Chapter 13

So, the hot shower turned into hot sex—one of the benefits of having a shower built for two. We were late to meet Siobhan for the drink, but only by a few minutes. She didn’t seem to mind—or perhaps she didn’t notice—because when we got to the bar, she was chatting up the bartender.

Just seeing her made me happy. She was one of those people who radiated good humour and joy, and considering what she’d been through, I thought that made her even more lovable. As we approached, she said something to make the bartender laugh and when she saw us, she greeted us with, “Oh, hello you two,” and a broad grin.

I gave her a hug as though I’d known her for years, because that’s how I felt, and Josh and I sat on the barstools either side of her as she introduced the bartender. “This is Keone,” she said, laughter still lingering in her voice. Siobhan was making friends all over Maui.

“Aloha,” said Keone. We heard it dozens of times a day, and I didn’t think I’d ever get tired of it. Although it’s most often used as a greeting and to farewell someone, it actually means “love, peace, and compassion”—isn’t that a lovely thing to say to people?

We replied, “Aloha,” in unison and Keone asked for our drink orders. I ordered a Bombay Sapphire gin and tonic and Josh added, “Make that two.” Sure, we had a bottle in the mini-bar upstairs, but our date with Siobhan took priority over having sundowners on our balcony.

Keone moved down the bar to make our drinks. “So, Keone, huh? You lining up tomorrow night’s date?” I asked, pretending to give her a pointed look.

Her response was to laugh. “Maybe. You never know.”

“I’m beginning to think you could charm the pants off anyone,” I said. Josh chuckled.

“Well, here’s hoping,” she replied. “I had fourteen years of not getting the pants off Liam as much as I’d have liked, so I’ve got a lot to make up for.” Josh laughed aloud at that. Keone came back with our drinks and Siobhan told him to charge them to her room.

“You’ve got to stop buying us drinks, Siobhan,” said Josh.

“I absolutely do not. Meeting you two has made this trip. I’d have been propped up here in this very spot the whole time if I hadn’t met you.” I was happy to hear that she liked us as much as we liked her. “We should have a name.”

“A name?” I asked.

“Yes. You know, like Brangelina, but for the three of us.” We were quiet and I trawled my mind for the perfect combination of our three names. After a few moments, Siobhan beat me to it, declaring, “Joshivarah!”

“Oh, my god, that’s hilarious,” I laughed.

She ignored me, donning a compelling faux serious tone. “We shall from herein be known to all and sundry as ‘Joshivarah’ and no one shall put us asunder.” I wondered how long she’d been at the bar, but then I realised this was Siobhan. She was probably more drunk on life than she was on cocktails; I found her verve infectious.