City Lives Read online

  ‘No it’s not, Devlin. It’s very understandable,’ Maggie commiserated.

  ‘It’s human nature, Devlin. When bad things have happened to you, being happy again is almost a scary concept. You think, this is too good to be true, it’s not going to last.’ Caroline grimaced.

  ‘And yet look at you, Devlin. Of all of us, you’ve ended up the happiest and most fulfilled,’ Maggie remarked.

  ‘Oh don’t say that,’ murmured Devlin.

  ‘Well, you are. You’re successful. You’ve a great marriage. Luke’s a real man. He’s decent, honest, kind and dead sexy. Which is a hell of a lot more than what me and Caroline have. What I’m saying is you’re happy now and you’re coping with it. The baby’ll just be the icing on the cake.’

  ‘I suppose I am, but you know what I mean, Maggie.’ Devlin sighed.

  ‘Yeah, I know.’

  ‘You’re successful too, and you’ve got three lovely children, Maggs,’ Caroline pointed out. ‘You’re doing better in the happy stakes than me.’

  ‘I’m not happy, Caro,’ Maggie said morosely. ‘I’d leave Terry in the morning if it wasn’t for the kids. And writing novels is too hard when you’ve got young children. I’m thinking of taking a year off after this one.’

  ‘Are you?’ Devlin was surprised. ‘That’s a shame, Maggie.’

  ‘I know. If Terry were more supportive it would be different. But he resents my writing. The kids hate to see me stuck at the computer. They’re not good conditions for someone who’s trying to be creative. I keep having to turn down publicity opportunities because a lot of them are overnighters and Terry gives me such a hard time it’s not worth it to do it.’

  ‘Are things no better between you?’ Caroline asked.

  ‘We live under the same roof, we share the same bed, we occasionally have sex which does nothing for me. Do you know what I’d love? I’d love a good shag.’ Maggie took a gulp of her wine and grinned.

  ‘Me too,’ Caroline said fervently. ‘It’s been so long since I had sex I’d need to be told the facts of life again to know what to do.’

  ‘Well, now that you’ve made the decision to divorce, even if it doesn’t come off for a while, there’s nothing to stop you going out on the hunt,’ Devlin said firmly.

  ‘Devlin, at my age they’re either going to be married, or separated like me, which means baggage. Is it worth it?’

  ‘Do you hear, Methuselah?’ jeered Devlin. ‘They’re only excuses, Caroline, and you know it.’

  ‘If it happens, it happens.’ Caroline shrugged.

  ‘Oh for God’s sake don’t be so passive. Get out there and strut your stuff!’

  ‘Yes, Mammy,’ Caroline said meekly

  ‘I mean it.’

  ‘At least you’re not tied. You’re more or less a free agent,’ Maggie interjected. ‘If you were like me you’d be really stuck.’

  ‘Have another affair, why don’t you?’ Caroline suggested.

  ‘With who, for God’s sake? The man in the moon?’ Maggie laughed at the idea.

  ‘Haven’t you met anyone on your publicity jaunts or at the posh do’s you go to?’ Caroline started to fill Maggie’s glass.

  ‘Go easy or I’ll be pissed. And I’ll have to get a taxi home.’

  ‘Get pissed, Maggie. Go on, do it for us, the Alcho and the Mother-To-Be-On-The-Dry,’ Caroline urged.

  ‘Yeah go on, Maggie, have one for me.’ Devlin cleared away the plates and brought the steaming pasta dish to the table.

  ‘Oh well, all right so, I deserve a night out.’

  ‘That’s the Maggie we know and love.’ Caroline filled the glass to the brim. ‘Now you haven’t answered my question. Isn’t there anyone that would set you tingling?’

  ‘I wish. Nope, not a sinner. Sad, isn’t it. I’ll be a dried-up old prune before I know it, and it will be too late.’

  ‘Don’t be daft. I was talking to Lorna MacNeal in the gym the other day. She looks fantastic. Have you seen her lately?’ Devlin queried as she dished out the meal.

  ‘She does look great,’ Caroline agreed.

  ‘I haven’t seen her for a while.’ Maggie helped herself to a slice of garlic bread. ‘What’s Lorna MacNeal got to do with me being a dried-up old prune?’

