Two Days in Biarritz (12 page)

“You forget the hard bits,” Kate assured her.

“So, how’s your dish of a French hubby? Sorry for calling you
Carlton – old habits and all that!”

“About to become my ex-hubby, but he’s still a dish!”

Meave was gob-smacked. “God, Kate! I am so sorry to hear that.”

“It’s okay,” Kate smiled – she secretly loved shocking people.

“I’d better dash, Kate,” Meave said quickly. “So I’ll see you on Friday night, for Annabel’s bash?”

Kate tried not to act surprised. “Yeah, sure.”

“It was good of you to come over for the night, but then again, you guys were always best friends,” Meave smiled. “It’s great that Melissa got your number to tell you about it – I didn’t think she knew you!”

“There you go!” said Kate and added vacantly, “Good old Melissa.”

When Meave disappeared out of view Kate felt a rush of anxiety creep up her neck and manifest itself in a rash. She hadn’t a clue what bash Meave was talking about and she didn’t want to know. Kate hoped that Meave didn’t tell Annabel that she was in town – but that was unlikely.

She whizzed around the aisles, flinging tins into the trolley and keeping an eye out for anyone else that might know her. She had enough on her plate coping with her mother’s operation, without having to deal with bumping into Annabel.

* * *

The next day Kate and Damien drove Betty to
Cornhill Hospital. It had an excellent reputation for the successful treatment of cancer but that was little solace to the three members of the Carlton family as they silently drove up the long gravel driveway to the Patients’ Admissions.

“Have you bought enough bin-tags to cover the next couple of weeks?” Betty asked Damien as the car drew up to the front of the building.

“Yes, dear,” Damien sighed. “Kate got four yesterday, remember?”

“There’s just so much to plan before something like this!” Betty added curtly.

“It’s okay, Mum,” Kate interrupted. “I’ll make sure the house is kept just the way you like it until you get back!”

“It’s such a relief to have you here,” Betty sighed. “Thanks, love.”

“There’s no need to thank me,” Kate said in a businesslike manner as they stopped. “Just concentrate on getting better, please?”

Betty nodded. Her eyes reflected the strain she had been carrying around inside for months. Her roots were redone the day before and her make-up was on as always – but somehow the illness echoed through her face.

Damien opened the boot and took out his wife’s small case. Kate carried in a bag filled with fruit and bottles of water which she left at the reception desk. The three waited for Betty to be checked in.

“This is a nice place,” Betty said, trying to be upbeat about her situation. “I always said if I ever had to have anything done this is the place I’d go.”

They were lucky that the private hospital had agreed to take her so quickly, but Betty was adamant that she wasn’t going to a large public hospital like Beaumont.

Kate looked on as her mother filled in the required forms with the precision and care with which she approached everything she did.

“I’m ready now!” she said, standing up quickly.

A mixture of emotions churned inside Kate as she hugged Betty and watched her walk away with the aid of one of the nurses.

“Are you not going with her?” she asked her father.

“No,” he said quietly. “She said she wanted to go on her own.”

“That let’s you off the hook then,” Kate replied snidely.

“Kate! That’s not fair!” Damien was shocked by his daughter’s remark.

“Just bring me home, would you?” Kate snapped.

The journey back to Greenfield Close, Clontarf, was more silent than the outward journey.

Chapter 7

Annabel hung up. She was tired of listening to the phone ring out in Kate’s house. She picked up the phone again and dialled a different number. She booked an appointment with Daniel for
two o’clock. He would breathe enough life into her hair to get her through her first day of being forty.

“Would you like me to do anything for you this morning?”
Rosa asked, disturbing Annabel from her thoughts for a moment.

“No, thanks, Rosa,” she replied absent-mindedly. “Why don’t you take the afternoon off? You’ve been a great help.”

“
Gracias,
Annabel.”

The phone rang out and Annabel lifted it promptly.

“Mum, hi . . . I don’t have to collect the kids today, they’re going to friends . . . I’d love that – why don’t we meet in the Golf Club at one? Yes . . . I’ve given her the afternoon off – that’s fine, bye!” Annabel put the phone down and decided to do something positive to pass the hour until she met her mother.

It was a beautiful day for the beginning of April, and a walk along Howth pier was just what she needed. She changed into her runners and set off through the colourful village that was now a vibrant commercial centre with a vast array of restaurants and gift shops to attract the incoming tourists.

The Irish Sea lapped gently against the concrete walkway as she started her stroll down the pier. Outside the harbour mouth Ireland’s Eye sparkled like a jewel, a rich assortment of brown and green hues. The sun was surprisingly bright for so early in the year and Annabel slipped her sunglasses onto the bridge of her nose. The waves made gentle gushing sounds that reminded her of Biarritz and Nico – and his Adonis-like physique. The memory of their passionate liaison was far removed from her life in Howth. She found it hard to believe that it had really happened. She turned her thoughts to Damien. The thought of him helped her get through the days when she questioned why she was spending her life with a pompous prat like Colin. Turning forty meant little to her now, and a meal in Ella’s with Melissa Bond was all she had to look forward to.

In the distance a familiar figure was walking towards her. He looked considerably older than the last time she had seen him, but that was at least five years ago. A tall lean woman with peroxide-blonde hair walked at his side and as he neared Annabel was sure it was  him – Philip. His hair had thinned beyond recognition and he had put on some weight but his eyes were still the same.

Annabel quickened her step and caught up with the couple.

“Philip, Philip Carlton!” she shouted, waving as she called.

He held out his arms affectionately as she approached.

