‘He’s been very supportive, Maggie. I’d never have got through this without him. You should have seen the beautiful bouquet of roses he sent me today. They just took my breath away.’
Maggie poured out the tea for them. ‘He’s a lovely bloke. Don’t let him go.’
Devlin smiled at her friend. Despite her own marital problems, Maggie had, as always, provided a strong shoulder for Devlin to lean on. She had insisted on Devlin coming over to be pampered for the evening and now that the children were in bed, they were settling down to a good natter. It was such a relief for Devlin to kick off her shoes and lounge in front of a roaring fire. It had been a particularly hectic day; she had to give a talk to aspiring female entrepreneurs about setting up their own businesses, as well as carry on the normal management of City Girl.
After the publicity of the weekend, facing a large group of women was the last thing she wanted to do. It had taken every ounce of grit and determination she possessed to get up in front of the curious group and speak enthusiastically about setting out on the rocky road to a successful business. She was very frank about the pitfalls she had personally encountered, even mentioning how becoming a so-called celebrity had made her a target for the likes of the Sunday Echo. When she finished speaking, Devlin was touched and gratified to receive a standing ovation, and many of the women approached her over coffee and biscuits, to sympathize with her about the article and to tell her they thought she was great. The goodwill of the women she met gave her a great lift. But, as she explained to Maggie, she was weary, really drained, and the idea of going out to Abu Dhabi to Caroline was becoming more and more inviting. The thought of leaving all her worries behind her for a couple of weeks was bliss, and Caroline’s letters and phone calls had been very enthusiastic in their descriptions of the exotic Emirate.
‘I think you’d be mad not to make the most of the opportunity to visit while she’s still there,’ Maggie declared. ‘She’ll be home soon enough now. Go and forget everything and spend a fortune on yourself – and get a tan to make us all pea-green with envy! Caroline will be thrilled skinny if you do. I know she’s enjoying herself out there, but it can get lonely, and especially with the way things are for her now . . . God, I’d be gone like a flash if I could. Go, Devlin, go!’ she urged, laughing.
‘You know something, Maggie?’ Devlin stretched her limbs and smiled. ‘I think I just might!’
Fifty-Three
Caroline was waiting for her as she promised she would, on the other side of the big glass partition. She was waving Devlin’s visa at her, a huge smile wreathing her face.
‘See you in a minute!’ Devlin exclaimed, as she reached up and Caroline dropped the visa over the partition and then said a few words to an olive-skinned man beside her. Blowing her a kiss, Devlin went back to the passport control queue. She couldn’t believe how stunning Caroline looked. Her eyes were so clear and healthy and she had a golden tan that really made her glow. Her hair was gorgeous worn like that, longer than Devlin remembered, soft and silky to her shoulders. She looked so . . . Devlin tried to think of a word that would suit Caroline’s new image. Zestful, that was it. She looked full of beans, her eyes dancing with excitement as she caught sight of Devlin. It was hard to believe that this confident woman was the same person as the timid and apprehensive girl Maggie and she had taken to the airport the previous November.
About twenty minutes later, when Devlin had collected her luggage and cleared customs, the friends were finally face to face, hugging each other and laughing and hugging each other again.
‘My God, Devlin, you look shattered!’ Caroline exclaimed, as she stood back to look at her best friend. ‘What on earth have you been doing to yourself? Look at the circles under your eyes! Now listen to me—’ she linked Devlin’s arm and led her towards the arrivals exit ‘—you are going to flop for this holiday. You’re going to do nothing for the four days you are in the Sheraton except eat, sleep and sunbathe, and then, when you come to stay in my place, I’ll bring you sightseeing and shopping. OK? That man I was talking to at arrivals was from the hotel. He came with your visa and your room is all ready for you. So it’s R&R big time for you. OK?’ she repeated.
‘OK,’ echoed Devlin with a grin. She was beginning to feel better already.
The thought of this holiday had really kept her going. Caroline had advised her to wait until the beginning of April so that Ramadan would be over, and it seemed to Devlin that February and March had been the longest months of her life.
They walked out of the airport and Devlin felt as if a blanket of heat had suddenly been wrapped around her. ‘Whew, it’s warm!’ she exclaimed.
