Cecelia Ahern - PS, I Love You

hair and tickling her head. Her heart leapt as he lowered his boxers, caught them on the tips of his toes and flung them at Holly, where they landed on her head. Well, at least it's darker under here anyway, she laughed. He always managed to make her laugh. When she came home tired and angry after work he was always sympathetic and listened to her complain. They seldom fought, and when they did it was over stupid things that made them laugh afterward, like who had left the porch light on all day or who had forgotten to set the alarm at night.

Gerry finished his striptease and dived into the bed. He snuggled up beside her, tucking his freezing cold feet underneath her legs to warm himself up. Aaaagh! Gerry, your feet are like ice cubes! Holly knew that this position meant he had no intention of budging an inch. Gerry, Holly's voice warned. Holly, he mimicked. Didn't you forget something? No, not that I remember, he answered cheekily.

The light? Ah yes, the light, he said sleepily and pretended to snore loudly. Gerry! I had to get out of bed and do it last night as I remember. Yeah, but you were just standing right beside the switch a second ago! Yes . . . just a second ago, he repeated sleepily.

Holly sighed. She hated having to get back out of bed when she was nice and snug, step onto the cold wooden floor and then fumble around in the darkness on the way back to the bed. She tutted. I can't do it all the time you know, Hol. Someday I might not be here and then what will you do? Get my new husband to do it, Holly huffed, trying her best to kick his cold feet away from hers. Ha! Or just remember to do it myself before I get into bed.

Gerry snorted. Fat chance of that happening, my dear. I'll have to leave a message on the light Seventeen HOLLY ARRIVED AT HOGAN'S AND pushed her way through the old men in the pub to make her way upstairs to Club Diva. The traditional band was in full swing and the crowd was joining in on all their favorite Irish songs. It was only seven-thirty, so Club Diva wasn't officially open yet. Looking around at the empty club, Holly saw a completely different venue from the one she had been so terrified in a few weeks earlier.

She was the first to arrive and settled herself at a table right in front of the big screen so she would have a perfect view of her brother's documentary, not that the place would be so crowded that anyone would stand in her way. A smashing glass over by the bar made her jump and she looked up to see who had joined her in the room. Daniel emerged from behind the bar with a dustpan and brush in his hand. Oh, hiya, Holly, I didn't realize anyone had come in. He stared at her in surprise. It's just me, I came early for a change.

She walked over to the bar to greet him. He looked different tonight, she thought, inspecting him. God, you're really early, he said, looking at his watch, the others probably won't be here for another hour or so. Holly looked confused and glanced at her watch. But it's seven-thirty, the show starts at eight, doesn't it? Daniel looked confused, No, I was told nine o'clock, but I could be wrong . . .

He reached for that day's paper and looked at the TV page. Yep, nine o'clock, Channel Holly rolled her eyes. Oh no, I'm sorry, I'll wander around town for a bit and come back later so, she said, hopping off her stool. Hey, don't be silly. He flashed his pearly whites. . . .

Well, I don't mind if you don't mind . . . I don't mind, he said firmly. Well then, I'll stay so, she said, happily hopping back onto her stool again. Daniel leaned his hands against the taps in a typical barman's pose.

So now that that's settled, what can I get you? he said, smiling. Well, this is great, no queuing or shouting my order across the bar or anything, she joked. I'll have a sparkling water, please. Nothing stronger? He raised his eyebrows. His smile was infectious; it seemed to reach from ear to ear. No, I better not or I'll be drunk by the time everyone gets here.

Good thinking, he agreed and reached behind him to the fridge to retrieve the bottled water. Holly realized what it was that made him look so different; he wasn't wearing his trademark black. He was wearing faded blue jeans and an open light blue shirt with a white T-shirt underneath that made his blue eyes twinkle even more than usual. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to just below his elbows. Holly could see his muscles through the light fabric. She quickly averted her eyes as he slid the glass toward her.

Can I get you anything? she asked him. No thanks, I'll take care of this one. No, please, Holly insisted. You've bought me plenty of drinks, it's my turn. OK, I'll have a Budweiser then, thanks. He leaned against the bar and continued to stare at her.

What? Do you want me to get it? Holly laughed, jumping off her stool and walking around the bar. Daniel stood back and watched her with amusement. I always wanted to work behind a bar when I was a kid, she said, grabbing a pint glass and pulling down on the tap. She was enjoying herself. Well, there's a spare job if you're looking for one, Daniel said, watching her work closely. Mmm . . . well, if you're ever looking for a job, you know where to come, Daniel said after taking a gulp of his pint. well, if you're ever looking for a job, you know where to come, Daniel said after taking a gulp of his pint.

You did a good job. Well, it's not exactly brain surgery, she smiled, bouncing across to the other side of the bar. She took out her purse and handed him money. Keep the change, she laughed. Thanks, he smiled, turning to open the cash register, and she scorned herself for checking out his bum. It was nice, though, firm but not as nice as Gerry's, she decided.

Has your husband deserted you again tonight? he teased, walking around the bar to join her. Holly bit her lip and wondered how to answer him. Now wasn't really the time to talk about something so depressing to someone who was only making chitchat, but she didn't want the poor man to keep asking her every time he saw her. He would soon realize the truth, which would cause him even more embarrassment. Daniel, she said softly, I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, but my husband passed away. Daniel stopped in his tracks and his cheeks blushed slightly.

Oh Holly, I'm sorry, I didn't know, he said sincerely. It's OK, I know you didn't. She smiled to show him it was all right. Well, I didn't meet him the other night, but if someone had told me, I would have gone to the funeral to pay my respects. He sat beside her at the bar. Oh no, Gerry died in February, Daniel, he wasn't here the other night.

Daniel looked confused. But I thought you told me he was here . . . He trailed off, thinking he had misheard. Oh yeah.

Holly looked down at her feet with embarrassment. Well, he wasn't here, she said, looking around the club, but he was here, she put her hand on her heart. Ah, I see, he said, finally understanding. Well then, you were even braver the other night than I thought, considering the circumstances, he said gently. Holly was surprised by how at ease he seemed. Usually people stuttered and stammered their way through a sentence and either wandered off or changed the subject.

She felt relaxed in his presence, though, as if she could talk openly without fear of crying. Holly smiled, shaking her head, and briefly explained the story of the list. So that's why I ran off after Declan's gig that time, Holly laughed. It wasn't because they were so terrible by any chance? Daniel joked, then he looked lost in thought. Ah yes, that's right, that was the thirtieth of April. Hmmm . . . when's the next one? July, she said excitedly. when's the next one? July, she said excitedly.

So I won't be seeing you on the thirtieth of June then, he said dryly. Now you're getting the gist, she laughed. I have arrived! announced Denise to the empty room as she swanned in, dolled up to the nines in the dress she had worn to the ball last year. Tom strolled in behind her, laughing and refusing to take his eyes off her. God, you're dressed up, Holly remarked, staring her friend up and down. In the end Holly had decided to just wear a pair of jeans, black boots and a very simple black top.