Never Say Never (Lakeview Contemporary Romance Book 3) (31 page)

L
ater that evening
she was discussing something with Alan, when, outside the store, Leah caught sight of something that had to be an apparition. The features were the same, the hair was the same but a little longer, but this girl was way too stylish and way too confident to be the same.

“Oh wow,
Robin
!” she cried, racing outside. “It’s really
is
you, isn’t it?”

Robin smiled nervously. “Hi, I was going to phone, but I didn’t have the number and I wasn’t sure …” She trailed off, as Leah reached forward and engulfed her in a huge hug.

“I can’t believe you’re actually here!” Tears sprang to Leah’s eyes. She had known Robin was coming home of course, but at the same time, it didn’t seem real. After all these years, after all this time … she couldn’t comprehend how great it was to see her again.

“I know, it’s strange for me too. The city’s changed quite a bit since I was last here.” Robin raised an eyebrow. “What’s with that big flagpole on O’Connell Street?”

Leah laughed. “Now, now. The Spire is a very important Dublin landmark – a symbol of growth and optimism.” She rolled her eyes. “Not quite the Chrysler building, is it?”

“No, not quite,” Robin grinned.

“When did you get in? Where are you staying? Are you here for long and …oh, for goodness’ sake, listen to me rabbiting on. Come inside, I have to stay and work late this evening unfortunately, otherwise we could go for a drink. Don’t worry,” she added, when Robin looked slightly wary, “there’s nothing dangerous in there. The chocolates are all behind glass or boxed up. Everything else is safely locked away out back.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean –”

“Don’t be silly. It’s fine. Actually, I’m in discussion at the moment with my suppliers about introducing some nut-free and diabetic chocolate. It’s amazing, years ago you were the only sufferer I knew – these days I’m getting non-stop enquiries.”

Robin smiled. “We’re a pain in the butt, aren’t we?”

“Not at all.” Leah led the way through the shop, anxious to show off her little empire to this new, stylish and mature Robin. As it was teatime there was a bit of a lull in custom, so they could at least have a bit of an uninterrupted chat.

“I’m impressed,” Robin said, checking out Leah’s elaborate displays. “These look good enough to make me want to take a chance.”

“Ah, I wouldn’t recommend it,” Leah grimaced, before adding wickedly, “Then again, if you really want to die happy …”

The two girls laughed.

Leah proudly introduced her old friend to Alan, and then continued with their discussions about the following day. Not long afterwards, Alan went home and they were on their own.

“So where are you staying?”

Robin smiled, as if a little embarrassed. “They put me up in the Westin. It’s fabulous, Leah – way too good for me. Irish hotels have come a long way since I left, I can tell you.”

“Well, you’re hot property now – a famous author and all that.”

“I’m not a famous author. To be honest, I’m not even an author. I just got lucky and happened to be in the right place at the right time, that’s all.”

“That’s hardly true. You were always good at stringing words together, Robin. In college, you were always the one with the interesting theories and subject matter. Professor Hughes was mad about you.”

“Perhaps.” Robin wasn’t convinced, and then Leah realised that her friend hadn’t changed that much after all – she was still the same reticent and insecure Robin she’d always been. This was strangely comforting.

“So, what about you?” Robin asked. “Are you and Josh still – ”

Leah’s face clouded. “Yes, but I don’t want thoughts of that idiot to bring me down. Things are bad enough as it – hey,” she broke off, remembering. “I was cheesed off earlier, because Kate cried off from my birthday dinner and – ”

“That’s right, you’re thirty today, aren’t you? Don’t worry, I hadn’t forgotten. It’s just with this jet-lag I’m not sure what day I have. Happy Birthday.”

“But you’ll come out tomorrow night, won’t you?” Leah asked, pleased that they’d have something to celebrate after all. Best of all, it would be a great way of easing Olivia and Robin back into their friendship again.

Robin paused slightly before answering. “I suppose so.” But she looked a little worried. “Who else is … ?”

“Don’t worry, it won’t be a big deal – I don’t have that many friends, unfortunately. No, it’ll just be you, me, Olivia and Matt. Ben’s not with you, is he?”

“No, but are you sure –?”

“The problem is, I’ve booked Thai, which I know will be a problem for you, so –”

“Oh, don’t worry about that, honestly. It’s your birthday – you should go where you want.”