Caroline looked at her in surprise. ‘I thought it was a bit chilly tonight compared to last week,’ she declared, leading the way to a red Honda Civic.
Devlin laughed. ‘You talk like a native.’
‘You’ll get used to the heat very quickly. I did,’ Caroline assured her. ‘But it’s nothing to what they experience in the summer – or so I’ve been told.’ She opened the hatchback and hauled the suitcase into it. ‘Get in, I’ll switch on the AC for you,’ she said, beaming at Devlin.
Devlin couldn’t get over the way her friend drove them out of the airport complex and on to the straight six-lane highway that cut through the desert to Abu Dhabi. Watching her negotiate the traffic, smoothly changing gears and operating the left-hand drive as if she were born to it, Devlin was mightily impressed.
‘I’m dying to hear all the news! Did you bring the papers? Did you bring the Coronation Street video? Did you bring the Tayto crisps?’ Caroline shot the questions at her as she drove at speed towards the city.
‘Yes, I’ve brought everything you asked me to bring. I’ve brought all last Sunday’s papers.’
‘Sometimes you think all that’s happening in Europe and the States is happening on another planet. It’s a bit unreal here, like coming to a different world,’ Caroline confessed, as they drove along the highway that stretched before them like an inky-black ribbon. ‘It was just what I needed though,’ she said, smiling at Devlin. ‘Everything was on top of me. I couldn’t think what to do with myself. Out here I’ve had a real chance to think. I had to stand on my own two feet, and I did it, and now I’m looking forward to going home and doing something with my life.’
‘I’m really glad for you, Caroline. I never thought you’d stick it. But, by golly, you have – and look at you!’ Devlin declared admiringly as they arrived at the outer suburbs of the city. ‘A city woman ready to take on the world. Maggie need look no further for a heroine for her novels.’
‘Idiot,’ laughed Caroline. ‘But I can tell you one thing, miss! You’re not taking on the world. You’re going to forget about everything except getting a suntan. I’m not allowing you to go home until those circles have disappeared and you’ve a bit of colour in your face and a few pounds on your hips. You look like a skeleton.’
‘Don’t exaggerate,’ Devlin remonstrated.
‘It’s not much of an exaggeration, either,’ Caroline said firmly. ‘Maggie was right about you being a wreck.’
Devlin grinned. ‘All right, I give in! No more lectures, I’ll lie by the pool and stuff myself for the duration.’
‘There’s a lovely pool at the Sheraton. Wait until you see it. It’s like paradise there. And I can’t wait to bring you to the Intercontinental Beach Club. Devlin, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven. I’ll really miss it all when I go home, but I’ve made some great friends out here and I’ll be able to come back on holidays. That will be something to look forward to.’
‘Ooohhh, I’m getting excited.’ Devlin giggled lightheartedly. ‘It was freezing cold and there was a howling gale when I left home this morning. Imagine, I’ll be sunbathing tomorrow!’ Devlin gazed out the window at the skyscrapers and mosques of Abu Dhabi, wondering if she were dreaming.
‘Well, here we are,’ Caroline announced a few minutes later, driving up to a huge, elegant hotel. It was b
uilt of sand-coloured brick and very cleverly designed to give an aura of the exotic, an aura Devlin was beginning to associate with all the beautiful Arabic architecture she had so far seen.
The softly lit marble foyer was luxurious. Devlin, who loved staying in hotels, was really pleased that she had agreed to Caroline’s suggestion of getting her visa sponsored by the Sheraton and staying there for four days before going on to Caroline’s flat. The four days would give her the perfect opportunity to wind down, and then Caroline would have a few days off work and they would really have a ball.
She checked in with a minimum of fuss, impressed by the friendly courtesy of the staff even at that late hour. It was with great anticipation that she followed the porter to her room.
‘Oh Caroline, it’s lovely,’ she said enthusiastically, staring around in delight. Caroline tipped the young Indian some dirhams and gave a smug smile.
‘I thought you’d like it. Now, aren’t you glad I made you take a tourist visa? It will do you the world of good to stay here for a few days before coming over to rough it with me.’
