The Gift of Friends

by Emma Hannigan

  ‘A place came up for sale on your road not long ago, would there be a chance of someone selling up and you could buy?’

  Nancy shook her head. ‘The neighbours that are there are very happy. I can’t see anyone selling up in the next two months. I’d have to buy elsewhere, but then I’d lose my friends as well.’

  ‘What about down-sizing?’ Steve said. ‘I hear that’s all the rage now. You know, you buy a bijou place that would suit you and Nelly and cost less than your current place, then you’d be able to put the money you didn’t spend to take care of yourself as you get older.’

  ‘There’s a sense to that, of course,’ she said, ‘but I want to stay in my home. No money can recompense me for what I’d lose if I moved out.’

  ‘Your memories and everything?’ he said.

  ‘Yes, my husband and I were so happy there. I’d hate to leave all that behind.’

  ‘That’s understandable,’ he said. ‘What can we do?’ he said, tapping his head. ‘There must be a way around it.’

  ‘Sean is working on it,’ Nancy said. ‘If there’s a way, he’ll find it.’

  ‘You know, the Chinese word for crisis is made up of the characters for danger and opportunity. I heard that once and it really struck me. Maybe you need to see this as being a blessing in disguise.’

  ‘How?’ Nancy asked, puzzled.

  ‘Like, maybe you’ll move somewhere smaller and a new world will open up to you. Most people would love the idea of having extra cash as well. You could invest and possibly make more. I mean, I’m getting into an investment at the moment, run by a friend of mine. I’m looking at a ten per cent return if I play my cards right.’

  ‘Be careful of schemes like that,’ Nancy warned. ‘No one gives you ten per cent without a price attached to it. Those are the kind of promises they make to sucker you in. Your money is hard-earned, Steve, so don’t let anyone take it away from you.’

  ‘Oh, I’d be very careful with it alright,’ he said. ‘I don’t have enough to be throwing it around. But this is a guy I trust. He’s had amazing success already. I’m going to give him a lump sum, and I know at the very least I’ll get it back. I’m certain of that. And you know, if you do end up down-sizing, you’re very welcome to come in on this scheme with me. We might both get a windfall.’

  Before she could answer, Nancy became aware of someone looking in the window at her elbow. She turned her head, and Freddie was standing there on the path, looking in at them. He was frowning. She waved at him.

  Freddie turned and walked to the door of the café and then came in and over to their table. ‘How are you, Nancy?’ he said, staring all the while at Steve.

  ‘I’m good,’ she said. ‘This is Steve,’ she said. She didn’t want to get into specifics right now, and she’d prefer to tell Maia about Steve first. ‘Steve, this is my neighbour, Freddie.’

  The two men shook hands. Freddie kept looking at Steve, as if he was trying to remember something.

  ‘Have we met before?’ Freddie asked him. ‘There’s something familiar about you.’

  ‘No, we haven’t,’ Steve said, pushing back his chair and standing up suddenly. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll just pay for this and say goodbye to Nancy.’

  He walked off to the counter and Freddie turned to her.

  ‘Would you like a lift home? I’m heading that way.’

  ‘I won’t, thanks Freddie,’ she said, smiling at him. ‘I’d prefer to walk and get some fresh air.’

  ‘Alright,’ Freddie said. He glanced over at the counter. ‘That fella reminds me of someone, but I can’t think who.’

  ‘Well, don’t let us keep you,’ Nancy said. ‘You’re probably heading home for your lunch.’

  He looked at his watch. ‘Yeah, and it’ll probably be served on my head because I’m late.’

  Nancy laughed. ‘I definitely don’t want to be responsible for you wearing the soup. Go on now.’

  By the time Steve returned to the table, Freddie had left.

  ‘God, he probably thought I was dead rude,’ Steve said, helping Nancy with her coat. ‘I jumped up and ran because I didn’t want you to have to explain who I was.’

  Nancy blushed. ‘I’m not ashamed to tell people,’ she said, ‘it’s just I’m very close friends with Freddie’s wife, Maia, and I’d prefer to tell her first. She might be offended if she found out through Freddie.’

  ‘So no one knows about me?’ Steve said.

  ‘No, I’ve never confided that part of my life in my friends,’ Nancy said. ‘I was so young, and I’ve just never wanted to talk about it. They are difficult memories. So I will of course be telling them and introducing you, but just not yet.’

