The Birthday Girls Read online

After their swim, they showered and dressed and Lexi got busy cooking up a real Irish breakfast with the goodies Brenda had brought with her from Ireland.

  “Mmmm . . . that smells divine,” Mel cried, coming into the kitchen. “Makes me feel quite homesick for Ireland.”

  They helped Lexi carry the dishes of eggs, Denny’s bacon and sausages, Clonakilty pudding and potato cakes to the table. Lexi had given Maria and Pablo the day off so they could spend it with their family.

  “What about Angel?’’ Brenda asked. “Shouldn’t we wait for her?’’

  “We’d have to wait till lunchtime,” Mel commented.

  “I’d put some by for her but I don’t think she’d eat it,” said Lexi. “She never eats breakfast. In fact, she never eats at all.”

  “I don’t know how she can sleep so long,” Brenda observed. “How does she do it?”

  “With a lot of chemical help, I imagine,” Mel replied. “Mmmm . . . these sausages are to die for. Are you not having any, Brenda?”

  “I’d feel guilty taking them when I can have them every day at home. I’ll leave them for you guys.”

  “Don’t be silly – have some, there’s plenty,” Lexi insisted. “It’s Thanksgiving after all.”

  “I’ll take one so,” Brenda succumbed, putting the smallest one on her plate.

  “Great, I’ll have your other ones in a sambo for lunch,” Mel said, licking her lips at the thought.

  * * *

  The three of them spent the morning in the kitchen preparing the food for the dinner that evening. It was after one o’clock and they had stopped to have some lunch when Angel put in an appearance.

  “Mmmm . . . something smells good here,” she declared as she came into the kitchen.

  “The turkey has just gone in the oven,” Lexi said.

  “Oh I forgot, it’s Thanksgiving, isn’t it?” Angel sighed.

  “Yes, you missed a great Irish breakfast this morning,” Mel informed her.

  “I can cook some for you now if you like?” Lexi offered. “Or why don’t you have a sausage sandwich? Mel is heating some up now.”

  “Okay, maybe I’ll have a sausage sandwich,” Angel consented, much to Mel’s disappointment.

  “And I have something special, seeing as how it’s Thanksgiving,” Lexi announced.

  They looked at her curious to know what it was. “Ta-da!” she cried producing the packets of Tayto Brenda had brought with her.

  “Oh my God, Tayto!” Mel and Angel squealed, grabbing a packet each.

  Even Angel wolfed hers down in jig-time.

  “So who’s coming to dinner tonight?” Angel asked as she rummaged in the bag to make sure she had not left a single crumb of crisp behind.

  “Well, there’ll be the four of us, Marvin and Troy, Jack and Kenny.” Lexi told her. “Just the eight of us.”

  “How cosy! I take it Kenny is there for me? To even up the numbers.” She was still disconcerted that Troy had been immune to her charms and preferred Brenda to her. She was worried that she was losing her touch.

  “No, actually, I’ve invited him because he has no family here and he’s a good friend.”

  Angel heard the rebuke in Lexi’s voice and stayed quiet.

  “You know, Angel, he’s a terrific guy and he’s very taken with you,” Lexi said. “You could at least give him a chance.”

  Angel pulled a face on hearing this. “He’s not my type,” she replied.

  That afternoon while Mel and Brenda were busy helping Lexi, Angel sat in the shade on the terrace playing with her iPad.

  “God, she makes me sick!” Mel spoke vehemently after Angel had breezed in and helped herself to a glass of wine from the fridge. “You’d think she’d offer to help.”

  “Too many cooks spoil the broth,” Lexi said, hoping to calm her down, “and I think three cooks in the kitchen is enough, don’t you?”

  “I don’t think Angel is big into cooking,” Brenda joined in.

  “Probably not but she could offer,” Mel said, still disgruntled.

  By five o’clock all was ready and they collapsed on the sofa and sipped the glasses of wine Lexi had poured for them. They then went up to shower and change before the guests arrived. Brenda had ditched the bath now in favour of the shower. There was so much to do here that she rarely had the time to take a bath any more. She changed into the red Ralph Lauren silk jersey dress that she’d worn the first night she’d met Troy. Her tan was deeper now and her hair more blonde so the dress looked even more stunning than before.

