“Why me? Why can’t you?”
“Because it’s too early. I’ll be in the air for ages and then getting to Oxford and then I expect it’ll be chaos. I need to let them know where I am. And can you let Dessy know too? You have the number.”
There was silence.
“Bernie? Are you still there?”
“When did he propose?”
“Yesterday. In an elevator. And I made him ask me again at the top of the Empire State Building.”
“You made him ask you twice?”
“I needed to think. And I needed to see it again to know it was real. I know, it’s quick, but I alsoknowknow. I’m head over heels for him, and he’s the same about me.” Saying it felt right. It all felt right.
“I’ve got you. I’ll tell the parents. Mam will start planning a big wedding and talking about baby names, so be warned. You need to call them as soon as you can, but call me first and I can tell you what to expect. What about all your stuff?” She sounded like a can of pop had exploded.
I’d kind of thought about it. “I’m packing a big suitcase. I’ll be back in New York at some point, so I can sort my apartment outthen. Dessy can ship anything I need in the meantime – she has a key. I know it’s mad and I keep wondering if I’m crazy for doing it, but the thought of not doing it makes me want to cry.”
“You shouldn’t cry, unless it’s with laughter. You know that. And what’s the worst that happens? You find out you’re not in love with him. I’m a short flight away, we can spend a weekend in Dublin and get over a man by - ”
“Getting under another. I know. I get my heartbroken, but if I don’t do this, it’ll be broken anyway. I need to go anyway. I’ve got to get to the airport.”
“Go follow your man. Phone me.”
“Love you.”
“Always. Now feck off and get packing.”
I did. Underwear, a few dresses, shoes – nothing dressy because that wasn’t in my near future. Jeans and sweaters, a suit because you never knew and toiletries. Nothing else was essential, everything would be safe here to be dealt with later. I finished dressing, did something with my hair to tame it and called a taxi.
Ten minutes later I was on the way to the airport, hoping I could get a seat on the same plane, else I was a bit screwed. I didn’t know Grant’s address, so getting to him from Gatwick airport would be problematic.
I ran to the desk as soon as my suitcase was out of the car boot, almost knocking over a small child who wasn’t looking where she was going, and then jumping the queue. I apologised, ignoring the tuts and prayed to the patron saint of lost causes.
“Is there a seat on the next flight to London?” I sounded desperate.
The woman behind the desk tapped slowly on her keyboard. “There’s one seat left in first class.” She gave me the price which was a stupid amount.
“Can I check that Grant Callaghan is on that flight? We just got engaged yesterday and I want to surprise him.” I waved my left hand around like it was evidence of everything I was saying.
She clicked a few more keys. “He’s on that flight. In first class. I checked him in earlier.” Her smile grew. “He said he’d gotten engaged yesterday and this would be the worst trip he’d ever taken. I think he’ll change his mind when he sees you.”
“Thank you.” I handed my credit card over, getting ready to sign the slip. Then all I needed to do was get through luggage, customs, and to the gate.
There was just enough time.
She passed the tickets to me. “You need to get a move on. Have a good flight and good luck.”
I twisted round from the desk and almost knocked over the same little girl again, returning a glare from her mother, and then I was gone.
I was on a mission.
Despite expecting something to go wrong somewhere, it didn’t, which surprised me. What didn’t surprise me was the calmness that hit me once I’d found somewhere to hide in duty free. Any doubt that I’d entertained this morning had gone. Every time I saw the ring on my finger, I smiled and felt a glow inside. There was some trepidation and nerves, I couldn’t deny that. It wasn’t just Grant I was taking up with, it was his children too and I had no idea how they were going to receive me. Max was headstrong and had known his mother the longest, so how he’d feel about his dad having a new girlfriend and at some point wife, I wasn’t sure.
But that was the situation I’d accepted when I said yes.
The gate was called for my flight. I lingered around watching the sunrise over New York for the last time for a while, waiting for the last call. I wanted to surprise him on the flight, see hisface when he saw me on his flight. The airport was busying up, people milling around who were disappearing on a different stage of their lives, everyone in transit other than the people who worked there.
