Who would have believed it? It had to be a crazy dream. Maddy checked her phone again. The text message still showed on the screen:
We won! 200k each! Will call as soon as I’ve collected the cheques. Love and hugs, Leanne.
Dazed, Maddy put the phone on the table and stared blindly out of the window at the small garden where a blackbird was pecking at the grass for worms that might have appeared after the recent shower. The washing hung limply on the line, her pink silk blouse beside Tom’s Y-fronts and his white shirt she had promised to iron for the golf-club dinner that night. She would normally have run out to rescue them, but her phone had pinged and then there was that text.
She checked it again, her heart thumping. It was true, it really was. Unbelievable. They had won all that money. It had been a bit of a joke, getting together with the whole teaching staff in a syndicate for the week’s Lotto draw. Twenty people paying a couple of cents each. And now they had won – she calculated – four million euros altogether. Which meant two hundred thousand euros each. Holy shit.
Her first instinct was not to tell anyone. Not even Tom. A slow smile spread all over Maddy’s face. My money, she thought. All mine to spend on things I’ve never been able to afford. My ticket to independence.
Not that she didn’t already have her own money, but this was different. This was a sudden windfall that had dropped from the sky like finding the crock o’ gold at the end of the rainbow or some fairy godmother granting a wish.
Her knees shaking, Maddy got up from the table and started to tidy up after breakfast, still trying to take in what had just happened. It was insane. One minute she was doing sums in her head to see if she could afford a year’s membership at the fancy new gym, the next she had a small fortune dumped in her lap. She looked out at the garden again, her gaze drifting past shrubs and trees to the distant view of Dublin bay and a ship just leaving Dun Laoghaire harbour on its way to England. She watched the ship sail away and suddenly longed to get away from the house, the chores and her job, even Tom and his golfing dinners and Y-fronts. Twenty-two years of marriage, two children and a nice house in the suburbs. Was that really all life had to offer? Not that she was ungrateful; she was just… unfulfilled. She laughed at herself as that thought hit her. Unfulfilled. It seemed like a buzzword middle-aged women used as an excuse to misbehave. But now she could ‘fulfil’ herself and do something daring for a change.
Maddy dumped the dishes in the sink and lifted her hair off her neck. Maybe she should start by dying her hair? Go blonde? Or maybe dye it red? Light-brown hair was so ordinary. Her whole look was pretty ordinary, come to think of it. It was high time to get a makeover. She would book a day at that spa in Enniskerry, the one she had drooled over on Facebook during her coffee break. A full day of massage, facials, of relaxing and swimming in the beautiful pool overlooking the mountains. Not affordable then. Now, it suddenly was. Tom would be at the golf club dinner and wouldn’t be home until late. The kids were away doing their own thing: Sophie having a year off in Australia, Darren working in a hotel in Killarney. She was free to do what she liked at the weekend – had been for a long time. She had never done anything with that freedom apart from joining the garden club and the odd lunch with a friend in town. But now, with all this money…
Maddy jumped as the phone rang.
It was a breathless Leanne. ‘Hi. I just talked to the gang. We’ve all decided to keep the win quiet, so there’ll be no photo shoot with us all holding a giant cheque or anything like that. Nobody seems to want to shout it to the rooftops. Do you?’
‘Hell, no. I don’t want anyone to know.’
‘Neither do I.’ Leanne giggled. ‘You’re not even going to tell Tom?’
‘Especially not him.’
‘Why not?’ Leanne paused. ‘Oh, yeah, I get it. It’s all yours, and you don’t want to share or have anyone advising you on the sensible thing to do, like investing in shares or something. Or a new set of golf clubs.’
‘You got it.’
‘Same here. My mam would have kittens if she knew. God, I think I just want to grab the money and run away from home. Should have done that years ago, I know. Still living with my mother at thirty-two. How pathetic, right?
‘Uh, well…’ Maddy couldn’t think of anything to say. She didn’t know Leanne that well. They met when Leanne took the job as substitute science teacher after the Christmas holidays and immediately clicked, despite the age difference. Maddy enjoyed her company enormously. With her boyish platinum-blonde hair, multiple piercings and unconventional way of dressing, Leanne was whacky and fun, someone who said things Maddy had never dared. Leanne wasn’t afraid of voicing her opinion, even if it meant raised eyebrows in the staff room. It seemed odd that she was still living with her mother at her age, but it was a difficult situation. Leanne, being an only child, had stayed with her mother after her parents’ divorce, and as the years went by, had found it harder and harder to leave, mostly because of the now-impossible price of property. Her mother was the needy type, using emotional blackmail to keep her daughter at home. Leanne’s oddball look might have been a kind of passive resistance. But Maddy had felt herself drawn to Leanne because of her looks and courage. And because of her true-blue nature.
