‘Andrew.’
She raised her head to get a look at this well-spoken man who had taken such a shine to Andrew.
As soon as she did, mutual recognition set in.
‘My God, it’s Tom, isn’t it?’ she exclaimed.
‘That’s right.’ He broke into a smile. ‘You’re Emma’s sister, aren’t you?’
‘Yeah that’s right. You’ve got a great memory. What are you doing up in Dublin?’
‘I live here now. I moved from Galway a couple of years ago . . . So this is your little fella.’ He rubbed Andrew’s cheek with the back of his hand. ‘He’s the image of you.’
‘Is he?’ Claire was delighted. ‘People say he has my eyes but Simon’s nose.’
‘Simon’s your . . .’
‘. . . husband,’ she finished for him.
‘And does he not like walking?’
‘No,’ Claire said unhappily. ‘No, he does not.’
‘So how is Emma anyway?’ Tom swiftly switched subjects. ‘Still as mad as ever?’
‘Yeah, she’s on a world tour at the moment with a bunch of friends. They must be in Australia by now,’ she said wistfully, imagining Emma in a bikini on a remote beach somewhere.
‘I was in Australia myself a couple of years back, never wanted to come home.’
Claire noticed a sadness in his voice as he spoke. Perhaps he’d left a girlfriend behind on the other side of the world. He’d a kind face, deep brown eyes behind odd-shaped glasses, and a generous mouth.
Without warning, Andrew picked up Derek the Dalmatian and flung him with great force. Claire watched in dismay as Derek bounced down the slippery rocks towards the direction of the sea and landed in a small puddle.
‘That’s bold, Andrew,’ Claire said crossly.
Andrew’s little face crumpled. He opened his mouth and began to howl. Oh Jesus, please don’t create a scene here now, Andrew, please.
Tom looked deeply distressed by the drama of it all.
‘I’ll get it,’ he said chivalrously, standing up.
‘No, leave it,’ Claire urged. ‘The rocks are wet.’ God, it wasn’t worth risking your life for a £3 toy.
But he was gone. A small crowd watched Tom brave the elements for Derek. When he rescued the sopping-wet doggy from a pile of wet seaweed, a couple clapped comically.
Tom beamed as he wrung Derek’s saturated body in an attempt to dry him. ‘That’s my good deed for today.’
The wind had started up again. Claire decided to head back. They walked together along the pier, Tom taking Andrew’s buggy half way to give Claire a break. At the car park, Tom offered to get a couple of ice creams.
‘Sure, why not?’ Claire laughed. ‘I haven’t had an ice cream here since I was a child.’
They sat in Claire’s Fiat, sticking the pieces of flake deep into the whipped ice cream.
‘I feel great after that,’ Claire said. ‘Walking is hugely therapeutic, I find.’
‘That’s how I feel about it.’ Tom gazed through the windscreen at the angry Irish sky. Wherever he was, Claire decided, it was a million miles from Dun Laoighaire pier.
‘I try to come out every Saturday and Sunday,’ she said quietly.
‘That’s funny, so do I,’ he snapped back into the present. ‘I’ve never seen you walking here before.’
‘Well, I haven’t been out much recently due to the dreary weather.’
‘Yeah, roll on the summer, this winter has been the longest in history. Well . . .’ he seemed to hesitate ‘. . . thanks for the chat.’ He opened the passenger door slowly. ‘Give my love to Emma when you’re next talking to her.’
‘Will do.’
‘And you, young man,’ he grinned at Andrew strapped into his baby seat, ‘you take care of your mother, do you hear?’
‘Ahhh,’ Andrew answered back joyfully.
He was gone.
What a lovely man, Claire thought. A gentleman. And nice looking too. She wondered what age he was. Probably the same as Emma – they’d been in t he same class in UCG. Sure, what’s it to you? she asked herself, reversing out of the car park. Chances are you’ll never lay eyes on him again.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
‘What do you mean, you don’t know how the interview went?’ Anna’s mother frowned at the pan of sausages and turned down the ring.
‘You never can tell,’ Anna said, playing with her knife and fork, feeling like a child again. Her mother was using the exact tone of voice she’d used when asking about the leaving certificate exams. What do you mean you don’t know how Maths went? Maths is very straightforward. You either know the answers or you don’t.