  ‘That’s not a problem,’ Steve said. ‘You do it when you feel ready. I’ll stick to the line that I’m your ex-husband’s son until you tell me otherwise.’

  ‘You’re so kind,’ Nancy said, and she really meant it. He was incredibly thoughtful and patient.

  ‘We’ll take things at our own pace,’ Steve said. ‘There’s no rush. But do think about what I said, you know, that crisis could be turned into opportunity. It really could.’

  ‘Thanks for coming to meet me,’ Nancy said, ‘and for the cake and coffee.’

  ‘No problem. I’ve to head off to a job now, but I’ll be in touch. Do you want a lift?’

  ‘I’ll walk,’ Nancy said. ‘Clear my head.’

  ‘Grand. Take care.’

  Once he had driven off, Nancy dropped the smiles and her face crumpled. She’d had to pretend in front of Steve, but she was gutted by the meeting with the council. She wanted to go home, close the door and curl up on her own without any need to pretend that she was hopeful or strong. It was terrible that she would be thinking of being alone, but she honestly enjoyed her own company. Steve was lovely to chat to and so considerate, but the thought of being alone with Nelly was a solace.

  It struck her again how the connection she so badly wanted to feel wasn’t materialising. She wanted to look at Steve and feel a solid sense of love and belonging. So far, it hadn’t happened. It made her feel so bad. She wanted to be a loving mother to this man who had sought her out, but she felt out of kilter with his expectations. He must have come looking for her in order to bond with her and feel that he’d found his roots, and she felt like she wasn’t giving him that. She wanted to, but she felt she wasn’t. It was driving her nuts. Here she was, being given an unexpected chance to be a mother to a lovely son, and she felt she was messing it all up. How long would he hang around if he felt she wasn’t fully there for him? It worried her. She had to focus on him and forge that connection, for both their sakes.

  Chapter 17

  THEY DROVE ALONGSIDE THE WALL OF THE ESTATE for a few minutes, its long white curving line presenting a very effective barrier against seeing anything beyond. They reached the entrance, which was flanked by two high gate pillars, each topped with a statue of a horse rearing up. The imposing gates, which also featured horses, opened slowly, noiselessly, and Justin put the car in gear and drove up the wide and long boulevard that led to the house. There was a gate lodge on the left, just beyond the gate. It was a beautiful stone house, single-storey, with two tall chimneys. There was a barrier just in front of it, and a man dressed in uniform and holding a clipboard indicated for them to stop.

  ‘Evening, Hanley,’ Justin called out as he lowered the window. ‘How are you?’

  ‘Ah, it’s yourself, Mr Justin,’ the man said, smiling in at them. ‘The place is hopping up there. Enjoy yourselves.’ He raised the barrier and Justin’s BMW slid on past and up the sweeping driveway.

  Orange lanterns hung from the trees that lined the drive, lighting the way towards the house. It stood regally at the end of the driveway, massive in its Georgian proportions, with ten windows adorning its upper floor and four each on either side of the red front door. The front was festooned with Virginia creeper, glowing red in the wintry gloom thanks to the uplighters that cast a beautiful light on t
he whole exterior.

  ‘It’s beautiful,’ Danielle said, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the grandiosity. She had thought Kingfisher Road was a mansion, but this blew everything else out of the water. It was like something from Downton Abbey.

  The drive ended in a fanned-out car park, and it was filled with cars Danielle had only ever seen on Top Gear. She looked over at Justin, incapable of imagining what growing up here as a child would have been like. It was so far from her house in Westwood, it was comical. They came from two different planets. And yet, Justin was so down to earth, you’d never guess he came from all this. He didn’t feel so terribly different from her. But this, this was so far out of her league, she wanted to belt back down the drive and keep on running.

  Justin put his hand over hers. ‘It’s just a house,’ he said. ‘Don’t think it changes anything.’

  ‘Just a house?’ Rachel said disbelievingly from the back seat. ‘Jesus, Justin, you can’t really say that to people who call a two-up, two-down home. I’d say you could fit my whole house in one room here.’

  ‘It’s just extra space,’ he said, looking at Rachel in the rear-view mirror. ‘Doesn’t mean better people.’

