by Iris Blobel
Still not fully comprehending what was happening, Hollie tried to meet Jeremy’s eyes. She cleared her voice and finally said, “I don’t know what to say. I thank you all for this more than generous gift.” Her gaze went from one friend to the next. “I promise I’ll send a card to each and every one of you. That is, if I survive the flight.” Then she glared at Alex. “And you, as well as Jeremy, have a lot of explaining to do. As for my guardian angel—” she turned to give Davo a hug “—I couldn’t think of a better one.”
As the friends went back to their lunches and the previous conversations, Jeremy took her into his arms.
“Davo and I have some distant relatives in Dublin who are more than happy to have you both stay for three weeks.”
She gently placed her hands on his chest and said in a more apprehensive voice than intended, “I can’t believe you did that.” As she tugged a strand of hair behind her ear, she lowered her face, with a tear forming in her eye. “I can’t believe you told them, though.”
He nuzzled her hair before placing a kiss on the top of her head. “Twinkles. Nobody knows a thing. We filled Davo in with the basics. That’s all.”
Hollie gazed over the water, but remained silent.
“Twinkles, you need to do it. Otherwise these dreams will never leave you alone.”
“What about my new job?”
“Sorted. I rang them to get the okay.”
“You did what?” Sudden annoyance lit her eyes. “I’ve got a new job, and a stranger rings them for some holidays. Great. Just great.”
“You still don’t trust me. Why would I do anything to compromise your new job?”
Alex, who had been listening to both of them, now joined the conversation. “I have no idea what’s gotten into you, Hollie. Honestly! You're behaving like a spoiled brat. Jeremy did everything as delicately as possible and you—”
Guilt rushed through Hollie. They were right, and she saw that now. But after all, it wasn’t just a journey across to Melbourne. She was to fly to the other side of the world! Her lips trembled as she spoke just above a whisper. “I’m scared just thinking about it.”
“Being scared is normal. It’ll be great, and you have the best person to come along.”
She tilted her head. “Why don’t you come? Too scared?”
Jeremy chuckled. “Because I do like you.”
With one eyebrow raised, she said, “Yeah, that makes sense.”
“Ehrm, actually it doesn’t make sense to me.” Alex weighed him with a critical squint.
“Good! I’m glad I’m not alone,” Hollie admitted.
“Twinkles, your dreams are apparently somewhere in Dublin. And you don’t know who the couple is. To take myself out of the equation, I’ll stay here to make sure I’m not someone involved in these dreams.”
“I never thought of that.”
Alex poked her finger at his arm. “Clever thinking, Jez.”
“Yikes!” Hollie said all of a sudden.
Alex shook her head. “Now what?”
“When am I leaving?”
“In about five weeks,” Jeremy replied.
“Honestly, you could’ve given me a bit longer to get everything prepared. I need a passport, suitcase, and all the other things you need in Ireland.”
Hollie’s expression stilled and grew serious. “Who’ll be taking care of Dad?” She turned to her father. “Dad?”
“Yes, love.”
“I’ll be gone for three weeks.”
Murray took a sip of his beer. “I know, love.”
Surprised by his answer, she shot him a glare.
“Love, I thought I’d be still capable of looking after myself.”
“But—”
“We'll drop in on a regular basis to make sure he’s all right.” Jeremy put his arm around Alex to emphasise the unison effort.
Hollie sighed and flopped her arms down beside her.
“Love, you worry too much. I thought it was a great gift, and if these old bones would be up to it, I’d join you. These three friends here have done a marvellous job getting this up and running, and they assured me everything will be all right. If I trust them with my daughter, you should trust them as well.”
Hollie stroked Jeremy’s cheek. “Thank you,” she said quietly and gave him a kiss. She turned to Alex and gave her a big hug and finally placed her arm around her father and said, “Ireland, here I come.”
“Don’t forget about me.” Davo smiled.
“It’ll be a trip of a lifetime!”
