Falling in Love in New York Read Online Free PDF

smile.
    “Well, I might have just the thing to take your mind off work Abs,” Caroline trilled. “There’s this fab new place in town called Rapture . It’s a day spa, and they do all sorts of relaxing and de-stressing treatments. The three of us could go together for a pamper day sometime–my treat and–”
    “Um, no thanks,” Abby interjected quickly, the mention of the spa immediately triggering mortifying memories of the weekend away that never was. She’d been such an idiot, hadn’t she? To foolishly think that Kieran was taking her to a fancy hotel and spa, when as it turned out he’d intended no such thing…
    In any case, Abby was self-conscious about the idea of some stranger putting his or her hands all over her body. Why people enjoyed that kind of thing was beyond her–as Kieran would say, it was only another excuse to charge people an arm and a leg for something they really didn’t need.
    “It’s just not my scene to be honest,” she told her sister with a weak smile.
    “Oh, OK then,” Caroline seemed a little taken aback by this steadfast refusal of her generosity. “Well ... maybe you and I will try it sometime anyway Mum, what do you think?”
    “We could certainly have a look anyway–maybe sometime when Abby’s not so busy,” Teresa said gently.
    “Well, I think you need to chill out a bit Abby,” Dermot interjected, and she turned to look at her brother, hurt. Why were they all ganging up on her like this and telling her she needed to slow down? Couldn’t they understand that she desperately needed to keep busy in order to keep going?
    “It’s not that simple Dermot,” she said, now trying to bite back tears. “Being an accountant is different to being a mechanic.”
    Her twenty-eight-year old brother worked in a small auto parts business, and as he had few commitments and no mortgage to pay, he could be pretty carefree about everything.
    “Of course it is love, we all know that,” Teresa, ever the peacemaker, piped up quickly. “We’d just prefer to see you taking it easy now and then. You seem to be doing a lot these days, and I supposed we’re all a bit worried about you, that’s all.”
    “Well there’s no need to worry,” Abby reassured them for what seemed like the umpteenth time. “Yes, work might be hectic but at the same time I enjoy it.”
    “Well, just don’t make it your only focus,” Caroline said, topping up everyone’s champagne glasses. “You know what they say about all work and no play …”
    Again, Abby was struck by the stark contrast between her and Caroline’s life. Her sister was so lucky; she had a husband who adored her, a big house in Dalkey and not a care in world.  But yet she wouldn’t dream of begrudging Caroline her perfect life. Sometimes circumstances just worked out that way; some people had all the luck, while others didn’t.
    And while Caroline was one of the former, Abby thought grimacing as the waiter put a plate of something foreign and unappetising in front of her, there was no denying that these days, she was definitely one of the latter.
     

Chapter 4
     
    The following Monday morning, the phone rang, and toast still in hand, Abby went to answer it.
    “Hello stranger!” Erin said chirpily.
    “How are you?” Immediately, Abby felt bad. She hadn’t seen or spoken to her best friend in an age. Despite Erin’s repeated attempts to get her to come out on nights on the town, she just couldn’t bring herself to get dressed up and join in the fun. Her friend was so bubbly and carefree that Abby could barely keep up with her at the best of times, and again, she just didn’t want her own circumstances to drag everyone down. But while she’d love a chat, she didn’t have a whole lot of time now, not when it was eight-fifteen am, and she was practically on the way out the door …
    Erin seemed to read her mind. “I’m great, but listen I know you’re probably heading out to work soon, so I won’t keep you.” She