Are You Ready?

by Amanda Hearty

  ‘No way, that’s the only one that goes with the green linen sundress I got last year in Greece.’

  ‘Ali, for God’s sake! No wonder you have too much. You can’t be bringing items that you will only wear once. We are going on holiday to relax and enjoy ourselves, not to have a fashion parade.’ And with that he went back to watching football on TV.

  Fashion parade? He doesn’t understand, Ali thought, as she repacked the flip-flops and handbag. How did guys take so little on holiday? All Robin was bringing was one small suitcase and his Quiksilver backpack. Ali was so stressed. She had lots to do before flying to Cape Town tomorrow. She had intended to pack during the week, but what with all the extra work she hadn’t had a chance to, and now was tired and anxious. Bring on the sun and cocktails, she thought, as she started packing make-up and sunscreens and trying to ram in her hairdryer. She opened Robin’s backpack to sneakily stuff in the new Jodi Picoult book she had bought for the flight, as her bag was filled with the camcorder, camera, spare camera and more make-up, when suddenly Robin saw her and went mental.

  ‘Leave my bag alone! Why can’t I have any privacy? You have your own bags! God, you are impossible to travel with.’ He grabbed the bag back and stuffed it under their bed.

  Wow, what was wrong with him? Ali thought. It was only one book. His football team must be losing; they always lost. She laughed to herself as she reopened her flight bag and debated if her short blonde hair really could handle three weeks without a hair straightener.

  21

  Sarah was on a day off from the gallery, so herself and her mum had a visit to her father’s grave in Shanganagh, followed by a lovely lunch of salad and apple tart in a café in Greystones, County Wicklow. Sarah loved Greystones, mainly because her mum had grown up there, so it made her feel even closer to her mum to spend time in the place she loved the most. Years ago people went to Greystones for their summer holidays, to enjoy the beach and quaint seaside village. Sarah couldn’t imagine going on holiday to it now, as with the new roads it was only a twenty-minute drive or DART rail ride away, but it had still never lost that seaside-village feel, and had great galleries, shops and pubs. Her mum had only moved to Monkstown in Dublin when she married Sarah’s dad, and even then she had only chosen Monkstown because it, too, was right on the water. Her mum always said she could not live far from the sight and sound of the water. But Monkstown had been the perfect place to raise a family: close to the sea and nature, yet near all the best schools and the city for working. Sarah looked back fondly on her childhood, and could only wish her future children would grow up in as loving and happy a family as she had. Her mum was a ‘stay-at-home artist’, as she always joked, and their house was full of paintings and sketches, and it was this that had inspired Sarah to be an artist herself. And even though she now worked more at selling art than painting it, she still had the passion for it, and her mum still encouraged her to draw as much as she could.

  Her parents used to bring them all down to Greystones for a day at the beach. Her mother would bring her paints, and while Sarah’s dad played with the children in the water she would sit on the beach looking so creative and exciting, as she drew and painted.

  As they walked along the beach now, Sarah could see in her mum’s eyes that she, too, was thinking back to those happy days.

  ‘You miss Dad, don’t you, Mum?’

  ‘Of course I do, Sarah, but I’m lucky I’ve years of wonderful memories to relive over and over in my mind. I just wish you would find your soulmate soon, too, to create your own memories and dreams with.’

  Sarah nodded, and for once knew her mum didn’t mean to nag her about being single, but simply wanted the best for her. As they walked along the beach and talked about Sarah’s date with Ross, her mum’s dinner with Mr Macken, and Mel’s last few weeks of pregnancy Sarah realized that sometimes the best days were the days you just relaxed, slowed down, and listened to the water, the memories and your mum.

  22

  Today was Molly’s thirtieth birthday. She could not believe she had reached the big 3-0! Where had time gone? It only seemed like yesterday herself and Sarah were sixteen and having to get fake IDs to get into the local rugby club discos on a Friday night.

