by Caragh Bell
‘Tripe and drisheen?’ asked Samantha playfully, referring to the local delicacy of the market.
Craig shook his head. ‘Christ no. Entrails? Not a hope.’
‘A toastie it is, then.’
She started to weave her way through the busy café and took her place in the queue. Looking up at the blackboard she noticed that one of the specials was an open fresh-salmon sandwich on brown bread. Her stomach growled.
‘Hi,’ she said to the woman at the counter, who had her pen poised. ‘A toasted special and an open salmon, please.’
‘Any drinks?’ asked the lady, writing furiously.
‘Just two coffees.’
‘I’ll give you the coffees and this number. Take a seat and someone will bring down the food when it’s ready.’
Samantha placed Craig’s coffee in front of him and sat up on her stool.
This gave them the perfect vantage point for viewing the market below. Samantha sipped her coffee and watched an old lady buy three apples from a fruit-and-vegetable vendor. She carefully placed them in her wheelie bag as though they were precious jewels. Another man, pushing a buggy, was buying a chocolate cake from the French pâtissier who ran the cake shop. The impressive gâteau was placed in a big box, a ribbon tied around it and curled at the ends. The man handed over twenty euros and received no change.
Must be a birthday cake for Mammy, reflected Samantha as she sipped her coffee.
‘Table 21? Table 21?’ called the waitress.
‘Here!’ Craig folded up the paper. ‘Thank God – I’m starving.’
Samantha smiled. He was always hungry. Reaching out she ruffled his hair and he grinned at her. She sighed with contentment. This was beginning to feel like a proper relationship.
Two days later, on a break between classes, Luca suggested to Lydia that they go for a walk by the river that flowed adjacent to the university. She agreed, wondering why she couldn’t say no.
Stopping by an old tree, he gestured for her to sit down on the grass.
Lydia shook her head. ‘No way – I’ll freeze if I sit there.’
He took off his jacket and spread it on the ground. ‘Is that better, my lady?’
‘It’ll do.’ She sat and he sat down so close to her that they were touching. In the cold air, his body heat felt good so she didn’t protest.
‘I love the peace here,’ she reflected, listening to the babble of the water as it flowed by. ‘It doesn’t feel like I’m in the middle of a city.’
Luca pressed his long leg gently against hers. ‘It’s pretty nice, for sure. The trees look like the ones outside my place near Central Park.’
Lydia leaned her head back against the trunk of the tree. ‘So what does your dad do? And your mum?’
‘Well, Papa is a partner in a law firm. It was kind of set out for him – his papa was one before him. He’s a workaholic, I never really see him. It’s cool though as he’s kind of intense. He’s French, you know – well, Franco-American.’ He paused and his expression softened. ‘Mom, she’s amazing. She’s a painter, and her work is so great. I honestly got to show it to you sometime. She’s Irish so I guess that’s where she gets her passion. Papa doesn’t really get that side to her. They split last year. She’s happier, he’s okay. I feel like they only stayed together all those years because of me.’
Lydia sat bolt upright. ‘God, sorry for prying, I didn’t realise.’
‘Hey, it’s no problem.’ Luca grinned. ‘I’m not scarred or anything. Mom kicked him out when she found him fooling around with his secretary.’
‘Oh, that’s awful. It must have been really hard on you.’
Luca shook his head. ‘I was fine. There was talk about Mom as well.’ He gazed thoughtfully at the fast-flowing water. ‘I suppose I’m like him – I tend to treat women badly. That’s what freaks me out the most.’
Lydia put her hand on his arm. ‘You haven’t met the right woman yet, that’s all. Don’t label yourself yet.’
‘Maybe,’ murmured Luca, meeting her gaze. ‘Maybe you’re right.’
Lydia looked away first.
The wind blew softly, scattering leaves in its path.
‘So, you finally accepted my friend request,’ he drawled, glancing at her.
She felt her face going red. ‘I had to get to know you first. I mean, we barely knew each other when you sent it.’
‘Cute profile picture, Lyd.’
