Changing Places Read online

  Colette Caddle lives in Dublin with her husband and two young sons. She is the author of twelve bestselling novels. To find out more visit Colette’s website at www.colettecaddle.com or follow her on twitter @colettecaddle.

  Praise for Colette Caddle

  ‘Charles Dickens once advised budding novelists to make their readers laugh, make’em cry, but most of all, make’em wait. And bestselling writer Colette Caddle does all three with an assured hand’

  Irish Independent

  ‘If you like Marian Keyes, you’ll love Colette Caddle’

  Company

  ‘Will have readers laughing and crying every step of the way’

  Irish Times

  ‘An engaging, warm slice of life with which all women will be able to identify. Highly recommended’

  Publishing News

  ‘A warm, irresistible Irish author for all ages. Heaven knows how they do it, but they have that special magic’

  The Bookseller

  ‘Caddle seems to know instinctively what women readers want’

  Ireland on Sunday

  Also by Colette Caddle

  FROM THIS MOMENT ON

  EVERY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE

  ALWAYS ON MY MIND

  BETWEEN THE SHEETS

  THE SECRETS WE KEEP

  IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM

  THE BETRAYAL OF GRACE MULCAHY

  RED LETTER DAY

  TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

  SHAKEN AND STIRRED

  A CUT ABOVE

  FOREVER FM

  First published in Great Britain by Pocket Books, 2005

  An imprint of Simon & Schuster UK Ltd

  A CBS COMPANY

  This edition published by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd, 2015

  Copyright © Colette Caddle, 2007

  This book is copyright under the Berne Convention.

  No reproduction without permission.

  ® and © 1997 Simon & Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

  The right of Colette Caddle to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

  Simon & Schuster UK Ltd

  1st Floor

  222 Gray’s Inn Road

  London WC1X 8HB

  www.simonandschuster.co.uk

  Simon & Schuster Australia, Sydney

  Simon & Schuster India, New Delhi

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

  EBOOK ISBN: 978-1-47114-149-2

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  For my boys, Peter and Seán

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  ‘Good food, good wine and some lacy underwear – that’s the way to a man’s heart.’ Mark Donnelly gave Anna a knowing wink before going back into his office, laughing to himself.

  ‘Isn’t he terrible?’ Val said with a tolerant smile. ‘What’s the special occasion anyway?’

  ‘It’s Liam’s birthday – he’s thirty-three today.’

  ‘So book a table in that new Indian place, it’s supposed to be good.’

  ‘Can’t afford to,’ Anna told her, pulling a face. ‘I spent the last of my wages on a couple of DVDs for his present. I’ll take him out next week when I get paid.’

  ‘Then just go to some nice little wine bar for a drink,’ Valerie suggested.

  ‘And take the scenic route home . . .’ Anna smiled as she remembered some of the detours she and Liam used to take when they were dating.

  Val frowned. ‘In the dark?’

  Anna’s lips twitched at the older woman’s innocence. ‘Haven’t you ever gone up a leafy lane with a guy, Val?’

  ‘Not unless you count the time I went picking strawberries with Tommy O’Malley.’

  ‘When was that?’

  ‘When I was eleven,’ Val said, her expression wistful. ‘I suppose Mark’s right. About the underwear, I mean.’

  Anna chuckled at Val’s blushes. ‘Yeah, maybe we should just stay in. I could cook something nice and be decked out in a sexy nightie when he walks in.’

  ‘Well, watch out for hot grease. You don’t want any nasty burns in your privates. That wouldn’t be very romantic.’ Val switched off her PC and stood up.

  ‘Are you doing anything this weekend?’ Anna asked, conscious that they always seemed to talk about her social life.

  ‘I’ll probably bring Edna to bingo tomorrow night.’

  ‘Oh. Nice.’ Anna knew for a fact that Val hated bingo but her autocratic sister made Val take her every week. She was supposed to be an invalid, apparently riddled with arthritis, but she always seemed to be game for a night out, especially when her sister and minder had other plans.

  ‘And I was thinking of visiting that new garden centre on Sunday,’ Val went on.

  ‘Sounds great.’

  Val adjusted her scarf and put on her jacket. ‘Well, goodnight, Anna. Hope you have a lovely time and Liam appreciates the effort. Shouldn’t you be making tracks yourself?’

  ‘I just need a quick word with Mark before I go.’

  ‘Don’t let him keep you, now.’

  ‘I won’t. ’Night, Val.’

  Anna tidied her desk, leaving out her list of Monday’s appointments before going into Mark’s office. He waved her to a chair as he finished a phone call. ‘No, Jan, I’ll be late. No, I’m not going gallivanting! I’ll have you know, I have to meet a very important client.’ He rolled his eyes expressively at Anna. ‘Yes, yes, as soon as I can. Right, darling, bye.’

  Anna shook her head as he replaced the receiver. ‘You’re a disgrace. You don’t have any appointments tonight.’

  ‘Excuse me, I have a very important date with a pint of the black stuff!’ Mark rubbed his hands together. ‘And you never know who I might bump into, in the pub. It’s important to circulate in this business, I’ve made some of my best sales over a pint.’

