Niamh rang Rosie, Amber and Tessa the next day, to tell them her good news. They were all thrilled for her and wished her good luck in the new house. She still couldn’t believe her luck. Life was really looking up!
Chapter 30
Rosie was in a bit of a tizzy. She checked again that everything was in place on the table and then put the roast beef in the oven. It was the first time that she had entertained since Jack’s death. He’d always been such a good host, taking care of drinks and keeping people entertained while she did her thing in the kitchen. Now she had to do it all.
Okay, it wasn’t a state reception. It was only Gail and Hugo and his daughter for Sunday lunch, but still she was apprehensive – worried that they wouldn’t get along. Gail had been delighted that her mum had found a new friend and it seemed that he was lonely too. When he’d mentioned to Rosie that he missed his wife’s roast beef dinners, without thinking she had invited him over for lunch the following Sunday and now here she was, cooking roast beef with all the trimmings.
Not wanting it to be just Hugo and herself, she had also invited Gail, as Mike was away on a golfing trip, and Ursula, Hugo’s daughter, whose husband was in the army and was currently serving overseas.
Gail arrived first, with Holly, and was amused to see her mother fussing so much. How things had changed since she’d started that job! She was like a new woman and her computer had opened up a whole new world for her.
Hugo and Ursula arrived a few minutes later with Ursula’s baby daughter, Megan. Holly was delighted to have a playmate and the two toddlers played happily on the carpet while Gail and Ursula talked about babies and everything else under the sun. Rosie smiled at how easily the young people gelled and remembered how easy it had been to make friends when she was a young mum herself. It was so much more difficult now, at this stage of her life.
Hugo had brought a big bunch of flowers and a bottle of wine and Ursula had given her a box of Belgian chocolates.
“How lovely, you really shouldn’t have, but thank you very much all the same,” she said, smiling at them. She asked Gail to pour the wine for her guests as she took the flowers into the kitchen, to put them in water. A few minutes later, Hugo knocked on the kitchen door.
“May I come in?” he asked.
“Of course,” Rosie said.
“Glass of wine for the cook,” he smiled. “My, that smells delicious. I was just thinking how easy it is for young people to make friends,” he echoed Rosie’s thoughts. “It’s not so easy when you get older, is it?”
Not for the first time, Rosie marvelled at how in tune their thoughts seemed to be. They often said exactly the same thing together.
“We’re not doing too badly,” she laughed. “We made friends fairly quickly.”
“Yes, well, we seem to think alike,” he replied, and she laughed out loud. There he goes again, she thought, thinking the same thoughts as me. Strange!
The lunch was delicious and Hugo could not stop saying how good it was. She was secretly pleased and happy that Gail liked him so much. He was very easy company and the two girls looked like they were going to be good friends. They were planning to meet up the following week. Hugo smiled at Rosie over his Irish Coffee.
“My turn next,” he said. “Although I have to tell you, the meal won’t be a patch on this.”
“Don’t be so modest, Dad,” Ursula scolded him. “You’re not a bad cook.” She turned to Rosie and Gail. “He’s just a bit limited in his repertoire. You’ll have either lasagne, or lasagne,” she laughed.
“I love lasagne,” Rosie said, winking at him.
When they’d left, she and Gail chatted together.
“Mum, he’s so nice. He reminds me of Dad, gentle and sweet, and did you see him with the kids? He’s a sweetheart.”
For some reason Rosie was inordinately pleased that Gail liked him.
“Yes, he’s a good friend. I’m glad I met him.”
She felt at peace that night as she spoke to Jack and she knew that he was up there, looking down on her, glad that she was moving on with her life.
Amber knew that Carlo was back in Dublin recruiting but she guessed that she was not going to hear from him any more, so was caught unawares when he rang on Tuesday asking her to dinner on Wednesday night. As luck would have it, she was free that night so she accepted and by Wednesday night she was a bundle of nerves. It amused Tessa to see her behaving like a teenager on a first date. So much for not being interested in him, Tessa thought. Amber was obviously in deep. Lucky thing, Tessa thought, wishing it was she getting ready for a date with the divine Carlo.
