Where Rainbows End (49 page)

417

in upsetting the women in my life. Bethany starts a fight with me if I even look at her these days. If I have unintentionally done the same to you Rosie, please let me no.

Bethany is going crazy about organizing Theo’s tenth birthday party next week. She has invited more of her own friends than Theo’s and Josh keeps stealing my car and driving it around all night with his new girlfriend.

She’s a sweet girl but I don’t no what she sees in my son, that’s for sure. He’s a madman. I can’t seem to get him to settle down and study (I sounded like my own dad just then). He’s supposed to be starting college next September but considering the fact he hasn’t applied for anywhere and can’t figure out what he wants to do other than drive my car, I’m presuming that he’ll be taking a year out before he heads off to educate himself further.

Luckily Theo thinks Josh is nuts. He’s actually afraid of him. So we’re hoping that Theo can be the son that we can talk about and admit to having.

That of course is a joke.

Things at the hospital are going well. I’m still doing the same old thing but my life has been made massively easier due to the retirement of Reginald Williams. I can breathe now without having to explain it. Working with your father-in-law is as advisable as living with his daughter. Joking once again,
of
course
. Well, kind of, but we won’t go into that.

I have to go now but I wanted to make sure things were OK between us.

The brochure for the B&B looks fantastic! I wish you well with it Rosie, you deserve the best!

Love,

Alex

from:

Rosie

to:

Alex

subject:

Sorry

I apologize for sounding off with you on the phone. I was a little distracted by a few things that popped up from the past in my life that I was previously unaware of. They were holding me back for a little while but they’ve let go of me now and I’m back on course.

418

Cecelia Ahern

I’m ready to move on and spend the next 10 years of my life tending to my quest for greatness and happiness. You are more than welcome to stay with me
whenever
you are ready to.

from:

Alex

to:

Rosie

subject:

Thank you

Thank you very much for that generous offer Rosie. I’ll be sure to take you up on that whenever my wife isn’t looking.

from:

Rosie

to:

Alex

subject:

Flirt

Now, now, are you flirting with me Alex Stewart?

from:

Alex

to:

Rosie

subject:

Re: Flirt

Why, Rosie Dunne, I do believe I am. Get in touch with me in 10 years time when your quest for greatness has reached its pinnacle.

p a r t 5

8

You have an instant message from: KATIE

Katie:

Happy birthday, Mum! How does it feel to be 50?!

Rosie:

Hot.

Katie:

Are you having another flush?

Rosie:

Yes. How does it feel to be almost 31? Any sign of my only daughter settling down, getting a decent job, and giving me grandchildren?

Katie:

Hmm . . . I’m not sure, although there was a little baby boy playing on the beach making sand castles this morning and for the first time ever I thought it was cute. It’s possible that I’m coming around to the rest of the world’s way of thinking.

Rosie:

Well that sounds hopeful. I thought dreams of you getting a respectable job would have to die, but you’ve given me hope. Perhaps I can start telling people I actually have a daughter now.

Katie:

Funny. How’s the B&B going?

Rosie:

Busy, thank god. I was just in the middle of updating the website when you messaged me. Buttercup House now has
seven
en-suite bedrooms.

Katie:

I no, the place looks terrific.

422

Cecelia Ahern

Rosie:

It’s KNOW not NO.

Katie:

Sorry us DJs don’t need to be able to spell. OH MY GOD I almost forgot to tell you! I can’t believe this isn’t the first thing I said to you! You’ll
never
guess who I met in the club last night!

Rosie:

Well if I’ll never guess I don’t think I want to play this game.

Katie:

Toby Quinn!!

Rosie:

Never heard of him. Is he an old boyfriend?

Katie:

Mum!
Toby Quinn!
Toby!

Rosie:

I don’t see how repeating his name is going to help.

Katie:

My best friend from school!
Toby!

Rosie:

Oh my lord! Toby! How is the little pet?

