So she was here to say one more goodbye.
‘And I want you to know this. I don’t want to be with anyone. I know it’s a cliché, but it really is a case of, it’s not you, it’s me,’ Billie said.
Ray reached over and wiped away the tears that were falling down her cheeks with his thumb. ‘Don’t cry, my love. You’ve had too many tears in your life; there’s no need for any more, not for me. You’ve made me so happy. I’ll always be grateful for the times we’ve shared.’
‘You deserve someone who can give you everything, Ray. Love, marriage, kids. But I know that’s not me. I don’t want that. Not any more.’
‘What do you want?’ Ray asked.
‘I don’t know. But I’ve decided it’s time to find out. I’ve sold our house. And I’m going to finally do my tour of Europe. Maybe somewhere out there, I’ll get inspiration.’
‘I could go with you,’ Ray said. It was worth one more shot, he figured.
‘That wouldn’t work,’ Billie said, and he knew she was right. Their time as a couple was gone.
She kissed him one last time. ‘Be happy Ray. Promise me that.’
Ray reached into his pocket and pulled out their piece of twine. He placed it into her hand and closed her fingers around it. ‘I promise to be happy if you promise to keep this. I told you that this twine bound us together. That’s an unbreakable bond. That still stands, but this time it’s one of friendship.’
‘You still want to be my friend?’ Billie asked.
‘Of course. For ever.’
There is no place like home.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum
EPILOGUE
Six months later
Quite a crowd had gathered into the Gale family’s small sitting room.
Ciaran and Claire were showing photographs of their recent weekend break in Prague to an unenthusiastic Aidan. Emily and Stephen sat side by side on their sofa, sneaking looks at Ray and his new girlfriend Chloe. They’d been dating for a couple of months, but this was the first time he’d brought her to a family occasion.
‘Look at the way she looks at him,’ Emily whispered to Stephen. ‘She’s besotted. I’ll have to get a hat before the end of the year, you mark my words.’
‘SSsh … she’ll hear you.’ But Stephen had to agree that it did seem serious.
‘OK?’ Ray asked Chloe, worried that the noisy family get-together might be too much for her.
‘It’s fun,’ she whispered back.
‘Even Emily’s not-too-subtle interrogation over dinner?’
‘Oh, you mean the part where she asked me if I wanted kids or not? That I could have done without,’ Chloe said.
‘You never answered her,’ Ray said, trying to sound nonchalant.
‘No I didn’t, because it’s none of her business. But if you’re asking me, then yes, I’d like kids one day. With the right man.’
Ray kissed her and felt a bubble of happiness. He’d been feeling a lot of those lately, ever since he met Chloe at the scouting jamboree that summer. As Greta said to him, when he stopped looking for Billie among the tents, he found something else.
The door opened, and Greta and Dylan walked in. They were inseparable now, rarely apart.
‘Come on Judy Garland,’ Greta called, and the little black stray she’d found and lost trotted in behind her. ‘He’ had turned out to be a ‘she’ in the end. To Greta’s joy, fate had stepped in when the couple who’d fostered her changed their minds about keeping her. When the Dogs Trust called Greta to see if she was still interested in adopting, she didn’t hesitate to say yes. A decision she never regretted. Now, she couldn’t imagine her life without her little spitfire that was named after one of her heroes.
Greta had received her ‘six months clean’ chip a few weeks previously, and it was one of the proudest moments of her life. She felt strong in her mind and her body as she walked up to the front of the room to collect it. She had the odd nightmare, but the happier she became, the less they seemed to bother her.
The TV show in which Greta had been cast had not started filming yet, due to some internal conflict with the director and the studio. Greta wasn’t sure if it would ever be resolved, but that was OK. She had an audition next week for a play, and if that didn’t work out, something else would come along. She had faith.
Her phone beeped, and Greta picked it up. It was a message from Billie, sending love to them all.
Billie: Wish I was there with you all. I’m watching on the RTÉ player right now. Give Ray and Dylan my love. Hope Chloe is getting on ok with everyone. I bet they love her. I’ll call tomorrow for all the gossip!
Billie had spent less than three months in Europe, then found herself in Durban, where she now volunteered in a monkey rehabilitation centre. Her heart had no limitations as she tirelessly worked to help protect the animals she’d grown to love in the wild.
‘Sssh … it’s time!’ Emily squealed, making them all jump.
The nine o’clock news was over, and the adverts were about to start.
In a wonderful twist of fate, Greta had been asked to reprieve her role in the beloved biscuit advert, twenty-five years later. It had been Louise’s idea actually, formed from something Greta had said at her audition for Clara all those months ago. She pitched an idea to the biscuit company, to reprieve the advert for its anniversary, and they called Greta’s agent to book her almost immediately.
