Never Say Never (Lakeview Contemporary Romance Book 3)

‘
M
an Plans – God Laughs
.’

Robin couldn’t help but think of the old Yiddish proverb as she listened to the discussion going on around her. She always felt uncomfortable talking about ‘the future’.

It was a mild evening in late May, and Robin and her friends – all soon-to-be graduates of University College Dublin, were sitting on the grass by the lake in St Stephen’s Green. They were having a ‘where will we be in five years’ time’ conversation.

“Andrew will be our big sports star,” Amanda declared, positioning herself comfortably against her boyfriend’s broad chest. She pushed a fair curl away from her pretty face.

Kate rolled her eyes. “You worked overtime on the crystal ball for that one,” she said caustically. After graduation Andrew was poised to sign with a well-known Irish rugby club.

Amanda gave Kate a withering look. “No doubt you’ll end up in politics, lecturing the rest of us as usual,” she replied.

There had never been any love lost between Andrew’s girlfriend and Kate. The two of them always managed to rub one another up the wrong way, and, Robin thought wryly, neither tried to hide it.

“So what about you, honey?” Andrew asked, turning the attention back to the person who craved it the most. “What’ll you be?”

Amanda tittered. “Famous of course,” she answered confidently. “I’ll either be a major name in music or modelling, or perhaps make it big on TV.” Again, she flicked her hair out of her face.

“Yes, I can see it now,
The Amanda Langan
Show,
” Peter piped up with a laugh.

Kate snorted and Amanda flashed her another look.

“And what about you Peter?” Kate asked him.

Peter was studying radiology and took a keen interest in the environment – an interest he had acquired from his long-time girlfriend and Robin’s close friend, Olivia. He was arguably the better-looking male in the group, his lovely dark eyes, sculpted jawline and sallow complexion making for a breathtaking combination.

“You’ll have to ask the wife about that one,” Peter replied, winking at Robin.

Amanda’s head shot up and she looked at him, aghast. “You haven’t proposed?”

Robin hid a smile. If any couple in this group would go down that road, Amanda was determined it would be her and Andrew. No way would she let plain ordinary Olivia Dunne and Peter Gallagher steal her thunder by getting engaged first.

Peter laughed, apparently reading her thoughts. “When and if I do, I guarantee you’ll be the first to know.”

Her startled blue eyes wide as saucers, Amanda sat back and nestled closely into Andrew. Robin looked at Kate and knew that she too could see Amanda mentally working out some way to get a proposal out of Andrew before Olivia and Peter pipped them to the post. They exchanged a grin.

“So, that’s settled then,” Andrew said, sitting forward and recapping the conversation on his fingers. “Amanda’s going to be the TV star,
I’ll
be the sports star, lovebirds Peter and Olivia will save the world, Kate will help with the paperwork …” Much to Amanda’s chagrin he winked at Kate. “And of course, Leah will probably end up owning her own restaurant.”

Robin smiled proudly. Her good friend Leah was studying for her qualification in catering college, and was a wonderful pastry chef. Passionate and hardworking, Leah was the one who in Robin’s opinion, was the most likely to do well in her chosen career.

“So, who’s left then?” Andrew went on, and Robin tried not to let her discomfort show. This was exactly why she hated these conversations – they always seemed to highlight her lack of talent, her dearth of personality. She wasn’t attractive like Amanda, talented like Leah or caring and motherly like Olivia. She was just the odd one, she supposed, the quiet weird one that faded into the background.

Just then Peter’s girlfriend Olivia approached, followed closely by pastry-chef-in-waiting Leah.

“Hey, it’s about time,” Peter said. “Where did you two get to?”

“We went shopping for goodies,” Leah replied, her mouth full as she sat down.

Robin smiled. Leah never seemed to stop eating – as a trainee chef, she had no choice – but maddeningly never seemed to put on an ounce. “Chocolate, anyone?” She waved a Snickers bar around. “Oh, sorry, Robin, I almost forgot.” Leah moved the bag of goodies away. “Better keep those away from you.”

“Thanks,” Robin grinned.

“I’ll have some,” Amanda said reaching for the bag. “I’m lucky in that I don’t have to worry about my figure.” It was a definite barb, despite knowing that Robin’s refusal had nothing whatsoever to do with watching her weight.

“So what have we missed?” Olivia asked, trying to get comfortable on the grass.

“Well Amanda’s dusted off the crystal ball, and is making predictions as to what we’ll end up doing in the future,” Kate informed her, another roll of her eyes leaving no-one in any doubt about her thoughts on the stupidity of the exercise.

“Oh, I
love
conversations like this!” Olivia sat forward, warming to the subject immediately. “Let me guess, Andrew will be big in sports, Leah will be – oh, I don’t know – a really famous TV chef or … what?” Seeing Amanda’s poisonous glare, she stopped short. “Well what’s wrong with that? Out of everyone here, I can certainly see Leah being a big star.” She winked mischievously at Robin, fully aware of the effect her remarks were having on a miffed Amanda.