  When she looked back now on all the years she had spent studying business and numbers she felt it was such a waste; it annoyed her that she hadn’t started working as a cook earlier. But then, as her mum said, everything happened for a reason, and if she hadn’t studied business first, she would never have met Luke, so fate had worked out. She had put up with boring balance sheets in order to meet the man of her dreams. It was worth it, she laughed, as Luke walked into their bedroom with a cake and candles alight, singing ‘Happy Birthday’ while trying to take a photo of her at the same time.

  * * *

  Luke got her a beautiful Dior watch and a Fendi handbag. So much money, she thought, and they were impractical for any average day for her – she could never wear them to work, as they would end up covered in batter and flour! She did appreciate the expensive treats though, and was glad they were not more cookbooks; she had received a lot of those recently!

  Herself and Luke spent the day in Howth, walking, chatting and just being happy. He was in great form, and even though he had wanted to go away for the weekend to celebrate, Molly was happiest at home and with her family and friends. Like anyone else, she loved nights out, but her heart was with being close to people, making them happy, making them smile, and making them full! She loved nothing better than a night in making dinner for her friends; it gave her the greatest satisfaction. And though she would happily have made dinner at home for her whole family tonight, Luke had put his foot down, and instead they were all going to Peploes on St Stephen’s Green for dinner, and then to meet some friends for drinks after.

  As they walked the pier in Howth, and Luke chatted about possible summer holidays, Molly watched the fishermen come back to port with their day’s fishing, and thought of all the great fish dishes she could make with just a few simple ingredients. God, she laughed to herself, when she had worked in a bank she never thought about funds and investments over a weekend, and yet here she was calculating how much fish there was and how much she could buy it for. How life had changed.

  The rest of the day flew by, and before she knew it she was at home drying her long dark hair and trying to decide what to wear for her big birthday dinner, but what did a thirty-year-old wear, anyway?

  23

  Peploes was the perfect place for a birthday dinner: it was lively, loud and there was a great buzz. They had been lucky to have gotten a reservation for a Saturday night, the restaurant was full of businessmen and wealthy tourists, due to its proximity to the best hotels and offices in Dublin.

  Molly had a starter of crab claws, and a main of salmon and asparagus; the food and atmosphere were both great. She looked around the table at Luke, her mum, dad, brother Patrick and his girlfriend, all happy and chatting. It was a great night. After the main course she suddenly noticed a look of glee on Luke’s face as he saw the birthday cake being brought out; it was way bigger than he or anyone else had thought! Molly’s aunt had actually made it and sent it to the restaurant that morning. It was chocolate and praline, Molly’s favourite! After having ‘Happy Birthday’ sung to her by the whole restaurant and staff, Molly was finally able to taste the cake and wash it down with a glass of champagne.

  Her dad said a few words about how they were all so proud she was following her dream, and how at thirty, she was still their little girl and that they all loved her so much. Molly welled up, she was lucky to have such a great family, but the tears stopped when her older brother started to remind everyone of the funny and embarrassing things Molly had done when she was younger.

  ‘Well, we all knew Molly was destined to be a great cook, but she got off to a rocky start that would have shut any restaurant down in a minute!’

  Oh no, thought Molly, here comes the ‘garlic bread’ story. Her brother bega
n.

  ‘You see Mum and Dad loved having dinner parties, it was all very eighties, and along with baked Alaska and After Eights it was perfectly acceptable to just serve garlic bread for starters! Anyway, Molly was dying to help, so Mum gave me and her the job of mixing the crushed garlic into the softened butter and then spreading it on the fresh baguettes. So we did all this, and were chuffed with our chunky garlic and butter paste. After cooking the breads we served them out to cries of how great we were from all the guests. It wasn’t until we had served the last batch that Molly announced to me and Mum that her loose baby tooth had fallen out. Now that wasn’t too bad until she said she hadn’t seen it come out, and thought it might have fallen into the garlic bread! Well, as you can imagine, it was anyone’s dinner party worst nightmare, and we spent ages looking at everyone’s bread trying to spot a baby tooth, but we never did, so God only knows which one of the guests ate your tooth, Molly, but as long as it wasn’t me I don’t mind.’

