I’d barely heard of the seven year itch before in my entire life, yet if I’d had a pound for every person who said it to me in the previous six months, I’d have been a millionaire.
‘I’m sure,’ I said, through gritted teeth.
‘Well.’ He shrugged. ‘A person has to do what they have to do. If you change your mind…’ he trailed off, but I knew what he was going to say.
‘Thank you. I hope it doesn’t come to it, but thank you. I’ve honestly enjoyed working with you all. It’s been a pleasure.’ I meant it.
Helen strolled into the surgery to inform me my first patient had arrived. The patient was in a wheelchair, so we went to use a surgery downstairs for the morning.
Word spread around the practice like wildfire, people asked me a hundred questions, most of which I didn’t even know the answer to myself.
‘Where would I work? What was it like in Ireland? Isn’t it a bit soon?’
It was a relief to get into the solitude of my car at four o’clock and make the mundane motorway trip to Gatwick. I drove silently, allowing the events of the day to filter through my mind as I tried to process everything.
Things had moved quickly, but it was unavoidable. Eventually I was going to move, so wasn’t I as well to get on with it? Excitement bubbled within when I imagined this new life with John, the fun we’d have. Whatever challenges that might arise, we had a solid foundation, having been through so much already. I was certain we could make it work. And so was he.
The phone pierced loudly through the car speakers as I sped along the M25 with only my thoughts for company.
John’s name flashed on my digital radio.
‘Hello?’
‘Hi, honey, how are you?’ I beamed from ear to ear at the sound of his voice. That accent had a lot to answer for.
‘Traffic is moving along. Fingers crossed I should be at the airport in less than an hour.’
‘Great timing for a Friday on those bloody roads.’ He could fully appreciate the effort of the commute, having done it himself now.
‘Absolutely. In no time at all, I’ll be sitting in the bar in the departure lounge with a big glass of red wine. TFI Friday.’
‘Brilliant.’ He sounded equally as excited as me. Friday nights were our nights. After counting down the sleeps until we could be together again, we tended not to venture too far from the warmth of the open fire. Not to mention the bottle of red that had become another ritual.
‘I might be a bit longer getting through Knock; I packed a big case. I thought it would save space in Betsy when I come inthe car next month. If I leave a bit more each week, it’ll make it easier when I do the big move into yours.
‘You’re going to have to stop calling it ‘mine’ soon enough, Luce. You’ll be living here yourself in only a few short weeks, thank God,’ he said.
‘Hmm. It will take a while to feel like home,’ I said.
‘Well, funny you should say that.’ He laughed nervously. ‘I got you a welcome home present.’
‘You did not?’ Moving in with him, waking up with him every day was the only present I actually wanted.
‘I hope you like him,’ he said, with a low rumbling chuckle.
‘Him? I’m not sure I like the sound of that. It better not be another one of those awful stuffed animal heads that you hang on the wall?’ I shuddered thinking about it.
‘You’re going to love him. Trust me.’ I did trusthim, that was the funny thing. I just didn’t trust his sense of humour.
‘Okay. I’ll text you when I’m on board, so you know the flight’s on time.’
‘Safe travelling, can’t wait to see you, gorgeous.’ He hung up.
I briefly wondered what the present could be, before reaching the conclusion it was probably a new bull for the cattle, knowing John.
The flight was on time and I managed to get two seats to myself for once. I closed my eyes for most of the journey, touching up my make-up just in time for landing.
John waited for me, grinning as he loitered at the arrival lounge in his normal spot. His long strides enabled him to cross the floor swiftly. That rush of lust when I saw him only got stronger.
