Rea closed her eyes and let him work on her. ‘Mother of God!’ she shouted when she felt a rip from her face. ‘What the hell are you doing?’
‘You do know that you’re spouting hairs all over that chin. They have to go. Suck it up, Rea.’
‘Sadist.’
He started to hum ‘One More Day’ and continued plucking.
‘I hadn’t really noticed them.’
‘You don’t have to look at yourself, but we do,’ Charlie replied. ‘Now keep your eyes closed.’
Twenty minutes later, he nudged her, saying, ‘Take a look at yourself, birthday girl.’
Rea opened her eyes and gasped at the transformation. Her brown eyes popped with the green eye shadow he had swept across her lids. She touched her face and murmured, ‘I’ve got cheekbones again.’
‘Contouring is your friend,’ Charlie said. ‘But you can’t wear that awful outfit.’
Rea looked down at her black leggings and long t-shirt. ‘They’re comfy.’
‘Oh, would you stop. Fashion is not about being comfortable. I’ve told you that before.’ He got up and shouted down the stairs. ‘Come on up.’
Stella came running in with a present wrapped up in the most gorgeous turquoise paper, with a large white ribbon around it.
‘Happy birthday, Rea. You look stunning.’ She pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek.
‘You look pretty good too. Love the blue on you!’ Rea said.
Stella was in her new blue skinny denims and stripy crop top. She’d put her hair back into a ponytail and looked at least ten years younger than she was.
Rea opened up the parcel and inside was the pair of black floral palazzo pants with a red asymmetrical long top. ‘I hope they fit. I saw them and thought they’d be beautiful on you. You’ve such sallow skin and lovely dark hair, you can wear striking colours. And they’ll be comfortable, I know you’re all about that.’
Rea ran her hands over the material and felt tears spring to her eyes.
‘Stop that,’ Charlie said. ‘You’ll ruin your make-up. Try them on. Then come on down.’
A few minutes later she walked down the stairs, or rather, floated down them. Her transformation had made her feel worthy of the title Diva and she felt as light as a feather. She felt beautiful.
Standing at the foot of the stairs was Luca, Stella, Charlie and Louis. They all smiled at her as she descended. Over four decades disappeared and she felt like she was eighteen again, walking down these stairs in a long evening gown, on her way to her graduation ball.
The faces of her friends shifted and in their place stood George, with a flower in his hand.
‘Oh Mam, you look so beautiful,’ Luca said, hugging her close, bringing her back to now.
‘Looking good Mrs B,’ Louis said, shoving a package at her. ‘I got you this.’
‘Well, hello there. Thank you, Louis.’
‘I can’t stop. Mam and her fella are bringing me out. To Tayto Park. I mean it’s for bleeding kids, but he has it in his head that we should go.’ Despite his words, he was grinning.
Rea gave him a hug and said, ‘You might enjoy yourself.’
He shrugged, ‘Maybe. Laterz.’ And he ran down the path, out the door.
‘I knew that would look amazing on you!’ Stella said. ‘Stunning, simply stunning.’
‘I love it,’ Rea admitted. ‘All this fuss for me, I don’t know.’
‘You deserve it and much more, Mam,’ Luca said. ‘Come with me.’
She followed him through the kitchen, which was now filled with trays of food. She looked at Stella, guessing correctly that she’d been busy.
‘Will you close your eyes for a moment Mam?’ Luca said. He caught Rea by her hand and led her gently towards the back door. Her heart began to accelerate and she stammered, ‘I can’t …’
‘You don’t have to. Trust me.’
She took a steadying breath and allowed herself be led with eyes closed to the back patio. She heard the swish of the doors as he opened them, then the tickling of the afternoon breeze as it hit her skin.
‘You can open your eyes, Mam,’ Luca said.
She looked down her garden and blinked twice, quickly, to make sure she was seeing things correctly. To her right was a new garden patio set with big green cushions on each chair. A large parasol in matching green had four sets of paper lanterns hanging from it. They twinkled in the sunshine and Rea didn’t think she’d ever seen anything so pretty. Until she looked down to the table and saw that the centre of it was lined with large teacups in pretty patterns, filled with roses in reds, yellows, whites and pinks.
