Journey to Her Dreams

by Iris Blobel

  They all stared at her in amazement.

  Her stern-faced expression stayed on Angus. “I’m sick of this topic, especially on my birthday. Now, would you please drop it?”

  The silence in the air was so heavy that Patricia’s voice took them by surprise. “You’re right, love. It was inappropriate.”

  Yet, Sam ignored her and continued staring at Angus, whose eyes conveyed the fury within him.

  “Angus,” she said slowly, ignoring Padraic’s glare, which begged her not go there. “I am aware I’m not up to your standards, despite having one of the best jobs in Dublin’s advertising market, earning a respectable salary and having worked myself up to where I am now without anybody's help. That is all fine with me. I do respect the apparent hierarchy in your family, and I’ve tried to adapt, good grief, I’ve tried hard, but this crap about me not wanting a child is just old stuff and beyond—”

  Placing his hand on her shoulder, Padraic tried to stop her. “Honey—”

  She pulled her arm away from underneath Padraic’s. “Happy birthday!” she said sarcastically and stood.

  Padraic took her arm and tried to pull her back down. “Honey, don’t make a scene, please. He doesn’t mean it.”

  Sam shot him a look of anger and frustration.

  “Mum, Dad, I’m sorry, but I’d better take Sam home. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”

  Angus was about to say something, but Patricia placed her hand on his, “Let it be, Angus,” she said quietly.

  Padraic raced after Sam, trying to leave the restaurant as slowly as possible, and finally caught up to her at the car.

  “Honey—”

  Sam kept on pacing without glancing at him. “Don’t you honey me! I’ve had enough of this.”

  “Hey, I’m sorry.”

  Sam shot around and licked her lower lip, managing to quell her anger. She seethed, but didn’t say anything. There wasn’t anything to say.

  When he reached out for her, his hoarse whisper broke the silence. “Sam?”

  She raised her head to meet his eyes. “I just want to go home.”

  He placed his finger under her chin, but she pulled away. So he opened the car door, and they drove back home. Sam was barely able to hold back the tears.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Hollie caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window. Raining again! Not uncommon in Tasmania, but it had been such a great summer, she wished the sunshine would stay a little bit longer. She had only another few days until she would leave for Ireland.

  Yikes, it couldn’t be any farther away, could it? The excitement seemed to be fading, and the tension was growing. The previous month had been busy with the preparation of relevant travel documents, as well as getting information on Ireland and Dublin.

  She had proudly held up her passport to show it off when she first received it. With excitement growing, she read through some of the travel guides, learning about Dublin, Grafton Street, Dublin Castle, the Waterford Crystal Factory, Blarney Castle and the gift of the gab, and the scenery. She looked forward to seeing everything with her own two eyes. And yet, the closer the date came, the less she was able to concentrate on her daily life. She became easily distracted by her daydreams.

  Jeremy had been a great help and full of useful information. He guided her through all the little obstacles with calm ease, and she liked him even more for it. Hollie and Jeremy’s relationship had grown over the summer, with him being a regular visitor on the farm.

  Jeremy had just come back from Hobart, where he’d spent the last couple of days for his niece’s birthday. Hollie had received an invitation as well, but declined in order to purchase a few more things from the shops.

  Only three more days! She finished work on Friday, and everyone wished her well. Though they didn’t know the intention of the trip, they assumed that even the travel to Europe was a big event and worth giving her the three weeks’ leave.

  Hollie fiddled with a strand of her hair. “Jeremy, what if I can’t find her? What if she doesn’t exist? What if…?”

  He took her gently by her shoulders. “Twinkles, look at me. Everything will turn out fine. It’s normal to freak out a bit.”

  “I am not freaking out. I’m simply realistic. I’m—”

  Jeremy leaned forward and kissed her. “You’re simply nervous. That’s all. Trust your instinct.”