  Everyone cracked up laughing, even Molly. After dinner they met Molly’s friends in The Shelbourne Bar for sparkling wine and more funny stories, but by 2 a.m. Molly was home in bed, exhausted but very happy. It had been a perfect birthday.

  24

  Ben was furiously typing up a review of the previous night’s Bohemians versus Shamrock Rovers football match, while keeping his eye on the clock. He played rugby every Thursday in Blackrock Rugby Club, and did not want to be late. As he tried to concentrate on the report and remember who had made what pass and to whom, his mind kept thinking ahead to tonight’s friendly against the first team. Ben had been a bit of a ‘rugby jock’ in school. His parents had actually sent him to the private Blackrock College, as his dad had gone there; it was well known for its great academic results, and it was the best rugby school in Ireland. And even though he had played rugby all through college too, he hadn’t made it any further than club rugby. And after he spent a year away in Australia, his fitness had fallen and he never quite got good enough again. So now he played for the second team, but he was still very very keen, and enjoyed the tough game and after-match banter with the lads. He had known many of them since he was little, and loved it that everyone knew his name when he walked into the club. It was like living on the set of the hit TV show Cheers!

  It was great to have a social and healthy interest and hobby, and he knew his dad loved to watch him play, as he was a very keen rugby supporter also. Joe O’Connor had come to every match Ben had played in from Under Eights right through to his match against Clontarf last weekend. Ben just loved the fresh air against his face, the rush of getting a ‘try’ and the joy of winning; it was tough and fun at the same time, but worth it. If he just got through this report now he could get on to that pitch and get into a good scrum.

  ‘I can’t believe we’ve beaten the first team,’ laughed all the lads, as they headed to the bar for after-match pints.

  It had only been a friendly and a practice match, but it was a great win, and Ben was thrilled. He had won them the match in the last minute, so was delighted to be accepting some winning pints. What with getting praise for his last-minute football-match article and now this, the day had been a lucky one. Maybe I should send that girl Laura a text, he thought. He hadn’t seen her since they’d met, but had been in contact once or twice. Today’s been a lucky day, he thought. If I get in touch with her, you never know, I might score another winning try!

  25

  Wow! Ali actually felt her breath being taken away as they stood at the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town. It was one of the most beautiful sights she’d ever seen. Here with Robin beside her, she felt like she was on top of the world looking down. She could see the beautiful white sandy beaches of Camps Bay, Bantry Bay and beyond, she could also see the Cape Town city, and the crowded V&A Waterfront – with its restaurants, bars and shops. It was so busy and loud down there, she thought, a hive of activity, but up here it was peaceful and still, with nothing but the blue blue sky and sun to distract her. They’d taken the revolving cable car right up to the top of South Africa’s most famous mountain. Some people had walked, or even jogged, up to the top, but they were happy to watch those crazy energetic people as herself and Robin soared by them in the glass lift. It still astounded her how flat, like a real table, the mountain top was, it was no hassle to walk around in her Old Navy pink and blue flip-flops, unlike most mountains in Ireland, where you needed at least a good pair of runners.

  They had only been in South Africa for twenty-four hours but already Ali was madly in love with the place. It was all so beautiful. They got a taxi from the airport to their hotel in Camps Bay. Camps Bay had a very long white sandy beach, and was overlooked by Table Mountain, giving it a from-the-movies feel, as it had the beach and the mountains all in one picture-frame! Everywhere was busy with throngs of tourists and wealthy locals, and the funky local African music playing gave the place an atmosphere of its own.

  They had arrived at the hotel and been welcomed by ‘sundowners’ – early evening drinks. And even though they were tired after the twelve-hour flight, they had quickly changed and sat in the outside bar watching the world go by. Ali had almost cried, it was all so beautiful. A far cry from the rainy Dublin they had left behind.

  ‘People just won’t believe how stunning it all is, so relaxed and beautiful and out of this world. Even the colours of the sky and sea are different. I want to live here for ever.’

