CHAPTER 12
Susan laughed as she sat down.
‘I concur. No point in walking around in that and catching our death. We’ll end up being sick for Christmas.’
Rachel caught the last few words as she sat down.
‘Who’s sick for Christmas?’
The girls laughed.
‘Nobody,’ responded Susan. ‘I was just agreeing with Kelly’s suggestion that we throw in the towel on this shopping lark and add a brandy to these coffees.’
‘Oh girl’s I’d love to but I really have to finish my shopping. I’ve done nothing so far. Today is the first day I’ve gotten out there to do it.’
Susan teased her.
‘What in god’s name have you been doing woman? You’ve no kids or even a husband to worry about and you still haven’t managed to do your shopping?’
‘Oh that’s it rub it in. I’ve no husband or kids. I’ve no life.’ Rachel was laughing as she took a sip from her frothy cappuccino.
‘Oh feck off. You know what I mean!’
Kelly joined in the banter.
‘Hey I’ve no kids either and I only finished mine this morning in that jewellery shop where I bought my Mums present.’
‘I don’t know what I’ll do with you two. You need to do what I do. New York every year. First week in December and you get everything done and I always manage to pick up one or two extra gifts for myself!’
‘I bet Justin just loves that!’
Laughing, Susan answered.
‘Funny you should say that Kelly this year when I came home he didn’t even ask what he bought me for Christmas. He takes it for granted now that come Christmas morning there’s an extra few gifts under the tree from him to me.’
‘You really have that husband of yours wrapped around your finger don’t you.’ Rachel couldn’t help the slight twinge of jealousy she felt as she looked at Susan gushing about her shopping trip. The way her eyes lit up as she talked about Justin somehow managed to remind Rachel once more how empty she felt her life was without a partner to share it with. She couldn’t seem to shake the feeling lately that she would dearly love someone in her life. Maybe it was Dan’s death that reminded her how time catches up with you and how quickly things can be taken from you.
‘What if I never get the opportunity to experience all that a relationship has to offer.’ She thought to herself.
‘What if I never get to have kids and a family life? Her mind was filled with thoughts of longing and she had completely tuned out the girls at the table.
‘Earth to Rachel.’ Kelly was waving her hand in front of Rachel’s face in an attempt to get her attention.
‘Oh sorry, I was away in another world there.’
‘We know. We were talking about Christmas. What’s the plan for you? Will you be seeing Kate?’
‘Oh, I..em..I don’t know really. I was leaving it until the last minute to call her about getting together maybe on Stephens day for a few hours. I figure the less time I give her to think about it the more chance I have of getting her to meet up.’
‘Nice strategic thinking there Rach. Do you think she will meet up with you? Would she like to meet up with us all for a few hours at some point over the holidays?’
‘If I’m realistic, the probability of either of those two things happening are very slim.’
Kelly wondered if Kate would ever be her old self again.
‘Do you think she would like a visit from us? We could bring the party to her, so to speak?’
‘Not a bad idea Kelly. What do you think Rachel?’
‘Ye, maybe. Let me have a chat with her later and see what the mood is like?’
‘Ok , so in the meantime what are your plans over the Christmas?’ Susan was trying to get the waiters attention. ‘Are you with the family?’
‘Gosh ye. If I didn’t turn up for the O’Brien family Christmas my life wouldn’t be worth living. What about you guys? What are the plans?’
Kelly answered first.
‘Well I’m going to Pats family this year. It’s only fair. He spent last year at mine. I have to say I’m really going to miss my family this Christmas. I’m finding it hard to get my head around the whole thing.’
‘Ah Kelly that’s tough. I was very lucky that Justin was from Dublin so we could go to both houses at Christmas when we were first going out. It certainly made things a lot easier when we had the kids and started staying at home. Both sets of parents could visit and then feck off before we wanted to kill each other.’ All the girls burst out laughing as the waiter approached their table.
‘Who wants what?’ Susan asked.
‘I’ll manage another cappuccino please.’ Kelly figured she wasn’t rushing anywhere after seeing the horrendous weather outside.
‘Yes I’ll have one too,’ said Susan.
‘Oh to hell with it I’ll have another quick one before venturing out into the elements,’ said Rachel.
‘Ye no point in rushing around just yet, thanks.’ Susan dismissed the waiter as they returned to their conversation. ‘Now where were we? Susan wondered. ‘Oh Yes, I was saying how I like Justins family to be able to feck off when I’ve had a dose of them.’
‘I know what you mean. Pats family aren’t the liveliest bunch in the world. I’ve no idea how I’ll cope for three whole days locked into Duffington Manor being regaled by stories of the good aul’ times by all Pats aunts and uncles. His parents are ancient and they each have about 20 siblings. They all decend on Duffington on Christmas Eve and stay until after Stephens day.’