  “I have no instinct. I have dreams. That’s all. Have you any idea how big Dublin is?” Hollie raked her hands through her hair in frustration, when she noticed Jeremy was about to crack a smile. “Never mind.”

  “Hey, you’ll have Davo with you. He’ll be a big help. You’re dreaming about the person. You still do. I’m sure there’s a real connection between you and this other woman, and I’m convinced you’ll be able to find her.”

  Hollie pondered that thought for a moment. He’s convinced. Right. That’s a help. Hollie was close to screaming out loud. You being convinced doesn’t help me. But she knew deep down inside it was just the apprehension talking.

  All she wanted was a simple answer as to why this was happening, or for someone to guide her through it all. She had visited the local library only a few days earlier to read about dreams and what they could stand for, but nothing jumped out at her that would have made sense. According to Freud, “Dreams are subconscious wishes to be interpreted. They are those feelings and things we think about and want to say but are somehow repressed in our consciousness.”

  Subconscious wishes? Good grief! It didn’t get her anywhere, and in the end she gave up. These were not subconscious wishes. They were a pain in the butt.

  She sighed and plonked herself on the couch. “And if I don’t?” she asked quietly.

  Jeremy sat beside her and took her into his arms. “If you don’t, you will have a great time in Ireland. It’s a wonderful place!”

  She exhaled a big breath, rubbed her face and said, “I’m sorry. To say I’m a bit anxious would be an understatement. I think you’re right.”

  Jeremy smiled. “You think? You know I’m right.”

  She buried her face against his throat, and he gently pressed a kiss on the top of her head. “All will be fine. Believe me, but more importantly, believe in yourself.”

  Hollie cherished the moment and the sense of security Jeremy gave her, as well as the way he believed in her.

  ****

  Believe in yourself!

  Hollie struggled to keep pace with Davo as they rushed through Sydney airport to catch their connecting flight to Dublin via Singapore.

  Believe in yourself, Jeremy had said that morning when he’d dropped her off at Launceston airport.

  “Goodness gracious me. How long are you actually going for?” he’d teased her.

  “Why?”

  “This suitcase is about to explode. It’s so full. You packed for half a year, it seems.”

  “Well, you know, just in case. I’ve never been in Europe. I don’t know what the weather will be like.”

  Jeremy shook his head.

  He pulled her closer and kissed her. “Have a wonderful time, and don’t forget to keep in touch.”

  “I will.” And sealed the promise with a kiss.

  She slowly stepped away from Jeremy. The noise of the airport was blocked off. The world stood still around her. Hollie’s heart pounded in her throat as she studied his face. Her skin tingled as she cradled his face in her hands. “I think I love you,” she said quietly and kissed him softly. “Actually, I do, so don’t do anything, nothing to hurt me in any way. I’ve got heaps of spies placed around you.”

  “I promise I’ll be a good boy. It’ll be the toughest three weeks for me, as well,” he said leaning in to kiss her gently. “Hollie, dear, I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than the last few months. Now go and do what you have to do, and when you come back, I’ll have a surprise for you.”

  Hollie hesitated, but turned around and left to go onto the tarmac, up the ramp, and into the plane.

&nb
sp; He didn’t say it. Did he hear me? He didn’t say anything. What surprise? Have I just made a fool of myself?

  “Hollie!” Davo’s sharp voice pulled her back to the present. “Hollie. We’re not up there, yet, so come back down to earth. You need to buckle up. Do you need anything out of your little bag?”

  Hollie stared at Davo. She heard the words, but they didn’t register. “No, thanks,” she mumbled. Her thoughts were still occupied by what had just happened inside the hall.

  I told him I loved him, and he didn’t say anything!

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Hollie’s eyes were on the flight attendant, but her mind was still busy thinking about her goodbye with Jeremy. She didn’t listen—it seemed the same routine of exits, life jacket, whistle that comes with it and on and on. She had heard it all earlier that morning and would probably hear it again a couple more times.

