by Caragh Bell
‘Ah,’ said Tara. ‘That’s Luca for sure.’
‘She loves it really when I flirt,’ said Luca, grinning. ‘I boost her ego.’
Lydia scowled. ‘You are so arrogant.’
Tara laughed. ‘Well, he gets that from his father.’
Luca glared at her. ‘Don’t compare me to him.’
The pancakes arrived. Lydia poured maple syrup all over them. Luca did the same. Tara nibbled on her Danish as they attacked their breakfast.
‘You both like maple syrup, I see,’ said Tara. ‘Not watching your sugar intake then?’
Luca laughed. ‘Mom is more health-conscious than I’ll ever be, Lyd!’
‘More’s the pity,’ said Tara.
‘Luckily, Lydia and I have the same tastes, Mom.’
Lydia swallowed a mouthful of pancake. ‘Remember McDonald’s?’ she asked. ‘That burger?’
Luca laughed. ‘It’s like her favourite restaurant, Mom, can you believe it?’
Tara shook her head wordlessly.
‘Craig is going out with Lydia’s flatmate, Mom,’ said Luca. ‘That’s kind of how we know each other.’
‘We share a lot of classes too, Luca,’ added Lydia. ‘When you turn up.’
Tara looked at her son. ‘Luca, you know Mimi will be upset if you don’t ace this degree.’
He nudged Lydia with his knee under the table. ‘I’m a model student.’
Lydia threw her eyes to heaven. If Tara believed that, she’d believe anything.
When they had finished, Luca took out his laser card and beckoned to the waitress.
‘I’ll get this, honey,’ said Tara, opening her bag.
‘No, Mom, you’re my guest. It’s on me.’
Lydia pulled out her purse. ‘At least let me pay for mine.’
Luca glared at her. ‘I invited you, I pay for you.’
Tara threw her eyes to heaven. ‘Let him. It’s my money he’s using anyway.’
Lydia laughed. ‘Well, thank you both for a yummy breakfast.’
Colin rang Lydia that evening.
‘What’s this I hear about you playing happy families with Luca Jacob?’
Lydia sat down on her bed and groaned. She had been waiting for this.
‘It was totally innocent. We hung out, that’s all.’
‘But why you? All alone? Why not Jessica?’
‘I don’t know, Col. Maybe he wanted an uncomplicated day. Maybe he wanted to bring a friend rather than explain a girlfriend to his mother.’
‘Hmmmmm. Friend indeed. Lyd, this looks weird, I gotta tell ya.’
‘It’s nothing, Col. Just relax. It’s all above board. She’s a nice lady. You’ll meet her tomorrow night at that dinner Sam is having, won’t you?’
‘Yes. I’ll suss it out then. Just be careful, Lyd, that’s all I’m saying. Remember Dom and your life. It must be easy to forget reality sometimes, down here on your own with Dom in Dublin, especially around a hunk like Luca.’
‘Message received loud and clear. Now butt out.’
‘See you tomorrow.’
The phone went dead.
Lydia lay back on her pillow. He had a point. It was strange that Luca invited her along but what was done was done. No one could deny that they were just friends – that couldn’t have been more obvious.
She needed to see Dom. It had been too long. Colin was right. The separation was hard. It rendered her everyday life surreal. She felt like a young single student again, when in fact she was the long-term girlfriend of a fantastic guy. If only Luca wasn’t so hot. Everything about him was sexy and she was human after all. But, just because she fancied him a little didn’t mean she was going to jump into bed with him. And being in a relationship didn’t mean she had lost the ability to be attracted to another person.
Switching off the light, she fell into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter 22
Samantha checked the napkins for the last time. Lydia watched her in amusement.
‘She’s not royalty, you know.’
Samantha glared at her. ‘This is important, Lyd. I mean, Craig asked me to organise this. It’s a big deal. Cooking for his family.’
‘She’s really nice, really ordinary.’
‘Yeah, well.’
The doorbell rang.
Samantha shrieked. ‘Light the candle on the bookshelf, Lyd!’
‘Okay, boss.’ Lydia grabbed a box of matches and lit a scented Christmas candle that Samantha had bought in Brown Thomas. Its aroma filled the room instantly.
