One midnight with you, p.17
One Midnight With You, page 17
For the third time today – first to his son, and then to his father – he laid the whole thing out. The debts. The costs. The end of the line. And he watched Carlo grow paler with every detail of the story.
‘Oh Jesus, Dario, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realise it had got this bad. Dad must be devastated.’
‘He is. But he’s pissed off with me too.’
‘But why? You’ve worked your ass off to keep this place going.’
Dario gave that a nod of acknowledgement and appreciation. ‘I know, but he wants to keep going. Hope for a miracle.’
‘They’re in pretty short supply in our business,’ Carlo said, now looking as helpless as Dario felt. ‘Sometimes no matter what you do, you have to take the hit and move on. How bad is it going to be?’
‘That’s the thing… There’s a solution, but Dad doesn’t like it. Neither does Matty.’
Dario went on to explain the offer from the American developers, told him what they’d get out of it and what it would leave them with. A clean slate. Money in the bank. Enough that Dad would never have a day of worry.
‘I’ve got until midnight tonight to accept or decline, and if I knock it back, I’m not going to get another shot at it because they’ll move on to something else.’
‘Fuck,’ Carlo said, blowing out his cheeks as he sighed. ‘Maybe for the first time ever, brother, I don’t want to be you.’
Dario was about to reply when a knock at the door interrupted them.
‘Come in,’ he shouted, figuring it was probably one of the staff, probably looking for change for their till float, or maybe keys to the cellar to change a beer barrel.
He was wrong on both counts.
His best mate and lawyer, Brodie, joined the party.
‘Hey,’ he greeted them, Dario first, then Carlo, with one of those shakes of the hand that morphs into a hug.
Dario passed over his bottle of beer and Brodie took it without question. They’d been sharing drinks, food and secrets for a million years, so this was nothing out of the ordinary.
Brodie displayed the intuition that had made him one of the city’s top lawyers, by reading the room perfectly. ‘You’re talking business?’ His comment also displayed the kind of discretion that had made him one of the city’s top lawyers.
Dario nodded wearily. ‘Yeah. Spoke to Dad today and finally got him to listen to the whole story. He’s a definite no. Told Matty too – he was a definite “no fucking way”.’
Brodie was in gentle lawyer mode. ‘Don’t they get that this is the Hail Mary? It’s this or you close the doors with nothing, because we both know that you’ve only got enough cashflow to last another couple of months. Look, I’ve got no skin in this. I’m not taking a fee and there’s no vested interest, but I’m just acting as your mate here. You tell me to take the deal, I’ll take it for you. You knock it back, I’ll do everything I can to help you find another way.’
As always, it was the kindness that hit Dario square in the chest. Problems he could deal with. And he would face any fight. But love and kindness? Touched him every time. That was in the DNA stream that came directly from his mother. ‘I appreciate that, Brodie.’
‘Any time.’ Brodie turned to Carlo. ‘What do you reckon, Carlo? Any words of wisdom, because we’ll gladly take them.’
Carlo leaned his head back, thinking. ‘Look, I can help with your staff, find them jobs where I can…’
‘I might need to take you up on that. I promised Sonya that somehow we’d keep her on.’
Carlo’s face creased into a grin. ‘Now you’re talking. You know she’s my favourite woman on the planet after Yvie. She once bollocked one of my teachers for giving me detention. Told him he was a fascist and that she’d be reporting him for being a dick. She got removed from the school, but it was worth it.’
It was the light relief they all needed.
Carlo went on, ‘And if this is about Dad having a purpose, you know he is always welcome to come hang out at my place. I guess it’s not the same, but the customers would love him.’
Dario didn’t want to say that he didn’t think that would ever happen. This was Gino’s spiritual home, it was part of his soul. That was the problem. It was so much more than bricks and mortar.
‘And the deal? Yes or no?’ Brodie asked Carlo the direct question. His mate had known his brother since he was a kid, so it was pretty cool to see that he valued his opinion.
