A Love Like This

by Maria Duffy

  ‘Well, I think that calls for a toast,’ said George, standing up from his leather armchair in the living room. ‘I’m delighted for you. We both are, aren’t we, Vivienne?’

  Vivienne sniffed. ‘Well, if it’s what you really want.’

  ‘Of course it’s what we want, Mum. We wouldn’t be doing it otherwise. That’s why we wanted to come home to Ireland and start saving money. We need to think about the future.’

  ‘So that’s what you were talking about last night, Silvia.’ Will could almost see the wheels of his mother’s brain turning as she put the pieces together. ‘And you didn’t want her to tell us, Will. Why was that?’

  ‘I did want to tell you … well, I wasn’t sure if—’

  ‘We wanted to tell you, Vivienne, but Will wanted you and George to get to know me a little better first.’ Silvia always knew the right thing to say. ‘He said that he wanted you to love me and then he knew you’d be happy with our news. Your opinion is very important to him.’

  Vivienne blushed. ‘Well, we brought him up well. It’s good to know he still respects what we have to say.’

  ‘Of course I do,’ said Will. ‘But we couldn’t keep the news to ourselves for a minute longer. So what do you think?’

  They all stared at Vivienne, even George, who was just walking into the room with a tray of glasses and a bottle of sparkling wine.

  ‘We really want you to be happy for us, Mum.’

  Even though Will had learned to stand up to his mother, he knew he’d be devastated if she wasn’t happy for him. He watched her for what seemed like ages until suddenly a huge smile spread across her face and her eyes lit up.

  ‘Welcome to the family, Silvia.’

  Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and Will watched as his mum kissed Silvia on both cheeks. She then kissed him and rubbed his shoulder awkwardly. It was hardly an emotional embrace but it was the best he could hope for. Vivienne Cooper-Smith wasn’t a fan of displays of emotion.

  They sat around the coffee table in the living room for the next hour while Silvia told them about her life. She told them about her time in Italy when she was little – how they’d lived with her grandmother in a house on the top of a hill and how her granddad grew grapes and made his own wine.

  ‘He used to let us taste it even when we were very young. We’d feel so grown up to hold the crystal wine glasses in our hands and swirl the wine in our mouths, just like he did, before swallowing it.’

  ‘And why did you leave to go to Perth?’ Vivienne seemed intrigued by Silvia and Will was just happy that the two of them were getting along.

  ‘My dad is an engineer. His company was expanding and wanted him to head up the new venture in Perth. He knew that if he didn’t go, they’d make things awkward for him in the job and maybe push him out eventually.’

  ‘That doesn’t seem right,’ said George, who’d been largely quiet during the conversation. ‘How can they tell a man with a family that he has to move to the other side of the world, or else?’

  ‘They were a powerful company,’ explained Silvia, ‘so they could more or less do what they wanted. But it wasn’t a bad thing in the end. We all settled into Perth quickly. It’s a beautiful city.’

  ‘And now you’re settled here in Ireland,’ said Vivienne, clapping her hands together. ‘Will your parents come over for the wedding, do you think? Or is it a bit too far?’

  ‘Mum, we haven’t decided on any of that yet.’

  ‘I know, Will. I’m just wondering. Now you do know that venues get booked up years in advance. Have you set the date yet? Because the first thing we’d want to do is book the hotel.’

  Will shot Silvia a knowing look. He knew this would happen.

  ‘And we’ll have to start thinking about the guest list because it’s important to get it right. We don’t want to offend anyone.’ ‘Well, why don’t we get Christmas out of the way first and then we can talk about the wedding.’ Silvia saved the day again. ‘January is always a boring month so it will be nice to brighten it up with some wedding plans.’

  Will nodded. ‘Good idea. It will be great to get your input, Mum, but let’s not worry about that until the New Year.’

  ‘Well, there’s no harm in talking about—’

  ‘The lad is right, Vivienne. Let’s concentrate on Christmas for now. There’ll be plenty of time for wedding talk after that.’

  Will shot his father a grateful look. George winked and Will couldn’t help smiling. He was such an even-tempered man. Will didn’t know how he’d put up with such a demanding and controlling wife for all those years. They were such opposites, but somehow it worked. They’d be married for thirty-five years next year and Will wondered if he and Silvia would make it to such a milestone.

