Twenty-five

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THANK GOD IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL day, Holly thought, as she locked her car and walked around to the back of

her parents’ house. The weather had drastically changed that week and it had rained and rained continuously. Ciara

was in hysterics about what would become of her barbecue and she had been hell to be with all week. Luckily for

everyone’s sake the weather had returned to its former splendor. Holly already had a good tan from lying out in the

sun all month, one of the perks of not having a job, and she felt like showing it off today by wearing a cute little

denim skirt she had bought in the summer sales and a simple tight white T-shirt that made her look even browner.

Holly was proud of the present she had bought Ciara and she knew Ciara would love it. It was a butterfly belly

button ring that had a little pink crystal in each wing. She had chosen it so it would coordinate with Ciara’s new

butterfly tattoo and her pink hair, of course. She followed the sounds of laughter and was glad to see that the garden

was full with family and friends. Denise had already arrived with Tom and Daniel, and they had all flaked out on

the grass. Sharon had arrived without John and she was sitting chatting to Holly’s mum, no doubt discussing

Holly’s progress in life. Well, she was out of the house, wasn’t she? That was a miracle in itself.

Holly frowned as she noted Jack was once again not present. Ever since he had helped her carry out the task of

cleaning out Gerry’s wardrobe, he had been unusually distant. Even when they were children Jack had always been

great at understanding Holly’s needs and feelings without her having to point them out to him, but when she had

told him that she needed space after Gerry’s death, she didn’t mean she wanted to be completely ignored and

isolated. It was so out of character for him not to be in contact for so long. Nerves fluttered through Holly’s stomach

and she prayed that he was all right.

Ciara was standing in the middle of the garden screaming at everyone and loving being the center of attention. She

was dressed in a pink bikini top to match her pink hair and blue denim cutoffs.

Holly approached her with her present, which was immediately grabbed from her hand and ripped open. She

needn’t have bothered wrapping it so neatly.

“Oh Holly, I love it!” Ciara exclaimed and threw her arms around her sister.

“I thought you would,” Holly said, glad she had chosen the right thing, because otherwise her beloved sister would

no doubt have let her know about it.

“I’m gonna wear it now actually,” Ciara said, ripping out her current belly button ring and piercing the butterfly

through her skin.

“Ugh,” Holly shuddered. “I could have gone without seeing that, thank you very much.”

There was a beautiful smell of barbecued food in the air and Holly’s mouth began to water. She wasn’t surprised to

see all the men huddled around the barbecue with her dad in pride of place. Hunter men must provide food for

women.

Holly spotted Richard and she marched over. Ignoring the small talk she just charged right in. “Richard, did you

tidy my garden?”

Richard looked up from the barbecue with a confused expression on his face. “Excuse me, did I what?” The rest of

the men stopped their conversation and stared.

“Did you tidy my garden?” she repeated with her hands on her hips. She didn’t know why she was acting so angry

with him, just a force of habit probably, because if he had tidied it he had done her a huge favor. It was just

annoying to keep returning home to see another section of her garden cleared and to not know who was doing it.

“When?” Richard looked around at the others frantically, as though he had been accused of murder.

“Oh, I don’t know when,” she snapped. “During the days for the past few weeks.”

“No, Holly,” he snapped back. “Some of us have to work, you know.”

Holly glared at him and her father interjected. “What’s this, love, is someone working on your garden?”

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“Yes, but I don’t know who,” she mumbled, rubbing her forehead and trying to think again. “Is it you, Dad?”

Frank shook his head wildly, hoping his daughter hadn’t finally lost the plot.

“Is it you, Declan?”

“Eh... think about it, Holly,” he said sarcastically.

“Is it you?” she turned to the stranger standing next to her father.

“Um... no, I just flew into Dublin... um... for the... um, weekend,” he replied nervously with an English accent.

Ciara started laughing. “Let me help you, Holly. Is anybody here working on Holly’s garden? ” she yelled to the rest of

the party. Everybody stopped what they were doing and shook their heads with blank expressions on their faces.

“Now wasn’t that much easier?” Ciara cackled.

Holly shook her head with disbelief at her sister and joined Denise, Tom and Daniel on the far side of the garden.

“Hi, Daniel.” Holly leaned over to greet Daniel with a kiss on the cheek.

“Hi, Holly, long time no see.” He handed her a can from beside him.

“You still haven’t found that leprechaun?” Denise laughed.

“No,” Holly said, stretching her legs out in front of her and resting back on her elbows. “But it is just so odd!” She

explained the story to Tom and Daniel.

