“Seriously.”
She settled back down next to me, still coughing a bit. “What do you think it is?”
“My penis, probably.” I half hoped it was.
“That’s in the top ten.”
“What’s number one?”
“That you’re mine.”
MEMORY NINE
MARIE
I heard him leave and it sounded like my heart was being torn out of my body. He thought he’d snuck out without waking me, but I hadn’t been asleep to actually wake up because I hadn’t wanted to miss any time when I could touch him or catch the scent of his aftershave or feel his heat, because we didn’t have a date for the next time we’d see each other.
I sat up in bed, scraps of ideas I’d been having since he’d proposed and I’d accepted yesterday. It was rare for me to act on impulse, mainly because I’d learned to think quickly so decisions weren’t knee-jerk reactions, but rapidly considered.
I’d had time to think about this.
Scanning my apartment, thankful for the indoctrination I’d received as child about keeping things tidy, I worked out what my next steps needed to be.
I had no pets to consider or commitments outside of work and the plans I’d made with friends, that weren’t crucial. I wasn’t about to be a bridesmaid other than to my brother, which wasn’t for a few months, so I wasn’t going to let anyone down.
Workwise, I had a freeish diary. I wasn’t the lead on anything big, or anything that couldn’t be easily transferred.
The scene was set for a decision that would change my life and those around me. I just needed to be brave enough and certain enough to make it. I thought I was.
The clock on my wall told me it was just after four am, making it nine over where Bernadette was. I was about to dump something on my sister – possibly, unless she talked me out of it. As far as I was concerned she owed me several, given how she’d let things slip to my mam about Grant.
Grant.
I knew I was smiling just thinking his name. He’d have gone to his hotel by now to get his luggage, and soon be heading towards the airport. We’d gone to sleep on a promise to speak when he got home and then we’d agreed on a date for me to come over. Time to speak to my parents, prepare for time away, maybe for his kids to be more settled.
Neither of us wanted to be separated.
I dialled Bernadette’s number, hoping my sister wasn’t farting about somewhere else.
She wasn’t. She picked up on the third ring, sounding far too chipper.
“It’s me,” I announced after she’d greeted her caller.
“Oh,” was the response. “I thought I’d have longer before you wanted to speak to me.”
“I’ll bollock you later for what you said to Mam and Dad. But I need you to do me a favour.” My pulse rate had zoomed up, adrenaline kicking in.
“Depends what it is. I still haven’t forgiven you for the favour you made me do when you were twelve and broke Mrs Duggan’s plant pot. But go on, what are you going to ask for?”
I loved my sister. Sometimes. Now wasn’t one of those times. “I’m getting a plane to London.” There it was. “In about four hours.”
“Fuck. What the mothering holy fuck are you on about?”
“I’m going to get a seat on the plane Grant’s on.” There it was. My mad idea – or not so mad. “We got engaged yesterday. He’s flying home today and taking leave to buy a house in London for him and his kids. I was going to wait a few weeks before going over there but I’m going to go with him.” The words waterfalled out.
“Jesus, Marie. Well, you need to do what you need to do.”
“So I need you to phone Mam and Dad and tell them. Please?” I was getting dressed at the same time as speaking to her, pulling on jeans, working out what I was going to throw into a suitcase.
