Amber pealed with laughter again. Luke was a tonic. She patted his hand affectionately. He really was great company and good fun and his assessment of Dermot was spot-on. He had nailed him perfectly!
“You’re what?” Susie roared at Amber. “Tell me I didn’t hear that.”
Tony, hearing the commotion, came running into the kitchen to investigate the cause of his wife’s roars.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking from Susie to Amber.
“You won’t believe what she’s doing,” Susie wailed at him, pointing an accusing finger at Amber.
“What?” Tony couldn’t imagine what Amber had done to so infuriate his normally calm wife.
“She met Dermot at Trader Vic’s and meekly agreed to have dinner with him, tomorrow night,” Susie cried.
“It wasn’t meek . . .” Amber started to say.
“Can you believe it?” Susie ranted on, hands stretched towards him, asking him to agree with her.
“Calm down, Suz,” he said. “What’s so wrong with that?”
“What’s wrong with it?” Susie looked at him incredulously. “Have you both forgotten what a total shite he was and how despicably he behaved? He almost ruined you, Amber, and I don’t want you to give him the chance to do it again!”
“Don’t worry,” Amber reassured her, putting her hands on Susie’s shoulders to stop her pacing. “I’m not the fool I was when he left me. I think it will be good for me to hear him out and have closure,” she said calmly.
“Closure – hrrump!” Susie snorted, shaking her head in disbelief.
“I think that’s a good idea,” Tony remarked, immediately aware that he’d said the wrong thing when he saw the withering look his wife threw him.
Amber hadn’t told Susie that Carlo had suggested she was still carrying a torch for Dermot. Luckily, she thought now, as she saw Susie’s reaction to the news that she was meeting Dermot tomorrow.
“I hope he’s not calling here to pick you up,” Susie remarked angrily.
“No,” Amber smiled. “I have more sense than that. The poor man might never make it to dinner if he crossed your path.” She winked at Tony, who sniggered.
“Tony, don’t you have anything better to do than stand there like an idiot?” Susie asked her husband.
Wow! She really is riled up about this, he thought, as he slunk out of the kitchen.
“All I can say is, I hope you know what you’re doing,” Susie said to Amber, calming down a little.
“Trust me,” Amber told her, giving her a hug. “Now let’s have a drink.”
“I need it, after that bombshell,” Susie said, heading to the drinks cabinet.
Amber noticed that she was smiling.
Chapter 42
Tessa became concerned when her father refused to go hunting on Boxing Day. It was unlike him to miss a hunt. She was happy to spend the day with her father, alone, although Claudia had insisted that they go along for the after-hunt party.
Her stepmother had, as she always had done, arranged an endless round of parties for every day over the Christmas period. Tessa could see that her father found it tiring but still Claudia insisted that they not miss a single drinks party, or brunch or dinner. Even Tessa was exhausted by the constant partying and drinking.
“Are you okay, Dad?” she asked him as they walked around the estate.
“Just slowing down,” he said, sighing.
“Claudia’s not giving you much chance to slow down,” Tessa said irritably.
“Don’t blame you stepmother, Tess,” he said, gently. “She doesn’t know any other way to live.”
“She could at least slow down a little,” Tessa said critically. “She always has to be socialising.”
“She is the way she is,” he replied, as always supportive of his wife.
Tessa was angry with her stepmother and it came to a head between them the next day.
“Why are you driving Dad so hard?” Tessa demanded.
“Oh, stop babying him!” Claudia shot back angrily. “He’s still a virile man.”
“For God’s sake, look at him! He’s not well,” Tessa cried. “Can you not make him go to a doctor?”
“Nonsense, he’s fine,” was her stepmother’s reply.
Tessa sighed, realising she was beating her head against a brick wall.
Next she tackled her father. “Dad, I’m worried about you. You don’t look well. Would you come to Dublin and I’ll arrange a medical check-up for you?”
“Oh, no,” he replied. “That would worry Claudia too much.”
Tessa wasn’t too sure about that!
Tessa kept trying to change his mind but he was a stubborn old git. She left for Ballyfern the following day, still worried about him, but with nothing resolved. She was relieved to be getting away from her stepmother and looking forward to spending the New Year with Kate and her family and also to taking Kilkenny out for some long rides. She hoped the weather would allow it.
Rosie had had a very nice Christmas and it was lovely having David around. The only thing missing was Jack. Somehow, now that Christmas was over, she was beginning to come to terms with his death. Life was good and she now accepted that she had to live every day to the full.
She had rung Hugo on Christmas morning to wish him a Merry Christmas and give him the news of Niamh’s accident and David’s surprise visit.
“I was wondering why you weren’t answering my emails,” he said, petulantly.
“Well, I’ve just been too busy, Hugo, to be honest,” she told him. “The internet is great but it’s no substitute for real life.” She knew that he was sulking but he would just have to get over it. Men could be such children! He was somewhat mollified when she asked him around for a drink on Stephen’s Night.
“That would be lovely, Rosie. Have a nice day! I look forward to tomorrow night.”