  She had loved the descent into Sydney airport with the view over the harbour and the Opera House. This was the first time she’d been to Sydney. Even though only for sixty minutes, and only the airport, she was excited—the excitement she quickly lost once she found out she had to rush through the airport to catch the connecting flight. She followed Davo and hoped he knew what he was doing. She showed her boarding pass when she was asked to and was only too pleased when someone finally asked for her passport. Finally, she thought, and proudly handed it over.

  In no time she was on a plane again. No tarmac, no ramp, but an eerie tube look-a-like gate into the airplane. The flight attendants checked the boarding pass again and advised her of her seat and where to find it. Hollie glanced around the corner and was instantly taken aback—the plane was twice the size of the previous one and twice as busy.

  A flash of humour crossed Davo’s face.

  “Come on, country bumpkin.”

  Hollie stuck her tongue out at him and just followed him, still in awe of the big plane.

  “Hey, Davo, check out the little tellies on each of the seats.”

  Davo grinned. “This is going to be a great flight with you.”

  Hollie gave him a gentle whack over the back of his head. “Arrogant sod. I’ve never flown in a big plane like this before, so what?”

  By the time Hollie and Davo arrived in Singapore, Hollie was sick of flying. She was sick of sitting for such a long time in such a small place, she was sick of the ever-boring movies, sick of the person who had occupied the window seat going to the gents on a regular basis, and she was sick of Davo flirting with the girl across the aisle. So once they received the all clear to exit the plane, she was literally the first one on her feet. Hollie stepped out of the plane, through another eerie tube-looking gate and stood there for a second.

  Welcome to Singapore!

  Hollie took in every detail at the airport. The actuality that she was in a different country wasn’t obvious, as the main language was primarily English, but the atmosphere—it was different and foreign, though somehow appearing like a hotel lobby. Fresh flowers graced the surroundings, and beautiful music filled the air. Hollie and Davo slowly made their way through the terminals and checked out where to go for the next flight and then went looking for some food.

  Hollie liked the place with the comfy sofas and rest areas, Internet facilities and food corners. Thank heavens, I’m starving! Hollie went straight to the food area.

  “Hey, where are you going?” Davo protested.

  She rubbed her tummy. “I’m hungry.”

  He shook his head in disbelief. “You only just had something to eat on the plane.”

  Hollie stared at Davo, and though his mouth didn’t move, she noted the smile in his eyes. “Yuck, that was disgusting food. I feel like a nice, greasy burger. I’m sure they’ve got something along those lines over there.”

  “No worries, but we haven’t much time, and I quickly want to check my mail.”

  She rolled her eyes as she rummaged through her bag and found her phone. “You and your emails. You can borrow this one. Jeremy gave it to me for exactly that reason. He did explain to me how it works, but stuff me if I could remember all the buttons I’ve to push. I wouldn’t have a clue where to start.”

  Davo’s mouth twitched with amusement. “Yes, I can imagine. I can’t believe he gave you a new mobile.”

  “I do know how to use the phone and the text though.” Hollie felt heat rise into her cheeks. “Not sure whether Jeremy doesn’t trust me and worries, or so he can ring me whenever he wants because he’s going to miss me.”

  The last three words only barely made it out of her mouth. Hollie thought about the situation earlier that day again.

  Why would he not say anything?

  He touched her nose with his finger. “Are you all right?”

  Hollie coughed. “Yes, I’m all right. Just a bit of a sore throat from the stuffy air in the plane.”

  They both made their way to the food court and got something to eat. Hollie bought her greasy and ghastly burger, and Davo enjoyed a simple sandwich. She handed him the phone she’d been given by Jeremy and was amazed with the ease by which Davo found his way to his emails.

  “Would you like me to get you into your email account or leave a message for Jez?”

  “Can you do that?” Hollie asked.

  “Hey, I feel a bit insulted here. You should know these hands can do wonders!” A tiny smile appeared at the side of his mouth.