On her left, the old pathway was now back to its former glory, with the weeds gone. The flower beds on either side of it were filled with wildflowers.
‘I don’t know where to look,’ Rea whispered. Her garden was alive. With every blossom that flourished, she no longer felt aggrieved, as had been the case for a long, long time.
‘I’ve longed for this day,’ she whispered.
‘What day, Mam?’ Luca asked.
‘A day when my heart sang in harmony with the birds singing, with the flowers blooming. A day when I didn’t resent life.’
Her eyes continued down the garden, following the transformation, until she came to the back wall.
Two gothic mirrors in cream were now laid against the wall, nestled in a newly created flower bed.
‘I thought that if you can’t get out, I could make your landscape, your view, a little bigger,’ Luca said. He looked at Stella and winked.
Her garden had never looked so beautiful. Its colours bounced back in the reflection of the mirror. From here, from this door, she could see it all.
‘It looks like the garden goes on forever,’ Stella said. ‘How clever.’
Luca turned to Rea and said, ‘If you can’t leave this garden, if this is your only part of the world, at least this gives you the possibility of more …’
Rea shook her head, she was unable to speak. Looking outside, she felt as if she was being transported to a new world.
‘And I bought this rectangular table deliberately, because, well, just look …’ Luca said. ‘Here Charlie, grab this end.’
Between the two of them, they positioned the table so that one end was just in front of the patio door. They placed one of the chairs in front of it, so that it sat directly in the doorway.
Luca looked at his mam, his eyes hopeful and said, ‘Do you think this would work? You are still safe inside, but you can see everything in the garden.’
Rea couldn’t stop the tears. She blinked them back but as fast as she did, more fell. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered to Charlie, then giggled when she saw his own face, with two black mascara lines streaking his cheeks. He had his arm around Stella, who was watching Rea closely. She mouthed at her, ‘You okay?’
‘Mam?’ Luca said. ‘We can eat inside. Don’t worry. Honestly.’
Rea turned to her son and looked up at him. Her wonder that she had created this man who stood before her never felt so profound. ‘Your very first school report. You know what it said?’ Rea said.
Luca shook his head.
‘Your teacher talked about your reading, your writing, your love of art. And I was extremely proud of all the accolades, of which there were many. But the one that I was most proud of was when she said Luca Brady is kind. He always thinks of others in his class. And I said to George, that’s all any parent can ask for. If he grows up to be kind, we’ll have done our job well. Thank you, son. Thank you for growing up to be such a kind man.’
Luca walked over to her and pulled his mam into his arms. Rea’s head lay on his chest and she thought to herself, ‘I could get used to this new normal.’
Stella grabbed Charlie, pulled him inside. ‘Let’s give them a minute,’ she said.
‘I need a drink. I’m in bits.’
‘You look a right state,’ Stella joked.
Charlie grabbed his bag and started work on repairing his make-
up.
‘Could you sort out some music for us?’ Stella asked. ‘I’ll get the food organised!’
‘How long can you stay?’ Charlie replied.
‘As long as I like. Matt is away tonight,’ Stella grinned. ‘It’s like the universe is finally on my side. I couldn’t believe it when he said it to me!’
‘I don’t recognise any of these CDs. They’re ancient!’ Charlie complained. Stella peeked over his shoulder and pointed to Paul Young. ‘Stick that one on.’
‘I can’t believe you’ve done all this for me,’ Rea said when they were all sitting down at the table, eating lunch. Stella had made crispy lemon chicken with a creamy garlic penne pasta. Bowls of salads and fresh crusty bread made up their picnic lunch, accompanied with cold Prosecco.
‘I love the wild flowers so much,’ Stella said. ‘You did a wonderful job, Luca.’
‘Dad always used to joke that Mam had a wild side. They seemed fitting.’
‘Rea? No way!’ Charlie said.
‘Oh, the innocent looking ones are always the wildest,’ Stella said to him, winking at Rea.
‘I had my moments,’ Rea said.
‘And you’ve got many more to come, I’ve no doubt,’ a voice said from behind them.
