Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
John didn’t elaborate on the events of the day before, and I didn’t like to pry.
I was late for work, rushing out the door as the phone rang, so I didn’t have time to ask too many questions.
Besides, I didn’t want him to think he had to explain his every move to me.
And in the light of day, last night’s worries seemed ridiculous.
I hurriedly wished him a good day and hung up, distracted with the knowledge I had to resign at my second job today, Dental Connections.
My contract there stated I had to give four-weeks-notice, but with the Christmas holidays coming up they were actually getting six.
I’d hung on a couple of weeks longer than I had in my other practice because experience had taught me that people treat you differently when they know you’re leaving.
Some patients had been a bit huffy, like I was abandoning them. It didn’t occur to some of them I had a life outside of work. I was heartfelt sorry to be leaving them, and I wouldn’t be leaving them if there was another way.
I parked up, threw my handbag into my surgery and went looking for Mark. I wanted to thank him for everything he had done for me over the years. I’d enjoyed working at with him, and wouldn’t have left otherwise, and I wanted him to know that.
The white envelope in my hand alerted him to the situation before I could even say a word. He shook his head as I stood silently in front of him with the envelope.
‘Ireland?’ he said.
‘I’m afraid so,’ I said, and smiled sadly at him.
‘I can’t believe it. We thought you would go, but it’s so soon.’
‘I’m sorry.’ I seemed to spend a lot of time apologising.
‘Ahh. I hope I’m not overstepping the mark, Lucy, but over the years I’ve come to think of you as a friend as well as a colleague….’
I wasn’t sure where he was going with this, but I really shouldn’t have been surprised at the following statement at this stage.
‘Are you sure it’s not just the seven year itch,’ he asked, in a tentative voice.
I’d barely heard of the seven year itch before in my entire life, yet if I’d had a pound for every person who said it to me in the previous six months, I’d have been a millionaire.
‘I’m sure,’ I said, through gritted teeth.
‘Well.’ He shrugged. ‘A person has to do what they have to do. If you change your mind…’ he trailed off, but I knew what he was going to say.
‘Thank you. I hope it doesn’t come to it, but thank you. I’ve honestly enjoyed working with you all. It’s been a pleasure.’ I meant it.
Helen strolled into the surgery to inform me my first patient had arrived. The patient was in a wheelchair, so we went to use a surgery downstairs for the morning.
Word spread around the practice like wildfire, people asked me a hundred questions, most of which I didn’t even know the answer to myself.
‘Where would I work? What was it like in Ireland? Isn’t it a bit soon?’
It was a relief to get into the solitude of my car at four o’clock and make the mundane motorway trip to Gatwick. I drove silently, allowing the events of the day to filter through my mind as I tried to process everything.
Things had moved quickly, but it was unavoidable.
Eventually I was going to move, so wasn’t I as well to get on with it?
Excitement bubbled within when I imagined this new life with John, the fun we’d have.
Whatever challenges that might arise, we had a solid foundation, having been through so much already.
I was certain we could make it work. And so was he.
The phone pierced loudly through the car speakers as I sped along the M25 with only my thoughts for company.
John’s name flashed on my digital radio.
‘Hello?’
‘Hi, honey, how are you?’ I beamed from ear to ear at the sound of his voice. That accent had a lot to answer for.
‘Traffic is moving along. Fingers crossed I should be at the airport in less than an hour.’
‘Great timing for a Friday on those bloody roads.’ He could fully appreciate the effort of the commute, having done it himself now.
‘Absolutely. In no time at all, I’ll be sitting in the bar in the departure lounge with a big glass of red wine. TFI Friday.’
‘Brilliant.’ He sounded equally as excited as me. Friday nights were our nights. After counting down the sleeps until we could be together again, we tended not to venture too far from the warmth of the open fire. Not to mention the bottle of red that had become another ritual.
‘I might be a bit longer getting through Knock; I packed a big case. I thought it would save space in Betsy when I come in the car next month. If I leave a bit more each week, it’ll make it easier when I do the big move into yours.
‘You’re going to have to stop calling it ‘mine’ soon enough, Luce. You’ll be living here yourself in only a few short weeks, thank God,’ he said.
‘Hmm. It will take a while to feel like home,’ I said.
‘Well, funny you should say that.’ He laughed nervously. ‘I got you a welcome home present.’
