Dawn was better, she was healed and she knew it. She was young, free and single and proving that life goes on. She’d even been on a few dates with that cute barman Tommy, from Hope Street. It had all fizzled out after a few weeks, but Dawn wasn’t remotely bothered. Because this, she thought, is what being single is all about. Playing the field, getting out there, having fun. Wasn’t it? And lately, she’d been having the time of her life.
Next thing Eva bounced over, in a gorgeous black cocktail dress that set off her glossy red hair to perfection.
‘Present time!’ she said. ‘And I’m really proud of this one, so you’d better like it!’
‘Wow, thanks so much!’ Dawn laughed, gratefully taking the gift from her. A fairly largish box, but which felt really light when she lifted it.
‘Well, aren’t you going to open it?’ said Eva, eyes sparkling with mischief.
So Dawn did. The first layer, which turned out to be an empty box with a smaller box inside, then the second, which again, turned out to be yet another empty box with an even smaller one inside … and so on and so on …
‘Eva! It’s like a Russian doll!’
‘Just keep going. You’ll get there,’ she grinned.
So on and on Dawn kept unwrapping until there was just a giant mound of wrapping paper left at her feet.
‘Keep going,’ Eva laughed knowingly. Eventually, Dawn had peeled the gift down to its last and final layer and all that remained inside this giant box was a slim white envelope. Puzzled, she looked over at Eva.
‘Well, are you not going to open it?’ she teased. ‘After I went to all this bother?’
‘Oh my GOWD! Oh my actual God!’ Dawn squealed, clearly audible over the music, when she saw what was inside.
‘Well, do you like it? Tell me!’
‘Eva, I don’t believe you did this. Two tickets to Paris, where I’ve always wanted to go! And an overnight stay at the Hotel du Louvre!’
‘Well? Are you up for it or what? Because I’m coming with you!’
‘Thank you so, so much,’ Dawn beamed. ‘I love and adore it. You couldn’t have got me anything more perfect or special! I mean that, I really, really do.’
‘Two single ladies on a weekend in Paris,’ Eva smiled, ‘now that’s what I call an adventure.’
Dawn’s mother bustled over to them, gin and tonic in hand.
‘Do you like your gift, sweetheart?’ she asked. ‘It was Eva’s idea, but we both clubbed in.’
‘Mum, I can’t thank you enough. Both of you,’ Dawn grinned, wrapping the two of them in a group hug.
‘You deserve it,’ her Mum said proudly. ‘Oh and by the way, some new guests have arrived. Over there, by the door. You might want to say hello, love.’ Then she added a bit sniffily, ‘Though why you had to ask that pair is beyond me …’
Dawn looked over to see Kirk and Shane, standing uncomfortably by the bar, not really knowing where to go or how they’d be received.
‘Excuse me one minute, will you?’ she said to her Mum and Eva.
She made her way over to the boys and greeted them both warmly. Even Shane.
‘This is for you,’ Kirk beamed, proudly presenting a small package wrapped in brown paper that stank to high hell. ‘It’s some goats’ cheese my Dad made specially.’
‘Thank you, it’s lovely.’
‘And we brought some elderflower wine too,’ said Shane, proffering a bottle. ‘Happy birthday.’
‘You shouldn’t have,’ Dawn smiled. ‘And thank you both for coming. I really do appreciate it.’
Goats’ cheese and elderflower wine, she thought? Eva would piss herself laughing when she heard. But she said nothing, just politely accepted the gifts and thanked them both warmly.
‘No reason why we can’t all be friends,’ Kirk said, calmly and evenly, looking at her softly with the big brown eyes. Dawn grinned back at them both, genuinely pleased they’d turned up. Because life went on, didn’t it? But that still didn’t mean you discarded someone you once loved from your past, did it?
Besides, her whole life had moved on so happily and being perfectly honest, it was far easier now to think of both Kirk and Shane and to genuinely wish them well from the bottom of her heart.
