by Caragh Bell
There was a pause. Luca raised an eyebrow. Lydia concentrated on her burger.
‘That sounds like a plan,’ he said eventually. ‘Jess would love it.’
An hour later they were walking along the dark streets of the city. Lydia shivered as a particularly icy gust of wind blew past them.
‘It’s so cold!’ she exclaimed.
‘You should see New York in winter,’ said Luca, laughing. ‘Now, that is cold.’
Lydia smiled. She loved his accent, the way he said ‘New Yawk’.
‘Tell me about growing up in the States.’
‘Well, it’s totally different to here. Lots more people, taller buildings, hotter summers, cooler winters, better hamburgers ...’
‘Hey! Except for McDonald’s!’ protested Lydia, punching him playfully on the arm.
‘Well, McD’s is American, Lyd.’
‘True, I suppose.’
‘Anyway, I grew up in an apartment in the city. Upper East Side.’
‘Wow!’
‘Yeah, it was wow until I found out that Papa was cheating on Mom.’
Lydia put a hand on his arm. ‘That’s all gone now.’
He relaxed slightly. She calmed him with her touch. He liked that feeling. When she removed her hand, he felt cold.
‘Anyway, how about you? Any scandal in your family?’ he asked, changing the subject.
Lydia shook her head. ‘No, thank God. The closest thing we get to drama is when Mum’s scones don’t rise or Dad’s boat engine fails.’
‘You guys have a boat?’
‘Yeah, an ancient old cruiser. It goes at about two miles per hour, but it’s so cool. We go out on it all summer. There are loads of islands near where we live.’
‘I love the sea. We used to hire a house in the Hamptons in August when I was a kid.’
‘When you visit, with Jess that is, you can come out for a spin.’
Luca grinned. ‘Message received loud and clear.’
‘Well, this is me.’ She stopped outside her door. ‘Thanks for dinner. It was great.’
Luca leaned in and kissed her cheek softly. ‘Happy birthday, Lyd.’
‘Goodnight, Luca. Thanks again for keeping me company.’
Chapter 19
The next Saturday Lydia arrived home, dragging her bag up the garden path.
‘Mum! Are you home?’ she called as she rang the bell. She had forgotten her key and was not in the mood to be locked out. To her relief, the door opened and her mother’s smiling face appeared.
‘Darling! Happy birthday!’
Lydia fell into her arms, luxuriating in her familiar smell. ‘Thanks, Mum.’
Leaving her bag in the hall, she headed straight into the kitchen. The air smelt of baking and the table was laden with biscuits and cakes.
‘Jesus, Mum, why did you bake all this?’ she asked, puzzled. ‘You know I’m not a huge fan of cake.’
‘Oh, it’s for a bake sale for the St Vincent de Paul,’ answered her mother airily. ‘They always have one at this time of year.’
Lydia frowned. She had never seen her mother baking for charity before.
‘Is Ollie coming home?’
‘Yes, later.’
‘You had better hide all of this then. I reckon it would last twelve minutes with him around.’
Helen Kelly smiled. ‘True.’
‘Lydia! Will you go the shop for stock cubes?’
Lydia groaned. She was just out of the shower and planned to put on her pyjamas.
‘Send Molly, Mum!’ she called.
‘She’s gone to Adele’s! Please, honey!’
Lydia scowled. Ollie was probably lying on the couch with a beer in his hand. God forbid that she ask him.
She pulled on a pair of jeans and one of Dominic’s hoodies. Coupled with Uggs and her jacket, she was ready.
‘Anything else you need before I go?’
‘No, darling. Just chicken stock cubes.’
‘And they are obviously vital.’ She scowled as she wrapped her scarf around her neck.
‘Oh, vital,’ agreed Helen, busy whipping cream.
Lydia pulled on Molly’s woolly hat.
‘See you later.’
The door banged shut.
Helen peered out the window.
‘She’s turned the corner, let’s get going.’
Ollie sprang into action. Molly appeared with Colin in tow.
‘Jesus, Mum, it’s a miracle she didn’t hear this loudmouth earlier. He’s impossible to hide.’
‘I was only telling you my news,’ said Colin haughtily.
‘Is Dom here yet?’