“It’s great to see you!” Annabel said enthusiastically, giving Kate’s brother a bear-hug. “Hi, Gloria, I’m Annabel – we met briefly a few Christmases ago in the
Carlton’s.”

“Hi, I remember you, Annabel,” Gloria replied in her distinctive American twang. “How are you doing?”

“Great, thanks, are you guys over on a holiday? I was with Kate only a week ago and she never mentioned that you were visiting.”

“My mum’s ill. Did Kate not tell you?” Philip asked in surprise.

Annabel shook her head. “No – oh my God, what’s wrong?”

“She has breast cancer,” Philip informed her sadly. “I’m surprised Kate hasn’t been on to you. She was operated on, on Tuesday.”

Annabel shook her head. “Where’s Kate?”

“She’s here,” Philip replied. “She came over on Monday.”

Annabel realised that, as it was now Friday, Kate had no intention of phoning her. It made perfect sense now why her phone was never answered in the Pyrenèes.

“No, I had no idea. It must have been really sudden!”

“Yes, she went for a check-up last week and they insisted on operating quickly.”

“Has it been a success?” Annabel couldn’t believe she was asking these questions.

“Unfortunately, they have to do more tests – they’re afraid it may have spread.”

“Poor Betty!” Annabel said, covering her mouth with her hand.

“I’m sure Kate will ring you in the next day or two,” Philip assured her. “It’s all been a bit manic in Clontarf since I got home. Kate has no plans to rush back to France.”

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am, Philip.”

“Thanks, Annabel. I’ll tell Kate that I bumped into you.”

Annabel leaned forward and embraced him warmly.

“Goodbye, Gloria,” Annabel said sadly, giving her a token hug too. “Bye, Philip.”

The couple continued on their walk and Annabel returned home to collect her car. She didn’t hear the sea or smell the salt on the way back – her thoughts were of Kate.

She drove slowly and distractedly to Howth Golf club.

Her mother was there before her and had already ordered a club sandwich and a Caesar Salad.

“Poor, Betty! I can’t believe it!” her mother said, shaking her head.

“Neither can I.”

“It’s strange that Kate didn’t ring you – isn’t it?”

“I guess so, but she must be under a lot of pressure.” Annabel certainly hadn’t the courage to fill her mother in on the details of the row with Kate.

Lily was deeply moved by the news. Betty and she were similar in age and they were not unalike in character either.

“I’d better order, Mum?” Annabel asked – keen to change the subject on seeing the effect the news was having.

“Yes, do,” Lily replied vacantly. “Before I forget, Happy Birthday, love.”

* * *

It was Betty’s wish that the house was kept spick and span while she was hospitalised and fulfilling her wishes was the only thing keeping Kate’s thoughts away from the severity of her mother’s condition. She had become accustomed to ignoring her mobile phone when it rang in case it was Annabel, but she needed to keep in touch with the galleries in Paris while she was away so now she took a quick look. The number wasn’t familiar, so she answered quickly before it turned onto her voicemail.

“Hello!”

“Hi, Kate?”

“Yes!” she recognised his voice straight away but didn’t want to believe it was him.

“Kate, it’s Shane!”

“What a surprise! How are you, stranger?” Her voice had lifted an octave. A bolt of lightening would have been more expected than a phone-call from Shane Gleason.

“I bumped into Annabel last Saturday. She said she was with you in Biarritz and gave me your number, so I thought I’d give you a buzz!”

“Good to hear you! God, it’s been a while!”

“Too long, I’m sorry I didn’t keep in touch after the last time we met up. Time goes by so quickly,” he said apologetically.

“It’s okay,” Kate sighed. “Actually, I’m having a manic week – Mum’s in hospital – she has cancer.”

“Oh, no, Kate!” The shock was clear in Shane’s voice. “I’m so sorry to hear that – is there anything I can do?”

“There’s nothing anyone can do at the moment, I’m afraid.”

“Was it sudden?”

“Pretty much so – she only went for a check-up last week and this week she’s in Cornhill after a double mastectomy.”

“Are you coming home?” he asked.

“I am home. I’m in Clontarf at the moment. I was trying to distract myself by doing housework.”

“You, housework?” he said in surprise.

“I know! I’m going mad, Shane,” Kate sighed.

“Can I call out and see you?” he pleaded. “I really want to help.”

“There’s nothing you can do.” Kate paused. “But I would like to see you.”

“It’s your birthday on Sunday, isn’t it?”

“You remember!” she smiled.

“Yours is probably the only birthday I do remember. I don’t even remember my wife’s.”

“How is Natasha?” Kate asked curiously.

“She’s fine,” he said briskly. “When is a good time to call out? I’m on the other side of the city now.”

“You’ll have to get your visa before you cross the Liffey,” she teased.

“I’m sorted. I’ve a duel passport. What about tomorrow?” he asked, anxiety showing in his voice.

“Actually tomorrow would be good. Philip and his wife are over until Sunday and that frees me up a bit.”

“Will I come out to the Close?” Shane suggested.

“Yeah. Do you still remember the house?”

“I don’t think I could ever forget your house, Kate!” he replied reminiscently.

“Is eleven too early?” Kate was excited at the prospect of seeing him again. It was so unexpected and yet just what she needed.

“Perfect, see you at eleven.”

“And Shane . . .”

“Yes, Kate.” His tone resembled chocolate in stereo.

“I’m really glad you rang.”

“So am I,” he said sincerely – then hung up.

* * *

“Have a nice night,” Colin said, his arms full of golf clubs. “Simon and I will be back on Sunday.”

Annabel nodded at her husband from the hallway, where she watched him fill his Mercedes with his bags for the weekend.