Annabel’s head was shaking in disbelief.
“So, do you think I should tell her or not?” Despair was painted all over his face.
“Damien, the call is totally yours but my guess is that Kate has been through an awful lot recently and I don’t think she would react well to such news.”
“My feelings as well,” Damien nodded. “But I needed to run it by someone who knew her and you were my obvious choice.”
Annabel was disappointed that Damien hadn’t an ulterior motive for seeing her.
“I’ve a bit of news myself,” Annabel smiled. “I found Colin in bed with the au pair and we’re separating.”
“Jesus, Annabel, I don’t believe it,” Damien’s face changed to one of horror. “When?”
“The morning of the funeral, actually. I left the Mass cards in the kitchen and when I came back to get them I heard grunting upstairs.”
“That must have been a shock.”
“It was at the time,” she couldn’t help smiling at the memory, “but do you know now that it’s happened it’s kind of a relief.”
“Weren’t you happy with Colin?”
“He’s difficult to live with at the best of times. I’ve been doing a lot of settling for this or that throughout my life and putting other people first. Now that I’ve turned forty I really want to do things for me – like the market stall.”
“That’s a great little enterprise. You were always good at cooking, I recall.”
“I love it,” she agreed. “God knows I’ve had enough experience hosting dinner parties for Colin and his cronies over the years. If I had my way I’d have a little café of my own making natural healthy food – a kind of salad bar crossed with a country kitchen.”
“That would be a great earner if you got the location right,” Damien said, his brain ticking over as he spoke. “You know I may have just such a place coming on stream near here. It’s a new development with apartments on the top two-storeys but it’s very hush-hush at the moment. I plan to keep a number of the units and rent them commercially.”
“That sounds very exciting Damien.” Annabel’s eyes lit up. “But I have no experience to start up a business. I just know that I love cooking.”
“It’s not going to be built over night. We are probably looking at six months down the road but the prime retail unit will be the coffee shop and I could give you first option on it if you wanted to think about it.”
Annabel wanted to be brave and grasp the opportunity. A business woman was something she never imagined herself as but if she was to be realistic she wouldn’t be supported by Colin after the children left full-time education and she did have to think of her future.
“I can see that pretty head of yours working overtime.” Damien smiled.
“Leave it with me will you. I’d need to come up with some capital first.”
“I’d be happy to be a partner fifty-fifty. You do the work and We’ll split the profits,” he grinned. “I may demand the odd free slice of carrot cake mind you.”
“Damien this is very exciting. It’s a bit much to take in at the moment but I will give it some serious thought.”
“Good for you,” Damien applauded her. “Maybe we should arrange to meet again?”
“I’d love that,” Annabel smiled coyly. “We could make it dinner next time!”
“Absolutely,” he agreed. “Why don’t we say next Tuesday?”
“Tuesday’s good.” Annabel nodded, she’d have to ask Lily to baby-sit. “Would you mind if we tried Aqua? Colin had a row with them over a dish they served without sauce a few years ago and I’ve been banned from going ever since. It would feel liberating to go inside the doors of that restaurant again.”
“Aqua it is,” Damien grinned. “I’ll book it as soon as I get home.”
The atmosphere between them had changed in the short time since they had sat down in the coffee shop. They were no longer there as appendages to Kate but two independent individuals, in conversation on their own terms. The fact that they had known each other for so long helped them settle into an easy kind of relationship. Annabel no longer felt like she was talking to Kate’s father but a friend of her own and any pressure from their past relationship had dissipated.
“I’d better go and collect the kids, I didn’t realise we’d been here so long,” she said glancing at her watch.
“I can’t believe it’s one o’clock,” he exclaimed.
The lunchtime customers were filing in through the doors and looking disapprovingly at the couple sitting over their two empty coffee cups. As they stood up Damien leaned forward and planted a gentle yet firm kiss on Annabel’s right cheek.
“It was great meeting you Annabel.”
“Great to see you too, Damien,” Annabel blushed as she spoke. She spotted a familiar face in the corner of her eye glaring over at her. Melissa nearly spilled her milk as she filled her tea-cup.
Annabel grinned to herself. This would certainly give the local women something to gossip about. She got a thrill at the thought of being one of the individuals at the centre of the local news. Wait until they hear about the au pair!
* * *
Kate kissed Ciaran goodnight on his forehead and then leaned over and kissed David.
“Mum is Grangran in heaven yet?” Ciaran asked.
“I would definitely say so,” Kate smiled at the innocence of her son’s question. “Three days is plenty of time to get there.”
“Will we see her again when we die?” David asked.
“Yes, darling but that won’t be for a very long time.”
“When are we going to see Shane again?” Ciaran asked inadvertently.
“I don’t think we’ll be seeing him for a long time either boys. He’s married to a lady and has to live with her.”
“Why won’t he come and live with us instead. I mean Stefan’s gone to live with a different woman?” David plied.
“It’s not that simple, boys. Adults have certain things they can and can’t do,” she paused. “I’ll explain it all some day where you’re older.”