‘I’d bite their hands off. It’s a no-brainer to me. But then, I’m not Dad.’ Carlo stood up. ‘Listen, I’m going to go check on him, see how he’s doing. The tables will be starting to fill, so I’ll keep everything going while you two speak. And, Dario, whatever you decide to do, I’ll back you.’
Dario thought how proud his mum would be to see the guy that her youngest son had become. ‘Thanks, bro.’
As the door closed behind Carlo, Brodie put his beer down on the desk. ‘How are you holding up? I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this shit.’
‘Me too. Thing is, I know there’s only one answer, but I just need to think some more before I pull the trigger.’
Brodie stood up. ‘I get it and there’s no rush – we’ve got a few hours before the deadline. I’m going to get out of your hair and let you get your head round all this. Just give me a shout when you’re ready to make the call.’
24
MINNIE
Minnie leaned in to get a better look at her reflection in the mirror as she applied her lipstick, ignoring the twinge in her hip from this morning’s fall. She always wore bright red lippy on New Year’s Eve and Henry had always loved it. ‘Here comes Ruby Lips,’ he’d say as she came down the stairs. And it didn’t matter if she was twenty-five or seventy-five, he’d add, ‘The most beautiful girl that there ever was,’ and then he’d pull her close and they’d slow dance for a moment whether there was music on or not.
He was quiet tonight though, ever since she’d come off the phone to Emmy.
‘I know what you’re thinking there, Henry Ryan. I shouldn’t have lied to the lass about staying home tonight. But you know fine well that if I was honest about where I was going, well, it would have caused all sorts of issues. And, let’s face it, you’re not exactly squeaky clean in all this. You were party to the lie we told them last year too, when you and I were sneaking into Gino’s but didn’t want to tell them about it.’
Minnie had felt terrible about that, they both did, but they were caught between a rock and a hard place.
The year before that, two years ago now, they’d been having a wonderful time as usual at Gino’s. Eric and Ailish were there as always, and Emmy too. Of course, poor Alicia had already passed, and you could see the heartache on Gino’s face, but, goodness, he made an effort to cover it up, putting all his energy into being the host that made sure everyone had a fabulous night. Dario was there too, such a lovely man, who made her heart stop when he looked at her because his eyes were the same gorgeous almond shape as his mother’s.
Who else was there? She tried to think. Carlo! Yes, the youngest son was over at the bar, keeping the drinks flowing. And Gwen and Rhonda were providing endless entertainment as usual too. It was before Gwen got sick, and they had no idea what was to come for the poor soul. You just never knew the minute. Anyway, it was all going smashing right up until the early hours of the morning. All the happy new year kisses had been exchanged, there had been much jubilation, a smashing singalong, and then some slower music had come on for another round of dancing. Minnie hadn’t even noticed that Eric had disappeared, because she was too busy having a wee sway with Henry to something by that lovely Celine Dion, if she remembered correctly. Next thing, well, all hell broke loose. Ailish rushed back from the loos, grabbed her things, and she was off, Emmy chasing after her. Turned out poor Emmy had caught Eric with his… Minnie hated the word mistress, but that was the truth of it. Ailish had seen them too and that had set it all off.
Shocking didn’t even begin to cover it. Minnie had been devastated and crushed that a son of hers had acted that way. Henry had been furious. Livid. In fact, she wasn’t sure Henry’s relationship with Eric had ever recovered.
Not surprising then that she’d felt uncomfortable telling the family that they were going back to Gino’s last year, but as Henry said, there was no point in them losing a tradition they’d shared with friends for fifty years, over an act of stupidity by a son who’d been brought up to know better. Emmy was working anyway, Eric was away with that floozy of his, and Ailish didn’t have the appetite for going out. He’d broken her heart, so he had, and the lass didn’t deserve it after being a devoted wife to him for all those years. So yes, last year they’d lied about going to Gino’s because they didn’t want to hurt anyone by admitting they were returning to the scene of the crime. They’d said they were staying home, having a quiet night, but, in truth, they’d eaten delicious food, sang their hearts out and danced until they were breathless, putting another memory in the vault of their lives together. And Minnie would always be glad of it.