“I’m so nervous,” Amber announced, as she tried on one dress after another. “I need a drink.” She poured a vodka and orange for herself.
“Do you think that’s wise?” Tessa asked her, a frown on her lovely face. “You’ll be drinking wine later.”
“I’ll be fine,” Amber said. “I need something to calm me down. I’ve a feeling tonight could be an important night in my life.”
“Lucky you!” Tessa grinned. “I wouldn’t mind being in your shoes.”
Just then the doorbell chimed and Amber threw back the last of the vodka before she went to greet Carlo.
He took her to Bon Appétit, the best restaurant in Malahide, where she had a glass of Sancerre as they perused the menu.
After the maitre d’ had taken their order, they talked a little shop as she told him about her parties and how great sales were and he kept her amused with tales of the applications he’d received for the new manager positions. Amber was thoroughly enjoying herself.
After they’d finished the delicious starters and the waiters had whisked their plates away, Carlo looked at her, his eyes serious.
“Can I ask you something? I know you’re good friends with Tessa. Is everything okay between her and her husband? I got the feeling, last week, that something was wrong there.”
“Oh, George is not her husband,” Amber explained. “He did ask her to marry him but she didn’t feel she loved him enough. Anyway,” she continued, as she sipped her wine, “she’s left him. The crunch came when he gave her grief about taking this job. He wouldn’t accept it and gave her an ultimatum – the job, or him. She chose the job. I think she did the right thing. He was a control freak. She’s staying with me for the moment, till she gets a place of her own.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry for her,” he said. “I had no idea. She’s such a lovely person.”
“The best,” Amber said, as their main course arrived.
The food was delicious and the wines superb. He’d decided on Italian wines tonight and Amber was pleasantly surprised at just how good they actually were. She had never tasted any wine as good as the Sassicaia that he ordered to go with the duck. Mmmmm . . . the taste lingered forever on her palate.
He was pleased that she liked it so much and shared his passion and knowledge of Italian wines with her. She discovered that he knew a lot about French wines also. In fact, he was the most interesting, knowledgeable man that she had ever met. He was also funny, charming and very entertaining, not to mention gorgeous to look at. She could see the other women in the restaurant eyeing him up. It felt good to be the woman with him.
As the evening wore on and the wine took effect, Amber found herself relaxing and, when Carlo asked her about herself, she found herself spilling out all the details of her life; her marriage, her downward spiral, and how this job had made such a difference to her.
As she spoke, he reached over and took her hand. He listened in silence, seeing the hurt in her eyes and hearing the bitterness in her voice. He could tell that she was still suffering and he was surprised at how insecure she actually was and how lacking in self-confidence. He had thought that she was exactly the opposite – confident and self-assured. When Amber saw the sympathy and kindness in his eyes, it touched her, and to her mortification she started to cry.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “This is so embarrassing.”
He
handed her a pristine white handkerchief.
Dabbing her eyes, she smiled through her tears. “Thank you,” she said. “I’ll just go to the Ladies’, if you don’t mind.”
Looking at her mascara-streaked face in the mirror, Amber chastised herself. How could I have been so stupid! Spilling my guts – and then crying – I’ll never get over this embarrassment. After cleaning her face and reapplying her make-up, she returned to the table.
“Sorry about that,” she mumbled.
He reached for her hand but she pulled away slightly. She was very quiet for the rest of the meal.
As he drove her home he reached for her hand again but removed it when he felt her stiffen. He couldn’t understand why she had changed. They’d been having such a lovely evening but then she had started to withdraw from him. He gave a little sigh.
