finally caved in and bought flights to New York. But now her stomach tightened as she looked through the window of the Boeing 777, which was about to take off. Her limbs were rigid, her feet glued to the floor.
‘I can’t. I need to get off.’ Her words came as a sharp whisper.
She had been in such a tizzy since receiving Roz’s text that she’d forgotten about her fear of flying – until now. As the plane moved on to the runway, Dympna squeezed her eyes tightly shut. ‘Tell them, Dad, please. I need to get off. I thought I could do it, but I can’t.’
Beside her, she heard her father’s soft chuckle. Felt his strong hand cloak hers and squeeze tight. ‘You can and you will.’
‘But what if I’m wrong?’ she said, between panicked breaths. ‘I’ve taken you from work, given up my job.’ She looked at him as if only then realising the seriousness of the situation. ‘What have I done?’
‘You’ve opened a strong lead into Roz’s case. One we can’t ignore. Don’t let your nerves get the better of you now.’
After checking her phone, Dympna had done a double-take at the sight of the one-word text. PICKLE: their childhood code word. Nobody could dispute that Roz was in trouble, but thankfully she was still alive.
Dympna had agonised about ringing the international mobile number, and had telephoned her father for advice. But US police checks had come back with nothing, and by the time they’d called, they were rewarded with a dead line. Dympna’s next action was to get her father to commit to travelling to New York.
‘We’ll find her,’ John continued. ‘Have faith in yourself. Now, deep breaths – here we go.’
Closing her eyes, Dympna breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth as the plane ascended. Going to her happy place, she recalled clambering into Roz’s bed at the weekend to gossip about who they’d met the night before. But the memory brought a pang of sorrow. Only now did she realise what a huge upheaval this had been for Roz. Her heart ached for her friend and she bitterly regretted letting her walk out of the front door of their flat alone. Whatever she had done, Dympna needed to see her again.
Seamus had said very little on the journey to the airport. She saw remorse in his eyes, but he repeated his assurance that he would be there for her when she got back. Each time he took a short breath, she felt like he was trying to tell her something, but each time his gaze fell to his shoes and the words would not come.
Even Dympna’s mother was teary as she’d said her goodbyes. She did not come to the airport. She’d barely come to the front door. Dympna had left her a present on the kitchen table: a letter from the Gardaí confirming her application to join. She tried to imagine starting a new life when she came home. It was something to cling on to. It was hope.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
SHERIDAN
Celeb Goss Magazine
Alex Santana
May 2019
DANIEL WATSON AS THE NEXT JAMES BOND?
Ever since Daniel Craig announced his plans to retire, Hollywood has been rife with rumors about which lucky actor will be chosen to play the next James Bond. Here at Celeb Goss, we are rooting for another Daniel – British heartthrob Daniel Watson.
He is no stranger to working with Bond cohorts, having previously had a great working relationship with Moneypenny actress Natasha Clarke. Rumor has it that Daniel and Natasha enjoyed many a late-night session in the private bar of the hotel where their last movie, Justice, was shot. Daniel Watson, aged thirty-eight, has stated he would love to take on the role of Bond. ‘I’ve dreamt about playing him ever since I was a lad,’ he said at a recent charity event. ‘It would be the ultimate dream come true.’
Sheridan’s eyes narrowed as she scanned the page. She really should cancel her subscription to Celeb Goss magazine. She imagined Alex Santana, an arch-villain type, leering as he wrote the piece. She paused to sip her coffee, appreciating the scent of spring flowers that Monica had brought. But her friend’s visit was not enough to take her mind off her concerns. The comment about Daniel enjoying ‘late-night sessions’ with Natasha Clarke was barbed, and Sheridan tried not to let it get under her skin. For once, they had reported something accurate. Daniel was on the verge of signing for the part of