I sat down.
“You know that his lousy character isn’t just because our parents died. His relationship with Megan screwed up his life. That’s why I came rushing over as fast as I could after Abby’s panicky phone call.”
“So who the hell is this woman?”
“A social climber. A shark. A bitch. She’s always wanted to be successful and have some status in society, any way she could and using anyone she could. She started with nothing, made herself who she is today, worked like a dog to get where she is. She’s a head-hunter for the biggest recruitment agency in Dublin. She’d disown her mother and father with no problem at all to get what she wants. She’s merciless, cunning, vicious, and more importantly, manipulative.”
“And that’s the kind of woman he likes?” I scoffed.
“I have no idea, but she’s the only woman he’s ever lived with.”
“That woman is the love of his life?”
“In a way.”
I opened my eyes wide and tried not to throw up.
“What you need to know is that before he met her, Edward didn’t want to commit to anyone. He always thought that love relationships were destined to fail. To him, if you fall in love, you suffer in the end because you’ll be betrayed and abandoned. So he always had relationships that were going nowhere, until the day he met her. In the beginning, he wanted her as a trophy. She let him stew. She’s a real man-eater. She’d spun her web before giving in to him.
“Edward was seduced by her willpower, self-confidence, and determination. And afterwards, she stuck the knife in while pretending to be the virtuous woman who believes in love and wants to have a family . . .”
I was seething with anger; I wanted to kill someone. How could he have been taken in by such a bitch?
“But what about you? You didn’t believe her?”
“I started my own little investigation about her. I didn’t like the look of her. She was too worldly, too sickly sweet to be true. I found out that she’d spotted Edward and wanted him as a plaything. She told friends that his air of the dark, tortured artist would be good for her. To her, it was a way to soften her reputation as a shark. I told Edward everything and nearly lost him. We didn’t speak to each other for months.”
“How did it end between them?” I practically shouted.
“Calm down, Diane . . . It’s a hell of a story . . . At the time, Edward was going through a period when he wasn’t happy at work. He was working for a magazine but wanted to go freelance. Megan was dead against the plan. I always thought she was afraid her standard of living would drop. So, to make a long story short, my brother has always been the same, but in that situation, of course, he went to extremes. He was frustrated and terrifyingly angry. It wasn’t a good idea to be in the same room with them when they were shouting and cursing each other. Though he still needed her and her support. But he behaved like an asshole and pushed her too far. You know it wouldn’t take much.”
I tightened my fists to contain my mounting anger and rage. I was about to erupt.
“Go on . . .” I muttered between clenched teeth.
“Edward left on an assignment. When he got back, he found her in the sack with someone she worked with.”
“That’s horrible!” I shouted, leaping to my feet.
“He smashed the guy’s face in. He’d be dead now if it weren’t for Megan pleading with Edward. Afterward, Edward loaded all his things into his car. She begged him to stay, promised it would never happen again, that they could get through it together and that she loved him more than anything. You can imagine he wouldn’t listen to a word.”
I was like a caged lion, turning in circles while staring at Judith.
“Just like him, don’t you think?”
“He was going to ask her to marry him as soon as his problems at work got straightened out. You can imagine the hell he went through.”
“How did he pull himself together?”
“Well, you’ve seen how. He went to an animal shelter to get his mutt, then made his way to the Aran Islands. He disappeared off the face of the earth for two months. No one knew where he was. I’d even started thinking about putting up a missing persons poster. Then, one day, he turned up here and asked Abby and Jack for the keys to our parents’ house. And he moved in. From that moment on, he decided that no woman would ever make him suffer like that again and that he’d stay single.”
“So why is Megan here? What does she want?”
“She wants him. She loves him, in her own way,”
I couldn’t believe it.
“She never got over him,” Judith continued when she saw my astonished expression. “For five years she’s done everything she can to get him back. She even came to whine at my feet. Megan’s the only woman he’s ever loved. In spite of everything she’s done to him, I know they see each other from time to time when he goes to Dublin for work. You’d think she was having him followed! She always knows where he is. And, coincidentally, whenever they run into each other, Edward never spends the night at my place. He’s like a drug addict who relapses after rehab.”
“She’s got him, no matter what she does,” I cried bitterly.
“I’d say she used to have him. Because you arrived and you changed him. I don’t know how you did it. You must have some sort of secret. He couldn’t stand you at Christmas time but he took you to his refuge. The Aran Islands are like the Holy Land to him.”
“A fat lot of good that does me!”
I couldn’t stand still. I picked up my pack of cigarettes and lit one. I took a long drag to try to calm down.
“I’m worried about him,” Judith said. “Just at the very moment when he was about to trust you, to try, Megan shows up, swearing to him by all that’s holy that he’s the only man she’ll ever love and that she’ll even come and live with him here. He’s going to go crazy.”
“He didn’t try to stop me from going when she arrived, and he told me to get lost when I went to ask him for an explanation. To me, it’s very simple: he’s made his choice. She’s living with him, isn’t she?”
