Indecision (Follow Your Heart Book 1)

by Caragh Bell

  ‘No.’

  ‘Well, I’m getting up.’ Dominic jumped out of bed. He picked up a towel. ‘Do you want to join me in the shower?’ He smiled suggestively.

  Lydia yanked the duvet over her eyes. ‘No.’

  Dominic laughed. ‘Fair enough. See you in five.’

  Lydia pulled the duvet close. It was too warm and cosy in her bed. Five more minutes …

  ‘Ted, shift ass. Mum has pancakes ready.’ Ollie opened the curtains and harsh sunlight streamed into the room.

  ‘Enough!’ Lydia threw a cushion at him. ‘Get out! I’m coming!’

  As soon as the bathroom was free, she had a quick shower. Pulling on her fleecy dressing gown from Penney’s, she went downstairs and filled a glass with water straight away. The ice-cold liquid coursed down her throat and she had to admit it felt great.

  Sarah looked fresh and beautifully groomed, delicately eating her pancake while reading the fashion supplement of the newspaper.

  Lydia loved her older sister but they were poles apart in personality. Sarah, the first-born of the Kelly brood, had always been the perfect child. Pretty, sporty, good at school and a general all-rounder, she sailed through life with a refreshing calmness that Lydia envied. She had followed her father into the teaching profession and now taught French and Spanish in an all-girls school in the city.

  Lydia sat down at the table. ‘Pass the syrup, Sarah.’

  Ollie appeared and pointed in her direction. ‘The resurrection of the dead!’ He laughed. ‘How’s the head?’

  ‘Fine.’ Lydia poured maple syrup on her bacon. ‘Pass the coffee, Mum.’

  Helen was reading the Sunday Express, a frown on her face.‘I can’t believe that review.’ She shook her head in disbelief and simultaneously passed the cafetière. ‘I thought it was a great film.’

  ‘More pancakes?’ Sarah asked Dominic, noticing that his plate was empty.

  ‘Why not?’ He smiled. ‘I never have time for a decent breakfast lately.’

  Lydia took a gulp of water. ‘Why did we open that last bottle of wine? I feel awful!’

  ‘As I recall, it was you who suggested it,’ said Ollie, grinning.

  ‘The wages of sin!’ said Helen with a wink. ‘I told you to take it easy.’

  ‘Hindsight is a wonderful thing, Mum.’

  A couple of hours later, they left. Helen had packed a small bag of food for Lydia to take back with her.

  ‘Oh, Mum, you’re a total star!’ she exclaimed. ‘You even baked some brown bread.’

  ‘No problem, love. Make sure you eat properly.’

  Soon they were speeding up the road. Dominic put a hand on her leg and squeezed it.

  ‘Feeling any better?’

  Lydia sighed. ‘I’ll survive. I wish I had refused seconds of pancakes though.’ She took a swig of water from a bottle. ‘Looks like I’ll have to endure Colin’s singing in a sober state as I’m never drinking again.’

  Dominic smiled. ‘Famous last words.’ He indicated and overtook a lorry. ‘Have you a busy week coming up?’

  She nodded. ‘I have two assignments due. To be honest, it’s weird just having English. I miss my French lectures.’

  ‘Make sure your French is up to scratch for our holiday next summer.’

  Lydia hugged herself in delight. ‘I really can’t wait. I would love to live in Provence, you know …’

  ‘I know,’ Dominic cut her off. ‘Eat cheese, drink wine, play pétanque on Sundays …’

  ‘Life is so easy over there, you know? Ireland is too stressful.’

  ‘I don’t think the local village hospital will need my services, Lyd. I’ll probably be in New York or London performing complex life-saving operations.’

  He laughed and didn’t notice the anguish on Lydia’s face. It was only a small comment but already the divide was widening between them.

  She brushed it off. It’s not like she had a deposit on an old farmhouse in France anyway. She might be a high-flying journalist à la Carrie Bradshaw with an apartment in the East Village and a store card at Barney’s.

  ‘I love you, Dom,’ she said suddenly.

  He smiled at her, the wind whipping his hair. ‘Love you, too.’

  Lydia settled back into her seat.

  Geography didn’t matter. Be it Dublin, New York, Timbuktu. They would survive it.

  They loved each other. That was the key.

  Chapter 5

  Colin tapped the microphone. ‘Testing – one, two.’