“Do you think maybe your husband organized it?” Tom blurted out, and Daniel threw his friend a look.

“No,” Holly said, looking away, angry that a stranger knew her private business, “it’s not part of that.” She scowled

at Denise for telling Tom.

Denise just held her hands up helplessly and shrugged.

“Thanks for coming, Daniel.” Holly turned to him, ignoring the other two.

“No problem at all, I was glad to come.”

It was weird seeing him out of his usual wintery clothes; he was dressed in a navy vest and navy combat shorts that

went just below his knees with a pair of navy trainers. She watched his biceps as he took a slug of his beer. She had

had no idea he was that fit.

“You’re very brown,” she commented, trying to think of an excuse for being caught staring at his biceps.

“And so are you,” he said, purposely staring at her legs.

Holly laughed and tucked them up underneath her. “A result of unemployment, what’s your excuse?”

“I was in Miami for a while last month.”

“Ooh, lucky you, did you enjoy it?”

“Had a great time,” he nodded, smiling. “Have you ever been?”

She shook her head. “But at least us girls are heading off to Spain next week. Can’t wait.” She rubbed her hands

together excitedly.

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“Yes I heard that. I’d say that was a nice surprise for you.” He gave her a smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“You’re telling me.” Holly shook her head, still not quite believing it.

They chatted together for a while about his holiday and their lives in general and Holly gave up eating her burger in

front of him, as she could find no easy way of eating it without tomato ketchup and mayonnaise dribbling down her

mouth every time it was her turn to speak.

“I hope you didn’t go to Miami with another woman or poor Ciara will be devastated,” she joked, and then kicked

herself for being so nosy.

“No, I didn’t,” he said seriously. “We broke up a few months ago.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” she said genuinely. “Were you together long?”

“Seven years.”

“Wow, that’s a long time.”

“Yeah.” He looked away and Holly could tell he didn’t feel comfortable talking about it, so she quickly changed the

subject.

“By the way, Daniel,” Holly lowered her voice to a hushed tone and Daniel moved his head closer. “I just wanted to

thank you so much for looking out for me the way you did after the documentary. Most men run away when they

see a girl cry; you didn’t, so thank you.” Holly smiled gratefully.

“No problem at all, Holly. I don’t like to see you upset.” Daniel returned the smile.

“You’re a good friend,” Holly said, thinking aloud.

Daniel looked pleased. “Why don’t we all go out for drinks or something before you go away?”

“Maybe I can get to know as much about you as you know about me.” Holly laughed. “I think you know my whole

life story by this stage.”

“Yeah, I’d like that,” Daniel agreed, and they arranged a time to meet.

“Oh, by the way, did you give Ciara that birthday present?” Holly asked excitedly.

“No,” he laughed. “She’s been kind of... busy.”

Holly turned around to look at her sister and spotted her flirting with one of Declan’s friends, much to Declan’s

disgust. Holly laughed at her sister. So much for wanting Daniel’s babies.

“I’ll call her over, will I?”

“Go on,” Daniel said.

“Ciara!” Holly called. “Got another pressie for you!”

“Ooh!” Ciara screamed with delight and abandoned a very disappointed-looking young man.

“What is it?” She collapsed on the grass beside them.

Holly nodded over at Daniel. “It’s from him.”

Ciara excitedly turned to face him.

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“I was wondering if you would like a job working behind the bar at Club Diva?”

Ciara’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh Daniel, that would be brill!”

“Have you ever worked behind a bar?”

“Yeah, loads of times.” She waved her hand dismissively.

Daniel raised his eyebrows; he was looking for a bit more information than that.

“Oh, I’ve done bar work in practically every country I’ve been to, honestly!” she said excitedly.

Daniel smiled. “So do you think you’ll be able for it?”

“Ooh, would I ever!” she squealed and threw her arms around him.

Any excuse, Holly thought, as she watched her sister practically strangling Daniel. His face started to turn red and

he made “rescue me” faces toward Holly.

“OK, OK, that’s enough, Ciara,” she laughed, dragging her off Daniel. “You don’t want to kill your new boss.”

“Oh sorry,” Ciara said, backing off. “This is so cool! I have a job, Holly!” she squealed again.

“Yes, I heard,” Holly said.

