by Iris Blobel
Hollie met his eyes and knew he was sincere. It was all too much for her. Her dreams, the lack of sleep, finally finding Sam, and finding out about Jeremy and Linda. She heaved a sigh, but was unable to hold back the tears any longer and started to sob. Davo leaned forward to wipe away the tears with his thumb before he cupped her chin.
“Well, I hope it’s not a breakup.”
“I can’t undo what I did, but I—” he whispered, but Hollie placed her finger on his lips.
“Shouldn’t take advantage of the situation,” she finished his sentence. But when she felt his lips on hers, she didn’t resist. His gentle kisses were caressing her lips and cheeks. And she let him. Her fingers curled into his shirt, and she let him move his lips over her skin, feeling the rush through her body she had been yearning for since leaving Jeremy behind.
Then he backed away.
“I’m sorry, Hollie,” he whispered, avoiding her eyes. “You’re right. I shouldn’t take advantage of you. You’re kissing someone else, not me.”
Hollie tucked her hair behind her ears, staring at the floor.
“I’m sorry,” she said, barely audible. “I’m sorry, Davo.” She moved forward and took his hand. “Can we somehow wind back the clock and be Hollie and Davo, best friends, again? Trying to have a great time at the other end of the world? You and me—BFFs!”
She leaned forward and gave Davo a hug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I promise I’ll do my best to go back to being BFFs. Pinkie swear!” Davo looked at her with a smile. Then he hooked his finger into hers for the pinkie swear, and they both shared a smile.
“You’d better get into the shower and get ready if you want to meet Sam later on. And leave the door a tad open…”
Hollie’s expression turned cold.
Davo shook his head and overemphasised his words. “Leave the door open, so you can fill me in on all the details with Sam and…” He hesitated. “And Jeremy. The bathroom has an odd shape so I won’t see you from out here. And I won’t dare to try.” His smile was boyishly radiant, and Hollie grabbed her towel as she walked into the bathroom.
“So what did you say the time was back home?” Hollie asked while getting undressed.
“Eleven hours ahead.”
“The time, Davo,” Hollie shouted out of the bathroom.
“About five in the morning.”
“Five, eh,” she considered. “I reckon with the events of the last twenty-four hours I could kick Alex out of bed. What do you think?”
Davo agreed.
As Hollie stepped into the shower, she started telling Davo the events that had happened earlier that day: the visit to the beauty salon where she’d approached Sam, and their conversation, the phone call to Jeremy, which was less about his indiscretion with Linda and more about his persistence for her to come home, and finally how Sam had come to the bus station to offer her a lift to the coast.
“So, initially, the thing with Linda wasn’t what bothered you, but more that he wanted you to come home.”
Hollie stepped out of the bathroom with just the towel wrapped around her. Davo shook his hand and made a gesture for her to go back into the bathroom.
“I need my clothes,” she explained with raised eyebrows.
“Hollie, give me a break here, okay?”
“Just over there. Can you just hand them over, please?”
Hollie stepped back inside the bathroom, as Davo grabbed her clothes.
“Not sure. I think it wasn’t either.” She sighed. “I think what I expected was more support instead of someone telling me to give up. Especially after all his efforts to get me here. Does that make sense?”
“Yep.”
Hollie came back into the main area of the cabin. “Ready!”
“No worries. You make your quick call to Alex while I get ready.”
She placed her hand on his forearm. “Davo?”
“Yes?”
“Why do you think we have this connection?”
He scratched the back of his head. “Hollie, I don’t know, but I’m sure you, or we, will figure it out. I promise!”
****
It took Alex a while to answer the phone.
“I’ve found her, Alex!” Hollie shouted into the phone and laughed when she heard the ruffling of the duvet in the background. She knew her friend was all ears now.
Hollie went through the same story again as she had before when she’d told Davo, yet this time the enthusiasm of the listener was not to miss. Alex’s constant “unbelievable, unbelievable” was reverberating in Hollie’s ears, and by the time she finished the phone call, a renewed sense of excitement and ease came over her. The phone call with Alex was exactly what she’d needed but hadn’t found in her conversations with Jeremy. She loved him so dearly, but all of a sudden everything seemed so different and wrong—it worried her. But she knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel and everything was going to be resolved—bit by bit. She knew it deep inside, and for the first time since she had arrived in Ireland, she felt confident.
Chapter Thirty-Five
It didn’t take long for Davo to find the pizzeria again, and by the time they’d parked the car, Sam was already waiting in front of the restaurant.
She pointed at the old car. “Where did you get this old bunch of metal?”
Hollie’s shoulders slumped—there was the arrogance again!
“Beats walking all the way from Dublin, I reckon.” Davo laughed and opened the door to the pizzeria for the women. Sam shook her head and followed them both inside.
They sat at a nice corner table near the windows, and Hollie enjoyed the darkness outside, lit by only a bright full moon behind some thin clouds. She glanced around and thought that even though relatively simple, the decor did the trick. As in so many Italian restaurants, there were the green-white-red flags in every corner, and some pictures of Italian landmarks, otherwise it was plain and simple. Hollie watched the guy behind the counter and in front of the massive pizza oven as he worked the dough. It smelled delicious.