  She was putting the finishing touches to her make-up when she heard a knock on her door. It was Angel.

  “Hi, sweetie, I’ve mislaid my brown eye-shadow. Would you happen to have . . .” She stopped in her tracks as she looked at Brenda. “Wow! You look fabulous in that dress but the shoes are wrong. You need red shoes to go with it. I think we’re about the same size, if I remember. You’re a four-and-a-half Irish, aren’t you? That’s a seven American. Let me go and get my red shoes.’’

  “No, honestly, these black ones will do.”

  “They will not do! My red ones will look so much better.”

  She hurried away and was back two minutes later with the gorgeous red shoes she’d worn the night of the party.

  “They’re beautiful,” Brenda murmured as she stroked the wide jewelled ankle strap.

  “Come on, try them on,” Angel insisted, pushing Brenda down on the chair and putting the shoes on her.

  “Look!” she said with a flourish. “They’re perfect!”

  Brenda had to agree with her. They were indeed perfect. She twirled in front of the mirror. “Oh God, Angel, they’re divine. Are you sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure. I’ve got tired of them anyway. You can keep them. They look great with that dress.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t possibly –”

  “Look, just give me some brown eye-shadow and we’ll call it quits.”

  Brenda handed over her eye-shadow thinking that she’d definitely got the best out of this deal. Angel had always been very generous and that obviously hadn’t changed. Brenda was in love with these shoes with the red soles. They were the most beautiful things she’d ever seen and made her feel extremely sexy. As she came down the stairs to celebrate her first Thanksgiving she was walking on air.

  Everyone had dressed up for the occasion and it was a very smart group who toasted each other with champagne and sampled the delicious hors d’oeuvres the girls had prepared that afternoon. Even Jack had made an effort and was wearing a white linen suit with a navy shirt. He had drawn a line at wearing a tie.

  Mel thought he looked more handsome than ever and was holding on to his arm as they chatted to the others. Angel was, as always, wearing a figure-hugging dress with a low neckline and Kenny couldn’t keep his eyes off her. He was obviously smitten with her but she was much more interested in Jack, much to Kenny and Mel’s chagrin. Mel wished that Jack would have ignored Angel’s flirting but he seemed to be enjoying it. She even caught him gazing at Angel’s cleavage as he laughed at something she’d said.

  It was time to go to the table and Lexi had really outdone herself. The dining-room was candlelit and she had brought out the Waterford crystal and Irish silver. It was very romantic. Mel was not happy to see that Angel was sitting on the other side of Jack but there was nothing she could do about it. Before dinner they all held hands and each one had to give thanks for the good things in their life. It was a lovely tradition and Brenda decided she would instigate it in her own home this Christmas. There was a lot of love around the table and each one of them acknowledged how grateful they were for their friends.

  The dinner was fabulous and there was a lot of laughter. Angel was in top form and kept everyone amused with her stories. She had a natural gift as a raconteur and Mel was perturbed to see that she continued flirting with Jack who didn’t appear to discourage her. Mel was soon feeling miserable and very insecure knowing she couldn’t hope to compete with Angel. She was relie
ved when the main course was over and she could get Jack alone.

  “Why didn’t you tell Angel to go take a jump?” she asked him as they went outside for a cigarette.

  “Why should I?” He laughed. “She’s very amusing.”

  “Well, it was disgusting the way she was flirting with you. I think you could have discouraged her.” She knew she sounded petulant.

  “Don’t be silly! She flirts with every man. Actually, she’s good company when she’s not drunk.”

  “Which is hardly ever,” Mel replied bitterly.

  “Hey, isn’t she meant to be your friend?”

  “Yes, but friends don’t behave like that.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re jealous, Mel,” he said, looking at her warily. “I didn’t take you for the possessive type.”

  “It’s just that I love you so much,” she replied, tears coming to her eyes.

  Jack looked thoughtful and didn’t reply.

