Divided Loyalties

by Patricia Scanlan

  ‘Brilliant idea,’ Greg approved, bending down to kiss her soundly. ‘A romantic holiday in Paris is just what we need.’

  26

  Everything organized! Leaving now. Here’s to reunions!!!

  Shauna read the email and smiled. It had been sent hours earlier. Excellent. Things were going as planned and she liked being on top of things.

  ‘Carrie,’ she called to her sister who was ironing on the balcony.

  ‘Yep?’

  ‘Filomena will do that when she gets back from the park.’

  ‘She has enough to be doing, and anyway I’m finished now.’ Carrie unplugged the iron and stepped into the lounge. It was uncomfortably warm and she was perspiring. She couldn’t understand how her sister remained so unaffected by the heat. They had three days left of their holidays and although she’d had a ball she was looking forward to a walk along the beach at home in a bracing breeze. ‘I’m going into my bedroom to read my book until the kids get back,’ she announced.

  ‘It’s like the Arctic in there,’ grumbled Shauna. Dan had taken Hannah for a walk in her buggy along the breakwater. Jenna had invited Chloe, Olivia and Davey over to her apartment and the sisters were enjoying a few hours together. ‘So will you come to the airport with me while I pick up our guest? It’s a pain in the ass that Gabrielle Reed can’t pick her up. Honestly, if you invite a guest to give a talk to your Emirates Historical Society you pick them up yourself.’ Shauna threw her eyes up to heaven. ‘Her and her bloody migraines.’

  ‘Don’t be so unsympathetic,’ Carrie rebuked. ‘Would she do it for you if the positions were reversed?’

  ‘That old warthog? You must be joking,’ Shauna scoffed.

  ‘Well then, why are you doing it?’

  ‘Because Linda Faradi is the vice president of the society and she was supposed to do it but one of her kids has a bug and she doesn’t want to spread it around. So she asked me.’

  ‘Well at least your car is air-conditioned. What time have you to go at?’ Carrie poured herself a glass of fresh orange juice.

  ‘About six. We’ll be home by half seven and Greg has booked a table in a Mexican restaurant which is fairly laid back and the kids will like it as well. Is that OK?’

  ‘Fine,’ Carrie assured her. ‘I’ve put on a half a stone since I came out here. I’ve never been to so many restaurants. My waistbands are getting tight.’

  ‘A week at home and it will be gone,’ Shauna assured her. ‘What are you reading?’

  ‘The new Michael Palin, I love him.’

  ‘Go and make the most of it. I’ve to make a few calls about the art group’s annual dinner.’

  ‘Don’t you ever get fed up of all the socializing?’ Carrie perched on a stool at the breakfast counter, enjoying the couple of hours alone with Shauna.

  ‘If you didn’t socialize here you’d go mad,’ Shauna said dryly. ‘It takes your mind off how far away from home you are and how much of an outsider you are in such a different culture. It gives you a false sense of security, if you like. Every expat is in the same boat. It’s our common denominator.’

  ‘I suppose so. I just wouldn’t have the energy for it. Or the wardrobe,’ Carrie joked.

  ‘Della loved it.’ Shauna made a face. ‘I wonder does that mean we’re alike?’

  ‘Wash your mouth out with soap.’ Carrie grinned. ‘She’s unique and I don’t mean that as a compliment. I don’t know how she and Greg can be so different. He’s very hospitable and not at all mean. And she’s such a tightwad.’

  ‘She takes after their mother. You’ve met Joanna; you’ve seen how odd she is. She rarely sees him or Della. Greg is more like his father, I think. It was such a pity he died when Greg was in his teens. Joanna’s a very self-centred woman. She does her own thing and to hell with anyone else. No wonder Della turned out the way she did.’

  ‘Thank God my in-laws are not only normal, but nice too.’ Carrie yawned. ‘Right, see you in an hour or so.’

  ‘Enjoy it.’ Shauna followed her to the bedroom. Carrie flung herself down on the big bed.

  ‘This is such a luxury,’ she purred. ‘The only time I get the chance to read at home is when I get into bed at night, and I usually fall asleep after a few pages.’

  ‘Well make the most of it then. Would you like a mango smoothie?’

  ‘Oooh, I’d love one. The mangoes here are gorgeous!’

  ‘Coming up.’ Shauna smiled, enjoying the fact that Carrie was totally relaxing on her holiday. Her sister was always very good to her when she went home to Ireland in the summer. It was nice to be able to reciprocate the kindness.

