Page 53 of One Day and Forever
Val threw up her hands. ‘I knew it! You couldn’t possibly be related to that old bastard.’ She put the car into drive, and then he could see an expression of puzzlement cause her to frown. ‘But, hang on, if it isn’t him, then who…?’
Zac sagged back in the seat, his body suddenly giving in to the exhaustion and turmoil of the last couple of days. ‘I don’t know. I think I need to get to the airport and speak to my dad.’
Val Diesel took off like she was auditioning forFast and Furious. ‘No bother, son. Just pray we don’t hit another pothole and I’ll have you there in no time.’
27
ZAC
One Year Before…
Glasgow Airport – 2 January 2024
Getting through security had taken twice as long as normal – partly due to the usual crowds of people leaving Glasgow after the New Year Celebrations. All his life, Zac had been coming here at New Year, and he’d always loved the buzz of the airport almost as much as the buzz of the city. The return journey, however, was his least favourite part. Everyone exhausted. Hungover. Skint. Sad to be leaving the party. Unexcited about the prospect of twelve full months until they got to do it again.
This year he felt that more than ever. At the last minute, his mum had decided that she was going to stay behind in Glasgow with Audrey, and his dad had, of course, stayed too. Zac wasn’t completely surprised. His mum wouldn’t admit it, but he could see that the liver cancer she’d been fighting for the last couple of years had been causing her increasing pain over the last month or so, so it was only natural she’d want to stay with her sister a bit longer.
He’d have stayed too, but his mum had been adamant that he go. ‘For goodness’ sake, son, you need to take that concern right off your face. You’d think I was dying, the way you’re looking at me. I’m fine. I just need to get my meds increased a little. Now go get your flight, because you’ve got that case to prepare and I’m not having you being shite at your job on my conscience. Too many people depend on you.’
With that, she had gone up on her tiptoes, as she always did, and wrapped her arms around him, then kissed him on the cheeks. ‘Now, I know you’re a grown man, but do what your mother tells you, okay?’
He’d reluctantly agreed, mostly because Morag Corlan was the not the kind of woman who was easily contradicted.
He’d finished packing the few clothes he’d brought with him into his carry-on bag, and then sought out everyone else in the family, hugging them goodbye. By the time he’d got back to his mum, she was lying on the sofa. He’d told her not to get up, but she’d insisted. She’d put her arms around him for the second time that day, not an unusual thing at all. His mum was someone who loved fiercely and held on longest to every hug, kissed everyone twice and told him she loved him every time they spoke.
He’d kissed her goodbye, then picked up his bag. ‘Right, Mam, see you back in Dublin. I’ll put some bread and milk in the house for you if you give me a shout and tell me what day you decide to come back.’
She’d nodded, smiling. ‘I will do, son. Now you take care and don’t be talking to strangers.’ That always made him laugh. He was a fully-fledged adult, over six feet tall, a trained legal professional who’d lived on his own since he went to university at eighteen years old, and yet she was still worried that someone would steal him, or he’d fall into mortal danger by striking up a conversation in a check-in queue at the airport.
He’d now been in the airport for over two hours and had safely managed to avoid being kidnapped or murdered. He’d grabbed a coffee in Starbucks and was making his way down the long pier of gates that stopped with the British Airways hub at the end. His flight to Dublin was leaving from a gate about halfway down – a relief because the corridor was packed and he was dodging passengers who’d arrived at the BA hub and were coming in the opposite direction. Glasgow airport was one of those airports where departing and arriving passengers passed each other in the same walkways, so it was a collision course of bodies. If he managed to get to his gate without spilling his cappuccino, it would be a miracle. He was focusing intently on it, when…
‘Zac?’
He didn’t even have to look up to know who it was. Kara. The woman he’d met at the same airport on the same January day, years before. On that occasion she’d been travelling to LA for her best mate’s wedding, and he’d been going home. By some brilliant twist of fate, their flights had been cancelled, and they’d spent the night at an airport hotel, during which he’d laughed more than he had before or since. If she hadn’t already been in a serious relationship, he’d have been all in.
‘Kara! Were you just hanging out here, hoping I’d be here?’ he feigned suspicion, making her laugh.
‘Ah, shit – busted. I was hoping it wouldn’t be that obvious.’
Zac was aware that he was standing still, and they were staring at each other, grinning, while waves of people tutted and puffed their way around them.
‘Have you got time for a coffee?’ he asked, his own still in his hand. ‘I think there’s a coffee bar along at the BA gates?’
‘There is – I just passed it – and sure,’ she shrugged, making a lot of irate people happy when she stepped off to the side and followed him all the way back along to the very last gate.
‘You’re looking great,’ he told her honestly, as he put her coffee and two huge chocolate chip cookies down on the table she’d snagged while he waited in the queue for her drink.
‘Thank you. Fake tan and a decent haircut. Works wonders. Are you on your way home to Dublin?’
He took the lid off his coffee to let it cool. ‘I am. And you?’
She took a deep breath, and he suddenly remembered that she had a tendency to overshare. He’d loved that about her when he’d met her the first time, and now? He grinned as he settled down for the ride. ‘My friend who was getting married that last time we met? Ollie? Well, wait until I tell you – a few months later he landed the best job ever. A starring role on thatClansmanTV show.’
‘I love that show!’
‘Me too. He plays Cam McGregor…’
Zac realised immediately who he was. Ollie Chiles. He’d shot to stardom as soon as the show aired a few years ago, and Zac was sure he had seen him on the cover ofRolling Stonelast month – the top twenty hot young stars in Hollywood, or something like that. Zac had always thought he was excellent in the show – and his mum and Aunt Audrey adored him.