Then, suddenly distracted, she squealed excitedly at the sight of Chloe coming through the main door to the tennis club. Looking off the scales glamorous tonight and queuing up to check in the most incredibly elegant looking cream, swishy coat, that suited her to perfection.
Dawn ran over to her and hugged her as Chloe instantly lit up and said, ‘Hey! Happy birthday! And thanks so much for asking me!’
‘Are you kidding?’ Dawn laughed. ‘After everything I owe you missus, do you honestly think I’d have a birthday bash and not ask you?’
Then Chloe slipped her a beautifully wrapped gift bag with a big white envelope inside, jutting out. Excitedly, Dawn ripped it open and gasped.
‘Chloe … I can’t believe you did this! A voucher for dinner for two at Maxim’s in Paris … Wow! This is the best birthday ever!’
‘Well, a little bird tells me you’re taking a trip there very soon,’ Chloe laughed. ‘And I really hope you both enjoy every minute. No one deserves it more. No one.’
‘Thank you,’ said Dawn hugging her warmly. ‘And not just for this, either. For absolutely everything.’
‘You’re so welcome!’
‘And I can’t believe you came tonight … and on your own too!’
‘Well actually …’ Chloe said, sounding a bit coy now, and for a second Dawn picked up on something more, something unspoken.
‘Yeah?’
‘If it’s okay with you … as a matter of fact, I brought someone with me.’
*
Jo.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Re: The Valentine’s Day massacre, as you keep referring to it …
February 13th, 6.45 a.m.
Dave! Are you up and about yet? With apologies for the dawn email, but as you know I’m en route to London this morning for a whole day of meetings and my flight is boarding … well, now actually. As I type.
So anyway, tomorrow night, or V-Day as you keep referring to it. When you’re not calling it the anniversary of the Valentine’s Day massacre, that is. Now as you know, it’s one subject we’re in total agreement on; I too normally loathe and despise Valentine’s Day for the poxy, made-up, Hallmark holiday that it is. But this year is different. Like we agreed, new year, new start, new attitude.
So, dinner tomorrow night it is. And no Dave, I’m not leaving you to make all the arrangements again. No offence, but if I do, I’ll come home to you saying, ‘Ah sure, let’s just order in a pizza and have it in front of Strictly Come Dancing.’ We’re upping the romantic stakes here, if it bloody well kills us. Don’t we deserve it?
So leave all the arrangements to me and I’ll be in touch,
Stay well, keep safe and have a great day,
Jo xxxxx
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Re: The Valentine’s Day massacre, as you keep referring to it …
February 13th, 6.57 a.m.
Oh shite. Is it really morning???? Do I really have to get up now? Curse my telly job anyway and curse the frigging alarm clock! How do you do this, Jo? Day in day out, hop out of the scratcher at 5 a.m., fresh as a tulip and stride effortlessly through your whole morning, not a bother on you?
And just as an aside, yes, I’m aware of the irony. I spent my whole life bemoaning my unemployed status, and the first time a decent TV series comes along, what do I do? Whinge and gripe on account of IT’S SO FREAKING EARLY!!!!
Need caffeine. Urgently. Car’s picking me up in twenty minutes and I’m not even showered yet.
Laters, baby.
Love you. Travel safe.
Dxxxx
PS. I can’t find the filters for your fancy Nespresso machine anywher
e. Where’d you put them?
PPS. Think I lost my key again. It’s not in its usual place, i.e., my jeans pocket. Any ideas/clues/hints?
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Re: The Valentine’s Day massacre, as you keep referring to it …
February 13th, 7.22 a.m.
Sweet Mother of God, you’ll be the death of me. Nespresso filters are in the cupboard above the kitchen sink. Where they always are, Dave. As for your spare key, suggest you try the washing machine, seeing as how that’s where your last one turned up.
Good luck on set today. VERY proud of you,
Jo xxxxx
PS. Will be back to you with arrangements for tomorrow. Just wear your good black suit from Louis Copeland, turn up on time and that’s all I ask. Leave everything else to your control freak of a wife and all will be well.
