by Caragh Bell
‘Hi, Lyd,’ he said softly.
‘Hi,’ she whispered.
‘Where’s your boyfriend? I want to meet him.’ He glanced around the room.
Lydia’s face fell. ‘He had to work. It was important – he was really sorry.’
Luca’s face was expressionless. He traced his finger along the armrest of the chair slowly and deliberately. Lydia suddenly imagined what it would be like if he trailed his fingers down her body. She came back to earth with a jolt. What the hell was she thinking? Too many mojitos. She looked over at Colin who was deep in conversation with Jessica.
‘So, what do you do, Jess?’ asked Colin, popping a blini in his mouth.
‘I work in Brown Thomas, in the jeans section. I love it, it’s really cool.’ She beamed at everyone.
‘Are you from Dublin?’ asked Samantha, recognising the accent.
‘Yes. I moved down two years ago. I love it here – it’s so dinky and cute. Everything is within walking distance and the social scene is amazing.’
‘It must be hard to keep up with Luca,’ observed Colin. ‘You two must have a hectic social life.’
Luca tore his eyes away from Lydia. ‘Yeah, we go out all the time,’ he said tonelessly. Getting to his feet, he stretched. ‘Colin? Can I get another drink?’
‘Sure, they’re good, aren’t they?’
Luca nodded. ‘Awesome.’ He got another cocktail and then sat back down next to Lydia. ‘So, what does Dominic do? Is he in school?’
Lydia shook her head. ‘No, he’s a doctor. Actually, he’s training to be a surgeon.’
Luca whistled. ‘Whoa! That’s some job!’
Lydia looked sad. ‘Yeah, it is. Sometimes I feel so different to him, you know?’
Colin spotted that Lydia’s glass was nearly empty. ‘Kelly! Drink up!’ he scolded. ‘I’ll get you another!’
Lydia tried to protest but to no avail. The rum had gone to her head and she was feeling very tipsy.
‘So, where did you meet Dom?’ Luca pressed on.
‘In college. He’s so lovely, Luca – you’ll really like him when you meet him.’
‘I’m sure I will.’
‘I really miss him, you know?’ Lydia’s tongue was loosened by the alcohol. ‘It’s really tough sleeping alone when you’re used to having someone there.’
‘So don’t.’
‘Don’t what?’ she laughed nervously.
‘Mojito for Lydia!’ Colin flopped down on the couch beside Luca. ‘So, Luca, where on earth did you meet Jess? She’s fabulous.’
‘I can’t remember. Some party somewhere.’
‘I think she’s stunning,’ said Lydia enviously. ‘I mean, she’s like a model.’
‘I guess.’ Luca sipped his drink. ‘So, Colin, did you check out the price of the skiing trip?’
‘Not yet,’ admitted Colin. ‘Next week, when I have time.’
‘I already asked Mum for money,’ said Lydia excitedly. ‘I hope we get to go.’
‘It shouldn’t be too expensive if we all share an apartment or something.’ Colin took out his iPhone. ‘I’ll Google Austria there and check out some resorts.’
There was a short silence as Lydia and Luca sipped their drinks.
‘I can’t wait to see the club,’ said Lydia then. ‘Is it really funky?’
Luca shrugged. ‘It’s okay. I had fun there but to me all clubs are the same. Crowded and noisy.’
‘Why do you go then?’
‘For fun, for tunes, the usual.’
Samantha laughed loudly and everyone turned in her direction. ‘You didn’t!’ she exclaimed. ‘Jessica!’
‘I swear to God!’ Jessica tossed her hair and her earrings sparkled in the light. ‘It was so funny, I’ll never forget it.’
‘What?’ Colin’s head swung around, intrigued. ‘Forget what?’ He scrambled to his feet and joined the conversation.
Luca looked around Colin’s flat, at the expensive art on the walls and the beautiful furniture.
‘So, what does Colin do again?’ he asked.
‘Nothing at all. Well, except for college of course.’ Lydia smiled. ‘Auntie Di is loaded so he is well provided for.’
‘Lucky Colin.’
There was another silence. Suddenly Lydia’s phone started to ring. Luca glanced at the screen.