Katie:

He’s fine! He’s working as a dentist in Dublin just like he wanted and he’s over here in Ibiza for a holiday for two weeks. It was so weird seeing him after 10 years but he hasn’t changed a bit!

Rosie:

Oh that’s fabulous. Tell him I was asking for him, will you?

Katie:

I will. He had lots of lovely things to say about you. Actually I’ll be seeing him again tonight, we’re going out for dinner.

Rosie:

Is it a date?

Katie:

No! I couldn’t date Toby. It’s Toby! We’re just going to catch up.

Rosie:

Whatever you say Katie dear.

Katie:

Honestly Mum! I couldn’t date Toby, he used to be my best friend, it would be too odd.

Rosie:

I don’t see anything wrong with dating your best friend.

Katie:

Mum it would be like
you
dating
Alex!

Rosie:

Well I would think that would be perfectly normal too.

Katie:

Mum!

Rosie:

What? I don’t see the big deal. Anyway have you been speaking to Alex lately?

Katie:

Yeah just yesterday. He’s on the couch again so to speak. Bethany is tormenting him again. Honestly I think they’re both stupid to wait until Theo heads off to college.

Rosie:

Well they were both stupid for getting married in the first place. You know what Theo is like though Katie, he’s such a softie. His parents breaking up would break his little heart. But he’s going to have to love, rosie

423

deal with it from Paris at Art College so I’m not quite sure why they feel that will be better for him.

Katie:

Well the sooner the better, they’re a match made in hell, I’ve said it all along. Josh says he can’t wait for Alex and her to split up. He can’t stand her.

Rosie:

Well they lasted longer than anyone thought they would. Tell Josh I said hi.

Katie:

Will do. I better go and tell Alex about Toby, he’ll never believe it!

Don’t work too hard on your birthday, Mum!

You have an instant message from: KATIE

Katie:

Hi Alex.

Alex:

Hello my wonderful god daughter, how are you and what do you want?

Katie:

I’m fine and I don’t want anything!

Alex:

You women always want something.

Katie:

That’s not true and you no it!

Alex:

How’s my son? I hope he’s working hard over there.

Katie:

Still alive at least.

Alex:

Good. Tell him to phone me a bit more often, as good as it is hearing from you and all, it would be nice to hear about his life from him.

Katie:

I understand; I’ll pass it on. Anyway the reason why I’m messaging you is because you’ll never guess who I met in the club last night!

Alex:

If I’ll never guess then I don’t want to play this game.

Katie:

That’s exactly what Mum said! Anyway I met Toby Quinn!!!

Alex:

Is he an ex-boyfriend or someone famous? Give me a clue.

Katie:

Alex! Honestly you and Mum are getting forgetful in your old age.

Toby is my best friend from school!

Alex:

Oh that Toby! Wow there’s a blast from the past, how is he?

Katie:

He’s fine. He’s working as a dentist in Dublin and he’s just over in Ibiza for a few weeks holiday. He was asking about you.

424

Cecelia Ahern

Alex:

Great well if you see him again give him my regards. He was a good guy.

Katie:

Yeah I will. I’ll actually be seeing him again tonight; we’re going out for dinner.

Alex:

Is it a date?

Katie:

Honestly what is it with you and Mum? He used to be my best friend. I couldn’t go out with him.

Alex:

Oh don’t be stupid, there’s nothing wrong with dating a best friend.

Katie:

That’s what Mum said too!

Alex:

She did?

Katie:

Yeah so I tried to put it into perspective for her by explaining that would be like
her
dating
you
.

Alex:

And what did she say to that?

Katie:

I don’t think she was particularly put off by the idea. So you see Alex, whenever you get your lazy behind out of that house of yours, you no that there’s one woman at least who’ll have you. Ha ha.

Alex:

I see . . .

Katie:

Jesus Alex, lighten up. OK I gotta go and get ready for dinner.

You have an instant message from: ROSIE

Rosie:

Hello old woman, what are you up to?

