Behind Every Cloud

by Lawless, Pauline

  39

  Much to Zita’s delight, Jason, the idiot, was dropped as producer of the programmeThe Women Behind Our Successful Menand she was chosen to replace him. She was now in full control and knew she could make a top-class documentary – one that could even win an Irish Film and TV Award. That would make people sit up and notice her! She wondered idly if Carl had had anything to do with this latest development. She must remember to ask him when she met him on Friday night.

  She rang Rachel on Thursday afternoon to say that she wouldn’t be able to attend her supper party the next evening.

  “I’m really disappointed you can’t come,” Rachel said. “It’s a shame.”

  “I know. I’m very disappointed too but all hell has broken loose here since my promotion. You can’t imagine!”

  “I understand.Don’t worry about it. See you Monday.”

  She wasn’t as understanding with Carl when he rang on Friday afternoon to say that something had come up and he would be tied up all night.

  “Carl, I’ve asked these people to supper. You have to be here.” She was furious with him.

  “Rachel, there are other important things in life besides your social life.This is a crisis. You know how things are in politics. I have no choice in the matter.”

  “Very well,” she replied, sighing.

  “You’ll be fine without me. They are your friends after all.”

  This supper was turning into a disaster. It would be only Ronan and herself until Ellie arrived later.

  To Zita’s surprise, she was looking forward to the evening with Carl a lot. She took days deciding what she would cook for him and poor Marcus had to listen to her endless ponderings of oysters versus goat’s cheese tartlets or salmon versus lobster.Eventually everything was done and she was ready.

  He arrived on the dot of seventhirty, brandishing a bottle of Krug champagne which he’d obviously had chilled somewhere and a bottle of the wonderful white Burgundy wine, Puligny-Montrachet, which he’d also had chilled. He also produced a bottle of the famous Premier Cru red Bordeaux wine, Haut-Brion. Had he offered her these wines two months ago she would not have appreciated them but thanks to Sam and his wine course she was suitably impressed.

  “Mmmm . . . you certainly know your wines,” she observed.

  “Well, actually, the guy in Mitchells chose them,” he admitted, slightly embarrassed. “I didn’t know what you would be cooking, so I tried to cover all eventualities.”

  To her surprise she saw that he was nervous. It gave her a sense of power over him.

  “That’s perfect. You couldn’t have done better,” she observed as she went into the kitchen and placed the white wine in the fridge.

  He had followed her and, as she took down two champagne glasses, he opened the champagne.

  They moved into the living-room which to his surprise was decorated in a very classical Georgian style. In fact, the whole apartment surprised him. He had thought that she would be living in an ultra-modern place, decorated likewise. But this reminded him of his in-laws’ Georgian mansion in Kinsealy, all high ceilings and large sash windows.

  “To a very beautiful woman!” he toasted her.

  “To the future!” she replied. She didn’t know what had made her say that. It had somehow slipped out.

  Slightly embarrassed, she went and brought out the oysters, which she’d placed on a bed of ice and seaweed, and placed them on the table.

  “Mmmm . . . oysters . . . my favourite,” he said smiling at her. “I hope you don’t have an ulterior motive, serving me an aphrodisiac food.”

  “I’m sure you have no need of it,” she replied seductively, looking up at him with her cat-like eyes.

  He laughed. He enjoyed sparring with her. He was enjoying himself enormously.

  When they’dfinished the champagne and oysters, she led him to the dining area where she lit the candles. The table was set with a white linen tablecloth and napkins, silver cutlery, crystal glass and there was a low bowl of white roses in the centre. It was charming and elegant. She surprised him constantly.

  She opened the white wine he’d brought and then served the lobster salad that she’d finally decided on. It was divine. They flirted back and forth as the delicious wine made them ever more relaxed. By the time she served the tender rare rib-eye beef they were laughing and joking as if they’d known each other forever, but underlying this was a sense of excitement, a sexual chemistry which both of them knew would ultimately lead to the bedroom.It was as if they were playing a mating game.