‘I think it went fine,’ Anna said to shut her up.
‘So you’re in with a good chance then?’ Mrs Allstone cracked one egg after another and splashed them onto the pan, making a hissing sound.
‘Oh I suppose,’ Anna made a face.
‘You’re not getting any younger, you know.’
‘I know, sure don’t you remind me every time I’m over?’
She really didn’t know why she bothered calling at all. Their dear son didn’t bother his barney phoning, never mind calling round.
Yet, they’d watched joyfully as Roger swotted for his first-class degree and secured a job in a prestigious Dublin firm before being headhunted by an international London-based company. His salary was six figures, his bonus probably twice that.
Anna had lacked the natural academic ability of her brother and her parents had never let her forget it. Neighbours were filled with stories of Roger’s substantial success, but stories concerning Anna were swiftly skimmed over. What they conveniently failed to admit though, Anna thought wryly, was the fact that Roger was living with a divorcee ten years his senior. And her two kids by two different fathers. Roger hadn’t even come home for Christmas last year so intent was he on avoiding his mother’s disapproving stare. Life wasn’t always what it seemed in the Allstones’ sunny Stillorgan residence.
‘So what does this boy do with himself?’ Her mother was referring to Jake, who was on his way to her parents’ house. Anyone under forty was a boy according to her.
‘Stockbroking.’
‘I see.’ Her mother gave a faint smile. Stockbroking was respectable, obviously. Not as stable as law or medicine of course, but it would do. ‘I wish you wouldn’t ask strange men to barge in on your father and me when we’re not expecting them. The kitchen’s a mess. I’ve left your father’s underwear on some of the radiators and there’s a stink in the hall. Someone must have let the dog in.’
‘He’s not coming to meet you,’ Anna snapped. ‘He’s collecting me and we’re going out for a drink.’
‘He’s not drinking and driving, is he?’ Her father looked up from his unappetizing-looking fry.
‘No,’ Anna said. ‘And he’s not coming in either.’
‘I don’t trust a man who doesn’t want to meet a girl’s parents. You’d wonder what he had to hide,’ Mrs Allstone sniffed.
The doorbell rang. Anna made a dash for her bag and coat, kissed her parents goodnight and fled.
As she fastened her seatbelt in the passenger seat of Jake’s car, she looked up and saw her mother peeping out of one of the bedroom windows. She half expected her to call out, ‘Be home by ten or else.’
‘You look smashing.’ Jake was, as usual, forthcoming with the compliments. ‘Nice time with your folks?’
‘Very nice,’ Anna lied. She wasn’t about to go into her whole family history with a stranger. She’d done it before only to find the stranger suddenly got abducted in the middle of the night. ‘My parents were in great form.’
‘I can’t wait to meet them.’ Jake started up the engine.
‘I’m sure they’d be delighted to meet you, too.’ Not.
‘Any siblings?’
‘Just a brother. Roger.’
‘Fantastic.’
‘Yes.’ Whatever.
‘Is he as funny as you?’
‘No.’
Jake screamed with laughter. Anna stared at him in mild horror. She wasn’t sure if she liked being thought of as hilarious. It put pressure on you to try to make people laugh all the time. Tonight she felt like being serious. Something to do with meeting her parents perhaps.
They whizzed along the dual carriageway. Jake put his foot down and they sped into town.
Jake held open the door of Elgon’s bistro for her. A young girl took her chocolate-coloured scarf and coat, then they were led to a table for two.
Anna glanced around the room to see if she recognized anybody. She spotted a friend of her brother deep in conversation with a glamorous brunette. Uh oh, she grimaced. As far as she knew his wife was definitely a redhead. A group of well-known politicians were laughing loudly in one corner, a well-known actor was sipping champagne with his second wife – or was it his third? Anna graciously accepted her menu. Ah yes, this was the life she was meant to lead. Being driven around town in a fancy car, by a nicely dressed man who thought she was as beautiful as a supermodel and as funny as a comedian. It was the BIZ!
