by Melissa Hill
NEVER SAY NEVER
A LAKEVIEW NOVEL
MELISSA HILL
CONTENTS
Copyright
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Epilogue
The Wedding Invite
About the Author
Also by Melissa Hill
Copyright © Melissa Hill 2005
The right of Melissa Hill to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author. You must not circulate this book in any format.
All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.
PROLOGUE
‘Man Plans – God Laughs.’
Robin couldn’t help but think of the old Yiddish proverb as she listened to the discussion going on around her. She always felt uncomfortable talking about ‘the future’.
It was a mild evening in late May, and Robin and her friends – all soon-to-be graduates of University College Dublin, were sitting on the grass by the lake in St Stephen’s Green. They were having a ‘where will we be in five years’ time’ conversation.
“Andrew will be our big sports star,” Amanda declared, positioning herself comfortably against her boyfriend’s broad chest. She pushed a fair curl away from her pretty face.
Kate rolled her eyes. “You worked overtime on the crystal ball for that one,” she said caustically. After graduation Andrew was poised to sign with a well-known Irish rugby club.
Amanda gave Kate a withering look. “No doubt you’ll end up in politics, lecturing the rest of us as usual,” she replied.
There had never been any love lost between Andrew’s girlfriend and Kate. The two of them always managed to rub one another up the wrong way, and, Robin thought wryly, neither tried to hide it.
“So what about you, honey?” Andrew asked, turning the attention back to the person who craved it the most. “What’ll you be?”
Amanda tittered. “Famous of course,” she answered confidently. “I’ll either be a major name in music or modelling, or perhaps make it big on TV.” Again, she flicked her hair out of her face.
“Yes, I can see it now, The Amanda Langan Show,” Peter piped up with a laugh.
Kate snorted and Amanda flashed her another look.
“And what about you Peter?” Kate asked him.
Peter was studying radiology and took a keen interest in the environment – an interest he had acquired from his long-time girlfriend and Robin’s close friend, Olivia. He was arguably the better-looking male in the group, his lovely dark eyes, sculpted jawline and sallow complexion making for a breathtaking combination.
“You’ll have to ask the wife about that one,” Peter replied, winking at Robin.
Amanda’s head shot up and she looked at him, aghast. “You haven’t proposed?”
Robin hid a smile. If any couple in this group would go down that road, Amanda was determined it would be her and Andrew. No way would she let plain ordinary Olivia Dunne and Peter Gallagher steal her thunder by getting engaged first.
Peter laughed, apparently reading her thoughts. “When and if I do, I guarantee you’ll be the first to know.”
Her startled blue eyes wide as saucers, Amanda sat back and nestled closely into Andrew. Robin looked at Kate and knew that she too could see Amanda mentally working out some way to get a proposal out of Andrew before Olivia and Peter pipped them to the post. They exchanged a grin.
“So, that’s settled then,” Andrew said, sitting forward and recapping the conversation on his fingers. “Amanda’s going to be the TV star, I’ll be the sports star, lovebirds Peter and Olivia will save the world, Kate will help with the paperwork …” Much to Amanda’s chagrin he winked at Kate. “And of course, Leah will probably end up owning her own restaurant.”
Robin smiled proudly. Her good friend Leah was studying for her qualification in catering college, and was a wonderful pastry chef. Passionate and hardworking, Leah was the one who in Robin’s opinion, was the most likely to do well in her chosen career.
“So, who’s left then?” Andrew went on, and Robin tried not to let her discomfort show. This was exactly why she hated these conversations – they always seemed to highlight her lack of talent, her dearth of personality. She wasn’t attractive like Amanda, talented like Leah or caring and motherly like Olivia. She was just the odd one, she supposed, the quiet weird one that faded into the background.
Just then Peter’s girlfriend Olivia approached, followed closely by pastry-chef-in-waiting Leah.
“Hey, it’s about time,” Peter said. “Where did you two get to?”
“We went shopping for goodies,” Leah replied, her mouth full as she sat down.
