There was a burst of applause as the last model strode down the catwalk. ‘Get out there, they’re calling for you,’ Krystie hissed at her boss.
Sinéad didn’t budge and Krystie thought she might have to smack her the way they did in the movies. ‘Sinéad, snap out of it, everyone’s waiting.’ Krystie gave her a little push and Sinéad stumbled out of the wings. Immediately a model linked each of her arms and practically frogmarched her to the front of the stage, where Dylan stood whooping and cheering along with the glitterati of New York. Krystie clapped and cheered, tears flooding down her cheeks. Jeez, it didn’t get much better than this.
Afterwards she changed her mind as she and Sinéad were congratulated and even hugged by people Krystie had only ever seen before on her TV set. Everyone loved them. Of course, it was false, it was temporary, it was a moment of limelight, and, when they returned to Dublin, life would continue much as before. Sheila had made it clear to them both that this was just a first step on a long road and that they’d have to work hard to win a permanent place on this particular stage and Krystie got that. Her years in Manhattan had taught her it was an unforgiving business. But tonight was an acknowledgement, an appreciation and homage from the fashion world that they were good and it meant so much to her. She met Sinéad’s eyes and saw that she was experiencing the same euphoria and they beamed at each other like two little kids.
Karl was throwing the after-show party and, as soon as they walked into the small restaurant he’d hired for the evening, the two of them were thronged, hugged and kissed. Krystie couldn’t wipe the smile off her face but, despite the feeling of mild hysteria, she still took a moment to adjust Sinéad’s headpiece when it was knocked sideways during an enthusiastic hug. Her boss grinned at her and mouthed thank you. Krystie felt a surge of pure happiness. My God, who would have thought when Phyllis kicked her out on her ass that she would end up here? And, speak of the devil, she smiled as she saw her old boss bearing down on her, arms wide.
‘You designed that straw fedora, didn’t you?’ were the woman’s first words when she released her.
Krystie laughed. ‘Yeah, how did you guess?’
The woman raised her eyebrows. ‘I had you pegged from day one, lady. Say, “Thank you for firing me, Phyllis.”’
‘Thank you for firing me, Phyllis,’ she said obediently, ‘and thanks for all the tips – they were great.’
‘Oh, please, I only wrote that email because Sandy was on my case, but I knew you didn’t need it. Go with your gut, kid, and you’ll never go wrong. You’ve got what it takes and your boss ain’t half bad, either.’
‘That means a hell of a lot coming from you.’
‘Oh, save that crap for the clients,’ Phyllis retorted. ‘I’m happy for you, kid. Now point me toward the bar.’
Krystie was watching her depart when she heard her name called again. ‘Sandy,’ she cried as her friend pounced on her. ‘I tried to call you earlier but I couldn’t get through.’
Sandy grinned. ‘That’s because my cell was switched off. I was at the show with Phyllis.’
‘Oh, my God, you were there?’ Krystie was amazed. It had been hard enough for Sinéad to get tickets for her family but she should have known better than to underestimate Phyllis.
‘I’m so proud of you, Irish, you’re a friggin’ star!’
‘That’s a slight exaggeration, sweetie: we had twelve minutes and I only designed three of the hats.’
Sandy put her hands on her hips and shook her head. ‘Did you even hear that applause? They loved you guys.’
Krystie grinned. ‘They did, didn’t they?’
‘You’ve made it,’ Sandy assured her. ‘Now to more important matters. Where’s Max?’
Krystie scanned the room and smiled as she spotted him. ‘There.’
Sandy turned to check him out. ‘Oh, yeah, he’s cute.’
‘Come on, I’ll introduce you.’ Krystie led the way through the crowd to Max and made the introductions.
‘Thank you so much for the ticket to Ireland,’ Sandy said, hugging him. ‘I can’t wait. I’ve heard it’s awesome.’
‘We’re looking forward to showing you round,’ Max smiled.
‘Krystie, come on, photographs.’
