Are You Ready?

by Amanda Hearty

  116

  Molly was wide awake by 7 a.m., and as Eve was due to arrive and help her at 9 a.m., she decided to get up and make her way to the marquee to make sure the kitchen was set up properly. As she dressed she received a good luck text from Scott. She smiled and thought already how different his attitude to her job was from Luke’s. She was looking forward to being back in Dublin and seeing him again. She tied back her dark hair and said a quick prayer that her cooking and serving would all go OK today. And as she texted Scott back, she prayed that her love life would finally get some luck too, and that things with Scott would work out.

  Sarah was also woken by a text, one from Tom, saying that as Mel and John were going away the following weekend he had agreed to mind Fiona in his house, and Mel had suggested that maybe Sarah might like to stay over, too, and they could look after their godchild together. Sarah laughed at how obvious her sister was: she and John must have planned this weekend away, just to try and get her and Tom together! But Sarah wasn’t complaining, and she agreed to it straight away. She was glad to have something to look forward to after a week of upset and uncertainly. Tom texted back to say he looked forward to seeing her, and that he would make sure he got some grown-up food and drinks in, too, ‘to celebrate your decision to stay in Dublin with us all’. As the day drew on, she hoped that maybe the weekend might lead to more than just looking after their godchild!

  Ben felt a little groggy that morning, but knew he needed to check in with the office. The firm had a deal going through that day that he needed to check up on. His secretary had promised to go in on Saturday morning to make sure things went smoothly. As he rang her he almost laughed. I really am changing, he thought to himself. Here I am, checking in with the office, worrying about work, tired after spending a night organizing a wedding marquee – he really was starting to fill his father’s boots. Ben ordered room service and gave his dad a quick call to check that he was feeling OK. His dad was recovering well, and Ben thought the time was right for him to move out of the family home and finally buy a place of his own. He had made an appointment with a real estate agent for when he got back from the wedding and was looking forward to seeing what he could afford.

  He showered and checked his appearance, because he wanted to look well today for Laura. He had forgotten how attractive she was, and couldn’t stop thinking of her big brown eyes and smile. He didn’t know if he had imagined it, but he had felt last night that there had been a spark between them, and he didn’t want to lose her again. He was through with playing the field, all he wanted was someone like Laura.

  Ali was woken up by her whole family all peering in the door of her old bedroom.

  ‘Oh, great, you are awake! Now we can do the presents!’ said Jill, as Ali’s mum and dad walked in too and sat down on her bed.

  ‘How do you feel, pet?’ asked her mum, giving her a big hug.

  ‘Did you sleep OK?’ asked her dad, who was wearing his old pyjamas and dressing gown. Just seeing them all there, her whole family, with their excited faces and gifts, made Ali start to cry.

  ‘I don’t want to leave this family,’ she sobbed.

  ‘Ali, you are not leaving us,’ her mum said. ‘We are gaining a gorgeous son-in-law, but you are not leaving us, pet. We all adore you, and today will be the happiest day of your life. Please don’t be upset.’ Ali wiped her eyes.

  ‘The gifts will cheer you up,’ said Jill. Ali sat up, and opened them. Kate and Jill had gotten her a large framed photo of the three of them sitting on their old donkey Ned. They were all dressed in eighties clothes and Ali laughed as she saw their old wellington boots, which Jill had always refused to take off, and even tried to wear to bed.

  ‘It’s so you won’t forget all the fun we’ve down here, Ali. Don’t forget that this is your home always,’ Jill said. Ali hugged her sisters and promised to hang the large silver photo frame in her living room in Dublin.

  Next her dad handed her a small jewellery box, Ali opened it, inside was a heart-shaped locket on a chain.

  ‘I know Robin is after buying you that fabulous engagement ring and a wedding ring today, but you are my little girl and I can still treat you, too, and so I thought you might like a locket.’

  ‘He picked it out all by himself,’ added her mum. Ali put the locket on, and smiled, it was beautiful.

  ‘I love you so much, Dad. I’m going to be so proud to have you walk me down that aisle today,’ she whispered in his ear.

  Finally her mum handed her a large rectangle-shaped package. Ali ripped open the paper and inside was a large hard-back notebook. On it was written ‘Ali’s Memory Book’.

  ‘What is this, Mum?’ Ali asked.

  ‘Well, when each of you was born I started a memory book for you, it contains everything: from how I felt when I was pregnant, to the story of the day you were born, to childhood anecdotes and old photos. I even wrote in what illnesses you had, so you would know for the future.’

  Ali started reading the book and saw her mum had stuck in her hospital wrist band from the day she was born. It was so tiny.

  ‘Oh my God, Mum, this is amazing,’ Ali exclaimed.

