He had received the invitation in the post that morning. They got his address from his brother who still lives locally. Ballytubber Secondary School class of 1975 – 35 year reunion. The invitation was signed by Margaret Brennan. He could not remember her. If it wasn’t for the enclosed photograph he would have thought no more of it. Black and white. Taken just before they sat the Leaving exams. The girls in their uniforms, the boys in jeans and jumpers. He was planning a trip home some time soon anyway. It was just a few weeks away. He slipped the RSVP in a post box on his way to work.
It is the only hotel in the town. All the major local events are still celebrated in its function room. They had held their Leaving Certificate party there all those years ago – so it is a fitting venue for the reunion. As he drove into town, he found himself looking forward to the night far more than he expected. He had looked at the photograph again. Most of them he had not seen since their last day in school. Yet, he’d had some good friends there. Some of the girls had been right lookers as well. It would be interesting to see if the years have been kind to them.
They all know he has done well for himself in the ‘big city’. There are plenty of slaps on the back from the men; envious glances at his expensive suit. The women are very friendly as well; ‘the millionaire’ as a small blond lady calls him. He recognizes a familiar face against the bar. ‘The horse! Luke Fitzgerald,’ he bellows. The handshake is firm and friendly. ‘Do you remember this?’ asks Luke, lifting an old wooden school case onto the bar. He laughs. ‘I do, indeed’. Luke opens the case. The heart and arrow are still visible on the inside of the lid. Gerard and Anne April 1974. Neatly drawn. A free class lost in the mist of time. ‘The good old days,’ says Luke with a smile. ‘Is she here?’ he asks. ‘I believe she’ll be in later,’ replies Luke.
They all return to the bar after the meal. He is enjoying catching up with old friends. She arrives in about an hour later. Everyone seems to know her. Lots of hugs and kisses from the other women. She has been teaching in the school for nearly thirty years now. Married to a local man with two adult sons. For the first time in a long time he feels shy. She brakes the ice by coming over to him. She remembers the heart and arrow. They find a quiet corner. ‘I hear you are doing well,’ she says. He tells her the truth. ‘Ten million?’ She is shocked. ‘Give or take. That’s the property crash for you,’ he replies. Seeing her again after all these years, he knows what he has lost. The ten million is the least of it.