Changing Places (41 page)

‘Hi, Jill.’ Andy bent his head and kissed her lightly on the lips. ‘It’s good to see you.’

Jill sat up on the bar stool he’d pulled out for her. ‘And you.’

‘What would you like to drink?’

‘G and T, please.’

When the barman had brought Jill’s drink, Andy raised his pint of Guinness. ‘Cheers.’

‘Cheers.’ Jill took a sip of her drink. ‘I didn’t think you’d agree to meet me.’

Andy grinned. ‘Ah well, I didn’t have anything else to do.’

‘Thanks very much!’ Jill laughed but she was relieved that the atmosphere was so easy and relaxed.

‘So why did you ask me here?’ he asked, watching her steadily.

‘Nothing like getting straight to the point, eh?’ Jill chuckled nervously. Andy said nothing so she took a deep breath and went for it. ‘I wanted to apologize. The way I ended
things . . . well, it wasn’t very nice.’

‘You didn’t actually end anything. You just got very stroppy, then very cool, and then you stopped taking my calls.’

Jill winced. ‘Like I said, I’m sorry.’

He sighed. ‘I just couldn’t understand what went wrong. We were having such a good time, weren’t we?’

Jill nodded. ‘The best. I’m afraid I’m a bit of a disaster when it comes to relationships. It’s like, once things are going well, I press the self-destruct
button.’

‘So, why did you call now?’ Andy asked.

‘My cousins made me,’ Jill admitted, making a face.

‘Oh, great.’

‘No, no, that’s a good thing! They know me better than anyone and they thought I’d made a huge mistake breaking up with you.’

Andy frowned. ‘I don’t remember meeting them.’

‘You didn’t but they saw the effect you were having on me.’

Andy smiled slowly. ‘Oh, I had an effect on you, did I?’

‘Oh yes,’ Jill murmured.

Andy ran a finger down her cheek and she turned her head so she could kiss it, her eyes never leaving his. He whispered, ‘So you think that maybe we should give it another go?’

Jill smiled. ‘I would like that, but there’s a small complication.’

Andy took his hand away and picked up his pint. ‘There would be, wouldn’t there? Go on then. Tell me.’

‘I’m leaving my job.’

He shrugged. ‘So?’

Jill shot him a sheepish look. ‘And I’m moving to Spain.’

When Rachel walked into the lounge of the Grand Hotel in Malahide, Jill was at the bar getting drinks. ‘Anna’s in the loo,’ she said. ‘What would you
like to drink?’

‘Soda water,’ Rachel told her.

Jill studied her cousin’s white face. ‘You go and sit down, I’ll bring it over.’

Anna returned from the cloakroom and went to help Jill with the drinks. ‘Oh, Rachel’s here! How did she get on?’

Jill shook her head. ‘I didn’t ask but she doesn’t look too good.’ Picking up her drink and Rachel’s she led the way to the corner table where Rachel was
sitting.

‘Hi,’ Anna said to her sister. ‘Are you okay?’

Rachel’s smile was shaky. ‘Not really.’

‘What did he say?’ Jill asked.

‘He’s in love with someone else.’

‘Oh, Rache!’ Anna moved closer and slipped an arm around her sister’s shoulders. ‘I’m so sorry.’

Jill reached across to take Rachel’s hand. ‘Me too.’

‘So you were right about all those nights that he was supposed to be working late,’ Anna fumed.

‘No, actually, I was wrong about most of it. He only met her six months ago. It was probably the fact that I didn’t trust him that drove him away in the end.’

‘You can’t take the blame for this,’ Anna protested.

‘Anna’s right,’ Jill said angrily. ‘It’s not your fault. Who is he having the affair with? Is it someone he works with?’

Rachel laughed but there was no humour in it. ‘He isn’t having an affair. He’s in love with a woman who works in a bookshop. She’s married, has kids and won’t have
an affair with him or leave her family. They meet for coffee and talk and hold hands—’ She broke off, pressing her hand to her mouth. ‘I think it would have been easier if it had
all been about sex.’

‘So what happens now?’ Jill prompted gently. ‘What are you going to do?’

‘I’ve told him to leave.’

Anna and Jill exchanged looks.

‘It might be an idea for you to have some time apart, right enough,’ Jill said carefully.

‘No, it’s over,’ Rachel said with finality, her voice remarkably calm.

‘But,’ Anna looked at her sister’s bump, ‘what about Alex, the baby . . .’