She looked around to see Sinéad beckoning her towards the corner of the room, where Dylan and a fashion photographer were setting up. ‘Back soon.’ She kissed Max and then went to join her boss. Sheila was beside her, looking proud as punch, and when she saw Krystie she smiled broadly and hugged her. ‘Well done, Krystie. Tonight was a triumph.’
‘Thanks, Sheila.’ Though Sinéad’s twin had been completely charming, Krystie had still felt uncomfortable around her. After all, she’d taken her place. But then last night, when they’d had dinner at Karl’s and Krystie had seen some of Sheila’s paintings there, she’d finally relaxed. It was clear that Sheila had been in the wrong job and was now doing something she adored. She was still going to help them out with the promotion of the business in America, but her days of designing hats were over. She was glad to hand over the reins and Krystie was thrilled to take them.
The three of them had decided to wear black tonight with three identical headpieces, but in different colours trimmed with a black veil. Sheila wore blue, Sinéad green and Krystie was pleased with the red, which looked good against her dark hair, which she had pulled back into a tight ponytail. They posed for the photos amid much laughter, the photographer moving them into different positions and taking shots from different angles.
‘This one’s a winner,’ he said and they came to look at the display. It was a shot of Krystie staring straight ahead, a twin either side with their backs to her and their faces turned to stare into the lens. There was no doubt it was a great photo and it showed off the headpieces beautifully. He nodded again, smiling. ‘This will end up on the cover of a fashion magazine, I feel it in my gut.’
They looked at each other in astonishment. ‘Do you think he means it?’ Krystie whispered.
‘Karl and Dylan say he’s very well respected in the fashion industry,’ Sinéad said, ‘but who knows?’
Krystie started to smile as she spotted something over her boss’s shoulder. ‘Tell me, Sheila, is Karl married?’
‘No, divorced, why?’
‘Because my ex-boss is chatting him up big time.’
Sheila turned to take a look and laughed. ‘He seems to be enjoying it and she’s an attractive woman.’
‘She’s a ball breaker but kind with it.’ Krystie saw Sheila’s eyes drift away and when she followed her gaze she spotted Zach pushing his way through the crowd towards them.
‘Excuse me.’ Sheila went to meet him.
‘Your sister seems pretty smitten, too,’ Krystie said to Sinéad.
‘Who could blame her? Zach’s drop-dead gorgeous, isn’t he?’
‘Nearly as gorgeous as your brother,’ Krystie laughed, searching out Max in the crowd. He and Sandy were now chatting with Kieran and Beth. She turned back to her boss. ‘Are you happy with the way everything went, Sinéad?’
‘Am I happy?’ Sinéad shook her head in wonder and gestured around at the room full of glamorous people, all there to celebrate the success of her company. ‘I’m in seventh heaven.’
Krystie smiled. ‘I keep expecting to wake up.’
‘I know what you mean. Sitting in the studio making hats will seem very dull next week.’
‘Are you kidding? I can’t wait,’ Krystie exclaimed. ‘I got some great ideas at the show.’
‘Me too!’ Sinéad admitted. ‘You know, I think we make a damn good team.’
‘I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you gave me this chance.’
‘I’m very glad I did, Krystie. We wouldn’t be in Manhattan if it wasn’t for you.’ Sinéad held up her glass. ‘To the future.’
‘The future.’ Krystie smiled. ‘Oh, I should phone home and let them know how it went, Sharon too.’
‘They’ll be fast asleep,’ Siné
ad reminded her. ‘Text them the good news and tell them you’ll phone them tomorrow.’
‘Good thinking.’
Zach went to get them drinks and Sheila watched her sister and Krystie and was relieved that she didn’t feel even the slightest trace of jealousy. She was happy for Krystie and she and her twin were probably closer than they had been since they were children. Everything would be just fine if it wasn’t for Dad. She looked across the room at him now. This had been the first time they’d met since she’d left Ireland. She’d offered to pick him up at the airport, but he’d refused. Karl had invited him to stay with them but he said he didn’t want to be a burden and would prefer to stay in a hotel. And since he’d walked in this evening he had done his damnedest to avoid her, and when they were in the same group he’d ignored her. It was really getting to her and she couldn’t understand why he was treating her like this. She knew he was upset over the breakdown of her marriage, but it was hardly her fault that her husband had turned out to be gay. She wanted to talk to Sinéad about it, but how could she bother her twin tonight of all nights?