Rachel surpressed a laugh.
‘Oh that sounds fascinating to me Kelly.’
‘Ye right, I’d love to see you do it O’Brien. You’d die of boredom before Uncle Albert finished discussing his involuntary bowel movements with graphic descriptions.’
Rachel and Susan were doubled over with laughter.
‘Oh no Kelly, that’s awful, you poor thing.’
‘I wouldn’t mind, but he actually tells me about it everytime I go down there. It’s like he has found a confidante in me and for some reason he feels now it’s completely appropriate to inform me whether it’s been a good week in the intestinal world of Mr Albert Duffington.’
Rachel choked back the laughter enough to say, ‘I propose you get him at his own game. Tell him about yours,’ before laughing heartedly with Susan.
‘Ah gee girls your sympathy is overwhelming.’ Kelly couldn’t keep a straight face while she tried to give out to the girls. ‘I’m glad I shared that with you both.’ She laughed along with them at the thought of the shock on Uncle Albert’s face if she started to regale him with the intimate details of her daily movements. ‘I’ll tell you something though. I am so looking forward to our New Years trip away. Roll on December 30th I say. I don’t care how wet and cold it is outside I am going to thoroughly enjoy our few days in the wilds of Donegal.’
‘Yes, I’m with you on that one Kelly. I’m really looking forward to it. I just emailed the house owners this morning. They seem so lovely. They wished me a happy Christmas and they sound nearly as excited as we are at the prospect of our visit. I hope they feel the same way after we vacate their summer home?’
‘They probably think we are crazy renting a cottage they normally only use in summer time. ‘
‘I think they’re just happy to have someone else enjoy it. Now listen I have another friend I invited. I know it’s last thing, but she just broke up with her boyfriend and they had made plans to spend it with all of his friends in some hotel in Kerry at a big black tie ball. I felt so sorry for her when she was telling me.’
‘Hey as far as I’m concerned the more the merrier.’
‘Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel I’m hijacking it.’
‘Rach, you’re the one that organized the whole thing. Of course not. Nobody will mind. In fact nobody will probably even notice.’
‘Ye, you’re right. That’s great I’ll confirm with her later today. It means its less money for all us. I figured I’d just use her contribution as the kitty for food….’
‘This is all lovely girls but if you want to get the rest of your shopping done Rach we really should be making a move.’
Kelly joked with Susan.
‘Oh listen to you. No point getting jealous of us non childrened folk. Just because you wish Justin and yourself could come away to Donegal with us instead of Skiing in Gstaad with Royalty and A-list celebrities. I’m afraid you’ll just have to deal with it Susan.’
‘Ye, ye I know.’ Susan played along. ‘I don’t know how I’m going to survive a whole week of that much luxury, pampering, great food and wines and some of the best slopes in Europe. It’s going to be tough.’
Rachel playfully hit her on the arm.
‘Ye my heart bleeds for you.’
‘Girls honestly, I would much prefer to be in Donegal in a cold cottage with the gang, honestly. But enough of that. Rach if you want to finish your shopping we have to get going because it’s nearly lunchtime and in my book that’s Café En Seine, a goats cheese tartlet, and a nice warming glass of a ruby red alcoholic beverage.’
‘Well when you put it like that I can’t think of anything better. I promise I’ll race around. Why don’t you guys head there now? I’ll get what I need and just follow you over?’
Kelly responded as they stood to get their coats and paraphernalia together.
‘Ah that takes the fun out of it for you.’
‘Don’t be silly, of course it won’t. It will just mean I actually get my shopping done without you two dawdling along and holding me up.’ Rachel responded cheekily.
‘Grand with me. That 400 yard walk will get my appetite going.’ Kelly laughed as she put on her cashmere wool coat. Every time she wrapped it around her she was reminded of her Mum and her insistence that she needed ‘investment pieces’ in her wardrobe. It had taken Kelly a long time to realize her Mum was right and the soft warmth of her cream full length coat was testament to this invaluable piece of advice.
‘Christmas time is hardest,’ she thought as fond memories enveloped her. ‘Miss you Mum,’ she thought to herself. ‘Wish you were here.’
‘Well I better go with this one or the customers in Café En Seine won’t be safe,’ Susan linked Kellys arm.
‘Ye it’s me that’s the bad influence,’ Kelly smiled at her friend. ‘Come on we’re holding Rach up. See you in a while Rach. Good luck with the shopping.’
‘Thanks ladies, see you shortly, mine is a hot port, I’ll text you when to order it.’
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