Are You Ready? (7 page)

It was great to have a social and healthy interest and hobby, and he knew his dad loved to watch him play, as he was a very keen rugby supporter also. Joe O'Connor had come to every match Ben had played in from Under Eights right through to his match against Clontarf last weekend. Ben just loved the fresh air against his face, the rush of getting a ‘try' and the joy of winning; it was tough and fun at the same time, but worth it. If he just got through this report now he could get on to that pitch and get into a good scrum.

‘I can't believe we've beaten the first team,' laughed all the lads, as they headed to the bar for after-match pints.

It had only been a friendly and a practice match, but it was a great win, and Ben was thrilled. He had won them the match in the last minute, so was delighted to be accepting some winning pints. What with getting praise for his last-minute football-match article and now this, the day had been a lucky one. Maybe I should send that girl Laura a text, he thought. He hadn't seen her since they'd met, but had been in contact once or twice. Today's been a lucky day, he thought. If I get in touch with her, you never know, I might score another winning try!

Wow! Ali actually felt her breath being taken away as they stood at the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town. It was one of the most beautiful sights she'd ever seen. Here with Robin beside her, she felt like she was on top of the world looking down. She could see the beautiful white sandy beaches of Camps Bay, Bantry Bay and beyond, she could also see the Cape Town city, and the crowded V&A Waterfront – with its restaurants, bars and shops. It was so busy and loud down there, she thought, a hive of activity, but up here it was peaceful and still, with nothing but the blue blue sky and sun to distract her. They'd taken the revolving cable car right up to the top of South Africa's most famous mountain. Some people had walked, or even jogged, up to the top, but they were happy to watch those crazy energetic people as herself and Robin soared by them in the glass lift. It still astounded her how flat, like a real table, the mountain top was, it was no hassle to walk around in her Old Navy pink and blue flip-flops, unlike most mountains
in Ireland, where you needed at least a good pair of runners.

They had only been in South Africa for twenty-four hours but already Ali was madly in love with the place. It was all so beautiful. They got a taxi from the airport to their hotel in Camps Bay. Camps Bay had a very long white sandy beach, and was overlooked by Table Mountain, giving it a from-the-movies feel, as it had the beach and the mountains all in one picture-frame! Everywhere was busy with throngs of tourists and wealthy locals, and the funky local African music playing gave the place an atmosphere of its own.

They had arrived at the hotel and been welcomed by ‘sundowners' – early evening drinks. And even though they were tired after the twelve-hour flight, they had quickly changed and sat in the outside bar watching the world go by. Ali had almost cried, it was all so beautiful. A far cry from the rainy Dublin they had left behind.

‘People just won't believe how stunning it all is, so relaxed and beautiful and out of this world. Even the colours of the sky and sea are different. I want to live here for ever.'

‘Ali we've only been here three hours, how could you know you want to live here already?' Robin laughed.

‘I know, Robin, with you here I could.'

Robin smiled, kissed her and ordered more drinks.

Being in South Africa was a far cry from any holiday Ali or Robin had been on before. Each summer the couple normally headed for a package holiday in Spain
or Portugal. Relaxing on a beach and staying in an apartment had always been nice, nothing exciting or wild, but nice. But last year after two weeks in an Irish holiday resort in Greece, Robin had said he had had enough. He hated the all-day-long sunbathing, and found going for dinner every night in the same strip of restaurants boring; he wanted to try something else, go somewhere exciting. And so they had decided to do exactly that – save money and go to a different place. And as Ali looked around Cape Town, and they discussed the different activities and sights this country held, she knew they could both agree this was certainly a different kind of holiday for them, or anyone!

They managed to drink another two cocktails each, before heading to the waterfront for dinner. They stumbled upon a steak restaurant. Ali ordered prawn cocktail to start, Robin had barbecue grilled prawns with a wine and garlic sauce. The food and wine were great, and by the time their fillet steaks and potato gratins were finished they were very full, happy and tipsy. Ali kept grabbing Robin's hand and squeezing it, just to make sure they were both not dreaming. This has to be a dream, she thought, to be on a different continent with the man I love, away from it all.

