Anyway, my few weeks of fun are over now; it’s back to reality again. I start work at my new job on Monday; I’m just hoping I’ll like it. All my life I’ve wanted to work in a hotel and I’ve put the thought away, with the rest of my dreams. I just hope it isn’t hell, or all my little dream bubbles will burst in an instant.
There’s one more thing I forgot to tell you, Greg has asked me and Katie to move in with him. I’m not quite sure how to feel about it. I’m over the moon of course but you know the saying, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Things are going really well at the moment between us and it’s not just me that I have to think about. Katie really likes Greg, and she loves to spend time with him (it may not have been that obvious in Boston because she was so excited to see you), but I don’t know if she would be ready for such a huge change in her life. We’re only in the flat together two years now and we’re learning to live our lives with just the two of us as opposed to having the rest of my family around. I’m not sure if uprooting her again would be the right thing. What do you think?
Well, I suppose all I need to do is ask her. But what if she says no? Do I say to Greg, “Eh… sorry I love you and all but my eight-year-old daughter doesn’t want to live with you?” Do I tell Katie, “Tough luck you’re moving house,” or do I do what she wants? I clearly can’t just do what I want because there’s two other people involved. I’m going to think about it for the next while anyway.
Thanks again for the break, I really needed it. I’ll make sure Katie sends on that letter to Sally.
Love,
Rosie
Welcome to your first day at the Two Lakes. I hope everyone has helped you to settle in so far. I’m sorry I’m not there to greet you but I am currently in the States finalizing a few things at our new Two Lakes Hotel in San Francisco.
In the meantime, Amador Ramirez, the hotel manager, is there to show you the ropes. Let me know if you have any problems.
Once again, welcome!
Bill Lake
You have an instant message from: RUBY
Ruby: Remember me?
Rosie: I’m sorry Ruby, it’s just that I don’t get to spend much time on the computer like the last job; it’s a bit difficult to pretend I’m doing work here.
Ruby: So you’re still there then?
Rosie: Ruby you know I am.
Ruby: I’ll give you one month…
Rosie: Thank you for your support; it’s always very much appreciated.
Ruby: No problem. So how’s life with Greg?
Rosie: Great thanks.
Ruby: So you don’t hate each other yet?
Rosie: No not yet.
Ruby: I’ll give you one month…
Rosie: And once again, thank you.
Ruby: Just doing my duty as a friend. Gary has a girlfriend now.
Rosie: Gary?! Your baby Gary?!
Ruby: Well he’s 20 now but I can see how you could be confused, he’s yet to lose all that baby fat… like his mother.
Rosie: Oh stop it! Who’s the girl?
Ruby: Gemma is her name. To be honest I think there’s something a bit wrong with her.
Rosie: In what way?
Ruby: In the way that she has deliberately chosen to go out with my son.
Rosie: Oh Ruby that’s awful! Gary is a nice boy.
Ruby: Nice my bum! I don’t know what she sees in him; all he does is occasionally make grunting sounds and point to things. Usually at food, and then to his stomach. Any news with you?
Rosie: Well actually I have a bit, I’ve only told Alex so far but you’re not allowed to tell anyone.
Ruby: Ooh lovely, I love it! The most magical words you’ll ever hear in a sentence. What is it?
Rosie: Well a few weeks ago when I came home from work Greg had a beautiful dinner cooked, the table was set, candles were lit, and the music was playing…
Ruby: Go on…
Rosie: Well he asked me—
Ruby: To marry you!
Rosie: No actually, he asked me if I was interested in moving in with him.
Ruby: Interested?
Rosie: Yeah.
Ruby: Were those his exact words?
Rosie: Eh, yeah, I think so why?
Ruby: You think that’s romantic, do you?
Rosie: Well he went to a lot of trouble to cook the meal, and set the table and—
Ruby: Jesus you do that every day Rosie. Do you not think it sounds a bit like a business proposition?
Rosie: A business proposition? In what way?
Ruby: If I wanted to open a joint bank account with Teddy I would say, “Teddy, would you be interested in opening a joint bank account?” If I wanted to move in with Teddy, I would not say, “Teddy would you be interested in moving in together?” Do you see what I mean?
Rosie: Well I suppose I—
Ruby: That is not the way to broach the subject. And what about marriage? Did he say anything about that? Or about Katie? If you and he get married, will he want to adopt Katie? Did you discuss any of those things?
Rosie: Well actually… no we didn’t even discuss marriage. Moving in together is the same commitment as a marriage, Ruby. Anyway I thought you were anti-marriage.
Ruby: I am but I’m not the one who does want to get married and who is in a relationship with a man who doesn’t. There lies a problem.
Rosie: I never said that I wanted to marry him.
Ruby: Well then if neither of you feel comfortable marrying each other then go ahead and move in together; that sounds like a fabulous idea!
Rosie: That’s exactly what you and Teddy are doing!
Ruby: I’ve been married before and so has Teddy, we both don’t want to go through it again. I’ve been there, done that, while this is just the beginning for you.