Oh my! I’m going to Ireland. Suddenly, thoughts about her dreams rushed through her head. She turned to Jeremy and then Alex before staring at her sweaty hands—she was scared, apprehensive, but at the same time excited about the thought that these dreams might come to an end soon.
Soon, she thought. Soon!
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Happy birthday!”
Sam was still in a daze and not yet fully awake as she heard the words through the phone.
“Thanks.” Her eyes wandered to the empty space next to her. “Where are you?”
She heard Padraic’s deep timbre on the other side of the line. “Sorry, Sam, but I completely forgot about a meeting today. Important stuff, you know the drill.”
“Yes, I do,” Sam spoke with a suffocated whisper.
“I’m truly sorry. I’ll be back late afternoon. How about I treat you for a nice dinner at Chapter One?”
According to critics and Dubliners, Chapter One was one of the finest restaurants in Dublin, and Sam was happy to have her birthday dinner there.
“Deal,” she whispered with a slight tremor in her voice.
“Love you. I’ll see you later.”
Sam, in all her disappointment, went downstairs for her breakfast. Why on earth would he forget to mention an important meeting? He always brags about it.
As she walked past the lounge she saw the rain hitting the bay window and with a sigh made her way to the kitchen. The smell of coffee was still lingering in the air from Padraic, and she was about to turn on the kettle when she saw a little present with a card.
To my darling Sam,
Happy birthday.
Love always,
Padraic.
Sam opened the present and found a beautiful diamond ring. Another ring! I'll have to grow more fingers to fit them all.
She stared at the ring for a long moment, before her gaze wandered towards the window. With a sudden rush, she headed into the study, grabbed the phone, and rang the office. She was pleased that Phoebe, her assistant, answered almost right away.
“Happy birthday, Sam,” Phoebe said with a cheery voice.
Sam shook her head in appreciation. Phoebe had been with her for only a bit over a year, but when it came to dates to remember she outdid everyone Sam had ever known—so it didn’t surprise her that Phoebe remembered her birthday.
“Thanks, Phee. I just wanted to let you know I’ll take a day off today. I think I deserve it.”
“Not a problem. I think it’s a grand idea. Hope you get spoilt!”
“Thanks, Phee,” Sam said. I wish that too.
“See you tomorrow. Enjoy your day.”
Sam hung up and dialled another number.
“Claire!”
“Happy birthday! Wow, you’re not giving one much chance to actually ring you for your birthday.”
“Thanks!” She stared at the new ring on her finger. “Just wondered whether you’d like to have lunch today. My treat.”
“I’d love to. What about Padraic?”
“We’re going to Chapter One tonight. So only a small lunch, otherwise, I’ll roll like a ball tonight.”
“Yeah, right. A bit of meat on your ribs wouldn’t hurt you.”
“Anyway, I’ve taken the day off so I might pick you up at one.”
“Perfect. I look forward to it. I’ll wait in front of the office.”
****
Sam made herself a cup of coffee and went back to bed
to watch some telly. It was almost one o’clock on the dot when Sam parked in front of Claire’s office before they drove off to a small place just outside Dublin.
Claire’s eyes widened when she saw the restaurant’s name. “Australian cuisine?”
Sam shrugged. “Why not?”
“How on earth did you find this place?”
“I went past it when I came back from Mum and Dad’s after Christmas.”
Claire tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I mean…why Australian?”
Sam threw her bag over her shoulder and closed the car door. “For goodness sake, Claire. I don’t know why. I don’t even know what made me come this way in the first place. Okay? Let’s just give it a go.”
Claire drew her lips in thoughtfully. “Ohhh-kay.”
The two women walked towards the small restaurant, both wrapped up in their own thoughts.
Claire pointed to the entrance. “Let’s check out the menu. This is going to be interesting. I can’t say I’ve ever heard of a specific Australian cuisine.”
“C’mon, just give it a chance. It’ll be good. Or at least different.”
