Rainy Days & Tuesdays

by Claire Allan

  “Darling, you look wonderful,” she says. “Like yourself, only better. Come to the garden with me and we’ll have a wee glass of wine to celebrate.”

  “God, I don’t think I could touch another drop. I’ve still more weight to lose, you know, and everyone keeps feeding me wine these days. Have you got a glass of water I could have or something?”

  I make for the living room, but she steers me away. “Come out to the kitchen to see your dad. I’ll get you your water there.”

  I follow and when the doors open there they are: Aidan, Jack, Daisy, Lily, Sinéad, Susie, Sheila, even Dishy. There is a collective intake of breath, disturbed only by Jack’s shout of “Mammy’s a princess!”. The garden has been transformed.

  Fairy lights twinkle from the trees and there are tables laden with delicious food and even more delicious wine. But I’m not hungry, or thirsty. I’m satisfied, for the first time in a long time.

  Jack is dressed in his Superman costume while Lily is doing her best Cinderella impression in a blue satin gown. Everyone looks happy, contented, and I look around and realise that there is nowhere else on this planet that I would rather be right now than here with these people.

  I realise I am loved and that I am worthy of that love. That one realisation, more than anything, blows my mind. This is how it should be.

  Everyone laughs, then cheers and I find myself swamped by cuddles, kisses and good wishes. I can barely keep up with them, can barely see the people I’m cuddling for the happy tears.

  I work my way around the garden until I get to Aidan and Jack. Holding them both tight, breathing them in, I realise I never want to let either of them go again.

  Music starts to play softly and Aidan asks if he can have this dance. Handing Jack over to his granny and her warm, inviting cuddles, Aidan takes me in his arms and we start to dance around on the grass. As the guests at this little soirée cheer and clap for us, I realise this beats our wedding day, and that gorgeous fishtail gown, hands down.

  “Aidan?” I say.

  “Yes?”

  “Can I please come home now?”

  Also By Claire Allan

  Feels Like Maybe

  If Only You Knew

  Its Got to Be Perfect

  Jumping in Puddles

  Rainy Days and Tuesdays

  The First Time I Said Goodbye

  What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted?