Page 26 of A Second Chance Summer in Dublin

‘It .?.?. it .?.?. it? Oh, I see! Interesting!’ Mia giggles. ‘Come on through to the kitchen,’ she instructs and I follow her through. ‘Sit at the table there, chillax. I’ll just mix up our chilled lemonades. Gimme a sec, then tell me all.’

I’ve always loved Mia’s detached bungalow, which sits on a very quiet road only metres from the sea. Once Michael had moved out, she really put her stamp on it. Now the entire property is decorated in modern pinks and cool whites, with crazy pops of vibrant colour from the locally sourced art Mia hung on the walls. Strong and feminine. But now the house is up for sale, with Michael wanting a quick sale, and Mia is backed into a corner.

She’d filed for divorce soon after that evening I was in caught in the middle of them both sitting at this kitchen table.

*

‘Traffic was awful. The M50 slip road was backed up for miles at our exit. The conference was a waste of time. Did you takethe steaks out to breathe, if not they won’t be nice? I need to put the green bin out, I think next door are throwing paper in it. I can’t wait to get into bed, I’m absolutely shattered.’ Michael was spouting a stream of moaning as he came into the kitchen.

‘Hi, Michael.’ I stood up to leave, swinging my cream leather bag over my shoulder.

He dropped his briefcase at the door and removed his grey suit jacket. draping it neatly on the back of the chair.

‘Good evening, Grace.’

Mia had put her hand on my arm and manoeuvred me behind her. ‘Michael, I have to say something. I have to say it now. We both know this is over.’

I stood rooted to the spot. Not able to believe she’d said those words in front of me.

Michael pulled open the fridge and removed the steaks; carefully, he peeled back the clingfilm like he hadn’t heard a word.

‘I think we need to talk in private, Mimoo,’ he’d said after what felt like minutes. He’d looked at me then, but he was expressionless.

‘L-look, I’m .?.?. I sh-shouldn’t be here .?.?.’ I’d stammered.

‘I’m sorry, Michael, I really am, but if I don’t say this now with Grace standing here I’m afraid I’ll never say it. I have tried so many times but the words just won’t come out. I thought if I had her as back-up, I couldn’t let myself down again. I’ve been here too many times and I’ve chickened out. But not tonight. I want a divorce.’

I was frozen solid, stuck in the middle of this.

Michael sort of smiled at me. ‘Bit early for wine o’clock, ladies? It’s a Thursday night.’ He then stared at Mia and ran one hand through his floppy, slightly greying hair.

‘Do you hear me?’ Mia moved to him, while I moved to stand by the back door.

He put his hand on his chest, rubbed it up and down. ‘I’ve heartburn, Mia, have we any Gaviscon?’

Mia let out a sob, then. ‘I c-can’t do this anymore.’ Her voice broke, tears now streaming down her face. ‘See?’ She turned to me. ‘See what I mean?’

I was starting to.

‘You are just tired, maybe a good night’s sleep will do you good? I’ll pop up and stick on the electric blankie.’ Michael put his hand on her shoulder.

‘I can’t .?.?. You’re still not listening to me. But I’ve finally said it. Don’t make me say it again.’

Michael scratched his head.

‘It’s been over for so long. I am truly sorry, but I will be filing for divorce.’

The breath he exhaled then was so emptying; he’d been waiting for her to say these words, I could tell, because there was no shock or surprise on his face.

‘I’ll go to Mum’s,’ he finally said, and he put the steaks back into the fridge and carefully put back on his jacket.

‘I’m so sorry, Michael,’ Mia called after him as the door rattled then shut. She collapsed into my arms then, distraught but relieved.

*

‘Grace? Did you hear me? Tell me about the Beyond Looks guy!’ I’m startled as Mia stands there with two tall glasses of pink lemonade with a hopeful expression on her face.

‘Sorry, I was miles away.’ I lift a glass carefully.