“It is but it doesn’t mean that I have to finish with Ian.”
Julia couldn’t listen to any more. She really had done her very best for Ruth – if Ian disrupted his family in this way she wouldn’t be able to take responsibility for her actions. She had always felt sorry for Ian’s wife Ciara but now more than ever.
Julia ate pizza with Ruth, all the time steering the conversation away from Ian.
“You must stay focused on this opportunity that is yours alone – okay, Ruth?”
Ruth nodded but her eyes were saying that she was still thinking of Ian in her heart.
Julia looked at her watch.
“I really have to go back to work now. Only another week and it will be Christmas.”
Ruth shook her head. “Mum wants me to go down with them to Kevin in Kerry but I really can’t stand the thought of being in the same house as Mum and Orla for an entire night.”
“I know what you mean – well, that offer to spend the day with us is still there. Mum and Granddad would love it. Actually, Mum has been a bit odd since she came back from Cologne – I wonder what she got up to?”
Ruth laughed. “She was most likely playing bridge in her hotel room!”
Julia nodded. “You’re probably right.”
She kissed Ruth goodbye and set off down Dawson Street on her way back to the office. Her head was full of all the tasks that she had to do when she got back. The Christmas season would soon be in full swing.
Chapter Eleven
Julia took the back roads to Dublin airport. It was almost balmy outside – untypical weather for Christmas. All the time Lydia’s words were ringing in her head. She wondered if Michael was being too optimistic. She had coaxed and nurtured him as best she could to say and do the right things where Lydia was concerned. She dearly hoped that she had done enough because, even though Lydia was smitten by her policeman, she had made it quite clear that she still had deep feelings for Michael. If Michael were to return to Dublin permanently it really would make a wonderful start to the New Year. She was secretly dreading the drive to Dublin airport that she would be making very soon with Ruth. Although Ruth’s circumstances for leaving the country were quite different to so many other emigrants who had to flee from poverty and unemployment, Julia wished there was some other way that Ruth could untangle herself from Ian.
She parked at Terminal Two which she thought resembled the Starship Enterprise. It was positioned exactly where the lake and sculpted snowmen used to be on the drive to Terminal One. So much had changed and yet now again people were coming to pick up loved ones who were making the journey home for Christmas like so many of the Irish Diaspora had done for decades.
The vast arrivals hall was airy, with glass up to the sky. Christmas trees and baubles lined the pillars. Behind the barriers anxious families and friends waited to see a glimpse of their loved ones pass through the sliding doors. One chap leaned against the pillar adorned with antlers and a large bunch of roses. Some families had made banners and had come en masse. Others were twitching nervously with one eye on the arrivals screen and another on their watch.
Julia could feel her own heart beat heavily in her chest as she saw that the flight from London Heathrow had landed. After almost two years she would see her brother again. His reasons for leaving Ireland had been for self-promotion and adventure, like so many that left in the mid-noughties. But there was a difference now as those who had left in the last two years were doing so because they felt they had no choice. Her eyes welled up as she saw a man greet his wife and three small children who were wearing Santa hats and making the most of the occasion. It must be so terrible to have to leave your home and family to make a living, she thought.
But her spirits lifted as her brother’s tall frame came into view. His hairline had receded a little but his face was fresh and he was fitter than the last time she had seen him. He wrapped his arms around her warmly and kissed her on the cheek. Julia held him close and for a moment felt her father’s presence. Michael was becoming more like him with the years and somehow it was a source of comfort now for Julia.
“Hey, sis, thanks for coming to take me home,” he grinned.
“I wouldn’t expect you to get a taxi!” She smiled back at him. “But depending on what you’ve bought me you might be getting one back here next week.”
Michael ran his fingers through her hair playfully.
“I’ve missed you and your wit – sounding more like Dad every day!”
“I was just thinking how much you’re getting to look like him.”
“I’m not sure whether to take that as a compliment or not,” he laughed.
They loaded up his bags into the car and waited in line behind dozens of cars anxious to take their cargo of loved ones home for Christmas.
“How’s Mum?”
“Probably playing bridge or talking to one of her bridge friends. But there is a slim chance she is cooking the dinner that she said she was preparing for you!”
“What’s with all this bridge? She was only learning that a couple of years ago.”
“Well, it’s taken over her life!” Julia said with a sigh. “In some way it’s the best thing ever because it’s given her a wonderful lease of life. She’s going off to Warwickshire in the New Year to play in some bridge festival and she was in Cologne as you know a couple of weeks ago.”
Michael shook his head. “Who ever would have thought? I’m sure Dad must be laughing on the other side!”
“It’s such a pity that she wouldn’t ever travel with him but then he got to do all his travelling before he met her so maybe they’ve done it the right way round after all.”
“Have you heard from Lydia?”
“Not since I emailed you – did she agree to meet you while you are home?”
Michael shrugged. “I haven’t heard from her.”
Julia said nothing. She worried that her brother was the one who was in for a surprise. Lydia had changed in the last few weeks and was oozing with a confidence that her new boyfriend had instilled in her. But still Julia wanted her brother home and was going to do everything in her power to bring the two together. If she left it to him, he would make a mess of it and, well, Lydia didn’t really know what was best for her either. She would be doing them both a great favour.