Suddenly the garden became very quiet and Holly looked around to see what was happening. Everyone was facing

the conservatory and Holly’s parents appeared at the door with a large birthday cake in their hands singing “Happy

Birthday.” Everyone else joined in and Ciara jumped up, lapping up all the attention. As her parents stepped

outside, Holly spotted someone following behind them with a huge bouquet of flowers. Her parents walked toward

Ciara and placed the birthday cake on the table before her and the stranger behind slowly removed the bouquet

from his face.

“Mathew!” Ciara gasped.

Holly grabbed Ciara’s hand as her face went white.

“I’m sorry for being such a fool, Ciara.” Mathew’s Australian accent echoed around the garden. Some of Declan’s

friends smirked loudly, obviously feeling uncomfortable at this open show of emotion. He actually looked like he

was acting out a scene from an Australian soap, but then again drama always seemed to work for Ciara. “I love you!

Please take me back!” he announced, and everyone turned to stare at Ciara to see what she would say.

Her lower lip started to tremble and she ran over to Mathew and jumped onto him, wrapping her legs around his

waist and her arms around his neck.

Holly was overcome with emotion and tears welled in her eyes at the sight of her sister being reunited with the man

she loved. Declan grabbed his camera and began filming.

Daniel wrapped his arm around Holly’s shoulders and gave her an encouraging squeeze. “I’m sorry, Daniel,” Holly

said, wiping her eyes, “but I think you’ve just been dumped.”

“Not to worry,” he laughed. “I shouldn’t mix business with pleasure anyway.” He seemed relieved.

Holly continued to watch as Mathew spun Ciara around in his arms.

“Oh, get a room!” Declan yelled with disgust, and everyone laughed.

Holly smiled at the jazz band as she passed and looked around the bar for Denise. They had arranged to meet up in

the girls’ favorite bar, Juicy, known for its extensive cocktail menu and relaxing music. Holly had no intentions of

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getting drunk tonight, as she wanted to be able to enjoy her holiday as much as she could the next day. She intended

on being bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for her week of relaxation, thanks to Gerry. She spotted Denise snuggling up

to Tom on a comfortable large black leather couch in a conservatory area that overlooked the River Liffey. Dublin

was lit up for the night and all its colors were reflected in the water. Daniel sat opposite Denise and Tom sucking

fiercely on a strawberry daiquiri, eyes surveying the room. Nice to see Tom and Denise were ostracizing everyone

again.

“Sorry I’m late,” Holly apologized, approaching her friends. “I just wanted to finish packing before I came out.”

“You’re not forgiven,” Daniel said quietly into her ear as he gave her a welcoming hug and kiss.

Denise looked up at Holly and smiled, Tom waved slightly and they returned their attention to each other.

“I don’t know why they even bother inviting other people out. They just sit there staring into each other’s eyes

ignoring everyone else. They don’t even talk to each other! And then they make you feel like you’ve interrupted

them if you strike up a conversation. I think they’ve got some weird telepathic conversation going on there,” Daniel

said, sitting down again and taking another sip from his glass. He made a face at the sweet taste. “And I really need

a beer.”

Holly laughed. “Oh, so all round it sounds like you’ve been having a fantastic night.”

“Sorry,” Daniel apologized. “It’s just been so long since I’ve spoken to another human being, I’ve forgotten my

manners.”

Holly giggled. “Well, I’ve come to rescue you.” She picked up the menu and surveyed the choice of drinks before

her. She chose a drink with the lowest alcohol content and settled down in the cozy chair. “I could fall asleep here,”

she remarked, snuggling further down into the chair.

Daniel raised his eyebrows. “Then I would really take it personally.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t,” she assured him. “So, Mr. Connelly, you know absolutely everything about me. Tonight I am

on a mission to find out about you, so be prepared for my interrogation.”

Daniel smiled. “OK, I’m ready.”

Holly thought about her first question. “Where are you from?”

“Born and reared in Dublin.” He took a sip of the red cocktail and winced again. “And if any of the people I grew up

with saw me drinking this stuff and listening to jazz, I’d be in trouble.”

Holly giggled.

“After I finished school I joined the army,” he continued.

Holly raised her eyes, impressed. “Why did you decide to do that?”

He didn’t even think about it. “Because I hadn’t a clue what I wanted to do with my life, and the money was good.”

“So much for saving innocent lives,” Holly laughed.

“I only stayed with the army for a few years.”

“Why did you leave?” Holly sipped on her lime-flavored drink.

“Because I realized I had urges to drink cocktails and listen to jazz music and they wouldn’t permit it in the army

barracks,” he explained.

Holly giggled. “Really, Daniel.”