Devlin flew over to the French windows and flung them open. ‘Oh look! Oh wow!’ she exclaimed at the view. Below was an enormous pool, illuminated by sparkling fairy lights. Surrounding it were gardens full of luscious shrubs. In the distance, lights from the city cast a dusky pink glow into the jet-black sky, and just beyond the fringe of beach, three dhows sailed serenely in the Arabian Gulf, which was illuminated by a silver crescent moon. It was like a scene out of the Arabian Nights.
She turned and hugged Caroline tightly. ‘Caroline, it’s gorgeous. I’m very happy to be here.’
‘I was so excited driving out to the airport. I’ve often heard some of my friends here saying “I’m having a guest,” and watched them waiting impatiently for the visitor’s arrival, but I never really understood the great anticipation. Now, having someone from home myself, I can really see what all the fuss is about. It’s great. It’s like Christmas coming. I hope you really enjoy every minute of your holiday, Devlin. I won’t stay too long because you must be exhausted after the flight.’
Devlin did a twirl. ‘I’m not a bit exhausted! I was when I got off the plane, but I’m on a high now and I’m starving. Stay and have some supper. What time is it here?’
Caroline glanced at her watch. ‘It’s just gone one in the morning, but I’m sure they do a twenty-four-hour room service.’ She handed Devlin a folder containing all the information relating to the hotel.
They decided on a club sandwich, and twenty minutes later were facing a mouthwatering mountain of tasty salad and cold meats and cheeses. ‘It’s scrumptious,’ Devlin murmured, with her mouth full.
‘Some things never change,’ giggled Caroline, tucking in. ‘When we’re together, we’re always eating.’
‘Pity Maggie isn’t here,’ Devlin said, taking a drink of tea, which, to her surprise, was also delicious.
‘How’s City Woman going?’ Caroline asked excitedly. ‘I’d have loved to be at her launch. Wasn’t it brilliant it went to number one so quickly? I was thrilled when she sent me out a signed copy.’
‘It’s selling like hot cakes, and the new one, A Time to Decide, is coming out this autumn. I think she’s magnificent the way she’s held it all together. Combining motherhood and her writing career is a tough one, but she’s determined. You know Maggie when she gets the bit between her teeth! Now tell me all about what’s happening to you.’ Devlin smiled affectionately at her friend.
They stayed nattering for about two hours until Caroline insisted on Devlin going to bed. She wanted to go into work early in the morning so that she could finish early to be with Devlin.
By that time, tiredness had hit Devlin like a ton of bricks and she closed the door after Caroline with a delicious sense of anticipation. Sticky after her long plane journey, she ran the bath in the exquisite pink-and-grey mosaic-tiled bathroom, undressed and removed her make-up. Staring at herself in the enormous mirror that dominated one wall, Devlin had to admit that she looked tired and scrawny. It was past time for her to take a holiday and she was going to make the most of every minute of it.
It was one of the most comfortable beds she had ever slept in, Devlin decided, as she sat on her balcony, in the warm, scented breeze, having a room-service breakfast. She eyed the loaded tray in front of her with amusement. She’d certainly put on plenty of weight if this was anything to go by! Devlin had opted for the Continental breakfast, but the basket of oven-fresh rolls, croissants, Danish pastries, muffins and toast that had arrived would have fed a family of four.
The Oriental breakfast on the menu looked extremely interesting too, she mused, fascinated by the unusual names: Foul, Mudammas, Black Olives, Labneh, Arabic bread and Feta cheese. Tomorrow, she might be adventurous and try it, she thought, biting into a yummy Danish pastry with a melt-in-the-mouth custard centre. Beef bacon and beef sausages were offered on the à la carte menu. This was a Muslim country and pork would never be served here.
She read the Gulf News, the daily paper that had been pushed under her door, and enjoyed her breakfast. Then, with a happy heart, she tucked the copy of Emirates Woman, a glossy magazine that lay on the desk, into her holdall, which also contained her suntan lotion and sunglasses. She was dying to explore the exotic grounds of the beach-front hotel.
