Two Days in Biarritz

by Michelle Jackson

  “What are you reading?”

  “It’s just a trashy magazine, someone I know is in it.”

  Gary pushed the chair back and took a more comfortable position. “Fancy a drive or a walk?”

  “I, eh, Gary we need to talk.”

  His expression changed. He was usually the one that did the jilting with the women in his life and from Annabel’s unfamiliar tone he knew that something was askew. “About what?”

  Annabel couldn’t believe that she was coming straight out with it. Inside she was trembling but now she had started she had to finish what she had to say. She needed to know the truth.

  “I was on the DART today.”

  “Really?” he shrugged.

  This wasn’t going to be easy.

  “Gary, I saw you kiss a red-haired girl at Bayside station.”

  Gary’s expression changed. His eyes widened like an animal trapped in front of a loaded gun. “That’s my pal Amy. She runs a stall at the Pheonix market.” He frowned. “What’s your problem Annabel, am I not supposed to have other friends?”

  Annabel knew that she couldn’t back down now. She had to be firm if she was going to maintain any self-respect. “Of course, you can have friends but she looked like more than a friend.”

  Gary pulled his shoulders back and then moved forward on his chair. “Did I ever say that we were exclusive? I mean, you are tied up with your rugrats and I only get a look-in when it suits you.”

  Annabel was shocked. This was so out of character. She would never have believed that the fun-loving easy-going guy she had shared so much with over the past few weeks could turn into a monster so suddenly.

  “Gary, I’m not seeing anyone else and I thought we had something special. I demand to know the truth.”

  He leaned forward across the table until his face was almost on top of Annabel. “Leave it, will you? Did you hassle your old man like this?” he gave a loud sigh before slouching back on his chair.

  Annabel felt his comment like a blow. She was seething inside but couldn’t think of the words to launch a counter-attack. Something had gone seriously wrong since she found her new independence. “Gary, can we talk this out, please?”

  Gary shrugged. “To be honest – you’re a bit of a primadonna Annabel. You’re well suited to your drip of a husband. I mean lets face it you’ve friends in crappy socialite magazines. I was going to give you the benefit of the doubt but I don’t need the hassle.” He stood up and gave her a smug nod. Then he left her in the coffee shop with her magazine and cappuccino.

  Annabel wanted to cry. Maybe Gary was right and she did suit Colin. Could she stand to go back to the way she was? She had felt like a butterfly for the last few weeks. Free to make all the decisions in her home and with the children. The girls were coming around even if Sam was still upset with her. She thought she was doing a good job. She had worked hard on the stall and was making a good turnover every week. Oh God, she had been so pleased about her new relationship. How could she have been so wrong?

  “We’re closing now,” the young waitress said, interrupting Annabel from her thoughts.

  She didn’t know where to go or what to do. She couldn’t go home, Colin was there. She needed to talk to a friend. She jumped into her jeep. She was only a kilometre from Meave’s house.

  She parked in front of the prim driveway with neat little rows of Dahlias decorating the footpath. The front door was ajar and she tapped on it gently as she let herself in.

  “Meave,” she called.

  Meave came running down the stairs on hearing Annabel’s voice.

  “Hi, what a nice surprise. Come into the kitchen and we’ll have a cuppa.”

  “I hope I haven’t disturbed the kids.”

  “Don’t worry about them. They take ages to fall asleep!” Meave went over to the kettle and put it on. “I thought you were meeting Gary tonight?”

  “I was, I did, I mean,” Annabel sighed. “Why have I got such awful taste in men, Meave?”

  Meave turned and looked at her friend’s despairing face. “What did he do?”

  Annabel’s eyes started to water, then she sobbed. “I was meeting Colin in town yesterday and I got the DART home. I saw Gary at Bayside station,” she couldn’t believe she was saying the words as they dribbled out of her mouth, “kissing a red-haired girl. She couldn’t have been more than twenty-five.”

  Meave cringed. “That wasn’t very nice. I thought he was a dreamboat.”