‘I won’t be the first woman to bring her kids up alone. Anyway, Gary will still be in their lives. I would never keep his children from him.’

Anna leaned her head against her sister’s, tears streaming down her face. ‘You’ll never be alone, Rachel,’ she promised. ‘I’m going to be there for you every
step of the way.’

‘And you’ll always have a second home in Spain,’ Jill said, squeezing Rachel’s hand.

‘Don’t cry, Anna, you’ll set me off.’ Rachel took a drink of her water and cleared her throat. ‘Well, that’s my sorry little story. What about you two? Please
tell me you got on better than I did. Jill?’

Jill nodded and smiled. ‘Me and Andy are back together again.’

‘Oh, that’s wonderful!’ Anna beamed at her cousin as she mopped at her tears with a tissue.

‘Yeah, I’m delighted for you, Jill.’ Rachel also managed a smile.

‘But have you told him about Spain?’ Anna asked.

‘Yes. He wasn’t too impressed but he’s promised to come out for a long weekend in February.’

‘I really hope it works out for you, Jill,’ Anna said.

‘So what about you, Sis?’ Rachel prompted.

Anna sighed. ‘It’s going to be okay, I think, but I came so close to screwing things up.’

Jill raised an eyebrow. ‘Charlie?’

Anna nodded. ‘After Liam and I had talked, I decided to go and see Charlie. I wanted to tell him face to face that Liam and I were back together and that there was absolutely no future for
him and me.’

Rachel stared at her sister. ‘So there
was
something going on between you two?’

Anna shook her head. ‘No, honestly, there wasn’t, but there could have been. I fancied him and I was very tempted, but nothing actually happened.’ Anna sat on her crossed
fingers.

‘And what about Tara?’

‘She was after Liam, all right, and he enjoyed the attention but he says that her coming on to him made him realize how much he loved me. And he’s got a new job, starting tomorrow.
He’s even talking about babies again!’

For the first time that day, Rachel’s eyes filled up and a sob escaped her lips.

Anna put a hand to her mouth. ‘Oh Rache, I’m sorry. How bloody tactless of me. This is the last thing you need to hear.’

‘No, no, really, I’m happy for you,’ Rachel said, between sniffs. ‘I know I’m doing the right thing. It’s just the children I worry about.’

‘They’ll be fine – they have a fantastic mother. Hey, would you like me to phone Mam and ask her to come home now?’

Rachel shook her head. ‘No. Gary and I need time to sort things out. I was thinking that we should tell Alex that his daddy has to go away on business. At least until the baby is
born.’

‘That’s a good idea,’ Anna agreed. ‘And you know that Liam and I will be happy to have him to stay any time.’

Rachel shot her a grateful smile. ‘It would be great if you could make a bit of a fuss of him after the baby comes along. I don’t want him to feel left out but I’m going to
have a lot on my hands.’

‘Absolutely no problem. And you know Dad will spoil him rotten.’ Anna glanced over to where Jill was staring into her drink, her face solemn. ‘Hey, what’s wrong with
you?’ she asked.

Jill looked up at her and then turned guilty eyes on Rachel. ‘I feel awful. If I hadn’t pushed you, you probably wouldn’t have said anything to Gary and you two would still be
together.’

‘Oh Jill, don’t be silly – you were right. Things haven’t been okay between me and Gary for a long time. All you did was prompt me to do something about it. At least now
I know exactly where I stand. Before, I was just lurching from one day to the next, searching pockets and listening in on phone calls. What kind of a life is that?’

‘You’re really brave,’ Anna said, her face full of admiration.

Rachel made a face. ‘That makes a change from being a moan then.’

Anna cringed. ‘I’m sorry, Rache, I’ve been a crap sister.’

‘Hey, don’t start being too nice to me,’ Rachel joked. ‘It’s just not natural.’

‘Remember, you’re not allowed to fight any more,’ Jill reminded them. ‘I won’t be here to step in.’

‘I’m so happy for you, Jill, but God, I’m really going to miss you,’ Rachel said, choking up again.

‘You just hop on a plane anytime and I’ll be waiting at the other end,’ Jill said, fighting to hold back her own tears.

Rachel dabbed at the tears coursing down her cheeks. ‘Sorry about the waterworks. I suppose I’m worn out. It’s been quite a day.’

‘Let’s get you home to bed,’ Anna said.

‘I don’t think I can face Gary. I was very controlled earlier, you’d have been proud of me, but I doubt that I can keep it up all evening.’

‘Then come home with me,’ Anna suggested.

