Page 13 of Christmas Sunrise
After making my excuses, I cross the busy pub and find Rob. Despite not being the tallest in the group - something his brother was always a little self-conscious about - he stands straight and solid. He's a handsome man and while his colouring is darker than Arnie's was, his eyes are the same sea blue. As I get closer he steps to the side with a smile that creases his face in several places and I see then how his brown hair is greying at his temples. I hold out my hand for him to shake but he grabs it and pulls me into a big hug.
"Marty," he says into my shoulder. "It's fecking good to see you."
"Rob, it's been... too long."
"My fucken fault for moving to England."
"How is life over there?"
"Oh, grand. Can't complain."
"And how’s Hazel? Is she here?" I ask after his English wife.
"She’s not, no. But she’s grand. She’s got her feet up at Ma and Da’s. She’s due next month, you know."
My head pulls back and I blink a little. I don’t recall Arnie’s parents telling me this but a beat later I wonder if they didn’t tell me because they know how Jenna and I are trying. Whatever the reason, my surprise at the news lasts far too long but it doesn’t take more than a second or two to realise that it’s actually not because I’m feeling surprised. Rather sad. And envious.
"Wow, congratulations, Rob." I stick my hand out again and this time he gives me his palm. I shake his hand enthusiastically, hoping it makes up for any trace of jealousy or sorrow that may show on my face.
"You didn’t know? Feck, I would have thought Ma would have told you. I’m still surprised she didn’t put an ad in the Times after we told her."
"It’s her first grandchild," I say, holding on tight to my smile. "You know my Ma would be the same."
"So she would. And how are you?"
"I'm good. Jenna's here, over there." I lean back and point. "Her brother's over from London. That’s him there, Jake."
"And is that Maeve?"
"It is. And that's her best friend, Arabella."
"Fuck me, Maeve's all grown up."
"I guess that's what happens." I shrug but then hear the clumsy implication of my words.
"Yeah," Rob says and I can't miss how the light in his eyes dies. I'm about to apologise for saying something so insensitive but one of Rob's friends steps closer and nudges him. He's a fair bit taller than my six feet and two inches, broad in the shoulders and has copper-red hair with a full beard to match. The colour contrasts strikingly with his green eyes and the navy plaid shirt he's wearing.
"You want another?" The man points to Rob's nearly empty pint glass.
"I should get it," I jump in. "To celebrate your happy news!"
"No, you won’t," Rob smiles again. "This annoying eejit will sort me out."
"I always do," Rob’s friend replies smoothly before nodding at me. "Will you have one yourself?"
"Oh, no, I'm grand. Thanks," I tell him and nod at the table I was sitting at. "I’m already in a round."
"I'm Niall." The man holds out his hand after following my gaze and I shake it.
"Marty," I say.
"Marty was Arnie's best friend," Rob says.
"Well, his boyfriend, actually," I add as an inordinate surge of pride powers up inside me
"So sorry for your loss. He was a good lad, Arnie," Niall says as he nods at me and my throat is suddenly blocked with something that stops me replying. It shouldn’t surprise me – it’s happened before a thousand times – and yet I still feel stunned.
Rob clears his throat and breaks the loaded silence. "Niall and I went to college together. I've been trying to get rid of him ever since, but I just can't shake the fucker."