  Noel slid on his glasses and peered at the telephone number in front of him. Should he dial? He dithered. What would he say? It had been a long time. He sat down on the small phone seat and picked up the receiver and slowly dialled the number written on the pad. His heart began to thump as he heard the ringing tone. His palms moistened. Hastily he replaced the receiver and went back out to the kitchen. The fire was low in the grate so he threw on a log and a couple of briquettes. It began to spark and flames licked around the ends of the log.

  Hanging up like that had been the coward’s way out, he thought, staring into the flickering fire. If it was Mrs O’Neill, she would have just plunged in and got on with it. His neighbour was a stalwart woman, he acknowledged. Carrie had only been away less than two weeks and he was just about coping. Mrs O’Neill had fended for herself for the past few years, apart from a couple of visits from children who lived on the other side of the world. She was someone to look up to, he admitted as he took a deep breath and went back out to the phone. He redialled nervously and waited for an answer but the phone rang and rang and eventually he hung up. He didn’t know whether he was relieved or sorry that Bobby hadn’t been there. With a deep sigh he pulled on his coat. He’d promised Davey that he would feed his fish. Mrs O’Neill had kindly performed the deed while he’d been incapacitated, but he was feeling better and he needed to get out and about again. He’d been racking his brains as to how he could thank his neighbour for her kindness and he’d decided to plant up two hanging baskets for her to hang on either side of her front door. She’d be delighted with that, he knew. She wasn’t much of a gardener but she loved flowers. He’d go to the garden centre and get some bedding plants. Noel felt quite cheerful as he locked his front door after him. If he’d lifted the phone once to try to contact his son he could do it again. If his wife was looking down on him she’d be pleased. The thought gave him comfort and he decided he’d stop at the grave on his way home and have a chat with his dear Anna.

  ‘What does this woman look like?’ Carrie asked as passengers began to emerge into the arrivals hall and crowd along the glass barrier to get their visas.

  ‘Blondish, from what I remember. Tall and skinny. She’ll know me when she sees me.’ Shauna strained to see if she could recognize a face in the throng.

  ‘You should have made a sign.’ Carrie could see other greeters holding up signs with names written on them.

  ‘No need for that; there’s the person I’m looking for.’ Shauna pointed towards another wave of arrivals.

  ‘I don’t see any tall, skinny blond wom—’ Carrie’s jaw dropped in recognition. ‘Oh my God! Bobby! It’s Bobby!’ she exclaimed, turning to Shauna, who was grinning from ear to ear.

  ‘Surprise surprise!’

  Bobby was waving dramatically, his face wreathed in smiles as Shauna stood on her tippy toes and handed over his visa.

  ‘How are my darlings?’ he called through the glass.

  ‘Hurry on and get your skinny ass out here,’ Shauna ordered, trying not to cry as she saw tears slide down her sister’s cheeks. ‘Stop it,’ she gulped, ‘or you’ll have me at it.’

  ‘When did you plan this?’ Carrie rooted in her bag for a tissue. She was overwhelmed.

  ‘Ages ago. I thought it would be nice to be together and I know that he won’t go home for a visit. It’s such a shame. He hasn’t seen Chloe
since she was a toddler.’

  ‘He hasn’t seen Hannah at all.’ Carrie sniffled. ‘He’s an awful brat.’

  ‘It’s a terrible way to be, estranged from your father. I never thought he’d stay away from home so long,’ Shauna murmured as she watched her brother join the queue for passport and immigration control.

  ‘Both of them are as stubborn as each other.’ Carrie sighed.

  ‘Here he is, come on.’ Shauna grabbed her by the arm and they moved towards the exit. Moments later Bobby’s long, thin arms were wrapped round them as he hugged the daylights out of them.

  ‘The two of you look fantastic. Aw, girls, it’s great to see you. Where are the kids?’

  ‘We’re meeting them for dinner in a Mexican restaurant.’ Shauna squeezed him tight, thrilled at how well her surprise had worked.

  ‘I can’t believe it.’ Carrie shook her head as they walked out of the airport. ‘How did you keep it to yourself?’

  ‘With great difficulty.’ Shauna laughed as she led the way to the car. ‘I’d say something and have to stop in the middle of it. My nerves were shot.’

  There were squeals of delight when they walked into the restaurant three-quarters of an hour later. ‘Bobby, Bobby!’ Davey and Olivia shot out of their seats and Dan did a double take as he saw the laughing trio walk towards their table.

