by Melissa Hill
Just then, Olivia realised that Matt must think her an awful ditz. On day one, she turned up for a night out with a complete stranger, the next time, she was having problems reversing her car out of the driveway, then she had run out of the shop that time without her change, and now for no apparent reason, she was merrily pulling up perfectly decent flowers in her front garden.
“Matt, it’s fine, really,” she said, cheeks red with mortification at the fact that once again, the mere presence of this man had turned her into a demented idiot. Wait until she told Leah about this – she would kill herself laughing.
At the thought of her friend’s reaction, and the ludicrous situation in which she once again found herself, Olivia too couldn’t help but giggle.
“What? What’s so funny?”
“I’m sorry,” Olivia said, trying to stifle a laugh. “I know you think I’m an absolute idiot, and I’m certainly living up to it now.”
“An idiot? What do you mean?” Now Matt was smiling too.
“It’s just –” Olivia didn’t care how it sounded, she knew she had to come clean, otherwise every time she saw Matt, things would just keep getting worse. “It’s just every time we meet, I seem to end up doing something stupid. I’m not sure why that is, but I can assure you that I’m not like this all the time. I’m not really any good with men … since my husband …” Then she floundered, horrified. “Not that I consider you a man in that sense, I mean, I know you’re married and everything, so please don’t think that … it’s just …” Oh she was really making a mess of this, she thought, heart pounding. So much for coming clean and trying to save face. “I’m sorry,” she said eventually. “It’s just, I suspect you think that I’m a complete ditz and really I’m not, but for some reason you seem to have that effect on me … I mean ... ” She trailed off then, realising that she was digging herself in deeper with every word. She was never going to able to explain it properly, and especially not now, not when Matt’s truly mesmerising grey eyes were that close, his gaze steadily fixed on her face. Obviously trying to decide whether or not she should be committed, Olivia thought, deflated.
“Olivia, look, I’m sorry if you thought that –”
“Hi Matt!” Thrilled to see him, Ellie bounded out the front door, cutting off whatever Matt was about to say and, thankfully, sparing Olivia’s deep embarrassment.
What had he been about to say? She didn’t know but, from the wording and the apologetic look on his face, it could only have been some kind of brush-off . He must have thought she was coming on to him.
“Hey, Ellie.” Matt stood up, and seeing her daughter race into his outstretched arms, Olivia’s embarrassment was swiftly replaced by panic. This was crazy. She couldn’t stay friendly with Matt Sheridan like this. Not when her daughter had clearly fallen for him as much as she had. The guy was married, for goodness’ sake.
“Hey, Adam, come say hello to Ellie,” Now Matt was introducing the two children, and the earlier sullen Adam seemed much more receptive to her daughter. Great, that was the last thing she needed, Ellie becoming friendly with Matt’s young son and having to be brought to Matt’s house for birthday parties and days out and the like.
No, no, much better to just cut all contact with the man, for her own, and indeed Ellie’s sake. Now that she knew exactly how she felt about him, and obviously Matt did too, there was no point in putting herself through what undoubtedly would end up as heartache. She’d had enough of that in her life already. Better just to cut all ties with Matt and forget about him. But to think that his brazen wife across the road was quite happy to carry on with one of the locals, and here was Matt resisting Olivia’s stupid attempt at explaining her feelings, putting his wife and child first without a moment’s hesitation.
Yet that was why she liked him so much, wasn’t it? Olivia admitted. He was a warm, charming, amiable man – in a way, a little like Peter had been. The attraction wasn’t all one-sided either but it seemed that Matt was adult enough to see it for what it was. Anyway –
“Matt.” Hearing a voice call loudly across the green, they all turned around. Matt’s wife was standing in the doorway, waving what looked like a mobile phone in his direction.
“We’d better go,” Matt said, with Olivia thought, a slight regret in his tone.
“Aw can’t Adam stay and play?” Ellie asked, looking almost as disappointed as Olivia felt. Adam looked hopefully up at his father.