Chapter Twelve
It was Christmas Eve. Ruth looked down at the text on her phone.
Flight delayed kitten c u aft xmas xx Ian
Ruth had thought that seeing him would help her get through the next day but it proved too much to take now.
Thank God for Julia, she thought – she was the one constant in her life.
“Ruth, are you sure you won’t come down with us to Kerry?” Angela called up the stairs. “You won’t see Kevin and the kids before he goes at all now!”
Ruth sighed. She had been through this so many times with her mother. Her main reason for staying had been to see Ian but still she would rather spend the day with her best friend.
“Honestly, Mum, I’m fine!” She called back down. “Are you staying Stephen’s Day too?”
“That depends on how we all get on, I suppose – you know how Orla can be!”
Ruth knew how Angela and her daughter-in-law could be together and that the Christmas festivities could go either way!
But she also knew that if Ian managed to pop out of his house on Stephen’s Day, she would want to be in Dublin to see him. Since moving back in with her parents it had been difficult to see him but he had been making less effort too. Maybe going to Australia would help her gain a proper perspective on her life.
It was to be the warmest Christmas for thirty years according to the weatherman on the Nine O’Clock News. Julia heard the door slam followed by Michael’s heavy footsteps on the wooden floor.
“You’re home early!” Julia said.
“Yeah, there weren’t that many in the summit. Actually, change that, it was packed – but there weren’t that many over twenty-five.”
“Ha ha, no need to be so sarky, sis. That was in the past – I’ve changed!”
Julia wondered if a leopard ever did change his spots but Michael was definitely different to the brother that was home two years ago. She wondered what had brought about this epiphany. She would have to find out over the next few days. After all, he wasn’t going to be home very long.
“Any word from Lydia?” he asked.
“I told you that she was going down to Waterford to be with Peter’s family before Christmas.”
“But it’s Christmas tomorrow.”
“Yes, and she’s driving up in the morning to spend the day with her parents.”
“Then I suppose Peter will be coming up too?”
“I didn’t want to ask. Look, Michael, I told you I would do everything I could – I’ll ring her tomorrow like I always do on Christmas Day and maybe even invite her out. So we’ll know then, okay?”
Michael sat down in the chair that their father used to always sit in.
Julia could see vulnerability in him that wasn’t there before.
“I always feel like I’m doing something I shouldn’t when I sit in Dad’s chair!”
Julia knew what her brother meant. “Are you okay?”
Michael shook his head. “All of my mates are married and they can’t even go out for a pint without their wives’ permission.” He sighed. “I heard in the summit that Barry Horgan has moved to Sydney.”
“Isn’t he married?”
“Yep, and he has twin baby girls. Moved lock, stock and barrel last October.”
“Yeah, well, a lot of people have moved away – if it keeps going this way I’d be better off starting an emigration service instead of a travel company.”
Just then the front door opened again and Carol walked in, laden with bags and gifts from her bridge friends.
“Well, that’s the end of bridge now until January!” Carol chirped.
Michael and Julia looked at each other and smiled.
“What’s the bet you’ll be playing bridge online before the night is out?” Michael said.
“See,” Julia said. “He’s only home two days and already he knows your form!”
Angela hardly spoke all the way down in the car. It reminded her of a journey to a funeral. In a way it would be her son’s wake. Her beautiful grandchildren were moving to the far end of Canada and she had no idea when she would see them again. Things would be tough for Kevin for the first couple of years. No one understood that better than Angela herself. And then there were the temptations and new people and friends – people that you weren’t sure if you could trust or not. It wasn’t like home where everyone knows someone belonging to somebody. If her children brought a boyfriend or girlfriend home she would be able to track down their family from any part of Ireland and have some idea of what they were like. New countries held all sorts of secrets. It was in her interest that those secrets and events from her own past were tucked far away on the other side of the world and that is why it didn’t sit comfortably with her that Ruth would soon be returning to the very same city she herself had fled so long ago.
“Penny for your thoughts, Angela,” Fred asked gently as they drove along the M7 in silence.
“Oh, I’m just going to miss the grandchildren.”
“It’s for the best – it will all sort out.”
“And where will we be spending next Christmas then?” she snapped.
“Don’t blame me – we still have Niall in Dublin.”
“And we can always visit Ruth in Australia, I suppose,” she said.
“Ah, it’s a long way to be going – she’ll only be gone two years.”
“Maybe not – she might meet an Australian and settle down.”
“Ruth is a home-bird. She’ll be back,” Fred assured her.
Angela turned and looked out the window. “I do hope that you are right.”
Julia basted the turkey for a second time. It was browning nicely and the succulent juices flowed down the side of the bird. The aroma from it wafted through the house along with the scent of her cedar-pine scented candles. She was excited about the stunning feast and the addition of her brother and Ruth was making the day perfect. Perfect apart from the absence of her father of course, but, as she put the bird onto the granite surface that he had built himself, she felt his spirit with her.