  ‘Hello, stranger.’ He stood up and held out his hand to his brother-in-law.

  ‘How are you, Bobby?’ Greg stood up and shook hands before calling to the waiter. ‘A beer?’

  ‘You bet,’ Bobby said gratefully, untangling himself from his niece and nephew.

  ‘A pitcher of margaritas for you ladies?’ Greg, ever the urbane host, asked.

  ‘Lovely.’ Carrie took Hannah out of her high chair. ‘Meet your Uncle Bobby, Hannah.’ She smiled at her daughter.

  ‘Well hellooo, beautiful!’ Bobby stared at his little redheaded niece. Hannah hid her face in her mother’s neck. ‘Don’t be shy with me,’ he urged.

  ‘What can you expect?’ Carrie said a little tartly.

  ‘You can give out to me later, Carrie, I’m thirsty and I’m starving and I know I’ve a lecture coming.’ Bobby grimaced.

  ‘Sorry.’ She had the grace to apologize.

  ‘Yeah, stop doing the older sister bit,’ Shauna teased, lightening the atmosphere.

  ‘OK OK.’ Carrie held up her hands.

  ‘And how is my Chloe?’ Bobby kissed the top of his niece’s curls.

  ‘Hello.’ She dimpled shyly.

  ‘Hello yourself,’ he said easily, sitting beside her.

  ‘Sit by me,’ Olivia pouted.

  ‘No, me,’ Chloe insisted.

  ‘Me.’ Hannah joined in.

  ‘He’s here five minutes and he’s causing a row.’ Shauna smiled at her younger brother as she handed him the menu. ‘Choose and let’s tuck in.’

  It was an uproarious and joyful meal. The children, sensing their parents’ infectious good humour, were giddy and excited and Shauna was delighted, and hugely relieved that her row with Greg was over. She was in terrific form. Greg had told her to leave the car in the restaurant car park. They’d get a taxi home. By her third margarita she was flying.

  ‘Exotic city,’ Bobby said admiringly a couple of hours later as they drove past Davey’s favourite roundabout, the one with the massive coffee pot with the three cups illuminated against the inky black sky.

  ‘We’ve loads to show you,’ Davey assured him. ‘Wait until you see the dhows.’

  ‘No, wait until you see the souk. They have everything. Gold as well,’ Olivia informed him.

  ‘Gold! Wow!’

  ‘I have a gold charm bracelet,’ Chloe piped up.

  ‘Stop boasting, Chloe. You’re always boasting,’ Olivia said irritably.

  ‘I’m not boasting,’ Chloe retorted. ‘I have got a charm bracelet and a gold bangle and a gold chain. ’Cos my dad’s rich.’

  ‘So is mine,’ snapped her cousin.

  ‘Stop fighting, you girls,’ Davey ordered. ‘It’s great that you’re here, Bobby, you just get fed up of girls sometimes.’

  ‘Indeed,’ Bobby drawled. ‘Tell me about it.’

  Shauna giggled. She was well on.

  Two hours later, when the children were in bed and Filomena had gone to her room, Bobby rummaged in his rucksack and produced a bottle of Baileys and one of Tia Maria.

  ‘Oooh, Baileys! Lovely,’ sighed Carrie, sprawled barefoot on the sofa.

  ‘I was petrified those police that got on the plane at Dhahran were going to discover it,’ Bobby remarked, referring to the religious police who boarded the flight when it touched down in the Saudi airport. ‘It’s a bit nerve-racking, isn’t it? Don’t think Saudi would be my scene.’

  ‘This is my scene,’ grinned Shauna as she waved some liqueur glasses around. ‘Get some ice, Greg, and let’s party.’

  ‘Oh, I bought some crisps as well,’ Bobby remembered.

  ‘Proper crisps! Oh, I’ve died and gone to heaven.’ Shauna sighed, as happy as a lark, thrilled to have her siblings together so far from home. It was the best night of Carrie’s stay, they agreed as they wended their woozy ways to bed several hours later.

  ‘I’m dying,’ Shauna muttered when she woke to see Greg emerging from the en suite, showered and shaved for work.

  ‘I did try to tell you not to mix your drinks,’ he said unsympathetically as he tightened the knot in his tie. ‘I’ll be home late, I’ve got that business dinner in the Hilton.’

  ‘Don’t talk about dinner.’ Shauna groaned as a devil danced a hornpipe in her head. She closed her eyes and never heard him leave for work.