As usual, Davo did most of the talking and used all his charm to squeeze as much information out of Sam as possible—well, up to a certain point. Hollie was pleased, because Sam seemed to be open and interested in Davo’s conversation. The chitchat between them was vague, but some of his comments even made her giggle. This was a different side to Sam, and she started to like her. Hollie glanced at her and wondered if this could actually be the same person who had been so abrupt on the telephone, so standoffish earlier that day when they had met.
****
The next day Hollie got out of bed even though she’d had that one drink too many the previous night. Amusement rippled through her as she heard Davo snoring. Men!
“Davo! Get up! I’m hungry and I need some food, but most of all, I need a cup of tea!”
He groaned. It seemed he had enjoyed the night even longer than she had.
“Kettle is in the cupboard over there. Tea bags are in the drawer underneath the cutlery. Bread’s in there as well,” he mumbled.
Hollie went over and found the bread and the tea bags. She turned the kettle on and prepared a cup of tea for both of them.
“Where on earth did you go after you dropped me off?”
“Some bar,” he moaned.
She grinned. “You’re getting too old for this stuff.”
“That Irish stuff was potent. Have to check with Sam to see what exactly was in that cocktail.”
Her grin disappeared. “Sam?”
“Yes, after I dropped you off to check whether the guys I’d met at the surf club were around, I ran into her again, and she invited me to that bar.”
Hollie shook her head in disbelief.
He rolled onto his side. “What?”
“She’s been such an arrogant nut to crack and you just go out with her. Big Teddy is what she called you.”
Davo combed his fingers through his messy hair. “Get off your big horse. She just used me to get in
formation about you. Nothing else,” he snorted.
“Oh,” she said quietly. Then her eyes widened. “What did you tell her?”
Rubbing his hands over his face, he pointed over to the tea. “Give me a cuppa and I’ll try to remember.”
“What do you mean try to remember?”
“Sugar, give me a break. I’ve got a stinking headache, and I’m not used to having conversations first thing in the morning.” He took the cup of tea and had a small sip.
“Thanks!” He nodded at her. “I’m not entirely sure what you’re worried about. I mean, honestly, even in a drunken state I wouldn’t say anything bad or inappropriate about you, because there isn’t anything bad or inappropriate to say.”
Heat rose in her cheeks. “I know. I’m just too good for this world.”
With a chuckle, he replied, “You’ve found her. Now let’s make the best of it to get it all sorted. And by the way, I’ve heard worse than Big Teddy. I actually like it.”
Shaking her head, she let out a soft laugh. “How about I treat you for breakfast somewhere?”
Davo put his thumb up. “Deal.” It took him a bit of effort to crawl out of bed, but he rushed over to grab his mobile when it rang. “Hey, who’s got a number like that?” he asked and showed it to Hollie.
“I reckon this is an Irish number. Might be Linda asking how we’re going?”
Davo answered the phone. “Yup, Dave here…good morning…” His face broke into a smile. “Only when I answer the phone. Otherwise, it’s still Davo…. Yeah, I did, but the head’s aching. What the heck did you give me last night…? Never heard of it…. Only if I’m having a beer.” His boyish grin made Hollie wonder what he was talking about. “I’d love to…. Look forward to it…. Here she is.” Davo handed the phone over to Hollie. “It’s Sam.”
“Hello,” she said hesitantly.
“Good morning,” Sam answered cheerfully. “I hope you slept well.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“I was wondering whether you would like to have lunch with me. I’d like to introduce you to someone close to me.”
Hollie nodded. “Yes, I’d like that. What time?”
“I’ll pick you up in about an hour. Tell Davo if he’s ready by then, I’ll give him a lift to his car,” she said with a chuckle.
Hollie was a bit taken aback by this new side. Sam was even friendlier than yesterday at dinner. What in the world happened last night?
“No worries. I’ll let him know. I’ll see you in an hour.”
And hung up.
“Davo?”
“Yes?” he asked as he came out of the bathroom.
She stepped towards him and pressed her finger against his chest. “You’d better get your brain working to figure out what happened last night. This Sam is incredibly nice all of a sudden.”
He took her hand into his. “Honestly, Hollie. You’re getting a bit paranoid. Just for a second, put yourself in her shoes. There’s a stranger telling you things nobody else should know or even does know—wouldn’t you back off a little bit? She’s obviously figuring out this whole dreaming stuff is genuine and is opening up a bit.” As he took his phone out of her hand, he continued, “Relax, sugar. Relax.”
“You have not heard her talking to her secretary or whoever the person on the receiving end was. Her character just doesn’t know pleasantries.”
“Okay, Hollie. Take a deep breath…in…out…in…out. Look at me. She’s fine. You’re fine…hang on, what did she actually say?”
“She wants to have lunch with me and introduce me to someone. And not just someone—someone close to her. Also, she wants you to get ready so she can drop you off to pick up your car.”
He winked at her. “Relax. You go and have lunch. Good etiquette says she’s got to pay. What do you have to lose but your dreams?”
She chewed on her lower lip. “You’re right.”