“Some other time, Ellie.” Matt smiled warmly at her, before he lifted Adam up onto his shoulders. “Adam, say goodbye to Ellie and Olivia, OK?”
“Bye, Ellie, bye ‘Liva,” This time he gave a broad smile, and only then could Olivia see a clear resemblance between him and his father, right down to the tiny gap between his two front teeth.
“Bye Adam, see you soon,” Olivia said, still embarrassed about her earlier ramblings, and unable to even look in Matt’s direction, let alone look him in the eye.
“See you soon.” Matt’s tone was unusually devoid of its characteristic warmth. Then, with Adam hoisted high on his shoulders, he went back across the green towards his wife, Olivia and Ellie staring silently at his retreat.
26
“Be careful what you wish for, as you just might get it,” Leah’s grandmother used to say. Well, Leah did get it: she had a growing business, her first retail outlet – and Amanda bloody Clarke.
Stupidly, Leah hadn’t seen it coming. She was just so thrilled at the scope Andrew’s investment would give, thrilled at the idea that her ideas could really go somewhere, she hadn’t even considered that Amanda might be interested.
But as the opening of the Elysium store drew nearer, Amanda had been spending lots and lots of time there, and lately this had begun to get on Leah’s nerves. Only last week she had ‘popped in for a look’ but by the end of the visit had tried to commandeer control of the premises’ layout and decoration. At the time, Leah had been so preoccupied with getting things ready and deciding on displays that she had just assumed Amanda was showing a friendly interest. Amanda had also insisted that the colour scheme Leah had chosen was “all wrong for the store’s image”. Leah’s logo was simply cream with gold calligraphy lettering, something Amanda decided looked dated. With all the work Leah was doing to get the store set up, she had little time to tinker with her logo! But she held her tongue, simply because she hadn’t the time nor the inclination to get into an argument over something trivial. Not to mention the fact that Amanda and Andrew were, in effect, Leah’s landlords. So Leah had said nothing, assuming that once Amanda found something else to occupy her, she would soon get bored with the new store and leave Leah and her new assistant Alan alone to get on with the day-to-day running of the business.
But in fairness, Leah thought now, Amanda’s social connections might be a bit of bonus.
Amanda insisted on Leah having an official launch party and “a chocolate-tasting evening” for Elysium. She had also suggested they issue invites to some of Blackrock’s most prominent business-people and some local media. Leah suspected that most of the attendees though, would probably be more interested in a possible interview with hotshot entrepreneur Andrew Clarke, than supporting her new store.
Notwithstanding, the exposure would be terrific, and hopefully it would give Blackrock’s newest retail outlet a timely boost. Then, after all the celebrations and excitement, it would be down to the tough task of growing turnover and making the business work, something Leah hoped she’d be doing on her own.
Still, she couldn’t get away from the fact Andrew had made all of this possible, and as much as she’d like to sometimes, she couldn’t turn around and just tell Amanda to butt out. She had made a deal with the devil or more aptly, the devil’s husband, and now she had to take things as they came.
She sat down at the kitchen table and went through the invite list for the Elysium official launch party. She knew that RSVPs were largely ignored or forgotten about – by her own friends anyway – and she knew most of the gang
would be going. Her new store was much cause for discussion and celebration – not to mention the fact that they hadn’t had a decent get-together in ages.
It was such a pity that Robin wouldn’t be around, but Robin had missed lots of reunions over the years, from Olivia and Kate’s thirtieth birthdays, to Leah’s homecoming and Amanda and Andrew’s wedding. But Robin had her own life now, though she and Leah seemed just as close as ever, even if it was just over the phone.
When the new store was fully up and running, and she was sure she could trust her new staff to look after things, Leah resolved to take a few days off and she and Josh could visit her friend in the Big Apple.
The two of them would certainly be ready for the break at that stage. Although, these days he seemed to have thawed a little, and seemed to making the effort. Once the launch party was out of the way and Leah started to find her own routine, she was sure that things would get back to normal. She and Josh were soul mates, weren’t they?
