Isabella's Last Request (11 page)

             
‘I’ve changed my mind Livs! Will you go tell him I’m not here and ask him to go away?’

             
‘No Isabella, you have to do this! Now go answer the door before the poor man has to ring the bell again. He’s probably just as nervous about meeting you, as you are about meeting him.’

             
Greg is standing outside Isabella’s front door and has been for almost five minutes now.

He replied to
Izzy’s email with 48 hours, saying he’d wanted to meet her for a while but thought she wouldn’t want anything to do with him. Apparently, he’d decided to leave it up to her as he was the bad guy for abandoning her. They exchanged a few emails before setting a date for their first meeting.

The boys wanted to come back to England with us, but
Izzy decided she needed to do this alone; although this morning Izzy rang me and begged me to come over.

As much as Ollie wanted to come back, he knew it was time for him to head home and back to work. Josh however was gutted to be sent home, he’d quit his job when he decided to travel with us so he could spend as much time as possible with Isabella. He’s now decided to use this time o
ff to practise his surfing skills. Izzy and I both suggested he get some temp work, or see if he could get his old job back so he could get some more money for our next adventure. But I could tell this advice went in one ear and out of the other, I guess he must have some money saved up.

             
‘Isabella, will you please open the door!’

Izzy
slowly leaves the room and heads to the front door; she’s really dragging her feet over this. I don’t know how to help her, I think she needs to do this alone so I’m going to stay in the kitchen and make drinks and snacks instead.

             
‘Livs, can you get us a pot of tea? Maybe even some cake?’

Isabella shouts this from her lounge; she’s trying to get me in there. Maybe I should help her out.

              ‘Here are your drinks and snacks. It’s nice to meet you Mr… umm… sorry I don’t actually know your surname.’

When I say this, Isabella turns to him expectedly and it occurs to me that she doesn’t know either.

              ‘My name is Greg Lloyd but please call me Greg. Am I right in thinking you’re Olivia, the young lady who’s travelling the world with Isabella?’

             
‘Yes that’s right Greg. Shall I leave you both now, I’m sure there are loads of questions and things to catch up on.’

Isabella and Greg look really worried at this statement, so I pull out a chair and sit down, ready to listen quietly.

             
I’m totally shocked when Greg admits he not only has three other children, but one of them is actually older than Isabella. He explained he didn’t have contact with his eldest daughter until she was ten. He hadn’t told Rita about his daughter as he was ashamed he’d become a dad at fourteen and abandoned her at seventeen; when Rita fell pregnant, he couldn’t cope. He met his current wife when he was nineteen and knew instantly that he wanted to spend his life with her, so he told her the truth about his two estranged daughters. She persuaded him to meet and be a part of their lives. He tracked down his eldest daughter, Ruth, but not Isabella.

While he was explaining this, Isabella sat silently staring at him, but not questioning any of it. In the end, it was me who asked why he hadn’t been in contact with
Izzy. He stared blankly at me for a moment, before realising that by Izzy I meant Isabella. He clearly didn’t want to go into details of why he didn’t track Izzy down and it hit me like a tonne of bricks. It must have been Rita who stopped him. All this time she’d blamed him, but really it was her.

Isabella never knew her mum was in contact with Greg’s parents and I wonder if she’d ever have found out about them if she wasn’t dying. Greg was very diplomatic about it, he said he’d had no idea his parents had Rita’s details and he couldn’t track her down. I’m not sure if Isabella believed him or not, but I’m not going to bring it up if she doesn’t.

              ‘So I have a sister who’s twenty four, a sister who’s fourteen and a brother who’s twelve?’

             
‘Yes, that’s right. Would you like to meet them? The youngest two live with me, and I speak to my eldest at least once a week. Maybe we could arrange to have a get together soon?’

             
‘I’d like that. I’ve always wanted siblings, although Olivia is like a sister.’

             
‘Fantastic! I’ll sort something out with them and let you know. So, can I ask why you suddenly wanted to meet me?’

             
‘You can. I’ll warn you it’s a long and sad story though. In fact Livs, we’ll definitely need more tea for this.’

Greg stayed for most of that day. Once I’d made the tea, I decided it’d be a good time to leave them to it. Isabella promised to call me as soon as he left, and she was good to her word. She phoned me that night, and we talked about nothing else for two hours.

As happy as I was for her, deep, deep down inside my stomach was knotting. I felt sick with rage that I’ll never get to meet my dad. My dad was the hero; Greg was the teenage waste of space, the sperm donor. Now Greg is all she wants to talk about.

After the first meeting, Isabella and Greg spoke daily and within a week Isabella had met her new step mum, brother and both her sisters. They went for a family meal, which resulted in another two hour phone call where Izzy raved about her brand new family. After talking to her, I phoned Ollie and cried down the phone to him. I felt awful because Izzy’s so happy and this should make me happy, not jealous. I also felt terrible for poor Ollie having to listen to me rant and cry, and being too far away to do anything other than listen and beg me not to cry because he loves me.