‘You did not?’ Moving in with him, waking up with him every day was the only present I actually wanted.
‘I hope you like him,’ he said, with a low rumbling chuckle.
‘Him? I’m not sure I like the sound of that. It better not be another one of those awful stuffed animal heads that you hang on the wall?’ I shuddered thinking about it.
‘You’re going to love him. Trust me.’ I did trust him, that was the funny thing. I just didn’t trust his sense of humour.
‘Okay. I’ll text you when I’m on board, so you know the flight’s on time.’
‘Safe travelling, can’t wait to see you, gorgeous.’ He hung up.
I briefly wondered what the present could be, before reaching the conclusion it was probably a new bull for the cattle, knowing John.
The flight was on time and I managed to get two seats to myself for once. I closed my eyes for most of the journey, touching up my make-up just in time for landing.
John waited for me, grinning as he loitered at the arrival lounge in his normal spot. His long strides enabled him to cross the floor swiftly. That rush of lust when I saw him only got stronger.
I thought I loved him before, but with each passing week it multiplied as he continued to surprise me with his kindness, and his determination in business, both on the farm and in his personal life.
He was the strongest man I’d ever met, the most generous and the most insightful.
He had a wonderful way of looking at the world.
Any time I had a problem over the previous few months, regardless of what it might have been, he was the first person I turned to.
His advice, friendship and support had become as valuable to me as his oceanic eyes and the strong comfort of his arms.
As we made the usual drive from the airport he was like an excited child, basking in the thrill of the welcome home ‘present’.
We parked outside the front door. As usual, it was lashing rain and absolutely freezing. There was no sign of the neighbours, no lights on around us at all.
‘I’m seriously reconsidering my decision to move to this climate,’ I warned him as he pushed open the front door and gently shoved us both into the warmth.
‘Welcome home,’ he said. The shrieking sound of a wailing cat emerged from behind the kitchen door.
My mouth formed a perfect open circle. ‘What was that?’
‘Go in and see,’ he said, his bright eyes glinting.
I pushed open the heavy cream wooden door, apprehensive as about what I would find.
An adorable, tan coloured boxer puppy pounced on me.
He licked my face with a long, scratchy tongue.
I scooped him up into my arms and he took a mouthful of my loose hair and tugged at it with his tiny teeth.
Six months ago, I never believed in love at first sight.
Now it had happened to me twice in one year.
His chocolate eyes gazed into mine, and he wagged his little tail with excitement.
‘Oh my God! He is just gorgeous,’ I squealed.
‘I’m glad you like him. He’s yours. Ours. But mostly yours.’ John leaned back on the island and took pleasure watching me fuss over our first baby, rubbing his head as he nuzzled affectionately into my neck.
‘Was this where you were last night?’ I asked, relieved that it made sense.
He shifted awkwardly from left foot to right and bit his nail.
‘Not exactly… I picked him up this afternoon.’ He ran a hand over the back of his head and opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again.
I chose to ignore it. Whatever it was, it didn’t matter.
Having a puppy together reinforced what I already knew, we were about to start our new life together – a proper couple with no more commuting.
‘What’s his name?’ I asked.
‘Whatever you want to name him. He’s yours. Another friend for you this side of the water.’
‘You’re good.’ I had to give it to him. He’d thought this one through. He should’ve written a book. He had so many tricks up his sleeve when it came to wooing women.
He shrugged and laughed.
‘He looks like a Harley to me,’ I said.
‘Harley? That is a shite name. What about Dillon? Or Max or Rueben?’ he suggested.
‘No,’ I said firmly. ‘You said I can name him what I like, he’s called Harley.’ I was adamant.
‘Oh look, Harley’s left you a present!’ John pointed to the floor and put his hands over his eyes in disgust as Harley peed on the previously immaculate kitchen tiles.
‘You’re as well to be getting used to it. I won’t be around during the week for a while.’ I headed for the kitchen roll with a little smirk on my face.
‘I have Mama Bear lined up for puppy sitting during the week, don’t worry about that,’ he assured me with a wink.
We made him a bed of an old tartan throw, placing it in front of the fire.
Harley sprawled out on it like he’d been here with us his whole life.
While he snored loudly in front of us, we fell into each other’s arms on the couch.
I was glad our new baby was asleep; he was way too young to learn about the birds and the bees.