A Time for Friends (64 page)

Hilary looked at her searchingly. ‘I don’t think so, Colette,’ she said slowly. ‘What’s the point? We’re not really friends. We’re just a habit, and a
bad one at that. I could never trust you again. I’ve nothing to say to you actually. If it wasn’t for Mam I wouldn’t be here,’ she added bluntly. ‘I’m glad Jazzy
and Sophie became friends and keep in touch. I hope their friendship works better than ours has. A long time ago, after we had the falling out when you moved to America, I remember saying to Niall
that either you and I would drift apart, or you would do something that there was no turning back from. I think trying to seduce my husband would come into that category. Some things there’s
no getting over and for me, Colette, believe it or not, that’s one of them.’ She gave a shrug. ‘I wish you well, always. Don’t doubt that. But coffee? A chat? No, I think
not. I
would
suggest that you
do
talk to a counsellor or psychotherapist to resolve all your issues, though, if you haven’t already done so. I think it would be very good
for you. But, if it’s all the same to you, let’s you and I call it a day. Take care of yourself.’ Hilary gave Colette’s gloved hand a squeeze and walked away, leaving the
other woman standing with her mouth open, stunned.

Was that it? After all these years? Hilary had finally had enough. ‘To have a friend you have to be a friend,’ she’d once said to Colette during a row, implying that Colette
wasn’t a good friend to her. She
had
been a good friend, she assured herself, as tears filled her eyes and she was left standing alone. Apart from that episode with Niall when she
wasn’t herself, she’d been as good a friend as she knew how. A sob escaped her and then another and she fished in her bag for a tissue.

‘Are you OK?’ Des appeared at her side.

‘No . . . No, I’m not, Des. I want to get out of here,’ Colette wept.

‘All right, let’s tell Jacqueline to wrap it up and move on to the graveyard.’

‘Thanks,’ she managed weakly, trying to compose herself, relieved to have someone be concerned about her, even if it was her lying, cheating husband.

Des took her hand and led her towards the hearse. Her fingers curled around his. ‘Chin up, Lettie,’ he murmured encouragingly, using a pet name he used to call her, as Jazzy broke
away from some of her Irish cousins and walked towards them.

‘Are you all right, Mom? You look a bit pale,’ she said, secretly delighted to see her parents holding hands. She slid her own hand into her mother’s free one.

Colette lifted her shoulders and smiled at her. ‘I’ll be fine, sweetie,’ she said, as the three of them walked hand in hand towards her mother, like a real family again, while
Hilary, her arm tucked into Sally’s, walked in the opposite direction, out through the church gates, disappearing from view.

‘Let’s get this wedding started,’ Hilary declared giddily, settling the small red rose in Jonathan’s lapel.

‘It’s a civil service,’ corrected her friend.

‘If I’m a bridesmaid, it’s a wedding,’ Hilary said firmly. ‘And you will be the most perfect blushing groom.’

‘Oh Hil, I never thought there was someone out there for me. I’m so excited,’ Jonathan bubbled. ‘I’m so happy I could burst.’

‘I’m so happy for you I could burst too,’ Hilary declared, raising her champagne glass to him and taking a last sip before they joined Nancy and his sisters to enter the
function room where the service was taking place. Nancy was so proud to be walking her son up the aisle. And ecstatically happy that her prayers had
finally
been answered.

Murray had proposed on Valentine’s Day, fourteen months after Father McDaid had introduced them, and they were holding their ceremony on Midsummer’s Day in a country house hotel,
just outside Rosslara. Nancy was giving Jonathan away and Hilary was his bridesmaid. Father Derek was going to perform a blessing after the legalities were complete and Murray and Jonathan
couldn’t be happier.

The excitement of the couple was palpable as they stood side by side in their morning suits, and heard the Registrar finally say, ‘Jonathan, Murray, you are now joined together in civil
partnership.’ Tears slid down Hilary’s cheeks as she watched the loving couple embrace. At last, her best friend had what he had always wished for. Someone he loved, and someone who
loved him.

Ten minutes later, when the Registrar had left, because he was not allowed to stay for the spiritual ceremony, Father McDaid took his place at the lectern. An anticipatory hush descended on the
guests.

‘Dearly beloved,’ the elderly priest said, smiling. ‘As Jesus said,
Where two or three are gathered in my name I am with them.
It is my privilege to bestow a blessing
on Murray and Jonathan – particularly as it was
I
who introduced them,’ he added, to much laughter. ‘In this room today are two people who love each other.
You must
love one another as you love me
, our dear Lord taught. How wonderful for all of us to share in Jonathan and Murray’s love. For love is all that matters and love is why we are here. I
bless this union, gifted to Jonathan and Murray by God, and pray that the love that is here today will multiply and fill the world with love and grace. Amen.’

‘This is the weepiest wedding I was ever at,’ Niall murmured to Hilary as tears and cheers followed Father McDaid as he resumed his seat.