‘I’m going to move out,’ Leanne stated. ‘This money means I can. Mam will have a fit, but I’ll deal with it.’
‘Good for you.’
‘She’ll probably fake a heart attack or something. Anyway, I just called to ask you to send your bank details to Liam, so he can transfer the money. It’ll be in your account by early next week.’
After she had hung up, Maddy stared out of the window again, the ship now a tiny speck on the horizon. A thought began to form in her mind. Just the grain of an idea, but it seemed like the beginning of something new: an adventure of sorts. Scary, risky and completely mad. Or was it? Could she go back to a time when she was young and confident and not the disillusioned, drab woman she had become? The memories of her Paris love story had never quite faded. Maddy’s heartbeat quickened as she thought of all the money she had won. Maybe this was a chance to finally confront her past.
They met at the Trinity Ball. At the time, Maddy was nursing a broken heart and still grieving for her mother who had died just after her return from France. The ball had provided a welcome distraction. She hadn’t gone there to find a man, just to have fun with a group of friends and forget her sorrows for a while. But there he was, asking her to dance, making her laugh and looking at her with his velvety brown eyes. His name was Tom Quinn, and he had just finished a PhD in Economics. He was popular and fun and she soon found herself swept away by his good looks and sweet, caring nature. He looked so handsome in his tux that first night, but even better naked in the early-morning light in her bedsitter the next morning.
When they started dating, everyone wondered how an extraordinarily glamorous man like Tom could fall for a wholesome girl like Maddy. Little did they know how much Tom adored her. He loved her freckly face, blue eyes and lovely smile. But nobody would believe it. Maddy was the lucky girl who had won the prize. Her pregnancy bump under the wedding dress seven months later proved the point: Tom was doing the honourable thing.
No one expected the marriage to last once the baby was born. But instead of a divorce, they had another baby. Once they settled into married bliss with their two children, a house in the suburbs, a car and pensionable jobs, the gossip stopped. Happy families weren’t interesting. And they were truly happy, Maddy reflected, both focused on the family and each other. Their life was as idyllic as it could have been, given the stress of full-time jobs and stretching the budget to cover mortgage, school fees, sports equipment and all the extras. The fact that Tom was not what you’d call a hands-on dad was the only fly in the otherwise perfect ointment. You couldn’t have everything, Maddy thought.
The years went by, and after the children left home, Maddy and Tom found themselves with more time than they had ever had before. Our golden years, Maddy thought. Now we can do all the things we dreamed of. She started making plans for weekends away, date nights at the cinema and fancy restaurants. But none of that ever happened.
Instead, Tom took up golf.
‘More good news,’ Leanne announced as they were having coffee in the staff room with a piece of the chocolate cake someone had brought in to celebrate.
Maddy’s spoon stopped halfway to her mouth. ‘What? Come on, tell me.’
‘They’ve extended my contract.’
‘You mean here? At the school?’
Leanne nodded. ‘Yup. You’re looking at the new science teacher of St Concepta’s secondary school for girls. Well, for another year, anyway. The teacher I’m subbing for has asked for extended leave of absence.’
‘Great.’ Maddy stuffed the cake into her mouth. ‘I’m glad you can stay on for another year.’
‘Thanks. Never thought they would ask me to. Not the way I look. But they said that I bridge the generation gap or some crap like that. They’ve never seen teenage girls ditch their phones and actually pay attention before.’
‘That’s amazing. How did you do it?’
Leanne shrugged. ‘Not that hard. I just said I’d teach them how to make their own cosmetics. Creams with only natural ingredients. I told them it would save them millions. They went for it big time, so we might even start a new line and announce it at The Young Scientists’ exhibition next year. I’m quite impressed with them myself. We might even start selling the stuff online after that. Then the girls will earn some money for all their hard work.’
‘Don’t these things have to be tested on humans before they’re sold?’
‘They’re testing them on each other, so that’s covered. If you count teenagers as human, of course.’
Maddy laughed. ‘Brilliant. And now you have a job with a good salary for another year.’
