The Shoestring Club (35 page)

‘Thank you.’ And for the first time in months, I feel calm. Wiped out, yes, but also strangely hopeful.

That evening Pandora rings my mobile, waking me up. ‘Where are you, Jules? It’s nearly seven, Arietty will be here any minute.’

I swear under my breath. Bird collected me from Anne’s offices at one and dropped me home afterwards. I was so drained I just about managed half a bowl of soup (Bird insisted) before crawling into bed, where I’ve been ever since, sound asleep.

‘There’s steak on tonight,’ Pandora says. ‘Want me to get an order in before all the good pieces go? You know what Klaudia’s like – hates waste. Buys twenty steaks and once they’re gone, they’re gone.’ She puts on Klaudia’s strongly accented voice. ‘You ’vant steak? You come early next time. You late, no steak.’

I laugh. ‘Please, I’m starving and I’d kill for a steak. Tell her to put an enormous one aside for me and I’ll jump on my bike right now.’

There’s a weighted pause. ‘Are you sure you should be cyc-ling, Jules? You’re supposed to be taking it easy.’

‘Stop being such a worry wart, I’ll be fine.’

‘There’s no major rush. Why don’t you get the DART? Please? Humour me. I’m sure Arietty won’t mind waiting a few minutes.’

I sigh. She’s right. The doctor at St Vincent’s told me to stay off my bike for another week at least, or until my headaches have stopped.

So I compromise. I cycle to the train station, lock my bike in the cycle rack and DART it to Monkstown. On the train, I gaze out of the window, thinking about what Anne said about talking to my family about Mum. I know she’s right and part of me wants to get it off my chest once and for all, whatever the consequences, but it terrifies me. Maybe I could start with Pandora. But not tonight, it’s Arietty’s Farenze handover dinner and I don’t want to steal her thunder.

Arietty had rung my mobile several times on Sunday, the morning after her reunion do, but I was still in the hospital and my phone had run out of battery by that stage. By the time Pandora had brought in my charger and I’d had a chance to ring Arietty back, it was Sunday evening and from her frosty tone, I think she was a bit annoyed I’d taken so long to reply. But when I told her why she was contrite.

‘You poor thing,’ she’d said. ‘I had concussion once when Nina accidently headbutted me. It was horrid. Saw stars for days. And the headaches. Yuck! How are you feeling? Rotten?’

‘Pretty bruised and sore. But I was lucky I didn’t break anything.’ I told her the full story, including the bit about Ed being there; it felt good to talk to someone. And she didn’t ask me what the hell I was playing at with Ed, like Pandora had; she didn’t tut-tut and sigh in a stomach-clenching manner like Bird; she didn’t even get all hot and bothered about what might have happened if the leaves hadn’t been there, like Dad; she just said, ‘You’re right, you were very lucky. But I’m sorry you didn’t take Ed with you. I wish it had been his head you landed on, not those leaves. Appearing at your house like that uninvited. Stupid man.

‘So please tell me you’re completely over that creature now, Jules,’ she added succinctly. ‘And finally see him for the snake that he is.’ I think Arietty has always understood more about my poisonous attraction for Ed then anyone else, even though she’s never met him.

‘Completely.’

‘Hallelujah! Now I’m not going to tell you a thing about the reunion until our dinner on Friday night. You will be out of hospital by then, won’t you?’

‘Yes, absolutely, I’m looking forward to it. They’re keeping me in one or two more nights for observation, then I’ll be home.’

I could almost hear the shiver in her voice. ‘I hate hospitals, they give me the heebie-jeebies, but I’ll come and visit if you’re desperate.’

I laughed. ‘Friday’s good. But I’ll be expecting the full gory reunion details, so don’t disappoint me.’

She chuckled. ‘I won’t. And I’ll ring you tomorrow, see how you’re doing. Don’t get too bored.’ And with that she was gone.

Arietty was as good as her word – she rang me twice a day, during her lunch break and every evening at around seven. She made me laugh, telling me about clever things her elephants had done and gossip about the other keepers.