‘Looks like it’s Dominic,’ he said with a deadpan expression.
Lydia mouthed apologetically, answered the call and got to her feet. Seconds later, she closed the door of Colin’s bedroom.
‘Sorry, Dom, the music was too loud out there to hear you.’
‘How’s it going?’
‘It’s fun, actually. Col made mojitos and canapés.’
‘I’m really sorry I’m not there.’
‘It’s okay.’ Lydia bit her lip. ‘I’ll see you next weekend.’
‘Definitely. Look, I’d better go. I only have a short break.’
‘I love you.’
‘I love you too.’
Lydia ended the call and sighed. Why did he have to move away?
Suddenly she felt really tired and her bed beckoned. She felt like getting into her pyjamas and closing her eyes. The thought of the club was not appealing with all the noise and crowds. Picking up her phone, she selected a taxi number.
‘Hi there, can I get a taxi to College Road? Yeah, I’m in flat 3B, Riverside Apartments. Thank you.’
The others were making a move when she re-entered the sitting room.
‘Come on, Lyd, we’re going,’ said Colin, downing the last of his cocktail.
Lydia grabbed his arm and spoke in an undertone. ‘I’m actually going to call it a night, Col.’
He opened his mouth in protest but Lydia raised her finger to his lips.
‘I’m really tired.’
‘Oh, Lyd,’ he admonished, disappointed. ‘All that rum going to waste.’
Lydia picked up her jacket and bag. ‘Next weekend?’
Colin squeezed her arm. ‘Next weekend.’
The doorbell buzzed. Val pressed the button.
‘Taxi for Lydia Kelly?’ boomed a voice.
Luca’s head whipped around. ‘You’re going?’ he asked sharply.
Lydia nodded. ‘I’m tired. Have a great night.’ She averted her eyes from his gaze.
‘You’re sure?’ He continued to stare at her.
‘I’m sure.’ She buttoned her coat firmly. ‘See you around.’
‘Bye, Lyd,’ said Samantha, hand in hand with Craig. ‘See you in the morning.’
Lydia waved at everyone and escaped out the door.
Pulling her purse out of her bag, she checked if she had enough cash to finance her journey. Minutes later, she was moving through the dark streets in the back of a cab, her thoughts blank.
Chapter 12
Dominic smiled at the man behind the counter of Tesco.
‘Thank you,’ he said, putting his change in his pocket. Walking out into the cold night, he quickened his pace. Work had been punishing today. One thing had cropped up after another.
Arriving at his apartment, he saluted the old lady who lived next door. She was constantly sitting at the window with her cat on her lap. She waved enthusiastically at him as he passed by. Dumping his key on the kitchen table, he set about making fusilli and tomato sauce with cheese. Not the most appealing dinner but he was not a proficient cook.
His phone buzzed as he settled down to eat.
How was your day? XXXX
He smiled. He wished she was with him. He couldn’t believe how much he missed her. Sure, she rang and chattered constantly about her day, but it wasn’t the same. He wished she hadn’t insisted on continuing her studies in Cork.
‘It’s the best college ever,’ she had said seriously. ‘It’s only a year, Dom, it’ll fly.’
Forking up some pasta, he set about texting her back.
How did people survive before the iPhone, he thought idly. Lydia would have to come and visit. He wanted her to be par
t of his life up here.
Having washed up his pot and lonely plate, Dominic paused. He didn’t know what to do with the evening. He could watch TV and pass out on the couch. Or he could go down the pub and meet the crew from work. The nurses were always asking him to join them for wine o’clock. He contemplated ringing Lydia but decided to wait until tomorrow. Turning on the TV, he flicked on the news. Settling back into the couch, he rested his tired head on a cushion and minutes later he was fast asleep.
Lydia ran through the campus, her scarf trailing behind her.
Of all days to be bloody late, she thought as she jumped aside to avoid a group of students outside the library. Brendan Cleary did not appreciate tardiness but Dominic had rung just as she was leaving. He was on his lunch and so had time to chat. Ten minutes into their conversation, the postman had arrived with a package for Samantha. He had insisted that she sign for the parcel, which she then had to lug to Samantha’s room.
