Page 160 of The 21-Day Boyfriend
I turn to him, but another figure appears beside him before he can announce his presence.
“You?”
“Sorry to intrude like this,” Colm says right away, before waltzing into the kitchen uninvited.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“I wanted to… I just needed to…”
“You should go,” I say, before carrying on with my preparations. “It’s Christmas Day.”
“I know, I know. But I need to talk to you. It’s urgent.”
“I’m sure that whatever this is about, it can wait until later…” Larry attempts to come to my aid.
“Actually, it can’t. This is about something that can’t wait any more.”
* * *
WE LEAVEMY grandmother’s house and walk towards the path leading up to the Howth hills. It’s an icy day, but the sky is clear, a strong wind blowing through the tall grass and rustling the barren tree branches above us. I wanted to get away because I didn’t want to risk ruining the atmosphere in that house with his unexpected presence. And I didn’t want him in my kitchen; I can’t share my space with him anymore.
“I’m all ears,” I tell him once we’re far enough from everyone.
We’re on the headland looking out over the entire bay. It’s a magical place, nostalgic. A place I’ve come to so many times to get away from everyone and everything; a place to think, to listen as the wind whistles through my thoughts. To make tough decisions. Sometimes, it’s a place where I can come to cry in peace, without having to choke back tears to avoid showing others the weakness I’ve been hiding my whole life.
“But be quick. I have Christmas dinner to make.”
“You’re cooking?” he asks, surprised. “I thought the cooks would take care of that…”
I shake my head in irritation.
“Granny gave them all a few days off. It’s Christmas.”
“Right, of course.”
“Cooking is my life, Colm,” I add, my voice hard.
“I didn’t mean to imply…”
“Just tell me what you want, please, then leave me alone.”
“Has it really come to this?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Am I just an annoyance to you? An uncomfortable presence?”
“What the hell are you…?”
“I thought there might still be something between us.”
“Something? Like what? Oh, wait a moment…” I realise then what’s happening, and take a step back. “Where’s Robert?”
“He’s gone back to Boston for the holidays, but I don’t see how that…”
“So that’s why you’re here? Because you are alone?”
“What? No!”