Amber was furious with herself for revealing so much to him. He’d lulled her into a sense of security and she’d let down her guard. Now she regretted it. Damn! Then she decided that maybe it was for the best. She’d been getting far too fond of him. He was far too charming. She really didn’t need this in her life right now.
When they reached the apartment she felt she had to invite him up for a nightcap, or coffee if he preferred.
“Actually, a coffee might be a good idea,” he smiled.
Tessa was curled up on the sofa watching CSI Miami when they came in.
“Oh, hi, Carlo,” she greeted him, embarrassed to be seen in her scanty nightie.
“Sorry, we’re interrupting you,” he started to apologise.
“No, not at all,” she insisted, turning off the TV and attempting to cover herself up. “I’ll just make myself scarce.”
“Don’t be daft,” Amber said. “Join us for a coffee.”
Tessa realised that to get up would reveal more than she wished. Staying put seemed the best option.
“If you could just bring me my robe, from the bedroom,” she appealed to Amber.
Amber grinned as she went to get it while Carlo tried to hide a smile. He thought that Tessa looked quite beautiful, sitting there in that wisp of a negligée, no make-up on and her long hair falling like a silk curtain. She looked about eighteen.
Amber returned with her robe, still grinning at Tessa’s obvious discomfiture. When Carlo wasn’t looking, Tessa shook her fist at Amber, which made her grin even more.
“May I use your bathroom?” Carlo asked Amber.
She showed him where it was and when he had left the room, Tessa jumped up, preparing to make her escape.
“Where are you going?” Amber asked.
“Where do you think?” Tessa whispered. “I’m not staying around playing gooseberry. You’ll want to be alone with him. I’m off to bed.”
Amber grabbed her arm. “Please don’t go!” she said, panic in her voice. “Please stay! I don’t want to be alone with him!”
Tessa thought she was crazy. She wouldn’t mind being alone with Carlo! Honestly, Amber didn’t realise how lucky she was!
“Okay,” she replied, as Amber’s fingers dug into her arm. “I’ll stay.”
Amber served the coffee and Tessa was aware of a tension in the room that she couldn’t understand.
When Carlo had left, kissing both girls on the hand, Tessa turned to Amber, eyebrows raised.
“What on earth was that all about? Didn’t you have a good night?”
“It was fantastic,” Amber told her, plonking down on the couch and hugging her arms around her. “But it scares me,” she continued. “He’s too damn nice and too damned charming.”
“Oh, so you want another shit like your ex-husband, is that it?” Tessa demanded.
“Of course not,” Amber cried, “but I just can’t bring myself to let go. I just am not ready to get involved again.”
“Oh, Amber,” Tessa said sadly, putting her arms around her friend, “I’m worried you’ll never be ready.” She held Amber as she cried softly, fearing that this was truly the case.
Carlo dove back to his hotel, wondering where the evening had gone wrong. He really liked Amber – more than liked her – but just when he had thought they were getting somewhere, after she’d opened up to him, she’d pulled back from him. He couldn’t understand it. Women! Why were they so complicated? He wished he knew the answer to that one.
Chapter 31
Lesley was still seeing Pete, although she felt that he’d changed towards her. Something was bugging him. She had a suspicion that it was Amber. There was one way to find out. She rang Val.
“Val, I need a favour. Could you find out for me if Pete and Amber are dating? I’m sure Niamh will know. But don’t mention that I want to know,” she added quickly.
Val would have done anything Lesley asked her. “No problem, Les,” she replied.
Lesley winced at this shortening of her name but refrained from chastising her. She needed this information.
Val rang back that afternoon. “Yes, Pete and Amber have been out together, but from what I can gather, she’s not that interested. She’s seeing Carlo at the moment!” Val knew that Lesley would be happy to hear that.
“Thanks, Val,” Lesley said, hanging up.
Well, I like that, Val grumbled. She’d thought that Lesley would be so grateful that she might invite her out for a drink. No such luck!