  Hollie almost spilled her drink all over the table as she laughed. “Yeah, right.”

  “Thanks.” Davo pretended to be offended.

  With a bemused smile on her lips, she rested her chin on her hand. “I know you’re the best. My guardian angel. I wouldn’t have gone on this trip with anybody else.”

  “By the way, Hollie, you reckon you can fill me in here on why you’re actually going to Dublin, and why it’s so important to Jez?”

  Hollie slumped back into the chair and remained silent for a few moments.

  “Sorry, Hollie, I didn’t mean to intrude or stir up something. Jez told me some basics, but I had no idea it was something that troubled you.”

  “Davo, how long have we known each other?”

  He rubbed his chin. “Phew, let me think. I was never good at maths—”

  She shook her head. “Never mind.”

  “Sugar, I know you have issues. I can see it. I can see it in your face. I can feel it in your moods—”

  She shot him a look. “My moods?”

  “Moods. Yes, moods. I might be single and big and I don’t know what, but I’m not ignorant.”

  “I’m sorry, Davo. I just…well…this is sort of a different side of you.” Hollie could feel the heat of awkwardness. “It’s a long story. And in a way a bit ridiculous, or silly, if not unbelievable.”

  “Erhm. Let me check. Singapore—London, twelve hours, London—Dublin, another hour. Yep, I seem to have time.”

  She slapped him over the head. “You kind of shot yourself in the foot there. How can I open my heart if you’re joking around?”

  “Point taken. Sorry!”

  Exhaling slowly, she started to tell her story—though a bit out of order, which made Davo interrupt her a few times with questions. It didn’t take her long to fill him in about the dreams, about the pain she woke up to with every dream and how this trip was supposed to help her find and solve everything—at least that was Jeremy’s theory.

  “We’re doing fine. We’re doing more than fine. It’s just that little bit between us, especially as we didn’t hit it off the right way, which makes the whole relationship not yet complete.” Hollie slowly lifted her eyes to meet Davo’s, who was still in thought.

  “I think I have to process that whole story first before I can actually answer or comment. It’s a bit to take in at the moment, and I don’t want to blow it by saying something insanely inadequate.”

  She appreciated the answer. “That’s okay. I’m actually pleased with the fact you’re not rolling on the floor laughing.”

  ****
>
  “Hollie? How do you actually know it’s in Dublin?” Davo asked later on as they made their way to the boarding gate.

  “I don’t actually know. It’s more of a feeling, something telling me, and the Irish accents.”

  “So if these two people have Irish accents, doesn’t that mean it couldn’t be you and Jez?”

  “My thoughts at first, too. But when I checked out dreams and their meanings, I sort of figured out dreams don’t come in a way they appear, but different things have different meanings. I think the main issue is, it is all so vivid, so real to me. I wake up and my body aches. I’m literally in pain.”

  “So…” said Davo slowly, apparently still processing each answer with the time it deserved. “So, if the dreams you see aren’t necessarily what’s happening or going to happen, why are you going to Dublin?”

  Hollie chuckled, even though she didn’t know the answer either. “Because you, Jeremy, and all the others have given me this ticket.”

  “Okay. Not that it makes sense, but okay. Let’s find this lady of your dreams,” he smirked. “Is she good-looking?”

  Hollie poked her tongue out at Davo. “You’re just—” She stopped when the vibrating of her phone in her pocket startled her. “What the—”

  “Your phone, darling,” Davo said casually.

  Hollie chuckled. “Oops.” She found the phone and answered hesitantly. “Hello?”

  “Hello, Twinkles,” Jeremy answered.

  Hollie beamed. “Jeremy!”

  “How are you?”

  “Good. We’re about to board the next flight,” Hollie answered with hardly any emotions, still surprised by the call.

  “Miss you already. I thought I'd quickly ring. How’s it going so far?”

  “All good. We had the best service ever on the flight here. Davo flirted with every flight attendant who wore a skirt.” She laughed.