Many of Julian and Sinead’s wedding guests travelled to Mascot to farewell them as they flew out on the first stage of their honeymoon in Europe and the British Isles. Eddie’s illness prevented him from joining the well-wishers but he insisted that Tony and Margie go along.
Even after Julian and Sinead had boarded, most of the well-wishers remained until the Jumbo had disappeared into the horizon.
On board, hand in hand, they silently watched the land below gradually disappear as they flew into a different life. Unknown to both, were the many happy years together they would share.
“Well, we’re on our own,” whispered Sinead.
“At last!” laughed Julian.
“I am so lucky!” Sinead exclaimed quietly. “Now with the man I love so deeply. And taken in by his family.”
“The luck is not only on your side,” replied Julian seriously. “I am now with the woman I love so deeply. And my family has gained a treasure in you. So, let’s say we’re quits.”
She squeezed his hand in reply.
At Singapore, a change in planes and they headed for Rome, where they were to hire a car.
How much mileage and to which European countries, had not been planned. Yet for most of their final two weeks – in England and particularly Ireland – definite plans had evolved.
Julian had travelled extensively, but Sinead had never crossed to Europe. To see the most of countries they passed through, they decided car, rather than train, would be the answer.
They also decided not to bind themselves to time; hence no advance bookings.
Rome – Julian had to admit as they began their journey – this city, with so many landmarks, its palaces, museums, Opera House, the Colosseum, Basilicas – had not changed.
They attended Mass in St. Peter’s, milled with thousands in St. Peter’s Square for the Pope’s blessing. No, Julian admitted to himself, Rome had not changed. Then, had he changed?
No, he accepted eventually, he had not changed. What had changed was the direction of his life.
As they prepared to leave Rome and head north, Julian spoke suddenly, “You know, Si, we may not be back this way for some time. I’d like to detour south to Naples. What say you?”
“I think heading south to go north would be fun!” she laughed.
And south to Naples they drove! The day was bright, the water calm. As the gondolier gently paddled them along, they relaxed in each other’s arms.
“No more back flips,” he promised as, eventually, they headed north, through orange groves, city lights and quiet villages. Days passed – towns and villages slipped past, slowly, lazily. Eventually they crossed into West Germany, via Switzerland. A day later, and a short drive close to the border, they entered France. Thence followed country roads with green paddocks and grape vines meandering (or was it they meandering!) on each side as they headed for the main road to Paris.
Light rain was falling and daylight beginning to wane, as they drove into Paris. Julian had no trouble in finding and parking the car outside the small hotel, in which they had previously booked a room. In the dining room Julian’s fluent French soon netted them a tasty meal.
Then, so tired, they fell to sleep in each other’s arms.
“A full day coming up, darling,” Julian whispered to Sinead early the next morning.
“Yes, guide,” she whispered back.
And full, it certainly turned out to be. The first call – Notre Dame, where they attended Mass being celebrated in Spanish on one of the main middle altars. Then followed glimpses of the Sourbon and Moulin Rouge and a stop overlooking Paris from the heights of Sacre Coeur; lunch in an Eiffel Tower restaurant, followed by a cruise down the Seine. Back at the hotel, they decided, as they were leaving next morning, time should not be lost. With the Arc de Triumph in view, they wandered in and out of little back streets to Champs Elysee and then to Place de la Concorde.
“Tired yet?” Julian asked.
“No,” Sinead replied quietly. “Just a thought that has just struck me. My Uncle Sam was killed in France during the war. Not so many years ago the Gestapo walked these streets. I don’t know – something just grabbed me.”
“So true,” Julian added. “And… the guillotine… not far from here… how cruel can members of the human race be at times…” He paused, then added quickly. “Enough of these morbid thoughts.”
Hand in hand, they returned to their hotel.
The next day – on the move again, this time on the Eurostar to London. Two days in London surfaced memories for both of the city they had known in very different circumstances. Julian had included a couple of restful days in their busy schedule. Heading south, the two days of rest were spent in the delightful village of Polperro. Hand in hand, they walked the quaint meandering alleyways, where cottages nestled in with small shops displaying varieties of wares, or watched the waters ebb and flow in the small bay.
Revived after two restful days, they returned to London, to catch the flight to the final end of their holiday – Ireland.
Julian had kept constant contact with Joe. Eddie was slowly fading, he continued to report, but was still very much attune to life. Joe’s reports always ended with the comment that Eddie’s doctor was amazed at how he was ‘holding on’, as though he were waiting for something.