Rosie: Anyway it doesn’t matter because I told him that I wasn’t ready to move in with him right now. It’s a bad time, with me trying to settle down in the job and everything and Katie settling down in the flat. I need to allow a little more time to pass so that Katie can adjust to the whole situation. It’s been a huge change in her life—
Ruby: So you keep saying.
Rosie: What’s that supposed to mean?
Ruby: You’ve been in the flat for two years now, you’ve been in that job of yours for a few weeks now, I’ve seen Katie and she’s fine Rosie, she’s very happy. She’s adjusted to this “huge change,” I think that maybe it’s you who needs to adjust.
Rosie: Adjust to what?
Ruby: Alex is married now Rosie. Move on and make yourself happy!
Rosie has logged off
Steph: Why didn’t he ask you to marry him?
Rosie: I wasn’t aware that he had to.
Steph: Would you have liked to?
Rosie: You know me Steph, if anyone got down on one knee and proposed (on the beach with a four-piece orchestra in the background) I’d like it. I’m an old romantic.
Steph: Are you disappointed he asked you to move in with him and not marry you?
Rosie: Well I presume if he had proposed it would mean I’d be moving in with him anyway so I’m really not that heartbroken. I’m lucky to have met someone like Greg.
Steph: Come on Rosie, you’re not just “lucky” to have met Greg. You deserve to be happy. It’s OK to want more than you’re offered.
Rosie: I’ve decided to move in with him. We’ll take it one step at a time.
Steph: If that makes you happy.
Rosie: Then if things are still as perfect between us as they are now, I’ll expect the room filled with roses and lit with candles.
Dear Sally,
Sorry I spilt my orange juice on your new dress when we visited a few weeks ago, it is just that when I heard you slagging my mum’s new dress I got a shock and spilt my juice all over you. Just like you laughed to your friend, the next day, about my mum having me, accidents happen.
I sure hope your dress doesn’t stain seeing as it was so expensive and all. I hope you will come to visit us s
ometime in our new house. We are moving in with Greg. It’s bigger than your apartment.
Love,
Katie
PS: My friend Toby says hi and says that he spilt orange juice on his school shirt and it wouldn’t come out when it was washed. His mum had to throw it out. It was white too. But lucky for him, the shirt was not as expensive as your dress.
You have an instant message from: ALEX
Alex: Hi, what you up to?
Phil: I’ve been surfing the Net for hours looking for the original chrome exhaust pipes on a 1968 Ford Mus-tang. And do you think I could find the original badges as well as two-tone leather seats for the 1978 Corvette?
Alex: Eh… no?
Phil: Exactly but I don’t suppose you want to hear about my problems. How was the Rosie trip? Any more silences?
Alex: Oh drop it Phil.
Phil: Hee hee. What’s the boyfriend like?
Alex: He’s OK. Nothing special. He’s not the kind of man I’d have put Rosie with.
Phil: He’s not you, you mean.
Alex: No that’s not what I mean. He’s not exactly the life and soul of the party.
Phil: Should he be?
Alex: For Rosie, yes.
Phil: Maybe he’s a calming influence on her.
Alex: Yeah maybe. He’s polite and friendly, but that’s all he lets you no about him. He doesn’t talk much about himself. I couldn’t quite figure him out. He’s one of those people that don’t seem to have an opinion on anything, he would just agree with absolutely everything everyone is saying. It’s hard to get a sense of him. Sally and he got along very well though.
Phil: Maybe he just had a problem with you then.
Alex: Thanks Phil, you always have such a good way of making me feel comfortable.
Phil: And isn’t that why you discuss all of life’s little problems with me?
Alex: Yeah. How are Margaret and the kids?
Phil: Great. Maggie thinks she’s pregnant again.
Alex: Jesus, another one?
Phil: I’m one fully loaded man, Alex.
Alex: Good to no Phil.
Alex has logged off
FROM: Alex
TO: Rosie
SUBJECT: Moving in with Greg?
So I take it you’re moving in with Greg. Sally got a letter from Katie during the week, but she wouldn’t let me read it. She just said that they have an understanding between each other now. I’m glad. Whatever that means.
In answer to your question about Greg, yes he’s a nice man. Not the kind of person I expected you to settle down with, he’s very quiet and reserved. A lot older than you as well. He’s what… 37? And you’re 27. That’s 10 years, Rosie. How will you feel when he’s old and decrepit and you’re still young and beautiful? How will you ever look into those faded watery eyes and kiss those wrinkly dry cracked lips? How can you rub your hands over the varicose veins in his legs and go running through fields holding hands while all the time secretly worrying about his weak heart?
These are the things you need to worry about, Rosie.
You have an instant message from: ROSIE
Rosie: Are you on drugs???!
Alex: Only the little pink ones… sometimes I hear them calling out to me during the night…
Rosie: You’re a doctor, help yourself. OK, I take it from that attempt-at-being-humorous-but-meaning-every-word-of-it reply that you don’t like Greg. I’ve had enough of your snide comments about Greg. Well to let the truth be known, I can’t stand Sally. Ta-da!
I hate Sally and you hate Greg. Now we have learned that we all can’t love each other. We’re moving in with him next week. Everything is wonderful. We are blissfully happy. I’ve never been so in love in my life blah blah blah. Now stop annoying me and get over it. Greg is here to stay. So what have you got to say to that?