  ‘Just listen and I’ll tell you.’ Devlin sat down and picked up her fork. ‘Remember she was in a relationship with that bastard James Conway, and we just couldn’t figure out what she saw in him?’

  ‘He was scum, the lowest of the low,’ Maggie said. ‘He and Terry used to drink together. And two-time. He couldn’t be faithful if he tried. They’re not together any more, sure they’re not? Didn’t he go off with her cousin?’

  ‘That’s right and she got what she deserved too. They’re perfect for each other. No, Lorna’s finished with him a couple of years now. There’s someone else in her life and she’s crazy about him and he’s crazy about her. And she said it’s taken her until she was forty-two to fall in love with a really good man. She’s glowing, Maggie. She’s happy, she’s serene and they’re never out of bed. That could be you and you’re not nearly forty-two.’

  ‘Devlin, if it happens, I swear you’ll be the first to know.’

  ‘Good shags come to all who wait,’ Devlin laughed. ‘I’ve every faith in the pair of you.’

  ‘It’s really nice to have dinner together. It’s been ages,’ Caroline reflected.

  ‘Yeah, too long. We really shouldn’t let it go so long,’ Maggie agreed.

  ‘I’d love a girls’ weekend away. We haven’t done that in a long long time, either. What do you think? Will we try and arrange something?’ Devlin’s eyes lit up at the idea.

  ‘That would be a real treat, Dev. I could do with a weekend away,’ Caroline enthused.

  ‘Me too.’ Maggie’s tone was heartfelt. ‘How could I get around Terry?’ She nibbled on a pasta swirl. She sat up straight. ‘Hey! What am I saying? Why should I have to get around Terry. He owes me big time and especially now that he’s issuing invitations right left and centre. I’m in, girls, and that’s the be-all and end-all of it,’ she said firmly.

  ‘Good woman,’ applauded Devlin gleefully.

  ‘Where will we go?’ Caroline beamed.

  ‘Kilkenny,’ volunteered Maggie.

  ‘Let’s go somewhere that we haven’t been before,’ Caroline suggested.

  ‘How about something completely different,’ Devlin said slowly. ‘You know the way we’re turning Galway into a residential health farm? How about if we go down to Powerscourt Springs in Wicklow, have a load of treatments and see how they run it. A kind of busman’s holiday for me and Caroline.’

  ‘Oh bliss!’ Maggie sighed deeply. ‘I’ve heard it’s fabulous.’

  ‘Hmm, Crona Ryan goes down there regularly and she swears by it. The food is supposed to be out of this world. And the scenery’s gorgeous. It’s set in magnificent grounds, Crona says. You can walk to the Powerscourt waterfall. Brainwave, Dev.’ Caroline beamed.

  ‘Let’s do it then.’

  ‘When?’

  ‘As soon as possible. The next couple of weeks?’

  ‘OK with me,’ Caroline nodded.

  ‘Me too.’ Maggie took a long satisfying slug of her wine. ‘Fill me up, Caroline. I mean business. I’m drinking for three!’

  ‘Right then. I’ll check it out during the week and off we go,’ Devlin said with satisfaction. ‘You sort it out with Terry, Maggs. We better give him a couple of weeks’ notice, just to get him used to the idea.’

  ‘If he doesn’t like it, tough!’ Maggie scowled.

  ‘Let’s hope Ma Yates will be ten foot under or on the mend,’ Devlin added casually.

  ‘Devlin, you’re desperate,’ Caroline giggled.

  ‘Well, I don’t want her mucking up my girls’ weekend away. I’ll have to make the most of it for the next couple of months before I turn into a whale,’ Devlin retorted as she speared a piece of salmon and ate it with relish.

  ‘You won’t be able to go i
nto the Jacuzzi,’ Maggie interjected.

  ‘Oh drat! Won’t I? Why not? I know I can’t go into a sauna. I didn’t know about the Jacuzzi.’

  ‘It’s not recommended for pregnant women. It’s the same theory as the sauna – raising body temperature. And don’t have very hot baths either. And of course you know not to eat pâté and cream cheeses and the like.’

  ‘I know that. At least I can swim, though. There’s a pool down there. I’ll sit on the edge of the Jacuzzi and dangle my feet in,’ Devlin said cheerfully.

  ‘To a weekend of pure and unadulterated pleasure.’ Maggie held up her glass.

  ‘You bet,’ agreed Caroline fervently as the trio clinked glasses happily.