“No. He sent her to the hotel. I saw his reaction that night; he was insanely worried when the pub owner called him. And afterwards, when he saw you with that other guy . . . frankly, I was scared.”
“Even if I believe you, what am I supposed to do?”
“Anything! Anything and everything. Do you want him, yes or no?”
I turned towards the bay window to see if I could catch sight of Edward. He was still on the beach, more lonely and more handsome than ever.
“Of course I do.”
“Well then get a move on! Seduce him; shake your booty in front of him; make him realize that you’re the love of his life, not that bitch. Get your claws out, and the rest. It won’t be a clean fight between you and her; no holds barred. You’re going to have to be really brave to break through his armor. But you’d better understand that he might drop both of you and disappear someplace where you’d never find him.”
9
Judith had just left. She made me swear on the Bible that I would put my plan of attack into action as soon as possible. Except that before marching into battle, I definitely had to recover from my hangover. Just as I was getting ready to go to bed really early, someone knocked on my door. Would this damned day never end? I was so on edge that I nearly burst out laughing when I found the great Megan standing in front of me. No end to it. She looked me up and down and I took advantage to check her out. It was the first time I’d seen her so close up. She was beautiful but cold, haughty, with a proud, hard look in her eyes. Compared to her, any woman would look like a high school kid. She was the very image of the sexy businesswoman away for the weekend, with her expensive jeans, unbelievably spotless high heels, and manicured nails. I might as well admit it, my “morning after the night before” look did not play in my favor.
“Diana, isn’t it?”
“No, Diane. What do you want?”
“It seems that Edward
rushed to your rescue the other night, didn’t he?”
“What business is that of yours?”
“Stop hanging around him. He’s mine.”
I laughed in her face.
“Laugh if you want, I couldn’t care less. Don’t waste your time. You’re not his type. I mean really, look at yourself.”
She had a look of disgust on her face.
“Is that the best you can do?” I asked. “Because if you think I’m going to step aside for you, you’ve got another think coming.”
She smiled at me maliciously.
“So you made him feel sorry for you, is that it?” she asked.
I couldn’t catch my breath; my legs started shaking, tears rushed to my eyes; I had to steady myself against the doorframe.
“Poor little thing,” Megan added.
I could hear the distant sound of a motor. She snorted.
“Perfect. Here’s Edward. He’s about to see you at your best.”
He got out of the car and immediately walked over to us.
“What are you doing here?” he asked Megan.
I purposely kept my head down.
“I heard Diane’s terrible story and came to give her my condolences about her husband and daughter.”
She gushed sincerity.
“Are you done?”
His tone of voice was so harsh that I looked up. He was staring daggers at her. But she kept a look of utter solicitude on her face. She turned to me and put a hand on my arm.
“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to open old wounds. If you need us, please don’t hesitate. And as soon as you feel better, we can go and have a drink, just us girls. It would do you good . . .”
“That’s enough Megan,” Edward cut in. You’ve made your point. Take the keys and go into the house.”
She gave me a peck on the cheek. The kiss of Judas. She turned on her heels but quickly changed her mind.
“Are you coming Edward?”
“No. I need to talk to Diane.”
She took it with a smile. My morale suddenly improved. She walked up to him.
“Take your time. I’m going to make us a romantic little supper.”
She stood on tiptoe and kissed the corner of his mouth. I saw Edward’s hand around her waist. I fell flat again, like a balloon that had just burst. Megan winked at me and headed for Edward’s place. I knew I was looking at him all wide-eyed but I couldn’t help myself. He brushed his hair back and couldn’t look at me. He was obviously wondering why he’d decided to stay. I would make it easier for him.
“Don’t keep her waiting.”
“What got into you the other night?”
“I had to drown my sorrows.”
We looked deep into each other’s eyes for a long time.
“What do you expect of me?” he finally asked.
“That you take control of your life, and . . . make certain decisions.”
He lit a cigarette and turned away.
“It’s complicated. I can’t give you an answer, not now.”
He started walking away, without saying another word.
“Edward.”
He stopped.
“Don’t shut me out of your life.”
“Even if I wanted to, it would be impossible.”
And with that, he walked towards his house. Megan must have been watching us; she came outside when he got to the steps. She pulled him close and dragged him inside. The war had begun, and Megan already had a huge advantage. She knew him inside and out, what to say and when. They had a past together and she could use that as a weapon. As for me, I was always walking on eggshells with him. Apart from a few fights as neighbors that were sometimes more serious than others, and a truce that lasted a few weeks, when all was said and done, what had Edward and I actually done together? I fell asleep thinking about that.
Megan hadn’t spent the night at his place, though that didn’t really mean anything. She’d just arrived. Edward had been on the beach for quite a while with his camera. I laughed to myself watching Megan trying to walk in the sand in her stilettos. I thought I would wet myself when Postman Pat jumped on her. That weird and wonderful dog was definitely my best friend. He’d been for a swim and had rolled around in the sand just before she got there, and Megan’s magnificent cashmere coat was paying the price. Suddenly, it hit me. I knew what I shared with Edward, and Megan couldn’t compete with me on my home ground.