“And Robin will be …” Olivia paused then and turned to face her. “I can see you going on to surprise us all. You’re the most kind-hearted and sensitive by a mile, so I could see you doing something that involves helping others.”

Robin was touched. Kind-hearted, sensitive? How wonderful that Olivia would think so highly of her. Whatever about the others, Robin was certain that she, Olivia and Leah would always be great friends no matter what they ended up doing.

“So what did you say about me and Peter? Hold on, let me guess, I will be … the settled one,” Olivia declared. “Yes, I’ll get my veterinary degree, work for a few years after we marry?” She looked at Peter for affirmation. “Then I’ll be quite happy to stay home and rear all our kids,” she added with an impish grin.

“Marriage, kids – no way!” Peter feigned terror.

“Good luck to you, mate,” Andrew chuckled, moving slightly away from Amanda.

Olivia ruffled Peter’s dark hair. “Well, after all these years, I don’t think you’re going to find anyone else to put up with you, are you?” she laughed.

Olivia and Peter were so easy together, so comfortable, so – perfect for one another, Robin thought. There was no doubt that those two would be together for a long time to come.

“I have an idea,” Andrew announced, sitting up sharply then. “We should place a few bets with the bookies. See if Amanda
does
become a TV star, or Leah a famous chef, or you and Peter end up getting married …”

Peter guffawed. “Typical Andrew, any excuse for a flutter.” He lay back and rested his head on one hand. “It’s an idea though. We could do it and then arrange to all meet up sometime later and see how it’s all panned out – or not.”

“I think it’s a great idea!” Amanda enthused, undoubtedly having visions of herself returning to the fold replete with designer clothes and glamorous lifestyle. “It would be great fun seeing how it all turned out, how everyone’s getting on …”

Ever the sceptic, Kate shook her head in exasperation.

“It
would
be fun,” Olivia added enthusiastically. “There’s a chance we might not all stay in touch, so this would be a good excuse as any to catch up – why not?”

“I don’t know,” Kate said. “People make these stupid promises all the time at graduation, but they don’t always work out.”

“Well, I think it’s worth doing – what do the rest of you think?” Olivia asked and everyone bar Kate nodded in agreement.

Realising she was outnumbered, Kate held her hands up in mock surrender. “OK, OK, whatever you want,” she groaned. “I still think it’s a silly idea though – we’ll all be leading different lives, and might not even
want
to know one another. And by then, things could be completely different and we could be tempting fate. What if one of us dies or something?” Almost as soon as the words were out, she winced.

“Kate!” Leah and Olivia chorused. “Don’t say something like that.”

Robin’s stomach gave a little leap. Was she imagining it, or were all eyes turned on her just then?

“I’m sorry but it’s true, you just don’t know what could happen – to any of us.”

“Well, look if something
does
happen, then obviously our meeting won’t come about,” Olivia said, her tone a little too bright. “But, if we’re going to do this, we all need to make the effort, so are you in or not?”

In the end, Kate sighed. “I’m in.”

“Great,” Olivia sat back on her heels, eager to start organising. “So we’ll meet up where … in the college grounds?”

“Why not here in St Stephen’s Green?” Robin ventured.

“Of course. That would be ideal,” Olivia said approvingly. “Well?” She looked to the others for signs of assent. Kate shrugged and the others nodded.

“OK, then, that’s settled. Same place here by the lake,” Olivia bit her lip. “When?”

“Oh, late afternoon, I think, then some of us can do a bit of shopping on Grafton St beforehand,” Amanda said airily.

“I think she meant
when
– as in what
year
?” Kate said through gritted teeth.

“Oh, I’m not sure … maybe five years?” Amanda suggested.

“Five years – is that too long?”

“Not long enough,” Kate said under her breath and Robin giggled.

“OK then,” Olivia announced gravely. “Next week we all graduate and then go out into the big bad world to do our own thing. Chances are some of us will stay in touch, chances are some of us won’t.” She gave a sideways glance at Amanda and Kate. “Nonetheless for the sake of our friendship and the fact that we’ve shared so much, all seven of us plan to meet here in five years’ time …” She checked the date on her watch. “Well, let’s say same time, same place. May 28
^th
at 3pm just to make it handy.”

“To May 28
^th
five years from now.” Leah raised her glass in the air and the others duly followed, their expressions happy and full of the promise of things to come.

All with the exception of Kate, who still looked sceptical.

Amanda glared at her.

“It’ll never happen,” Kate muttered with a shake of her head, although her eyes twinkled as she grudgingly raised her drink in a toast with her friends.

“Five years from now – all seven of us still friends and together? I’m telling you, it’ll never happen.”