  Lydia was sitting at the bar with Samantha, nursing a bottle of Corona. Suddenly the opening bars of ‘Like a Prayer’pulsated through the room.

  ‘Madonna. He’s starting the year with Madonna.’ Samantha took a swig of her beer. ‘It’s going to be a long road.’

  Lydia surveyed her cousin giving it his all on the makeshift stage in the corner of Doyle’s.

  ‘Look at him up there, it’s like he’s come home.’

  Samantha nodded in agreement. ‘He’s a star. Check out Val up at the front cheering him on.’ She smiled. ‘Looks like those two are serious.’

  Lydia glanced at her friend. ‘So, what did you get up to last night?’

  Samantha blushed. ‘This and that. I went to that new club down town with Kirsty from work.’

  ‘Was it good?’

  ‘The club was amazing – a bit expensive but very classy. We had a few drinks and I sort of met this guy …’

  Lydia perked up. ‘Do tell!’

  Samantha started to peel the label off her bottle of beer. ‘His name is Craig Dillon. He’s in his final year of Law.’

  ‘And?’ Lydia clapped her hands.

  ‘We’re going to the cinema next week.’

  ‘On a date?’

  Samantha nodded.

  ‘That’s great, Sam!” said Lydia. “I can’t wait to meet him.’

  Samantha looked alarmed. ‘Whoa! Slow down there, Sparky! We’re only going to the cinema.’

  Lydia smiled knowingly. ‘Hmmmm . . .’

  Samantha blushed.

  ‘So, what does he look like?’ asked Lydia.

  ‘Really cute. A bit like Ryan Gosling, but with dark hair.’’

  Lydia looked impressed. ‘And will he end up as a solicitor or a barrister?’

  ‘Solicitor, I think. Jeez, Lyd, I didn’t interrogate him.’

  ‘And how did you meet him?’

  ‘He was out for his friend’s birthday. I met him at the bar and we ended up talking and then he asked me to dance.’ She blushed. ‘We went for chips after the club.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘We kissed.’

  Lydia clapped her hands together. ‘Nice work.’

  Samantha laughed. ‘He was very polite. He knows Colin, he said.’

  ‘Who doesn’t?’

  ‘Anyway, I’ll find out all I can to report back when I see him next week.’

  Lydia nodded approvingly.

  ‘Thank you all, thank you!’ Colin was bowing as the pub cheered.

  ‘God help anyone else who wants a turn,’ said Samantha, watching Colin gesture to the DJ.

  Lydia waved at the barman for another round. ‘Craig Dillon. Sam Dillon. That sounds nice.’

  ‘Watch it, Lyd.’

  ‘How was it? Did I hit the right notes? Marks out of ten now!’ Colin appeared beside them, breathless. ‘I only have three minutes until “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll”.’

  Samantha raised an eyebrow. ‘The drama of it all.’

  Val appeared and thumped Colin on the shoulder. ‘You were great. I loved it.’

  Colin flushed. ‘Really? I mean, it is my signature tune and all …’

  Lydia giggled. ‘Sensational, Col. Very professional.’

  Colin took an enormous gulp of his gin and tonic. ‘Right. Britney calls. Later, my fans!’ He scampered off back to the stage area.

  ‘Is this a regular thing?’ asked Val with his head to one side.

  ‘Every Sunday night without fail,’ said Samantha solemn
ly. ‘You can still escape.’

  He smiled. ‘It’s not so bad. I think I can handle it.’

  Colin was beckoning to Val to come closer to the stage.

  ‘You have been summoned,’ said Lydia gravely.

  Val threw his eyes to heaven and left to resume his place on the dance floor.

  Lydia’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Dominic.

  Love u miss u want u XXX Just back XX Enjoy Colin XX

  She texted back immediately, relieved that he was safely back in Dublin.

  ‘So, how is Dom?’ asked Samantha then. ‘Is he exhausted?’

  Lydia nodded. ‘It’s something new every day. He has really been thrown in at the deep end. It’s a gall bladder one day, open heart surgery the next. He’s learning a lot and I really think it’s what he wants to do.’

  ‘I really admire people like surgeons,’ said Samantha thoughtfully. ‘I mean, let’s take a bypass for example. It must be pretty amazing to have the power to give someone a second chance at life.’