Rachel shook her head. ‘No, Alex would be wondering where I was.’

Jill glanced at Anna. ‘Then we’ll come home with you and stay until Gary’s gone.’

Anna nodded. ‘Yes, that’s a good idea.’

‘But you must want to get back to Liam,’ Rachel said anxiously.

Anna draped Rachel’s coat around her shoulders. ‘Don’t you worry about Liam, Rache. He’ll understand.’

Rachel put baby Jamie down in his cot, leaning over to stroke his dark curls and marvel at the length of his lashes. He was only six months old but he was already an integral
part of her little family and she found it hard to remember what life was like without him. Drawing the curtains, she crept out of the room and crossed the lounge to step on to the balcony and
breathe in the balmy, Mediterranean air. She smiled at the shrieks coming from the children playing in the pool and imagined Alex and Jamie playing there together next year.

Going into the kitchen, Rachel put on the kettle for some coffee, sat down at the table and opened Anna’s laptop. Signing on to
MumSpeak
, she saw new entries on a couple of
threads she’d been following and quickly tapped into the first to read the latest news on Daisylee’s mother-in-law problems.

Oh girls, she’s at it again! She stayed over last night to let me and Hubby have our first night out in months. Very generous, I know, but when I came home, Babs was sweating buckets
because she’d put a blanket over her. I’d explained – at least once – that it was important not to use blankets with a sleeping bag on, but of course, she knew better!
Don’t get me wrong, she’s not the worst but she just won’t be told. I think I’m going to have to ask Hubby to have another ‘little chat’.

Immediately, Rachel tapped in an answer.

Hey, Daisylee, hang in there and try to keep your temper. Just remember, whatever she’s like, she loves your little princess and she’s still your prime babysitter!

The next thread was one Rachel herself had started. She had looked for views from other mothers about returning to work. There was one new reply.

Hi, Al’sMum, thrilled to hear that you’re thinking of taking a part-time job!! Please don’t worry about the baby. He’s going to thrive in a crèche with the
other babies and you’ll still have him to yourself in the afternoons. Very best of luck with it, GalwayGal

Rachel smiled and tapped in a reply.

Tnx, GalwayGal, I’ll let you know what happens. x Al’sMum

Rachel got up to make her coffee and then carried her mug back to the table. The next thread was one she’d contributed to a few times. It was about separated parents and the best way of
handling access and awkward questions from the children. Reading some of the entries, Rachel realized how lucky she was. Gary was still a big part of their lives and he had done everything he could
to make the transition as easy for Alex and Rachel as he could. He was currently living in a small apartment in the city and as far as Rachel knew, he wasn’t seeing anyone. How she would feel
if he did get it together with That Woman or anyone else, for that matter, she didn’t know. For now she concentrated all her energies on Alex and Jamie and tried to stay positive.

Bridie had come home as soon as Anna had phoned her and had been in the delivery room by Rachel’s side. Anna and Jill had waited outside with Gary. Rachel was happy for her husband to be
there but would not agree to him being in the delivery room. That would be asking too much.

Taking a sip of her coffee, Rachel read the latest entry.

Hi, girls. I’ve been following this thread with interest because I’m trying to work up the courage to throw my other half out. He’s been drinking very heavily and coming
home at all hours. I don’t really care any more if he’s seeing someone else, I just wish he’d stop wasting our money. The electricity bill arrived this morning and I’ve no
idea how I’m going to pay it. My eldest is 11 in two weeks’ time and I haven’t even got a present yet. I’ve tried talking to him and when he’s sober he promises that
he’ll change but it never happens. I don’t think I can go on like this. I suppose I do still love him but how can he love me if he’s ready to do this to me and the kids? I only
work part-time and I’m not sure how I’ll manage but at least if he goes, I won’t have to worry about feeding him and supporting his drinking habit. Will I be eligible for any kind
of grants? Is there anyone out there who can help me? Vi

Rachel was full of sympathy for the girl. Another mother had replied, giving all the details about helplines and support groups that Rachel didn’t know anything about. Thankfully,
she’d never had reason to. She thought for a minute before tapping in a reply.

Vi, my heart goes out to you at this very difficult time. No one can really advise you what to do, certainly not me. I broke up with my husband nearly eight months ago and it was the best
thing for us all. I had lived with a situation for a long time but finally I realized that if I didn’t take action, I would crack up. I think you just have to follow your heart: it
won’t let you down. I hope this helps. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck. Al’sMum