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He smiled. “Sorry, it just wasn’t for me. My parents had moved down to Galway to run a pub and the idea of that

appealed to me. So I moved down to Galway to work there and eventually my parents retired, I took over the pub,

decided a few years ago that I wanted to own one of my own, worked really hard, saved my money, took out the

biggest mortgage ever and moved back to Dublin and bought Hogan’s. And here I am talking to you.”

Holly smiled. “Well, that’s a wonderful life story, Daniel.”

“Nothing special, but a life all the same.” He returned her smile.

“So where does the ex come into all this?” Holly asked.

“She’s right in between running the pub in Galway and leaving to come to Dublin.”

“Ah... I see,” Holly nodded, understanding. She drained her glass and picked up the menu again. “I think I’ll have

Sex on the Beach.”

“When? On your holidays?” Daniel teased.

Holly thumped him playfully on the arm. Not in a million years.

Twenty-six

“WE’RE ALL GOING ON OUR summer Holly days!” the girls sang in the car all the way to the airport. John had

offered to drive them to the airport but he was fast regretting it. They were acting like they had never left the

country before. Holly couldn’t remember the last time she had truly felt so excited. She felt like she was back at

school and off on a school tour. Her bag was packed with packets of sweets, chocolate and magazines, and they

couldn’t stop singing cheesy songs in the back of the car. Their flight wasn’t until 9:00 P.M., so they wouldn’t arrive

at their accommodation until the early hours of the morning.

They reached the airport and piled out of the car while John lifted their suitcases out of the boot. Denise ran across

the road and into the departure lounge as if doing so would get her there any faster, but Holly stood back from the

car and waited for Sharon, who was saying her good-byes to her husband.

“You’ll be careful now, won’t you?” he asked her worriedly. “Don’t be doing anything stupid over there.”

“John, of course I’ll be careful.”

John wasn’t listening to a word she said. “Because it’s one thing messing around over here, but you can’t act like

that in another country, you know.”

“John,” Sharon said, wrapping her arms around his neck, “I’m just going for a nice relaxing holiday; you don’t need

to worry about me.”

He whispered something in her ear and she nodded, “I know, I know.”

They gave each other a long good-bye kiss and Holly watched her lifelong friends embrace. She felt around in the

front pocket of her bag for the August letter from Gerry. She would be able to open it in a few days while lying on

the beach. What luxury. The sun, sand, sea and Gerry all in one day.

“Holly, take care of my wonderful wife for me, will you?” John asked, breaking into Holly’s thoughts.

“I will, John. We’re only going for a week, you know.” Holly laughed and gave him a hug.

“I know, but after seeing what you girls get up to on your nights out, I’m just a little worried,” he smiled. “You

enjoy yourself, Holly, you deserve the rest.”

John watched them as they dragged their luggage across the road and into the departure lounge.

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Holly paused as she entered the door and took in a deep breath. She loved airports. She loved the smell, she loved

the noise, and she loved the whole atmosphere as people walked around happily tugging their luggage, looking

forward to going on their holidays or heading back home. She loved to see people arriving and being greeted with a

big cheer by their families and she loved to watch them all giving each other emotional hugs. It was a perfect place

for people-spotting. The airport always gave her a feeling of anticipation in the pit of her stomach as though she

were about to do something special and amazing. Queuing at the boarding gate, she felt like she was waiting to go

on a roller coaster ride at a theme park, like an excited little child.

Holly followed Sharon and they joined Denise halfway down the extremely long check-in queue.

“I told you we should have come earlier,” Denise moaned.

“Well then, we would just be waiting at the boarding gate for the same amount of time,” reasoned Holly.

“Yeah, but at least there’s a bar there,” explained Denise, “and it’s the only place in this entire stupid building that

us smoker freaks can smoke in,” she mumbled.

“Good point,” Holly thought aloud.

“Now, can I just point out something to you two before we even leave. I’m not going to be doing any crazy drinking

or having any wild nights. I just want to be able to relax by the pool or on the beach with my book, enjoy a few

meals out and go to bed early,” Sharon said seriously.

Denise looked at Holly in shock. “Is it too late to invite someone else, Hol? What do you reckon? Sharon’s bags are

still packed and John can’t be too far down the road.”

Holly laughed. “No, I have to agree with Sharon on this one. I just want to go and relax and not do anything too

stressful.”

Denise pouted like a child.

“Oh, don’t worry, pet,” Sharon said softly, “I’m sure there will be other kids your age that you can play with.”