Alex has logged off
ROSIE, KATIE, AND GREG,
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
LOVE FROM ALEX, SALLY, AND BABY JOSH
TO ALEX, SALLY, AND BABY JOSH!
WARM WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR!
WITH LOVE,
KATIE, ROSIE, AND GREG
CHAPTER 15
Hello sis,
Stop worrying! Rosie, for the last time, it is absolutely normal for friends not to get along with each other’s spouses/partners. Pierre’s sister drives me up the wall but that’s neither here nor there. Anyway, it doesn’t mean that you and Alex are never going to speak to each other again.
The problem with you two is that you’re too honest. I can’t think of one friend of mine that I would feel comfortable saying, “I hate your husband/wife” and if I even say one miniscule thing to Pierre about how frustrating his sister is, then he jumps down my throat and defends her. There’s never going to be anyone good enough for your best friend, Rosie. So therefore Alex thinks that you could do far better than Greg and you think the same of Sally. Sally and Greg aren’t stupid, they probably sense that. When Sally met you I’m sure she felt you checking her out. Of course she’s going to be defensive! And likewise with Greg. He knows that Alex was the most important man in your life (he also knows that you once had a crush on him, which doesn’t make things any better). And Alex knows that he’s been replaced. So both Greg and Alex are going to be a bit competitive with each other. This is all quite natural.
But in order to maintain your friendship I do think that you need to care about what Alex cares about and that doesn’t necessarily mean caring about Sally but it means caring about the fact that Alex cares about her. Does that make sense?
Anyway stop giving yourself a headache with all this stuff, just ring the man or e-mail or write or whatever it is that you two do . . . By the way if you don’t like Pierre, I don’t care. I love him so keep your opinions to yourself!
Send me your measurements over will you? And don’t lie Rosie, this is for your bridesmaid dress and if you pretend you’re two stone lighter than you actually are and the dress doesn’t fit, tough, you have to wear it because I can’t afford to get you another one. Do you prefer red or wine? Let me know.
Love,
Your agony aunt
PS: By the way, will you ring Alex and tell him that he and his wife are invited to the wedding. Now there’s your excuse to talk to him.
FOR MY GODFATHER,
HAPPY 28TH BIRTHDAY!
I HOPE YOU LIKE YOUR PRESENT; MUM SAID THAT YOU LIKED RED BUSES! AREN’T YOU A BIT OLD FOR TOYS?
LOVE,
KATIE
TO ROSIE,
BIRTHDAY WISHES FROM US TO YOU!
HAPPY 28TH—YOU’RE CATCHING UP ON ME!
LOVE,
ALEX, SALLY, AND JOSH
TO KATIE,
YOU ARE 9 TODAY!
BEST WISHES! I HOPE YOU CAN BUY SOMETHING NICE WITH THIS!
LOVE,
ALEX, SALLY AND JOSH
FROM: Rosie
TO: Alex
SUBJECT: Great news!
Alex Stewart, why don’t you ever answer your phone? I have become best friends with Josh’s nanny now and we have both come to an agreement over the fact that you and that wife of yours work far too much. Does poor little Josh even know who Mummy and Daddy are, or are you both happy with him thinking you two are just the nice people who pick him up and cuddle him a few times every day?
Anyway, the reason why I’m e-mailing you is because you are, as I said, never home to answer your phone and I have something brilliant that I really want to tell you and I refuse to announce it to you on a computer! So ring me when you get this message. Your good advice may have been helpful after all, and I thank you for it!
Ring me, ring me, ring me!
FROM: Alex
TO: Rosie
SUBJECT: Re: Great news!
I am refusing to ring you on the grounds that I am far too angry over your attacking my parental skills. If one more person tells me how to be a father to my son I will explode.
The main problem we’re having is that Sall
y and I just don’t work regular hours. The majority of the time we arrive home when Josh is asleep and I have to stop myself from waking him up just to say hello. We never have the same days off together so we can’t go out on the weekends to the park and play happy family. We just can’t seem to spend any quality time together, it’s like we’re passing each other in the halls and grabbing quick moments of forced happiness before we run out the door.
It’s not the greatest situation for Josh to be in but we just simply can’t afford to stop working to be there for him all of the time. Things are tough at the moment. And by the way, never ever get married.
FROM: Rosie
TO: Alex
SUBJECT: Surprise!
Oh shucks, you’ve gone and spoiled my surprise.
FROM: Alex
TO: Rosie
SUBJECT: Re: Surprise!
Rosie Dunne, are you getting married?!
CHAPTER 16
FROM: Rosie
TO: Alex
SUBJECT: Re: Surprise!
Surprise! What a lovely, lovely way to tell you, I can’t have imagined a better way of sharing my delightful news with my best friend . . .
FROM: Alex
TO: Rosie
SUBJECT: Marriage!
Oh I’m so sorry, that’s great news. Don’t mind what I say, I’m just tired and whinging. So how did it all happen? When’s the big day? I thought what’s-his-name didn’t want to get married.
FROM: Rosie
TO: Alex
SUBJECT: Marriage at last!