“That’s a girl.”
The hour seemed longer than usual to Hollie, but with Davo’s update on the surfing and the people he’d met, waiting wasn’t all that hard. And when someone tooted a horn, Hollie peeked through the tiny window and saw Sam outside waiting.
Nervously, she paced up and down the small little room, considering who the special person might be.
Davo threw her the jacket. “Get out and have a nice lunch, for heaven’s sake.”
Sam’s eyes clung on to Davo as they stepped outside. “Grand. I wasn’t sure whether you were ready or not. Sorry, Dave, lunch is only for the women today.”
She called him Dave and he doesn’t mind it.
Davo’s mouth curved upwards into a smirk. “No worries. I wanna catch up with some surfing mates anyway. I reckon you guys should join me later on. It’s perfect weather.”
“Surfing? I don’t think so.” Sam’s face turned icy.
Davo got into the front seat of the car.
Excuse me, I’m here as well! Hollie fumed. But she sat at the back and listened to their discussion about surfing. Strange, Davo usually prefers to surf on his own. What in the world happened last night? Hollie’s mind wandered off as she looked outside, watching them drive through the streets.
I wonder who the close person is. Her mum? No, she said her parents are away for the weekend. They might have come back earlier. She wouldn’t introduce me to her parents, would she? Her husband? I think I’ll die if he’s there. No, she said it’s women only.
“Sam, who else is coming to lunch?” Hollie asked suddenly.
“She’s never been known for her patience,” Davo said, and Hollie had the urge of giving him a smack on the head. Sam smiled at Davo and then glanced at Hollie through the back mirror. “My auntie,” she explained.
Auntie? Hmm…okay. I can cope with her auntie.
Sam indicated a right move and shortly after stopped right next to Grandpa Mahoney’s old car.
“Enjoy your surf.”
“Well, I’m still hoping I’ll see you there. I’ll be at the same spot as last week,” Davo replied.
****
Hollie was hungry and was glad when Sam pointed out that her auntie was already there. They walked over to the table, where she saw a delightful older lady already sipping her hot drink.
Sam leaned forward and gave her auntie a kiss on her cheeks. “Auntie Aileen, this is Hollie.”
Aileen looked up and smiled. A genuine smile, and Hollie couldn’t help but smile back at the lady, who seemed so unlike Sam—the blonde wavy hair held with a few clips in it. Hollie studied her as discreetly as possible. Aileen’s outfit appeared like well-kept clothes from the sixties, and her face showed a subtle but well-applied makeup.
“Good day, Hollie,” Aileen said. “Have a seat. I can’t wait to hear more about this rather unusual story of yours.”
“Nice to meet you.” Hollie took the chair opposite to Aileen’s, sat down and wondered how much Sam had actually told her auntie.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Aileen didn’t waste any time. After they were all seated, she said, “So tell me about your dreams.”
Hollie hesitated. Her gaze darted around the room. “I dream about her when she has an argument with her partner.”
There was no reaction from Sam.
“You mean Padraic?”
Momentarily surprised by the fact that she didn’t know his name, she said, “I suppose that’s him.”
As if not part of the conversation, Sam poked her fork in her lunch. It annoyed Hollie.
Brought back from her thoughts by Aileen’s hand on hers, she heard her asking, “Oh dear. So what makes you dream of that?”
With a little shrug of her shoulder, she moved her hand away. “I don’t know. I just know these two are causing me sleepless nights, and I’m having trouble getting on with my life because of lack of sleep.”
Aileen seemed to be in thought. “I take it this is happening on a regular basis.”
How close is this auntie if she doesn’t even know a bit about it! Hollie raised an
eyebrow. “Define regular. It’s happening often enough to be a nuisance.”
“And now you’re here to get this sorted.”
“No. It’s none of my business. I’m here because I needed to find out whether the person in my dreams was real. Now that I know she is, I need Sam to resolve this so I can have a good sleep again,” she said softly, her eyes narrowing.
“So how do you like Ireland?”
Hollie was startled by this question and stared wordlessly. Crap! What just happened? Was that it? Was that all she wanted to know? Did she already know?
A stifled chuckle escaped her lips. “I like it, though I think it’s about time to go home.”
“You don’t like what you see?” Aileen asked with some concern on her face.
“I do,” Hollie emphasised, “but I miss my dad and my friends.”
Aileen stopped her fork halfway to her mouth. “What about your mother, my dear?”
Not all that hungry anymore, Hollie pushed the plate away from her. “Mum died when I was born.”
“I’m sorry to hear this. You can tell your father he’s done a grand job, raising you on his own.”
A satisfied expression came over Hollie’s face. Yes, he did!
She listened to a few of Aileen’s stories half-heartedly while she drank her cup of tea, though all she wanted was to go back to Davo. She was still uncomfortable with the way Sam had put her in this situation without warning her. Not to mention listening to some old stories by a woman she didn’t know. She tried to listen, but she couldn’t concentrate. Her mind wandered off, though she had all these questions that needed to be answered. And to top it off, annoyance rose within her observing Sam, who seemed bored. Her pulse began to beat erratically—if she could only figure out Sam’s thoughts.