Five pairs of eyes swivelled around.
‘Happy birthday, Rea.’
‘Is that who I think it is?’ Charlie asked and Stella kicked him under the table.
‘George!’ Rea whispered in shock.
Chapter 37
SKYE
‘Did you know he was coming?’ Stella asked Luca.
‘No! I’m as surprised as you all are. But I’m glad he did. It’s not right, him over there miserable, her here the same way,’ Luca said.
‘Open up another bottle,’ Charlie said, waving his empty glass towards Luca.
He took a bottle of Prosecco from the ice bucket. His hand shook as he poured them each a drink.
‘You okay?’ Stella asked, frowning.
‘It’s disconcerting. I’ve friends whose parents don’t get on. But they trudge on, almost hating each other, but the habit of putting up and shutting up is entrenched into them. And conversely, I’ve friends whose parents got divorced. And everyone is happier for it. But my parents, they love each other. More importantly, they like each other.’
‘Why did he leave, then?’ Charlie asked.
‘I can’t speak for Dad, but I do know that long before he went, they were already apart. There’s a hole in our family. A mighty chasm that Mam fell into and I’m not sure she’ll ever get out of.’
Stella reached out to his hand and patted it lightly. ‘Your mam is stronger than she even knows. I’ve faith they’ll work it out.’
‘Love hurts,’ Charlie said, slugging back some more.
‘You’re wrong. Love doesn’t hurt. Loving the wrong person does,’ Luca said.
‘Touché.’ Charlie acknowledged his words, raising his glass. ‘Have you got anyone special in your life, Luca?’
‘No. Still looking for Mrs Right.’
‘Well, go on then, tell us what your ideal lady looks like,’ Charlie asked.
Luca shrugged. ‘I’ve no idea. I don’t have a type. I think when I meet her, I’ll know.’
‘I call that bullshit, we all have types,’ Charlie said. ‘Like me, for instance, I like tall, broad guys, with dark wavy hair. Throw in an unusual name and make him good with his hands and I’m there.’ He winked theatrically at Luca for good measure, just to ensure he was in no doubt as to what he was talking about.
‘I’d be so lucky,’ Luca replied, smiling, joining in the joke. ‘If any man could make me happy, it would be you, Charlie! But, in all seriousness, in answer to your question, all I can tell you is what turns me off in a woman.’
‘Ooh, this is good … come on, spill!’ Charlie said.
‘Well, if I’m on a date and she picks up her phone, that’s not cool. Unless it’s an emergency.’
‘Fair enough,’ Charlie said.
‘I went on a date not long before I came home. A friend set me up with someone she thought I’d like. But the lady in question treated the date like she was interviewing me! She shook my hand when she met me, which straight away felt wrong. Then started to grill me with what felt like a pre-prepared questionnaire. I was exhausted after twenty minutes.’
Stella and Charlie laughed, as Luca grimaced at the memory.
‘I don’t want a perfect woman. I just want a woman who is perfect for me,’ Luca said, taking a sip of his beer.
‘That’s beautiful,’ Stella said.
Charlie sighed, saying, ‘You sure I can’t tempt you?’
‘Leave him alone, you!’ Stella laughed.
‘One day my prince will come,’ Charlie replied. ‘Have a peek inside, Luca, see what’s going on. They’ve been in there for ages.’
‘Do not!’ Stella replied, ‘Let them chat in peace. Have you heard from Elise? Do you think she might come home too? That would just make Rea’s day, wouldn’t it?’
Luca looked at Stella, his mouth dropped open in shock. ‘What did you say?’
‘Elise. It would be lovely if she came home too.’
‘Maybe she’s outside.’ Charlie clapped his hands together. ‘All we need is Holly Willoughby and we’ve got an episode of Surprise Surprise right here!’
Stella kicked him under the table.
‘Would you stop doing that!’ Charlie complained, then stopped when he noticed Luca, who had his head in his hands.
‘What’s wrong?’ Stella asked, leaning into him and her body tensed, waiting for his answer.
‘You don’t know, do you?’ He looked at them both.
‘Know what?’ she whispered, the hairs on her arms prickled with apprehension. His face looked tortured.