Lesley mulled over the information that Val had given her. What to do about it? “Stuck-up cow!” she said savagely, wondering where Pete had taken Amber and whether they’d made love or not. Highly unlikely, Lesley thought. These posh bitches were hardly going to put it out on a first or even second date. And Pete liked his sex. Not just liked – he needed it – as others needed air. Well, maybe she’d play Amber’s game. She knew she was too available for him. He was calling all the shots. Whenever he called, she went running. Well, that was going to change. She wasn’t going to do the chasing any more.
She didn’t call him for two days. Finally, he rang.
“Hi, sweetheart, where’ve you been? Haven’t heard from you in a while.”
“No, Pete,” she replied, coolly. “It is the busy Christmas period. I’m up to my eyes with work.”
“Not too busy to meet me tonight, I hope,” he said.
“Afraid so.”
“Tomorrow night, then?” he asked hopefully.
“Sorry, no can do,” she told him.
He couldn’t believe it. What was she playing at? She was always so keen to see him. She seemed to need sex as much as he did, yet here she was, turning him down. What was happening?
“Sorry, have to dash, Pete,” she said.
“Well, give me a call when you’re free,” he told her.
“Sure,” she replied, hanging up.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it, she thought smugly, knowing that he was smarting from her refusal to meet him. She realised that she’d been too pushy with him. He was like all men. They needed to do the chasing. How quaint! Don’t they realise we we’re in the twenty-first century? Well, he’d be waiting for her, although she was so horny for him that it would take all of her willpower not to call him.
Pete was feeling deflated. He’d always been able to rely on her when he needed her. Maybe she was genuinely too busy. He felt sure that she’d be calling him soon.
He had given up calling Amber. She really was too busy to meet up with him as she had parties every night, or so she said. He hoped that, after Christmas, she’d be able to make some time for him. In the meantime there was always Lesley.
Chapter 32
Niamh woke at 6 a.m. the morning they were due to move house. She lay in bed listening to Gavin’s light breathing and willing the clock hands to hurry forward. Not able to stand it any longer, she got out of bed at seven and decided to do some work on her laptop. Things were manic with the business. There weren’t enough hours in the day for her. She now had sixty-seven reps and it took her all her time to manage them. The sales were phenomenal and she reckoned that she had to be in the lead amongst all the manage
rs. She knew she had higher sales than Amber, Tessa, Rosie and Val. Phoebe didn’t count and the only one she wasn’t sure about was Lesley. She hoped Lesley hadn’t overtaken her. She wanted that car more than anything. It would make her life so much easier getting around, not having to rely on Bus Éireann or bothering Sharon.
She did a last check that everything was in order for the move before waking the children and getting them out to school. She met Sharon at the school and returning to the house they started loading Sharon’s car with the boxes and cases. To her exasperation, Gavin was still in bed and she had to practically throw a bucket of water over him to get him to wake up. Eventually, he did, and arrived sleepily into the kitchen just as the last of the boxes were being loaded. Niamh went upstairs to take the linen off the bed and finish clearing their things from the bathroom and then they were all set.
Bridget sat watching all this packing, a scowl on her face.
“Well, Bridget, we’re all set,” Niamh said to her. “I hope you’ll come over for lunch on Sunday.”
“Huh,” Bridget replied, sulkily. “You’ll have no time for me now that you’re in a grand house,” she sniffed.
“Don’t be daft, Ma,” Gavin said, giving her a hug. “You’ll always be welcome.”
“I’ll be so lonely here on my own.” Bridget started to cry. “Can’t you stay with me for a while, Gavin,” she asked him, her eyes pleading.
Gavin looked at Niamh helplessly.
“No, he can’t,” Niamh said sharply. “I need him to unpack and get us settled in our new home.” Silly old bag, Niamh thought. You never stopped complaining when we were here. She felt not a scrap of sympathy for Bridget.
Gavin heard the steel in Niamh’s voice and so he didn’t argue.
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