‘Yours isn’t so bad either,’ she replied with a grin.
‘You don’t have many friends. I mean, I have thousands. Why is that?’
She shrugged. ‘I don’t believe in plastering my private life online. I mean, Dominic isn’t on Facebook at all. He can’t stand social media.’
‘He’s not, huh?’ Luca looked away. He wasn’t going to tell her that the first thing he did when she accepted his request was to look for a picture of Dominic in her friend list. He wanted to clock the competition; it was nothing more than that. What guy wouldn’t?
Glancing at her watch, she started. ‘We’re late!’ Abruptly she got to her feet. ‘Come on, lazybones!’
‘I’m up, I’m up.’ Luca jumped up and grabbed his satchel. ‘You hate being late, huh?’
‘Hate it.’
‘I get that about you.’
‘Come on!’
‘So you’ve been hanging around with that blond Adonis a lot, Lyd. Anything I should know?’ Colin sipped his coffee innocently.
Lydia laughed. ‘You’re unreal, do you know that? No, Col, sorry to disappoint but all is quiet.’
‘Has he tried it on? Anything to report? I hear he has quite a reputation with the ladies.’
Lydia shook her head. ‘Nope. I must be too unattractive!’
‘Hardly! We are related, you know.’ Colin looked affronted.
‘Anyway, he’s going out with Jessica. We’re just friends. He’s actually really nice.’
‘Has he met Dom yet?’
‘No, why would he?’ Lydia felt uncomfortable but she pushed the feeling away. She had nothing to hide – what was the problem?
‘Oh, nothing. Just wondering.’
‘Look, Col, there’s no juicy gossip. I’m sorry but I’m boring. Try Sam, she has a far more interesting life than I do.’
‘Want to go into town later and help me shop?’
Lydia smiled. ‘Of course. Pick me up after lectures.’
‘We could dine out in McDonald’s?’
‘Oh Colin, you really know how to make a girl feel special!’
‘Damn right I do. I don’t fork out for Big Macs for just anyone, you know.’
Luca texted, just as she was turning off the light to go to sleep. It was a regular thing now, his texts. They were generally about nothing, just simple conversation. Lydia enjoyed the contact. Samantha and Craig were constantly in the sitting room and she felt like a third wheel. More often than not, she would retreat to her room. This was often rather boring so Luca made it more interesting.
What U doing now?
She typed: In bed, about to go to sleep. U?
Her phone buzzed again.
In bed too. Pity we’re not together.
Lydia threw her eyes to heaven. He just had to flirt.
Cut it out.
She waited for a reply. Five minutes passed. Then ten.
Oh no, maybe he’s insulted, she thought worriedly.
Another couple of minutes crawled by.
Finally, her phone sprang to life.
Sorry. Gotta go. Jess is here. Laters.
Lydia felt something clutch her heart. She knew it was silly, but that last text upset her. She felt dismissed. Of course he would be busy with his girlfriend. That was only natural. Why did she care anyway? They were only friends.
She switched off the light. At least there was no confusion about where they stood with each other. Anyway, she was off to Dublin for the weekend to see Dom. It would be a welcome break from everything. She needed to reconnect with him, to remember just why s
he was the luckiest girl alive. Luca was only a distraction, something to occupy her time.
Luca grinned. He knew that last text was abrupt but it had to be. She was definitely warming to him; he just knew it. It was only a matter of time. Jess was supposed to call over but not until much later.
He imagined her curled up in bed, her long hair fanned over her pillow. He had to admit that he was into her. She was cool. He liked how she spoke and the things she talked about. She was into her poetry and books. He liked that.
If only she would give in and let him take her to bed. It would be so much easier than all this friend-zone stuff. The game-playing was exhausting. This weekend he would make a move; he would test the waters. Maybe they could go for drinks and that would lead to something. He was so close. He could feel it.
Lydia pulled the razor carefully up her leg.
God, shaving was such a pain. She had left it too late to get a waxing appointment and so had to improvise. Blobs of shaving foam floated on the surface of the bath water like scum. Samantha walked into the bathroom and shielded her eyes.