  ‘We deserve it,’ Devlin said firmly, thrilled that her suggestion had been met with such enthusiasm. ‘We all need some fun, badly.’ She raised her glass. ‘Here’s to our girls’ weekend away. Here’s to fun!’

  Fourteen

  Devlin stifled a yawn as she strapped the seat-belt across her and settled into her seat, waiting for the small Aer Lingus commuter plane to roll off the tarmac and head for the runway. It was a nuisance that there wasn’t an early morning flight to Galway. She was taking the last flight out of Dublin and overnighting in the Great Southern in Eyre Square. She would have preferred to commute all in the one day, but that would have meant two long train journeys. That wasn’t an option.

  She yawned again. It was ridiculous to be this tired so late in the afternoon. It must be her pregnancy. She had a long day ahead of her tomorrow, she’d have an early night so that she’d be fresh and alert. Devlin was looking forward to the meetings the following day. There was always a sense of excitement and anticipation when a new project was getting off the ground.

  A residential centre was a major challenge. She wanted to get everything just right. She didn’t want a Champneys or Forest Mere. Too big. Too grand. A little impersonal. Small, intimate and luxurious was Devlin’s goal for Galway City Girl. Twenty en suite bedrooms. State-of-the-art treatment rooms. Sumptuous, relaxing lounges. She loved the idea of it.

  Devlin sat back in her seat as the plane moved backwards and swung left. The air stewardess went through her routine and Devlin turned to listen, hoping to discourage the man beside her from any more small talk. She had replied to him out of politeness, although her mind was racing and she longed for the flight to start so that she could review the questions she had for the architect and builders. She had typed up a list of her requirements and gone over it with Luke, Andrew and Caroline. They had added to the list and she was satisfied that it was as comprehensive as could be. Caroline had pointed out that they needed provision for a separate staff-room in the new block and had asked several pertinent questions in relation to staff requirements that Devlin had overlooked. She had been too busy concentrating on the client side of things.

  Caroline was an excellent office manager, Devlin reflected. She was very lucky to have her on the staff. It was a pity things had taken such a bad turn between her and Richard. Just when it looked as if life was giving her friend a break and things were going her way, Ma Yates had to cock it up. Caroline was such a good person, she deserved a hell of a lot more than she’d been given, Devlin mused. And so did Maggie. It was awful to see Maggie being worn down. She had been such a vibrant, sexy woman, full of fun and full of life. Now, when she should be blooming, thanks to the success she richly deserved, she was tired and stressed and her marriage was a shambles.

  Devlin felt a pang of sadness. The Ryans’ wedding had been the best she’d ever attended. Who would have ever thought that it would end like this. Caroline and Richard had been doomed from the start. They should never have married. It was no surprise that the marriage had failed. They should have divorced long ago. Devlin scowled. There was no love lost between her and Richard and never had been. As far as she was concerned he was an insincere shit who had always put himself first, no matter what the consequences to Caroline. She’d seen that from the very beginning, but trying to warn Caroline had been like banging her head off a brick wall. Her flatmate and friend just hadn’t wanted to know. Now she was paying the price.

  Devlin sighed deeply. So many friends’ and acquaintances’ marriages were breaking up, it was frightening. She couldn’t imagine life without Luke. He was her best friend, her lover, her guide and rock. Would she still feel the same way about him in twenty years’ time? Would he still love her and want to be with her because he loved her deeply, and not out of a sense of duty, obligation, or routine, because nothing better had come his way? Who knew what toil the stresses and strains of life would take on their relationship? One thing Devlin was sure of. You could never be smug and take a relationship for granted, the nurturing and cherishing of the early years shouldn’t be allowed to slip away . . . ever.

  The captain’s voice came over the Tannoy giving details of their flight and instructing the crew to take their seats for take-off. Then they were racing down the runway and up into the gun-metal sky, bumping slightly as they cut through the clouds. Devlin felt a sudden queasiness as her stomach gave a little lurch. Her heart sank. This wasn’t the ideal moment to experience her first morning, or even late afternoon, sickness. This certainly wasn’t on the agenda. She fished in her handbag and found a packet of Polo mints and slipped one into her mouth. The man beside her looked at her sympathetically.

  ‘Ears popping?’ he asked.