  Lydia nodded in agreement. ‘I know, but the blood? Yuk! I would collapse.’

  ‘Different strokes for different folks.’

  ‘So, where is Craig from?’

  ‘Macroom.’

  ‘Oh.’ Lydia grinned. ‘A country boy so. Are they farmers?’

  ‘No. But I haven’t asked him much about his family.’ Samantha took a gulp of her drink. ‘It’s not like I’m going home for Sunday dinner anytime soon.’

  ‘You never know.’

  ‘He’s renting a room in one of those old houses by the college.’

  ‘Oh yeah, we looked at them last year. God, classy or what?’ Lydia giggled. ‘Our flat is like a palace in comparison.’

  ‘Anyway, it’s him and his cousin and some other guys from his class.’

  ‘Interesting. Those houses are pretty close to where we are.’

  ‘Stop jumping the gun, Lyd. I mean it.’ Samantha checked her watch. ‘Jesus, it’s half ten. I have a nine o’clock class. Think I’m going to call it a night.’

  Lydia stretched. ‘Me too. Let’s just make our exit quickly and he’ll never notice.’

  They gathered their belongings and furtively sneaked out the side door of Doyle’s.

  ‘He’ll have a canary when he figures out that we’ve gone,’ said Samantha, buttoning up her jacket.

  ‘There will be plenty more Sundays,’ Lydia reassured her. ‘Too many.’

  Craig opened the fridge and pulled out a can of beer. He’d had a punishing day at the library and needed to wind down. Flopping on the couch, he switched on the TV and smiled in satisfaction when a rugby match appeared on the screen. Settling into the cushions, he put his legs on the coffee table and stretched. Now, this is the life, he thought, sighing.

  Suddenly his vision was obscured by a pair of the longest golden legs he had ever seen. Slowly his eyes travelled upwards, past a substantial amount of thigh to the rim of a T-shirt that barely covered the essentials.

  That’s Luca’s T-shirt, he thought irrationally as his gaze finally rested on the face of simply the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She had glossy brown curls, dishevelled and sexy, huge brown eyes and smudged red lips. He choked on his beer.

  ‘Hiya!’ The girl smiled brightly at him. ‘I’m Jessica. Do you know where I could find a corkscrew?’

  Craig leapt to his feet immediately. ‘A corkscrew? Sure, sure, in the drawer, here let me get it for you ... um ...’

  He bolted into the kitchen and she calmly followed.

  ‘So, what’s your name?’ she asked, leaning up against the counter, stretching out a long, toned leg.

  Craig kept his gaze on the cutlery in the drawer. ‘Um, Craig, I’m Craig, I mean, my name is Craig.’

  ‘Oh!’ she squealed in delight. ‘You’re Luca’s cousin – he told me about you.’

  Craig just nodded and continued to riffle through the knives and forks. ‘Gotcha!’ he exclaimed, holding up a corkscrew. ‘Do you need glasses?’

  ‘No, we’re all set.’ She smiled beatifically. ‘Thanks, Craig.’ She left the room as quickly as she had arrived.

  Craig scratched his head. Who the hell is she? he thought in wonder. Trust Luca to score with a girl like that. She was the closest thing to a supermodel he had ever met. Settling down on the couch, he could hear shrieks from upstairs, followed by laughter.

  If Luca can entertain women in that awful room then there’s hope for all of us, he thought smiling. Maybe he could chance bringing Sam back at some stage.

  Pressing the volume button on the remote, he drowned out the noise from upstairs.

  Chapter 6

  ‘Emily Brontë wrote one novel. Some say that she had remarkable insight, having had such a sheltered upbringing.’ Doctor Willis had a booming voice that echoed around the lecture theatre. ‘Over the next few weeks we will come to our own conclusions. Please open Wuthering Heights.’

  Lydia opened her book.

  ‘Can I look into yours?’ whispered a voice in her ear.

  Lydia jumped and looked to her right. An incredibly good-looking blond guy had moved onto the seat next to her and was watching her lazily. He had smooth brown skin and deep blue eyes.

  ‘So, can I share your book?’ he whispered, brushing his golden hair out of his eyes.

  ‘I suppose,’ she said hesitantly, realising that he had an American accent.

  He just continued to watch her with an amused expression on his face.

  Lydia felt her cheeks go red as he leaned closer to read the words Doctor Willis was reading aloud.