Flight taxiing now, getting snotty looks from passenger beside me, gotta turn off phone, etc. Xxxxx
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Re: reservation confirmation.
February 13th, 9.05 a.m.
Dear Ms Hargreaves,
Many thanks for your previous email. We’re delighted to let you know that we have indeed had a cancellation for tomorrow evening, and I can now offer you a table for two in Guilbaud’s for 8 p.m. As a long-standing guest, it’s been our pleasure to accommodate you in the past, and I’m delighted to be of service to you in this regard.
If you have any additional special requests, then please don’t hesitate to contact me,
With sincere thanks for your continued custom,
James Sheridan.
Jo’s flight had landed and she was just clipping through arrivals and onto a car that was waiting for her, when that last and final email pinged through. She fastened herself into the back seat, gave her driver Digitech’s address and for the first time all morning sat back to really relax.
Wonderful, she thought. Guilbaud’s was just perfect. Because tomorrow night was a very special celebration for her and Dave, even though he hadn’t the first clue yet. And where better to celebrate in style than Guilbaud’s? After every storm they’d weathered, this was it. The big turning point for them. And God, but she was beside herself to see his face when she told him her Big News.
With a broad beam plastered across her face, she scrolled down through her phone and hit on the very email that had her practically dancing a jig, when it came through for her only yesterday. She must have re-read it a thousand times since, but even still it never failed to gladden her heart.
From: [email protected].
To: [email protected]
Re: Appointment confirmation
February 12th, 4.47 p.m.
Dear Ms Hargreaves,
Further to our meeting earlier today, I’m now delighted to confirm your initial ante-natal appointment for March 10th at 9 a.m. Your husband is, of course, more than welcome to attend with you.
May I take this opportunity to congratulate you and your husband on your impending good news? As we’ve often discussed, IVF is a lengthy and costly procedure and that cost is frequently emotional as well as financial. I know many times throughout your treatment, things weren’t easy for you and yet you persevered and here we are now.
I consider myself a lucky woman, in that my job often entails passing on good news to patients such as yourself, but our meeting this week, when I was in a position to give you final confirmation of your pregnancy, is especially memorable.
Once again, I’m overjoyed for you and know that you and your husband will make the most wonderful parents.
Looking forward to seeing you at your next appointment,
Sincerely,
Dr Katherine Mulcahy, OBS GYN. BMED.
Jo hugged herself and for about the thousandth time since yesterday, patted her tummy gently, wondering how she’d find the right words to tell Dave. Keeping it from him for the past twenty-four hours had been bloody torture, but it would be so worth it, just to see the look on his face in the restaurant tomorrow night.
She sat back against the plush leather seat, thinking about how overjoyed and excited he’d be and remembering her own reaction yesterday when Dr Katherine had first told her. God, she almost had to be given oxygen, she’d been that euphoric! It was a miracle and a dream come true, all somehow magicked together.
Next thing, acting totally on impulse, she grabbed her phone again and quickly bashed out another email.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Re: The Valentine’s Day massacre, as you keep referring to it …
February 13th, 9.42 a.m.
Dave, I’m an idiot. Left home without telling you something important.
I love you.
But then, you always knew that, didn’t you?
Your,
Jxxxx
‘You’re looking mighty chipper this morning then, love?’ her driver grinned at her, catching her reflection in the rear-view mirror.
‘I am,’ Jo grinned happily back at him. ‘In fact, at this exact moment in time, I’m officially on top of the world.’
*
Lucy.
‘Ready, darling?’
‘As I’ll ever be.’
‘No nerves? Or last minute reservations?’
‘Oh come on, how could you even ask?’
‘Just remember it’s all change from here on in, darling. Because if I have to spend the rest of my life making it up to you for what my family put you through – for what I put you through – then I will. This is it, my love. You and me, except for better this time. We’ve certainly had the for worse part!’
‘So what are we waiting for?’
