City Lives

by Patricia Scanlan

  Then she could get the builders in to do her attic conversion. She hadn’t told Terry of her plans yet. Time for that when the book was ready to go to print.

  ‘You’re not bringing your computer,’ protested Devlin when she saw Maggie’s luggage.

  ‘Come on, Maggie. This is a pampery weekend,’ remonstrated Caroline.

  ‘I know, girls. I might get a few hours done early in the morning and then I wouldn’t feel so guilty about not working,’ she explained weakly.

  ‘And Luke Reilly calls me a workaholic,’ Devlin teased. ‘Get in the car and relax, for God’s sake.’

  ‘I’m perfectly relaxed,’ Maggie retorted.

  ‘Well, would you ever take off your rubber gloves, then. Or are you bringing them with you?’ Devlin asked quizzically.

  ‘Oh! Oh sorry,’ Maggie said flustered. ‘I was just cleaning the downstairs loo, before Josie cleans it, if you know what I mean.’

  ‘Maggie, you’re the only woman I know who cleans the house before the cleaner comes. You’re a hoot!’ Devlin said fondly. ‘Come on. Get your ass in gear. We’re out of here now.’

  ‘Some things never change, Caroline. Remember how bossy she was when we were in the flat in Sandymount?’ Maggie drawled. ‘How high will I jump, Delaney?’

  Devlin laughed. ‘As high as I tell you if it means you’re going to relax and enjoy yourself.’

  Maggie removed her gloves, washed her hands, brushed her hair and called goodbye up the stairs to Josie.

  ‘Let’s go.’ She beamed. ‘I’m ready for this.’

  ‘Me too,’ Devlin echoed. ‘I know I have treatments in City Girl but I always feel a bit guilty. Silly, I know. But there it is. So I’m really going to give myself up to a thorough pampering.’

  ‘This brings back memories.’ Maggie sat back in her seat and stretched. ‘Remember the trip we did for our girls’ weekend away to Rosslare and Caroline drove us in her brand-new Fiesta all those years ago?’

  ‘Yeah and remember the shrieks of us when she passed the little old Methuselah on the tractor,’ Devlin guffawed.

  ‘This is going to be fun!’ Caroline grinned. ‘Did anyone bring a sin bag?’

  ‘Oh Lordy! Remember the sin bag on the Shannon? We simply have to stop and fill up with goodies. It wouldn’t be a girls’ weekend away without a sin bag,’ Maggie declared. ‘After all, we are going to a health farm.’ They shrieked with laughter as the years rolled away and they felt as young and carefree as they had been when they’d first become friends.

  They stopped in Avoca Handweavers to shop and have a giggly, giddy lunch. Maggie treated herself to a set of beautifully cut champagne flutes with an eye to the Al Shariffs’ arrival. Devlin bought Luke a chunky-knit jumper and Caroline bought a wooden salad bowl and matching salt and pepper set for her new home. It was delightful to meander around the displays knowing that there were no demands to be made on their time.

  It was with mounting anticipation that they drove along the winding country roads of Wicklow until they turned into the long curving drive, set in acres of lush meadows, that led to the attractive cluster of whitewashed buildings that was Powerscourt Springs Health Farm.

  Thirty-three

  ‘This is very nice,’ Caroline said admiringly as they followed the small white signpost and turned left for Reception.

  ‘I love the horses.’ Devlin observed the quietly grazing animals with delight. ‘We won’t be able to have horses, our grounds are so small. And they’ve got ducks too. Did you see them in the little stream? This is going to be a hard act to follow.’ She glanced at Caroline with a wry smile, all her competitive juices flowing.

  ‘Never mind, Devlin. We’ll stick some goldfish in the pond and maybe a frog or two,’ Caroline countered.

  ‘Maybe we could get a pair of swans!’ Devlin suggested seriously.

  ‘Matthew Moran – he’s a very sexy landscape gardener,’ she turned back to explain to Maggie, ‘if I wasn’t mad about Luke I’d set my cap at him, anyway he’s putting in an ornamental pond. Maybe he could get me two swans. What do you think, Caroline?’

  Caroline wasn’t listening. She was performing a complicated backing manoeuvre into a parking space between a Saab and a BMW. The small circular car park was almost full.

  ‘Sorry, Devlin. What did you say?’ She straightened up the wheels and switched off the engine.