Denise threw her the finger. “Well, if they ask me if I have anything to declare when we get there, I’m telling

everyone my two friends are dry shites.”

Sharon and Holly sniggered.

After thirty minutes of queuing they finally checked in and Denise ran around the shop like a madwoman buying a

lifetime supply of cigarettes.

“Why is that girl staring at me?” Denise said through gritted teeth, eyeing up the girl at the end of the bar.

“Probably because you’re staring at her,” Sharon responded, checking her watch. “Only fifteen more minutes.”

“No honestly, girls.” Denise turned back around to face them. “I’m not being paranoid here, she is definitely staring

at us.”

“Well then, why don’t you go over to her and ask her if she wants to take it outside,” Holly joked and Sharon

sniggered.

“Oh, here she comes,” Denise sang and turned her back to her.

Holly looked up and saw a skinny blond-haired girl with big fake tits heading toward them. “You better get those

knuckle-dusters out, Denise, she looks like a dangerous one,” Holly teased and Sharon choked on her drink.

“Hi there!” the girl squeaked.

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“Hello,” Sharon said, trying not to laugh.

“I didn’t mean to be rude by staring, but I just had to come over and see if it was really you!”

“It’s me all right,” Sharon said sarcastically, “in the flesh.”

“Oh, I just knew it!” the girl squealed and jumped up and down with excitement. Unsurprisingly her chest stayed

still. “My friends kept telling me I was wrong but I knew it was you! That’s them over there.” She turned around and

pointed to the end of the bar and the other four spice girls twinkled their fingers back. “My name’s Cindy...”

Sharon choked on her water again.

“... And I’m just the biggest fan of all of you,” she squealed excitedly. “I just love that show that you’re all in, I’ve

watched it dozens and dozens of times! You play Princess Holly, don’t you?” she said, pointing a manicured nail in

Holly’s face.

Holly opened her mouth to speak but Cindy kept on talking.

“And you play her lady!” she pointed at Denise. “And you! ” she squealed even louder, pointing at Sharon, “you

were friends with that Australian rock star!”

The girls looked at each other worriedly as she pulled out a chair and sat down at their table.

“You see, I’m an actress myself...”

Denise rolled her eyes.

“... And I would just love to work on a show like yours. When are you making the next one?”

Holly opened her mouth to explain that they weren’t actually actresses but Denise beat her to it.

“Oh, we’re in discussions right now about our next project,” she lied.

“Oh, how fantastic!” Cindy clapped her hands. “What’s it about?”

“Well, we can’t really say right now, but we have to go to Hollywood for filming.”

Cindy looked like she was going to have a heart attack. “Oh my God! Who’s your agent?”

“Frankie,” Sharon interrupted Denise, “so Frankie and us are all going to Hollywood.”

Holly couldn’t hold her laugh in.

“Oh, don’t mind her, Cindy, she’s just excited,” explained Denise.

“Wow, and so you should be!” Cindy looked down at Denise’s boarding pass on the table and nearly had heart

failure. “Wow, you girls are going to Lanzarote too?!”

Denise grabbed her boarding pass and shoved it in her bag, as if that would make a difference.

“I’m going there with my friends. They’re just over there,” she turned around again and waved at them again and

they waved back again. “We’re staying in a place called Costa Palma Palace. Where are you guys staying?”

Holly’s heart sank. “Oh, I can’t quite remember the name, girls, can you?” She looked to Sharon and Denise with

wide eyes.

They shook their heads vigorously.

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“Oh well, not to worry,” she shrugged her shoulders happily, “I’ll see you when we land anyway! I better go now

and board, I wouldn’t want the plane to fly off without me!” She squeaked so loudly that the surrounding tables

turned to stare. She gave each of the girls a big hug and tottered off back to her friends.

“Looks like we needed those knuckle-dusters after all,” Holly said miserably.

“Oh, it doesn’t matter,” perked up Sharon, always the optimist. “We can just ignore her.”

They all stood up and headed over to the boarding gate. As they made their way to their seats Holly’s heart sank

once again and she immediately dived into the seat on the far side of the aisle. Sharon sat down beside her and

Denise’s face was a picture when she realized who she had to sit next to.

“Oh fab! You get to sit beside me!” Cindy squeaked at Denise. Denise threw Sharon and Holly a nasty look and

plonked herself beside Cindy.

“See? I told you that you’d find yourself a little friend to play with,” Sharon whispered to Denise. Sharon and Holly

broke into fits of laughter.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-29