Val was miserable. In other years, the family had all got together at Christmas and it had always been great fun. This year she was an outcast. None of her brothers and sisters wanted anything to do with her when they heard what she’d done. She was feeling desperately low and couldn’t face into work. Boxer was furious with her.
“This is a business, ducky,” he’d said, “and the show must go on, regardless of how you’re feeling.”
She hadn’t had the nerve to tell him what she’d done. She spent Christmas Day alone and drank herself into oblivion. Her mood wasn’t helped three days later when she received a letter from Grace telling her that they were sorry, but that they would not be renewing her contract in January. Great, she thought. Niamh wins again! She’d accepted that Gavin was now forever beyond her reach.
She rang Phoebe to discover that she too had received a similar letter.
“Oh, I’m not bothered! I’ve got a fantastic new venture in the pipeline. This will make me millions,” she gushed.
“I’m sure,” Val said flippantly. God, Phoebe was such a pain.
She then rang Lesley, who was in the middle of yet another blazing row with Pete.
“I really can’t talk now, Val,” she said snottily. “Could you call me back tomorrow?”
Val felt very alone. She had hoped that Lesley would have given her some sympathy and support. But as always, Lesley was only thinking of Lesley.
Pete realised very quickly that he’d made a dreadful mistake. Lesley was a selfish bitch and as hard as nails. The only good thing that he could say about her was that she was a hottie in bed. Unfortunately, they couldn’t stay in bed 24/7 and when out of it they fought constantly.
She threw a major tantrum whenever he wanted to go out with mates so that in the end he stayed in, for the sake of peace. They did have a lovely Christmas Day, when they stayed in bed all day, making love and drinking champagne. Tim and Lucy invited them over for Stephen’s Day and it was hate at first sight. Lesley was happily occupied, telling some dirty jokes to a group of men who surrounded her, ignoring the dagger’s looks being thrown her way by their wives. Pete wasn’t
too happy about the very low, tight, sequinned dress she had insisted on wearing, although he had to admit it showed off her voluptuous body to perfection. They weren’t twenty minutes in the house when Tim motioned Pete into the kitchen.
“For God’s sake, Pete,” he hissed. “What are you doing with her? She’s a nightmare.”
“She has her moments,” Pete replied sheepishly.
“I can imagine what they are,” Tim grimaced. “Pete, you’ve been out with some pretty dreadful women in the past – as even you’ll agree – but this one takes the biscuit.” He put his hands on his friend’s shoulders. “Seriously, Pete, you have to get rid of her. She’s not for you.” Tim looked at him earnestly.
“Well, I’ve got a problem there,” Pete said, not looking too happy. “She’s moved in with me.”
“She’s what?”
Just then Lucy came into the kitchen to refill a tray of canapés. “Who’s what?” she asked.
“Lesley has moved in with Pete,” Tim explained grimly to his wife.
“She’s what?” Lucy’s reaction mirrored that of her husband’s.
“Yeah, she left her husband,” Pete told them. “What could I do?” he asked, refilling his whisky glass.
Lucy said nothing but her grim expression said it all.
Matters didn’t improve when Lesley proceeded to get disgustingly drunk and he had to practically carry her out to the taxi.
From the looks he got he knew that they’d never be invited again. He was furious with Lesley and they’d pretty much been fighting ever since.
Chapter 43
Tessa had just returned from a three-hour trek with Kilkenny and was rubbing him down when Amber rang her.
“Hi there, how’s everything in sunny Spain? Fallen in love with any Señor?” Tessa laughed.
“No, but I have a date with my ex-husband tonight,” Amber announced, knowing that this would completely floor Tessa, which it did.
Tessa almost dropped the phone on hearing this. “Oh my God! How did this come about?”
“Well, I met him in a bar and he said he wanted to talk. In the beginning I wasn’t too keen but then I thought of what Carlo had said and decided that maybe it would be a good idea. I needn’t tell you that Susie is going ballistic.”
“Yeah, well, I see where she’s coming from,” Tessa said, thinking about it. “But I think you’re right. Maybe you’ll see him for the asshole that he really is and then you’ll be over him, once and for all, and able to move on with your life.”
“Thank God you understand,” Amber told her friend. “That’s exactly what I’m hoping will happen.” She let out a sigh of relief. “How was Galway?”
“Same old, same old, where my stepmother is concerned, anyway,” Tessa confided, rubbing Kilkenny’s nose. “I’m very concerned about Dad, though. I’m really worried that he’s not well but Claudia doesn’t want to see it. He’s definitely not himself.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Tessa. I hope he’ll be okay,” Amber sympathised, knowing how difficult Tessa’s stepmother could be. “How’s Kate? And everyone in Ballyfern?”
“They’re all great. I’m really looking forward to New Year here. There’s so much love in this house. I really wish you could be here.”
“I’ll be back on the second so we can celebrate New Year again together, and catch up,” Amber said, missing her friend, suddenly.
“Good luck tonight, hon,” Tessa said softly.
“Thanks, Tessa. It’s good that you understand. Miss you.”
“Miss you too.”
Amber was amazed at how calm she felt as she prepared to go out to meet her ex-husband. Despite Susie’s warnings and misgivings, she knew she was doing the right thing. He was waiting for her at Trader Vic’s and as she walked towards him, she basked in the admiring glances she was getting from the men she passed. She wanted Dermot to see what he’d thrown away.