The boys groaned together and she realised that she hadn’t put up a very good argument. Her reasons for her actions weren’t yet visible but would be soon enough.
“Sleep tight, boys,” she whispered as they snuggled into cosy positions in silence.
Kate felt a sharp cramp shoot through her stomach as she brushed her teeth. Every part of her daily routine was tedious and laborious. Nothing was at it seemed anymore after reading Betty’s letters. For the first time since leaving Biarritz she felt that she had been harsh in her judgement of Annabel and her father. She could never admit it to them of course but her opinion on the matter had definitely mellowed.
Kate put on her pyjamas and curled up in the bed in the foetal position. She used to always sleep on her stomach stretched out until she filled every corner of the bed. She was unable to do that anymore as her stomach ached if she tried. She took comfort in making herself smaller. She missed Shane greater than a limb. She had no idea that she would feel so bad. He hadn’t tried to call her but she hadn’t expected him too either – it was after all the second time she had rejected him.
The grim realisation that she was going to be on her own bringing up this baby scared her. She wasn’t a young woman anymore and she recalled the physical exhaustion she felt after the twins were born. However Tony had assured that there was only one baby inside her. His mini scan equipment was state-of-the-art and she felt a strong maternal pull inside as the image of her unborn child flashed up on the screen. Yet again there was no father there to share the experience with her. She felt so alone. She couldn’t hold back the salty tears that started to trickle down the side of her face. It could all have been so different. If only she hadn’t gone to Biarritz with Annabel. Then she wouldn’t have met Brett and she wouldn’t have met Shane again. She’d be happy in her ignorance painting the beautiful mountains on her own. She longed for the life she had. It wasn’t easy being fo
rty.
* * *
“I have no intention of making any kind of settlement with you now or anytime in the future, Annabel,” Colin shouted as he slammed his briefcase on the marble counter top. “Do you think every marriage ends after a meaningless fling?”
“Be quiet, the kids have only just gone to bed.”
“I won’t be told to be quiet in my own home,” he scowled, “especially not after receiving a phone-call like I did from that deplorable Dunne woman.”
“I explained to you days ago that I wanted to separate,” Annabel stood with her back to the kitchen sink and tried to remain calm.
“A separation is one thing but carving up the family home and my estate is quite another,” he grunted.
“Colin I’ve been unhappy for sometime but I just didn’t realise it. Seeing you with Rosa made it perfectly clear that you mustn’t have been happy either and it is the best thing for the children that we separate before we start getting nasty with each other.”
“Don’t start using my own children against me, woman.”
Annabel started to shake. He had called her woman a couple of times during their marriage and it left her incensed. This time however she felt strong enough to answer him back.
“You were caught with your trousers down Colin and unless you want to be the total laughing stock of the Golf Club, more than you already are, I strongly advise you to heed the directions of Ms Moira Dunne.” Annabel thought she was going to collapse. She didn’t think she had it in her to address Colin so articulately but the outburst had given her a new strength.
Colin stood gob-smacked.
“Now,” she went on, “you can decide whether you wish to move out tonight or over the weekend, because as far as I am concerned this marriage is over.” She picked up her handbag off the countertop and stormed out of the kitchen. She couldn’t wipe off the wide smile that had suddenly appeared on her face. She climbed the stairs with a vigour that she had never felt before.
Colin had been sleeping in the spare bedroom since she had found him in Rosa’s bed but now was Annabel’s chance to remove his clothing from her bedroom. She took out the two biggest suitcases from the back of her closet and started filling them with his suits and shirts. With great relish she tossed his underwear and shoes along with most of his causal clothes into a black plastic bag. The whole experience was liberating. She had no idea where Colin would go and frankly she didn’t give a damn.
* * *
Natasha leaned forward to get her Marlboro lights from her tiny Sonia Reykiel handbag and lit one. She took a drag and blew the smoke out of her mouth as she turned around to face a mellow Josh who was splayed out on the couch.
“You know I hate you smoking up here.”
“Don’t give me any grief Josh, I’ve had it up to here all day,” she said taking her free hand and gesturing to the top of her head. “Shane moved all of his clothes and valuables out earlier today.”
Josh tried to hide the smile that was breaking through on his face. “Poor Baby,” he said stroking her neck compassionately. “So he’s gone for good then?”
“I don’t know,” she said – shaking her head. “I feel like I never really knew him. Three years of marriage and I know him less now than the first day I walked onto his flight.”
She took another drag from her cigarette and this time blew the smoke in Josh’s face.
“You must have really loved him,” Josh was trying to figure out what was going on inside Natasha’s head.
“I thought I did, but he is weak. I did everything right,” she insisted. “You should see our house – I made his life very comfortable. I always employed the best staff to iron his shirts and tend to the garden.”
“He was a lucky guy.”
“What do you mean Josh? You’ve a smug grin on your face.”
He shook his head. He felt ill equipped to tackle her on this issue. He had only ever lived with one woman in his life and that was a dismal failure lasting three weeks.