  ‘If you say so, Boss.’

  ‘So, what can I do for you?’

  ‘I just wanted to ask you about number seven, Marlboro Road. I have one couple coming back to see it a second time and I think they might make an offer.’

  ‘Excellent.’

  ‘Yes, but there’s no way it will be for the asking price.’ Anna handed him the details.

  ‘Four hundred and twenty thousand Euros? That’s a bit steep. I thought we agreed it should go in at three-nine-five.’

  Anna sighed. ‘We did, but Mr Delaney wouldn’t hear of it.’

  ‘And you don’t think he’l
l want to accept an offer under four-twenty?’

  ‘He might take four-fifteen but no less than that. He is the most stubborn man I’ve ever met and he just won’t listen to reason. There’s no way this couple will offer four-twenty.’

  ‘Want me to have a word with Delaney?’

  ‘Would you? He’s the sort that prefers to deal with men.’

  ‘No problem. Let me know when this couple make an offer and I’ll talk to him then.’

  Anna stood up. ‘Cheers, Mark, that’s great.’

  ‘And in return, you can do something for me.’

  Anna lowered herself back into the chair. ‘Oh, yes?’

  ‘Yes. I have a client who’s looking for a house on a bit of land – say an acre or so. And he’d like a view of the sea.’

  ‘He’s got money then.’ Land was very expensive on the coast north of Dublin, and a sea view added several thousand to the price of even the most modest property. ‘How come you’re not handling this one yourself?’ Anna asked. Mark made a point of dealing with the larger properties himself. Of course, he left it to Anna to do the measuring up and take the photos but he handled the clients.

  ‘Let’s say that unlike your Mr Delaney, Charlie Coleman enjoys dealing with the ladies.’

  ‘Ah, you mean he’s a lech. Are you using me?’

  Mark handed her the file. ‘Of course! Have a look through this and we’ll talk again on Monday.’

  Anna stood up. ‘No problem. See you Monday.’

  ‘Don’t forget the lacy underwear.’

  Anna grinned. ‘Val’s right. You’re a terrible man!’

  After a quick trip to the supermarket, Anna went home and started to prepare dinner. She’d agonized at the deli counter for a good ten minutes before finally buying two chicken Kievs. It was safer, given her limited culinary skills, and Liam loved it. She was just slicing some mushrooms when she heard his key in the door.

  ‘Hey, Birthday Boy, what time do you call this?’ she said as he wandered into their tiny kitchen, loosening his tie.

  ‘The lads insisted on bringing me for a pint,’ Liam replied, snaking his hands round her waist and pulling her to him. ‘Mmm, you smell good.’

  ‘Stop that,’ she laughed, pushing him away. ‘Let me concentrate on cooking your birthday dinner or you’ll have to go out for chips.’

  Liam shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it on the back of a chair. ‘What are we having?’

  ‘Chicken Kiev.’ Anna turned to smile at him. He really was a fine thing with those wonderful green eyes and thick brown wavy hair that she always wanted to touch.

  Liam grinned slowly and reached for her again. ‘Sounds good. Have we time for a starter?’

  Anna reluctantly pulled away. ‘No, sorry, no starters.’

  ‘You’re no fun. Have I time for a shower, then?’

  Anna glanced at the clock. ‘If you’re quick.’

  ‘I’ll be ten minutes.’

  Anna quickly fried onions and mushrooms, wrapped them in foil and then popped them into the oven beside the chicken and baked potatoes. Once she’d opened a bottle of wine and set the table, she went into the sitting room and plumped the cushions.

  She caught sight of her reflection in the mirror over the fireplace. Not bad. After realizing that she didn’t actually own a sexy nightie, she’d decided that wearing sexy clothes was better than putting on her old Minnie Mouse nightshirt! Shaking back her long, auburn hair over her shoulder, she turned one way and then the other admiring the new purple top that clung to her small breasts and tiny waist. She was wearing it with her black suede trousers that hung low on her hips, and perilously high sandals that she only wore when she didn’t have far to walk.

  Going back out to the kitchen, Anna checked the chicken and turned down the heat. Just this once, she was determined not to burn anything. After making sure all was in order, she poured a glass of wine and carried it back into the sitting room. Curling into a corner of the large comfy sofa, she looked around in appreciation. The walls, sofa and carpet were all white, relieved by vibrant throws and pillows that were thrown carelessly around the small room, and the soft glow from the numerous candles she’d lit earlier.

  ‘You won’t be able to live like this when you have kids,’ her sister, Rachel, had told her.

  Anna loved this room but it wouldn’t bother her if she had to change it tomorrow in order to make the place child-friendly. Not that this terrace house was designed for kids. The second bedroom was tiny, and they only had a small courtyard where she kept a few pot plants. They’d probably have to move into a nice sensible three-bedroom semi-d like Rachel’s when they started a family.

