If the Shoes Fit

by Pauline Lawless

  Eileen went in after that and sat holding her daughter’s hand as Niamh closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 39

  Like wildfire, the news of Niamh’s accident spread. Gavin was inundated with calls from the If the Shoes Fit girls, both managers and representatives. He assured them all that Niamh was on the mend but would not be ready for visitors until after Christmas. Amber and Tessa felt particularly bad when they realised that it was their friend who’d been in the accident that they’d seen from their hotel window.

  “How could we have known?” Tessa said to Amber, who was very upset.

  They managed to speak to Niamh two days later, on the hospital phone, and she assured them that she was fine, if a little sore.

  “We’d really love to come and see you before we go away for Christmas. Do you think we might?” Amber asked.

  “I’d love to see you both but I better warn you, I get tired very quickly.”

  “We’ll only stay five minutes, promise,” Tessa told her.

  “We couldn’t bear to go away without seeing you,” Amber explained. She was heading to Spain and Tessa to Galway.

  They hit Brown Thomas and bought a luxurious emerald velvet dressing-gown and matching slippers, pretty nighties and a host of Molton Brown toiletries which they wrapped up beautifully and took with them to the hospital.

  Niamh smiled as she opened up the gifts. “Trust you pair to know exactly what I’d need and not send flowers, like everyone else,” she said, throwing her eyes to heaven, which hurt her like hell. Indeed, her hospital room resembled a florist’s shop – so many flowers had arrived for her. “One old dear, who’s a patient in another ward, popped her head in this morning and seeing all the flowers, exclaimed, ‘Oh, you’ve had a baby, how lovely, my dear!’ before noticing the bandage around my head and this cast.” Niamh, laughed, waving her arm.

  The girls pealed with laughter.

  “Okay, we promised we wouldn’t tire you,” Amber said, “so we’ll go now.”

  “We just couldn’t bear to go away without making sure you were okay,” Tessa said gently.

  “I’m so glad you called in,” Niamh told them. “It’s been lovely to see you and I hope you both have a great Christmas.”

  “We’ll visit you the minute we get back,” they promised, blowing kisses as they left.

  Niamh was exhausted when they’d gone and was sleeping when Gavin called in some time later. He sat quietly, looking at her, thinking how beautiful she was and how goddamn lucky he was.

  When she woke she showed him what the girls had brought in.

  “Beautiful!” he let out a whistle. “Exactly the colour of your eyes.”

  She told him that Carlo, bless him, had sent a case of champagne and Grace a voucher for €200 for Marks & Spencer, which would come in very handy for the sales. They had sent their love and best wishes for her speedy recovery.

  Niamh was fretting that she wouldn’t be home for Christmas Day. It was the first year that the girls understood all about Santa Claus and they were hyper with excitement, looking forward to the presents they’d asked for. Niamh thanked her lucky stars that she’d done all her Christmas shopping early in December. The only thing that was bothering her was how they’d cope without her on Christmas Day.

  Rosie was desperately upset when she heard of Niamh’s accident. She was thinking of their conversation and hoped that her advice to confront Gavin had been the right one. She feared that maybe Niamh had been in a rush to get home which might have caused the accident. If that was the case, then Rosie would feel responsible. She couldn’t rest easy until she got to talk to Niamh. On Christmas Eve morning she went to the hospital and, when Niamh heard it was Rosie, she asked the nurse to allow her in.

  Rosie got a shock when she saw how fragile Niamh looked but felt relief when Niamh held out her arms to her, smiling.

  “Oh, Niamh, I’ve been so worried about you,” Rosie said, dabbing the tears from her eyes.

  “I’m fine, don’t worry. It looks much worse than it is,” Niamh grinned.

  Pulling up a chair, Rosie took her friend’s hand. It felt so tiny.

  “I was really worried that the advice I gave you might have contributed in some way to your accident,” she admitted.

  “You needn’t have,” Niamh reassured her, then told her about Val and what had happened.

  “But what about the lipstick and perfume on Gavin’s shirt?” Rosie wanted to know.