  ‘I was thinking that perhaps Matthew Moran might get us a pair of swans for the pool.’

  Caroline laughed. ‘Now Devlin,’ she warned,’ stay calm. There’s no need to go overboard.’

  ‘Look at the gym,’ Devlin said enviously. ‘Look at those fabulous floor-to-ceiling windows. Look at the view.’ The three of them gazed in delight at the stunning uninterrupted views of the gently undulating Wicklow hills stretching as far as the eye could see, no matter what direction you looked in. The grounds surrounding the complex were well tended, filled with rockeries and shrubs, and seasonal flowers.

  ‘It’s like a little paradise set in the middle of the country where no-one can get at you,’ Maggie exclaimed in delight as she resolutely switched off her phone. ‘Come on, girls, phones off,’ she ordered.

  Devlin and Caroline complied without dissent.

  ‘Let’s check in,’ Devlin suggested happily.

  ‘This is what I was born for.’ Maggie grinned as she got out of the car and took long deep breaths of fresh air.

  The reception area was very welcoming and enticing. Wood and glass filled it with natural light. The highly polished floors gleamed, mirrors sparkled, plush sofas invited guests to sink into them. An enormous cut-glass chandelier dominated the ceiling, radiating golden sparkles in the glass of the floor-to-ceiling double doors.

  I’m having one of them, Devlin thought privately. And then was amused at her childishness.

  The staff at reception were very friendly and welcoming. Devlin, Caroline and Maggie were shown to their room and invited to come to the lounge, when they had settled in, for coffee and an introductory tour and consultation.

  ‘I love the décor. This is a very cosy room,’ Maggie approved when they were on their own. Decorated in warm tones of yellow and gold, it was a light, airy room that was fresh, restful and soothing. The three beds with their striped yellow and gold covers looked so inviting that Maggie lay down on the nearest one, said, ‘This is mine, wake me up when it’s time to go home,’ stretched luxuriously and closed her eyes.

  ‘The bathroom is dotey,’ Caroline announced as she unpacked her toilet bag.

  ‘Look at the view. This place is magnificent,’ Devlin remarked, drawn to the window like a magnet. ‘I’m really glad we came.’

  ‘Me too,’ echoed the others.

  ‘Come on, let’s go for coffee and the consultations. Have you decided what treatments you’re going to have?’ Caroline picked up one of the brochures. ‘I’m having the manicure and pedicure, for starters.’ She perused the glossy leaflet intently. ‘The Honey and Almond Body Polish sounds gorgeous.’

  ‘I like the sound of the Peppermint Twist, and the Thermal Mud Treatment. Oh and look at the Repécharge Four-layer Facial, and you get a scalp and hand massage as well,’ Maggie enthused as she read out the details.

  ‘Oh I’m going to have that,’ Caroline agreed eagerly. ‘I’ve had it in City Girl a couple of times and it’s divine.’

  ‘I suggest we all have the Body Exfoliant first. It leaves your skin so fresh and clean,’ Devlin added her contribution.

  ‘Good thinking! And we should have a swim, sauna and a Jacuzzi before we have any treatments,’ Caroline declared.

  ‘Is anyone going to do the walk, or the body-toning and aqua aerobics?’ Maggie asked.

  They looked at each other and laughed.

  ‘Well, it is a pampery weekend,’ Caroline pointed out.

  ‘The emphasis seems to be much more on relaxation than killing yourself on the treadmill and stepper,’ Devlin noted. ‘I like that. We’ll bear that in mind, Caroline. Sometim
es a health farm can sound so regimented and killjoyish.’

  ‘Come on, let’s go down to the lounge and get organized,’ Maggie urged. ‘I’d love a Jacuzzi.’

  An hour later they swam leisurely up and down the pool, their soft luxurious towelling robes draped over three chairs. In each robe’s pocket reposed a three-day timetable of head-to-toe treatments that had been worked out for each of them by one of the therapists.

  They were in the seventh heaven as they swam in the heated pool and listened to the soft pitter-patter of rain against the enormous French windows that overlooked the grounds.

  A while later, Devlin sat dangling her legs over the edge of the Jacuzzi, while Maggie and Caroline luxuriated in the bubbling hot cauldron as powerful jets of hot water soothed their tired, stressed bodies.

  ‘Am I dreaming this?’ Maggie murmured contentedly.