My hat and scarf, in pure wool of course, would be my seductive trump cards. Unbelievable. I walked towards the beach, light-hearted and determined to show that stupid woman she hadn’t gotten rid of me. She didn’t notice me standing right behind her. She was talking to herself: “No way I’m going to rot in this place. I’ll get him back to Dublin in a flash, and once and for all. And he’ll have that horrible dog put to sleep at the same time.”
The bitch!
“Hello Megan!” I said, walking past her.
I whistled. Postman Pat ran over to me. He jumped on me; I stood and petted him. He started jumping and yapping when he saw me pick up a stick. I threw it for him, winked at my rival, and continued walking down the beach. Edward saw me from a distance. I waved at him and continued playing with the dog. He knew I was there, that was enough. Surreptitiously, I walked towards him, but I didn’t look at him, I just concentrated on the dog.
“Diane,” I heard him call.
It was difficult to hide my smile. I was just about to turn towards him when Postman Pat knocked me over. Of course, I was holding the stick. I rolled around in the sand, shaking with uncontrollable laughter. It was exactly what I’d wanted. And my fellow conspirator joined in when he came over and licked my face. Postman Pat grabbed the stick from me and took off. I opened my eyes. Edward was standing over me, one leg on each side of my body. I noticed his features looked drawn, his eyes had dark circles under them. But he was smiling at me.
“If you only knew what a state you’re in!”
“If you only knew how little I care!”
He stretched his hands out to me and I took hold of them; he helped me up. We stood like that for a few moments. Then, he brushed a bit of sand off my face with his thumb. I could see the signs of affection on his face that he’d had for me in the recent past. Now was the time.
“Walk with me a little?” I suggested.
His hand, still resting against my face, dropped down; he glanced towards the sea, then turned to me.
“I was going home; I have pictures to develop.”
Recreation time was over. He went to pick up his cameras. I sighed. But I was really surprised when I saw him walking back to me.
“Are you still interested in the photos from the Aran Islands?”
“Of course.”
“Come with me and I’ll give them to you.”
We walked along the beach in silence. For a few moments, I almost forgot Megan was there. She was waiting for us, leaning against her car.
“What are you doing here?” Edward asked her, harshly. “You hate the beach and always have.”
“I wanted to see you. I need to talk to you about my plans.”
“I have no time now; I’ve got work to do.”
“I can wait.”
Edward kept walking and I followed him. Megan followed me. What would you have to say to her to make her understand she was in the way? He opened the door and went inside. I stopped at the doorstep. Megan pushed me aside without him seeing and followed him inside.
“I told you, not now,” he said again when he saw her.
“Well, what is she doing here?”
“Edward has some photos to give me, that’s all. Then I’m going to leave him in peace.”
He went upstairs. I lit a cigarette. Megan didn’t budge an inch. A real guard dog in high heels. Two minutes later, Edward ran down the stairs holding a large envelope. He handed it to me without a word.
“Thank you,” I said. “See you later.”
“Whenever you like.”
I smiled on
e last time before heading for the door. I could hear Megan pleading with him to let her stay. But he threw her out.
I was at my front door when she came storming over.
“Wait a minute, you!” I heard Megan say to me.
After all, I did deserve to enjoy my victory that day. I turned around and gave her my most hypocritical smile. Her anger made her look ugly.
“What are those photos?”
“Oh, these?” I asked, waving the envelope in her face.
“Cut it out!”
“They’re photos that Edward took of me and the two of us on the Aran Islands.”
“You’re lying!”
“You don’t believe me? Yet, it’s absolutely true. And the bed and breakfast was wonderful, such comfortable beds, the ideal spot for two people in love.”
“Give me that!”
She grabbed the photos from me. Even though I was a nonbeliever, I prayed to the Good Lord that I hadn’t exaggerated. When I saw Megan’s face distorted with both rage and jealousy, I promised myself I’d light a candle at the first church I could find. Abby would help me.
“It isn’t possible,” she said, over and over again.
“But it is.”
If her eyes had been machine guns, I would have been riddled with bullets. She threw the photos in my face and walked to her car.
“You’ll pay for this!”
I glanced at the first picture. If I’d been her, I would have had a fit. I was completely flustered. I didn’t even bother answering her and went inside to study the photos in detail.
The next evening, I decided to go to the pub in the hope of running into Edward. The owner gave me a big smile. I climbed up onto a barstool.
“I’m really sorry about the last time.”
“No worries, it happens to everyone,” he replied, serving me a pint. “It’s on the house.”
“Thank you.”
He glanced over at the door, raised his eyes to heaven, and turned to me.
“Good luck.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Hello, Diane,” Megan said.
She gracefully hoisted herself up next to me and ordered a glass of white wine. If Edward turned up, I wouldn’t look good compared to her. No man could resist her, there was no denying it. She was gorgeous, in a black dress that was neither vulgar nor seductive. It was sexy, classy, showing just enough flesh to make men want to see more.
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