  Danielle squeezed his hand. ‘We’re not trying to make you uncomfortable,’ she said. ‘It’s just a lot to take in.’

  He parked the car around the back, where the family’s vehicles were kept out of sight. Danielle knew Justin’s parents and two brothers lived here, but there were eight cars and SUVs ranged around. More than one for every day of the week, she thought, shaking her head at the mad excess of it all.

  ‘Right, ladies,’ Justin said. ‘Are you ready to go inside?’

  ‘No,’ Rachel said.

  Justin laughed. ‘Well I’m not sitting out here freezing my nuts off, so you’re going to have to. Come on, we’ll find a drink and a quiet spot where you can people-watch.’

  ‘Perfect,’ said Danielle. ‘I have to take photos for Zara as well.’

  They made their way around to the front door, which stood wide open, light spilling out to welcome them in. Another uniformed man stood at the top of the wide set of steps leading up to the door.

  ‘Welcome, Mr Justin,’ he called out. ‘And this must be the beautiful Miss Danielle you’ve told me about,’ he said. ‘You look perfectly stunning, if I may say so, madam.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Danielle said. ‘You may definitely say so. It might settle my nerves.’

  He winked at her. ‘You look the part, so just hold your head up high.’

  ‘Thanks, Morton,’ Justin said. ‘I’ve been dying for you to meet her.’ He grinned at Danielle. ‘Morton’s been here since I was two years old, so he’s my oldest friend.’

  ‘Delighted to meet you,’ Danielle said.

  ‘Right, in we go,’ Justin said, and he proffered an arm to each of them. Danielle linked one side and Rachel linked the other. ‘I am going to be the envy of every other man in the room,’ he said.

  ‘Not bloody likely,’ Rachel muttered.

  He led them down the long hallway, then through a set of double doors into . . . a ballroom. An actual ballroom. Danielle stared around in wonder. She hadn’t expected a full-on ballroom, even though the house was big enough. It had a beautifully polished dark oak floor, draped curtains with tassels, a bar down one side, fully stocked with every kind of bottle and beer taps as well, and gorgeous velvet armchairs in different colours dotted all around the room. There were tall tree-like plants and incredible flower displays on the glass tables set in the gaps between the windows. There was an aroma of food cooking and perfumes on the air, and the guests were talking and laughing loudly.

  ‘Look at the dresses!’ Danielle said to Rachel. ‘They’re so amazing.’

  The women looked like exotic peacocks, in all colours of silk and feathers. Many were wearing diamanté-studded eye masks, although none of the men were masked. Danielle was so glad she had gone to Maia and Zara for help. She didn’t look anything as good as this lot, but at least she didn’t stand out as terrifically badly dressed.

  As they walked through the room, Danielle could feel how the chatter died down and everyone turned to look. She could feel her face burning, just knowing that they were all sizing her up. This was her first time in the Johnston house, so the first time for people to get a good look at her. They were openly staring, looking her up and down, and the women, in particular, didn’t look too impressed.

  ‘Keep your head up,’ Rachel whispered, ‘just like the man said.’

  Justin led them over to where Mrs and Mrs Johnston were standing with some friends. Celia-Ann was wearing an embellished gown, the like of which Danielle had only ever seen in the fashion glossies she sometimes indulged in. It had to be couture, she thought. Even the colour was exquisite, a sort of turquoise that you’d never see in the shops. It looked like a shimmering jewel. Celia-Ann wore her hair in a perfectly chic chignon, but her face was set in a pained smile.

  ‘Justin, darling,’ she said, reaching out to receive a kiss on both cheeks. ‘And you brought the girl and her mother.’

  ‘Good evening, Celia-Ann,’ Danielle said, but her voice sounded high and thin. It was all she could do to keep breathing normally. The girl and her mother. Obviously, she wasn’t going to bother being nice in front of her guests. Her own mother, she noted, said nothing at all, just kept staring down Celia-Ann, a look of disapproval on her face.

  ‘Ah, Danielle,’ said Jeremy, walking towards them. ‘I’m so delighted to see you. And don’t you look beautiful, my dear.’ He took her hands and kissed her cheek. ‘Is this your mother?’ he asked, smiling at Rachel.