“You don’t seriously think it matters to me where we eat, do you? Robin, I haven’t seen you in years. And with all this success with your book, this is as much a celebration for you as it is for me.” She reached under the counter-top for the telephone directory. “Now, I’ll just make some enquiries and see what we can get.”

“Are you sure? I feel awful about this, Leah – it’s your night and now you have to go and rearrange things for me.”

“I said don’t be silly,” Leah said, tucking the handset under her chin as she dialled. “You’d do the same for me, wouldn’t you?”

After a few failed attempts, she finally located a suitable restaurant, a nice place near the seafront in Dun Laoghaire, which would be a bit of a trek for Robin, but handier for Matt and Olivia.

“So what are your plans for the weekend?” Leah asked. “I’m taking the day off tomorrow, so if you want to do some shopping or anything …”

“Well, Mum’s coming up to visit at some stage and I’m doing – I think it’s called TV3 –” she looked at Leah for confirmation, “on morning Monday at eight.” She groaned. “But tomorrow, I only have a couple of newspaper interviews before lunch, and after that I’m free.”

“Great! Let me know what time and I’ll pop in to town and meet you at the hotel.” She hugged Robin once more, thrilled to see her again. “The Westin, eh?” she laughed. “Haven’t you come a long way.”

“
R
obin’s back
?” said Olivia. So, she’d finally come home after all this time.

“Yes, and she’s coming out for my birthday dinner tomorrow night,”Leah announced on the other end of the telephone line,” Then she paused. “Do you mind? The invite had come out of my mouth before I had a chance to really think about it – and I know it might be a little awkward after all this time but – ”

“No, don’t be silly, it’ll be great to see her,” Olivia tried her best to sound enthusiastic. .

“Brilliant,” Leah said sounding relieved. “It will give us all a chance to catch up and have a good chat. Oh and by the way, I had to change the restaurant, but this one will be nearer for you.” She gave Olivia directions. “She looks amazing, Olivia.”

“I’m sure she does.” Olivia didn’t want to think about how amazing Robin looked. She was still trying to come to terms with the fact that after seven years of little or no contact, she would see her old friend again in less than twenty-four hours.

Just then Olivia was sorely tempted to make some pathetic excuse and pull out. But she couldn’t do that now, could she? Not when Kate had already let Leah down and she’d been so upset about that. No, it wouldn’t be fair. She’d just have to bite the bullet and go with it. And Matt was really looking forward to it – he’d been eager to meet her friends properly for some time.

Still, what on earth would he make of Robin?

O
n her return
to the hotel, Robin sat in the taxi deep in thought. She stared out the window, hardly seeing the places and landmarks of this city that had once been so familiar to her.

Should she do it? she wondered. Should she do it while she was here – while she had the chance?

But what if she bumped into Olivia? Although that was highly unlikely. Robin doubted very much that Olivia would do twenty-four hour vigils at the place, but still …

But there was also the possibility that someone else could notice her and then mention it to Olivia, so should she –

Oh, for goodness’ sake, Robin, admonished herself, after seven years in Manhattan you’d think you’d know better. This is Dublin, not some tiny little village.

Of course no one would recognise her, and even if she was seen, it was very unlikely it would get back to Olivia. She didn’t live there any more now, did she?

Feeling a sudden burst of nervous energy, Robin sat forward.

It was now or never and she had to do it. She would never forgive herself otherwise.

“I’m sorry, I’ve changed my mind. Can you take me to Shankill instead, please?”

The taxi-driver looked at her as though she was mad. “Love, it’s late-night shopping and we’re on the outskirts of town – it’ll take us a good hour to get all the way back out there.”

“I know and I’m sorry,” Robin replied, “but I really need to go back.”

“Your money, pet.” He shrugged and went to do a U-turn.

“Thank you.” Robin said nothing more for the rest of the journey, as she tried to convince herself she was doing the right thing. Then, about thirty-five minutes later, they reached the turn-off for Shankill.

The taxi-driver tapped his steering wheel to the beat of the music on the radio, not having any idea that he was echoing the quick tempo of Robin’s heart.

“So whereabouts will I drop you, love?” he asked when they entered the village.

Robin’s heart fluttered as though it was struggling to keep beating. “Shanganagh, please,” she replied, her voice heavy with emotion, “Shanganagh Cemetery.”