  ‘Even though I’ve done all this kind of thing a thousand times in City Girl, I really feel I’m switched off completely here,’ Devlin admitted.

  ‘Yeah, but you or I can’t totally relax in City Girl. You’re the owner and employer. I’m one of the bosses. It’s different,’ Caroline observed. ‘Here we’re just clients to be looked after.’

  ‘They do a very good job of looking after you. The atmosphere is excellent. Clients’ requirements are a priority. I’m impressed. And you know what?’ Devlin grinned.

  ‘What?’ Maggie grinned back.

  ‘Within ten minutes of putting on the robe, I forgot that I was here to suss out the place and get ideas for Galway. I intend to forget about work completely.’

  ‘Atta girl,’ Maggie encouraged. ‘Let’s have another swim.’

  By six thirty that evening they’d been exfoliated from head to toe and had soothing moisturizing creams massaged into their skin to leave it soft and silky. They’d each had a back massage.

  ‘I feel so clean. My skin feels so soft,’ Maggie rubbed her arm against her cheek. ‘This has been a fabulous day.’

  ‘I’m glad we got a three-bed room.’ Devlin smiled at her friends. ‘It wouldn’t be the same otherwise.’

  ‘Me too,’ agreed Maggie.

  ‘It’s nice and informal here, isn’t it? Not at all posh or intimidating,’ Caroline remarked as she slipped into fresh underwear and sat at the dressing-table to dry her hair.

  ‘I like the fact that you can be weighed and measured and have all your meals calorie-counted and go on a diet if you want to, but it’s not a regimented system. The emphasis is much more on de-stressing and unwinding. Definitely I think that’s the way we should go, Caroline. The more I see the more certain I am that it’s right for us,’ Devlin commented as she rummaged in the wardrobe.

  ‘What are you wearing for dinner?’ Maggie asked.

  Devlin took out a pair of cream linen trousers and a chocolate-brown silk shirt.

  ‘That’s what I’m wearing.’

  ‘I’m wearing trousers too, and my little lilac cardigan,’ Caroline said.

  ‘Those little cardigans are lovely on you. I’d look like Dolly Parton in one,’ Maggie said enviously, eyeing her voluptuous curves in the mirror.

  ‘Oh Maggie, I’d love to have a figure like yours. It’s dead sexy,’ Caroline declared.

  ‘You mean I’m a stone overweight,’ Maggie said dryly.

  ‘No, no!’ protested Caroline. ‘Remember when I was really fat, Dev, it was soft blubbery fat. Wasn’t it?’ She looked at Devlin for confirmation. Devlin nodded.

  ‘But even if you are a few pounds overweight it suits you. You’re statuesque. You can carry it. If I put on weight, it’s blubber straight away.’ Caroline sighed.

  ‘Terry really stuck to his diet and it shows. It really gets up my nose. I’m so jealous. Isn’t that the pits?’ Maggie said as she slithered into a silky black shift dress and put on a short-sleeved white jacket, trimmed in black.

  ‘I think unconditional love is when you can be truly delighted for someone when they lose weight, especially if they’re not your favourite person in the world,’ Caroline commented wickedly as she applied lipstick.

  ‘Then I’ll never achieve unconditional love,’ Maggie laughed. ‘Because I begrudge every ounce Terry’s lost, and you know who makes me sick now to look at her?’

  ‘Let me guess,’ Devlin grinned as she slipped a gold bangle over her wrist. ‘Marie Grimes.’

  Marie Grimes was a lady who lunched a lot in City Girl and considered herself to be an A-list socialite.

  ‘Oh yes, she is sickening since she went on the NuTron diet. God, if I hear what she’s allowed on her green list and not allowed on her red list once more, I’ll throw up,’ Caroline exclaimed vehemently. ‘If she wasn’t such a boasty bitch it wouldn’t be so bad.’

  Maggie winked at Devlin. ‘But she’s a great spirit though, Caroline, isn’t she?’

  Caroline flung a pillow at her. ‘Smart wagon,’ she laughed.

  ‘I don’t know about you two but I’m starving. I wonder what’s for dinner?’ Devlin held the door open and they trooped out into the quiet carpeted corridor.

  The menu was mouth-watering.

  ‘I’ll have the Warm Salad of Summer Asparagus,’ Devlin ordered. ‘And the Filet of Beef glazed with honey and mustard.’