  ‘What’s your name?’ he whispered.

  Lydia ignored him.

  He nudged her arm gently. ‘What’s your name?’

  ‘Why do want to know?’ she whispered back.

  ‘Just asking.’ He grinned.

  Lydia looked away abruptly. What was with this guy? She wanted to concentrate.

  ‘Are you free for coffee after this?’

  He was at it again.

  Lydia shook her head. A girl with glasses turned around in annoyance and said ‘Shhhhhh!’ Lydia shrugged helplessly.

  ‘Later?’

  She continued to shake her head. ‘Will you please be quiet?’ she muttered.

  ‘Okay, okay.’ He sat back.

  Lydia breathed a sigh of relief. Glancing sideways she was intrigued by his flawless profile. His tousled blond hair was effortlessly stylish. He looked like the type of guy you could place anywhere and he would look at ease. He turned suddenly and caught her looking at him. Their eyes locked and suddenly she felt lost. His eyes were the bluest she had ever seen.

  ‘I’ll be in the Old Bar at three thirty.’

  Lydia blushed. The nerve of this guy.

  He grabbed his coat and bag and got up. ‘Later.’ He winked before turning and making his way out of the lecture theatre.

  Lydia buried her head in her book but the words swam before her eyes.

  What just happened? she thought in confusion. Glued to Dominic for the last three years she had forgotten what it was like to be hit on by a guy. And not just any guy – possibly the cutest she had seen in a long time.

  After the lecture Lydia avoided the Old Bar.

  There was no way she wanted to meet that arrogant so-and-so again. She texted Samantha and arranged to meet her down town for coffee.

  An hour later, Samantha was licking the cake off her spoon.

  ‘He sounds hot,’ she concluded. ‘If Craig doesn’t work out, you must introduce me.’

  ‘I don’t even know him!’ protested Lydia in annoyance. ‘Anyway, he doesn’t seem like the type of guy I’d like to know. He seemed incredibly full of himself.’

  ‘Just enjoy the moment. It proves you’re not an old hag yet.’

  Lydia’s expression softened and she laughed. ‘I suppose. How was school?’

  ‘Boring. No cute blonds. Just lots of correcting.’

  ‘Remind me – why did you become a teacher?’

/>   ‘I really don’t know. It’s so bloody stressful. God, already I’m dying for midterm!’

  ‘It’s a vocation, Sam. It’s in your blood. Think of the satisfaction when they all get top marks in the Leaving Cert.’ Lydia drained her coffee. ‘Come on, let’s go to Tesco. I’ll cook tonight if you want.’

  Samantha shrugged. ‘I don’t mind if you do.’

  They walked out onto the busy street.

  ‘What do you think of Col’s Val?’ Lydia asked her friend.

  ‘He’s lovely! I hope they make a go of it.’

  Lydia raised an eyebrow. ‘You’d have to be a saint to put up with Colin. Okay, he’s a great cook and has his own pad, but all the time? All that singing and yapping?’

  ‘Lyd-ia! You take no prisoners!’

  ‘You know I’m mad about him – he’s family for God’s sake. I’m just saying, that’s all.’

  They paused to cross the street. Vacant taxis lined the street, waiting for punters, and a busker was playing a fiddle near the Bank of Ireland. A bus drove past, expelling warm exhaust fumes. Samantha wrinkled her nose.

  ‘I really miss the clean air of West Cork.’

  Lydia nodded in agreement. ‘Are you coming home next weekend?’

  ‘No. I’m going to decorate my room. Create some Feng Shui. It really needs it.’

  They moved sideways to avoid an old woman and Samantha walked straight into the mystery blond from the Brontë lecture. He was wrapped around a stunning girl with sulky red lips and long legs.

  Lydia gasped but he didn’t notice her. Instead he crossed the street without looking back.

  ‘God, some people can be so rude,’ complained Samantha crossly. ‘He nearly knocked me over!’

  Lydia shook her arm urgently.

  ‘Sam! That was him! The blond from the lecture!’

  Samantha swung around. ‘What? Oh my God! Where is he gone?’ She scanned the crowd but he had disappeared.

  ‘Did you see the girl he was with? She was gorgeous.’ Lydia shook her head.

  ‘And his girlfriend by the looks of things,’ concluded Samantha. ‘He was all over her. So engrossed he didn’t even realise he had bashed into me.’