  She served the tiramisu which he tasted and declared to be the best he’d ever had. He took a spoonful and fed it to her and, closing her eyes sensually, she licked the cream and chocolate from the spoon, leaving a trail on her upper lip. He reached over and ran his tongue slowly over her lip.

  It was the most erotic caress she’d ever experienced and, sitting transfixed, she parted her lips, feeling the desire rising inside her. He probed his tongue into her mouth, tasting the sweetness there. With a passion that surprised them both, she kissed him back and then they were frantically pulling their clothes off as she propelled him into the bedroom where they collapsed on the big four-poster bed.

  Afterwards, Zita marvelled at the tenderness he’d shown as he’d slowly made love to her. It was something she’d never experienced before and it opened up a world of pleasure to her. He was an expert lover, knowing where to touch and caress her, driving her crazy with desire and making her cry out for him. She lost count of the times she came with him and, when they finally layexhausted, he told her that he’d never felt like that in his life before either.

  They drifted off to sleep, wrapped around each other, and it was some time later that he woke with a start.

  “Holy shit!” he cried, looking at his watch. “My God, how did I fall asleep like that? Sorry, my darling, I have to rush off and leave you. Even Rachel will not believe I’ve been at a meeting till this hour.”

  It was the first time he’d mentioned his wife’s name all night. It was as if any mention of her would have spoilt the magic. Zita felt a surge of jealousy towards the other woman.

  “It’s been a wonderful, wonderful evening. I hope we can repeat it soon.” He kissed her gently and then he was gone.

  Zita felt somehow deflated after he’d left. The apartment felt big and empty. She tried to go back to sleep but it was useless. Finally, she got up and made herself hot chocolate. Pacing the room, she felt a loneliness engulf her. Damn him! It wasn’t meant to be like this. It was meant to be just sex but somehow he’d made it into something else. He was different from any man she’d ever met. Very different! It unnerved her.

  Ronan was looking forward to the evening at Rachel’s. For somebody with such a high public profile and such wealth, she was amazingly down to earth. He was surprised to see that Carl wasn’t there.

  “He sends his apologies but has a crisis at work. The life of a politician!” Rachel laughed but it had a hollow sound to it. He could tell she was upset.

  “I’m afraid Zita cried off too. So it’s just you and me till Ellie arrives later.”

  “I can’t think of a nicer companion,” he said, bowing from the waist.

  She made a little curtsy, smiling at his gallantry.

  She served a starter of scallops and black pudding, which was very unusual but delicious. The main course was a lovely dish of sole stuffed with prawns. Of course, living in Howth meant there was always wonderful fresh fish to be had, though he suspected that she hadn’t prepared it herself. She opened a bottle of Chablis to go with it but he had only two small glasses as he was driving.

  Rachel was very sweet and he found himself telling her all about his life and his disastrous marriage to Louise. It was a relief to be able to talk about it and Rachel was a good listener, which surprised him, as she was usually so chatty.

  “Maybe it’s for the best,” she commented. “Sometimes we don’t understand at the time why things happen but later we see that t
hey’d happened for a reason.”

  Somehow, he felt comforted by her words. “Maybe you’re right. To be honest, if I’d stayed with her, she’d have bankrupted me. Now, at least, I don’t have that worry.”

  “Things will work out for you, I’m sure,” Rachel said sympathetically, reaching across the table and patting his hand. “You’re still young enough to meet someone new.”

  He laughed. “I can’t see that happening somehow. Once bitten . . .”

  “Well, you never know,” Rachel stated as she opened a second bottle of wine.

  “No more for me thanks, I’m driving,” Ronan said, putting his hand over the top of his glass.

  Rachel refilled her glass with alacrity.He was surprised at the speed with which she drank.

  “Well, at least you seem to have a charmed life,” he observed as he relished the last of the sole and prawns dish.

