her head, shocked that Mike had actually raised his hand even though he had not actually hit her. She was certain he hadn’t been lifting it to fluff his hair. Tomorrow she would leave Mike. Tomorrow would be the day. Her relationship had not been the equal partnership she’d been expecting, only she just hadn’t realised to what extent until now.

‘Look, I’m sorry’ Mike said, taking Evelyn’s hands into his. ‘We just can’t afford it. Not if we want to buy a house together, get married, have children. I love you’. Evelyn tried not to flinch as Mike lent forward and kissed her softly on her lips.

Get married, thought Evelyn. She wasn’t so sure. She felt a feeling so heavy in the pit of her stomach and a surge of nausea fly through her. Mike was looking at her expectantly and it just made her feeling of nausea stronger. What? What did he want? Don’t panic. Oh yes, of course.
‘I love you too’ replied Evelyn.
‘Good’. Mike kissed her on the cheek. ‘We’ll talk more about getting married tomorrow. I thought June next year, wedding at the bike club in that big field they have, then a reception at that big hotel near the estuary. What do you think?’
‘Erm, yeah’
‘I’d love to stay and talk about it all. I’m so excited. Look, let’s pick up a bottle of champagne and go around to see my parents tomorrow. I can’t wait to tell them you’ve said yes’, Mike glowed. ‘But I have that bike meeting with the crew from work. Don’t wait up. Oh and tomorrow wear that blue dress with the empire line. It looks good on you’.

Before leaving Mike looked up at the girl he did really truly love and felt a happy glow. Ev could be a little too stubborn and outgoing for his liking but that would probably change. It wasn’t like she was a beauty but she had quirky features that he liked. Mike blew her a kiss goodbye. Evelyn watched as Mike left, peddling away on his racing bike. He did have a pretty damn good body, great leg muscle definition and it was one reason why she had fallen for him. Oh god, he’d want to have sex later on to celebrate their engagement. The thought was suddenly repulsive. And how did he know about empire lines? She must have mentioned it at some point. Engagement? Evelyn hadn’t realised she’d actually said yes.

Her breath came out in a rush and Evelyn realised she had been holding it in. She walked over to the telephone, picked up the handset and dialled.

‘Becs. I’m leaving Mike. Like right now. Can I stay with you tonight?’

‘At last’ Becs replied, Evelyn unable to see the big smile that had grown on her friend’s face.