‘This is it!’ Stephen said. ‘Whisht everyone!’
They all watched the scene unfold on the screen. Greta’s character woke up in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve, just as she’d done all those years ago. But this time she walked into the kitchen in a pair of red silk pyjamas, her hair tousled.
‘You look sexy as hell,’ Dylan growled in her ear. And she felt it. She looked damn fine!
The woman on the screen poured a glass of milk for herself, then walked into the sitting room, where she found Santa eating a biscuit.
In a scene that mirrored the one she had done in 1995 when she was only eight years old, Greta said, with a perfect pout, as she placed a hand on her hip, ‘I want one too, Santa!’
Then she snatched the biscuit from Santa’s white-gloved hand, winking to the camera. Santa laughed his big ho, ho, ho and the advert ended with the caption:
Time moves on, but thankfully some things never change.
‘I’ve never seen her look more adorable,’ Emily said to Stephen. ‘I think Greta looks very like me in this advert, doesn’t she? Are you crying, Stephen?’
He wiped his eyes and said, ‘I’m just so proud of her.’
The room filled with shouts and cheers as everyone congratulated Greta. Dylan attempted to pick her up, then decided to spin her around instead. She’d never be that thin. She looked at the crazy, madcap family that she loved so much, with Judy Garland running around them all in circles, excitedly yelping so she could join in with the noise.
Greta looked at the paused TV screen where her face was frozen, smiling at the camera. The woman looking back at her had a round face, that was true. And she had a body that came with love handles and back fat. But more than any of that, the woman also glowed with health, happiness and sheer joy.
It had taken the help of three special friends and an epic road trip, but she’d accomplished her goal.
She’d found Greta Gale.
She was loved and she loved with every perfectly imperfect pear-shaped part of herself.
And she was enough, just as she was.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing a book is hard! But it’s made considerably easier with the help of the many Glindas I have in my life. This comment will only make sense if you’ve read the book!
I’ve said it many times, because it’s true – when I signed with my agent Rowan Lawton, my writing career began to make sense. We’ve had many adventures over the past couple of years and I know there are many more to come. Rowan, thank you for your enduring faith and support in me. You are a w
arrior, a dear friend and your editorial advice is always spot on. Every single suggestion you made during this process, helped to make Greta’s story better. I would also like to thank the very lovely Eugenie Furniss who helped me tease out plot lines when Greta’s world was just a seed of an idea, waiting to grow roots.
The entire team at HarperCollins will always have my gratitude. I’ve been with them from the beginning and over the years we’ve become friends as well as colleagues. Thank you Charlie Redmayne, Kate Elton, Kimberley Young, Lynne Drew, Ellie Wood, Elizabeth Dawson, Jaime Frost, Claire Ward, Adam Humphrey, Sarah Shea, Tony Purdue, Patricia McVeigh, Jacq Murphy, Ciara Swift and the many many people who work behind the scenes to make my words a finished novel. But most of all, thank you Charlotte Ledger, my editor. The best word I can use to describe Charlotte is extraordinary. Working with Charlotte is a joy and I trust her editorial judgement implicitly. When she pushes me to dig deeper, she’s always right. So, special thanks to you Charlotte, for guiding me to find more lovely with each book we do together.
Hazel Gaynor and Catherine Ryan Howard, there are not enough words to thank you both. You keep me sane, you keep me entertained, you keep me in good stationary and French 75’s, but most of all, you keep me in your tribe. Here’s to a future filled with corners with you two by my side.
I would like to thank the clever book retailers, media, book bloggers and libraries who work tirelessly to find new ways to get books into the laps of readers. Your passionate love of all things literary helps authors like me, every day. As does the incredible team at Tyrone Guthrie. I’ve started my last four books at this incredible writing retreat. There’s magic in that Monaghan air.
Thank you to the writing community that make me smile whenever we get together or chat on social media. Too many to mention, but there are a few that must have a special shout-out. Claudia Carroll, Debbie Johnson, Caroline Grace Cassidy, Alex Brown, Cecelia Ahern, Marian Keyes, Paul Dunphy Esq, Vanessa O’Loughlin, Shane Dunphy, Fionnuala Kearney, Margaret Madden, Maria Nolan, Madeleine Keane and Andrea Carter.
Thank you to Valerie Whitford, Evelyn Moher and Jill Stratton who help with admin in Carmel Harrington’s Reading Room, on Facebook. This group with monthly reading challenges and bookish chat, is so much fun to be a part of. New members are always welcome, so come find us!
To all at Virgin Media One on the Elaine show, but in particular Elaine Crowley, Sinead Dalton and Ruth Scott, thank you for letting me be part of your gang. I’ve had some hilarious moments with my fellow panelists on that show. And thank you to fellow panelists Eunice McMenamin and Caroline Grace Cassidy who answered my questions about life as an actress.