  “There was nothing of the dreamboat about him this evening. He said we were never exclusive.”

  Meave scratched her head. “I don’t know Annabel. I’m so long out of the whole dating loop I don’t think I’d be able to cope.”

  “It’s not easy,” Annabel nodded and took the cup of tea from Meave gratefully. “Maybe I should consider taking Colin back. He is making an effort with Sam.”

  “You can’t take him back because Gary jilted you. You have to be sure that you want to be with him for your sake.”

  Annabel knew that Meave was right. It was exactly what Kate would say too. But the pressure of the last few weeks was taking its toll and she didn’t feel so strong anymore.

  Chapter 22

  Lily was polishing the mantelpiece with great pride and vigour.

  “You are doing the right thing, Annabel. The last few weeks have been just awful for everybody.”

  “Mum, there’s no need to do all that dusting. The new cleaner is great, she was only here two days ago.”

  “That Polish woman is too old. She shouldn’t be taking on a house like this.”

  “She’s at least five years younger than you, Mum.”

  Lily tut-tutted her daughter. “I think you should have the place nice for Colin.”

  Annabel threw her eyes heavenward. She had let Colin convince her that moving home was the best for everyone and after her confidence had got such a bashing from Gary she felt left with no other option. But she didn’t want to slip back into old routines. The way she felt about everything had changed but things would outwardly go back to the way they had always been. Meave had warned her to give herself more time but since the drastic Gary affair she wanted a bit of stability in her life.

  The front door swung open and the crash of Colin’s golf clubs against the hall floor told her that he was home. Sam had wanted to be here for his father’s return but when a friend asked him to go bowling he decided he’d see his father later. The girls were in the television room and didn’t make any move to welcome him.

  A few seconds later, Colin peeked his head around the door of the living room.

  “I’m back.”

  Lily ran forward and gave her son-in-law an awkward embrace.

  Colin shook himself down after the event and nodded over at Annabel. “I’ll take my things up to our room then.”

  Annabel didn’t want Colin back in her room. She wanted him to stay in the spare room. She suddenly realised as he stood in front of her that she didn’t want him any where near her at anytime of the day or night. What had she done?

  * * *

  Kate sat on the side of the bed at the telephone. Her head was full of so many thoughts – she missed her mum and even more so now that she was back living at home. She wondered about Liam – the father she would never meet – and she longed for a good chat with Fabian. Even thought they had spoken a couple of days ago it didn’t feel the same. She was so used to his body language speaking a multitude when they conversed and she couldn’t see it over the phone.

  Spontaneously Kate lifted the handset of the white telephone and dialled Annabel’s number. For some unknown reason it felt like the right thing to do. She trembled as she heard the phone ring.

  “Hello?”

  “Annabel, it’s Kate.”

  Annabel was transfixed. She had dashed to get the phone so she wouldn’t have to watch her mother and Colin drooling over each other in the living room. She certainly hadn’t expected to hear Kate’s voice at the end of the line.
r />   “Kate, how are you?” she said eagerly. “Great to hear you.”

  Kate felt a sudden urge to slam down the phone quickly. She was relieved when she heard her friend’s tone but wasn’t sure she wanted to say any more.

  “I’ve moved back to Dublin, permanently – I just thought I should let you know, I mean we are bound to bump into each other.”

  “Wow, that’s fantastic news, when?” Annabel hadn’t the guts to tell her that she already knew and hadn’t the guts to call her.

  “A few weeks ago. I’m living in Greenfield Close.”

  “With your Dad?”

  “Dad’s moved into an apartment in Howth.”

  “Really?” Annabel wanted to know about the baby. “How are you keeping? I heard your news.”

  Kate had a flash back to Biarritz and felt sick – but she was the one who had dialled the phone and she had to continue with the conversation.

  “Not bad. I had a scare a few weeks ago but I am back on track again.”

  “What happened?”

  “I haemorrhaged – hopefully everything will be okay.”