  Grimacing, Niamh explained that Val had confessed to placing them there, to cause trouble.

  “What a bitch!” Rosie said, not used to using such language. She reckoned there wasn’t language bad enough to describe Val.

  “Everything’s fine between Gav and me now. In fact, better than fine,” Niamh said, blushing.

  “I’m so happy for you,” Rosie said, giving her a hug.

  “Ouch!” Niamh winced as her ribs hurt.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” Rosie apologised.

  “I’ve never had so many hugs in my life,” Niamh laughed, “each one more painful than the last!”

  “Thank God you’re okay,” Rosie told her, handing her a box tied up with ribbons. “A little present for you.”

  Niamh opened it up to find a bottle of Allure perfume. “Oh, no,” she moaned.

  “What’s wrong?” Rosie asked, alarmed.

  “Sorry, Rosie. It’s just that this is the perfume that Val used to try and sabotage my marriage. I’m not sure I could wear it. It would forever remind me of her. I’m sorry!”

  “My mistake, sorry,” Rosie said, dismayed. “Of course you couldn’t wear it! I can change it for Mademoiselle Coco, if you’d like. I actually almost chose that.”

  “That would be great,” Niamh said, smiling.

  The nurse bustled in. “Sorry, Niamh, you need to rest now,” she said, giving Rosie the bum’s rush.

  “I’m so pleased you’re okay,” Rosie said as she got up to leave. She took great care not to hurt Niamh as she hugged her goodbye.

  Greatly relieved, Rosie drove home. Thank God for that, Jack, she thought, looking to the sky as she always did when talking to her late husband. I really wish you were here. Christmas is so difficult without you.

  She was dreading the next couple of days and always felt his loss more than ever at this time. She was going to Gail’s for Christmas Day but the season was always so dragged out in Ireland. She’d always hated that. The country practically closed down for two weeks. Why couldn’t we be like other countries? Two, three days at most! She sighed as she turned the car into her driveway.

  She was preparing her lunch when there was a knock at the door. Who is it now, she wondered grumpily, as she went to answer the door.

  “Happy Christmas!” was the sound that greeted her.

  “Oh my God!” she cried, placing her hand on her heart.

  Standing on her doorstep was her son David, all the way from Australia. Behind him was Gail with Holly and Mike, all grinning broadly. Amid the flurry of hugs and kisses, she chastised David.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” she cried.

  “I wanted to surprise you,” David beamed.

  “You did that all right,” she said. “You practically gave me a heart attack.”

  “Ah, Mum, you’re a tougher old bird than that,” he replied amid much laughter.

  She was delighted to see him. She ushered them in.

  What a lovely surprise, indeed!

  “What about Clara and the children?” she asked him, her face full of concern. “Didn’t they mind you coming away for Christmas?”

  “No, not at all. In fact, it was Clara’s idea and she’s taking the kids to her parents in Perth for the holiday, so everyone’s happy.” He beamed at his mother.

  Chatting to Jack that night as she got ready for bed, she told him that it wasn’t going to be such a bad Christmas after all. Firstly, Niamh was okay and then David had arrived. She had the strangest feeling that Jack had ha
d a hand in this.

  Chapter 40

  Tessa left for Galway on Christmas Eve. She called in to Kate to deliver their Christmas presents and collect Napoleon, who was going to Galway with her. As always, he was delighted to see his mistress and even more delighted to discover that he was going in the car with her. She had to very firmly order him to “Sit”, as he was trying to lick her face as she was driving and she was worried she’d have an accident.

  She was looking forward to seeing her father again but less keen to see her stepmother, Claudia. Although she was now thirty-six years old, her stepmother still treated her like a child and constantly criticised and disapproved of her. Tessa guessed that she would always be like that.

  Tessa was shocked at the change in her father. In the six months since she’d seen him, he’d lost a lot of weight and seemed to have shrunk. He had always been a larger than life figure but now seemed frail. Very worried about him, she asked Claudia if he was ill.