“
H
ello Robin
.” Olivia’s voice was calm and neutral as she approached the restaurant table. She reached across to give her old friend a hug. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Good to see you too.” Robin half-stood up from her chair and returned the brief embrace. Olivia’s greeting was warm but, still, Robin wasn’t sure what to think or how to behave. Her friend had aged, as had the rest of them, but as always Olivia possessed an air of calm serenity which somehow never seemed to falter.

Not even now.

“Matt, you know Leah of course, and this is another friend, Robin,” Olivia said by way of introduction. “We were all in college together, and Robin’s just back from New York. Remember, I told you about the children’s book she wrote?”

“Hi, Leah, Happy Birthday.” Matt waved a greeting. “Pleased to meet you, Robin, and congratulations on your book.” He sat down across from Leah, leaving Olivia sitting directly across from Robin. “New York’s a great city, have you lived there long?”

“Seven years,” Robin told him.

“And do you get home much? Although I don’t know why you’d want to,” he added amiably. “Dublin’s great, but the Big Apple is in a different league I think.”

“Well, this is actually my first time home since I left,” she replied, trying not to make eye contact with Olivia.

“Oh.” Matt couldn’t hide his surprise. “Oh, well, living in a great place like that, I suppose I can’t blame you.”

“Doesn’t she look fantastic, Olivia?” Leah, was saying, already well tipsy on the wine she was drinking. She’d had a few drinks before they went out, and had already knocked back two champagne cocktails before the others arrived. Robin suspected her friend was out to get well and truly blotto tonight.

“She certainly does,” Olivia answered. “I love your dress, Robin, and you’ve really kept your figure too. Typical. Now, if I wore something like that I’d look like Ten Tonne Tessie.” She laughed gaily, but to Robin there was something a little forced about it.

“Thanks, you look great too.”

“Robin, I think you and I both know that dieting was never my forte. I still have the old ice-cream weakness,” she added conspiratorially.

“Don’t be silly, you look great,” Matt said, looking up from his menu.

“Love must definitely be blind then,” Olivia laughed and rolled her eyes.

“Women,” Matt said, exasperated. “Remind me again why I agreed to come along tonight.”

All of a sudden Robin wished she
hadn’t
come. Olivia was being way too nice to her and behaving as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Well, maybe she didn’t. She was a bit taken aback at how easy and comfortable she and Matt seemed to be with one another. She supposed she was so used to seeing Olivia with Peter that it seemed sort of strange. Then again, why shouldn’t Olivia move on with someone else?

Thinking of her last-minute visit to the graveyard yesterday, Robin shivered, ashamed. After all Olivia had been through, she deserved to be happy.

“So, things are going well in New York?” Olivia asked her. “Great news about your book, although I must admit it was a bit of a surprise. I didn’t know you were writing.”

Robin was almost embarrassed discussing this with her. It felt as though she’d let her down somehow. “It’s all a little bit out of the blue for me too,” she said. “I have a niece, well, she’s not exactly my niece, she’s Ben’s niece but she’s asthmatic and –”

“Ben’ssh her cutie boyfriend,” Leah interjected, her voice slightly slurred.

Olivia looked at Leah. “Slow down a bit there, you – we haven’t even started eating yet,” she admonished teasingly.

“It’s my birthday and I’ll get pisshed if I want to,” Leah laughed back, her tone giddy.

Matt topped up his wineglass. “Leah, if you can’t have a few to celebrate reaching the big 3-0, sure when can you?”

“Cheers, Matt!” Leah clinked glasses with him, pleased she had a drinking partner in crime. She waylaid a waiter passing their table. “Can we get three more Bellinis here, please?”

“I’m almost sorry I’m driving,” Olivia said, grinning at Robin. “We’re obviously in for a good night.”

Robin smiled back uncomfortably. Another cocktail sounded good, because at that moment, she wasn’t sure how to continue this one-to-one conversation with Olivia. She wished Leah would get involved a bit more, but her friend was too busy knocking back cocktails and chattering with Matt.

“So, you’ve put down roots in New York now, as such?” Olivia asked her.

“I suppose so. I like it there, and we have some good friends, although it’s not quite the same as …” Robin paused, embarrassed. Why had she said that? She was the one who had gone off to America and lost all contact. As far as they were concerned she couldn’t care less. Why would Olivia of all people believe her when she admitted she missed her old friends?

“I know what you mean,” Olivia said, as if sensing her discomfort. “When you’re so far away from home, I’m sure the grass can sometimes appear greener.”

Just then, the waiter came to take their order and as usual, Robin stiffened, dreading the drawn-out exchange to come and the usual accompanying frustrated looks.