“Amber, you look stunning,” he said, admiration in his voice.
Round one to me, she thought.
He reached over to kiss her and just in time she turned her head so that his lips missed their mark and landed in the region of her ear.
“I took the liberty of ordering a bottle of champagne. I hope that’s okay?” he asked.
He hasn’t changed, Amber thought wryly. Taking control again!
“Actually, I’d prefer a Martini,” she smiled sweetly, amused at how surprised Dermot was at this show of independence.
“A Martini it is then,” he smiled back at her, but Amber could see the annoyance behind it.
“You’ve changed,” he said, surprise in his voice. “I like it.” Reaching over to take her hand he said, “I’ve missed you dreadfully.”
Snatching her hand back, she replied, “Yes, well, we all make mistakes.”
“I made the biggest mistake of all, leaving you.” He leaned across the table towards her. “Could you ever find it in your heart to forgive me, my dear?”
Amber wondered what in the world he wanted from her. She soon found out.
“Amber, darling, could we start over? I never stopped loving you, you know.”
His eyes had that look she remembered when he wanted something and was sure that he was going to get it.
“Dermot, I –”
“Darling, let me say one thing.” He gave her that patronising smile which he’d always used when he was about to bestow some gift on her. “I’m even willing for us to have a baby, if that’s what you really want.” He sat, like a small boy waiting for a pat on the head.
She looked at him incredulously. Was he serious? She realised that he was, and in that moment she also realised that she was well and truly over him. In fact, looking at his smug face, she wondered, as Luke had yesterday when he’d met him, how she’d ever stayed married to such a pompous ass for so long.
She started to laugh and seeing the shock on his face, laughed even harder.
“I don’t see what’s so funny,” he said, obviously deeply offended.
“No, you wouldn’t,” she replied, still laughing. “Did you really seriously think that you could crook your little finger and that I’d come running? You know, Dermot,” she said, rising to leave, “you’re an even bigger prick than I remember.”
His face was suffused with anger.
“The fact is,” she continued, “I don’t love you any more and the thought of suffering your pompous arrogance for even one whole evening is too much for me. Goodbye!” And with a flounce worthy of an Oscar winner, she made her exit.
She was still laughing at his sheer neck when she rang Luke three minutes later.
“Hey, if you’re free I’d love to take you to dinner tonight, to celebrate,” she told him.
“Will I like this celebration?” he asked warily, wondering why she wasn’t having dinner with her ex in Cipriano’s.
“Very much,” she laughed. “Meet me in La Cantina as soon as you can.”
“Be there in five,” he said, his hopes rising.
While she waited for him, she rang Susie who was amazed to hear from her.
“You were right,” were Amber’s first words to her. “He is a shite and a bastard and all the other things you’ve ever called him, and more besides.” She briefly told Susie what had happened and her friend was as flabbergasted at what Dermot had suggested as Amber had been. Amber described her parting shots to him with gusto.
“Good girl and good riddance!” was Susie’s response. She was secretly thrilled when she heard that Amber had asked Luke to dinner.
“Go, girl, go!” she said, smiling, after Amber had rung off.
When Luke walked in, Amber was sipping champagne and smiling. She poured a glass for him and raised her glass. “Cheers,” she clinked it against his, smiling broadly.
“Can I ask what we’re celebrating?” Luke asked her.
“Freedom – mine! I’m free at last!” she announced. “I’m finally free of him!” The grin was still plastered all over her face.
“To
you!” he toasted her, smiling.
“To us!” she responded, setting his pulses racing.
Luke had realised quite some time ago that he was falling in love with Amber but had thought that it was a lost cause. He’d lost count of the times she’d told him that she wasn’t ready for another relationship. Now it looked like maybe she was.
The evening was magical and Amber was more animated and alive than he’d ever seen her. He also thought that she had never looked more beautiful. They laughed and joked all through the meal and by the time they’d demolished the bottle of champagne and a bottle of wine, they were both a little tipsy. Leaving the restaurant, they walked along by the harbour, holding hands. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to be kissing and, when Luke asked her to come home with him, she didn’t think twice about it.
She rang Susie to tell her that she would be spending the night with Luke and laughed at Susie’s reaction. “Yes, yes, yes!” she’d cried.
He was very gentle with her, taking it very slowly and when he finally entered her, she was ready for him. It was so different from anything she’d ever experienced with Dermot that when Luke cradled her in his arms afterwards the tears flowed down her face.
“That was the most wonderful love I’ve ever experienced,” she told him, smiling through her tears.
“Me too,” he said, holding her face in his hands and kissing away her tears.
She fell asleep, wrapped in his arms thinking how perfect it was.
Chapter 44
Niamh was getting a little stronger every day but was still depending on painkillers every four hours. The strapping on her ribs was driving her crazy with itch but she knew it was necessary.
“I feel like a mummy in all this strapping,” she’d remarked to her mother.
“You are a mummy, Mammy,” said Ian, who had overheard.
Eileen and Niamh pealed with laughter at this.
If the Shoes Fit Page 28