  ‘A party!’ said Vivienne, startling everyone.

  Will raised an eyebrow. ‘Can you elaborate on that?’

  ‘That’s what we’ll do. We’ll have a party to celebrate your engagement.’

  ‘Mum, I thought we were going to put this aside until after Christmas. And we certainly don’t need a party.’

  ‘Of course you do. And I mean in the New Year. It will take a while to plan, of course, because it has to be done properly. But we’ll throw you a wonderful party so that everyone can meet Silvia.’

  ‘That’s very good of you, Vivienne. Isn’t it, Will?’

  ‘Yes, but I’m not sure that—’

  ‘The ring!’ Vivienne was on a roll and not listening to anyone. ‘I almost forgot. Let me see your ring, Silvia.’

  Silvia blushed and for once seemed lost for words.

  ‘You do have a ring, don’t you, dear?’ The words were almost accusing.

  ‘Not yet,’ admitted Silvia, looking embarrassed.

  ‘But why not? Will, I can’t believe you’d ask a girl to marry you and not give her a ring.’

  ‘Well, actually, he didn’t.’ Silvia was far too honest. Will tensed and willed her not to continue. ‘He didn’t ask me to marry him.’

  Vivienne looked from one to the other. ‘Now I’m really confused.’

  ‘I didn’t ask her, Mum, I demanded she marry me!’ It was all he could think of saying.

  Silvia gave him a puzzled look but thankfully didn’t disagree. ‘And how could I refuse?’

  ‘But that still doesn’t explain the lack of ring.’ Will rolled his eyes and wished his mother wasn’t so nosy. She needed to know everything.

  ‘Leave the kids alone, Vivienne,’ said George from behind his newspaper. He’d evidently become bored with the conversation and at some point had picked up the paper to read.

  ‘It’s okay, Dad. The reason I didn’t get a ring for Silvia yet is that I saw one here in Dublin when I was home last and I thought it would be perfect for her. I’m going to bring her to see it after Christmas.’

  ‘Really?’ Silvia looked completely surprised at this nugget of information. ‘You never told me that.’

  Will rolled his eyes. ‘God, what is it about women that they have to know everything? Can a man not surprise his girlfriend any more?’

  ‘I’m sorry I asked now,’ said Vivienne, sipping her tea and looking uncomfortable. ‘Still, it’s nice for Silvia to know that you’ve been thinking about it.’

  Silvia leaned over and hugged Will. ‘It’s lovely to know, actually. I can’t wait to see what you’ve picked out. I’m sure it will be wonderful.’

  Will hugged her back and thought of the beautiful lime-green ring he’d almost bought for her the previous year. A peridot ring, the jeweller had called it. He wondered if they’d still have it and, even more importantly, would Silvia like it.

  They continued chatting for the next hour and Will was surprised at how comfortable and relaxed he felt. His parents weren’t so bad after all. It was funny how things had come full circle. He’d spent most of his childhood wanting to get away and now he was enjoying being back. But he was back because he wanted to be back, not because of some misplaced loyalty to his mother. He’d spread h
is wings and travelled and now it was time to come home. He wondered what Jack would think. He could still hear his voice that last time they’d spoken. ‘Grow a pair, man, will you?’ And now he could finally say he had.

  * * *

  ‘Here you go, love,’ said Bob, handing Donna a mug of tea as she wrapped her robe tightly around her. ‘You still look frozen to the bone.’

  ‘I am! I can’t get the heat into me. Honestly, I should know better than to wear that flimsy jacket at this time of year. It doesn’t even have a hood.’

  She sipped her tea gratefully as Bob busied himself making dinner in her little kitchen. She’d been soaked earlier on her way in to meet Lexie and the cold had gotten right into her bones. Thank God for Bob having a key to her place. He’d rung her and said he’d come over while she was out and make dinner for her and Lexie. He was always mindful of how she’d feel after her Wednesday night visits and he always managed to cheer her up.

  ‘Pasta is done – I’m just waiting for the garlic bread.’ He plonked down on the sofa beside her and took a slug from his glass of Coke. ‘Why do you think Lexie didn’t come home?’