Make-up done, she picked up her brush, and styled her hair into the same look she’d worn on special occasions for most of her life: a middle parting, her hair swept back into a low, twisted bun at the back, like a ballet dancer. A chignon, it was called. Alicia had taught her how to do it when they were just young mums, and Minnie had always felt it was so sophisticated, even when they didn’t have a bean to their names.
A blast of Elnett hairspray kept it in place, and then she picked up the atomiser from the dressing table and added some scent to her wrists. Estée Lauder’s Youth Dew. Henry’s favourite.
As he often did, Henry left her to get ready. Her burgundy silk dress was already hanging on the front of the wardrobe, so she swapped it for her robe, glad that it covered her newly skint knees, then, wincing just a little with her aches and pains, slipped her feet into her low-heeled, silver shoes that were smart enough for a party but comfortable enough for a dance. She never did see the point of those towering heels the young ones wore – one wrong move and you could break an ankle in them.
As she came down the stairs, she heard ‘Moon River’ playing and there Henry was, waiting for her, handsome as ever. ‘Here comes Ruby Lips,’ he whispered. ‘The most beautiful girl there ever was.’
When she reached him, she felt his arms go around her and they swayed to the music, and Minnie knew, as she always did, that this was the most perfect moment of her year. She savoured it for as long as she could, before the beeping horn of the taxi outside interrupted them.
‘Come on, love, time to go,’ she murmured to him, then chided herself for the tears that were making her eyes glisten.
Henry noticed them too. ‘Hey, hey,’ he soothed her, stroking her cheek. ‘This is our happy night, ma darling. Another year. More memories to make.’
‘More memories to make,’ she repeated softly, before slowly pulling her hand away, their fingers sliding apart until only the tips were touching, then letting go.
The taxi beeped its horn again, but she still took her time, careful not to unsteady herself. After her fall this morning, and then that faint this afternoon, she didn’t want to add a ‘third time unlucky’ to the day.
In the living room, she picked up the box that she’d collected from the jeweller’s shop that morning, a gift for their oldest friend and for the man that her husband loved like a brother.
The front door creaked as it opened and closed, and then Minnie walked slowly, carefully down the path, Henry right beside her. The taxi driver spotted her, and jumped out of the car with an apologetic shrug. ‘Sorry about beeping the horn there like that – it’s double time tonight and I’m just trying to get as many fares in as possible so I can get home for the bells.’
‘No apologies needed, son. I’d be doing exactly the same thing if I were you and so would my husband. Nothing would ever make him miss midnight with his family.’
The driver opened the door and offered an arm for her to hold on to while she climbed in, happy to have redeemed himself for his impatience.
She gave him the address for Gino’s and they pulled off.
‘I take music requests if you have one, missus. This app on my phone has got just about every song you could think of.’
As always, Henry had quietened down, happy for her to chatter away, but she didn’t have to ask what he’d want to hear.
There was only one song on her mind too.
‘Can you play “Moon River”? It’s an oldie, a bit like myself.’
She got the fright of her life, when he suddenly shouted, ‘Siri, play “Moon River”’ in an American accent.
He caught her eye in the rear-view mirror.
‘It disnae do great with the Scottish accent. Best shout at it as if I’m born and bred in America. Works a treat.’
And it did. The opening bars of ‘Moon River’ began to play and Minnie and Henry smiled all the way out of the street.
From the South Side to the city centre, every time a song finished, Minnie told the driver the name of another old favourite and the next thing it was playing for them. Magical things, those Siri machines. She decided she was going to get Emmy to set one up for her in the house.
By the time she saw the twinkling lights outside Gino’s restaurant, she already had her money out and an extra tip for adding a delightful trip to their night.