She saw that Max was momentarily alone and, diving into the crowd, she inched her way to his side.
‘Hey,’ he said, smiling down at her. ‘Great night, isn’t it?’
‘Terrific. Max, do you know why Dad is annoyed with me?’
Max sighed. ‘He’s not annoyed, he’s confused. You’ve only yourself to blame, Sheila. You need to stop trying to protect people.’
She stared at him. ‘What does that even mean? What have I done wrong?’
‘Nothing. That’s the problem. Philip took your advice and he’s one hell of an actor. When he gives interviews all he talks about are his campaigns, and then he throws in a line about how much he misses you but that sometimes you have to accept that things just don’t work out the way that you want them to. So Dad’s convinced that he wants you back and you are the one that won’t give the marriage another chance.’
‘But that’s ludicrous.’
‘Try telling Dad that.’
‘And Philip isn’t acting, Max. He is passionate about his work and we do care about each other and miss each other. I’m delighted he heeded me. You know that if he had made a grand confession it would have ruined his career. He worked hard to get elected, Max – you really have no idea – and he could make a difference. The last thing the country needs is to lose a damn good politician over something so petty.’
Max held up a hand. ‘You’re preaching to the converted, Sheila, but you need to tell Dad, and this time without any sugar coating.’
He was right. She had been overprotective with her father, still feeling guilty for putting him through so much over the last few months. She would have to make it very clear to him that she and Philip would eventually divorce and that she would never return to live in Dublin. She was happy in Manhattan, painting and spending time with Zach. She loved him and was pretty sure he loved her too. He had been single for so long that she knew he wouldn’t have entered into another relationship unless he was serious.
‘I’ll talk to him,’ she promised Max.
She watched him cross the room to join Karl and Krystie’s ex-boss. It was nice to see her cousin enjoying himself. She still sensed a deep sadness in him but she supposed it was bound to take time for him to accept the circumstances of his birth. But, now that he had family in Ireland, he was planning to spend more time there and was even thinking of buying a place there.
Sheila found it hard to feel the anger at Bridie that she had when she first heard Sinéad’s story. She had been raped when she was only a child and then sent away at probably the scariest time in her life; was it any wonder that she had turned out the way she did?
And she was so glad that all the things she’d accused Dad of had turned out to be just lies. Sheila had felt like an orphan since the night she’d read her mother’s suicide note. Of course, it was heartbreaking to learn of their mother’s illness but a relief to know that her misery and death had not been her father’s fault.
The family should be closer than ever tonight after the trauma they’d been through together, and Sheila hated that her father was being so cool with her. Max was right. She would have to sort it before he went back to Ireland.
‘It’s been a good night.’
She looked up in surprise to see the man himself beside her. She smiled. ‘It has.’ His expression was grim and his tone clipped, but he had made the first move in coming over, and her heart lifted. That wouldn’t have been easy for him.
He nodded towards Sinéad and Krystie, still surrounded by well-wishers. ‘No regrets?’
She knew he meant a hell of a lot more than her change of career and she turned to look him straight in the eye. ‘None at all, Dad.’
He sighed. ‘Look, sweetheart, I know that it’s been a tough time but there’s not much chance of you and Philip sorting things out if you’re not even in the same country.’
‘There is nothing to sort out,’ she said gently. ‘Our marriage is over. Philip is gay.’
‘He wasn’t gay when he married you,’ he retorted. ‘I’m not excusing the man, what he did was wrong. But try to forgive him, sweetheart. If you saw him and heard the way he talks about you then you would realise that he still loves you.’
‘I know that and I love him, too, but only as a very good friend. That’s all we ever were, Dad, I can admit that now. I was never in love with him and he was trying to live the life his parents expected of him. And the only reason he’s saying all those nice things is because I persuaded him to.’