‘Five minutes. I hope she doesn’t see him on the road.’
‘It’s hardly the most common of cars,’ agreed Molly.
As Lydia had opted out of a twenty-first party, Colin had convinced Helen to throw a twenty-third party instead. He said that it could double as a joint retirement party for Seán to seal the deal. Helen had agreed as she loved having the family together. It was also the perfect excuse to show off the new conservatory.
Soon the table was laden with food. A joint of roast ham dotted with cloves, a giant turkey, salads, couscous, bread and hundreds of cakes.
‘Seán! Seán!’
‘I’m coming, Helen, calm down.’
‘Seán, get the beer out of the garage. Andy, great, you’re here. Open some bottles of wine so that they’re ready to go. Colin, put some butter in that ramekin over there.’
‘You are some woman,’ said Colin in admiration.
Helen smiled as she folded napkins.
Samantha arrived a few minutes later, followed shyly by Craig.
‘Everyone? This is my boyfriend Craig.’ She waited in anticipation.
‘You’re welcome, Craig,’ said Helen.
No one else took any notice, busy with their tasks.
‘Charming,’ said Samantha, raising her eyes to heaven. ‘Try not to get too excited.’
As if by magic, the house started to fill up with guests. Girls Lydia went to school with, cousins, aunts and uncles.
‘Mum is so sorry to miss it,’ said Colin, filling a bowl with crisps. ‘She said she’ll ring later.’
‘Where is she?’
‘Bangkok.’
‘With your dad?’
‘Yeah.’
In record time the sitting room was transformed. Brightly coloured banners draped the pictures on the wall, balloons floated aimlessly and confetti covered the table. Helen surveyed the room in satisfaction. She checked her lipstick in the mirror above the dresser.
Ollie lounged up against the dishwasher, a can of beer in his hand.
‘Will I ring Ted and see where she is?’
‘Yes,’ said Sarah, flustered. ‘She must be nearly back by now.’
Ollie pressed call on his phone. ‘Ted, where are you? Mum’s freaking out cos she can’t make the gravy. Okay, okay, calm down. See you in a sec.’ He put his phone in his pocket. ‘Five minutes.’
‘Everyone into position!’ ordered Helen.
Everyone crammed into the sitting room as Seán turned out the lights. They heard the front door opening.
‘Shh!’ said Colin in excitement.
Everyone stared at the door. Slowly it opened and light streamed in.
‘SURPRISE!’
It was Dominic.
‘Dom!’ said Molly. ‘We thought you were Lydia.’
‘Sorry! I had to stop to get petrol.’ He ran his hand through his dark hair.
‘It’s fine, it’s fine, close the door and be quiet.’ Helen was poised with the camera.
The minutes ticked by. Colin, unable to stop himself, started to giggle.
‘Would someone gag him,’ hissed Molly.
‘Sorry, sorry, it’s just so exciting!’
Another minute crawled by.
Suddenly, they all heard the door bang.
‘You and your bloody stock cubes,’ muttered Lydia as she walked into the sitting room.
The room sprang to life and Lydia gasped. She stared at all the eager faces around her.
‘What?’ she said dumbly.
‘Happy birthday!’ said Dom, enfolding her in his arms. ’You’re a hard woman to fool.’
‘But I thought you were in –’
‘Dublin, yes, I know. We all told lies to get you here unaware.’
‘Oh.’ Lydia still couldn’t believe it.
‘Nice outfit, Lyd,’ said Colin, kissing her cheek. ‘Very veg-out chic.’
‘Shut up,’ she replied good-naturedly. ‘I obviously wasn’t expecting to come home to this.’
Someone thrust a glass of champagne into her hand.
‘Happy birthday, love.’ Seán Kelly gave her a quick hug.
‘Happy birthday, Ted.’ Ollie punched her arm.
‘Happy birthday, little sis.’ Sarah gave her a kiss. ‘I can’t believe you’re so old.’
‘Thanks, Sarah,’ she answered drily.
Molly pressed play on her iPod and LMFAO’s ‘Party Rock Anthem’ filled the room.
‘Jesus, what’s that noise?’ said Seán, covering his ears.