“Well now you are free and I’m here,” he said with a roguish smile.
Natasha threw her head back and laughed out loud.
“What’s so funny?” Josh was genuinely thrown by her reaction.
“You’re not serious about you and me –.”
“Why not?” he asked with a frown.
“Because my dear sweet Josh, you haven’t got a proper job and you couldn’t possibly afford to be with a woman like me,” she said giggling some more.
“I’m good enough to shag when you want.”
“Yes but I couldn’t honestly say that I’d be seen walking down the aisles of Supervalu with you.”
“Did you walk down the aisles of Supervalu with Shane.”
“Maybe once or twice but it’s a litmus test I use with men. You my dear Josh are a pleasure model. I thought we understood each other perfectly.”
Josh was disgusted with Natasha and himself. He had felt this way about several women before but now that the table was turned around he didn’t like it one bit. He secretly had been delighted with the news of her separation and saw it as an opportunity to develop their relationship. But now that he knew her true feelings he felt like a fool.
“You’d better go now,” he said abruptly. “I’ve to get back to work.”
Natasha realised that she had hurt his feelings but didn’t want any more hassle. “Okay, see you during the week?” she said fluttering her eyelids.
Josh nodded but was so disgusted by their conversation he wasn’t sure how he felt about her anymore.
* * *
The next morning Damien was surprised to find his daughter more subdued than usual over a cup of tea in the kitchen.
“Do you need a hand with anything?” Damien asked cautiously. He wasn’t sure what reaction he was going to get from Kate. She had been on a knife edge since the funeral.
“Maybe you could take the boys out for a few hours so I could get through the rest of Mum’s stuff a bit quicker.”
“Of course. It can’t be an easy job.”
“I’ve had better,” Kate admitted.
“I’m sorry if I upset you by meeting Annabel. My motives were genuine.”
“It’s okay, Dad,” Kate nodded. “We’ve all had a rough time.”
Damien hadn’t expected such a change of heart over night but this was typical of Kate’s unstable behaviour.
“What time is your flight tomorrow?”
“Eleven-thirty. Will you drop us out?”
“Of course,” Damien replied. Hurt that she even needed to ask.
Damien piled the boys into the car and drove them to the local adventure centre to burn up their energies. When Kate was sure that they were well out of sight she dashed to the kitchen and trembled as she dialled her Auntie Dee’s phone number. Kate was depending on her to come up with the information she needed to join the pieces of her mother’s jigsaw puzzle together.
“Hello?”
“Dee, it’s Kate.”
“Kate, love how are you doing Pet?” Dee put the pen she was holding in her hand down on the kitchen table.
“Not too bad considering,” Kate replied honestly. “Look Dee I need to speak to you privately about some stuff belonging to Mum that I found when I was cleaning out her personal things.”
“That must be very difficult for you, love,” Dee said sympathetically, pushing her crossword puzzle away in disgust at its frivolousness. “What do you want me to do?”
“Could you drop over for an hour, as soon as possible, I’m going back to France tomorrow.”
Dee scratched her head. She wore it in a much more modern style than Betty had and although there was only eighteen months between the two sisters Dee looked a decade younger.
“Well, I was going to bring my mother-in-law to get her hair done, the old boot,” she added. “I suppose I could always say something urgent has cropped up. She’s never happy no matter how much I do for her.”
“Thanks so much Dee,” Kate said
with relief. She could picture her aunt in a smart but casual pair of trousers and crossover top setting off to sort out the world around her. She had the figure of a woman twenty years younger too. “I’ll see you soon then.”
“About twenty minutes, love.” Dee hung up – intrigued at what Kate wanted.
Kate ran upstairs and opened the drawers of the tallboy again. She pulled out the box filled with the letters and started to put them into some sort of order.
Chapter 17
Annabel piled the last of the humus into the cartons. At this rate she would have plenty of time to set up her stall after dropping the girls off in Meave’s house. She was such a good friend and one of the few women in Howth that still seemed to want anything to do with her since Colin had left the house. Melissa and her motley crew turned their heads so they wouldn’t have to talk to her when they saw her. It went to prove how shallow most of her acquaintances were and how much she missed having Kate at a time like this. If she had been told before going to Biarritz that so much in her life would have changed in such a short time she would never have believed it. She felt a certain pride that she had muddled through it all without Kate’s help or advice.
She was surprised at how much she missed Colin and it had only been two days. She missed the familiarity of his golf clubs strewn around the hall and the rows of neatly creased shirts in the bedroom cupboards. She had taken Flora out of the fridge– he was the only one who ate it.
With the last of the humus packed she ran upstairs and grabbed her sports bag and filled it frantically with her workout gear and swimsuit. She then went into to her son’s bedroom.
“Sam honey, I’m off to the market.”
Sam didn’t look up from his Play station. He had taken to ignoring his mother since his father had left home.
“I said I’m off honey will you be alright?” she repeated herself. “I told Granny you were here on your own and she’ll be over in a bit.”
Two Days in Biarritz Page 21