right; it’s still there, thank God. Anyway, nice to see you and thank you for the tea.’
‘You’re welcome, and thank you for the orchid,’ Holly said through gritted teeth.
He marched down the garden path and stopped midway to look at the garden. He nodded his head disapprovingly and shouted to her, ‘You really must get someone to sort this mess out,’ and drove off in his brown family car.
Holly fumed as she watched him drive away, and banged the door shut. That man made her blood boil so much she felt like knocking him out. He just hadn’t a clue … about anything.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
‘Oh, Sharon, I just hate him,’ Holly moaned to her friend on the phone later that night.
‘Just ignore him, Holly. He can’t help himself, he’s an idiot,’ she replied angrily.
‘But that’s what annoys me even more. Everyone says he can’t help himself or it’s not his fault, but he’s a grown man, Sharon. He’s thirty-six years old. He should bloody well know when to keep his mouth shut. He says those things deliberately,’ Holly fumed.
‘I really don’t think he does, Holly,’ Sharon said soothingly. ‘I genuinely think he called round to wish you a happy birthday …’
‘Yeah! And what’s that about?’ Holly ranted. ‘Since when has he ever called round to my house to give me a birthday present? NEVER! That’s when!’
‘Well, thirty is more of a big deal than any other—’
‘Not in his eyes it’s not! He even said so at dinner the other day. If I recall, his exact words were,’ she mimicked his voice, ‘I don’t agree with silly celebrations blah blah blah I’m a sap blah blah blah. He really is a Dick.’
Sharon laughed at her friend sounding like a ten-year-old. ‘OK, so he’s an evil monster of a being who deserves to burn in hell!’
Holly paused. ‘Well, I wouldn’t go that far, Sharon …’
Sharon laughed. ‘Oh, I just can’t please you at all, can I?’
Holly smiled weakly. Gerry would know exactly how she was feeling, he would know exactly what to say and exactly what to do. He would give her one of his famous hugs and all her problems would melt away. She grabbed a pillow from her bed and hugged it tight. She couldn’t remember the last time she had hugged someone, really hugged someone. And the depressing thing was that she couldn’t imagine ever embracing anyone the same way again.
‘Helloooo? Earth to Holly? You still there or am I talking to myself again?
‘Oh, sorry, Sharon, what did you say?’
‘I said have you given any more thought to this karaoke business?’
‘Sharon!’ Holly yelped. ‘No more thought is required on that subject.’
‘OK, calm down, woman! I was just thinking that we could hire a karaoke machine and set it up in your living room. That way, you’ll be doing what he wants minus the embarrassment! What do you think?’
‘No, Sharon, it’s a great idea but it won’t work; he wants me to do it in Club Diva, wherever that is.’
‘Ah! So sweet! Because you’re his disco diva?’
‘I think that was the general idea,’ Holly said miserably.
‘Ah! That’s a lovely idea, although Club Diva? Never heard of it.’
‘Well, that’s that settled then. If no one knows where it is, then I just can’t do it, can I?’ Holly said, satisfied she had found a way out.
They both said their goodbyes but as soon as Holly had hung up, the phone rang again.
‘Hi, sweetheart.’
‘Mum!’ Holly said accusingly.
‘Oh God, what have I done now?’
‘I received a little visit from your evil son today and I’m not very happy.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry, dear, I tried to call you earlier to tell you he was on his way over but I kept getting that bloody answering machine. Do you ever turn your phone on?’
‘That is not the point, Mum.’
‘I know, I’m sorry. Why, what did he do?’
‘He opened his mouth. There lies the problem in itself.’
‘Oh no, and he was so excited about giving you that present.’
‘Well, I’m not denying the fact that the present was very nice and thoughtful but he said some of the most insulting things without batting an eyelid!’
‘Do you want me to talk to him for you?’
‘No, it’s OK; we’re big boys and girls now. But thanks, anyway. So what are you up to?’ Holly was anxious to change the subject.
‘Ciara and I are watching a Denzel Washington film. Ciara thinks she’s going to marry him someday,’ Elizabeth laughed.
‘I am too!’ Ciara shouted in the background.
‘Well, sorry to burst her little bubble but tell her he’s already married.’
‘He’s married, honey,’ Elizabeth passed on the message.
‘Hollywood marriages …’ Ciara mumbled.
‘Are the two of you on your own?’ Holly asked.
‘Frank is down the pub and Declan is at college.’
‘College? But it’s ten o’clock at night!’ Holly laughed. Declan was probably out somewhere doing something illegal and using college as an excuse. She didn’t think her mum would be so gullible to believe that line, especially after having four other children.
‘Oh, he’s a very hard worker when he puts his mind to it, Holly. He’s working on some project. I don’t know what it is; I don’t listen half the time.’
‘Mmm,’ Holly replied, not believing a word of it.
‘Anyway, my future son-in-law is back on television so I must be off,’ Elizabeth laughed. ‘Would you like to come round and join us?’
‘Thanks but no, I’m OK here.’
‘All right, love, but if you change your mind you know where we are. Bye, dear.’
Back to her empty, silent house.
Holly woke up the next morning still fully dressed and lying on her bed. She could feel herself slipping into her old habits again. All her positive thoughts of the past few weeks were melting away bit by