‘Dad! It’s like the best band in the world!’ Molly raised her eyes to heaven. ’Come on, Adele! Let’s go get something to eat.’ They headed off in the direction of the buffet.
Lydia felt too overwhelmed to take it in. A pile of presents lay on the coffee table and the room was filled with people who were there for her. It was the nicest surprise ever.
‘Do you want to go and change?’ enquired Dominic.
Lydia nodded. ‘I’d better glam up, I suppose.’
Minutes later she was debating whether to wear a red or a black dress. The beat of the music pounded downstairs. Grabbing her eye pencil, she circled her eyes with black kohl. Gathering her hair into a knot, she tied it with a black bobble. She decided on the black dress, slipped it over her head and zipped it up. She slipped into her black stilettos and added a dash of colour with her red lipstick. One spray of Trésor and she was ready. Suddenly her phone buzzed.
Did U like your surprise?
So Luca had known. And to think she went on and on about how abandoned she felt. She blushed.
U should play poker, she responded.
He answered immediately.
Enjoy the party. The food won’t come close to McD’s.
Lydia smiled.
Don’t let my mum hear U say that.
She placed her phone on her bedside locker and left the room. As she descended the stairs, she heard her dad shouting at Molly.
Quelle surprise, thought Lydia.
‘It’s Coke, Dad, that’s all. Just good old Coca Cola.’
‘Adele is in great form after her Coke.’
‘What can I say? She’s a happy person.’
‘Molly Kelly, if I see a drop of alcohol pass your lips –’
‘This is so unfair. I’m not a baby. I’m so sick of this family.’
A door slammed. Lydia laughed.
She arrived into the kitchen to find Colin making cocktails and Samantha wrapped around Craig.
‘So, Craig, are you surviving?’
He smiled. ‘This is great. I love your house. And your dad’s a legend. He has already given me the biggest whiskey known to man.’
‘Yeah, that sounds like my dad.’
Dominic came into the kitchen, a huge smile on his face. ‘Molly is hilarious. She’s over in the corner with Adele, looking guilty, clutching a Coke.’
‘After all Dad said!’ Lydia shook her head. ‘Unreal.’
‘Come here,’ he murmured, pulling her close. ‘I’ve missed you.’
She breathed in his familiar scent and rested her head on his shoulder. Enormous peace washed over her; it was like she had come home. How could she even think about anyone else? Dominic had it all.
Colin arrived back into the kitchen with an indignant face. ‘Uncle Seán told me if I sing again I have to go home.’
‘Nice one, Dad,’ said Ollie, grabbing another beer. ‘You’re like a cat stuck in a gate, Colin.’
Colin opened his mouth and shut it again.
‘Have you met all the crew outside, Lyd?’ asked Samantha. ‘Claire McNamara is here and Annie McCarthy. You should go and say hello.’
‘I must go mingle,’ agreed Lydia, pulling herself away from Dominic. ‘It’s rude.’
Andy popped his head around the door. ‘Lyd, there’s a couple at the door. A girl called Jessica and her boyfriend Louis or Larry or something?’
Lydia stopped dead. ‘Luca.’
‘Yeah, Luca. That’s it. Anyway, I showed them into the sitting room. They have a present for you.’
‘Who invited them?’ asked Lydia carefully.
‘Me,’ said Colin. ‘I thought it was a good idea as we’re all going skiing together.’
‘Luca?’ Dominic looked puzzled. ‘Is that the guy from your classes?’
Lydia knew she was blushing. She ducked her head. ‘Yeah.’
‘Come on, let’s go and say hello.’ Dominic took her hand.
Her heart started to pound. She allowed Dominic to lead her out of the kitchen in a daze. They pushed through a group of cousins and then suddenly they were face to face with Luca and Jessica.
Dominic held out his hand.
‘Hi, I’m Dominic.’
Luca shook his hand warmly. ‘Hi, man – I’m Luca. This is my girl Jess.’
Jessica beamed at them both. ‘Hiya! This is a great party! Happy birthday, Lyd.’
‘Thanks,’ said Lydia.
Dominic handed Luca a beer. ‘So, I can tell you’re American. What part are you from?’
‘New York.’
‘Great! I’d love to work there eventually. How come you moved here?’