Anna opted for the vegetarian bake and Jake chose the salmon. He ordered the second most expensive wine on the list. She smiled at him. He had class. Yes, he was the one. Not for the rest of her life, mind. God, no! But he’d be great at Victoria’s party. Jake was up there with the best of them.
Jake made a toast to the most stunning girl in the room. Anna looked around tentatively to see who it might be. ‘It’s you, silly,’ Jake whispered. Anna immediately softened. She felt anything but stunning. But she wasn’t about to chide Jake for flattery. Flattery was everything.
‘Thank you for a wonderful evening,’ she said between mouthfuls of chocolate mud pie.
‘The pleasure is all mine,’ his eyes twinkled, ‘but the evening isn’t over yet, is it?’
‘Well . . . no,’ Anna replied hesitantly. She wondered what he was thinking. He couldn’t come back to her place, that was for sure. And she didn’t particularly want to go back to his place either. Sure she hardly knew him. ‘We could go dancing?’ she suggested.
‘We could go to Lillies?’
‘Great,’ she said before excusing herself to go to the Ladies.
When she came back the bill had been paid. Naturellement.
Lillies was jammed and Jake ushered her into the VIP area. It was a bit quieter in there. Jake found a seat and disappeared off to get the drinks. Anna looked around with interest. The place was dotted with glamorous blondes and men who looked like they might be vaguely famous. Some well-known sports celebrities were having a drinking competition in one of the booths, in another Anna recognized the ‘stars’ of a naff Irish soap. One of them seemed to be waving at Anna. She squinted to see who it was. Then, horror of horrors, recognition set in. Rich. She smiled weakly. He stood up and edged his way out of his circle of friends.
‘Hi,’ he said, standing next to her, hands deep in his pockets. He seemed genuinely pleased to see her. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I’m here with a . . . friend.’ Anna shifted uneasily in her seat. She glanced at the bar where Jake was paying for the drinks. ‘And yourself?’
‘I’m here with . . .’ he rattled off a list of marginally famous actors.
‘Wow,’ Anna said.
‘You weren’t at Grainne and Sandra’s party. I was disappointed.’
Jake was back.
Anna introduced the two men.
They shook hands. An awkward silence followed. Suddenly Jake spoke. ‘Your face is very familiar. Did you study commerce at UCD?’
‘No.’
‘Are you in stockbroking?’
Rich shook his head.
‘That’s funny,’ Jake looked puzzled, ‘I know I know your face.’
Rich said something about needing to get back to his friends. He added a comment about being pleased to see her again.
He was gone.
‘Who was that?’ Jake took a sip of sparkling water. He’d decided not to drink any more for fear of being stopped on the way home.
‘Oh, he’s a pal of the nurses upstairs.’ Well, it was partly true.
‘Is he?’ Jake didn’t sound too convinced. ‘He seemed pretty taken with you.’
‘Ah no,’ Anna tried to hide her delight, ‘he’s just a friend.’
Jake appeared to accept that and spent the rest of the night cracking jokes and making small talk. Anna laughed her head off. Not because the jokes were funny but because she knew Rich was staring at them. At the end of the night, when Jake went to collect their jackets, he sidled over, his eyes slightly bloodshot, his tie undone around his neck.
‘Can I give you a ring sometime?’
‘Sure. A diamond would be nice.’
‘Seriously though. Can I call you?’
‘If you want,’ Anna shrugged. What did she have to lose? It wasn’t as if she was married to Jake or anything. She belonged to no one and nobody belonged to her.
It was a quick walk to Jake’s BMW. It was very nice to be getting into a warm comfortable car with soft leather seats, rather than having to scour town for a taxi along with a million other people.
Jake turned on the radio. David Gray’s voice was smooth and seductive. Anna was glad she was going home though. She was feeling incredibly sleepy.
They were home.
Jake jammed on the brakes and turned off the engine. ‘Well goodnight.’ Impulsively Anna leaned over and kissed Jake’s lips. Unfortunately he took this as an invitation to come in. He unfastened his seatbelt as she unfastened hers.
‘Jake?’ Anna hesitated. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
‘Yes?’
‘Listen, Jake, I’ve had a truly wonderful evening, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to call it a night now.’