Luca’s tall frame filled the doorway. In comparison, Tara looked tiny. Lydia looked at them shyly. Seeing him with his mother yesterday gave her a taste of a whole new side to him. A sensitive side, a loving side. She had categorised him as such a player that she had not realised that he was deeper than that.
‘Guys, this is my mom,’ announced Luca, proudly.
Samantha jumped into action.
‘Hi. I’m Sam, Craig’s girlfriend.’
Tara smiled. ‘Good to meet you, Sam. I’ve heard lots about you.’
Lydia waved at them both. ‘Hi, again.’
Tara smiled. ‘Did you recover from our trek around the city yesterday?’
Lydia nodded. ‘I had fun.’ She sat down on the couch. Luca immediately followed and plonked down right next to her. Lydia stiffened. Why did he make her feel this way? He was just sitting next to her. No big deal. She watched his tanned fingers grab a fistful of crisps. Every part of him was just so beautiful.
Lyd! Stop! Think of something else.
‘Can I get you a drink?’ Samantha asked Tara politely.
‘Sure. I’d love a white wine.’
‘Coming right up.’
Tara took a seat on the armchair and crossed her legs. Craig, who had been changing his shirt in Samantha’s bedroom, walked into the room.
‘Hi, Tara,’ he said with a little wave. ‘Did you have a good day?’
‘Wonderful,’ she answered, smiling.
‘Where’s Colin?’ asked Luca, looking around.
‘It’s not like him to be late,’ observed Lydia, frowning. ‘Colin is my cousin, Tara, and he’s normally perfect about everything.’
Samantha thrust a glass of white wine into Tara’s hand. ‘We’ll hear him before we see him.’
Exactly on cue, the doorbell rang.
‘There’s a greatness to my lateness!’ Colin announced theatrically as he swept in. ‘Val kept me waiting.’
He unwrapped his grey cashmere scarf and hung it on the coat rack.
‘You must be Tara,’ he said, taking her hand and kissing it. ‘Enchanté.’
Tara laughed. ‘I’m not the French connection, I’m afraid – that’s Luca’s daddy. You smell good.’
‘Hugo Boss.’
Colin accepted a glass of white wine from Samantha and took an enormous gulp.
‘Val will drive me crackers someday. I mean, the man takes hours to get ready. Blue shirt or pink shirt, boots or shoes, blah blah. I’m super-organised – before I even step in the shower I have my outfit all laid out.’
‘Fascinating,’ said Samantha. ‘So, Tara, do you have any plans?’
Tara tossed her hair over her shoulder. ‘Yes – we’ll be going to Macroom tomorrow to visit family.’
‘Oh, yes, of course – Craig said he’ll be taking you. I’d love to come but unfortunately I’m working,’ said Samantha dolefully. ‘Bloody Christmas exams. More to correct. I’m a teacher, you see.’
‘It’s not like you don’t have ample time off,’ said Craig drily.
‘Watch it!’ warned Samantha, punching him playfully. ‘If teaching is so great then you should give up law.’
‘No way.’ Craig made a face. ‘Horrible job.’
‘Then shut up.’ Samantha got to her feet.
The doorbell rang again. It was Val.
‘Jesus, Val, what took so long?’ Colin wailed. ‘I was about to send out a search party.’
‘There was a massive que
ue at the ATM, then the off licence didn’t have that poncey wine you insisted we buy.’
‘Enough of the poncey,’ objected Colin.
‘Anyway,’ continued Val, ‘after about half an hour the guy unearthed this ancient bottle of, what was it again, Chateauneuf du Rap?’
‘Pape,’ corrected Colin.
‘Anyway, I felt so stupid. Everyone else was buying cans of Bud.’
Colin frowned. ‘I know what I’d rather drink.’ He turned to Tara. ‘Excuse my manners or lack thereof. This is Val, my boyfriend.’
Tara got to her feet. ‘Nice to meet you, Val. I’m Tara.’
Val shook her hand warmly. ‘Nice to meet you too.’
‘Dinner’s ready!’ announced Samantha.
The meal was a great success.
‘This pasta is amazing,’ exclaimed Tara, twirling her fork around the long stands of linguine.
‘It’s nothing, really,’ said Samantha, embarrassed. ‘Just a tomato sauce.’