‘Isn’t that marvellous, to know that you’ve been instrumental in making two wonderful people very, very happy. And not only the boys, but myself included, and
all my family. We’re in your debt, Father,’ Nancy declared, overwhelmed with gratitude.

‘And I’m in Jonathan’s. He’s a wonderful man. He introduced me to Hannah over there. He pointed to his therapist, who was laughing heartily at something Orla,
Jonathan’s old friend from his bedsit days, was saying to her. ‘She’s an angel in disguise,’ he said enthusiastically. ‘All my years as a priest and I’d been
blindsided by theological arguments and this canon law or that one, and you know it’s all nonsense,’ he exclaimed.

‘Nonsense,’ agreed Nancy. ‘You know that song that used to be popular once. What was it now? Oh yes, the Beatles. “Love Is All You Need” or was it “All You
Need Is Love”? I can’t quite remember.’

‘Whatever it was, it was absolutely spot on
.
Love
is
all you need. And if there isn’t love in this room I don’t know where it is,’ the priest
chuckled, taking a rather large sip of his brandy. The party was in full swing and he was enjoying himself immensely. His words of blessing had been heartfelt, as he’d called on the Creator
to bless the two men before him joined in civil partnership. There had been many tears when he had spoken those words, but they were tears of happiness, and the elderly priest had felt his own
heart lift in joy to be part of such a blessed, happy occasion.

‘Look at Mum and Father D. They’re getting on like a house on fire. I
knew
they’d click,’ Jonathan said to Hilary as they sat together after
the toasts.

‘It’s a great day. I’ve never been to such a joyful wedding,’ she assured him.

‘Some day, hopefully, we will be able to marry properly in Ireland, and please God the referendum will be passed, but today will keep us going until then,’ Jonathan said happily.

‘You mean I’m going to get another chance to be your bridesmaid?’ Hilary teased.

‘You bet your ass, Hammond. There comes a time when a gal’s got to do what a gal’s got to do! Today was just a trial run. And a brilliant one at that.’

‘I’ll be there, never you fear,’ she assured him.

‘I know you will,’ said Jonathan confidently. ‘Of that, I have no fear. You know what they say, “People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.”
We’re in it for the long haul, Hil. I love Murray, but you’re my best friend.’

‘And you’re mine,’ Hilary responded warmly, hugging him. ‘And how lucky are we?’

‘A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity
’

Proverbs 17:17

I never write a book alone and so, as always, it is with deep gratitude I thank ‘my gang’ for guiding this latest book. Jesus, Our Lady, Mother Meera, St Joseph, St
Michael, St Anthony, White Eagle, all my Angels, Saints and Guides and my Beloved Mother who has brought me to Simon & Schuster where the great adventure continues.

Huge thanks to: My dear and wonderful dad whose courage and humour inspire me.

To my sister Mary and all my family. To my nieces, who keep me up to date with fashion, make-up, trends, and text speak!

To Keith Farrell, nephew-in-law who is always on call for IT dramas!

This book is about friendship, and to all my dear and loving friends, who are so precious to me, there aren’t enough thanks for all your love and support.

To Hannah! You are the best! A real angel.

A huge thanks to Darren Keogh, Lighting INDENT Designer, for sharing his expertise.

To my exceptional editor, Jo Dickinson, all of the fantastic UK team, and to all my dear Schusters worldwide: it has been an amazing, invigorating time, and I’m enjoying it so much. Thank
you all for your great enthusiasm, kindness, and professionalism. It is a joy to be published by you. (And Matt: thank you for the gorgeous covers.)

To all my terrific agents and friends at Lutyens & Rubinstein who work so hard on my behalf. Dear Sarah: you have been with me through thick and thin over the years, and are a true
friend.

To Helen (my boss, who minds me so well), Gill, Simon, Dec, Fergus, Sharon, Eamonn and Nigel at Gill Hess & Co. How lucky am I to have the best team in Ireland.

To booksellers everywhere, who despite very difficult times keep going and supporting us authors. Your backing and goodwill has been constant down the years.

To the memory of a brave and special boy, Haydn Harrison, and his mother Jeanette, and family. He will never be forgotten.

To all the staff in the Bon Secours, Mater, and Royal Hospital Donnybrook who have looked after my family and me at various times in the past two years, and have made hard times easier. Thank
you all.

To Dr. Fiona Dennehy, and all in the Cremore Clinic, Dr. Joe Duggan, Sadie Furlong, Assistant Matron, Bon Secours Hospital, Geraldine Tynan, Marian Lawlor and Michelle Connor, AIB Finglas, all
very special people. Thank you so much for all your kindness.

To my Facebook followers who offer such support and encouragement. It is great to be able to engage with my readers during the whole process of writing the book. Thank you all, Dear Ones.

And a big thanks, finally, to all my loyal readers who have supported me and bought my books all these years. YOU are what it’s all about. You keep me going and your loyalty and
steadfastness mean so much. I hope you enjoy this new novel.