‘Christ, Lyd, you could have warned me,’ she complained, pulling some Tampax out of the cabinet.
‘I hate shaving!’ exclaimed Lydia, ignoring her. ‘All this hard work and I’ll have stubble in an hour.’
‘What time is your train?’
‘Ten, tomorrow morning.’
‘You’d better top up the legs in the morning. They’ll be stubbly again by then. Why do them now?’
Lydia frowned as she concentrated on her leg. ‘You know me, Sam – I’ll be in a tizz in the morning. I won’t have time for grooming.’
‘True.’
‘You going out later?’
Samantha shook her head. ‘Nope, having a quiet night in. Do you want to watch old movies and relax?’
‘Yeah! I’d love that. I brought Ghost up from home last weekend.’
‘Perfect. I’ll leave now before you decide to stand up. My poor eyes would never recover.’
Lydia smiled. ‘Microwave some popcorn and I’ll be out.’
Luca had texted earlier, asking if she would like to go for a drink tomorrow night. She had refused, without explaining why. She didn’t want to involve him in her personal life. Her trip to Dublin was her own affair.
She hugged herself in delight. A couple of days with Dom were just what she needed. The distance thing definitely added a frisson to their relationship. She put on her fleecy pyjamas and vacated her bedroom. Samantha had the movie on ‘pause’ and was dressed in a similar outfit.
‘If the boys saw us now,’ she quipped. ‘So sexy.’
‘I love these pyjamas,’ argued Lydia, defensively. ‘I wear them around Dom all the time.’
‘Ah, but you’re at that stage. I’m still at the exciting phase.’
Lydia said nothing but she vowed to pack some sexy lingerie for the weekend. They were still an exciting couple. Fleecy pyjamas aside.
Chapter 14
‘Dom!’
Lydia ran towards him and he swept her up in his arms. It was like a scene from an old Hollywood movie. The train platform was packed with commuters and other travellers.
‘Baby,’ he nuzzled her neck, ‘it’s so good to see you.’
He twirled her around and around.
‘Put me down, silly,’ she laughed.
He set her down on the ground.
‘So, what’s the plan?’ she asked, giving him her bag to carry.
‘Well, I thought you’d like to do something fun.’ Dominic’s eyes twinkled.
‘What do have in mind?’
‘I booked us into the Shelbourne for the night.’
Lydia gasped. ‘The Shelbourne? Oh my God!’ She jumped in excitement. ‘Dom, that is so exciting!’
She hugged herself in delight. She had never stayed in a posh hotel with her boyfriend before. She was so glad that she had packed the sexy lingerie now.
Dominic hailed a taxi outside Heuston Station and they arrived at the Shelbourne in record time.
A man in a top hat greeted them as they walked into the imposing redbrick building.
‘Good day, madam,’ he said, tipping his hat in welcome.
‘Hi,’ answered Lydia, enchanted.
She gazed around the opulent reception as Dominic checked in. The marble floors gleamed and the walls were adorned with classical paintings. She glanced at her boyfriend standing at the mahogany desk. He was wearing that grey jacket she loved, coupled with his black Hugo Boss pants. With his dark good looks and expensive shoes, he looked right at home in this environment. She watched him give the drooling receptionist his platinum card and soon they were all set.
‘Follow me,’ said a porter, taking their bags.
Lydia grasped Dominic’s hand in hers as they followed him into the lift and up to their room.
The porter ushered them in.
‘Oh Dom, it’s beautiful!’ Lydia gasped in delight as she surveyed the room. The dominant feature was the king-size bed with its white lace cover. There was a sofa and armchair and a huge flat-screen TV. Glancing into the bathroom, she saw a huge marble bath and two sinks.
As she came out Dominic was tipping the porter and she caught the man winking knowingly at him.
Lydia raised an eyebrow as the porter exited the room. ‘He’s probably thinking that you’re in for a steamy afternoon.’
Dominic took off his jacket.
‘Then he’d be right.’