‘She’s a great cook, in fairness to her.’ Craig patted her hand. ‘I can’t boil an egg.’
‘Oh, we both know that’s not true,’ said Samantha, ‘but thanks anyway.’ She blew Craig a kiss.
Colin snorted. ‘Cooking is life, food is everything. My whole day revolves around what I’m going to create for dinner.’
Tara looked impressed. ‘Are you talented?’
Samantha giggled. ‘Let’s put it this way: Colin would have used Italian 00 flour and rolled out his homemade pasta before hanging it to dry. His tomatoes would be flown in from Tuscany and his Parmesan would be aged for thirty years.’
‘Stop taking the piss,’ said Colin mildly. ‘Yes, Tara, I would say that I’m talented, as you say. I put a lot into my food.’
‘Pity I won’t have time to sample it,’ she said, taking a sip of wine.
Luca asked Lydia to pass the bread. Their hands touched as she handed over the basket.
‘So tell me about your work, Tara,’ said Colin. ‘Luca says that you’re an artist.’
‘Yes, I paint and sculpt. Becoming well known can be a very slow process but I was lucky from the start. Now I have two exhibitions coming up – in New York and Toronto.’
‘Yes, it can be hard – look at poor Vincent Van Gogh,’ said Colin with a sad face. ‘Little or no recognition throughout his life and when he finally made some money, he was in an asylum. Not to mind only having one ear.’
Tara pulled back her mane of red hair to expose her ears. ‘I still have both, thank you very much.’ She laughed. ‘I guess Vincent wasn’t in it for the money.’
‘Are you?’ asked Colin.
‘Mom doesn’t need any money,’ interrupted Luca. ‘The only good thing to come out of that marriage was a big allowance from Papa.’
‘Luca!’ Tara looked shocked. ‘Enough!’
‘More wine?’ said Samantha brightly, holding up the bottle.
Luca held out his glass, clearly unperturbed.
‘Sure. Thanks, Sam.’
‘So what do you do?’ Tara asked Val. ‘Are you in university too?’
Val shook his head. ‘I’m trying to break into acting. It’s tough but it’s always been a dream of mine.’
‘That’s wonderful!’ Tara smiled. ‘Have you work at the moment?’
‘I auditioned for a part last week but I haven’t heard yet. I thought I nailed it but who knows?’
Colin put his hand on Val’s arm. ‘You’ll get it, honey. I know it.’
Craig put his knife and fork together. ‘Fab, Sam. Thanks.’
Samantha smiled. ‘Glad it was edible.’
Val mopped up the sauce with his bread. ‘Really nice, Sam. Cheers.’
The rest of the table nodded in agreement.
‘Now, who would like some lemon tart?’ asked Samantha, getting to her feet. ‘With cream, of course.’
‘Did you bake it?’ Colin looked incredulous.
‘Of course not. I bought it in M&S earlier. Don’t be daft.’
‘I’d love some,’ said Tara. ‘With lots of cream. We don’t have it like that back in the States.’
After some coffee and After Eights, Val groaned. ‘I’m absolutely full to the brim. Thanks again, Sam.’
‘I’ll clear,’ offered Colin, expertly stacking plates.
‘I’ll help,’ said Tara, getting to her feet.
Lydia pulled her back down. ‘He loves it – really. Let him off.’
‘Will we move to the sitting room?’ suggested Craig.
They got to their feet. Lydia sat on the couch and Luca immediately settled in next to her. She was aware of every part of him. Gulping her wine, she tried to focus on the one fairy light that wasn’t working on the tree.
‘Like your dress,’ he whispered in her ear.
Feeling tipsy, she whispered back. ‘Thanks. Me too.’
‘I would prefer to see you out of it though,’ he added.
‘Prefer all you want.’
Luca laughed.
‘So, Lydia, what does your boyfriend do?’ came Tara’s voice, quite loud and clear.
Luca’s head swung around.
Lydia ran her hand through her hair, flustered.
‘He’s a doctor. Well, he’s training to be a surgeon.’
‘Wow, that’s ambitious. He must be very focused.’
Lydia nodded. ‘Yes, yes, he’s very dedicated. He’s living in Dublin at the moment, so it’s awkward.’
‘Well, I’m sure you’re not too lonely with my son around.’
The message was clear.