“Hi,” she said, when he stood beside her, her complexion reddening slightly. “I’d just like to let you know that I suffer from a severe peanut allergy, and I’ll need to ask you a couple of questions about this menu. If I eat something with peanuts in it, I might die.” She smiled hesitantly at him, eager to get it over with.

To her amazement, the waiter smiled back. “That’s no problem, madam, my youngest suffers from the same thing. I know how careful you have to be.”

“Thank you,” Robin couldn’t comprehend the relief she felt. As the waiter went through the menu with her, she saw Matt watching her with interest.

“It must be tough,” he said, when the waiter had left the table. “Not everyone is as acommodating as that, I’d imagine.”

Robin nodded. “That was rare, to be honest. Usually when I’m somewhere I haven’t been before, they get very annoyed and frustrated. I don’t blame them, but it’s hard when you’re made feel like an over-hysterical fusspot. People just don’t realise, that’s all.”

Olivia smiled tightly. “It’s probably much easier in New York too. I’m sure they’re well geared up for that kind of thing.”

Again, Robin wished she wouldn’t be so nice to her. She almost wished she’d be frosty, uncommunicative, anything but the understanding, sympathetic Olivia she’d always been. After all these years, after everything that had happened, it just didn’t seem right.

“It is, when you know where to go. But, there are always risks.” She turned to Leah, anxious to change the subject. “Are you OK there, Leah? You’ve downed most of that bottle of wine yourself.”

“Why shouldssn’t I?” Leah slurred, her eyes glazed. “When issh my birthday?”

Olivia caught Matt’s eye. “Tell you what,” she said to Leah, “why don’t we just have water with the meal and then later we’ll have some champagne.”

“Champagne!” Leah sat up straight. “I love champagne!”

Sensing now that her drinking was a little bit more than just celebratory, Matt swiftly removed the bottle of wine and hid it under the table. He and Olivia exchanged worried looks. Robin was worried too. Leah was getting way too drunk way too fast.

“Where’sh the wine gone?”

“Don’t worry, he’ll be back with more in a minute,” Olivia soothed. “Oh, look, here’s our starters.”

Leah took a huge gulp of the water, and the table was quiet for some time while they ate.

Robin took only tiny bites of her food, the discomfort of the reunion with Olivia making her lose her appetite. Despite Olivia’s best attempts at being off-hand and friendly, there was a real tension between them. She would have to say something, but not here, not now and certainly not on poor Leah’s birthday. Anyway there were also certain things that Robin wanted, no,
needed
to ask.

The conversation became a little stilted and awkward once the introductions, and what could be considered their attempts at catching up, were out of the way. Matt kept up some chit-chat during the main course, which lightened the tone a little, but Robin was finding it very hard to relax and even harder to find things to talk about.

She wasn’t sure whether she should enquire about Olivia’s daughter as she had never seen the child, and hadn’t exactly been all that supportive when she was born. Mentioning Ellie might only bring it all back to Olivia, and simply highlight how terrible a friend Robin had been. She decided instead to concentrate on safer ground. “So how’s Kate getting on?” she asked. “Does motherhood suit her?”

“Kate told me and Olivia that she thinks you’re a bitssh, Robin,” Leah blurted, in a drunken, childlike tone. “But I think she’s a bitssh, so there!” She’d been drinking water during the meal, but everything she’d had beforehand was obviously still very much in her system.

Matt looked visibly uncomfortable, and Olivia looked as though she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. “Leah, don’t be silly,” she said. “I know you’re upset that Kate couldn’t come tonight but –”

“She wassh alwayssh horrible to you, Robin, wasshn’t she?” Leah went on as though Olivia hadn’t even spoken. “She was a bitssh to you, when we all knew it wasshn’t your fault.”

“Leah, it’s OK,” Robin began, “I don’t mind. Oh, look, here’s the waiter – let’s order dessert.”

Leah shook her head exaggeratedly. “I told her it wasshn’t your fault that you couldn’t come home, but she didn’t believe me.” All of a sudden, she looked distraught. “It wasshn’t your fault, Robin, I know that but Olivia didn’t want me to tell her, sshure you didn’t?” She reached across and grabbed Olivia tightly by the hand. Then she reached for Robin. “You two are my bessht friends, my bessht friends, I want you to know that.”