  “Oh, how I wish that were true,” she said wistfully. “Everything is not always as it seems. I was so happy when Carl was elected and the first few weeks were wonderful but I quickly learnt that most of the people I meet are insincere and hypocritical. Besides that, I hardly ever see Carl anymore. It’s as if his political life has replaced me. It consumes him and I feel like a nagging wife when I ask him to spend more time at home.”

  Ronan saw the tears well up in her eyes and now it was his turn to reach across and pat her hand.

  “I’m sorry,” she blubbered as he handed her a white handkerchief. She dabbed her eyes with it, thinking what an old-fashioned gesture it was.This made her smile and he smiled with her. “I know it’s stupid but I feel like my life is getting out of control. I seem to spend every night alone, with a bottle of wine. It’s the only thing that helps. I feel so lonely and isolated.”

  “But drinking isn’t the answer, you know. You really need to be careful, Rachel. I’ve seen too many people ruin their lives with alcohol.”

  She nodded numbly again. “You’re right,” she whispered. “I must try and cut down.”

  “There is help out there, you know,” he said gently.

  “Oh, I don’t think I’m that bad,” she laughed. “It’s just that I’m lonely.”

  “Well, you’ve got the supportof all of us now. We’re your friends – Sam and Ellie, Zita and me – we really like you for yourself. We’re not two-faced like those other people you meet.”

  “I know, I know,” she agreed with him, smiling through her tears. “I really appreciate all of you. I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I seem to cry at the drop of a hat these days.”

  Just then the bell rang. Rachel looked at her watch. “That must be Ellie!” She stood up, then paused and said, “Thank you so much, Ronan. You’re a real friend and I’m sorry for off-loading on you when I’m the one supposed to be comforting you tonight.”

  “You’re welcome, Rachel.”

  The bell rang again and shehurried into the hall to answer the intercom.

  “Hi, Rachel, it’s me!” came Ellie’s sing-song voice as she leaned out the window of the taxi she’d come in. She gave a little wave at the camera.

  Rachel smiled. “Come on in, Ellie,” she replied, pressing the button which opened the electric gates, then going to open the front door for Ellie.

  A minute later, Ronan was amused to see Ellie bounce into the room and halt in surprise.

  “Where’s everyone?” she asked.

  “It’s just us, I’m afraid,” said Rachel. “Carl and Zita are both working and couldn’t make it.”

  “That’s fine,” Ellie replied, a little relieved that Zita wasn’t there.

  Rachel reheated the main course for her and was pleased to see Ellie eating it up with gusto.

  Ellie lightened the mood of the evening and by the time Rachel served up the chocolate terrine dessert they were all laughing and in good spirits. The time sped by and suddenly it was almost midnight.

  “Oh my gosh, look at the time!” Ronan exclaimed, looking at his watch. “We’d better get a move on. I’m working tomorrow.” He had offered to drop Ellie home.

  “I’ve had a wonderful night, thank you, Rachel. You’vecertainly cheered me up,” Ronan said, kissing her goodnight.

  “I’m glad and I appreciate your advice. I have taken it on board,” she assured him.

  Ellie hugged her and thanked her for the fabulous food.

  “I hope you’ll both come and visit more often,” Rachel said as they left.

  They promised they would.

  Ronan was wondering where the hell Carl was, working at midnight on a Friday night. Very strange, very strange indeed!

  As he drove home after dropping Ellie off, Ronan thought howlucky he was to have met these lovely people.Strangely, the people most supportive during this bloody awful time – besides Conor and Jim, that is – were these new friends he’d met through his wine course. Sam, Fiona, Dermot and now Ellie and Rachel – they were making life much more bearable for him at the moment. Maybe Rachel was right. Things happen for a reason. He felt almost light-hearted as he let himself into his lonely house.

  Luckily, when Carl got home Rachel was in bed. Obviously, she’d had quite a lot to drink earlier. Of course, Ronan and Ellie had been for supper though he doubted that they’d drunk very much of the two empty bottles that stood on the kitchen counter.