To my dear friends who make my day brighter every day – Ann & John Furlong, Margaret & Lisa Conway, Fiona & Philip Deering, Davnet & Kevin Murphy, Gillian & Ken Jones, Siobhan & Paul O’Brien, Sarah & John Kearney, Caroline & Shay Hodnett, Liz Bond, Siobhan Kirby and Maria Murtagh – thanks for all the laughter and support.
And now to my O’Grady and Harrington families who make me laugh almost every day in our various WhatsApp groups. You guys always have my back and I hope you know that I have yours too. So thank you Tina & Mike O’Grady, Fiona, Michael, Amy & Louis Gainfort, John, Fiona & Matilda O’Grady, Michelle & Anthony Mernagh, and Sheryl O’Grady, Ann & Nigel Payne, Michael Gates & Rita Timson, Evelyn Harrington, Adrienne Harrington & George Whyte, Evelyn, Seamus & Patrick Moher, and Leah Harrington!
And now to my H’s. George Bailey, our rescue dog and newest member of our family, you keep my feet and heart warm every day, while I write. Eva my clever step-daughter who makes all of our days more fun when she comes to visit. My children, sweet, thoughtful, artistic Amelia and funny, kind, Elvis-loving Nate, I know I tell you this every day, but let’s go for it again – I love you both. So much. And last but never least, my husband Roger, Mr H, who has been my constant since the day we met. Thank you for being considerate and supportive of my crazy deadlines. And for making me a cup of tea every morning as soon as you wake up. But most of all, thank you for loving me.
My final thanks goes to you, the reader. I promise to keep writing books for you all for as long as you want to read them. I hope you enjoyed Greta’s pear-shaped life. If you did, come find me for a chat and tell the world! Oh and one last thing – always remember that you are enough, just as you are.
Carmel
Reader Questions
Discuss the meaning of the title My Pear-Shaped Life.
While Carmel Harrington’s stories are all emotional reads, they always have a strong message, offering inspiration and hope. Has this novel changed you – broadened your perspective? What do you think are the key themes in the novel?
Which character did you relate to the most and what was it about them that you connected with?
The author often says, to get a rainbow you need both rain and sunshine. What parts of the novel made you laugh? How do you think the author balances humour and tension in the novel?
Do you have special memories attached to the wonderful world of Oz? Discuss the characters, themes and storylines the author uses to represent their counterparts in L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz.
Were there any moments in My Pear-Shaped Life that made you see things differently? Have any inspired you to reach out to anyone?
How do the connections between Greta, Ray, Billie and Dylan make a positive impact on each of their lives?
How did you feel about the ending? Is it what you were expecting?
During her research the author embarked on a road trip that took her from Kansas to Las Vegas to ensure that she understood the route her characters take along their own yellow brick road. Have you ever taken a road trip? If not, did this novel inspire you to add one to your bucket list?
Did the author’s depiction of negative body image change your opinion in any way? Have you learned something new or been exposed to different ideas about people who find themselves feeling less than enough?
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MY PEAR-SHAPED LIFE
Irish Times bestseller Carmel Harrington is from Co. Wexford, where she lives with her husband Roger, her children Amelia and Nate and their rescue dog, George Bailey. Her uplifting and inspiring books have captured the hearts of readers worldwide and are translated into eight languages to date, in eleven countries. Published by HarperCollins, her books have been described by the Daily Mail as ‘beautifully written, emotionally intelligent and moving in the extreme.’ In addition to My Pear-Shaped Life, her recent novels include A Thousand Roads Home, The Woman at 72 Derry Lane and the official ITV novel Cold Feet The Lost Years, based on the hit TV show, Cold Feet. Carmel was shortlisted for an Irish Book Award in 2016 & 2017 and won Kindle Book of the Year and Romantic eBook of the Year in 2013.
Carmel is a regular panellist on Virgin Media’s Elaine. If that isn’t enough to make the juggle struggle real, she is a co-founder of The Inspiration Project, a coaching and writing retreat. Carmel’s warmth and infectious humour make her a popular speaker at festivals, schools and libraries. She has given talks and been interviewed on TV and radio in Ireland, the UK and USA.
www.facebook.com/happymrsh/
@HappyMrsH
@HappyMrsH
www.carmelharrington.com
Also by Carmel Harrington
Beyond Grace’s Rainbow
The Life You Left
Every Time a Bell Rings
The Things I Should Have Told You
The Woman at 72 Derry Lane
A Thousand Roads Home
About the Publisher
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My Pear-Shaped Life: The most gripping and heartfelt page-turner of 2020! Page 28