Jake cleared his throat uncomfortably. ‘Er . . . that’s perfectly fine, Anna, I don’t want to pressurize you into anything, you know. You’re amazing company and it was an absolute pleasure to take you out.’
God, this is all very formal, Anna thought. She almost felt guilty for scarpering off. Mind you, he’d paid for her company and nothing else. She shouldn’t feel the slightest bit of guilt. She leaned towards him, wrapped her arms around his neck and indulged in an impossibly long snog, the car gears sticking uncomfortably in her side. He wasn’t a bad kisser after all. Anna wondered what else he was good at.
‘Goodnight,’ she said eventually, disentangling from him before she was tempted to change her mind.
‘Goodnight,’ he said dolefully, and reluctantly refastened his seatbelt.
Anna gave him a slight wave from her doorstep. Why did he look like a wounded puppy? Why did she feel like she’d done him a terrible injustice? She wasn’t for sale. He couldn’t buy her affections. They’d had a wonderful evening. End of story.
She pushed the heavy front door open. The hall was dark and gloomy. She turned back to wave one more time, half tempted to run out, tell him she’d changed her mind and invite him in after all.
But she didn’t.
She just wasn’t that type of girl!
She’d barely one foot on the stairs when the door of the downstairs flat opened. Light flooded the hallway. Steve stood in the doorway, naked except for a towel covering his modesty. His skin was sallow against the contrasting white. His hair was damp as if he’d just emerged from the shower. Tiny drops of water glistened on his neck and shoulders. She could see he was smiling. She stared back in silence. Her head urged her to keep mounting the stairs. Her heart begged her not to.
‘Hi there,’ he said eventually.
Her head and heart were at war with each other. Her head was winning the first round but her heart threw the final punch and the referee counted to five. The bell sounded. The crowd cheered.
‘Hi,’ she smiled and walked towards him.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
‘It’s the mad one for you,’ Simon handed the phone to his wife.
‘Anna?’ Claire answered the call.
‘Yea
h, oh God, Claire I’ve done something terrible. I . . . Claire are you there?’
‘Uh huh.’
‘I snogged Steve.’
‘Steve?’ It took Claire a few seconds to register.
‘Oh, Steve as in the student?’
‘Yes, and I swear to God it was just so amazing – he’s divine – but you see, the thing is, right, I snogged Jake earlier on and remember Rich?’
‘Rich? . . . Er, I think so.’
‘Well he phoned this morning to invite me to a premiere he’s got tickets to. He’s got a small part in it apparently.’
‘So what’s the problem?’
‘It’s just I feel like such a bitch. I mean, I like all three of them but I feel bad for leading them all on.’
‘Men do it all the time,’ Claire retorted crisply and noticed that Simon flinched at his computer.
‘Yeah and we hate them for it,’ Anna argued.
‘How long have you been single, Anna?’
‘Practically all my life.’
‘Well, what are you complaining about? Men are like buses. They arrive in threes. If you miss them you’ve to wait a decade for another one. Enjoy.’
‘I suppose you’re right.’
‘You’ve got three options for Valentine’s – that’s a bonus if anything,’ Claire said loudly enough for her husband to take note.
‘Yeah, but Steve’s cooking and he’s the best kisser so I’m sticking with him.’
‘Remember last time he dropped you like a hot cinder?’
‘Yeah.’Anna didn’t particularly care to be reminded. ‘Anyway my plan is that if Jake rings you I’ve the flu or something. I’m recovering at my aunt’s and you don’t know the address, right?’
‘Right.’ Claire didn’t sound too convinced.
‘How’s Andrew?’
‘Great,’ Claire brightened. ‘I took him for a lovely long . . .’
‘Claire, I’ve just remembered I’ve a tart in the oven, see you soon.’
She cut off.
‘What was Anna saying?’ Simon asked casually as he swung his rotating chair around to face his wife.
‘This and that. You know Anna, everything’s always a crisis.’ Claire was wary about saying too much to Simon. He didn’t appreciate his friends being slagged off. It was all right for him to do it, of course. But that was different. Simon would be livid if he thought Anna was giving Jake the run-around.
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