  Annabel’s heart was thumping furiously. Now that she was talking to Kate she felt nervous. There was so much she wanted to tell her – so much they needed to sort out. There was no easy way of bringing up the subject of Betty but she didn’t want to say anything to upset her friend.

  “Kate, you poor thing. You’ve had a terrible time, with Betty dying too.”

  Annabel was right, Kate thought. Losing her mum had been the bitterest pill to swallow above all else. “It seems it never rains but it pours!”

  “Can we meet up for a chat?” Annabel begged. “I’d love to see you so much.”

  Kate hesitated. What had she expected? Of course they should meet but somehow the anger she had held inside since Biarritz was beginning to rear its ugly head again and grow stronger the longer she heard Annabel’s voice. “I’m house bound nearly and don’t have that exhibition deadline anymore.”

  “Well, I could come to you – whatever is the easiest,” Annabel urged. Kate there’s so much I want to talk to you about. When can we meet?”

  “I guess tomorrow’s good for me.” Kate said uncertainly.

  “Tomorrow?” Annabel said excitedly. “Will I call out to you?”

  Kate felt trapped in a whirlwind of emotions. “Okay.”

  “Okay. Eleven? I presume your kids are back in school.”

  “Oh, they are well settled. I’ll see you at eleven then.” Annabel paused. “Kate?”

  “Yeah?”

  Annabel wanted to kiss the phone. She wanted to tell Kate how much she loved and missed her. There were months and months of words and sentences that needed to be said. How was she ever going to make up for all that lost time apart? The gap in the conversation said it all.

  “Thanks for ringing.”

  “Yeah, okay, see you then,” Kate said hurriedly, keen to hang up.

  Annabel put the phone down and couldn’t conceal the wide cheesy grin that was now fixed firmly on her face.

  “Who was that?” Colin asked abruptly on entering the kitchen.

  “Kate,” Annabel said defiantly. “I’m meeting her tomorrow.”

  “She’s in Dublin?”

  “She’s moved back permanently.”

  Colin scowled. He didn’t like the thought of Kate being back in his wife’s life just as he was managing to take control of her again.

  “I’m off Mum,” Annabel called to Lily. “Going to the supermarket to get stuff for the stall and then getting my hair done. You don’t mind looking after the kids Colin, do you?”

  She breezed out of the house as if she were floating on a cloud. Her spirit was elevated. Kate was back in her life and she was going to make sure she stayed there.

  * * *

  Annabel felt a jitter up and down her arms after ringing the door bell. How would Kate be? It had been a long time since their trip to Biarritz.

  Kate opened the door, revealing her large bump. She stood back a few steps avoiding any physical contact until she was sure about her feelings for Annabel.

  “Hi, Annabel, you look well.”

  “Hi, Kate. So do you. You’re positively blooming.”

  Annabel held a bunch of white lilies wrapped in brown paper and tied with brown string. She handed them to Kate on entering the hall.

  “Tell the truth. I’m like a decrepit hippopotamus,” Kate said, pan-faced. “I wasn’t this big after nine months with the twins. Thanks for the flowers.”

  Annabel smiled too. Typical Kate, sharp, witty – she hadn’t changed a bit.

  “It’s good to see you, Kate.”

  Kate looked down at Annabel’s feet. “Come in. I’ve the tea on. Betty is still here in spirit and I now possess the honing devise she used to have for visitors.”

  “It’s terrible. I can’t believe she’s gone.”

  “It’s been hard.” Kate agreed. “I never realised how much you grow up when you lose a parent.”

  Annabel nodded. Her own father was dead so long now she found it difficult at times to picture his face.

  “Kate, I hope I didn’t upset you by going to the funeral. I really needed to be there – I loved Betty too.”

  Kate nodded but said nothing. There wasn’t much point.

  “It’s okay she said quietly – leaving Annabel unsure how she really felt.

  “How long have you left?” Annabel said, gesturing to her bump.