Matt stood up, evidently deciding it might be a good idea to give them some time alone. “I just remembered I have to phone Frank,” he said, taking out his mobile and waving it in front of the others as if to demonstrate.

“That’ssh OK, Matt, that’ssh fine, you’re my bessht friend, too,” Leah giggled at his retreat.

Olivia caught Robin’s eye. “Forget about dessert, I think it’s time we got you home, Leah,” she said.

Leah’s eyes widened. “Home? Will Josh be there?” she asked in a child-like voice.

“No, honey, Josh is probably fast asleep in bed,” Olivia soothed, obviously not knowing what to say. “Maybe you might see him tomorrow.”

Leah sniffed, as if remembering. “I won’t sshee him tomorrow – sshtupid bastard.”

Now she was making a scene, and Robin knew they had to get her out of there as soon as possible.

“I’ll take her back in a taxi, if you like,” Robin offered, after Olivia hurriedly paid the bill and the three of them joined Matt outside.

“It’s OK, I’m driving anyway,” Olivia replied quickly. “Can I give you a lift back to the hotel?”

“No, that’s fine, you guys go ahead – I can get a taxi.”

“Don’t be silly,” Matt piped up. “Sure, it could take you forever to get one, and once we’ve got Leah settled, it’ll only take us a few minutes to drop you into town.”

If Olivia was annoyed that he’d persisted, she didn’t show it.

“No, really, I’ll be fine.”

“Olivia, tell her.”

Olivia spoke quietly. “Robin, it’s no problem, although it might be a while before we get Leah sorted. She’s very drunk and I don’t particularly want to leave her on her own.”

“I could stay with her,” Robin suggested. As tomorrow was Sunday, her time was her own, and the next item on her publicity itinerary wasn’t until Monday. “I could keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn’t get sick or anything.”

“That mightn’t be a bad idea,” Matt said. “At least then you wouldn’t have to worry about her, Olivia.”

She nodded. “OK, let’s get Leah to the car.”

Sitting in the backseat alongside Robin, Leah wouldn’t stay still. Nor, to Robin’s discomfort, would she stay quiet. It was as if once the air hit her, she got another – giddier – lease of life.

“You know, I knew you two would be friendssh again, I just knew it! Thissh has been the best birthday ever – we’re
all
friendssh again now – and don’t worry about Kate, I’ll deal with Kate – she’ll come round, Robin, and it wasshn’t her fault that she didn’t know. She just thought you were being horrible to Olivia, by not coming home that time, but
I
knew you weren’t being horrible, Robin.
I
undersshtood why you didn’t come, and so did Olivia, didn’t you? We knew that you jussht –”

“How’s the shop going, Leah?” Matt asked.

“Fine, Matt, thanks very mussh for asking. You should come in and visit me soon – I’ll give you a free chocolate.”

“I’d like that – do you have any Turkish delights?”

“No, but I’ll do some sshpecially for you, if you like.” She giggled and whispered to Robin. “He’ssh very nice, isn’t he, Robin? Nicer than bloody Josh anyway, and do you know sshomething? I think he’s nicer than Peter too. There, I said it! He’s nicer than Peter because Matt would never,
ever
– ”

“Oh, is one of these yours, Leah?” Robin asked, as Olivia slowed and turned into the entrance of an apartment block, hoping and praying that Leah would stop chattering. She was covering some potentially dangerous ground here, and it could be very uncomfortable and embarrassing if they let her keep going.

“Yep, that’s mine, sshee that one up there? Josh didn’t care, but I wanted one with a balcony.” She sniffed, and suddenly her mood changed. “I have the balcony all to myself now.” She turned to Robin. “Why did he do it, Robin? Why did he break my heart like that? I gave up ssho much for him – I told him it didn’t matter that he didn’t want shhildren – if he didn’t want them, well then, that was fine, but then he goes and sshleeps with someone else. Why, Robin?”

“I don’t know, honey.” Robin knew that poor Matt was mortified. She was mortified for him and equally for Olivia – and indeed for poor Leah when and if she remembered all that she’d been saying tonight.

But, true to form, Olivia seemed much more worried about Leah than Matt’s apparent discomfort. She stopped the car and, having rummaged through Leah’s bag, got the keys to her apartment and let them in. She went on ahead to open the door and, as best he could, Matt helped Robin support poor drunken Leah as they made their way up the steps to her apartment. He gave her an embarrassed smile. “The poor crature – I’m sure she’ll suffer in the morning.”