  ‘Ali we’ve only been here three hours, how could you know you want to live here already?’ Robin laughed.

  ‘I know, Robin, with you here I could.’

  Robin smiled, kissed her and ordered more drinks.

  Being in South Africa was a far cry from any holiday Ali or Robin had been on before. Each summer the couple normally headed for a package holiday in Spain or Portugal. Relaxing on a beach and staying in an apartment had always been nice, nothing exciting or wild, but nice. But last year after two weeks in an Irish holiday resort in Greece, Robin had said he had had enough. He hated the all-day-long sunbathing, and found going for dinner every night in the same strip of restaurants boring; he wanted to try something else, go somewhere exciting. And so they had decided to do exactly that – save money and go to a different place. And as Ali looked around Cape Town, and they discussed the different activities and sights this country held, she knew they could both agree this was certainly a different kind of holiday for them, or anyone!

  They managed to drink another two cocktails each, before heading to the waterfront for dinner. They stumbled upon a steak restaurant. Ali ordered prawn cocktail to start, Robin had barbecue grilled prawns with a wine and garlic sauce. The food and wine were great, and by the time their fillet steaks and potato gratins were finished they were very full, happy and tipsy. Ali kept grabbing Robin’s hand and squeezing it, just to make sure they were both not dreaming. This has to be a dream, she thought, to be on a different continent with the man I love, away from it all.

  The harbour was overrun with boats, both private ones and tourist charters, and then there were the boats that went to Robben Island –where Nelson Mandela had been in jail. The waterfront was teeming with conversations – all in different languages – with children, musicians, street performers, locals, tourists, and Ali and Robin. It was perfect.

  Ali had wanted to look in the shops after the meal, as they all opened late, but after the flight, cocktails, wine and excitement, she was too tired, and just managed to make it back to their African-themed hotel room, before falling asleep dreaming of lions and tigers and bears. (Oh my!)

  The next morning Ali dragged Robin out of bed so they could get to the buffet-style breakfast as soon as possible. As they walked into the restaurant Ali gasped: the view was amazing, overlooking the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. Robin ordered a fry-up, while Ali chose French toast, with bacon and maple syrup, as well as helping herself to muesli, fresh fruit, toast and chocolate muffins. The food was endless! As they ate they planned their next few days. They were driving u
p to Franschhoek, one of the famous winery towns, in two days, and from there down following the Garden Route to other cape towns, but for now all Ali wanted to do was sit by the pool and sunbathe with a cocktail in her hand!

  As the afternoon wore on Robin began getting all anxious, Ali presumed it was the sunbathing, as even though he could tan easily it bored him, so when he suggested that they go to Table Mountain that evening rather than tomorrow as planned she decided to go along with the change in plan. He seemed strangely attached to his backpack as they bought their tickets for the trip to the top of the mountain, and didn’t let it go all afternoon; but when they were on top of the mountain he seemed to relax and for once let Ali take plenty of photos of him to show all their friends at home.

  As the sun began to set on the mountain, the clouds suddenly started rolling around the tourists.

  ‘The mountain looks on fire, it’s amazing!’ Ali said, totally overwhelmed by the sight. ‘And look, Robin, I can’t believe there’s a cocktail bar here, too! So we can have some sundowners!’

  ‘I knew they had this bar,’ said Robin gently. ‘I have known about it for months,’ he added, as he brought Ali and their Strawberry Daiquiris over to the edge of the rocks overlooking Camps Bay.

  Ali was impressed. She was usually the one sneaking a look at holiday websites online during work. She thought Robin only researched football online.

  Robin cuddled in beside her as he lifted something out of his backpack. ‘Ali, you know me better than anyone ever has and will, but there are some surprises that you do not know, but not for long. Ali, I love you more than anyone or anything. You are my soulmate and best friend,’ he said softly. And as he knelt on to the ground and opened a small blue jewellery box, his eyes fixed on hers, he asked: ‘Ali, will you marry me?’