He frowned. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘I didn’t want him to come out publicly. I didn’t want people judging him and whispering about him cheating on his poor innocent wife. None of that’s true, but that’s what people would think. His parents would denounce him, as would many of the more conservative among his supporters, and that would be so unfair. Philip is a good man and he cares; he cares so much. So I begged him not to make any grand gestures but to just let life take its course. He’s basically a very honest person, so that doesn’t come easy, believe me. But the more that we talked about it the more he realised that he wouldn’t be able to achieve any of his goals or deliver on his campaign promises if he lost his seat, and so he agreed to handle things my way.’
Her father said nothing for a moment and then nodded towards the other side of the room. ‘Is that the truth, or is he the real reason you left Philip?’
Sheila looked over and saw that it was Zach he was glaring at. She hadn’t flaunted their relationship but she hadn’t hidden it, either, thinking that Dad would have accepted that her marriage was over. In hindsight she had been naïve. Too much had happened in a very short space of time, far too much to take in. She could have handled things better.
‘Zach has nothing to do with my marriage failing, Dad, honestly. Whether I met him or not, my marriage would still be over. Tell me, do you remember what you said the night I came back, Dad?’
‘What?’ he said, his voice gruff.
‘You said you didn’t care about anything. All that was important was that I was alive.’
‘I should have known you’d throw that back in my face.’
She smiled and kissed his cheek. ‘Dad, I’m alive and I’m happy. Happier than I have been in a very long time. And Philip is, too, and I’m glad for him. I’m very fond of Zach and I know you will be, too, once you get to know him, but I’m not about to rush into anything. We’re still getting to know each other.’
‘I’m glad that you still have at least some sense,’ he retorted.
‘It’s a good night, Dad. We’re all together – and just look at Sinéad, she’s glowing!’
His expression softened. ‘She does look radiant,’ he agreed.
‘So be happy for her and for me; wish us well. We are finally both where we want to be.’
‘You know all I’ve ever wanted is for the three of you to be happy,’ he said grudgingly.
> ‘Then your wish has been granted,’ she said, and when she hugged him she was relieved to feel his arms tighten around her and his lips on her cheek.
Despite the fact that Sinéad hardly had a moment to herself all evening, she was acutely aware of the tension between her father and her twin, but it was a long time before she had a chance to talk to Sheila about it.
‘What’s going on with you and Dad?’ she asked, drawing Sheila into a quiet corner.
‘He got the wrong end of the stick and thought that Philip wanted us to get back together and I wasn’t making enough of an effort.’
Sinéad stared at her, incredulous. ‘You’re joking.’
‘It’s okay. I think I’ve finally got through to him.’
‘I’m glad.’ Sinéad looked over at where Max, Dylan and Karl were standing with Dad and Krystie. ‘You know I can’t believe that I’m in Manhattan and that you’re all here with me.’ She looked back at Sheila. ‘You were the reason I wanted to come here in the first place, not the business, you do know that, right?’
‘Of course I do.’
‘But I’m glad that you came home of your own accord and that we didn’t have to hunt you down.’
‘Me too.’ Sheila smiled. ‘I was about to say I wish I’d never come to Manhattan but then I wouldn’t have found Karl and Zach.’
‘True,’ Sinéad agreed, ‘and Krystie wouldn’t have come into our lives.’
‘So all’s well that ends well.’
Sinéad frowned. ‘Hell, does that mean we have to be grateful to Bridie?’
‘Ah, steady on now; let’s not go overboard,’ Sheila laughed. ‘Shall we join the family for a glass of champagne, sis?’
‘Let’s,’ Sinéad agreed, and, linking arms, they started to move towards where the others were gathered, but she pulled Sheila to a halt as they neared Zach, who was standing with some of Karl’s friends. This man was important to her sister and Dad would just have to get used to that. ‘We’re going to have a drink, just the family, Zach,’ she said. ‘Will you join us?’
Zach looked taken aback by the invitation and he looked from Sinéad to Sheila. ‘Do you want me to?’
First We Take Manhattan Page 33
