Page 28 of Harbor Lights (Inishderry Island Romances #3)

She sat herself next to Denny and pulled Pegeen’s highchair close. She tore a piece off the bread on the table and handed it to Pegeen, who chewed at it enthusiastically.

Joey smiled from the other side of Denny. “Good move.”

“Wine?” Aoife’s older brother, Tony, held out a bottle of white from across the table.

“Not for me, thanks.”

“There’s red, if you prefer.”

Joey passed a water jug, and Shiv gratefully filled her glass. “Water’s good, thanks.”

Tierney emerged from the kitchen, dragging Kasia with her. “Leave them now. They know what they’re doing.”

The couple pulled up chairs next to Shiv.

“D’you wanna swap seats?” Shiv glanced between Tierney on one side and Pegeen on the other.

Tierney grinned and pushed over two bowls and a lidded cup. “Nope. You drew the short straw.”

Kasia came around behind Pegeen and attached a large bib. “I haven’t one for you, I’m afraid. If you move quick you should be safe.” Her teasing grin matched Tierney’s.

Shiv accepted the challenge and grabbed a bowl. “C’mon Peggy, let’s show them how it’s done.”

Pegeen giggled and held out her hand for the spoon.

Shiv wasn’t sure if she was supposed to feed her or let her loose on the bowl of what looked like mashed potato and vegetables.

Pegeen grabbed the spoon and dug in. Some of the food did go into her mouth but plenty spread around her face.

Shiv stuck at her job and by the time the adults’ main course was being served, Pegeen had emptied her bowl, eaten some slices of chicken, and was chewing on a banana.

Shiv wiped her hands, and the side of her face, where a potato-laden hand had made contact. She smiled smugly at Kasia and Tierney. “I think we’re done here.”

Tierney nodded approvingly. “You did good. You can enjoy your dinner now.”

The meal was one of the best she’d ever had. She wondered, as they polished off the moist Christmas pudding, how she’d gone from protein shakes in an RV, via prison chow, to regularly eating food cooked by an internationally renowned chef.

As if on cue, Marianne emerged from the kitchen, closely followed by Colette. She dropped into the chair Joey vacated when they stood to gather the empty dishes. “I’m done. Someone pour me wine.”

Colette found an empty seat almost opposite Shiv and winked. “Did you enjoy the nut roast? That was all me.”

“Thank you. It was delicious.” Shiv had been mortified to find she was the only non-meat eater among the nearly two dozen guests.

“Mari’s wrapped the rest for you to take home. Remind me and I’ll fetch it for you.”

Shiv smiled. Colette was a lovely woman: warm, very attractive and she seemed good fun. But she gave a vibe that she was looking for more than friendship and that wasn’t something Shiv had the energy or the inclination to navigate.

She stood to help Joey and Christy as they gathered plates and cutlery.

When she took Gracie’s plate, she leaned in. “Give us a hand with this and I’ll help you escape.”

Gracie looked up from scrolling the phone she had concealed under the table. “Yeah, sure.” She jumped up and gathered plates more enthusiastically than any of the other volunteers, then led the way to the kitchen. Shiv caught Aoife’s astonished stare and winked.

In the kitchen, Joey started a system of clearing the plates and stacking the dishwasher.

Shiv and her new assistant went back outside for the last of the dishes.

Her granddad and Anthony were passing around bottles of brandy and everyone was talking happily.

Shiv felt as though she’d played her part, but now she needed some peace.

She stopped when she reached Aoife. “Hey, when we’re done in the kitchen, why don’t I take the kids back, and you and Seán can have some time to chill out here.”

Aoife turned. “You’d do that? That would be amazing. Ruane’s already complaining he hasn’t got to play with his new toys.”

“Of course. And take your time. I’ve got nowhere better to be.”

“Ah, grand. Thank you, Shiv.” Aoife got up and hugged her. “And you’re staying in the guest room tonight, no argument.”

Shiv nodded then continued her collection duties. She patted herself on the back at her genius plan to meet her promise to Gracie, and to get herself some quiet time, even if it was surrounded by kids.

Half an hour later, the kitchen was spotless, and Joey dismissed their crew. They pulled Shiv into a long hug. “Good luck with the kids and thank you for being here today.”

Shiv savored the contact, remembering it wasn’t long ago she’d tried to avoid Joey’s hugs. “I’ve enjoyed it.”

“But you need some peace now, right? I know the feeling. We won’t be long behind you.”

Shiv collected her troupe of followers. Denny had added himself to their number. “Wanna see Wuane’s new pirate ship.”

“Do you mind?” Marianne asked. “We’ll be passing in half an hour or so.”

“Hey, the more the merrier. Let’s go, crew.”

When all the kids had coats on, she strapped her head torch onto Denny and hoisted him onto her shoulders. “You’re leading the way, kiddo.”

She led them out into the dark evening. Gracie took Ruane’s hand and Saoirse followed behind, bouncing her ball on the road.

The kids chattered about their best Christmas gifts, and they were soon at the turn for the Carroll family house.

“Will we watch the Doctor Who Christmas special?” Saoirse turned in the hallway.

Shiv didn’t know what she was talking about, but she nodded. “Watch what you want.”

She followed the two boys to Ruane’s room and left them settled into a game of pirates. When she returned to the lounge, the sisters had curled up under blankets.

She set the fire and got it roaring, then sat down to see what they were watching. It made no sense to her, but she joined Gracie on the couch and watched along.

She wondered what Con was up to and if she’d enjoyed her day.

Shiv had enjoyed her best Christmas Day in years, but she hadn’t been able to shake off the feeling someone important was missing.

How strange it was that of all the people she’d met on this island, Con was the one she couldn’t bear to imagine leaving behind.