  ‘Can we have our memory books too, Mum?’ asked Jill.

  ‘No, you can’t, you have to find men first, and get married, so it will be a while yet I think,’ her mum said crossly.

  Jill sulked off to get Ali some breakfast, while Ali was left reading her book, and enjoying being spoilt on her wedding day.

  117

  Ali was sitting in the hairdresser’s with a glass of champagne in one hand and her phone in the other. All morning she had been receiving text messages wishing her luck. It was all so exciting. She had gotten her nails painted the day before and fake tan put on, so today it was all about her hair and make-up. Her hair was short, and she wanted to leave it down, so the hairdresser was just going to blow-dry it straight and fix in her veil for her. Her mum had been taking photos of her all morning, and now as her hair was being brushed she could hear the camera clicking.

  ‘Mum, will you relax?’ Ali said.

  ‘Relax? You are my first born, my eldest daughter, and this is the biggest day of your life. I’ll not relax, let me have my fun. You just take care with that champagne, we don’t want you drunk before the church.’

  Ali put down her glass and tried to read a magazine, but she was still distracted by her phone. It had been great getting the good-luck messages but there was one person she hadn’t heard from – Robin. Last night he had sent some drunken message through, but Ali hadn’t been able to decipher what he’d attempted to say. She knew they couldn’t see each other today, it was bad luck to, but she had been disappointed that last night he hadn’t been much use in the pub or back in the house, and now he wasn’t even texting her. As she left the hairdresser’s her Mum took a last photo, and the whole staff wished her luck. Her mum and sisters were not going to be finished for a few more minutes so Ali decided to head back to the house to relax. Just as she walked out, with her veil flying through the air, she ran right into Mark Searson. She froze. Mark and Ali had gone out for years: all through school, and even the first year of college. He had been her childhood sweetheart, and they had eventually broken up because his life was always going to be in Kilkenny, while Ali had wanted to settle in Dublin. Mark and Robin had been Ali’s only two boyfriends.

  ‘Ali, my God, you look great,’ he said while giving her a kiss. ‘I’d heard about your big day. Your dad is telling everyone how proud he is. Congrats.’

  Ali was too shocked to say anything. One minute she had been feeling let down and disappointed by Robin and now here she was meeting her childhood sweetheart. Was it a sign from God?

  ‘Wow, makes you wonder, doesn’t it?’ he said. ‘All those years we talked about marriage?’ He avoided meeting her eyes.

  Ali literally had to lean against the wall to stop herself falling over.

  Finally, he made eye-contact. ‘I’m sorry for saying that, it is your big day. Good lu
ck, Ali, your fella is a lucky man.’ And with that he was gone.

  Ali drove home in silence, ignoring her ringing phone, and went straight up the stairs to her bedroom, but just as she went to close her door her dad shouted up that Robin’s brother, who was also his best man, had dropped something in for her and it was on her bed.

  Ali saw a note and small box on the bed. She opened the note.

  Ali, I can’t believe it is our wedding day! I’m so sorry for getting drunk last night, and not being more help with the marquee and all. I tried to ring you late last night but your phone was off, I hope you slept well.

  I know we can’t see each other today, and I don’t even think we are allowed phone calls! But I thought a note would be OK. I’m sorry about last night, but I want you to know, the day you said yes to marrying me on top of Table Mountain you made me the happiest guy in the world. I love you. I wanted to make sure you knew how much, and thought you might like to see your wedding ring, I got a little something added to it without you knowing. I love you, Ali, and can’t wait to see you at the altar! Love Robin xox

  Ali opened the felt-covered box, there was her wedding ring, exactly how she had picked it out, but inside it was now inscribed ‘No One but You’.

  A tear rolled down Ali’s face. How could I have ever have doubted him? she thought. Then she got up and started getting ready. I’m going to be right on time today, I can’t wait to marry the man of my dreams. Oh, get me to the church on time, she hummed to herself as she took out her dress and shoes.

  118

  Robin stood at the top of the church, with his brother and best man beside him. He scanned the crowd, it was a sea of faces, all looking at him with big and encouraging smiles. He could hear the sound of the church organ and see friends and family among the flowers, all dressed up, waiting for Ali to arrive. Robin had been waiting for this day since he had met Ali, and now as he stood in his tuxedo he realized how lucky he was.

  Just then he heard a car arrive, and the church music change. The back door of the church opened and in walked Ali accompanied by her dad. Robin gasped: she looked like an angel, amazing. She walked up the aisle to the noise of cameras clicking and people wishing her good luck. When she finally got to the altar, Ali’s dad handed her over to Robin. Robin gave her a big kiss.

  ‘I love you,’ he said, and with that the church ceremony began, and Ali and Robin became husband and wife. It was perfect.

