Where Rainbows End. Cecelia Ahern

seven. I think she kind of kept hoping that it was you and that I was that age again too. She was very teary that day! But they just wouldn’t stop going on and on about how beautiful you looked in that dress! It’s as if you were the bride!

      But you did look beautiful, Rosie. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a dress before (not since you were Katie’s age, anyway). Well, I suppose I would have seen you in one had I made it to the debs all those years ago. God, listen to me. I sound like an old man reminiscing on years gone by!

      Everyone agreed your best woman speech was brilliant. I think all my friends have a crush on you. And no, you can’t have their phone numbers. By the way, Rosie, you were my best woman that day and you still are my best friend. Always will be. Just to let you no.

      Married life is going well so far. We’ve only been married ten days so we’ve only had, let’s see … ten fights. Ha ha. I’m sure somebody told me that was healthy in a relationship … I’m not worried. The place we’re honeymooning in is fabulous, which I’m glad about because it’s costing us an absolute fortune. We’re staying in this little wooden hut-type building on stilts high up over the water. It’s beautiful. The water is that turquoise-green colour that you can see through right down to the multicoloured fish below. It’s paradise; you would love it. Now this is the hotel you should work at, Rosie. Imagine your office being the beach …

      I would just love to laze on the beach and drink cocktails all day, to be honest, but Sally always has to be doing something so every second I’m being dragged into the sea or I find myself flying in the sky hanging out of some odd contraption. I wouldn’t be surprised if she decides that we should have lunch underwater while scuba-diving.

      Anyway, I’ve bought you and Katie presents so I hope they arrived at your house safely and that they weren’t crushed in the post. They’re supposed to be a kind of good-luck charm over here and I no you always loved collecting shells on the beach when we were kids so now you can wear the prettiest ones around your neck.

      Well, I better go. Apparently people aren’t even supposed to send postcards while they’re on their honeymoon, never mind writing novels for letters (according to Sally – so I must go). I think she wants to do something crazy like be dragged around on water-skis by a dolphin.

      God help me, what have I gotten myself into?!

      Love,

      Alex

      PS. I miss you!

      You have an instant message from: RUBY.

      Ruby: I spotted you out the window coming into work – what the hell are you wearing around your neck? Is it shells?

      Rosie: It brings luck.

      Ruby: Uh-huh. Any luck yet?

      Rosie: I didn’t miss my bus this morning.

      Ruby: Uh-huh.

      Rosie: Oh, piss off.

      Rosie has logged off.

      From Rosie

      To Ruby

      Subject You’ll never believe this.

      I’m faxing you over a letter Sally sent Katie. Let me know what you think.

      Dear Katie,

      Thank you for being my flower girl at my wedding last week. Everybody said that you looked beautiful, just like a real little princess.

      Myself and Alex are now on holiday in a place called the Seychelles, just where your mummy wants to live. Tell her it is lovely, very hot and sunny, and you can show her the photograph of me and Alex lying on the beach so she can see what it looks like here. We are very happy and very much in love.

      I am enclosing a photograph of you, me, and Alex on our wedding day so you can frame it and put it up in your house. I hope you like it.

      Ring us soon.

      Love,

      Sally

      You have an instant message from: RUBY.

      Ruby: Sounds like the bitch is just pissing around her man to mark her territory.

      Rosie: By sending a letter to a seven-year-old little girl??!!

      Ruby: Well, she obviously knew that it would get into your hands. That’s cruel alright. Don’t let Sally worry you. She’s just trying to let you know who the woman is in Alex’s life now. Anyway, why is she doing this? Did you do anything to make her feel threatened?

      Rosie: No way! As if!

      Ruby: Rosie?

      Rosie: Oh, OK then, maybe she felt just a little threatened by the fact that Alex and I had a better time at her wedding than she did.

      Ruby: Bingo!

      Rosie: Yes, but that’s the way we always are, Ruby. It wasn’t flirting, it wasn’t anything. It was just happiness. However, she did not crack one smile for the whole day. She just kept sucking her cheekbones in and pouting at everyone.

      Ruby: OK, I believe you, but millions wouldn’t. Anyway, don’t rise to her, just ignore it.

      Rosie: Oh, don’t worry, I won’t respond. I’m just sorry that the stupid woman didn’t have the common sense to leave my daughter out of her insecurities.

      Ruby: Katie will be fine; she’s a smart girl. Just like her mother.

      Dear Sally,

      Thank you for your letter. I’m glad you liked my dress, but if I were you I would have worn a pretty dress like my mum’s for my wedding day. Everyone said that it matched Alex’s tuxedo really well. They looked so nice together, don’t you think? I showed Mum and Toby (my best friend) the photograph of you and Alex on the beach and Toby says that he hopes that your sunburn doesn’t hurt too much. It looks really sore.

      That’s all for now. I have to go now because Mum’s new boyfriend is coming to the flat soon. Tell Alex that me, Mum and Toby said hi.

      Love from Katie xxx

       Chapter 11

      From Alex

      To Rosie

      Subject Secret boyfriend

      Back home from my honeymoon; you sly little lady, you never told me about this new boyfriend of yours! Sally couldn’t wait to tell me, which I thought was rather sweet. I didn’t realise Katie and Sally were writing to each other, did you?

      Anyway, why didn’t you say a word about this guy at the wedding? You usually tell me everything. So come on! What’s he like? What’s his name? Where did you meet him? What does he look like? What does he do for a living? I hope he earns loads of money and that he’s treating you well, or else I’m coming over to throttle him.

      I’ll have to get back to Dublin to meet this guy; make sure he gets the best friend approval. Anyway, let me no all the details (maybe not all of them).

      Hi Stephanie,

      Just writing to see how you are, love, and to share a bit of good news with you. I’m sure Rosie hasn’t told you this already because she’s keeping pretty quiet about it, but she’s met someone! We are all so delighted. She seems so happy, those big blue eyes don’t look so sad any more and there’s a spring in her step again. More like the Rosie we used to know.

      Anyway, she brought him over to the house yesterday for dinner and I have to say he really is a charming man. His name is Greg Collins and he’s a bank manager for AIB in Fairview.

      He’s a little taller than Rosie with a cute little face. He’s thirty-something, I would guess, and he is absolutely wonderful with Katie. They spent the day teasing each other, which was very funny. It’s been difficult, as you know, for Rosie to