Leah smiled. It was funny the way he seemed slightly jealous of Andrew. As if there was anything to be jealous about! Andrew was great but thankfully he stayed out of her way. No, it was Amanda who couldn’t keep her nose out of things these days. But again, once they had the launch party, things should get back to normal. She hoped.
Leah sighed, remembering their college days. Sometimes it seemed like a lifetime ago. Back then they had nothing to worry about other than men, the occasional exam and whether they had enough money for a decent night out any given weekend. How had things changed so much in just a few years? Robin had moved away, Olivia was a single mother, Kate was pregnant and …
Speaking of Kate, she really should give her friend a buzz. She hadn’t really spoken to her in a few weeks, and was eager to find out if she and Michael would be coming to the launch party, especially as it would be happening so close to Kate’s due date.
“Hello, stranger,” she said, when Kate answered. “How are you feeling?”
“Hello, yourself!” her friend replied, obviously pleased to hear from her. At this, Leah felt a little guilty. It was ages since they’d spoken, what with all the running around Leah was doing to get the shop organised. It seemed she’d had little time for anyone lately.
They chatted for a little while about Kate’s pregnancy, Leah’s new store and Amanda’s unwanted interest in it.
“You should tell her where to go, Leah. The last thing you need is someone like her under your feet all day. Anyway, I can’t see her being much good to you in her ‘condition’.”
Leah had told her all about Amanda’s Expectant Mummy party and her pregnancy-related neurosis. Kate wasn’t having any of it.
“Since when is having a baby akin to having open-heart surgery?” she said.
Leah couldn’t help but smile. At this party, poor Amanda wouldn’t get away with pleas of pregnancy-related delicacy while sharp-tongued Kate was around.
Now eight months pregnant, Kate had only recently – and rather reluctantly – taken maternity leave from Russell & Rowe, the city-centre advertising firm in which she worked. As with everything in life, Kate had taken pregnancy in her stride.
“I don’t think she even has to do any housework over in that mansion of hers in Booterstown,” Kate continued. “I mean, what about all these pregnant women that go out and work in fields every day, with one baby on their backs and another one on the way? I doubt anyone runs around after them, patting their poor brows and feeding them grapes on a chaise longue, do they?”
“Stop it, that’s bitchy,” Leah couldn’t help laughing at the image, but at the same time she felt disloyal.
Kate had no such problems. “Oh, come on, Leah. What’s wrong with the girl? Pregnancy does not mean that you give up your own right to a life, and simply become a host for your baby, does it?”
Leah giggled, enjoying this gossipy diversion. “Well, she did tell me she couldn’t drink anything other than purified water until after the baby’s born, and that it’s only fair she gives up red meat, dairy products and potatoes too.”
“What? You’re joking.”
“That’s what she told me.”
Kate exhaled sharply. “Honestly, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear Amanda Clarke believes she’s the next Virgin Mary – although the virgin part might be a problem,” she added tittering.
“Ah, Kate, give her a break. She’s just getting used to the idea. I expect all newly expectant mothers are the same in the early days.” No point in including Kate in that category; she had treated her pregnancy in the same no-nonsense way she did everything else. “She’s probably not sure what or what not to do,” she said, in Amanda’s defence.
Kate was unmoved. “I suppose, but if she’s like this while pregnant, what’ll she be like once she has the little sprog? You know how some mothers become about their little darlings.”
“Well, that won’t happen for a little while yet,” she said, “but personally, I think it’s just the novelty of it that’s making her like this. She’ll be fine once she gets used to it.”
“Hmmm.”
“So, do you think you and Michael will be able to come to the launch party?” Leah asked, changing the subject.
“Of course we’re coming. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Kate enthused. “Not when I finally have an opportunity to show off my toned bod in that Halle Berry style leather catsuit.”
