It galled her to hear Ellie raving about Sam and her new job during lunch, which they took in the bar there. The fact that their mother was so proud of her younger sister rubbed salt into her wounds. How did Ellie do it? She could fall in the gutter and come up smelling of roses! Sandrine felt very bitter at how life was treating them both.
They invited her to go with them to the florist to check out the flowers but she cried off, pleading a headache. She’d had enough of happy families and big weddings for one day! Ellie and Marie-Noelle were secretly pleased. Somehow, Sandrine put a damper on everything. They headed toClontarf Floristand a meeting with the owner, Bernie, who was exceptionally helpful. They looked through her brochure and the moment they saw the bouquet with the white and pale-yellow roses interspersed with pale-gold freesia, they knew this was the one. They ordered the full package: bouquets, corsages, flowers for the church and reception.
“That’s a great day’s work done,” Marie-Noelle smiled at her daughter. “I think it’s all going to be beautiful.”
Ellie felt the same. Everything was going beautifully. The following Saturday they would decide on the wedding cake. Ellie had been to a wedding the previous year where the cake had been absolutely fabulous. She’d discovered it had been made by Killinure Cakes, a small one-woman operation in Glasson outside Athlone, and she and her mother had arranged to go down there the following Saturday. She’d looked it up on the internet and loved the cakes displayed there.
When they got home that evening they brought Ellie’s father Tom up to date on all the arrangements.
“We’re going down to Athlone next Saturday to check out the wedding cake,” Ellie informed him.
“Oh, can I come too?” heasked. “It’s been years since I’ve been down that way.”
“Wonders will never cease!” Marie-Noelle laughed, rolling her eyes to heaven.
“Why not? It’s my daughter’s wedding. I want to be involved too.” He looked so forlorn that Ellie rushed to give him a hug.
“Great! I’d love you to come, Dad, and I’ll treat you both to lunch there. I hear there are smashing restaurants in Glasson!” Elliesaid, clapping her hands.
“It’s a date,” her fatherreplied, grinning and giving her a high-five.
She was thrilled that he wanted to help out and, blowing him a kiss,she went up to dress for the evening.
She and David had been invited to Frank and Judith Buckley’s house again. Seemingly it would be the final dinner as Judith was off to Marbella for eight weeks. She remembered what Anna had said at the last dinner there: “The women decamp to Marbella and leave the men to have their little flings in Dublin.” Rumour had it that the Dublin matrons had quite a few flings of their own in the Spanish sunshine. Ellie didn’t doubt it.
Ronan had Saturday off and played golf in the morning – his first Saturday playing in a long time. His friends were delighted to see him back and in such good form. He played extremely well and was thrilled to be the winner of the jackpot, amidst much teasing about secretly practising when they weren’t around.He had lunch and a few beers with the lads in the clubhouse afterwards.
He felt exhilarated as he made his way in to visit Fiona again that afternoon. This time he brought her chocolates and a little teddy bear for baby Oisín.
“Oh, you’re so sweet, Ronan,” Fiona said, tears coming to her eyes. “You don’t have to come in every day.”
“I want to. I wouldn’t be much of a ‘partner’ or godfather, if I didn’t!” He smiled at her, peeking into the crib at the peacefully sleeping baby.
Fiona was crying. “Sorry,” she said, wiping her eyes. “Hormones, I’m afraid. I’m so happy it makes me cry.”
“Well, that’s allowed. I was worried it was me making you cry.”
“Yes, well, your kindness does it too.” She smiled through her tears. “He’s such a good baby,” she told him. “He hardly ever cries.”
“Of course not – he’s my godchild after all.”
This had her laughing.
“When will they let you out?” he asked.
“Monday, I think.”
“Oh, that’s very early. I’m off Monday. Would you like me to take you home?”
“Could you?” she asked hopefully. “Mam’s back is giving her hell and I hate asking her to drive all the way up from Blessington when she’s in such pain. It would be great if you could.”
“I’d be delighted.”
It was all arranged.
48
Ellie felt much more confident going to the dinner that evening, knowing what was expected of her. She’d been so nervous the first time she’d visited but now she was well able for Judith – and Frank for that matter.
Frank greeted them, giving Ellie his usual lascivious glance which she ignored.
“Hello . . . sorry, I’ve forgotten your name,” Judith said bitchily.
“Ellie, and sorry, I’ve forgotten your name too,” Ellie replied, smiling sweetly.
Judith frowned. Behind her back, Frank made a down-stroke sign, meaning: round one to Ellie.
She grinned at him, pleased.
“Yes, well, what would you like to drink?” Judith asked, ignoring the put-down.
“Do you have any Alsace white wine?” Ellie asked. “Preferably Riesling, but Pinot Gris is okay too.” She smiled innocently at Judith, her dimples making her, as always, look like a teenager.
“I’ll check,” Judith replied archly, furious with this young whipper-snapper. She went off to check with the waiters.
David was furious with his fiancée. What was she playing at?
Ellie was pleased to see that some of the younger crowd from Kitty’s were there this time and they greeted her warmly. Frank pulled David away to the side to discuss something with him, leaving Ellie chatting to the women.