Lydia backed away. ‘I need to get something in the kitchen,’ she said lamely.
The boys didn’t notice.
She burst into the kitchen to find a lovestruck Ollie describing Jessica to Craig.
‘She’s so hot,’ he exclaimed. ‘Check her out.’
Craig nodded. ‘She is pretty gorgeous but – ow! Why did you hit me?’
Samantha looked menacing.
‘Jeez, Sam, I was about to say she isn’t a patch on you!’ Craig kissed her nose.
‘Good.’
Lydia couldn’t think. It seemed wrong having Luca in her home, with her family and Dominic here. Especially with Dominic here. She liked having him separate to everything else. They had their classes and the oak tree together. Oh, why did Colin invite him?
The party roared on.
Ollie filled up Jessica’s drink. ‘Tell me more about when you modelled.’
‘Sure thing,’ said Jessica, tossing her hair. ‘I loved it but I was frozen half the time. They don’t give you many clothes to wear.’
‘Tell me more.’ Ollie’s eyes widened.
‘Well, I was fourteen when this guy came up to me and ...’
Molly popped a blini in her mouth. ‘Come on, Adele,’ she ordered. ‘Let’s put on a new playlist. Someone got to the iPod.’
Mick Jagger was singing ‘Angie’. Helen and Seán were dancing.
Lydia had almost forgotten about Luca as she moved around the room chatting to her guests. All her old school friends had turned up and were now leading such interesting lives. Annie McCarthy was living in Toronto, working in finance. Christine Fitzgerald was running her own hat business in Dublin.
Suddenly Dominic appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her hand.
‘Dance?’
‘Okay.’
He led her out onto the dance floor and pulled her into his strong arms. Slowly they moulded together and swayed to the music. Lydia relaxed completely. She could stay like this forever. She didn’t know if it was the familiar Eternity smell or the warmth of his skin, but Dominic was like a warm cup of tea on a cold day. Resting her head on his shoulder she glanced over at Luca. He was lounging up against the dresser, staring at h
er. Lydia’s eyes met his and suddenly she was lost. For some reason she could not look away.
Suddenly the music stopped. Everyone ground to a halt.
‘Molly!’ shouted Helen. ‘Put that song back on at once, young lady!’
‘Never!’ Molly defiantly pressed play on the iPod and David Guetta filled the room. ‘This is so much better.’
Lydia met Colin’s eye and they giggled.
Seán stalked into the kitchen.
‘Jesus, Molly listens to awful tripe,’ he muttered, pouring himself a whiskey.
Sarah and Andy were sitting in the corner holding hands. She was gazing into his eyes.
Colin glared over at her. ‘I’m, like, so jealous of Sarah! He is too cute for words.’
‘Colin! You have to get over him. Where is Val tonight, by the way?’
Colin sighed. ‘Play practice. He takes it so seriously.’
Luca ambled into the kitchen. ‘Nice photos, Lyd,’ he grinned, gesturing towards the hall.
‘You didn’t look at them – oh my God!’
‘The hall of fame?’ said Molly, laughing. ‘The ones from school? Class.’
‘I especially like the one of you with the braids.’
Lydia put her head in her hands. ‘Mum insists on keeping them up there. I wish Sarah would go off and have babies so they would be replaced with grandkids!’
Colin squawked. ‘Lydia! I hope you don’t mean with Andy as the baby daddy!’
Dominic sidled up to the group. ‘My favourite one is her Communion one at the top of the stairs.’
Lydia glared at him.
‘Oh yeah!’ Colin clapped his hands excitedly. ’She curled her hair like Baby from Dirty Dancing.’
‘This I’ve got to see,’ said Luca, disappearing out into the hall where he bounced up the stairs.
‘Jesus, guys, kick a girl when she’s down!’ said Lydia.
Molly poured herself a Coke. ‘Did you see Auntie Liz? She’s pissed. She keeps trying to snog Ciarán.’
‘Who’s Ciarán?’ enquired Colin, scanning the room.
‘Ollie’s friend from work.’
‘Speaking of Ollie and work, he’s making fast work of Jessica.’ Colin gestured towards his cousin. ‘It’s bizarre – Luca doesn’t seem to give a toss.’