  ‘I told you, Bob. She went to visit her grandparents. She said she was going to stay there tonight and come back in the morning.’

  ‘Hmmmm.’

  ‘What does that mean?’ said Donna, glaring at him. ‘And why does it matter so much to you that she’s not here?’

  Bob shook his head. ‘It doesn’t matter at all. It’s just not like her to go to her grandparents during the week. Doesn’t she usually visit them on Sunday?’

  ‘Yes, but she’s allowed more than one visit a week, you know.’

  ‘Stop getting tetchy with me, Donna. I was just wondering if she’s purposefully trying to give us a bit of space.’

  ‘Maybe.’ Donna hoped that’s all it was. Things had been a little stilted between them when they’d met up earlier and Donna knew it was because of their earlier disagreement. And when Lexie said she wasn’t coming home, Donna had thought it was because she was still angry with her.

  Bob took her hand. ‘I’m glad, though. Much as I like Lexie, it’s nice for us to have some alone time.’

  ‘We don’t do too badly though. We get all the time we want in our room.’

  ‘But we’re usually so knackered by the time we get in there that we’re asleep in minutes.’

  Donna laughed. ‘That’s true. But we have the whole night to ourselves now so nothing is holding us back.’

  ‘Back from what?’ Bob looked at her and pretended to be puzzled.

  ‘I’ll tell you what.’ Donna left down her mug on the coffee table. ‘Let’s get our dinner and then I’ll show you how we can make use of an empty flat.’

  Bob was on his feet. ‘I’m loving the sound of that. Come on. I’ll dish up and we can take it in here. Downton will be on in a while.’

  Five minutes later they were tucking into bowlfuls of creamy pasta and crunching on buttery garlic bread. Donna idly wondered if the garlic would kill the passion she hoped would happen later but she was feeling so turned on tonight, she didn’t think so.

  She glanced across at Bob, who was laughing at an episode of Friends he’d seen a dozen times. He looked very handsome in grey jeans and a purple shirt. He wore his Converse without socks and, although Donna would have laughed at that look on anyone else, it suited Bob perfectly. As she watched him rub his hand subconsciously up and down his thigh, a wave of passion washed over her and she grabbed the remote control out of his hand.

  ‘Hey, what’s that all about?’

  She switched off the telly.

  ‘I was watching that. What are you playing—?’

  She kissed him full on the lips, pushing him back on the sofa and tugging at his shirt.

  ‘Jesus, Donna,’ he said, coming up for breath. ‘Watch the shirt. Do you know how much it cost me?’

  ‘I’ll buy you another.’ She tugged at it again and two of the buttons flew off across the room.

  Bob pulled away from her. ‘What’s got into you?’ He scrambled down onto the floor to search for the missing buttons.

  ‘Let’s live dangerously, Bob. Come on. There’s nobody else here. When do we ever get the chance to make love out here on the sofa?’

  ‘It wouldn’t feel right, Donna. Jesus, I’ll go mad if I don’t find these buttons. They’re pearl-coated and I don’t think I’d ever find matching ones.’

  ‘Forget about the bloody shirt,’ said Donna, getting annoyed. ‘I’ll help you look for them after.’

  ‘Ah, got them.’ He stood up triumphantly, examining the precious buttons. ‘Have you got a needle and thread handy? I might just get them back on now in case I lose them.’

  ‘No. I. Have. Not.’

  Bob looked at her as if he was only noticing her for the first time. ‘Why are you speaking to me like that?’

  ‘Bob, I’m trying to ignite a bit of passion into our relationship here. Now are you going to leave me hanging or are you going to come over and make mad passionate love to me?’

  ‘Well, it’s probably not a good idea to do anything out here.’ He glanced around as though somebody might be watching them. ‘What if Lexie walked in on us?’

  ‘I already told you, she’s not coming home.’

  ‘But she might change her mind. You know what she’s like.’

  Donna sighed. ‘Right, let’s take it into the bedroom, if that’s what you’re more comfortable with.’

  ‘Actually, I might head off, if you don’t mind.’ He tucked his shirt back into his jeans. ‘I’ll just clear these away first.’