The harbour was overrun with boats, both private ones and tourist charters, and then there were the boats that went to Robben Island –where Nelson Mandela had been in jail. The waterfront was teeming with conversations – all in different languages – with children, musicians, street performers, locals, tourists, and Ali and Robin. It was perfect.

Ali had wanted to look in the shops after the meal, as they all opened late, but after the flight, cocktails, wine and excitement, she was too tired, and just managed to make it back to their African-themed hotel room, before falling asleep dreaming of lions and tigers and bears. (Oh my!)

The next morning Ali dragged Robin out of bed so they could get to the buffet-style breakfast as soon as possible. As they walked into the restaurant Ali gasped: the view was amazing, overlooking the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. Robin ordered a fry-up, while Ali chose French toast, with bacon and maple syrup, as well as helping herself to muesli, fresh fruit, toast and chocolate muffins. The food was endless! As they ate they planned their next few days. They were driving up to Franschhoek, one of the famous winery towns, in two days, and from there down following the Garden Route to other cape towns, but for now all Ali wanted to do was sit by the pool and sunbathe with a cocktail in her hand!

As the afternoon wore on Robin began getting all anxious, Ali presumed it was the sunbathing, as even though he could tan easily it bored him, so when he suggested that they go to Table Mountain that evening rather than tomorrow as planned she decided to go along with the change in plan. He seemed strangely attached to his backpack as they bought their tickets for the trip to the top of the mountain, and didn't let it go all afternoon; but when they were on top of the mountain he seemed to relax and for once let Ali take
plenty of photos of him to show all their friends at home.

As the sun began to set on the mountain, the clouds suddenly started rolling around the tourists.

‘The mountain looks on fire, it's amazing!' Ali said, totally overwhelmed by the sight. ‘And look, Robin, I can't believe there's a cocktail bar here, too! So we can have some sundowners!'

‘I knew they had this bar,' said Robin gently. ‘I have known about it for months,' he added, as he brought Ali and their Strawberry Daiquiris over to the edge of the rocks overlooking Camps Bay.

Ali was impressed. She was usually the one sneaking a look at holiday websites online during work. She thought Robin only researched football online.

Robin cuddled in beside her as he lifted something out of his backpack. ‘Ali, you know me better than anyone ever has and will, but there are some surprises that you do not know, but not for long. Ali, I love you more than anyone or anything. You are my soulmate and best friend,' he said softly. And as he knelt on to the ground and opened a small blue jewellery box, his eyes fixed on hers, he asked: ‘Ali, will you marry me?'

Stunned, Ali stared at the perfect white-gold and diamond engagement ring, and at Robin's happy smiling face looking at her bursting with pride and excitement. Ali was in shock, she had not expected Robin to propose at all. And for a brief moment she worried that she was not ready for marriage, to become a wife, but then, as she looked at Robin, the love of her life, she knew she was ready – ready to spend her life with him.

‘Yes, yes, a million times yes,' she shouted out loud. She grabbed him and knocked them both to the ground. ‘Robin, I love you so much, I would be honoured to be your wife.'

And as he slid the huge ring onto her finger, with the diamonds glistening in the last of the day's sun, they kissed.

Suddenly the tourists around them starting clapping, laughing, and offering them more sundowners. Robin had proposed and it was the best day of Ali's life.

Sarah Doyle had tears streaming down her face as she talked to Ali on the phone, she was so happy for her friend. As Ali brought Sarah up to date on the proposal, the romantic dinner afterwards, the ring and her plans for bridesmaids' dresses, Sarah just smiled and smiled, picturing Ali talking at a hundred miles an hour while poor Robin sat there in awe of her. Eventually Ali had to get off the phone, as she still had most of her friends and some family members to ring. She quickly put Robin on, and Sarah congratulated him for being so romantic and brave to ask a girl to marry him with a ring already bought. He let her know that they were still on their celebration dinner, and if he could get Ali off the phone then they could actually talk about the engagement to themselves and not to everyone in Ireland!

‘Never get engaged abroad, Sarah, unless you want to end up with a phone bill that costs as much as the engagement ring,' he joked as he hung up.