  She and Liam had discussed children a number of times but decided to wait until Liam got to senior management level. That wouldn’t take long, Anna thought proudly. He was clever, a hard worker and very highly thought of. He was currently Production Manager in Patterson’s Electronics, the firm where he had worked for nearly eleven years now, and he’d already been promoted twice. The owner, Ted Patterson, had hinted more than once that when he retired to his house in the west of Ireland, Liam would probably be the one to step into his shoes. But that was a long way ahead. Ted Patterson was a sprightly and quick-witted sixty-four-year-old who was unlikely to consider retirement for another ten years or so.

  As for Anna, she was doing pretty well herself. After drifting from one job to another since she left school, she finally felt she’d found her niche when she came to work for Donnelly’s Real Estate. Two years on, Mark was giving her more and more responsibility and he’d told her that he’d be reviewing her salary in a month’s time. Anna was delighted. Now all she had to do was persuade him into taking on a junior. They needed to hire someone if they were to keep developing at the rate they had been doing over the last twelve months. Mark wouldn’t want to, of course – the man was a skin-flint – but Anna was confident that she could talk him round. He was pleased with her work, but then why wouldn’t he be after the money she’d brought in over the last couple of months? She thought with satisfaction of the house she’d sold that morning. A couple more sales like that and Mark Donnelly would wonder how he’d ever managed without her.

  She was back in the kitchen checking the chicken when Liam returned.

  ‘You’re looking very pleased with yourself,’ he said, pouring himself a glass of wine.

  ‘I sold the house on Sea View Lane today.’

  ‘The ramshackle hovel you’ve been trying to offload for months?’

  ‘Yep.’

  ‘That’s great news – well done!’ Liam grabbed hold of her and kissed her. ‘I hope you’re going to take me out for a slap-up meal when your commission comes through.’

  Anna made a face. ‘Don’t hold your breath. You know what Mark’s like. I’ll be lucky if I see it this side of Christmas!’

  ‘You can’t put up with that. March in there first thing on Monday morning and demand it in your next pay-packet.’

  ‘No, I plan to keep on his good side.’ Anna snuggled closer into his chest. ‘Aren’t you going to ask me why?’

  Liam chuckled. ‘I’ve a feeling you’re going to tell me.’

  She looked up at him, her dark eyes shining. ‘I think it’s time we started a family.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘Is that it?’ She pulled back, frowning.

  He shrugged. ‘Pretty much. Just one question.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘Can we eat first, I’m starving!’

  ‘Oh, you!’ Anna pummelled his chest.

  Liam sniffed. ‘Do you smell burning?’

  ‘Oh, shit!’

  ‘So what do you think?’ Anna asked when she’d rescued their dinner and they were seated at the table.

  ‘About a baby? I suppose it’s time.’ Liam swallowed a piece of chicken.

  Anna’s eyes widened. ‘Really?’

  ‘Yeah. We may as well get started now, as it’s likely I’m going to be made General Manager before long.’
r />   ‘Liam, that’s fantastic.’ Anna leaned across to kiss him. ‘It’s official then?’

  ‘No, but Ted Patterson was dropping very heavy hints today about changes and restructuring, so I read between the lines.’

  Anna frowned. ‘But if he’s going to promote you, why not just do it?’

  Liam rested his knife on his plate and took a drink of wine. ‘From what I can gather, Frank Boylan is going to take early retirement so my position won’t be public until that’s signed and sealed.’

  ‘You’ll be a much better General Manager than Frank Boylan,’ Anna assured him.

  He grinned. ‘You know what I love about you? You’re so biased!’

  ‘And we’ll be rich,’ she said happily.

  ‘A few extra shillings and a bigger company car,’ Liam agreed. ‘Maybe we could even afford to buy a bigger house!’

  Anna laughed excitedly as she raised her glass. ‘Happy birthday, darling. I’ve a feeling it’s going to be quite a year.’

  ‘Gary, did you put the bins out? Gary?’

  Rachel’s husband didn’t look up from his laptop. ‘I’ll do it later, I’m busy.’

  ‘If you want to know what busy is, try looking after your son and this house for a couple of days,’ she retorted. When Gary didn’t bother replying, Rachel went back out to the kitchen and started to fling clothes into the washing-machine. It drove her mad when Gary behaved like this. As if he was the only one who worked while she sat filing her nails watching daytime television.

  Gary Hanlon was the Sales Director of a small company on the other side of Dublin that supplied and fitted windows, doors and conservatories, and the way he went on, you’d think he had no staff at all! Rachel hated his job and hated how it took up all his time, even when he was at home. She knew he thought she had an easy life by comparison. As if minding an energetic five-year-old was easy – although Alex was a little darling – and the house cleaned itself. It wouldn’t be quite so bad if Gary talked to her occasionally, but he always seemed to be working on that damn laptop or else had his head buried in a newspaper.

  When they did talk it was about Alex or what needed doing around the house, and the latter subject almost always ended in an argument. Rachel knew Gary thought she was a nag, and the part that upset her most was that he was probably right. But she wouldn’t be like that if he treated her better. If he came home straight from work instead of going for a drink with ‘the lads’. If he didn’t make her feel like a boring, drab housewife.