  He had never met a girl like Mel before. He’d had lots of flings but no girl had ever got under his skin like she had. That worried him and he knew now that he should have split sooner and not let her get too involved with him. Now she was saying that she loved him. Christ! What was he going to do? He wasn’t ready to settle down. He still had places he wanted to see. He was perplexed and wondered how he could extricate himself from this situation. He dragged deeply on his cigarette as he considered it.

  Mel waited for him to say he loved her too but he was silent.

  “Let’s go back inside,” was all he said as he stubbed out his cigarette.

  She was upset with his reaction. He hadn’t even tried to assuage her fears. Jack was very quiet for the rest of the meal and when it was over he thanked Lexi graciously and said he was sorry but he’d have to leave.

  Mel went into the garden with him, expecting him to ask her to go back and stay the night with him.

  Instead he said, “Look, Mel, I have an early start in the morning. I need to get going now. I really enjoyed the evening.”

  He kissed her briefly and she stared at him panic-stricken.

  “What’s happened? What did I do wrong?” she asked. “It’s Angel, isn’t it? It’s all her fault.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, of course it isn’t. Lighten up, Mel. I have to go. Goodnight.” He turned from her and walked away.

  She longed to run after him but she knew it would do no good. He’d had a steely look in his eyes that she hadn’t seen before and it scared her. She went down to the beach and sat hugging her knees as she sobbed her heart out.

  When she got back inside the other guests had gone and Lexi, Brenda and Angel were curled up on the sofas in the lounge.

  “What’s wrong?” Lexi asked, seeing Mel’s tear-streaked cheeks.

  “She’s what’s wrong,” Mel cried, pointing a finger at Angel.

  “What do you mean?” Angel asked, her words slurring slightly.

  “I mean, you bitch, that you’ve done it again! You have to steal every man I love away from me, don’t you?”

  Lexi and Brenda sat open-mouthed, shocked at this exchange.

  “Now, girls –” Lexi started to say but Mel cut her short.

  “You have no idea what she’s really like, Lexi,” she cried, her voice bitter. “You remember that time she came to stay with me in New York? I was living with Simon and we were planning to get married. Well, guess who I found in bed with him one day when I came home early? Yes, that bitch!” she yelled pointing at Angel. “She was supposed to be my best friend but what best friend behaves like that? Simon and I split up naturally, and all over that trollop.”

  Tears were streaming down Mel’s face now.

  Lexi looked shocked as did Brenda.

  “Is that true, Angel?” Lexi asked.

  “He was a waster. He would have made a lousy husband,” Angel replied. “I had to make her see that.”

  Lexi couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Surely there was another way to show her that besides sleeping with him?”

  Angel looked away, embarrassed.

  “Of course there was but don’t you know that’s Angel’s way of doing things?” Mel cried.

  “That’s despicable, Angel.”

  “She can’t bear any of us to be happy,” Mel cried, verging on hysteria. “She has to prove that she can take our men and she tried it again tonight with Jack. Well, congratulations, Angel! It worked.”

  “He was never seriously interested in you,” Angel screeched, upset that Mel was denigrating her in Brenda and Lexi’s eyes.

  “What would you know? You’re a fucking alcoholic!”

  “How dare you call me that!”

  You could have heard a pin drop in the room. Brenda and Lexi looked distraught.

  “We all know you are. We’ve been discussing how to tackle you about it all week. You need help, lady.”

  “Is that true?” Angel asked Lexi. She saw by Lexi’s face that it was.

  “Thank you, girls. I’m outta here,” Angel said, walking as steadily as she could from the room.

  “My God! How did all that happen?” Brenda asked when she’d left.

  Lexi had gone pale. “I’d better go after her,” she said shakily, getting up. “Oh lord, what a mess!”

  She knocked and knocked on Angel’s door but the only response she got was “Go away and leave me alone!” Eventually she gave up and went back downstairs, deeply worried.

  Brenda was sitting with her arms around Mel who was still crying.

  “What happened with Jack?” Lexi asked.

  “He told me that I was jealous of Angel and that I was too possessive.” She wiped her eyes with the Kleenex Brenda had handed her. “I’m not, am I?” she pleaded. “It’s just that she ruined my relationship with Simon. I forgave her eventually for that but now she’s trying to take Jack away too.” She started crying again.