From the driver’s seat of his car, Andrew just beamed over at Lucy, looking all handsome and healthy now that he was fully restored back to himself again. Just like the Andrew of old, the man she loved.
She knew he’d meant every word of what he’d said too. Because this really was a whole new start for them. No more secrets, no more horrible tensions around the step-kids. New start, new beginning. And with Andrew by her side, she knew she wouldn’t go too far wrong.
The two of them stepped out into the lashing rain and made a bolt for the Grand Canal Street registry office, just across the street. Tittering with laughter, Andrew held the car door open for her, gamely holding an umbrella over her, so her long, white dress wouldn’t get destroyed. Full of energy and vitality, looking so fit and well. Glowing even.
But just inside the door of the registry office, dripping with rain, there was a surprise waiting for them. Because standing there, looking fabulously glamorous, even with soaking wet hair, was Alannah. Carrying two little posy bouquets, no less.
‘Sweetheart, you came!’ Andrew beamed down at her. ‘I didn’t think you would.’
And nor did Lucy. She grinned over at Alannah, genuinely delighted to see her. The fact was, even though a full rapprochement was still a long way off, ever since Andrew got sick, the two women had somehow grown closer. It was bridge-building at its best and Lucy was bloody grateful for it.
‘Thanks for coming, I can’t tell you how much it means,’ she told Alannah simply, meaning every word.
‘Well after all, you’re about to renew your vows,’ Alannah said, ‘and I just figured you could use a bit of support.’
‘And will Josh be coming too?’ Andrew asked hopefully.
‘Not today,’ Alannah said, biting her lip slightly, ‘but just give him time. He’ll come round eventually, I know he will.’
‘Ready to move?’ an usher from out of nowhere asked them as they all moved inside.
‘You’re looking absolutely stunning, by the way,’ Lucy told Alannah, linking Andrew’s arm and waiting for the nod from the registrar. ‘I love that shift dress on you. Karen Millen, isn’t it?�
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‘Got it in one. And thanks. I just thought I should make a bit of an effort.’
‘Well, it’s much appreciated,’ Lucy smiled at her. ‘By both of us.’
‘Thing is …’ Alannah said. ‘I figured you could use a bridesmaid.’
Five minutes later, they were on.
‘… And do you, Lucy Amelia, take this, Andrew James for your wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forth, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?’
‘I do,’ said Lucy, clearly and confidently. Utterly sure of her answer, this time round.
‘Then by the power vested in me, I now declare you man and wife.’
There was no polite handclapping, at least not this time. And apart from a brief ‘Well, congratulations to you both,’ from the registrar, and a big smiley grin from Alannah, no other well-wishers were even there. Or even knew this was happening. Which was exactly as the bride and groom had wanted.
‘Oh, sweetheart,’ Andrew said, looking fondly down at the bride he’d just renewed vows with. ‘This isn’t at all what I’d have wanted for you, you know. I wanted you to have a massive celebration with all your family and friends and a big party for you afterwards, the whole works –’
But Lucy just stood tall, placed her finger over his lips to stop him saying another word and shook her head firmly.
‘Now you just listen to me. I may not have got my dream wedding first time round …’
‘… Or indeed your dream marriage, come to that …’
‘But this time it’s exactly what I would have asked for. Just us. Renewing our vows and starting over. Really, properly starting over. Leaving all the crap behind us, once and for all.’
‘First time I’ve head any bride use the word “crap” at the altar,’ the registrar laughed, ‘but each to his own, I suppose!’
Lucy immediately leaned forward and kissed Andrew on the cheek.
‘All change this time?’ she asked coquettishly.
He pulled her closer to him and grinned.
‘This time, my darling girl, it’s all change forever.’
*
Chloe.
So here’s what I remember, though he would certainly disagree. Not that there’s all that much Rob and I do disagree on, really. However, he does maintain that we should have screening rooms in all Ferndale Hotels on the days that Man U are playing, whereas I think that’s a completely mental idea that’ll drive female guests completely nuts.
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