  Donna watched in shock as he gathered up the bowls and plates they’d just eaten from and brought them into the kitchen. Bloody hell. That was a first. She’d never offered herself to anyone like that before but she certainly hadn’t been rejected like that either. She fixed herself and followed him into the kitchen.

  ‘Bob, what’s wrong?’

  ‘Nothing. What are you talking about?’

  ‘Stop acting dumb!’ She spat out the words. ‘Have you gone off me or something? Why don’t you want to be with me?’

  ‘Don’t be silly, Donna, love.’ He dried his hands with the tea-towel and wrapped them around her. ‘Of course I haven’t gone off you. You know what I’m like with my clothes. Call it OCD or whatever but I can’t rest easy until I get the shirt sorted.’

  ‘Right, go on home then.’ She thudded back into the living room and took up his jacket from the back of the armchair. ‘Here you go. Go home and make love to your wardrobe.’

  ‘Don’t be like that.’

  He looked genuinely alarmed. Did he really not see what was happening here? Was he so delusional as to think he was being any way reasonable? ‘Just go, Bob. I want to be on my own now.’

  He took the jacket and slipped his arms in. A little piece of Donna died. She’d hoped he’d throw the jacket back on the chair and say he was sorry. She’d willed him to say he’d been silly and of course he’d stay and make love to her. But he wound his purple and grey striped scarf around his neck as though to seal the fact that he was indeed leaving.

  ‘I’ll give you a buzz tomorrow. Maybe we should go out to eat tomorrow night?’ He was already at the door.

  ‘Whatever,’ said Donna, not going to him to kiss him goodbye.

  He hesitated for a moment and Donna held her breath. Maybe this was where he’d change his mind. Maybe he’d throw off his coat and scarf and carry her into the bedroom to make mad passionate love to her. Prickles of sweat tickled the back of her neck at the thought of it.

  ‘Right, I’ll give you a buzz in the morning,’ he said. ‘Night, love.’ And he was gone. It hadn’t even felt like a lovers’ tiff. It hadn’t been passionate enough for that.

  Donna stood for a moment and, for the first time in a while, she felt lonely. She wondered yet again if she was with Bob for the right reasons. Was she really in love with him or was she just afraid of the alternative, which was losing him, p
ossibly losing Jan and going back to being that teenage girl who was lost and alone and terrified of the future?

  Chapter 33

  ‘Just a little to the left … no, to the right, now … down a bit …’ Will smiled as he watched his mother barking orders at the barman. The poor guy had mistakenly asked her if she wanted anything, meaning a drink, and she’d said, yes, the banner over the bar needed straightening. He was now kneeling on a bar stool, which looked as though it could fall over and take him with it, and trying to adjust the banner until Vivienne was happy with it. It was Will and Silvia’s engagement party and she’d spent the last couple of months organising it. There was no way she was going to allow a single thing to go wrong.

  ‘It’s perfect, Mum. Come and get a drink.’

  ‘Are you mad, William? It’ll be much later before a drop passes my lips. I have to check with the caterers and I want to get those loose chairs at the wall removed.’

  ‘I’ll ask the manager about the chairs,’ said George, rolling his eyes behind his wife’s back. He then lowered his voice. ‘Anything for a quiet life.’

  Will noticed how pale his father looked. He never complained but it was clear he hadn’t been feeling great lately. He’d been heading off to bed much earlier than usual and his appetite wasn’t good. Only a week ago, Will had asked him if everything was okay and he’d said it was, but maybe it was time to get him to go for a check-up again. He had his six-monthly check-ups with the heart doctor but it wouldn’t do any harm to go to his GP and make sure there was nothing else amiss.

  Will glanced across the room at Silvia, who was chatting animatedly to one of her new friends from work. She’d started her new job just after Christmas and in the short time she’d been there, she’d grown to love it. She thrived when she was busy and the job was certainly that. He saw how her eyes danced when she spoke and he knew that coming to Ireland had been the right move for them.

  ‘William, there’s John and Imelda Bohan.’ His mother’s voice broke into his thoughts. ‘Go and shake their hands before they sit down. Actually, you should probably stay over at the door and greet people as they come in.’