“How are the wedding plans coming along?” Joanne asked her.
“Just great, though you were right, maybe we should have eloped.”
The others laughed, nodding their heads in agreement as Judith returned.
“I’m afraid we don’t have any Alsace wine but we do have some Italian Pinot Grigio or German Riesling,” she informed Ellie through tight lips.
“The Pinot Grigio will be fine.” Ellie smiled innocently at her as Frank and David rejoined them.
“You do know your wine, don’t you?” Joanne remarked.
“Oh, I remember now Sam told us you were on his wine course.” Frank winked at Ellie. “Is he any good?”
“He’s brilliant.”
“I’ll never understand how my son has become so successful,” Judith sniffed. “He was useless at school.”
“He has a great business head and of course he’s passionate about wine,” Ellie told them. “I’m actually standing in as his PA at the moment and it’s a fascinating business.”
“Really? Pretty and bright,” Frank said, winking at her again.
Judith gave him a dirty look.
Ellie was relieved when another couple arrived and Judith and Frank had to go and greet them.
The evening passed pleasantly enough. The boring James was not in evidence this time and Ellie was sitting beside Anna’s husband Mike who was very interesting and had a great store of jokes. Yes, it was certainly a more successful evening than the previous time she’d been here.
49
Rachel had had a real scare and felt very bad about having flung the wine at Carl. She hadn’t seen him since and guessed that he was avoiding her. She felt lonelier than ever andwas trying desperately to cut back on her drinking, but she was finding it terribly difficult.
Carl was playing golf on Sunday morning and then joining her and the kids for lunch at her parents’ later.
Her father came to pick them up. He looked at her, a worried frown on his face. He noticed that she didn’t look as polished as usual.
“Is everything okay, honey?” he asked.
“Fine, Dad,” she lied. She didn’t want to say anything in front of the ch
ildren. She was afraid she’d break down crying.
When they arrived at Kinsealy, after greeting Alison her mother,she asked him for a brandy.
“Rachel, it’s only midday.”
“I know, but I could do with a drink.”
He poured it and handed it to her, disapproval showing in his every movement. He’d been worried for some time about her drinking. He saw how her hands were shaking as she held the glass.
“Is something troubling you, Rachel? I can see you’re not yourself.” His voice was gentle.
“No, I’m fine,” she gulped.
Carl arrived just in time for lunch. He behaved as cheerfully and naturally as possible but Rachel didn’t respond to his efforts. He wondered if her parents noticed the strain between them. If so they never let on. Thank God for Jacob and Becky who chattered on all through the meal.
Then a text arrived for him. His father-in-law frowned at him, mobile phones being forbidden at the table. Carl excused himself and went outside to take it. It was from Zita: Missing you like crazy. Feeling very hot. Wish you were in my bed right now. ZxxHe smiled to himself and texted back: Hot for you too. Let me see what I can do. Cxx
Coming back into the dining-room he announced, “Sorry about that. Bit of a crisis, I’m afraid. I’ll have to go into the office after lunch.”
“Oh, no, Carl!” Rachel cried, exasperated with him. Could he not even spend one afternoon with his family?
“Must be some crisis,” Alison said bitingly, “to drag you from your family on a Sunday.”
Rachel could discern the dislike in her mother’s tone. She’d never been a big fan of Carl.
“I must say I’ve never known a politician who’s had to go into the office on a Sunday afternoon,” her father commented grumpily.
“Sorry, but we go into summer recess on Wednesday and there are a lot of loose ends to be tied up.”
“Daddy, you said you’d take us to the beach,” Jacob whined, beginning to understand what was going on.
“Sorry, kids. We’ll have lots of time on the beach in France soon.” He ruffled his son’s hair.
He left even before dessert. “See you at home later,” he said, kissing Rachel’s cheek, and then he was gone.
Zita had been feeling miserable all morning. She missed Carl terribly. He was so much larger than life that when he wasn’t there she had a great big empty hole in hers.
Marcus was keeping his distance. All they did these days was fight – about her obsession with The Prick Dunne – as he called Carl. The fun had gone out of their relationship and she missed his friendship too.
Feeling bored that morning, she had decided to go in to work. She was watching the film they’d taken at Rachel’s dinner party on Thursday night and seeing Carl there on the screen she’d become overwhelmed with longing for him. She’d texted him, never dreaming that he could come to her and yet here was his reply: Be with you in thirty minutes. Can’t waitCxxHer stomach did a somersault and she rang a taxi and quickly cleared up before dashing home to meet her lover.
There was no champagne, no wine, no lovely dinner, but it was the best afternoon she’d ever spent. The sex was wild and they couldn’t get enough of each other. They were discovering new things about each other’s bodies every time they met.
“That was sensational,” he whispered in her ear when at last they were both satiated. He stroked her hair gently. “You make me so hot. I want you every single day.”
“You can have me anytime you want,” she whispered back, kissing him gently.
“I wish,” he sighed.
Leave your wife and come to me! she wanted to scream at him, but she held her tongue.
“What will I do without you for the whole month of August?” he sighed again.