Robin smiled. Leah never seemed to stop eating – as a trainee chef, she had no choice – but maddeningly never seemed to put on an ounce. “Chocolate, anyone?” She waved a Snickers bar around. “Oh, sorry, Robin, I almost forgot.” Leah moved the bag of goodies away. “Better keep those away from you.”
“Thanks,” Robin grinned.
“I’ll have some,” Amanda said reaching for the bag. “I’m lucky in that I don’t have to worry about my figure.” It was a definite barb, despite knowing that Robin’s refusal had nothing whatsoever to do with watching her weight.
“So what have we missed?” Olivia asked, trying to get comfortable on the grass.
“Well Amanda’s dusted off the crystal ball, and is making predictions as to what we’ll end up doing in the future,” Kate informed her, another roll of her eyes leaving no-one in any doubt about her thoughts on the stupidity of the exercise.
“Oh, I love conversations l
ike this!” Olivia sat forward, warming to the subject immediately. “Let me guess, Andrew will be big in sports, Leah will be – oh, I don’t know – a really famous TV chef or … what?” Seeing Amanda’s poisonous glare, she stopped short. “Well what’s wrong with that? Out of everyone here, I can certainly see Leah being a big star.” She winked mischievously at Robin, fully aware of the effect her remarks were having on a miffed Amanda.
“And Robin will be …” Olivia paused then and turned to face her. “I can see you going on to surprise us all. You’re the most kind-hearted and sensitive by a mile, so I could see you doing something that involves helping others.”
Robin was touched. Kind-hearted, sensitive? How wonderful that Olivia would think so highly of her. Whatever about the others, Robin was certain that she, Olivia and Leah would always be great friends no matter what they ended up doing.
“So what did you say about me and Peter? Hold on, let me guess, I will be … the settled one,” Olivia declared. “Yes, I’ll get my veterinary degree, work for a few years after we marry?” She looked at Peter for affirmation. “Then I’ll be quite happy to stay home and rear all our kids,” she added with an impish grin.
“Marriage, kids – no way!” Peter feigned terror.
“Good luck to you, mate,” Andrew chuckled, moving slightly away from Amanda.
Olivia ruffled Peter’s dark hair. “Well, after all these years, I don’t think you’re going to find anyone else to put up with you, are you?” she laughed.
Olivia and Peter were so easy together, so comfortable, so – perfect for one another, Robin thought. There was no doubt that those two would be together for a long time to come.
“I have an idea,” Andrew announced, sitting up sharply then. “We should place a few bets with the bookies. See if Amanda does become a TV star, or Leah a famous chef, or you and Peter end up getting married …”
Peter guffawed. “Typical Andrew, any excuse for a flutter.” He lay back and rested his head on one hand. “It’s an idea though. We could do it and then arrange to all meet up sometime later and see how it’s all panned out – or not.”
“I think it’s a great idea!” Amanda enthused, undoubtedly having visions of herself returning to the fold replete with designer clothes and glamorous lifestyle. “It would be great fun seeing how it all turned out, how everyone’s getting on …”
Ever the sceptic, Kate shook her head in exasperation.
“It would be fun,” Olivia added enthusiastically. “There’s a chance we might not all stay in touch, so this would be a good excuse as any to catch up – why not?”
“I don’t know,” Kate said. “People make these stupid promises all the time at graduation, but they don’t always work out.”
“Well, I think it’s worth doing – what do the rest of you think?” Olivia asked and everyone bar Kate nodded in agreement.
Realising she was outnumbered, Kate held her hands up in mock surrender. “OK, OK, whatever you want,” she groaned. “I still think it’s a silly idea though – we’ll all be leading different lives, and might not even want to know one another. And by then, things could be completely different and we could be tempting fate. What if one of us dies or something?” Almost as soon as the words were out, she winced.
“Kate!” Leah and Olivia chorused. “Don’t say something like that.”
Robin’s stomach gave a little leap. Was she imagining it, or were all eyes turned on her just then?
“I’m sorry but it’s true, you just don’t know what could happen – to any of us.”
