Part 21 (1/2)

”Oh, I've done bar work in practically every country I've been to, honestly!” she said excitedly.

Daniel smiled. ”So do you think you'll be able for it?”

”Ooh, would I ever!” she squealed and threw her arms around him.

Any excuse, Holly thought, as she watched her sister practically strangling Daniel. His face started to turn red and he made 'rescue me' faces toward Holly.

”OK, OK, that's enough, Ciara,” she laughed, dragging her off Daniel. ”You don't want to kill your new boss.”

”Oh sorry,” Ciara said, backing off. ”This is so cool! I have a job, Holly!” she squealed again.

”Yes, I heard,” Holly said.

Suddenly the garden became very quiet and Holly looked around to see what was happening. Everyone was facing the conservatory and Holly's parents appeared at the door with a large birthday cake in their hands singing 'Happy Birthday&rsquo. Everyone else joined in and Ciara jumped up, lapping up all the attention. As her parents stepped outside, Holly spotted someone following behind them with a huge bouquet of flowers. Her parents walked toward Ciara and placed the birthday cake on the table before her and the stranger behind slowly removed the bouquet from his face.

”Mathew!” Ciara gasped.

Holly grabbed Ciara's hand as her face went white.

”I'm sorry for being such a fool, Ciara.” Mathew's Australian accent echoed around the garden. Some of Declan's friends smirked loudly, obviously feeling uncomfortable at this open show of emotion. He actually looked like he was acting out a scene from an Australian soap, but then again drama always seemed to work for Ciara. ”I love you! Please take me back!” he announced, and everyone turned to stare at Ciara to see what she would say.

Her lower lip started to tremble and she ran over to Mathew and jumped onto him, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.

Holly was overcome with emotion and tears welled in her eyes at the sight of her sister being reunited with the man she loved. Declan grabbed his camera and began filming.

Daniel wrapped his arm around Holly's shoulders and gave her an encouraging squeeze. ”I'm sorry, Daniel,” Holly said, wiping her eyes, ”but I think you've just been dumped.”

”Not to worry,” he laughed. ”I shouldn't mix business with pleasure anyway.” He seemed relieved.

Holly continued to watch as Mathew spun Ciara around in his arms.

”Oh, get a room!” Declan yelled with disgust, and everyone laughed.

Holly smiled at the jazz band as she pa.s.sed and looked around the bar for Denise. They had arranged to meet up in the girls' favorite bar, Juicy, known for its extensive c.o.c.ktail menu and relaxing music. Holly had no intentions of getting drunk tonight, as she wanted to be able to enjoy her holiday as much as she could the next day. She intended on being bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for her week of relaxation, thanks to Gerry. She spotted Denise snuggling up to Tom on a comfortable large black leather couch in a conservatory area that overlooked the River Liffey. Dublin was lit up for the night and all its colors were reflected in the water. Daniel sat opposite Denise and Tom sucking fiercely on a strawberry daiquiri, eyes surveying the room. Nice to see Tom and Denise were ostracizing everyone again.

”Sorry I'm late,” Holly apologized, approaching her friends. ”I just wanted to finish packing before I came out.”

”You're not forgiven,” Daniel said quietly into her ear as he gave her a welcoming hug and kiss.

Denise looked up at Holly and smiled, Tom waved slightly and they returned their attention to each other.

”I don't know why they even bother inviting other people out. They just sit there staring into each other's eyes ignoring everyone else. They don't even talk to each other! And then they make you feel like you've interrupted them if you strike up a conversation. I think they've got some weird telepathic conversation going on there,” Daniel said, sitting down again and taking another sip from his gla.s.s. He made a face at the sweet taste. ”And I really need a beer.”

Holly laughed. ”Oh, so all round it sounds like you've been having a fantastic night.”

”Sorry,” Daniel apologized. ”It's just been so long since I've spoken to another human being, I've forgotten my manners.”

Holly giggled. ”Well, I've come to rescue you.” She picked up the menu and surveyed the choice of drinks before her. She chose a drink with the lowest alcohol content and settled down in the cozy chair. ”I could fall asleep here,” she remarked, snuggling further down into the chair.

Daniel raised his eyebrows. ”Then I would really take it personally.”

”Don't worry, I won't,” she a.s.sured him. ”So, Mr. Connelly, you know absolutely everything about me. Tonight I am on a mission to find out about you, so be prepared for my interrogation.”

Daniel smiled. ”OK, I'm ready.”

Holly thought about her first question. ”Where are you from?”

”Born and reared in Dublin.” He took a sip of the red c.o.c.ktail and winced again. ”And if any of the people I grew up with saw me drinking this stuff and listening to jazz, I'd be in trouble.”

Holly giggled.

”After I finished school I joined the army,” he continued.

Holly raised her eyes, impressed. ”Why did you decide to do that?”

He didn't even think about it. ”Because I hadn't a clue what I wanted to do with my life, and the money was good.”

”So much for saving innocent lives,” Holly laughed.

”I only stayed with the army for a few years.”

”Why did you leave?” Holly sipped on her lime-flavored drink.

”Because I realized I had urges to drink c.o.c.ktails and listen to jazz music and they wouldn't permit it in the army barracks,” he explained.

Holly giggled. ”Really, Daniel.”

He smiled. ”Sorry, it just wasn't for me. My parents had moved down to Galway to run a pub and the idea of that appealed to me. So I moved down to Galway to work there and eventually my parents retired, I took over the pub, decided a few years ago that I wanted to own one of my own, worked really hard, saved my money, took out the biggest mortgage ever and moved back to Dublin and bought Hogan's. And here I am talking to you.”

Holly smiled. ”Well, that's a wonderful life story, Daniel.”

”Nothing special, but a life all the same.” He returned her smile.

”So where does the ex come into all this?” Holly asked.

”She's right in between running the pub in Galway and leaving to come to Dublin.”

”Ah...I see,” Holly nodded, understanding. She drained her gla.s.s and picked up the menu again. ”I think I'll have s.e.x on the Beach.”

”When? On your holidays?” Daniel teased.

Holly thumped him playfully on the arm. Not in a million years.

TWENTY-SIX.

”WE'RE ALL GOING ON OUR summer Holly days!” the girls sang in the car all the way to the airport. John had offered to drive them to the airport but he was fast regretting it. They were acting like they had never left the country before. Holly couldn't remember the last time she had truly felt so excited. She felt like she was back at school and off on a school tour. Her bag was packed with packets of sweets, chocolate and magazines, and they couldn't stop singing cheesy songs in the back of the car. Their flight wasn't until 9:00 P.M., so they wouldn't arrive at their accommodation until the early hours of the morning.