  “No, just getting old, I suppose,” was her stepmother’s vague reply. “If you came to visit more often, you wouldn’t see such a change in him.”

  Here we go again, Tessa thought irritably.

  Niamh was feeling very down on Christmas morning. The hospital was like a morgue as most people had gone home for the festival. She was missing the thrill of the children and Santa Claus and feeling very sorry for herself when Gavin arrived, the three kids in tow.

  “Happy Chwismas, Mammy!” the twins chorused, climbing up on her bed. She winced as they hugged her, pressing against her painful ribs.

  “Down girls, down!” Gavin grabbed them and plonked them on the floor.

  “Is it sore, Mammy?” Ian asked her, his little face full of concern as he kissed her, taking great care not to hurt her.

  She ruffled his hair affectionately, tears in her eyes.

  “Now for the best Christmas present of all,” Gavin said, smiling at her, and after kissing her deeply on the lips he placed a bag on the bed.

  “What’s this?” she asked, opening the bag to find some of her clothes inside.

  “You’re coming home with us,” he grinned. “You didn’t think we’d spend Christmas Day without you?”

  She saw the nurse behind him, smiling and nodding. “You’ll have to take it easy, of course, Niamh,” she said. “You must lie on the couch for the day, that’s the very most you can do.”

  Niamh was overwhelmed. “I’m coming home!”

  “Mammy’s coming ho-ome, Mammy’s coming ho-ome!” sang Rose, clapping her hands and dancing up and down.

  “Mammy’s coming ho-ome!” Lily parroted her twin, clapping her hands and dancing around Rose.

  “And Santa Claus left a message to say that we couldn’t open our presents till you’re home,” Ian explained to her, earnestly.

  “Well, I’d better hurry up then,” she replied, tears in her eyes as she smiled gratefully at her husband.

  “Thank you,” she mouthed to him, silently.

  “I love you,” he mouthed back.

  She arrived home in a wheelchair but that didn’t bother Niamh. She was home for Christmas! To her surprise, she found she was exhausted after the excitement of the kids opening their presents, so she went for a lie-down.

  She got up in time for the delicious dinner that Eileen had prepared. Even her mother-in-law, Bridget, who joined them for it, was unusually kind and when she did once venture a criticism, Gavin silenced her with a look. He was wonderful and when he caught Niamh yawning at around seven o’clock that evening, insisted on taking her to bed. After he had undressed her tenderly and administered her medication, he lay down beside her, gently stroking her until she fell asleep. It had been a wonderful Christmas.

  Chapter 41

  Amber had flown out to Spain the evening after she’d visited Niamh, relieved to know that her friend was on the mend. Susie and Tony were spending Christmas in their villa in Marbella and had persuaded her to join them. The fact that Tessa would be away and that Luke was also going to be in Marbella at the same time made it a much more attractive proposition than spending it with her mother and her three old aunts, who did nothing but watch dreadful TV programmes all day. It was no contest.

  She was tired after the busy selling period and she was glad to have the break. It was wonderful to be lying by the pool on Christmas Day and Amber found herself relaxing as the hot sun warmed her skin. They ate their Christmas dinner outdoors and Amber felt truly happy.

  She met Luke the following day and they went for lunch at the famous Trader Vic’s restaurant. She had a lovely time and was quite a bit tiddly as she toasted him for about the tenth time with the champagne they were knocking back as if there was no tomorrow.

  Suddenly she had an eerie feeling that someone was staring at her and turning around to check, found herself looking into Dermot’s eyes.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered, growing pale.

  “What’s the matter?” Luke asked, worried.

  “It’s my ex-husband, Dermot,” she said, her voice shaking.

  “Do you want to leave?” Luke asked her.

  “No, why should I?” she demanded.

  “You’re right,” he agreed.

  She stayed, trying to make normal conversation with Luke, while desperately aware that Dermot was just yards from her. Eventually, a shadow fell over their table.

  “Hello, Amber,” Dermot said quietly.

  “Hello, Dermot,” she replied, her mouth going dry.