Every time I put down the phone to her I smiled to myself. Over the week I became even more fond of Arietty. No, she didn’t have an expensive bouquet delivered to my house, like Ed. Guilt flowers, Bird called them. She told the rather shocked delivery man that they weren’t wanted and that he could keep them – heaven knows what the poor man thought. Arietty didn’t rush over with chocolates the minute I finally got home on Wednesday like Daphne either; and nor did she leave a bundle of new fashion magazines on the doorstep on Thursday morning like Jamie, bless him, but she kept me entertained on a daily basis with her regular as clockwork phone calls, and that meant a lot.

Pandora was incredible, visiting every day. Sometimes she chatted about the shop, other times she just sat with me companionably, dealing with emails on her iPhone while I flicked through magazines. It was nice to have the company.

Once I worked out who the magazines on the doorstep were from – a process of elimination – I finally plucked up the courage to ring Jamie to thank him on Thursday evening. My hands shook as I keyed in his number.

‘Jamie?’

‘Hi, Jules.’ He also sounded a bit nervous. ‘How are you feeling?’ I expected him to say something about Ed – I was positive Bird had told Daphne the whole story by now, and his mum was never one for keeping things to herself – but he didn’t.

‘OK, and I’m so sorry, Jamie. I’ve made such a mess of things. You were right about my drinking. It was getting out of hand. I’m seeing someone tomorrow. I’m having my first um, meeting, consultation, shrink visit? Whatever you call it.’

‘I’m glad you’re getting help, Jules.’

His voice was so kind, so genuine, I found myself saying, ‘And I’m sorry about Ed and everything. Being taken in by him. Lying to you. I know it’s no excuse but I really did love him. He broke my heart when he went off with Lainey like that and I just couldn’t let go. But it’s over now, I’m finally moving on to pastures new. Or men new I should say.’ I gave a hollow laugh.

Jamie was silent for a moment. Then finally he said, ‘He never deserved you, Jules. I’m glad you see that now.’ There was a catch in his voice and he quickly added, ‘Look, I’m sorry I have to go. But are you still planning on going to that bloody wedding on Saturday?’

‘Yes, why?’

‘I’m glad you’re getting the chance to wear that dress you’re so mad about, that’s all. Pink isn’t it?’

‘Yep, I’ll be collecting it at our handover dinner in Shoestring tomorrow evening.’ The thought of a night out with Arietty and Pandora had been keeping me going all week.

‘Enjoy yourselves.’

I put down the phone, thinking how sweet it was of Jamie to remember the dress.

On the train to Shoestring to meet the girls, I’m so lost in thought about Mum and Ed and Lainey and the wedding that I almost miss my stop. Luckily I spot the Monkstown sign while the doors are still open and nip through them just in time.

Walking briskly it only takes me five minutes to get to Shoestring and I pause outside for a moment, looking at the shop window, lit up from behind. It looks fantastic. The elephants are still marching over the silk-covered ‘hills’. I smile to myself. They’ll have to come out soon, and in a funny way I’ll miss them. Pandora said the big ones can stay on either side of the door for now, which is just as well as we’d need a van to shift them. I think I’ll ask Bird to take the little ones home in her car for Iris. And Arietty might like one too, even if the tusks are ‘wrong’.

While looking in the window I spot Arietty chatting to Pandora at the edge of my favourite booth. I watch for a second as Arietty covers her mouth with her hand and giggles into it, her eyes crinkling with delight. I wonder what Pandora has said that’s so funny. For a second I feel a dart of jealousy that they’re getting on so well – Arietty’s
my
friend, not Pandora’s – then I stop myself being so petty. I should be delighted that they like each other. I walk inside, determined to be my best self and not to drag the conversation down this evening with any talk of my accident or my session with Anne. And for the first time in years, I’m going to eat without washing down my dinner with wine.

As I approach the booth, Arietty stands up and gives me a warm hug. She smells sweet, like icing sugar mixed with van-illa. Her strong arms give me one final squeeze, then let go.

‘How’s the head?’ she says, stepping back a little and checking me out. ‘Can’t see any lumps.’

I smile. ‘There was an almighty egg right here.’ I touch the back of my skull gingerly. ‘But it’s gone down now. Still pretty sore though.’

‘You poor creature. I’m just going to pee.’ Arietty points at the seat beside her. ‘Squeeze in there. Then when I get back I’ll tell you both all about my horrific ordeal.’