The outside was already different from what Sam and Claire had been used to. It looked more like a barn than anything else, with the coroneted iron roof lit with small petroleum lamps.
“Kangaroo fillet, crocodile steak, emu steak, red snapper…” Claire was listing the menu. “I don’t know, Sam. Are you sure about that?” But Sam just hooked her arm under Claire’s, opened the door, and led the way inside. They both stood still and took in the surroundings.
A waiter approached them with a smile. “Table for two, ladies?” he asked in a broad Australian accent.
Sam nodded. “Yes, please.”
The waiter led them through the restaurant into a corner next to the open fire. He handed each of the women a menu. Claire stared at Sam, shaking her head.
“You’re starting to get on my nerves, Claire. Where’s your sense of adventure? Anyway, steak doesn’t sound too bad, does it?”
“Steak from which animal?” Claire rubbed her forehead with her finger. “Anyway, happy birthday!”
“Thanks,” Sam said, barely audible.
Even though she had told Claire not to bother about any presents, there she was unwrapping a little teddy bear holding a book. 100 Things You Should Know about Your Husband. Sam’s jaw thrust forward, and she pressed her lips together.
Claire broke the silence. “I had a feeling you’d like it,” she said wryly.
“I’d appreciate it if you could spare me your sarcasm. At least on my birthday.”
“You’re right. But have a flick through anyway. I’ve got it and I think it’s quite funny. Honestly!” Claire told her. “Anyway, let’s have some Aussie wine and some fish. What do you think?”
Sam tried to smile, but she wasn’t sure what to think about her friend at the moment. Why wouldn’t Claire let it be and believe she was happy? She was actually looking forward to having a beautiful dinner with Padraic that night. Just her and Padraic. Like in the old times.
Suddenly, she became aware of the oddity of sitting in an Australian restaurant with her friend who gave her grief about her marriage. Sam watched her friend as she browsed through the menu. She had always admired her friend’s long dark hair, her brown eyes already surrounded by fine laugh lines, and her big, genuine smile.
Sam remembered how often they had gone out on Friday nights when still working for the same newspaper. Claire’s figure already showed signs of her fabulous cooking ability, but Sam noticed how men turned heads at her. It bothered Sam that the person she called her friend was apparently not listening to her and seemed to be trying to tear her apart from Padraic.
Pushing her thoughts aside, she concentrated on the menu again. “White wine for me, and the barramundi. That sounds delicious. I can remember my mum talking about having barramundi while living in Sydney.”
“Barramundi it is, then. White wine, eh?” Claire smiled and Sam did her best to go along with Claire’s attempt to lift the mood.
She listened to Claire’s stories over lunch, with her eyes sometimes wandering off, though, to study the decor of the place she had surprisingly chosen for her birthday lunch. She couldn’t get over the rustic feeling of the wooden beams that seemed to hold this place up, and the paintings that were so different from what she had seen before, having been painted with dots rather than strokes.
“Hey!”
The sharp statement jolted her back to awareness. Sam indicated by a motion of her head that she was listening, but the guilt was there that her thoughts had drifted off.
“I’m so sorry, Claire. What did you say?”
“Never mind. It wasn’t all that important. You seem distant today.”
“Sorry. No, not at all. I honestly did listen. It’s odd somehow. I was just checking out these Aboriginal paintings over there. Funny, even though I was born in Australia, and Mum and Dad lived there for a short while, I know nothing about the place.”
Claire leaned forward. “What’s with your fascination with Australia at the moment?”
“Not sure. It somewhat puzzles me.” She shrugged dismissively. “Anyway, enough about that. I enjoyed the meal and the wine.”
“Hmm…I’ll probably never hear the end of it…but so did I.”
The honesty in their laughter was sincere.
“If you wouldn’t mind, next time, just don’t go to the extreme, please. I heard Australian steak, beef steak, is supposed to be delicious as well.”