Leah laughed. It would be just like a heavily pregnant Kate to turn up in something like that. She didn’t give a damn as to what anyone thought of her. Having said that though, she would probably still look great.
“How’s Olivia? Is she going to your launch party? I’m really looking forward to seeing her – and you. It seems I haven’t seen you all in ages.”
“I know and I really feel bad about that, Kate. But with all the work I’ve been doing, I haven’t been the best at keeping in touch lately.” She grimaced. “That’s why I hope there’s a good turnout at this party – with the way I’ve been carrying on, I might not have any friends left. But yes Olivia’s coming.”
“And what about Robin?” Kate asked, her tone changing slightly. “Did you invite her?”
“She couldn’t possibly come all the way home just for one night, Kate. You know how it is.”
“She could arrange it if she really wanted to,” Kate replied, unmoved. “Although, if she couldn’t be bothered coming home for the funeral that time, at least for Olivia’s sake …” she trailed off.
“I wouldn’t expect her to come back just for this,” Leah said, breaking the silence that followed. “Anyway, her life is in New York now.”
“I suppose.” Kate still wasn’t impressed. “But the two of you were such good friends, and this is a big thing in your life. I really think she should make the effort.”
“Well, you never know, she might surprise us.” Leah said in effort to appease Kate, but at the same time she didn’t hold out much hope. Robin had gone to New York not long after university and hadn’t returned since. What were the chances of her coming back just for this small gathering?
Little or none, Leah decided glumly, thinking it would be a very long time before they saw Robin back in Ireland again, if ever.
27
Olivia stood back and stared in awe at the newly-decorated facade of Leah’s chocolate store. It was the evening of the official launch party, and Elysium Chocolate truly lived up to its name. She also loved the fact that, from the outside, the place looked like one of those old-style jewellery stores. Of course, Leah’s confections were little jewels in themselves, she thought, running her eyes across the gorgeous glass-fronted displays inside – again continuing the jewellery-store theme.
Kate was already there.
“You look fantastic!” Olivia said embracing her old friend warmly. “Not much longer to go now.”
“Thanks, but I know I look like the side of a bus,” Kate replied wryly. “Still, I’m determined to make the most of tonight. It won’t be long before I’m chained
at home to the bottle-warmer.”
She sat down alongside Olivia, and the two chatted easily for a while until Leah joined them, bringing them two plates of food. Dressed in a simple, black shift dress, she looked great, her dark eyes lively and shining with pleasure. She soon had to leave them, however, in order to circulate among the guests and they saw her striking up an animated conversation with someone who was either a client, or shortly about to become one.
Josh, by contrast, seemed rather quiet tonight. He’d greeted Olivia briefly upon arrival but since then had sat quietly on his own in another corner of the room. No doubt he and Leah were both very tired, the strain of working all hours to get the shop going as well as trying to fit in a normal day’s work obviously taking its toll on them. Hopefully things would improve soon. She and Josh were so well-suited that Olivia would hate to see them break up. Still, it could happen to best of them, as she herself knew well.
She remembered how she and Peter used to fight like dogs just before their big break-up after graduation. She would get annoyed over stupid things like Peter not including her in a drinks round when she already had a full glass in front of her – Peter would be annoyed if she gave even a slight glance towards another guy. It was as though the two of them purposely engineered these arguments to bring some form of drive or energy to the relationship. At that stage they had been together so long they had been in something of a rut. But when finally things did come to a head and they spent some time apart, after which Peter proposed, they hadn’t looked back. It was as if each of them then knew where they stood.
Olivia wondered idly if it would take a huge upheaval like the one she and Peter had experienced to get Josh moving on a proposal. She shook her head, thinking that she was beginning to sound like her own mother. Get him moving on a proposal indeed! There was Leah, an extremely talented, independent, successful woman celebrating her success with her friends, and the only thing Olivia could think about was that Josh hadn’t proposed. She was definitely turning into an old biddy, she thought, trying to push the recent spying incident on Matt Sheridan’s wife out of her mind.