To top off my bad mood and depression, Ollie couldn’t make it home for Christmas, as he had too much work on. Either that or too many swanky parties or launches he just had to attend for work and plans with his family. Isabella had to split her time between her parents, the rest of her family and quality time with Josh. Josh has abandoned his family at Christmas for the first time ever, so he could spend his one and only Christmas with
Izzy.

It didn’t hit me until after New Year that it was almost 100% certain that was Isabella’s last Christmas. Why did I spend the whole time being angry and jealous? I should have been happy her last one had been perfect for her.

I feel like such a bitch. I try to talk to my mum about it, but she just tells me to snap out of it. She had to deal with losing my dad at the same time as being pregnant, so her hormones were going crazy. She told me I need to stay positive and supportive; I can keep the depression for when Isabella’s gone, and not a moment sooner.

My mum had a point, so since then I’ve planned some more things from our list. Josh is staying in England for the foreseeable, until we know what we’ll be doing as our next big trip. So I’ve had to plan things suitable for three people, and which either Josh or I will
not become a gooseberry.

We started by taking a really expensive car for a test drive, which was amazing! We each got to drive it, although Josh drove it for longer than Isabella and I put together.

Isabella and Josh combined 35 – sleep under the stars, with 28 – stay up all night and watch the sun rise. But obviously they altered it slightly, so they slept for a few hours apparently. I decided to give these two a miss for the time being, as they’re quite romantic things to do. So I didn’t want to intrude, and I’d really rather do them with Ollie at some point.

We didn’t want to do any of the major things without Ollie, and he’s still swamped at work. So we worked through lots of the smaller things like; 18 – hold a tarantula, and 52 – scream until you lose your voice, amongst many others.

              ‘I’d like it if Ollie could come over for a bit soon, Livs.’

             
‘You’re telling me. But shouldn’t that be my line Izzy?’

             
‘I just think the sooner he can get here, the better. You’re going to need his support soon, and I need to have a big talk with him about the dos and don’ts where you’re concerned. I need to know he’s going to look after you, although Josh has promised he’ll look after you too.’

             
‘Why are you talking like this Isabella? You’re starting to scare me now.’

             
‘Don’t make a big deal about it Livs, but I don’t I have much longer left. The pain is getting pretty bad. It could just be we’ve done a lot of the list lately, but even so I think it’d be for the best if Ollie could come over for a bit.’

I can feel the tears burning hot at the corners of my eyes. I need to get out; I must not let her see me cry this time.

              ‘Okay drama queen, I’ll go phone him now. Can I get you anything first?’

I can hear the shake in my voice as the lump swells in my throat; I know Isabella will have noticed. I can’t bring myself to look at her to see her reaction.

              ‘Can you ask Josh to come and keep me company while you’re on the phone? He’s fixing the fence for mum at the moment.’

             
‘Of course I will. See you in a bit Iz.’

             
‘Thanks Livs. Oh and Livs… I love you!’

The tears are streaming now.

              ‘Love you too Isabella.’

As soon as I spoke to Ollie, he booked his flight over here. He’s so lucky he can travel and work, if he couldn’t I’m pretty sure he’d be jobless like Josh by now.

Ollie arrived yesterday and was shocked by the change in Isabella. She’s gone downhill quickly in the last week and it’s heartbreaking to watch. I think it was harder for Ollie as he hadn’t seen her in a long time so really noticed, whereas Josh and I have seen her getting worse each day. To give him his due, Josh has been amazing. Rita and I are finding it hard to stay positive and upbeat; sometimes we find it hard to keep it together in front of Isabella. But Josh has never once let the smile leave his face. He’s joked and teased and told
Izzy to get off her ass and get her own drink when she’s asked for one. To start with, I thought he was terrible making her move when she was in pain, but now I realise that around him Isabella is her old self. The pain leaves her when Josh is next to her.

              ‘Josh proposed!!!’

Ollie and I had been chilling out at my house watching films, as he’s too jet lagged to do much. I hadn’t even heard Isabella come into my house, so when she burst into my lounge with Josh I was shocked. Josh is standing behind her with a big, dopey grin on his face. I would’ve been shocked by the announcement anyway, but more so with her dramatic entrance.

              ‘Oh my god, what did he say? How did he say it? Where were you? What did you say?’

             
‘Ha, so many questions Livs! Of course I said yes! Josh do you want to answer the rest, or shall I?’

             
‘You can baby, I think it’s time me and Ollie go for a celebratory drink. Pub mate?’

             
‘Sounds like a plan to me, unless you ladies aren’t happy about it?’

Isabella and I grin at each other. We have so much to talk about and plan, we don’t need men around getting in the way.’

              ‘Go for it!’

We say this in unison; I swear we could talk for each other sometimes.