“Deal!”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sam’s personal birthday celebration had been just short of a disaster for her—in her eyes, anyway. As much as she’d enjoyed the lunch with Claire, she hadn’t been able to settle in the restaurant. Yes, the food was delicious, and yes, the atmosphere was great, especially when a band started to sing a few local songs and everyone clapped to it, but there was something stirring in her. With her first step inside the restaurant, a weird feeling of familiarity, or even déjà vu, had come over her. Movielike flashes danced through her mind. But none of those movies were familiar, or any she had seen. So many things felt eminent, yet oddly strange to her. As much as she had enjoyed the interlude and the good laugh with Claire, she was equally relieved to step outside the place.
Dinner with Padraic wasn’t what she’d expected either. When he came home late, he quickly placed a kiss on her cheek, had a shower, and got dressed.
“C’mon, honey, time to go. Sorry I was late.” He took a step back and studied Sam intently. “You’re beautiful,” he almost whispered as he stepped closer again. There was a soft tickling of his breath on her neck, but before she was able to say anything, he pulled away.
He quickly checked the time. “Phew, it’s later than I expected. Let’s go!”
Padraic took her hand and guided her to the car. She was still confused about what had just happened, and her thoughts wandered as they drove silently through the dark night, lit by only a few streetlights.
“How was your lunch with Claire?” Padraic suddenly asked.
She ran her hand through her hair. “Interesting, to say the least.”
He peered over to her. “Interesting?”
“Yes, we went to a small Australian restaurant south of Dublin. I drove past it when I came back from Mum and Dad’s.”
A frown appeared on his face. “Australian?”
“Yes,” she said, slightly surprised at his reaction.
He turned the corner and cursed the traffic before concentrating on the conversation again. Suddenly, he laughed out loud. “Why on earth would you go to an Australian restaurant?”
“No idea. I suppose for something different. And different is exactly what I’d call it, but nonetheless, quite good.”
Playing with her new ring, she quietly added, “By the way, thanks for the ring. It’s beautiful.”
He glanced over at her. “I’m glad you like it.”
They d
rove in silence, but there was only one more intersection to go until they arrived at Chapter One. Sam quickly checked her makeup before she got out of the car.
“Padraic? Is this your parents’ car?”
Padraic followed her finger, which pointed to a titanium-silver BMW SUV, but remained silent. Sam watched him out of the corner of her eye, and his silence bothered her.
Please don’t let him be in a lousy mood!
Her gaze wandered over to the car again as Padraic guided her gently into the restaurant. A waiter greeted them inside.
“Table for two?” he asked.
“No, thanks. My parents are actually here already. The booking for Shaughnessy, please.”
“Oh yes, Mr. and Mrs. Shaughnessy are indeed already here. Please follow me.”
Sam glanced at her husband with wide-open eyes. “Padraic?” she asked softly, and for only him to hear.
“Surprise, honey. I know—I plead guilty for not having had time to get a party organised, but Mum and Dad were more than happy to come and join us. Kieran will hopefully come as well, a bit later on.” Padraic placed his arm around her, but she deftly removed herself from the embrace. Her stomach churned.
“Thank you. Never mind about the party.” A grim smile worked its way to her face.
They joined Angus and Patricia at the table. After the initial pleasantries, the conversation was almost a replica of the one Sam had listened to a few weeks earlier at Christmas. Padraic’s work and future plans, how well the nieces were doing, a bit of gossip from around town, and yes, unlike at Christmas, Angus had a go at Sam as well.
He turned to her. “I heard about your deal recently with Fitzgerald and Co. Congratulations!”
Sam nodded at him in appreciation.
“It would be nice if you could place that much effort in becoming pregnant,” he added with a clenched jaw.
She bit the inside of her cheek and willed herself to ignore the comment. But when she looked at his sly smile, Sam wasn’t able to hold back. “Why do you have to push the issue? Why, for once, couldn’t you just leave it be?”