She pushed open the big heavy oak door of the tutorial room. All heads swung around to glare at the late arrival. Colin put his hand over his mouth in mock disapproval. Luca ignored her completely.
‘Ms. Kelly, good of you to join us.’ Brendan cleared his throat.
Lydia opened her mouth but shut it again. She had no excuse really. Her boyfriend had phoned and for the first time in weeks he was in a relaxed chatty mood. Given the chance again, she would not have passed it up.
Feeling flustered, she sat down in the corner.
‘As I was saying, Yeats was deeply in love with Maud Gonne. He did not understand her Fenian spirit but he admired her fervour and her passion. He described her as having ‘beauty like a tightened bow’. Her refusal to marry him probably produced the greatest love poetry ever written.’
Lydia sat back and listened to her tutor’s lilting voice as he read ‘Broken Dreams’. You could hear a pin drop.
Luca was lounging against the old stone wall of the university when Lydia appeared. He straightened up when he saw her.
‘You free for coffee?’ he drawled, flicking a lock of blond hair out of his eyes.
Lydia halted. He was so hot and cold. She bit her lip.
‘Hey, Lyd, it’s only coffee.’ He gave her a lopsided grin and, reaching out, took her arm. ‘Coffee. No strings.’
Lydia giggled and relaxed. He was impossibly charming. She let him lead her in the direction of the student centre. She couldn’t help but notice how girls stopped and stared openly at him as they walked past.
‘Yeats is something else, isn’t he?’ he said, shaking his head. ‘I can’t believe she married that McBride dude over him. That’s wack.’
Lydia smiled. ‘Yeah, very wack.’
‘Are you laughing at me, Lydia?’ He stopped and looked stern.
‘Of course not.’
Not concentrating on where she was going, she didn’t notice a group of students sitting cross-legged on the grass.
‘Hey, Lyd! Watch it!’ Luca warned.
But it was too late. She stumbled over a discarded satchel full of books and fell forwards.
Suddenly she found herself in his arms. He pulled her close, stalling her fall. She felt his grip tighten as he held on for a fraction too long. She stared up at him, her heart beating wildly. He gazed down at her openly and she felt her breath quicken.
‘Thanks,’ she whispered, pulling out of his arms awkwardly. Reluctantly he released her.
‘So, what are your plans after you graduate?’ he asked casually as if nothing had happened.
Lydia pulled her hair over her flushed face. Normal, Lyd, continue as normal.
‘I want to be a journalist.’
Luca raised an eyebrow, impressed.
She continued. ‘My dream is to live in France – I’m a total Francophile. Maybe write a novel, I don’t know.’
Luca smiled. ‘What kind? Horror? Crime? Romance?’
Lydia looked horrified. ‘Romance? No way. No – real-life drama. Observations, stuff like that. How about you?’
‘Me?’
‘Yeah, what are your plans next year?’
Luca paused to push the door of the student centre open.
‘I want to write books, live in France, you know.’
Lydia frowned. ‘You’re not serious?’
‘Hell, no.’ He flashed her a brilliant smile. ‘Although if you were nearby, it would be a dream career move.’
‘Luca!’ Lydia rolled her eyes.’
‘Okay, okay, I’ll stop. I’ll probably head back to the States. I’ve lots of buddies there.’
‘Dom might end up there too. He’s always going on about going to America.’
‘And you? Where do you fit in?’
Lydia’s expression darkened. ‘I don’t know. I suppose we’ll compromise.’ She shook her head. ‘Anyway, enough of the hypothetical.’
They entered the student centre and turned left into the café.
‘Hey, grab those seats over there,’ he suggested pointing to a small table for two by the window. ‘You want a black coffee, right?’
She nodded. ‘That’s right. Here, let me give you some money.’
‘I got this, Lyd.’ He pushed her gently in the direction of the window. ‘Just get those seats right there.’
She went to the table, draped her coat over the aluminium chair and sat down.
Luca arrived with two mugs of coffee which he placed on the table. He threw his bag on the ground and sat down. ‘I love this place – it’s so goddamn cheap.’
She smiled in thanks and cupped the warm mug with her hands. ‘So, how was the club that last night?’