“Well, look if something does happen, then obviously our meeting won’t come about,” Olivia said, her tone a little too bright. “But, if we’re going to do this, we all need to make the effort, so are you in or not?”
In the end, Kate sighed. “I’m in.”
“Great,” Olivia sat back on her heels, eager to start organising. “So we’ll meet up where … in the college grounds?”
“Why not here in St Stephen’s Green?” Robin ventured.
“Of course. That would be ideal,” Olivia said approvingly. “Well?” She looked to the others for signs of assent. Kate shrugged and the others nodded.
“OK, then, that’s settled. Same place here by the lake,” Olivia bit her lip. “When?”
“Oh, late afternoon, I think, then some of us can do a bit of shopping on Grafton St beforehand,” Amanda said airily.
“I think she meant when – as in what year?” Kate said through gritted teeth.
“Oh, I’m not sure … maybe five years?” Amanda suggested.
“Five years – is that too long?”
“Not long enough,” Kate said under her breath and Robin giggled.
“OK then,” Olivia announced gravely. “Next week we all graduate and then go out into the big bad world to do our own thing. Chances are some of us will stay in touch, chances are some of us won’t.” She gave a sideways glance at Amanda and Kate. “Nonetheless for the sake of our friendship and the fact that we’ve shared so much, all seven of us plan to meet here in five years’ time …” She checked the date on her watch. “Well, let’s say same time, same place. May 28th at 3pm just to make it handy.”
“To May 28th five years from now.” Leah raised her glass in the air and the others duly followed, their expressions happy and full of the promise of things to come.
All with the exception of Kate, who still looked sceptical.
Amanda glared at her.
“It’ll never happen,” Kate muttered with a shake of her head, although her eyes twinkled as she grudgingly raised her drink in a toast with her friends.
“Five years from now – all seven of us still friends and together? I’m telling you, it’ll never happen.”
1
SEVEN YEARS LATER
Robin stood awkwardly in front of the security guard. Her heart hammered nervously as he asked – no ordered – her to hold out her arms. She did so, crucifixion-style.
He began to pat her down quickly and impersonally and again Robin wondered why she always felt so guilty in these situations when it was likely that it was just some loose change in her pockets that was setting off the scanners.
Ben stood on the other side laughing at her. Her boyfriend just sailed through every time. And even if Robin did manage to get past without incident (which didn’t happen very often) the guards nearly always spot-frisked her anyway. With her shoulder-length auburn hair and light complexion, she looked as Irish as the next woman, so why did JFK airport security always peg her as a possible international terrorist? Oh well she thought, sighing inwardly, it surely was a sign of the times.
The inquisition over, Robin joined Ben on the other side.
He shook his head. “Same thing every single time,” he joked. “Now come on, we’d better get a move on.”
Robin quickened her step and the two of them hastened towards their departure gate. They’d been lucky to reach the airport in the time they did, she thought, the Friday afternoon traffic across Manhattan beggaring belief. She had lived in the city for nearly seven years now, and she still couldn’t get used to the unbearable traffic. The taxi-driver had driven like a man possessed to get them to the airport in time for their flight.
“Have you got the boarding cards?” she asked Ben as they approached their gate.
“Me? I thought you had them,” he replied seriously, although she knew by the mischievous glint in his eyes that he was only teasing. Hopefully.
“Not the time to be joking around, Ben,” she scolded. “Not when this plane is about to take off.”
“Ah, they’d never leave without us.”
“They would too,” Robin said and, smiling at the cabin-crew member, asked him, “wouldn’t you?”
“It’s another ten minutes till take-off, ma’am,” the crew member informed her, “but according to regulations –”
“It’s OK – we’re here now,” Ben interjected.
“Can I see your identification, pleas
e?”
Robin and Ben duly produced their Irish passports and the man studied the documentation for a long uncomfortable moment, paying particular attention to their photographs.
“That is me, really,” Ben joked trying to lighten the mood. “And yes, I know I’m miles better looking in real life but there you go.”