For the second time, the driver jumped out and held the door open, and Minnie took her time, stepping out carefully to ensure she didn’t have a repeat of the gymnastics from this morning. ‘Hold on to me, Henry,’ she said, quietly. ‘I can’t be getting this far and then not make it.’
The taxi drove off, the driver grateful for his tip, and Minnie paused on the pavement for a moment to glance up at the third floor of the building next door – her and Henry’s first ever flat. The place where she’d given birth to all her boys, and where she’d loved the man who’d made her happy her whole life.
‘There it is, Henry,’ she told him. ‘It’ll always be ours.’
The spell was broken by the opening of Gino’s front door, as two giggling ladies, maybe in their thirties, came out, as friendly and carefree as could be.
‘Are you waiting to go in?’ one asked her cheerily, holding the door open.
‘I am indeed, dear,’ she replied, stepping forward, and even before she crossed the threshold, Minnie could smell the familiar, delectable aromas of the food inside. This was the best tonic she could have for her throbbing bones, and the excitement of it washed all her aches away.
‘Thank you so much,’ Minnie said as she passed them. ‘And Happy New Year to you when it comes.’
‘You too! Have a lovely night.’
‘Oh, I’m sure we will,’ Minnie told her with a grateful smile.
Inside, at the greeting stand, a young woman she didn’t recognise, met her with a beaming smile. ‘Good evening, and welcome to Gino’s. My name is Katie. Can I just check if you have a reservation?’
‘I do, dear. Minnie Ryan is my name.’
On the clipboard in front of her, the girl made a tick with her pen.
‘I have you right here, Mrs Ryan. Table for two.’
Minnie took a breath, her smile tainted with every sadness that had come her way since she had last stepped into this restaurant a year ago.
In her mind, she saw Henry take a step back, and then blow her a kiss goodbye.
‘Ah, no, dear. I’ll only be needing a table for one. I’m afraid my husband passed away at the beginning of the year.’
8 P.M. – 10 P.M.
25
AILISH
‘How do we look?’ Gwen asked, as they did one last check in the mirror in the hallway of her riverside loft.
‘Like Charlie’s Angels,’ Rhonda beamed, and Ailish was pleasantly surprised about the generosity of that statement, until Rhonda added, ‘The Menopause version. Wearing well, a few hot flushes, and we’d kick the shit out of the bad guys if they catch us in a mood swing.’
If the taxi driver who picked them up two minutes later wondered what they were laughing about, he didn’t ask. And if he wondered why the car fell silent after a few moments, he didn’t ask about that either, but Ailish knew.
All afternoon, the three of them had been riding a wave of excitement, adrenaline, nostalgia and emotion, but now it was the moment before the curtain went up and a whole different set of feelings were setting in. Gratitude. Trepidation. And if she were honest, a niggling worry that this could all turn out to be just a sad reminder of the rejection and devastation that had been her constant companions since the night, exactly two years ago today, that her world had been blown apart.
Before she could dwell on that, Rhonda broke the silence.
‘I hate to be the harbinger of doom here, but has anyone considered that we might get here and they won’t be able to fit us in? I mean, what if Dario isn’t there to pull strings for us? Or if he is, and the place is packed and there’s nothing he can do?’
Ailish wasn’t sure she had an answer for that question that didn’t involve a tiny touch of relief. They could go to another bar, one that came without memories she wanted to forget. Or they could go home and get into their comfies, then sit up all night reminiscing, just like they’d been doing all day. And no, she wouldn’t get to see Dario, and that would be a shame, but now that she was off the couch, she could always pop in next week, or next month, or never…
Her deliberation of the other possibilities was derailed when Gwen suddenly blurted, ‘Okay, I have a confession to make, so I’m just going to say it quickly and you need to forgive me.’
‘I love it when it’s not me that’s having to ’fess up to things,’ Rhonda gloated. ‘Tell me it’s something awful that they’ll make a documentary about?’
Ailish had the feeling Rhonda wasn’t taking this situation seriously.