Leanne nodded and smiled. ‘Yes. So then I really can move out of my mother’s house. I’ve been looking at flats for sale ever since we got the news about the win. With the money, I can put a down payment, and then my salary will pay for the mortgage. My life is finally beginning to take a turn for the better. Don’t know how I’ll break this to my mam, though. That’ll be the worst hurdle. But I’ll think of something. What about you? Have you told your husband yet?’
‘I told you I wouldn’t. Yet. I will share some of it with him, eventually. But I want to do something for me first, something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.’ She hesitated for a moment, but then the words came out in a torrent she couldn’t stop. ‘Winning that money is like a breath of fresh air to me, a chance to do something utterly silly and irresponsible. I’ve earned it, you know, after all these years of running the house and family single-handed ever since the kids were tiny,’ she said in a low voice, making sure nobody heard.
‘He wasn’t there for you and the kids?’ Leanne asked, looking appalled. ‘One of those male chauvinists, huh?’
‘Not quite, but yeah, something like that. Oh yes, he was there from time to time, wanting a medal for occasionally giving the baby a bottle or taking us out for Sunday lunch. But he never went to parents’ meetings or school concerts, never helped with housework except for putting out the rubbish bins on Monday nights. I was supposed to put up with it because he had a career – I just had a job.’
‘Jesus,’ Leanne said. ‘What a gobshite.’
‘Maybe I exaggerated a little,’ Maddy said, regretting her outburst. ‘We were happy too, of course. Most of the time. And as a family it all worked.’
‘Because of you.’
Maddy shrugged. ‘Oh, whatever. I’m sure I’m not alone. Lots of women do the same. Men haven’t changed since the middle ages, you know. But now maybe you understand why I feel I have the right to a little me-time.’
‘Of course,’ Leanne said. ‘It’s payback. Maybe it will teach him not to take you for granted. So what do you want to do?’
Maddy didn’t quite know how to explain what she wanted to do. Would Leanne understand?
‘I want to go and find someone,’ she finally said. ‘Someone who lives abroad.’
Leanne’s eyes lit up. ‘Really? Where?’
‘Somewhere in Paris. I have to do a little research before I go.’
‘Sounds mysterious. But hey, you know what? I had this idea last night. I want to buy a car and go on a road trip during the summer holidays. Only two weeks to go and we’ll have nearly three months of free time. Why don’t you come with me, and then we can drive around and see if we can find – who exactly?’
Maddy glanced around the staff room. ‘I can’t talk about it right now. What did you say? A car? But I thought you said you wanted to buy a flat.’
‘Yeah, yeah, I know,’ Leanne said impatiently. ‘But I’m only putting down fifty thousand as a down payment for the flat. With my new salary, I’ll be able to afford the mortgage. The rest will go towards a car and…’ She winked. ‘A bit of fun, like a trip somewhere. Could be France, now that you mention it. I’ve never been to Paris. I want to see it before I get too old to walk around it.’
‘You’re only thirty-two,’ Maddy protested. ‘If that’s what you call old, what about me?’
Leanne laughed and poked Maddy in the side with her elbow. ‘Ah, sure, you’re only a young thing, me darlin’.’
‘I’m forty-four and you’re a nutcase.’
‘I know. But whatever. You only live once.’ Leanne piled some cake into her mouth. ‘Great cake,’ she muttered through her mouthful.
Maddy sipped from her mug and shuddered. ‘But awful coffee, as usual. Maybe we should invest in an espresso machine now that we’re all so rich?’
Leanne laughed and leant closer. ‘You think any of them will want to give up even a cent of their win? Look around, will ya. They’re all whispering, and trying not to smile so that nobody will find out they’re suddenly loaded.’
Maddy looked around the room at the rest of the staff talking in muted tones, darting a glance at the door every time it opened. As they had all taken part in the syndicate, it was odd that they seemed to distrust each other. It was as if there was a silent pact not to talk about their sudden good fortune, except for coy smiles here and there and the odd comment about the great holidays some of them were planning.
Leanne stood up. ‘Hey, everybody, what are you all going to do with the wad of cash you got?’
‘What are you going to do?’ Liam, the maths teacher, asked.
‘Well,’ Leanne started. ‘I have a few plans. I’m just discussing it with Maddy. We’re going on a road trip, once we’ve bought ourselves some wheels.’
‘A road trip?’ Liam asked. ‘To where?’
‘Anywhere,’ Maddy said with a wink. ‘We’re buying a campervan and we’ll be driving east. To the Czech Republic and on through the Carpathian Mountains. You want to come with us?’
