All Because of You (Lakeview #2) (46 page)

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 like 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 28
th
at 3pm just to make it handy.”

“To May 28
th
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.”

SEVEN YEARS LATER

Chapter 1

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 he
r 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 a
t 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 t
he 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, please?”

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.”

But there wasn’t the slightest response to his attempts at friendly humour and the man eventually handed back their passports without comment.

“Crikey,” Ben said to Robin on the way down the gangway. “Do none of these guys have a sense of humour anymore? I know that things have to be tight, but it’s only a short hop down the road.”

“Well would you prefer they weren’t so particular?”

“No, but –”

“Well then
button it, and let’s start enjoying this little break of ours.”

As they reached the door of the aircraft, Ben hugged her to him. Robin was r
eally looking forward to this. She and Ben hadn’t had a holiday in ages. OK, it was only a short few days in Washington, and they wouldn’t get to do or see all that much, but still she was really looking forward to her first visit to the capital. Manhattan could be claustrophobic sometimes, and things had been so hectic at work for both of them they could do with this break.