Hilary shook her head. ‘Don’t know! One day she says she is, the next day she says she isn’t. She’s in a real state.’
‘It’s tough. Even I wouldn’t wish what she’s going through on her. Who would have thought that high-powered lifestyle would come crashing down around her ears. Des was a piece of work, wasn’t he?’
‘You know I’m not his greatest fan but I still can’t believe he acted out of malice. I think he panicked when he lost the money with Madoff. And he was having an affair. I wouldn’t have stayed. Would you?’
‘Damn right I wouldn’t,’ Jonathan exclaimed.
‘So if she comes, be nice to her,’ Hilary warned. ‘No smart remarks.’
‘Moi, make a smart remark? Hilary, you wound me.’ He pointed a fork laden with creamy mash at her.
‘Ha! Ha!’
‘It’s been a hell of a year all round though, hasn’t it? You can see the business ebbing away.’ She sighed.
‘I know. It’s been our worst year ever,’ Jonathan agreed. ‘And it’s only going to get worse.’
‘Tell me about it. That bloody apartment that we bought for the girls has lost half its value, and we’re in negative equity, and the rent has gone down, so that’s not even covering the mortgage. We would have been hit but not as bad otherwise. Niall’s so browned off about it. It was his idea to buy it. And he’s not playing half the gigs he used to because there’s no one in the pubs. Did we ever think it would come to this?’
‘It had to end sometime, it was mad stuff. I heard a pair whinging on Liveline about apartments they’d bought in Dubai and not being able to afford to pay the mortgages on them. Talk about losing the run of yourself. It was far from apartments in Dubai we were reared.’ He shook his head. ‘And what did you think of the Grants? I wonder what’s going to happen to the fancy spa we created for them.’
‘I know, scarpering off to America after declaring himself bankrupt, and transferring his assets and property to Gina. That will give her a headache and a half,’ Jonathan observed.
‘I felt a bit sorry for her. Her life seemed so ruled by all the socializing and entertaining she had to do. I can’t see Gina becoming a “developer” in her own right with all her husband’s transferred assets, like that other hard-faced blonde who’s never out of the papers,’ Hilary said sarcastically.
‘Dyed blonde, dearie. She’s so sharp she’d give scissors a run for their money! I saw her in action at a party once . . . not for the faint-hearted.’ Jonathan grinned.
‘Are you looking forward to your party?’ He changed the subject, fed up with all the gloom and doom.
‘I really am this year. It’s been a tough one, sure, and I’m glad it’s almost over. But Niall and I are doing OK in spite of the downturn. And the girls have jobs, so as a family we’re doing a lot better than most. I’ve missed them terribly at home, Jonathan. I can’t wait to see them and I think a good old night of music and craic will do us all the world of good, even Colette.’
‘Can’t imagine her dancing “The Walls Of Limerick” in her Louboutins.’ Jonathan rolled his eyes.
‘Stop!’ Hilary laughed.
‘Sorry. You do know, don’t you, that if it wasn’t for you and Niall and your New Year’s Eve party every year I’d be curled up in bed.’ Jonathan smiled at her.
‘No you wouldn’t! Russell and Kenny wouldn’t allow it, nor would Orla,’ Hilary retorted.
‘True perhaps but I do hate it. I always feel such a failure. Another year on my own. Greta Garbo has nothing on me!’
‘Well perhaps you won’t be on your own this year. Maybe Murray won’t have made plans and he might like to come.’ Hilary reached across the table and squeezed his hands.
‘I’m afraid to even think about it. I’m afraid to even hope something could come of it. I’ve lost my nerve.’
‘No you haven’t. You invited him for coffee. You took the brave step and made your leap of faith. Isn’t that what Hannah would say? Now let the doors open.’
‘OK, I will. Thanks for being the best friend anyone could have and here’s to the best New Year’s Eve party ever!’ Jonathan raised his glass in toast.
‘Amen to that!’ said Hilary, clinking her glass with his. ‘I just have a feeling it’s going to be a cracker.’
C
HAPTER
F
ORTY
-O
NE
She shouldn’t have come to the Hammonds’ party, Colette thought dourly, taking another swig from her G&T. And she shouldn’t have continued to drink gin. It depressed her, soured her. Yes, that was a good word, sour. It described how she felt exactly. Sour and sad and lonely. If Des and Jazzy had been here she would have actually enjoyed the night. There was a great buzz. People were enjoying themselves in that carefree, uninhibited way she had rarely seen at the parties she had attended in Manhattan. But her family weren’t with her. She was here as a single woman, her first social occasion since her split with Des, and it felt soul-destroying. Even Jonathan Harpur was with someone, she thought irritably. He was sitting on the edge of an armchair, smiling at a tall, tawny-haired, self-assured man who fitted in seamlessly and seemed very at ease, although it was the first time he’d met Jonathan’s friends. Jonathan still acted as though he owned the house, just as he had the first time she’d met him all those years ago when she had arrived unexpectedly and he had ended up cooking her meal.
Tonight he had been pouring drinks and handing round canapés with Sophie and Millie. It annoyed Colette that she felt like a guest and he was treated like one of the family. The girls obviously