  “Look, things will look different in the morning,” Lexi said. “We’ve all had a lot to drink. Why don’t we all go to bed now and we can discuss it tomorrow, together with Angel?”

  “Don’t you want us to clear up?” Brenda asked.

  “No, Maria and I will do it in the morning. Why don’t you take Mel up and I’ll just put the leftover food in the fridge.”

  Brenda helped a distraught Mel up the stairs, not knowing how to comfort her. She listened to Mel haltingly tell her what had transpired with Jack and quickly came to the conclusion that Jack had run scared. They’d all known that Jack was a traveller and now it transpired that he was not as involved with Mel as she was with him. Poor Mel, what bad luck to fall for a rover like Jack! Eventually Mel got into bed and was dozing gently as Brenda left her room. She knocked gently on Angel’s door but, getting no reply, left and went to bed. What a disastrous evening it had turned out to be! She hoped they could sort things out between them tomorrow. Her last thought as her head hit the pillow was how bloody complicated life had become.

  Chapter 18

  Lexi was distraught as she tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. How on earth could she sort out this latest catastrophe? She hoped that by morning common sense would prevail after the effects of the alcohol had worn off but she was filled with apprehension about what lay ahead. Eventually she dozed off but her dreams were peopled by monsters and she woke at five thirty, relieved to find they weren’t real. She decided to get up for fear that she might fall back into the nightmare and came downstairs to make herself some hot milk.

  The first thing she saw was the note addressed to her, propped up on the kitchen island counter. Recognising Angel’s writing she opened it with dread.

  Dear Lexi,

  By the time you get this I will be well on my way to Los Angeles. Please forgive me for spoiling your birthday week but I just can’t take any more. You are my dearest friends and to think that you all think so badly of me fills me with despair. I did not mean any harm to Mel although I have, as she said, hurt her in the past. I thought she had forgiven me for that but it seems that�
��s not the case.

  I could not bear to face you all tomorrow and perhaps lose your friendship forever so I am leaving for home now.

  Please forgive me and don’t think too badly of me. Hugs to Brenda and tell her I’m sorry for spoiling her holiday.

  With tears,

  Angel xx

  Lexi clutched her throat as she read. She ran up the stairs and into Angel’s room and sure enough all her stuff was gone. How had she managed to leave the house without any of us hearing her, Lexi wondered. She came slowly down the stairs and made some coffee, then wrapping a shawl around herself went out on to the terrace. She curled her knees up into her chest as she watched the waves break on the shore.

  She felt desolate. How had it come to this? They had been best friends for thirty-five years. Was it all going to end like this? She tried Angel’s cellphone but it was turned off. She felt the need to reach out to her but that would not be possible until Angel touched down in LA. Devastated, Lexi felt the tears flow as she contemplated what she could do to make things right again. She prayed that their friendship would survive and that they could overcome this but she had no idea how to bring that about.

  * * *

  As Lexi sat worrying about her, Angel was winging her way to LA. She had been upset by Mel’s tirade the previous evening but it was the look in Lexi’s eyes that had cut her to the core. Lexi, who had always supported her and whom she idolised, had looked disgusted at Mel’s revelations and had obviously been discussing her with the others, behind her back. Angel was feeling far too fragile to face her three friends the following morning.

  So when she was sure they were all asleep she had packed, called a taxi and quietly made her way down the stairs and outside which was a major undertaking, given the amount of luggage she had. But she’d made it. Before leaving she’d written a note for Lexi in the hope that she would understand.

  Arriving at the airport Angel discovered that there was a flight leaving at six fifteen which would have her home just after eleven Pacific time. She purchased a First Class ticket which meant she would have a bed and could get a few hours’ sleep en route. She went to the first-class lounge to await her flight and availed of the free champagne on offer there. Ignoring the strange looks she was getting from the businessmen and airline staff on duty, she polished off the best part of a bottle, popping an Ambien with the last glass. By the time she boarded her flight she was feeling quite numb and ready to sleep.