Colin’s eyes were on stalks. He nudged Val.
Luca glared at his mother. Why was she doing this?
Lydia reddened. ‘Sure, I’m lonely but I’m also busy. I’ve a lot of study to do. Plus, I have loads of friends …’ She trailed off.
‘And you spend a lot of time with Luca, as I said.’ Tara’s blue eyes were unfaltering.
Samantha and Craig looked at each other awkwardly.
‘More wine?’ Colin grabbed a newly opened bottle from the coffee table and brandished it around. No one reacted.
Lydia’s head was swimming. She felt hot with mortification. Getting to her feet, she smiled brightly.
‘I’m going to call it a night – too much wine, I’m afraid.’
Luca sprang to his feet. ‘Aw Lyd, don’t go. We’re just getting started.’
Lydia held her hand out to Tara. ‘Goodbye, Mrs Jacob, I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday.’
The formality was not lost on the older woman.
‘Will I not see you tomorrow?’ She raised an eyebrow.
Lydia shook her head. ‘No, I have an assignment due so ...’
‘Please, Lyd.’ Luca gave her a pleading look. ‘Stay.’
She backed away. ‘Night, everyone.’
What in God's name was that? Lydia’s face burned in embarrassment. Talk about a pointed discussion. Did Tara mean to be so blunt?
She lay down on her bed. She could hear them talking outside. She had seen the reaction of the others. It was just like Colin said. Things were confusing. There were no boundaries. Luca was her friend but she also fancied him like mad. Was that normal? Surely not. It was exciting and forbidden but harmless, wasn’t it? It’s not like anything was going to happen.
Mothers and their sons, huh? Lydia buried her face in her pillow.
God, she must think I’m such an awful person, she thought, cringing. That was not the impression she had wanted to give at all. She must look like a horrible girlfriend, cosying up to her son while her boyfriend saves lives. But surely she must know what Luca was like? She must realise that he was like that to all the girls.
Miserably, she sat up and started to remove her clothes. The sooner Tara Jacob was on a plane back to New York the better.
‘What the hell was that about?’ Luca roared at his mother the minute they got home.
Craig had wisely decided to stay in Samantha’s place.
Tara removed her coat calmly
. ‘What, Luca?’
‘You know what!’
‘I was just curious. You seemed very close to this girl. But she’s spoken for. I was confused.’
‘We’re friends, Mom, that’s it.’
‘Hmmm …’
‘Don’t hmmm me. It’s all it is. It will never be more.’ He gripped the sofa in frustration.
‘Do you want it to be more?’ she asked softly.
Luca stayed silent for a minute.
‘Luca?’ She put her hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off.
‘No, I don’t. I like her as a friend, Mom, that’s all. Why can’t people just accept that?’
‘I’ve never seen you like this around a girl before. You’re different around her.’
‘That’s because I’ve never had a friend before that was a girl!’
‘I think you’re in love with her.’
‘Love?’ Luca scoffed. ‘I’ve never been in love and I don’t plan on being.’
Tara said nothing.
‘Mom, stop it. You’re totally freaking me out.’
‘It’s the way you look at her ...’
Luca hit the wall in frustration. ‘Why did you embarrass her – hell, embarrass me like that? Why, Mom?’
‘I don’t know, honey. Maybe it was the wine. I’d been watching you two together. I wanted to know what was going on.’
‘Nothing is going on.’
‘Yet.’
Luca grabbed his coat. ‘I’m going out. Don’t wait up.’
The door slammed shut.
Samantha knocked tentatively on Lydia’s door.
‘Lyd? Can I come in?’
She opened the door slightly and peered into the darkened room. ‘Are you okay?’
Lydia was lying on her side, her patchwork blanket wrapped tightly around her.
‘Did I imagine that?’ she asked.
Samantha shook her head. ‘No, I don’t think so. It was so out of left field though. One minute you were best friends, then bam!’
‘Why do you think she did that?’
‘It’s her little boy. It’s obvious he’s smitten with you.’
‘Sam! You can’t say that for sure. He’s still with Jessica.’
‘Oh, grow up, Lyd. You know he is. You’re just in denial because you don’t want to face it. Anyway, it’s obvious that Tara can see that he’s heading for a broken heart. I suppose she was laying her cards on the table.’