Liam squirmed. ‘Er, no. Thanks all the same. I’m going to take the kids to Disney World.’
Leanne giggled. ‘The Carpathian Mountains?’ she whispered to Maddy when Liam had turned back to the others.
‘Yeah, well, France seemed so clichéd somehow,’ Maddy whispered back. ‘But what about our real plan? You still want to go to France?’
Leanne nodded. ‘Of course. No time to lose. The holidays start in two weeks. I’ll go and look at cars this afternoon. You could find some hotels on the Internet and draw up a plan for our trip. Book the ferry when I have the car. I want to take that fancy French one that goes from Cork to Brittany.’
‘That one takes too long,’ Maddy protested. ‘Why not take the Rosslare to Pembroke ferry? Then we can do a little touring in England and see the sights. I’ve always wanted to see Oxford and all those ancient buildings. Then we’ll get the ferry to Holland from Harwich. Amsterdam’s lovely this time of year, I’ve heard.’
Leanne’s eyes lit up. ‘God, yes, you’re right. Why not do a grand tour while we’re at it? Will you look it all up and draw up a travel plan?’
Maddy nodded, her heart beating faster. It wasn’t just talk any more. They were going to do it.
‘Four-star hotels at least,’ Leanne ordered. ‘With pools and Jacuzzis. No skimping. I want to live it up.’
‘Gotcha. But… how are you going to break this to your mother?’
Leanne frowned. ‘I’m not sure yet. It’ll take a bit of fibbing. But I’ll think of something to placate her. What about you? What are you going to tell Tom?’
Maddy’s mouth suddenly went dry. Tom wouldn’t like this one bit. Never mind that he played golf for most of the day during their holidays, he liked to have Maddy there with dinner ready when he arrived home after a long day at the golf course. He hated an empty house.
‘I don’t know,’ she said, her voice shaking slightly. ‘Maybe just that we’re going away together for a beach holiday somewhere in Ireland? A girls-away thing for a week or two?’
‘You big chicken. But okay. I get it. Tell him what he’ll believe. The truth might cause him to kick up a fuss. Anything for peace and a quick getaway, right?’
‘Exactly.’
‘Men, huh? I’m not married, but I’ve been around enough of ’em to know how tricky they can be.’
‘Especially middle-aged men.’ Maddy sighed. Tom would be turning fifty at the end of the summer. He was already being moody about it. She steeled herself to stick to her guns when she told him she would be going away for a break. He would throw a hissy fit and then sulk for bit. But a good dinner and some wine usually helped. He would get over it. She hoped.
The lamb cutlets were ready for the grill pan, the potatoes roasting in the oven and the table on the patio laid for two with a bottle of Chianti opened to air, when the front door slammed. Maddy wiped her hands on a towel, her heart racing. He was home. Would it be better to wait until after dinner to tell him? She nodded. Yes. Better to hear the news on a full stomach after a few glasses of wine. It was a beautiful evening, too. He would be in a good mood. She suddenly felt annoyed with herself. Here she was humouring him again. Not because she was afraid of him, but she hated confrontation. Maybe she should just go ahead and tell him as soon as he came home?
Her thoughts were interrupted by Tom marching into the kitchen, beaming at her. ‘Hi, sweetheart. Grand evening, isn’t it?’ He threw his jacket on a chair and loosened his tie. ‘Dinner nearly ready?’
‘I just have to grill the cutlets. We’re eating on the patio as it’s so warm. I opened a bottle of wine.’
‘Perfect.’ He walked to her side and put his arm around her. ‘I have something to tell you.’
‘Me too,’ Maddy said, her stomach doing a little flip. ‘But maybe we can wait until after dinner?’
He squeezed her waist. ‘Good idea. I’ll have a quick shower and then we can eat.’ He started to walk to the door but stopped halfway there. ‘Just one thing. I have to tell you or I’ll burst. You have no idea what just happened.’
Maddy stared at him, taken aback by the unusual excitement in his voice. ‘What? You’ve been promoted?’
‘No. Much better. I got a text message an hour ago.’
‘About what?’ Maddy asked, confused by the look of triumph in his eyes.
He pointed at his chest. ‘You’re looking at the new captain of St George’s golf club.’
‘Really?’ Maddy suppressed an urge to roll her eyes. Standing there, all aglow with his great news, he looked suddenly like someone she didn’t know any more. She felt like throwing the frying pan at him, just to make him react. Instead, faking delight, she rushed to his side and planted a kiss on his ch. . .
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