              ‘Have you set a date yet?’

I’ve asked this question even before the boys leave; I’m too excited to wait.

              ‘We have, we’ll be getting married in just over a week. So on February 2
nd
, and we’ll be going on honeymoon to Paris the day after. I’ve spent the morning making calls and booking things. Sorry I didn’t tell you straight away, but I wanted to check we could do it first. It’s too late to get married in a church, so we’ve got a meeting with a registrar later today to confirm we’re allowed to do this at such short notice. Apparently you have to give notice or something like a month before, so people can object if they want. But I’m finding rules get bent for a dying girl. If we can’t do it legally, we’ll just have a blessing now and fill out the paper work at a later date.’

I’m gobsmacked. How has my ditzy, chilled out best friend and her beach bum boyfriend, sorry fiancé, arranged so much already?

              ‘Wow, you’ve planned it all already! When did he pop the question?’

I feel stupid using the phrase pop the question, seriously how old am I?

              ‘Oh yeah, you have questions. Okay, so he asked me last night just after we left you and Ollie, we were in my bed. He didn’t get down on one knee; he just said it in the spur of the moment. I think possibly it was due to lack of blood to his brain, but afterwards he promised he’d meant it and we went online and started planning.’

             
‘Why did he have lack of blood to the brain? Was he hurt?’

             
‘Oh Livs, you’re so naïve! What could we have been doing in my bed that would have lead to that?’

             
‘Oh god Izzy, I didn’t need to know that!’

Isabella gives me such a wicked smile and I burst out laughing, causing her to do the same.

Isabella’s plan of nobody will say no to a dying girl backfired. She begged the registrar to let her get married within a week, but they were adamant they had to stick to the law. Isabella and Josh also looked into running off to Gretna Green to get married, but they still had to legally give notice; so instead, they’re having a non legal wedding.

They’ve hired our local village hall and set it up with chairs either side, so Isabella will still have an aisle to walk down. After the service they will move the chairs to the edges and enjoy a sharing buffet, this is where each guest brings their own favourite party food. Izzy and I spent all of yesterday decorating the room and finalising details. I’m amazing Isabella has actually managed to plan a wedding in a week. I know it’s not a legal marriage but it’s still a wedding. They will have a legal ceremony when they get back from their honeymoon. As they can’t do it legally, they weren’t allowed a registrar or vicar, so instead Isabella’s granddad will be running the service. Izzy did print off what she wanted him to say, but he refused, saying he knew what he wanted to say about her and Josh.

             
‘Livs, stop daydreaming and help me with my hair.’

I snap back to the present and see Isabella stood in front of me in her pyjamas, her make-up done to perfection but her hair a frizzy mess. Her hair is never messy, so I wonder what she’s been doing.

              ‘I know what you’re thinking. My head was hurting so I tried to bury myself in pillows, it didn’t work but I don’t care. I’m getting married today!!’

The venue is stunning. You’d never think that it’d been decorated on a shoestring budget in just a couple of days. There are flowers and butterflies everywhere you look. The chairs have big posh bows on them and there’s a red carpet for Isabella to walk down.

As it’s a small service, I’m the only bridesmaid. I’m wearing a full length purple dress, with tiny gold sequins covering the top and cascading down to my hips. As its February and cold, actually it’s snowing so it’s a tad more than just cold! I have a gold and cream fluffy shrug to keep my arms warm.

When Isabella was finally dressed with her hair and make-up perfected, I cried. She’s never looked so beautiful in her life, her natural waves have been transformed in natural looking ringlets, and her brown eyes have been brought to lie with dark, smoky eye make-up. She looks like Keira Knightly but with boobs. Her dress is simple, a light gold A-Line dress with similar sequin detail to mine. It has a short train and she’s wearing a purple shrug, the same colour as my dress.

Isabella was so lucky to find her dress in her size at such short notice. My mum made the few alternations she needed, so now the dress fits her like a second skin.

I was more nervous than Isabella as we walked down the aisle, but as soon as I saw the boys waiting for us, I felt like we were flying down the aisle. This must be what it’d feel like to marry Ollie. I know I’m young but I know Ollie’s my partner for life, we’ll get married. I know this for sure, it’s just a matter of time.

             
‘You look beautiful, the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.’

Josh whispers this to Isabella as we get to the end. I look around to see who heard him and realise there’s a bunch of people sat on one side looking tired and emotional. They must be Josh’s jet lagged family. Clearly full of mixed emotions, happy Josh’s met someone he loves enough to marry, but devastated the woman he’s marrying will be dead within the year; leaving Josh alone and a widower.

There wasn’t a single dry eye during the service, even Isabella’s granddad chocked through and had to keep stopping. I don’t know if everyone was thinking the same sort of things, or if they were just having regular wedding emotions. All in all, I’d say it was the best day of my life, albeit an emotional one, but a fantastic one all the same.