  ‘Yes, Jeremy, I’d like you to meet my mam, Rachel O’Brien. Mam, this is Justin’s father, Jeremy.’

  Rachel held out her hand and Jeremy took it and held it.

  ‘I’m so pleased you could come,’ he said warmly. ‘I’m very fond of Danielle, and it’s lovely to meet her family.’

  Danielle could tell that Rachel was thoroughly charmed.

  ‘That’s kind of you,’ she said. ‘Danielle’s a great girl. Any family would be lucky to have her.’ She shot an unmistakable look at Celia-Ann, and Danielle held her breath, fearing an argument right there in front of everyone. But Celia-Ann was looking over their heads, at the room behind them.

  ‘Here she is now, my favourite dressage award-winner,’ Celia-Ann said, clapping her hands together. ‘Gold in the finals. You are just incredible, Mallory.’

  Danielle turned and saw a supermodel walking over to them. She was tall and willowy, with hair like Kate Middleton – to die for, in other words. She was wearing a deeply sexy strapless gown that clung to her narrow hips as she walked. The necklace she was wearing looked like it cost a million euros. She was so beautiful, Danielle felt almost winded. The whole room was staring at her, and she knew it.

  ‘Celia-Ann,’ she said, brushing past Danielle and Rachel and straight into the arms of Justin’s mother. ‘Thank you so much. And what a party. You’ve surpassed yourself yet again.’ They embraced, and then she turned to Justin.

  ‘Evening, Mallory,’ he said, looking oddly formal.

  ‘Justin, my darling,’ she said, reaching to kiss his cheek. ‘You look devilishly handsome in that tuxedo. You’ll have to save a dance for me.’

  Danielle knotted her fingers tightly together, trying to stop herself from shouting, or breaking down in tears. There was something between this woman and Justin, she could just feel it. She grabbed her engagement ring and twisted it about her finger, willing herself to remember that Justin was hers, that he loved her. But the way this woman was with him, it was like she knew him intimately.

  ‘Danielle,’ Celia-Ann said, smiling dangerously, ‘have you met Mallory?’

  Danielle shook her head.

  ‘Mallory and Justin were together for two years. Match made in heaven.’

  ‘Mother,’ Justin said through clenched teeth. ‘No need to bring up the past. Mallory and I are just friends.’

 
; ‘Of course,’ Celia-Ann said, laughing. ‘I’m just introducing her so Danielle will know where she fits into your life.’ She turned to Danielle. ‘Mallory trains here and stables her horses with us as well. She and Justin share an absolute passion for horses. That’s how they fell in love.’

  Danielle felt light-headed. They worked together. Every day. And he’d never mentioned her? That alone felt like a betrayal. She felt utterly foolish, standing there, not knowing the most basic things about her own fiancé’s past. She felt an arm around her waist, and Rachel was suddenly beside her, pressed against her.

  ‘This room is so lovely,’ she said, to everyone and no one. ‘I think we’ll find a nice place to sit and admire it, excuse us.’

  She walked Danielle down the room and then to a velvet two-seater sofa. They both sat down and Rachel gripped her hand tightly.

  ‘Keep smiling and look like we’re talking normally,’ she hissed. ‘Do not let that woman get to you. That bitch set that up. Justin loves you, Danielle. He picked you. Don’t let any ex make you think otherwise.’

  ‘Look at her,’ Danielle said. ‘She’s like a princess. Jesus, Mam, why the hell did he bother with me at all?’ She looked over, and saw Justin leaving the group and walking straight for her and Rachel. His expression was fierce.

  ‘I’ll go get us a drink,’ Rachel said, standing up. ‘Christ knows I need one.’

  She left, and Justin plonked down in her place on the sofa. He wrapped his arm around Danielle and kissed her long and softly on the lips, then he leaned his forehead against hers.

  ‘Don’t worry about my mother or Mallory,’ he said, pleadingly. ‘You never mentioned exes, so I decided to follow your lead and just let it be.’

  ‘But you see her every day,’ Danielle said.

  He shook his head. ‘That’s just Mother stirring things,’ he said. ‘Mallory does stable her horses here, but she only spends one day a week with them. When she’s about, I make myself scarce. I don’t see her every day, I promise you. Obviously my mother has decided to be mischievous tonight, so we just have to stand united and ignore her, okay?’