Foreign Affairs (96 page)

‘Mammy, did you get us a present?’ Claudia asked, her eyes bright with anticipation.

‘I sure did,’ Brenda said. ‘I’ve got presents for everyone.’ There were cheers and more kisses. Brenda returned Shay’s hug affectionately and thought,
it’s nice to be home.

Rachel followed Brenda and smiled at her reception. Brenda was luckier than she knew. Ronan stood at the barrier beaming. He pretended to shade his eyes from her tan. Rachel
laughed and gave him a kiss and a hug that was warmly returned. ‘You look great. You should go away more often,’ her brother said.

‘Don’t worry, I intend to,’ Rachel assured him happily. ‘It was the best holiday of my life.’

Jennifer’s trolley was giving her dreadful trouble. It careered around the place with a mind of its own. What was it about her and trolleys? You’d think it was for
spite. She struggled to catch up with Brenda and Rachel. She could see Ronan at the barrier. Her heart lifted. She saw him hug Rachel and then he was looking at her, a great big smile wreathing his
face.

‘Jenny.’ He held out his arms wide and she practically fell into them.

‘Ronan, Ronan, Ronan,’ she said his name over and over as he hugged her so tightly she almost couldn’t breathe.

‘I missed you,’ he said fervently. ‘But seeing you look so well makes it all worthwhile.’ He held her away from him and looked at her.

‘How are you feeling?’ he asked gently and they both knew he wasn’t referring to her physical wellbeing.

‘Much, much better,’ she said softly. They kissed, oblivious to all around them.

‘Let’s go home,’ Jennifer murmured when they drew apart. ‘So I can really show you how much I missed you.’

Paula’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t believe it. Helen, Nick and Nicola were standing behind the barrier waving at her. She hadn’t expected anyone to be
at the airport. To see Nick with his arm around Helen, holding his little daughter, was a very bittersweet experience. She remembered another homecoming a long time ago when she’d had such
high hopes. Stop it! she ordered herself briskly.

‘Hi, Helen.’ She hugged her aunt tightly and was warmly hugged in return.

‘This is a lovely surprise,’ she said.

‘It was Nick’s idea.’ Helen smiled.

Paula turned to Nick. ‘It was a nice idea.’ She smiled at him. The sight of him made her heart beat faster. Some things never changed.

He put his free arm around her shoulder and gave her a hug. ‘Welcome home,’ he said, ‘Nicola’s been dying for you to come home.’

Her goddaughter beamed and planted a sloppy wet kiss on her cheek.

‘I’m not grand,’ she said dramatically.

‘You’re not grand?’ Paula took her in her arms. Her insides felt shaky. This was totally unexpected. To have an olive branch held out like this was more than she could have
hoped for. She felt like crying, more with relief than anything else.

‘Why are you not grand?’ she asked Nicola, trying to compose herself.

‘Leaking nose again.’ The little girl sighed and gave an exaggerated sniffle.

‘That’s terrible, I’ve got something that might help to take your mind off a leaking nose.’ She handed Nicola back to Nick and took a parcel out of her carrier bag. She
watched with pleasure as Nicola squealed with delight when she saw the family of Greek dolls in the box.

‘Thank you, Paula,’ Helen prompted.

‘Thank you, Paula,’ Nicola echoed.

‘Someone else has just arrived to meet you,’ Nick remarked. Their eyes met. I love you, she thought sadly.

Nick pointed in the direction of the flower shop. Paula looked and looked again. Kieran stood with a huge bouquet of flowers waiting for her.

She walked towards him. ‘Hi, Kieran. What are you doing here?’ Her voice was remarkably steady.

‘I couldn’t wait,’ he said quietly. ‘I had to know. Are you going to leave TransCon?’

‘Not if you let me start up an operation in the Caribbean and the West Indies,’ Paula said coolly.

Kieran gave a holler and lifted her off her feet.

‘Put me down, you idiot,’ Paula laughed. ‘I take it that’s a yes.’

‘Yes! Yes! Yes! Whatever you want.’

‘I’ll just get you to repeat that in front of witnesses,’ she said.

‘Welcome home, Paula, I missed you.’ Kieran put her down and kissed her cheek.

‘You won’t be saying that this time next week,’ Paula teased. ‘But thanks anyway. It’s nice to be back.’ She raised her eyes to his. ‘I’m really
glad you came,’ she said and meant it.

‘Thanks very much for a lovely holiday.’ Brenda hugged Jennifer and then Rachel and then, with a laugh, Paula. They were all standing outside the arrivals hall.

Rachel gave Paula a hug. ‘I’ll be in touch. Are you sure about me moving in?’

‘Get your ass up to Dublin, fast.’ Paula laughed. ‘And while we’re all still here let’s make a date for our first reunion. Let’s say this day month, in my
apartment. We can have a reunion and a Welcome-to-Dublin party for Rachel. And a Good-Luck-in-Your-New-Job bash for Brenda. All in the one night.’

‘Good thinking,’ Jennifer approved.

‘I’m looking forward to it.’ Brenda was thrilled.

‘And we can have a Thank-You-for-Your-Kindness hooley for Paula,’ Rachel added.

‘That’s arranged then,’ Paula said with satisfaction. ‘And you know something? The best way to end a holiday is to plan another one. So let’s get our thinking caps
on and decide where we’ll go for our weekend away.’

A chorus of approval greeted this pronouncement and then with a final flurry of hugs and kisses they went their separate ways.

THE END