‘Awful.’
‘Awful? I heard it was great.’
‘You went home.’ He stared at her.
Lydia blushed. ‘Luca! You have to stop. I’m practically married.’
‘You’re not dead though.’
Lydia laughed. ‘True, but you have to stop flirting with me like that. I’m not used to it.’
‘I bet you get attention all the time.’
‘No, actually I don’t. So it’s hard to handle.’
Luca put a sugar in his coffee. ‘You’re way too pretty to go under the radar.’
‘Jesus, Luca, stop!’ Lydia put her head in her hands. ‘I can’t be friends with you if you keep this up.’
‘Okay! Jeez, relax. I’ll be on my best behaviour from now on.’
‘So, I’ll start again,’ she said. ‘How was the club?’
Luca shrugged. ‘Same as always. Drank too much, danced like a maniac.’
Lydia giggled. ‘How was your head on Sunday?’
Luca grimaced. ‘Awful, just awful. I blame Colin and his Cuban homebrew.’
‘If it’s any consolation, he was dying. He didn’t even make it to karaoke on Sunday night, which is a first.’
Silence descended but it was comfortable.
Luca regarded her lazily.
‘You’re so pretty, do you know that? Sorry for repeating myself.’
Lydia reddened. ‘No, I’m not. Now stop.’
‘Sure you are. Especially when you blush.’
Lydia threw a sachet of sugar at him.
‘Stop!’ she warned, half laughing. ‘My head will swell.’
Luca shrugged. ‘I can’t help it. You’re too cute to keep it to myself.’
Luca walked her home.
He watched her insert her key in the lock.
Act now, Jacob. Ask her out.
Taking a deep breath he opened his mouth to speak, but she got there first.
‘Thanks for the coffee, Luca.’
‘Anytime.’
She smiled at him. ‘It was really nice to hang out as friends.’ She emphasised the last word.
‘Sure, you got it. We should do it again sometime.’
She nodded and, reaching out, she touched his arm. ‘See you soon.’
The door closed firmly.
Luca’s arm burned where she had touched it. He couldn’t believe how much he wanted her
. But she didn’t seem to go for his usual spin. She was different.
Ambling down the street, he frowned. He had to get her out of his system. He thought about her all the time. It was a crazy thing that he, Luca Jacob, was even thinking about a girl for more than two minutes.
Her image filled his mind. Her long hair, the cute way she blushed. He needed a plan. It couldn’t be that hard to take her off this Dominic guy who wasn’t even on the scene. If she was that keen on the guy, why wasn’t she in Dublin with him?
He walked into his kitchen.
He would become her friend and gain her confidence.
And then make a move on her.
Simple.
He always got what he wanted.
Chapter 13
Samantha and Craig strolled through the English Market, Cork’s famous landmark. Traders shouted noisily to the passing crowd, calling out their special offers of meat, fish, artisan breads and cheeses. Samantha loved walking through this hidden treasure in the city centre. She adored passing the interesting stalls with their organic pasta and quiches. The homemade pizza looked tantalising as she walked past, the smell of freshly baked bread pulled her head over in the other direction. Men in suits sat at the coffee booths, all busily chatting on their iPhones. Next was Mr. Bell’s Asian supply shop with its packed shelves of spices, pickled ginger, noodles and fortune cookies. Pulling Craig towards the sushi stall, she purchased enough for the two of them for later. The pretty Japanese server smiled as she handed over the box of rolled rice and fish. She popped in a tube of wasabi and some chopsticks and bowed her head in thanks when Samantha told her to keep the change.
‘Do you want to get some lunch?’ Craig asked. ‘How about a sausage from O’Flynn’s?’
Samantha shook her head. ‘I love their Italian sausage but I don’t feel like street food today. Let’s go upstairs to the Farmgate instead.’
Craig shrugged and followed her up the stairs to the first floor. The busy café was situated on a mezzanine that looked out over the market below. Samantha loved sitting on the high stools and watching the passing trade beneath her. Spotting two spare seats, she pulled Craig along to claim them.
‘What would you like?’ she asked, taking off her jacket and placing it on the stool.