  119

  Ali sat down with a glass of champagne in her hand. As her friends recounted how they felt when Ali walked up the aisle, Ali looked around. It had been a wonderful day. Really, the best of her life. The church had not only looked stunning, but the music, readings and blessing of the rings had gone to plan. Ali had felt blessed to have everyone she cared about and who cared for her all under one roof, helping her celebrate her marriage. After taking many pictures down at the river on the farm, they had made it into the marquee, which had been transformed that morning and filled with flowers, lights and music. And as everyone was welcomed with champagne Ali was told over and over how beautiful and glowing she looked. Robin had been as proud as punch and hadn’t been able to stop squeezing her. Molly’s food had been amazing, too, and Ali had never seen her dad ask for thirds before! Molly had really established herself as a professional and wonderful caterer. And even though Molly had had to keep avoiding the band, and especially the lead singer, Will, all night, she had seemed delighted by how her catering had gone. When the guests found out that Sarah had been the artist who designed the wedding invite, Ali had seen many of the girls ask for her number, with requests to do wedding, christening and birthday invites.

  Ali looked down at her left hand, with its now gleaming gold wedding band. She still couldn’t believe it. She was married and loving every minute of it. As she walked onto the dance floor to join Robin, she passed her two sisters – who had been asked to dance by the groomsmen – and her parents dancing and chatting, and she even saw Ben and Laura dancing, Ben hadn’t left Laura’s side all day!

  Robin slipped his arms around Ali. He was so handsome, good and kind.

  ‘How are you, wife?’ he asked.

  ‘I am blissfully happy, husband!’

  Life is wonderful, Ali thought, as she looked around at all the people she loved and cared about. The day had brought change, and as she looked back over the last few months she thought of all the changes that she and her friends had made, and all the changes that still lay ahead of them, but she welcomed those changes, because that was what life was about, and she was ready for it.

  THE END

  Acknowledgements

  To my editor, Francesca Liversidge. Thank you for giving me a chance and publishing my first book.

  A big thank you to Lucie Jordan and all the team at Transworld, for their hard work, help and kindness.

  To all at Gill Hess Ltd, Dublin, in particular Gill and Simon Hess, Declan Heaney and Helen Gleed O’Connor.

  To my soulmate and gorgeous husband Mick. From a romantic proposal in Capetown to our becoming new parents, you have made me so happy. With your big, kind heart you are a great husband and father.

  To my beautiful new baby daughter Holly – as I wrote each page of this book you were there. You are such a sweetheart and I love you.

  To my wonderful family, the Conlon-McKennas! Thanks to my mum, Marita, for your encouragement, support, love and friendship. It started with a ‘flip’ and I never looked back! From a childhood filled with homemade puppet theatres, starting up our own local newspaper and countless hours of painting, writing and singing, is it any wonder I wanted to write?

  To my dad, James. Bet you can’t believe there is another writer in the family! Thanks for looking after us all so well.

  To my two sisters, Laura and Fiona, and my brother, James. You are my best friends and I would be lost without you all. You make me laugh every day, and I think we are all still enjoying the best childhood ever!

  To my in-laws, the Heartys. You have all been so kind, welcoming and generous to me. Thank you to Tom, Breda, Liz, John, Geoff and little Rebecca.

  I want to thank my friends, especially the Mount Anville girls, for all the years of friendship, fun and support.

  To my friend Kim McGowan – from our summer adventure in Montauk to countless hours of laughing and chatting – you are such a great friend. Thank you for always being so kind, supportive, interested and caring.

  Thanks to John Phelan for being such a kind and generous friend. From our days in the Blackrock Opera to Commerce exams at UCD, you are always there to help.

  To my wonderful teacher Sister Joan Hutchinson who always made English class so interesting and literature so much fun. I hope this book will make you proud!

  About the Author

  Amanda Hearty is in her twenties and lives in Blackrock, Co. Dublin with her husband Michael and their baby daughter Holly. Amanda works in a busy Dublin publishers, and studied Commerce at UCD and has a Masters in Marketing from the Smurfit School of Business, Dublin. Growing up in a house full of books, writing, dreams and ideas, and with her mother, Marita Conlon-McKenna, being a very successful author, it was inevitable that Amanda would finally put pen to paper and begin to write. Are You Ready? is her first novel.

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  ARE YOU READY?

  A TRANSWORLD IRELAND BOOK: 9781848270046

  VERSION 1.0 EPUB ISBM: 9781407036007

  First published in Great Britain in 2008 by Transworld Ireland a division of Transworld Publishers Transworld Ireland paperback edition published 2009

  Copyright © Amanda Hearty 2008

  Amanda Hearty has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

  This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual pers
ons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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