  When he’d told Rachel that he had an important meeting and couldn’t be there for supper she’d been furious with him. Now, as he slipped into bed beside her he was grateful for the wine she’d drunk. She never stirred and so he didn’t have to give her the elaborate excuse he’d prepared on his way home. She’d never know that he’d arrived home after 3 a.m. Thank God for small mercies! It was his lucky night.

  40

  Ellie had made an appointment to meet with Gabriella, the wedding co-ordinator at Clontarf Castle, on Saturday at noon. She’d told David about it the week before so when he rang on Friday to say he couldn’t make it she was very upset.

  “David!” she cried, dismayed. “You have to be there. It’s a really important meeting!”

  “You don’t really need me there, do you? Can’t you manage it alone?”

  “How can you say that? Of course I need you there.” She burst into tears.

  “Okay, okay,” he acquiesced, not wanting another scene. They’d been having too many of them lately. “I’ll try and make it but it will be closer to one o’clock, I’m afraid.”

  She reluctantly accepted this.

  He felt that she didn’t understand how very busy he was at work, not to mention buying the new house and putting his apartment on the market. Dresses and flowers were the last thing on his mind. To be honest, he was sorry now they hadn’t eloped or at least gone abroad to get married. Ellie had beenpressurising him for a list of the people he wanted to invite. He promised he’d have it for her by the following day. He sighed deeply. Women and weddings – Lord preserve us!

  Ellie had already made out her list. She hoped to keep the numbers to one hundred – fifty invited by David and fifty by her.Then another eighty of their mutual friends would be coming along to join in the evening celebrations. Her father had always said he would pay for the reception but when he saw that it would cost almost €100 per head, he set a limit of €10,000 on it. She thought this was more than generous. She’d spent ages deciding what fifty people she wanted there and now she was waiting for David’s list. He’d promised he’d bring it with him to the venue on Saturday.

  She and her mother were welcomed by Gabriella who offered them coffee and biscuits before sitting down to discuss the reception. With the brochures and photos spread out before her, it really hit home to Ellie that this was her wedding they were planning and she fairly bubbled over with excitement. Gabriella liked her instantly and decided that she would do everything in her power to give Ellie the wedding of her dreams.

  “I’m afraid my fiancé will be a little late,” Ellie explained. “Business, you know,” she added lamely.

  “Trust me
,” said Gabriella, “I’ve discovered that most grooms are reluctant to get involved in all the nitty-gritty details of the wedding. They don’t have a clue how much organisation goes into it so that everything runs smoothly on the day.” She gave a little laugh.

  Ellie smiled gratefully at her. So David wasn’t the only reluctant groom. That was something.

  “How many guests are you planning to have?”Gabriella asked.

  “Well, we’re having one hundred at thereception and dinner and then another eighty who will join us afterwards. So one hundred and eighty for the evening buffet.”

  “That’s a nice number. Have you decided on a colour scheme?”

  “Well, I’ll be wearing white, naturally,” Ellie smiled, “and I’ve decided on a pale yellow/gold for the bridesmaids and flowers.”

  “Perfect!” Gabriella clapped her hands. “The Great Hall will be just right for you. Come on and let me show you. It’s all set out for a wedding later today.”

  She led Ellie and Marie-Noelle there and they gasped as they saw the magnificent chandeliers and gold velvet chairs. The tables were beautifully set with white and pink linen, sparkling crystal and silver and the flowers were pink and white.

  “It’s beautiful,” Ellie exclaimed, taking it all in.

  “Magnifique!” Marie-Noelle agreed.

  “The wedding today has a pink theme, hence the pink linen and flowers,” said Gabriella, “but as you can imagine, your yellow/gold theme will be even more effective.”

  Ellie was so happy that she’d dug her heels in and insisted on having the reception here. After all, it had been the scene of many family celebrations in the past. All their Communion and Confirmation lunches had been held here, not to mention other birthdays and also their parents’ twenty-fifth anniversary which had been a resounding success. Now, looking around the Great Hall, Ellie knew she’d made the right decision.

  “It’s not too big for just a hundred guests?” Marie-Noelleasked with concern.