It was Thursday night and the gang were all meeting in the Cock Tavern for drinks. Gerry was beside himself with excitement, as Abby would have the results of the speed-dating event with her. Tom wasn’t sure who would be more disappointed if Abby didn’t get any matches, Gerry or her!
When everyone had arrived and had their drinks, Gerry demanded a full disclosure from Abby on the results.
‘Drum roll please guys,’ Abby asked. Liam, Sean and Tom obliged. ‘Well out of nineteen guys that I spoke to – one refused at the first fence and didn’t even come and say hello – I got, wait for it, fifteen ticks!’
They all exploded with whoops and squeals of delight. Gerry stood up and took a bow, claiming all credit for Abby’s success. ‘It was my words of wisdom that did it! You seized the day, darling!’
‘Well, don’t go buying a hat yet, Cilla, I haven’t got fifteen dates! I only ticked four guys, so that gave me four matches!’ Abby told him.
‘Remind me again who they were?’ Grace asked.
‘Well there’s Shay an architect, he’s my favourite, Fergus who works in advertising, then two South African guys, Richard and Cameron.’
‘Gonna go for a ménage à trois with the two dudes from South Africa?’ Sean joked, dodging the beer mat Abby tossed.
‘What happens now? Do you call them or do they call you?’ Tara asked.
‘Well, either, I suppose. I have their contact numbers and they have mine.’ Then seeing Gerry’s face, Abby continued, ‘But I’ll wait for them to call me. If they’re interested they’ll be the ones to get in touch.’ Gerry nodded his approval. He had given Abby a present – The Book of Rules. This was featured on Sex and the City as a dating rule book for the single girl, and as Gerry basically treated the show like his guru, he went out and bought it straightaway for Abby. He already had a copy himself and swore that the reason he ended up with Tom was that he used the rules. The main concept in the book was that you shouldn’t waste time waiting for a guy who wasn’t interested in you. Let the guy make the first move, and then you’ll know he’s interested. Then make sure he keeps interested by ensuring he’s the one actively chasing you. As she read it, Abby had to admit that there were certainly bits that rang true for her. She recognised mistakes she’d made with guys in the past. So she was going to give it a shot. She reckoned if she could get a guy like Tom she’d be laughing – a straight version that was! When the whole speed-dating night had been dissected and discussed from every angle, Tara asked Grace how she was doing.
‘Well, we had some bad news yesterday actually,’ Grace responded. ‘Catherine’s results from the tissue test came back. They weren’t a match.’ Nobody really knew how to respond to that. They all had their hopes pinned on Catherine being a suitable donor.
‘Oh honey, keep positive, I’m sure you’ll find a donor soon. Won’t she, Sean?’ Tara said.
‘There’s every chance the NBMP will come good for us. People are added to that continually. At least your blood count is on the up again. Are you set for chemo on Friday?’ Sean asked.
‘As ready as anyone can be I suppose,’ Grace replied flatly. Liam clasped her hand. He knew how disappointed Grace had been yesterday when Catherine called round with the news. She was devastated too. They had all believed that when Grace finally met her mother and she was fit and willing to be a donor, she’d definitely be a match.
‘I’ll be bald soon guys,’ Grace said just to break the silence. She had been hiding the bald patches with bandannas and hats, but she knew that the next bout of chemo would probably get rid of the rest of her hair. She looked up and saw the faces of her friends and realised that they didn’t know how to respond. So she put a big smile on her face and said. ‘So girls, I’m going to need a shopping trip soon to go get myself a new wig! And yes Gerry, don’t worry I’m including you too!’
‘Fabulous, darling. I can see you with a black bob – very Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction. Or maybe long red curly locks à la Julia Roberts or you could go really blonde like Charlize Theron!’ Gerry was in his element. He could see himself transforming Grace into all his favourite leading ladies!
‘Hold on there buddy, if you don’t mind, I’d like Grace to come home to me as Grace, not as someone else!’ Liam added.
‘Don’t you worry, babe, I’m coming home with a wig as close as I can get to my own! But with maybe one difference, no Frizz!’
Tara and Abby laughed. They understood where Grace was coming from. She had a natural wave in her hair and unless blow-dried really well with a helping hand from the GHDs, it would frizz up.
‘Has Catherine gone home now?’ Tara asked.
‘Yeah, she left yesterday evening. But she’s going to come up on Friday to sit with me for the day while I have chemo.’
‘I’m looking forward to meeting her, Grace. She sounds like a great woman from what Liam’s told me,’ Tom commented.
‘She is Tom. I really like her. Other than the first half hour of meeting her, I feel really at ease in her company. She’s not pushing me in any way, trying to be my mother. She’s kind of like a cool aunt or something I suppose.’
‘What about your father?’ Tara gently asked.
Grace shrugged.
‘She hasn’t asked Catherine yet. You’re going to though aren’t you, babe?’ Liam said.
‘It’s been a bit difficult to find the right time. She hasn’t mentioned anything, so I don’t like to,’ Grace said.
‘I’d ask her on Friday, darling,’ Gerry said.
‘Why Friday?’ Grace asked.
‘Sure how could she refuse to answer you when you’re hooked up to a bloody drip! You won’t even need to throw in any tears; the hospital alone will be enough to tug the heartstrings!’ Gerry declared.
Grace laughed with the others then realised Gerry was actually serious. God, she loved how shallow and manipulative he was sometimes!