  Devlin nodded. She wasn’t sure for a minute if that was all that would be popping. She felt a cold sweat break across her forehead and decided she’d better make a move for the loo before her lunch came up over the man beside her. As suddenly as the nausea swept over her, it passed, and she took a deep breath of relief.

  ‘Do you not like flying?’ The man asked chattily. His eyes roved all over her. He had been throwing glances at her, lingering on her legs and the part of her thigh that wasn’t covered by her skirt. Devlin’s heart sank. He was a florid heavyset man in a pinstriped suit, obviously ready to engage her in conversation all the way to Galway. Her earlier effort obviously hadn’t worked. Stronger measures were called for.

  ‘I don’t mind flying at all,’ she murmured. ‘I just have some all-day morning sickness. I hope I won’t have to use the sick bag. Let’s hope it’s not a bumpy ride.’

  A look of horror crossed his face. Devlin almost laughed at his expression.

  ‘Oh dear. I hope not too,’ he muttered before retreating behind his in-flight magazine.

  Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Devlin thought silently, more than satisfied with his reaction. Morning sickness and sexy legs didn’t quite gel, obviously.

  Pillock! She let the plastic tray down, took her questions out of her briefcase and perused them slowly but found it hard to concentrate. The man had annoyed her. What was she supposed to do? Wear a skirt down to her ankles? Her skirt came to about an inch or two above the knee. It was perfectly respectable. She was no Ally McBeal for God’s sake! Some men were such prats.

  A while later, she caught him glancing in her direction again.

  ‘You’re a businesswoman, obviously? What line are you in?’ He lowered his magazine. Devlin couldn’t believe it. He was gearing up for another chat and his eyes were now copper-fastened to her camisole.

  ‘Health and leisure. You must excuse me. I have a report to read before I get to my meeting.’ Her tone was polite but her eyes were cold.

  ‘Health and leisure. Interesting. I thought you might be in the beauty trade all right. I’m in computers myself.’

  Devlin nodded and reached into her briefcase. She had just told the imbecile beside her that she had a report to read and he had ignored it completely. She pulled out Maggie’s manuscript.

  ‘Big report,’ the Obnoxious One commented cheerily, still leering. They hit an air pocket and the plane shuddered. Devlin took her sick bag out of the pocket of the seat in front of her and opened it. Panic replaced the Obnoxious One’s leer.

  ‘The toilet is vacant,’ he said
hastily.

  ‘I’m not sure standing up would be such a good idea,’ Devlin replied, putting her hand to her mouth.

  ‘Oh!’ He retreated behind his magazine again and Devlin could sense his tension. She fiddled with the sick bag for a few moments before laying it down and picking up Maggie’s pages. She was untroubled for the rest of the flight and escaped into Maggie’s novel with pleasure. It was a cracking read and Devlin was sorry to come to the end of the latest chunk. She was dying for more.

  Their descent into Galway was extremely turbulent and again nausea overtook her. This time she thought she really might have to use the sick bag. It would be good enough for her, she thought wryly as she sucked frantically on a Polo mint. The Obnoxious One’s hands were clenched with tension and Devlin wasn’t sure if it was because of the rough descent or the fear that she might puke.

  It was a huge relief when the aircraft finally taxied to a halt. She breathed deeply, trying to regain her equilibrium. It was wonderful to be pregnant but the nausea had to be the pits, she thought glumly as she unfastened her seat-belt, took her bag and briefcase and walked down the aisle without a backward glance. She hoped that horrible man wouldn’t be on her return flight tomorrow.

  Her car was waiting for her and she sank gratefully into the leather seat and settled back for the short drive to Galway city. The sun had come out by the time they reached Eyre Square, the heavy dark clouds dissipating to reveal a welcome blue sky. She’d take a little stroll around the square as soon as she had checked in, she decided. It would be good to stretch her legs and clear her head. The reception was busy. A coachload of Japanese had just arrived and she noticed a lot of elderly couples sitting in the foyer, obviously taking advantage of the off-peak special packages. Galway city was the perfect place for elderly visitors. The shops were all within walking distance of the hotel and for those who didn’t fancy walking too far the magnificent Eyre Square Centre was right across the street from the hotel. There was a huge variety of shops and restaurants to suit all tastes. Devlin grinned, remembering her first visit, when she and Caroline had shopped till they dropped and had come back to Dublin laden down with goodies.