  “How are you?” he asked.

  “I’m fine, thank you,” she said, feeling ludicrous to be having this stilted conversation with a man she’d been married to for fifteen years. Dermot was looking towards Luke.

  “This is my friend, Luke,” she said, surprised at how calmly she spoke.

  “How do you do?” Dermot said formally. “Could I have a word with Amber, please, in private?”

  “Certainly,” Luke replied, looking at Amber to make sure that this was what she wanted.

  She nodded at him. “It’s okay, Luke,” she assured him.

  He left them alone. She gestured to Dermot to take a seat.

  She looked at her ex-husband, noticing how tired he looked and how grey he’d become. He, who had always been so particular about his appearance, looked quite haggard. She felt a quiet satisfaction that she was looking great and hoped he noticed.

  “You look great, Amber,” was the first thing he said.

  So he had noticed. Good!

  “How have you been?” he enquired.

  “Wonderful,” she replied. “Life is good now. I’ve started a new business, which I love, and it’s very successful.”

  “And . . .” he hesitated, “who is this . . . em . . . Luke? Anyone special?” He was looking at her intently.

  She couldn’t resist it! “Not that it’s any of your business – but we’re good friends. We worked together for a long time. He’s a pilot.”

  “Oh, I see,” he said, looking suitably downcast.

  “What about you?” she enquired politely. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m here with Jeff. You remember him? Well, he’s going through a pretty awful divorce from Maeve and he wanted to get out of her firing range over the Christmas period. She’s being a bitch,” he added, by way of explanation.

  “She always was,” Amber remarked, delighted to hear that Maeve was finally getting her come-uppance.

  “Yes, I remember that she was always very nasty to you,” said Dermot.

  Amber was dying to ask him if his new young wife was with him but the word “wife” stuck in her throat, so she curbed her curiosity.

  “Amber, I need to talk to you. Will you meet me for dinner tonight or whenever suits you?”

  She couldn’t help it. She just had to ask. “What about your wife?”

  “Actually, we divorced. We only lasted six months. She met someone else.”

  Hah! Amber thought jubilantly. So you got a taste of your own medicine!

  He
reached across and took her hand.

  She pulled away and he looked hurt.

  “Amber, please can we meet and talk? There is so much I need to say . . .”

  “I don’t think so, Dermot. I think you said it all at our last meeting, in Brussels.”

  He looked devastated at her refusal. “Please, Amber,” he begged. “Just let’s talk.”

  She thought about it, remembering Carlo’s remark about how she might still be in love with Dermot. What better time to find out! What harm could it do?

  “Okay,” she said. “I’ll meet you, but not tonight – tomorrow night.”

  “Thank you, Amber,” he said, gratefully. “Can I pick you up at your place?’

  “No,” she replied, quickly. “I’ll meet you here. Eight o’clock?”

  “I look forward to it,” he said, smiling for the first time. “I’ll book Cipriano’s.”

  He looked confident again, more like his old self. Typical of him, she thought, taking her to the top restaurant around. Trying to impress – as always! They were doubtless completely booked out but Dermot would grease palms.

  At that moment she saw Luke coming back. “I think you’d better go now,” she said.

  “Everything okay?” Luke asked, as he arrived back.

  “Fine, I’m just leaving,” Dermot said. “Amber, Luke,” he said, bowing slightly from the waist.

  Christ, he hasn’t changed, Amber thought.

  “My God, how did you stay married to such a stiff prick for so long?” Luke asked her.

  Amber roared with laughter. “You do have a way with words, Luke.”

  Luke grinned sheepishly. “Well, honestly, look at how he was dressed. A pin-striped suit and tie! He looked completely out of place here.”

  Amber looked around the bar. She had to admit he was right. All the men were casually dressed in open-necked shirts and white suits or chinos. Luke himself was dressed like that and looked very relaxed. He had a point.

  “And the way he talks,” Luke was in full flow now. “All clipped vowels and so formal. Brrrrr . . .” he shivered dramatically, “What a cold fish, your ex-husband!”