Are You Ready? by Amanda Hearty Page B

picture him as a two-year-old playing in the sandpit in their back garden. When he offered to drop his dad off at golf Maura thought his new love-interest Laura might be having a good influence on him. But then, when she asked him to unpack the dishwasher later on that day and he cried off saying he was late for a rugby match, she felt annoyed. She had always wondered if being an only child had made him a little bit more selfish and immature, and if he valued his friends more than anyone else because they were the closest he got to siblings. Would he still be refusing to pack dishwashers and living at home if he had a sister or brother?

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    Sarah had just received a text from Ali saying they would be home next week and to keep the following Saturday free for their engagement party. It was exciting, but Sarah couldn’t help feeling a little jealous too. Ali was so lucky, while Sarah seemed to go from disaster to disaster – Ross being the latest. Even though they had only been on a few dates, she had been so hurt by his behaviour, and though Ross tried to ring her a few times she just ignored him until the calls stopped. Of course, he was entitled to have whatever kind of dating lifestyle he wanted, but even so, she couldn’t help feeling used and embarrassed – and now she was back to square one. She hadn’t been out since that night, and had been happy to stay home with her mum. She was taking this afternoon off work to go and visit her sister Mel. Mel was overdue and ready to pop, so Sarah thought an afternoon of chick flicks and chocolate might help her relax. But before that she had the delivery from the gallery’s picture-framer to open. In it were all the pieces that had been sent tobe framed, or reframed as people’s tastes changed. It still amazed Sarah how a frame could totally change a picture, making it seem bigger, smaller, brighter or more expensive. She unwrapped the three pieces that Hugh Hyland had ordered. He had good taste and not only an excellent eye for art, but for the right frame, too. He seemed to buy an awful lot of art, but he had explained once that not only was he an avid collector, but the firm he worked for also liked to have plenty of expensive-looking art around their offices, so he took it upon himself to pick out the pieces because, as he often joked: ‘The rest of them wouldn’t know Monet from Mozart!’
    She rang his mobile to remind him his new purchases were ready. He said he was coming down to Monkstown for lunch, so would pop in before she left. Clodagh, who worked part-time, was covering for her this afternoon, and would handle any other orders.
    Sarah was surfing the internet for the other galleries that had exhibitions on at the moment, to see what artists they were handling, when Hugh Hyland came in. It was hard to know what age he was but Sarah guessed late thirties. He was well-dressed, and very polite, and, as usual, asked if any new pieces had come in that he hadn’t seen yet. So Sarah showed him some, and checked that his three new frames were OK. Clodagh arrived as they were finishing up.
    â€˜You work so hard here, Sarah, how do you make enough time to go out with that boyfriend of yours?’ Hugh enquired.
    â€˜Boyfriend?’
    â€˜The man I met in here a few weeks ago.’
    â€˜Oh him! He isn’t my boyfriend,’ she politely replied.
    â€˜I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m sure there are plenty of guys queuing up for a date with you. I mean I would—’ But before Hugh could finish Sarah’s mum ran into the gallery. She was in her slippers and hair-curlers. Oh my God, Sarah thought, is she drunk? What was going on? And how could she explain it to Mr Hyland?
    â€˜Sarah! Mel has gone into labour. John has brought her to Holles Street, but I’m too nervous to get behind the wheel. You’ll have to drive me in right now. I mean, my first grandchild is on the way! Come on.’
    Sarah