Breathtaking was really the word to describe what she was seeing, Devlin reflected twenty minutes later, as she strolled around the glorious grounds. Emerald lawns, dotted with luxury loungers under palm shades, were planted with huge flowering shrubs, the likes of which she had never seen: heavily scented frangipanis, their creamy white blooms dipping to earth, delicate purple hibiscus, bougainvillaea, huge tropical palm trees swaying in the warm, fragrant breeze. The combination overpowered the senses. She gazed around in delight at the crescent of white sandy beach fringing the grounds. The clear, blue-green waters of the Arabian Gulf lapped the shore, and Devlin stared across the turquoise sea reminding herself that Iran, the Emirate’s neighbour, was not that far away. It was hard to believe. And hard to believe too that this time two days before, she had been wrapped up in her winter woollies. Now, here she was, under startling blue skies with a white-hot sun beaming down, all ready to turn her skin golden. Laying one of the soft, thick, pink-and-white striped towels that the pool attendant had given her on one of the plush loungers, Devlin slipped out of her beach-robe, oiled herself, and lay back. She had selected a lounger away from the pool area, down on one of the lawns beside the sea, and she lay watching a dhow sail lazily by, enjoying the breeze caressing her body. Caroline was right; this was heaven on earth.
For the four days she was in the Sheraton, Devlin did absolutely nothing but eat, drink, sleep, sunbathe and swim. Worn out by months of hard work and hassle, she really hadn’t realized how completely exhausted she was. Caroline, recognizing this, had postponed all shopping and sightseeing trips. Time enough for that when she moved over to the apartment. In a way, Devlin was quite relieved not to have to rush around. Lying on her lounger, swimming in the magnificent pool when she wanted to cool down, she was quite happy to let her mind wander. It was peaceful and reviving. The joy of not having a phone to answer, or people knocking on her door wanting her to make decisions, or even worrying about what to cook for her dinner was indescribable. The most taxing problems she had here were what to eat and in which restaurant in the luxurious hotel: Chinese, Arabic, Indian. Every afternoon after work, Caroline joined her and they lazed by the pool, yakking nineteen to the dozen, before changing for dinner. Caroline took her to the souk and Devlin loved every minute of it, but at her friend’s insistence she was always in bed before midnight. She was sleeping like a log and feeling all the better for it. If only Luke were with her, Devlin thought, it would be perfect.
She missed him desperately, longing to share her little piece of heaven with him. They telephoned each other every day, and though Devlin knew her phone bill was going to be enormous, she didn’t care. It was
worth it to talk to him and tell him what a wonderful, restful time she was having. He was delighted for her and kept urging her to stay even longer than the ten days she had planned. At night, after her day’s activities, she used to sit down at her desk with the balcony doors open, and write pages and pages of letters to Luke, telling him how much she was enjoying herself and how much she missed him.
On the last morning of her stay at the hotel, she dived into the Gulf waters and swam out to the diving platform just below the line of bobbing pink buoys that held the shark-net in place. Taking her camera out of its waterproof case, she snapped away, photos to remind her of every bit of her idyllic stay in the beautiful hotel. Later on, it was with regret that she packed her case. Her eye lingered on the desk by the balcony, where she had found a beautiful basket of fruit when she arrived and where there was also a basket of orchids that Luke had ordered for her.
She would miss the friendly smile of Yusef, who came to pull down her bedcovers at night and lay a selection of gold-wrapped handmade chocolates on her pillow before spreading the pristine white prayer-sheet on the floor beside her bed.
This room had been a haven to her and she had made the most of every minute here. Some day she would return with Luke, she promised herself, as she closed the door behind her and walked down the carpeted corridor with Caroline, on her way to her new abode.
‘It’s not the Sheraton but it’s home,’ Caroline declared a while later, leading Devlin into the apartment where she had lived since she came to the Emirate.
‘It’s lovely,’ Devlin exclaimed, going from room to room, delighted at last to see for herself what she had tried to imagine from the descriptions in her friend’s letters.
‘I’ve really enjoyed living here. I’m going to miss it like anything when I leave,’ Caroline said wistfully.
‘Just think of the fun you’ll have, buying a new place and decorating it,’ Devlin said comfortingly.
City Woman Page 47