Ruby:

Sitting in my rocking chair knitting. What else? No, Gary, Maria, and the kids just left and I’m knackered. I can’t run after them like I used to.

Rosie:

Do you really want to anyway?

Ruby:

No and stiff muscles are a great excuse for not having to play hide-and-seek 24/7. What are you up to?

Rosie:

I’m just taking a break from clearing away all the dust from the builders. Honestly have they ever heard of the words vacuum cleaner?

Ruby:

No and neither have I. Is it a new invention? How is the new wing looking?

Rosie:

Oh it’s great Ruby, I’ll have so much more privacy now. I can stick love, rosie

425

to my side of the house and the guests can have theirs. I’ve deco-rated a room just the way you like it so it can be yours when you stay. Let me know when you can come over. I’m heading off out with Sean tonight.

Ruby:

Again? Well this is really becoming a regular occurrence indeed.

Rosie:

He’s a lovely man and I really enjoy his company. Even though the house is always full of strangers, I can still feel alone so it’s nice to be able to meet up with him once in a while.

Ruby:

I know what you mean. He seems a real gentleman alright.

Rosie:

He is.

Ruby:

I read in the newspaper that Alex’s marriage had ended. It was in some silly gossip page.

Rosie:

Ruby his marriage barely even started never mind ended. Unfortunately for him.

Ruby:

How do you feel about it?

Rosie:

Sad for him. Happy for him.

Ruby:

Now you can tell me the truth. How do you
really
feel?

from:

Katie

to:

Mum

subject:

O h Mum

Oh Mum.

Oh my god Mum.

The most bizarre thing has happened.

I’ve never felt so . . .
odd
in my whole entire life.

Forgive me for speaking like a 12-year-old but that’s exactly how I feel right now. Last night was the weirdest night of my life. I met up with Toby and we went to dinner at Raul’s restaurant in the old part of town. In order to get there we had to walk up a really steep cobbled stone hill, passing by women dressed in black from head to toe who were just sitting on wooden chairs outside their houses, enjoying the warmth and silence.

The place only had a few tables and as we were the only tourists there I almost felt bad for intruding but they were so friendly and there was such a 426

Cecelia Ahern

good atmosphere. It’s not a part of the island that my job allows me to see very often unfortunately.

The manager of Toby’s hotel suggested the restaurant and it was such a good choice because it sat high on a mountaintop overlooking the island on one side and the sea on the other. The air was warm, the stars were twinkling, a man played on the violin in the corner. It was like something out of a movie only it was so much better because it felt real and it was happening to me.

We chatted and chatted and chatted for hours until well after we had finished eating and eventually we were asked to leave at 2a.m. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in my life. We continued talking as we strolled along the beach and the air felt so magical! We talked about old times and caught up on new times.

Mum I don’t no if it was the wine, or the heat, the food, or just my hor-mones but there were some forces in motion last night. Toby touched my arm and I felt all . . .
zingy
from head to toe. I’m almost 31 years old and I’ve never felt that before. And then there was this silence. This really weird silence. We stared at each other as though we were seeing each other for the very first time. It was like the world stopped turning just for us. An odd magical silence. The very same one that you told me you had with someone all those years ago.

Then he
kissed
me.
Toby
kissed me. And it was the best kiss I have ever had in all my 30 years. And as our lips pulled apart my eyelids opened slowly to see him staring at me, looking as though he was going to say something.

And in true Toby form he said, “I bet there was pepperoni in your dinner.”

How embarrassing
.

Immediately my hands flew to my teeth remembering how he used to always comment on the food stuck in my braces all the time and tease me about it. But he grabbed my hands and pulled them gently away from my mouth and said, “No, this time I could taste it.”

Is that heart-wrenching stuff or what? My legs nearly buckled from underneath me. It felt so odd that it was Toby that I was kissing but in another way it felt completely natural and I think that’s what the odd thing was about it if you no what I mean.