‘I should have known Mam wouldn’t have told you. It’s half her problem, she won’t admit it, to herself or anyone else.’
He closed his eyes for a moment then said, ‘She’s dead. My sister Elise is dead.’
Chapter 38
SKYE
Patong Beach, Thailand, 2004
Alice’s wound on her leg had now turned dark brown.
‘Damn it, we didn’t save Alice for her to die on this roof from a bloody broken leg,’ I said. ‘I’m going back down to look for help.’
‘Wait! Let’s at least check if anyone up here can help us. I’m not leaving the roof top, Daisy, I’ll be in your eye line all the time,’ she promised.
Daisy looked as if she was about to cry but she surprised us and nodded, snuggling in beside Alice, who was still unconscious. Her face was white, with sweat beading at her upper lip and forehead, tight with pain.
The rooftop was full of people, some sitting, some standing, all trying to find shade.
‘I suppose there might be a nurse or doctor up here?’ I said. Stranger things and all that.
‘A few painkillers would be nice, wouldn’t it?’ Maria added. ‘We should have run onto the roof of a pharmacy. Our bad.’
‘You’re a funny lady, you know that,’ I said.
‘Laugh a minute, that’s me. Now let’s see what we can find out.’
I noticed someone with a mobile phone. I could ring Aunt Paula! Maybe right now, Mam, Dad and Eli were doing the same, looking for me.
‘Excuse me, when you are finished, would you mind if I used your phone, please?’
She pulled it back, away from me, snapping the lid shut on the cover. ‘There’s no signal. But either ways, I’ve very little battery.’
I must have made a face, because she continued, ‘I’m sorry, but I need to keep it so that my husband can call me. He’ll be frantic.’ Terror and worry was etched onto every line on her face. She kept checking her phone, as if somehow she’d missed a call.
I nodded in understanding. I got it, even if I didn’t like what she said. But there might be others with phones, who would be willing to share. As I walked around the rooftop, my heart hammered in anticipation. I began to d
aydream that Mam would stand up, all dramatic, her face wet and say, ‘Plot twist. I was only unconscious, I woke up and, look at me, what a fright I must look.” She’d pull me into her arms and I’d never leave them. Then Dad and Eli would walk over and we’d group-hug it out.
I glanced back to Alice and Daisy. Right now, aside from my missing family, these women were the only people on this island who knew my name. If I left them, if something happened to any of them, then I’d be on my own again. Then I felt something bite my foot. Feck, that was sore. I looked down to see a cluster of ants on the ground of the rooftop, nibbling at my toes.
‘Motherfuckers,’ Maria said, stamping on them. ‘Don’t tell Daisy I cursed!’ Then she grabbed my arm and we continued walking the rooftop until we came to a small crowd gathered in a corner.
A man was on the ground, giving mouth-to-mouth to someone. A second man made compressions on his heart. I held my breath as they worked on this stranger. My tears felt salty as they ran into my mouth. This horrific day that just kept on bringing new pain; it was relentless. They continued trying to save him, until they couldn’t any more.
‘I’m so sorry,’ the guy who had been doing mouth-to- mouth said. ‘I did my best, but it was too late.’
‘What do we do with him?’ a woman asked, ‘we don’t even know who he is, where his family is?’
‘For now, we just take his body over to the corner top right, that’s where …’ he paused and took a deep breath, ‘that’s where the bodies are being laid, until, until, we work out what to do next.’
So others have died on this rooftop too.
‘Excuse me,’ I said, touching his arm lightly, ‘are you a doctor?’
‘I’m a paramedic.’ He sounded like Russell Crowe. Australian. ‘Are you hurt?’ His eyes took in my bloody side.
‘No, I’m grand. But a lady has broken her leg and she’s just passed out. I think it’s badly infected, it’s gone a weird colour.’
He followed us and knelt beside Alice, who was now awake. ‘Well it certainly looks like you’ve been through the wars. That must hurt quite a bit. I’m Ben, by the way.’ He gently examined her leg. ‘We need to make a splint for that, and clean that wound. Have you any bottled water?’
The Woman at 72 Derry Lane Page 23