  “Seven weeks but the doctors think I’m going to go early. They’ve been watching me avidly since I nearly miscarried. I’m so unfit. I don’t know how I’m going to manage the labour!”

  “Plenty of gas and an epidural. That’s what got me through!”

  “So tell me your news Annabel. I heard you are flying solo now as well.”

  Annabel coughed. She felt embarrassed admitting to Kate that she had taken Colin back.

  “Actually, we are giving it another try.”

  “Oh,” Kate wasn’t sure how to react. “Good, eh, I presume you are happy?”

  Annabel became tight lipped. She didn’t know how to answer. “The kids seem happy, especially Sam.” Damn, she thought, now I’m making excuses. Kate can see straight through me. She needed to change the subject. “Any word from Shane?”

  “I haven’t seen him in months.”

  “That’s a shame,” Annabel said. “Especially as Natasha’s met someone.”

  Kate’s ears picked up. “Natasha has met someone else?”

  Annabel nodded. “I saw a picture of her in Chao magazine with Ron Larkin.”

  “The hotel Larkins?” Kate asked in surprise.

  “Yeah.”

  Kate had been so consumed with her own feelings she never considered that Shane might have finished with Natasha on his own terms. “I had no idea.”

  “Does he know you’re home?”

  Kate shrugged. She hadn’t a clue.

  “I bet he’d love to see you, Kate.”

  “Like this?” she asked, ruefully pointing to her stomach.

  “Shane loves you, Kate. He’s always loved you.”

  “I wouldn’t want him feeling obliged to take on a stranger’s baby. He might grow to resent it.”

  “He could grow to love it!”

  Kate said nothing. She knew Annabel was right. Wasn’t that what her father had done?

  “Why don’t I give him a call?” Annabel suggested.

  “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

  “Well if you change your mind the offer stands.”

  Kate knew Annabel was only trying to be helpful but she didn’t want anyone else interfering. For all she knew he never wanted to have anything to do with her again and she wouldn’t blame him. “My dad’s been asking for you.”

  “To tell the truth, I’ve been avoiding him. He has been really good to me, offering premises to set up my own business. I feel bad that I can’t take him up on it.”

  “Why can’t you?”

/>   “I wasn’t in the frame of mind to cope with such a huge undertaking for the last few months. Not going ahead with the business venture was part of the deal Colin struck for coming back. He even wanted me to give up the stall but I was adamant that I was keeping it. I thought I was the one doing him the favour by letting him back but he managed to turn everything around and by then I’d already told Sam that his father was coming home and it was too late.”

  “I think you should be allowed have your own independence, Annabel.”

  Kate was right. It shouldn’t have even been an issue. It was all about control with Colin and he wanted her in the home, working in the kitchen and collecting the kids like she used to. That was the bottom line.

  “You have to put it up to him, Annabel.”

  Annabel smiled. This was more like the conversations she used to have with Kate. Unbeknownst to themselves they were falling into a familiarity that they both had missed since falling out.

  “I don’t have the strength to fight with Colin. I had a bad experience with a guy I was dating and he rocked my confidence. He was a market trader as well. Thankfully I haven’t seen him at the market since we last spoke – he must be taking a break.”

  “Annabel,” Kate said, shaking her head. “You do pick them. Looks like the only decent bloke you ever had was my Dad.”

  Kate was smiling now, the first time since Annabel had entered the house.

  With enormous relief Annabel heard the words and recognised the thaw in her expression. “Have you forgiven me?”

  Kate paused for a moment. “Betty was no angel either. She had a long distance romance that she carried out for most of her married life.”

  “Betty?” Annabel was flabbergasted.

  “I know,” Kate nodded. Suddenly she felt a wave of relief rush over her. “I didn’t lick it up from the stones, did I?”

  Annabel couldn’t smile, she was too stunned by the revelation.

  “Kate, I can’t believe it.”

  “There’s more.”

  Annabel was scratching her head in amazement.

  “It turns out Damien isn’t my biological father.”

  Annabel acted surprised. She didn’t want to reveal that she already knew.