She hadn’t wanted to think about him going away. The thought of him playing happy families with Rachel made her feel ill. She would die without him.
“Oh God, look at the time!” Carl yelled, hours later, jumping out of the bed.
She watched him get dressed hurriedly and, feeling miserable, kissed him goodbye.
“I can see you on Tuesday night for a while, if you want,” he suggested.
“Of course I want,” she replied, reluctant to let go of his hand.
He took her hand to his lips. “Till then, chérie.” He kissed it and then he was gone.
Rachel had felt the rest of the afternoon fall flat after Carl had left. She was aware of her parents’ disapproval at Carl’s defection. Her father drove her home and she was surprised when he said he’d like to come in. She handed the kids over to Paloma, who took them off to the playroom, and joined her father in the living room.
“Would you like a drink?” she asked him.
“Of course not, I’m driving,” he replied, watching as she poured a gin and tonic for herself and curled up on the sofa.
“Something’s troubling you and things are not right between you and Carl. Do you want to tell me about it?” He stood with his back to the fireplace as he’d always done at home.
She sighed. “Well, besides the fact that he’s never here, you mean?” Her voice was bitter. She stared into her glass glumly. She’d always run to her father with her problems but this was one problem he couldn’t fix. “We had a terrible row the other night,” she told him, her voice almost a whisper.
“Do you want to tell me what it was about?”
“I did a terrible thing,” she admitted, feeling ashamed and embarrassed. “Carl was very late coming home and I was angry with him. I’d had quite a lot to drink and . . .” Now that she’d started the words were coming out in a torrent. “Anyway, I attacked him and threw a glass of wine at him. It splashed all down the wall of the den.” She stopped to take a sip of her drink.
“Oh my God, Rach!” her father cried, shocked at what she was telling him.
“He accused me of drinking too much,” she said in a small voice.
“You are drinking too much,” her father stated sternly. “I’ve been worried about it for some time.”
She looked at him in dismay. It shocked her to hear him say this. “But I only drink because I’m alone here every night. Carl is so consumed by his work that he has no time for me any more.” She heard her voice wobble and was afraid she’d start crying. She took a deep breath. “And, besides . . . I think he’s having an affair . . .”
“What makes you think that?”
“I don’t know. It’s just a feeling I have.”
“Well, you may be wrong so let’s not jump the gun, but you really do need to sort this out between you. You have to sit down and talk with Carl as soon as possible.”
She knew he was right.
“And, Rachel, honey, you just have to cut out this drinking alone. That is not helping matters one bit. Think of the children. You must stop it at once.”
She looked at him forlornly, knowing that what he was saying was true. With a sigh she put her drink down and got up and gave him a hug.
“You’re right, Dad, I know. I will try and cut it out. Honestly! What I did the other night really scared me.”
“Promise me you’ll have a talk with Carl tonight, darling, and no more drowning your sorrows in booze.”
“I promise. I suppose I’m feeling a bit adrift at the moment,” she said through her tears, nodding her head.
He held her close, rubbing her head as he’d always done when she was upset as a child.
“I love you, Pops,” she said.
“And I love you, Princess.”
She smiled at the use of their pet names for each other.
“Now, I’m off,” he said. “Go ring that husband of yours and sort things out.”
“I will. Thanks, Dad.”
He went in to hug his grandchildren goodbye before leaving, giving Rachel the thumbs-up as he drove away.
He was right. She made coffee and rang Carl’s mobile to tell him that she wanted to have a serious talk with him that evening. It was on voicemail – how strange. Sh
e then rang his office. As she dialled, she laughed bitterly to think that she had to ring for an appointment to talk to her own husband. His answering machine picked up.
“Hi, Carl, I know you’re there. Can you pick up?” No response. “Ring me as soon as you get this, please.”
She kept busy the rest of the afternoon, studying her wine manual. She wanted to do well at the exam tomorrow night.
Carl sauntered in just after seven o’clock. “Hi, honey. How was the rest of the lunch?”
He leant forward to kiss her but she avoided his lips.
“What’s the matter?”
“I’d like to know where you were till now?”
“I was in the office.”
“I rang there. Your answering machine picked up.”
“I was in John’s office. We were working together on something,” he lied glibly.
“I also tried your mobile.”
“We didn’t want to be disturbed.” He was getting angry now at her questioning.
She knew he was lying but she couldn’t prove it.She felt certain now that there was another woman involved. But there was no point in challenging him. He would lie his way out of it, like he had last time.
“Would you like a glass of wine?” he asked.
“No, thanks.”
He raised his eyebrows in surprise and poured himself a whiskey.
It took her all her self-control not to change her mind but thinking of what her father had said, she resisted.
He went into the television room to watch the golf while she curled up on the sofa in the den, studying for her wine exam.
There was no point trying to discuss things with him now. It would only end in a big row. They had a whole month in France ahead of them.Time enough to have it out then.
Ronan had to work on Sunday and afterwards went in to the hospital to see Fiona, who was falling more in love with baby Oisín every hour. Doris was there, cuddling her little grandson as Fiona looked on happily.
Behind Every Cloud Page 24