Engaged? Some chance, thought Sarah. Things
with Ross were going well, but very slowly. He always seemed to have other plans, and even though it had only been a few weeks she wondered if it was going anywhere. He was great fun, but very very laid-back and casual, maybe a bit too casual. She went to text him and let him know about Ali's news, when a customer walked into the gallery. They had actually closed, but Sarah had forgotten to lock the door due to Ali's call. She was about to explain that she was closed when she saw it was Hugh Hyland. He was one of the gallery's biggest clients. He was quiet enough, but a real gentleman and seemed to love spending hours walking around the building soaking up the new works and the art-world atmosphere.

‘Sarah, sorry to bother you but I wanted to collect those Willow McIntyre pieces. I'm a huge fan of hers.'

Hugh had been away for Willow's show, but being such a big client of the gallery, he had been invited to preview her work a few days earlier, and had bought three pieces to be put aside for him for when he got back to Ireland. Sarah took Hugh to the loft upstairs, where she had Willow's pieces wrapped ready for him. He chose the frames he wanted to complement the pieces, and then paid her; and after she had checked what day the framer would have the pieces back, he arranged a day to collect them. He paused, as if he was about to ask her something else, when Ross suddenly burst through the door singing, and with a big bunch of roses in his hand.

‘I will leave you to it, Sarah, and see you in two
weeks.' And with that the fair-headed Galway man walked out the door.

‘Wait until you hear about Ali,' Sarah exclaimed to Ross. She locked up the Stone Studio and they walked down the road.

Ben was out bringing Honey for a walk after work, anything to tire the Labrador out before the Liverpool match came on TV later, when he spotted Laura coming out of a local newsagent.

‘Hi!' she shouted across the road.

Great, he thought, why is it always when you are out in public in your oldest rugby shorts and gym T-shirt that you meet someone you fancy? He crossed the road and introduced her to Honey, who was slobbering all over him. He and Laura had talked on the phone once or twice but hadn't met for a date yet, so it was a bit awkward to meet like this, especially when he was looking so scruffy.

‘So, what are you doing in Foxrock village?' he asked her.

‘Just dropping a friend home from work. I thought I would stop in the shop and buy some dinner, although it is hard buying for one. Everything nowadays is in family packs or for two people. It's like the food
industry forgets there are single people around who might like the odd pizza!'

Ben liked her. She seemed so relaxed and full of life, and better looking than he remembered. And suddenly, before he knew it, he was asking her to grab dinner and drinks with him now in his local pub, where he also knew the Liverpool match would be on in the background.

‘OK, sure, beats staying in! Why don't we drop your dog home first?'

As they drove up Ben's driveway in Laura's cream and black Mini Cooper, she gasped. ‘Wow! How can you afford a house like this?'

Oh God, he thought, how was he to explain that he still lived at home? But he needn't have worried, because his mum suddenly opened the door. She started asking him whether it was bow- or curly- shaped pasta he liked best? She could never remember. Ben stared in horror, and quickly looked at Laura to gauge her reaction, but she just laughed as she took Honey's lead and handed it to Maura O'Connor. Ben introduced the two women, and headed upstairs for a quick shower and change of clothes, praying that Mango, Honey or his mum wouldn't make Laura run a mile. Although he had to laugh, thinking of all the times his mum had asked him ‘Any girls?' when he came home. And here he was, returning with one after taking the dog for a walk.

Maura O'Connor was thinking the exact same
thing, and laughing inwardly at how Honey deserved some extra treats this evening for bringing home such a lovely girl!

Laura was very impressed by the O'Connors' big house. It was an old, cream gabled building, with a huge porch, large heavy wooden front door and a half-acre of gardens. With the evening sun shining down on the lawn, and tasteful furniture and paintings everywhere, it was like something from a magazine. The Shaker-style kitchen with its Aga was big, yet inviting and warm, and she and Mrs O'Connor sat and had a cup of tea while Maura introduced her to Mango and tried to explain how devastated Ben had been when he'd moved from home and been unable to see his beloved parrot every day. Laura just relaxed and listened to the warm heartbeat of the house and Ben's family.