  Carrie looked the worse for wear as she staggered along to the kitchen a couple of hours later. Dan had taken the children for a walk by the sea and Bobby was snoring his head off on the sofa. It was Filomena’s day off.

  ‘Wake up, you.’ Shauna poked her brother in the rump and stood over him with a cup of steaming coffee.

  ‘Aaaagh! Oh, my head.’ He struggled to sit up, his hair a straw yellow mop on his head.

  ‘You look a sight.’ Carrie grinned.

  ‘Did you look in the mirror yourself this morning?’ he retorted grumpily. ‘Hell! I’m renouncing drink,’ he moaned as he sipped his coffee. ‘Where’s everyone?’

  ‘Dan, who can hold his liquor, thank God, has taken the kids for a walk to allow us time to sober up and make ourselves presentable.’ Carrie yawned and winced as the movement caused her needles of pain.

  ‘Do something about that sun, turn it down or something.’ Bobby squinted at Shauna.

  ‘Deal with it,’ she muttered, handing him her sunglasses.

  An hour later, feeling slightly revived after showering and dressing, they sat on the balcony eating croissants dripping with butter and jam.

  ‘Have some fruit and yoghurt,’ Shauna urged, proffering a dish of fresh fruit that she’d sliced and diced.

  ‘Fresh strawberries and mangoes for brekkie. I could learn to adapt to this lifestyle.’ Bobby helped himself to a generous portion and spooned some yoghurt over it.

  ‘Do you think I should get those spices for Della?’ Carrie buttered another croissant and tried not to think of the calorie content.

  ‘Don’t even think about it,’ Shauna advised.

  ‘OK,’ Carrie agreed, not needing much persuasion.

  ‘Did you ever think we’d end up all together eating brekkie in a posh apartment in the Persian Gulf?’ Bobby sat back in his chair contentedly. ‘You’ve done well for yourself, Shauna.’

  ‘I suppose I have,’ she agreed. ‘Even though it’s taken you long enough to come out here.’

  ‘Ah don’t give out to me,’ he wheedled.

  ‘Why not? You deserve giving out to.’ She eyed him caustically.

  ‘OK! Get it over with. So I’m a black sheep for not visiting, or coming home.’ He looked at Carrie, waiting for her to chip in.

  She shrugged. ‘If you don’t want to come hom
e that’s up to you, but just because you’re not speaking to Dad doesn’t mean you can’t come and visit us.’

  ‘Aw, come on now, Carrie, be reasonable. How could I do that? Come home to Whiteshells Bay and not visit the old buzzard? Even I’m not that callous,’ he retorted.

  ‘So we all have to suffer,’ Carrie said dryly.

  ‘Look, Carrie, you’re his favourite and always have been, you don’t quite know what it’s like,’ Bobby said tightly.

  ‘True,’ murmured Shauna.

  ‘Don’t give me that,’ Carrie snorted. ‘I’ve had my ups and downs with him too.’

  ‘Not as bad as we have, in all fairness.’ Shauna was firmly on Bobby’s side.

  ‘Well, all I’m saying is that he’s getting old and he’s not as bad as he was, and maybe you should try and make some sort of peace with him so that you won’t have regrets when he does . . . die,’ Carrie said exasperatedly.

  ‘I won’t have any regrets,’ Bobby said sulkily.

  ‘You know, in your own way you’re as stubborn and intransigent as he is. You were pretty hard on him too,’ she pointed out.

  ‘Oh, let’s not fight,’ Shauna said wearily. ‘We haven’t all been together for three years. Let’s enjoy ourselves.’

  ‘Let’s, by all means,’ Carrie agreed. ‘But there’s no point in brushing things under the carpet, they’ve got to be faced sometime or another, and, Bobby, I don’t care what you say now, but I do think you’ll have regrets if you don’t make some sort of effort at reconciliation.’

  ‘And I suppose if I do kiss and make up he’s going to have me and my partner over to stay,’ Bobby said sarcastically.

  ‘You’ve got a partner!’ they exclaimed in unison.

  Bobby grinned. ‘Yes, you smug marrieds! I’m spoken for.’

  ‘What’s he like?’

  ‘What’s his name?’

  ‘He’s divine,’ Bobby raved. ‘His name is Anton, he’s tall, dark and handsome, and slightly Colin Firth-ish. He’s a web designer, and I just adore him.’ He pulled his wallet from his shorts pocket and drew out a photo of his beloved.