The Last Hurrah

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Temptation
It had become apparent to Internet Eireann that my future lay elsewhere. Obviously my campaign to discredit them was working. With a ticket bought to fly to Toronto on the 29th October, courtesy of Mary-Anne, a surprise was in store for me. Whilst talking to George one day, he mentioned that Mary had asked him how much he thought she should offer me to leave the country and never return. Once I stopped laughing, I told him I wanted $2000 dollars, not a penny less. George set about arranging my "golden handshake". The last week of my stay in Ireland was spent in delicious humour. I'd constantly break out giggling at the thought of being paid to do something, which was already planned. Negotiations were completed and a meeting arranged with Steve for the 27th. It was not a brotherly meeting. He turned up with the money, which he gave to George for safe keeping. A typed piece of paper was given to me for signature. I, of course, refused to sign it. Steve looked at me in surprise. " You owe me a lot of money", I explained," and with the best will in the world, I can't see you paying it back for a very long time. Before I sign this piece of paper, I need to make sure you will repay me. The only way to do that is if you give me your share of our mother's estate, when she dies." Boy, did he look angry. "What do you want me to do?" he snapped. "I want a letter from you to Mum, telling her that." I said. Knowing he was trapped and not wishing to deny Mary, he decided to write the letter. He sat cross-legged on the floor whilst he removed himself from our Mother's estate. "You lied to me Steve", I told him calmly. "I didn't" came the automatic response," I've never lied to you". "You have, and I want to know why." I shot back, "I asked you if I was about to be sacked, and you told me no. Why?" He reddened in uncomfortable embarrassment, before thrusting the letter he'd written to our mother. I persisted with my question while I scanned the letter and signed his piece of paper. "I'd like an answer," I said. Abruptly, he stood up, puffing out his chest as he did so. He'd remembered his lines. "I'm not here to answer questions," arrogant now," I'm just here to make sure you sign this and leave the country". With that he made a bolt for the door. I watched my brother walk out of my life forever, choking my desire to bop him on the nose as he left.
Hop Skip and Jump
All that remained now, was to leave Ireland. After collecting my bag of belongings, I spent the rest of the day at George's house. I left them with some important papers and told George he could use my car until I returned. I supposed I'd be back in a couple of weeks. There was nothing to stop me returning, despite signing the "promise" with Steve. I knew they could never prevent me from returning to Ireland if I wanted to. But at least, with this money, I could give Mary-Anne the money for my ticket and have some spending money. Mind you, at the bottom of my mind was a certainty that I wasn't going to come back. I didn't want to. There was nothing in Ireland for me.
We set out for the airport the following morning. I forgot my passport at George's house, so had to make a mad dash across country to retrieve it, before returning to the airport. I have to admit, I was not myself at that time. Luckily I made the flight to London on time. No-one knew I was coming, or going again. Unannounced, I arrived at Chris and Sigrun's house. There, I waited for them to return from wherever they were. A surprised Sigrun listened to my tale, when she got home late that afternoon. I was in forced good humour. My disgust and disappointment at my failure to save the situation, masked behind a laughing face. Chris and I partied late into the night at the bar. We were so close, something which had been at the core of my happiness for a very long time. His support of his friend could not be exceeded by anyone. Through all my trials and tribulations, he'd been there, solid as a rock. Never afraid to offer criticism or conciliatory words when I was outraged. Always ready with quick humour to lift me when depressed. He is the epitome of a person I'd like to have been my brother. Funnily enough. we looked so alike, according to others, we were often taken to be just that.
Oh Canada
Sunday October 29th 1995 will stay in my memory for ever. It was the day I arrived in Toronto, after a very pleasant flight. It can't be said that I looked my best as I left customs at Pearson Airport to meet Mary-Anne. I was tired, dishevelled from my flight, and drawn from the stress of dealing with Irish problems. I'd decided that as everone wore baseball caps in North America, so would I. What I looked like I have no idea. Resplendent in my yellow cap, unshaven and a little hung over, I spotted a pretty woman standing alone, and apparently nervous, by the exit from Customs. Bravely, I walked up to her. "Are you waiting for me?" I asked. Sure enough she was. Mary-Anne and I had managed to make an IRC meeting happen in real life. We both felt awkward I'd say. We hugged, then found her car. There was no snow on the drive to St Thomas, which surprised me. The countryside was open, giving the impression of beauty and cleanliness. Conversation was stilted at first, but became more animated as we began to confirm each other's personality. I guess the baseball cap troubled Mary-Anne, because after a short lull in conversation, she summoned the courage to ask me to remove it. Surprised, I did so, asking her as I did, whether she didn't like baseball caps. She didnt. I felt really easy in her company. There were many questions to be answered over the course of the next two weeks. Two weeks when we would decide whether I would stay, or return to England. Once more, uncertainty dominated my life. This time, however, perhaps something positive would happen. I'd had eight years of negative stuff going on in my life. Perhaps now, things would change.