‘Wait, what do you mean? I thought Ava had been made redundant.’
Dad shakes his head, ‘That’s what she told your mother initially, but we soon found out. It’s such a small town and I mean, it was a great job, she used to manage over two...’
‘Yes, yes, I know, I know….’ I politely cut him off. I quickly tap my third eye and my inner wrists. I close my eyes and rub my temples, letting out a low rumble of sound for a count of five. Dad is looking at me aghast. ‘I’m perfectly fine Dad, but are you saying that Ava threw away her career, and followed me to Spain to try and repair our relationship?’
‘From what I can see it’s all she has ever wanted. To be close to her big sister,’ my father says looking at me. ‘She has followed you around her whole life, Nell. Always trying to get your attention. Mind, she can be bloody annoying at times, just like your mother, but the intentions are genuine. She had a whole surprise organised for your birthday. She wanted us all to pretend we’d forgotten, and then when she found out you’d left home she was very upset. I had to eat a whole cheesecake, and your mother had to drink all the champagne.’
If this is true, then it has been me who has been too pig-headed to see it. I look over at Ava, just as she looks over to me. As our eyes connect, we share a brief moment of understanding.
‘Come on Dad,’ I say and walk him over to where our mother is standing with a pinched face.
‘Ava, can I borrow you for a minute, please?’
I call Maria-José-Inmaculada-Carmen over. It’s time.
‘Thank you so much for all the effort you’ve both put in to organising this event,’ I say to them. Maria-José-Inmaculada-Carmen gushes about how her family keep saying how proud of her they are. Ava looks a bit sulky that I never told her our parents were coming and, quite rightly, doesn’t believe me when I say I thought it would be a nice surprise for her, and that surely, she must miss them terribly. I ignore her protests when she argues that it’s only been two weeks since she last saw them.
After a few minutes, the background music that has been playing is turned down and suddenly all eyes are on me, standing on a small podium. It’s time to put my life coach face on. I’m a million miles from the fake who spends her days googling Ryan Reynolds instead of facing up to what she should be doing.
For a second, nerves get the better of me and I want to run away.
Then I see Ava and Maria-José-Inmaculada-Carmen looking up at me. Their faces are beaming.
Ava gives me the thumbs up and mouths, ‘You’ve got this.’
I take a huge breath in.
It’s time to shine.
Chapter 39
‘Tocoachisaprivilege. The opportunity to help someone help themselves is one of the most rewarding things that we can do for each other. Some people want to change their lives to pursue a life’s dream, or sometimes they want to have a better relationship with a family member or friend.’
I pause to sweep my eyes across the small crowd.
‘For some the goals are personal and for some the goals are business-driven. One thing, that each of us here today has in common is that we all want to see what the best version of ourselves is capable of. How high we can fly. How daring and brave we can be. How successful we can become. My team and I,’ I stop to smile at the faces shining up at me, ‘can help you create the life you want. We are dedicated to making sure you achieve what you set out to do. Nidi and I will be leading the coaching for business for those of you who would like to be more productive in the workplace or challenge yourself to a new career. Ava is our new Social Media coach to help you bring balance to your ‘on and offline’ worlds. And Maria-José-Inmaculada-Carmen is our Wellbeing coach, offering yoga and holistic solutions for those wanting to adopt planet-friendly lifestyle choices.’
There follows an almighty thunderous cheer as Maria-José-Inmaculada-Carmen’s whole family erupt at the mention of her name. She looks like she will burst with pride. I see she is making eye contact with Alejandro, who is grinning back at her. ‘And for this we are partnering with our favourite local retreat and hosts for this evening, Endless Cloud and Starbeam Night Sky.’
Both warlocks begin wafting their robes, humming loudly, ‘Shanti, shanti. Shanti, von wibe von tribe,’ ending in a piercing ding from the gong hanging around Endless Cloud’s neck.
There’s an odd beat of silence as we all watch with no idea how to react. Suddenly, the whole place erupts with applause.
Ava helps me off the podium as I am wearing ridiculously high heels and a very tight dress.
That was exhilarating. I feel high. That nervous energy from before, has turned to adrenalin and relief, and is coursing through my veins. I immediately wish that Oliver was here to share this moment. Flustered, my eyes dart around the room for him. I would definitely have noticed if he’d arrived. I’ve developed a real a sixth sense over the last few weeks. A nose for these things. Butterflies run amok in my stomach. I’ve really missed him. I’ve thought about him non-stop since the minute he left yesterday.
Then our eyes meet. Across a crowded room! Just like they are supposed to meet. He literally takes my breath away. Within seconds he has muscled his way towards me and is picking me up in his beefy arms to swing me round.
‘Great speech! I’ve missed you. You look amazing.’
And he takes my face in his hands. I can tell he likes this new me. This at peace, confident, positive, much better version of myself, me. He kisses the life out of me and when we come up for air, he gives me a wicked look and comes in for another. He really has missed me.
Life is good. Life is like this kiss, full of promise and the unexpected. Although, I’m not sure how professional I am being, snogging in front of clients like this.
Oh My God. My parents!
I swiftly pull out of the embrace and swivel around to the crowd. Most people are busy playing the Psychic Handshake activity to have noticed me breaking rule number four and seven, but I notice too late, my mother making a beeline for me through the crowd. She’s got the look of a lion eyeing up a gazelle. Her face has wedding bells and grandchildren written all over it. My dad is scuttling behind and Ava, who is nearby watching my mother approach, is howling with laughter.