  ‘I’ll have the Baked Scallops with a sesame crust and lime sauce. And I’ll have the Char-grilled Tuna Steak,’ Caroline decided.

  ‘And I’ll have the Scallops and Beef,’ Maggie smiled.

  ‘And we’ll all have the Plum Tomato Soup spiked with basil,’ Devlin added.

  ‘And to drink?’ the restaurant hostess asked pleasantly.

  ‘Sparkling water will be fine.’ Maggie glanced at the others, who nodded their assent.

  ‘Look at the desserts, Dark and White Chocolate Mousse and it’s only 145 calories,’ Maggie exclaimed while they waited for their first course.

  ‘Warm Pears served with Passion Fruit Sorbet, sounds yummy,’ Devlin murmured.

  ‘Try the home-made brown bread with walnuts,’ Caroline urged, tucking in. ‘It’s scrumptious!’

  The meal was delicious and they lingered in the small, intimate, candle-lit dining-room enjoying the relaxed hum of conversation, enjoying the soothing ambience and most of all enjoying each other’s company.

  By eleven they were tucked up in bed, hardly able to keep their eyes open. Devlin was asleep in minutes. Caroline and Maggie chatted quietly for a while longer until great yawns got the better of them and they switched off the lamp.

  ‘God be with the days when we’d party until four and five in the morning and fall asleep when the milkman was starting his rounds,’ Maggie murmured.

  ‘They were good times,’ Caroline smiled in the dark.

  ‘They were, and we didn’t really appreciate them,’ Maggie said regretfully.

  ‘That’s the way with life, unfortunately. Good times will come your way again, Maggie,’ Caroline said encouragingly.

  ‘I hope so. It’s hard, Caro,’ she confided. ‘I’m lonely. I long to be loved.’

  ‘Me too,’ came the whisper from the other bed. ‘Devlin is so lucky to have Luke. Our day will come. Night, Maggie.’

  ‘Night, Caroline. See you in the morning.’ Maggie turned over and pulled the covers over her ears, luxuriating in the comfort of a bed to herself. Moments later she was asleep, and before long Caroline’s breathing turned deep and even as she joined her friends in slumber.

  The following morning, Maggie, awake since six – force of habit – had written two thousand words, Devlin had had a swim and walked a mile on the treadmill, and Caroline had had a lie-in, before they sat down to breakfast at nine. All the guests were in their robes and the day guests were arriving and being shown around.

  Great banks of inky clouds gathered behind the hills but occasionally the sun would burst through, shining on the purple-green slopes, as the three women sat at the table in the window alcove and drank in the beauty of the panorama in front of them.

  Later, Caroline and Maggie he
lped themselves to coffee from the table outside the dining-room and the three of them made their way to the plush peach and gold lounge, where towelling-robed guests relaxed and chatted and read or snoozed as they waited to be called for treatments.

  Five minutes after they’d sat down and flicked through the day’s complimentary newspapers, they were all collected by their individual therapists.

  Devlin was having the Four-Layer facial, Maggie the Peppermint Twist, and Caroline the Honey and Almond treatment.

  They joined up again for lunch, and feasted on a delicious buffet of salmon and quiche and a variety of salads made with the freshest ingredients, that brought them back for more.

  Afterwards they curled up on the sofas with their books, and snug, warm and cosy, they chatted lazily and watched the dark purple clouds unleash the torrents of rain they had been holding all day. Before long they were all snoozing, completely and utterly relaxed after their exquisite treatments of the morning.

  Sometime later, as Maggie drifted off to sleep under the comforting hands of the therapist who was giving her the full-body aromatherapy massage, she vowed that she was going to treat herself to another long weekend in this nirvana, when she had the book finished, the Al Shariffs were gone and Christmas was over. As months of tiredness eased out of her bones she was so glad she had discovered the place that she could come to when she felt worn out, drained, and longing for a break from her non-marriage. This place would get her through things, she vowed to herself. It would be her haven. Her reward for hard work. Here she would enjoy the fruits of her labours and not feel one bit guilty at spending some of her royalties on herself.

  It didn’t matter whether Devlin or Caroline came, although it was lovely being with them, she acknowledged. This was a place you could come to with friends or alone. And, come hell or high water, she’d be back.

  Devlin lay with her eyes closed, listening to the soothing music as the therapist lightly cleansed the area around her eyes. She was having the Eye Treatment and it felt so refreshing and relaxing she wanted to sleep.