I stare at her quizzically.

She smiles. ‘The reunion.’

I laugh. ‘Ah, right.’

Arietty skips off, leaving Pandora and me alone. I slip into the booth and shuffle along the seat, so I’m sitting opposite her.

‘How are you feeling, Jules?’ She slides her hand across the table and touches my hand with her fingertips. ‘Bird said the counselling session took a lot out of you.’

I whistle under my breath. ‘No kidding, it was pretty intense. The counsellor, Anne, was nice, but boy did I cry. Went through nearly a whole box of tissues.’

She leans towards me, her face sympathetic. Pandora knows I hate crying in front of people. She’s exactly the same. ‘Cry? Did you tell her about . . . you know, the thing that happened in Dicey Reilly’s?’

I nod. ‘Yeah. And about the accident, and Mum dying and everything.’

She looks very surprised. ‘Wow, really? What was it like, telling a stranger about stuff like that? Was it weird?’

I shrug. ‘Actually it was OK. Anne was pretty easy to talk to. She just sat there and listened.’

‘Did she give you any advice about the drinking?’

‘No, it wasn’t like that. And Pandora, I know we’ve never really talked about it, any of us, but there’s something I want to tell you, about Mum and about the day—’

Arietty reappears so I stop abruptly.

‘Budge over,’ Arietty tells me and I scoot further along the seat.

Pandora’s still looking at me, a strange expression on her face.

I mouth ‘Later’ at her and she gives me a tiny nod then says, ‘Let’s order, girls. Klaudia put aside three steaks just in case. Do you like steak, Arietty?’

Arietty’s eyes narrow and she practically growls at Pandora. ‘Do I look like a person who eats animals, Pandora Schuster?’

Pandora blinks in fright. Arietty does look pretty scary. I lift my menu over my mouth to stifle my giggles.

Pandora backtracks. ‘No, no of course not. I’m a big animal lover myself.’

I give a little cough and Pandora glares at me.

‘Why don’t we all have fish?’ Pandora suggests instead.

Arietty doesn’t look impressed. ‘Fish are animals too. They have eyes and brains. OK, not very big ones, but they still think.’

Pandora reads the menu again. ‘Goat’s cheese and rocket tartlets?’ she says, failing to keep the disappointment out of her voice. ‘Or are you a vegan?’

Arietty shakes her head. ‘No. The tartlets sound good.’

I sigh inwardly. I was really looking forward to a big juicy steak. I put the menu on the table and press my head against the wooden seat back, remembering the bruise only after I’ve done it.

‘Ow,’ I say, rubbing my skull.

‘You hurting yourself again, Jules?’ Pandora says gently. ‘Be careful.’

Then she looks around the table. ‘So it’s three goat’s cheese tartlets, yes? Any starters? The chicken liver pâté’s delicious, but I guess that’s out.’ She looks archly at Arietty, who has the good grace to smile back at her.

‘Oh, have your bloody steaks,’ Arietty says with a little huff, although I think it’s a bit put on. ‘Just do me a favour and eat them quickly, OK? And please don’t order them blue.’

‘Excellent.’ I sit up straighter, feeling instantly brighter. ‘I’ll have mine medium-rare with chips and garlic potatoes. I could eat the arse of an elephant I’m so hungry.’

Arietty scrunches up her nose. ‘Jules, that’s gross.’

I just grin at her.

Once we’ve all placed our orders with Klaudia, I turn to Arietty. ‘So Dr Dolittle, you’ve kept us in suspense long enough. Reunion story please, full disclosure.’

Arietty smiles. ‘No problem. I’ve been dying to tell you all week but I wanted to wait until we were all together. OK, so the taxi drive was uneventful, but I nearly barfed in the back I was so nervous. I got to the hotel – the Radisson Bleu, which is pretty swish – and I walked in and tried to remember what you told me, Jules, to hold my head up and not to slouch. There was a drinks reception in the bar first, so I headed towards it and I was so nervous my hands were shaking. It was quite dark and everyone was hovering around the bar in groups, it was like being in school again, all the hockey girls together, the prefects, the D4s, the drama club girls, it was terrifying.’ She gives a shiver.