The Way We Were (34 page)

Authors: Sinéad Moriarty

Tags: #Chick-Lit, #Family Saga, #Fiction, #Love Stories, #Man-Woman Relationships, #Romance, #Women's Fiction

BOOK: The Way We Were

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In the middle of the bridge, dressed in a tuxedo, stood Ben. Alice stopped and looked at him. He smiled at her. He looked so handsome. She didn’t see his grey hair or the lines under his eyes, she saw the young Ben, the man she’d fallen in love with.

Ben held out his hand and Alice moved towards him, slowly at first but then faster. He silently pulled her close.

‘I was worried you wouldn’t turn up. I think I was more nervous now than the day I proposed.’

‘How could I not turn up? This day was just … perfect.’

‘Did you like the book?’

‘I loved it. I hadn’t thought about those things in years. When I thought you were dead, I tried to block it all out because it hurt so much to remember. But now … now it’s wonderful to be reminded of all those happy times.’

‘I’ve missed you, Alice.’

‘I’ve missed you too.’ She said it, and she meant it. In that moment, she knew just how much she meant it. She had been trying to replace what she missed most, which was Ben. So simple, and yet it had taken her so long to figure it out.

‘I know things are different,’ Ben said, kissing her forehead. ‘We’ve changed – we’re older and wiser and bruised and battered from the last two years, but I love you more than ever. Our past is our past, and now I want to build a future with you and the girls. A new beginning. Will you come with me?’

Will you marry me?
In her head, Alice could hear Ben’s proposal, a lifetime ago. But there was still a lifetime to go, and she had to decide how she wanted to live it. Dan had offered her a shimmering mirage of perfection, but what would it have been like, really? She would have had to tuck herself into his life, which was so busy and scheduled and demanding. And no life carries on worry-free. That’s not possible. Alice could read the last two years now with a clarity that had escaped her for so long: she had fallen in love with a man, yes, but perhaps more so with what he represented, the idea of freedom and ease and letting go of all of her responsibilities for a change.

But was that really Alice? Was that who she was and how she wanted to live her life? Looking into her husband’s eyes, she knew now that the answer was no. It wasn’t her. She was a woman who liked to work hard, challenge herself and share the ups and downs of her life. That was what she’d had with Ben. They had been through so much but she knew now that
they could weather any storm if they stayed together. They were a team, a unit, a couple. Ben couldn’t offer her the gilded life that Dan could, but he could offer her a real life, based on love and the solid foundation of their amazing history.

Alice nodded. ‘Yes, Ben. Absolutely yes.’

Behind them a busker sang Jacques Brel’s ‘Ne Me Quitte Pas’ – Ben’s final surprise. They swayed to the song, lost in each other, kissing and laughing.

As the Eiffel Tower light display lit up the Paris sky, Alice danced with the man she loved.

Acknowledgements

This book was one I had wanted to write for a long time, but I was nervous about the Eritrean scenes and the surgeries. Some very brave and fascinating people helped me with my research into Eritrea. They have asked not to be named.

A big thank-you goes to:

James Murphy, for his invaluable expertise and insight into the world of surgery. Any and all mistakes are entirely my own.

Paul Carson, for his help in researching the life of a GP – the patient stories in the book are
all
completely fictional.

Rachel Pierce, a truly wonderful editor who makes every book better.

Patricia Deevy, for her ideas, input and cheerleading.

Michael McLoughlin, Cliona Lewis, Patricia McVeigh, Brian Walker and all the team at Penguin Ireland for their continued support and help. To all in the Penguin UK office, especially Tom Weldon, Joanna Prior and the fantastic sales, marketing and creative teams. To Julia Murday and Celeste Ward-Best for their hard work on the publicity.

To my agent, Marianne Gunn O’Connor, for always knowing the right thing to say.

To Hazel Orme, for her wonderful copy-editing and for being such a positive force.

To my friends, for always being there.

To Mum, Dad, Sue, Mike and my extended family for their constant support and encouragement.

To Hugo, Geordy and Amy, by far my greatest creations. (Special thanks to Hugo for the idea for Jools and Rupert’s science project!)

And, as always, the biggest thank-you to Troy.