Carol had a glass of wine in her hand and Horatio was settled in front of the fire.
The doorbell rang with the first of the guests to arrive. She wiped her hands in a tea towel and went out to the front door. Ruth’s arms were laden with colourful packages tied up with silver string and bows.
Julia reached out and took some from her friend and planted a Christmas kiss on her cheek.
“Merry Christmas, Ruth – I’m so glad you’re spending the day with us.”
“Me too. I don’t think I could stand the tension between my mother and Orla for a full twenty-four hours – especially in Orla’s house.”
“I’d love to be a fly on the wall in Kerry,” Julia giggled.
“I don’t know who I feel more sorry for!” said Ruth. “Actually, I do I feel for Mum. It can’t be easy for her. First losing her son to Kerry and now her grandchildren to Canada, but maybe this will make her get on the plane and hopefully visit us both during the year.”
“I love your mum, Ruth,” Julia said, “but I’ve always wondered how she managed living in Australia. Maybe you’ll get some insight now that you’ll be living there.”
Ruth nodded hopefully. “Where’s your mum – in the living room?”
“Yeah, go on in to her – she’s with Granddad.”
Ruth carried two presents in with her. Horatio was dozing in the armchair and Carol was having a quick sneaky game of bridge on her laptop.
“Merry Christmas, Carol,” Ruth said. She kissed her friend’s mother on the cheek and handed her a gift, then went over to Julia’s grandfather.
“Merry Christmas, Mr Daly.”
“Aah, Ruth, lovely to see you – and what’s this Julia’s been telling me about you going off to the other side of the world?”
“Well, it’s all your granddaughter’s doing, Mr Daly.”
The old man sucked in his cheeks. “Aah, she can’t help stickin’ her nose into other people’s business but she has a good heart.”
“I’m looking forward to going now, Mr Daly.”
“Is Perth anywhere near Rockingham?” Carol asked. “I’ve a very good friend who I play with most mornings and she lives there.”
“I can’t say I know, Carol. I’ll find out when I get there. How was your trip to Cologne?”
Carol blushed. “It was very nice, thank you, Ruth.”
“Maybe you can get the info out of her, Ruth,” said Julia as she came in. “She’s been very coy with us – hasn’t she, Granddad?”
Horatio looked up. “I can’t keep up with the lot of you and all of your travel around the world. Yis are just trying to make me jealous!”
“Come on, Ruth, we’ll go back into the kitchen and see how the turkey is doing,” Julia prompted.
“Can I help with anything?” Ruth asked.
“You could mash the potatoes if you like – that would be a great help.”
“So how many are coming today?”
“It was just meant to be us, Michael and Odette’s crew – but Craig asked if we had room for Dylan and much as I wanted I couldn’t say no!”
“Is he really that bad? I mean, he’s always been very pleasant when I’ve met him.”
“You’ve only seen him at weddings and such occasions. He can be such a pain. And the tension between Odette and Craig is getting worse – I’m at a loss to know what to do about it.”
“But surely it’s between Odette and Craig, whatever is going on in their marriage?”
“Odette looks to me for advice and she’s not coping very well with anything at the moment.”
; “What does Dylan say about all this?”
Julia drained the Brussels sprouts and put them back on the hob.
“I’m sure Dylan wouldn’t even notice,” she said. “He hasn’t a serious bone in his body and is too quick to make jokes and be smart about those around him – especially me!”
“Oh, okay.” Ruth knew when to stop prying.
Odette was next at the door and her children rushed in past Julia to get into the living room and see what their granny and great-grandfather had waiting for them.
“Happy Christmas, Julia,” she said, giving her sister a kiss on the cheek.
“Where’s Craig?”
“Oh, he’ll be here soon – had to pop into the office for something.”
Julia cocked her head in surprise. “On Christmas Day?”
Odette just nodded and went into the living room after her children.
What sort of accountancy nightmare couldn’t wait a couple of days, Julia wondered?
Odette’s children loved Ruth and called her Aunty Ruthy. They collected their presents with gusto and sat down at Horatio’s feet in front of the fire. Torn paper surrounded each of them in seconds.
“Time to put the laptop away, I think!” Horatio nodded to his daughter who wistfully did as she was told.
Suddenly the doorbell rang again and Julia ran out to get it. At first she thought that it must be Craig but sighed when she realised it was Dylan.
“Happy Christmas, Julia!” he said, handing her a Poinsettia and bottle of expensive Fleurie wine.
“Thank you and Happy Christmas to you too.” She smiled politely.
“I love Christmas – it’s one of the few days you have to be civil to me.”
“Don’t push your luck!” she said, kicking the door closed behind her with the heel of her shoe. She nodded in the direction of the living room. “They’re inside.”
Dylan went over to his sister-in-law first and looked around for his brother.
“Oh, Craig had to go into work for something!” Odette explained.
Dylan was troubled by the news. What on earth could have him in head office on Christmas Day? And it was a Sunday so he shouldn’t be in there anyway. He would have to have serious words with his brother after dinner.
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