Later that afternoon, Lydia was soaking in the bath with Dominic seated between her legs. Gently she sponged his back with the sudsy water.
‘Isn’t this just bliss?’ she sighed.
He nodded, resting his head back against her shoulder.
‘I love the bed – it’s so soft. It’s like there’s a duvet underneath the sheet or something.’
Dominic nodded again.
‘God, you’re talkative today!’ she said. ‘What’s up?’
Dominic nestled into her chest. ‘Absolutely nothing. I’m just so happy to be relaxing.’
Lydia kissed his head. ‘Me too.’
Dominic opened a bottle of champagne with a loud pop.
‘Reception is so cool to send up glasses and ice when they know we brought the booze in ourselves.’
‘They’re making enough money out of us,’ reflected Dominic, pouring two glasses.
‘A toast,’ he said, handing one to her. ‘To living in five-star luxury!’
‘I’ll second that.’ Lydia took a swig. ‘Oh Dom, it’s yummy. What is it?’
‘Bollinger, I think.’
‘You’re so classy.’
‘I know. Now come over here. I want to lick it off you.’
Lydia felt a throb between her legs. ‘Come and get me,’ she taunted.
Dominic put his glass on the coffee table and took off his robe. Lydia gasped. He was fully erect. She took another gulp of champagne.
‘Take off your robe,’ he said.
Lydia pulled off her towelling robe meekly.
He pulled her into his arms. ‘You’re so beautiful,’ he whispered.
She kissed him full on the mouth. ‘Let’s role-play that you’re a pervy gynaecologist.’
Dominic laughed. ‘I’ll examine you with my mouth then.’
‘Yes, please.’
Lydia woke to an empty bed. Sunlight streamed through the crack in the curtains, highlighting the dust particles in the air. She stretched luxuriously and then settled back into the soft pillow. Just five more minutes …
‘Get up!’ Dominic kissed her nose. He had just come back from a run and was full of energy. ‘It’s a beautiful day outside.’
‘Why do you torture yourself?’ Lydia refused to open her eyes. ‘Why get up and run for miles when you could be snuggled up in bed with me?’
‘I like to stay fit. Seriously, Lyd, you should try it.’ He took off his T-shirt and then his sweatpants and boxers. ‘Will I hop back into bed now or after my shower?’ He stood before
her unabashed.
Lydia peered at him through half-closed eyes. He looked so good naked.
In fairness, the running does pay off, she reflected as she pulled back the covers.
‘I like you sweaty,’ she murmured. ‘Come here.’
Smiling, he slid into bed, pulled her into his arms and kissed her full on the lips.
She could get used to this.
‘Goodbye.’ Her voice broke. ‘Oh Dom, I can’t get on the train.’
He pulled her close. ‘Shh . . . It’s okay. I’ll see you next weekend.’
‘I want to be with you all the time.’
‘Me too, me too.’
‘Text me later.’ She sniffed loudly. ‘I miss you already.’
He kissed her deeply and thoroughly. ‘I love you, Lydia Kelly.’
She pressed up against him. ‘I love you so much.’
The train sped along, passing through county after county on its way back to Cork. Lydia stared at the blurry landscape and sipped her coffee. Spending time with Dominic was the best thing she had done in ages. It had brought her back to reality. He was her world. Luca and his texts were so incidental. As if on cue, her phone buzzed in her pocket.
U have a nice wknd?
She punched in a short reply. They could be friends. There was no issue with that. She liked his company; he made her laugh. Plus, he seemed to be really serious with Jessica. She hadn’t mentioned him to Dom yet, but there was no reason for that. It just never came up.
Luca texted back immediately, asking her to meet him in the morning for a coffee.
Sure thing
It would be nice to catch up on all the gossip from the weekend. He was always in the thick of things. Coffee between friends was perfectly acceptable.
Luca looked up as Craig entered his room.
‘How come you’re back?’ he asked, surprised. ‘I thought Sam was cooking a romantic meal for you guys.’
‘Don’t talk to me.’ Craig pulled a beer out of the fridge.