Page 111

A FEW WEEKS LATER

It was Valentine’s night and Lottie had her family all under the same roof, for one evening at least. Dinner had been a success, with no arguments between Katie and Chloe. They appeared not to be talking to each other anyhow. Sean had agreed that Sergio could sleep on a fold-out bed in his room. Won’t be much sleep there, Lottie thought, but at least the noise-cancelling headphones were doing the trick.

She had stripped her bed again, because she thought it smelled of smoke even weeks later, and stuffed the linen in a pillowcase for the launderette. No way had she the energy for washing, drying and ironing. She missed Rose for all that. The old Rose. They used to fight and argue, but Lottie discovered that she missed her. Was the real Rose in there any more? She looked at her knitting at the kitchen table. Her head bowed, concentrating on each laborious stitch. Gone were the days when her fingers would fly with mesmerising speed of wool and needles, while she simultaneously read the newspaper. It was all so sad.

As she climbed the stairs, a set of fresh sheets and pillowcases under her arm, she regretted not having cherished her mother more. With each step she resolved to make more time for her going forward.

Katie followed her up. ‘Need help?’

‘Sure.’

As they tucked the sheet under the mattress, Katie said, ‘I’m sorry, Mam, for being so bitchy.’

‘I just worry about you. I hope Greg is now banished from the scene.’

‘Uhm, not really. I’m meeting him for dinner next weekend.’

Lottie paused, pillowcase in hand, trying not to let her jaw drop. ‘Is that wise? You know he is being investigated by our vice unit.’

‘Probably not wise, but I like him. He’s been shattered by Cathy’s duplicity and he’s abandoning the dating and escort side of his business. Wants to concentrate solely on his photography. So he says.’

‘So he says?’ Lottie raised an eyebrow.

‘Yeah, I know, but he’s kind of cute and he likes Louis.’

‘He met Louis once, that I know of.’

‘That you know of.’ Katie winked.

Trying not to show her exasperation, Lottie plumped up the pillow with extra force. ‘He’s a lot older than you too. And don’t forget he dated women using a false name.’

‘Not everyone is perfect.’

‘You’re right there.’ She’d have to relent. ‘Promise me you’ll be careful.’

‘Promise. Favour? Can you talk to Chloe for me? She thinks it’s a bad idea.’

‘Why don’t you talk to her?’

‘I tried. She snapped my head off.’

‘Sisters.’

When they’d finished making the bed, Katie threw her arms around Lottie in a hug. ‘Thanks for being you, Mam.’

‘What does that mean?’

Katie grinned and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Lottie flopped onto the pristine bed, wishing she could sleep for a year. The door opened slowly and Boyd stuck his head in.

‘Can I join you?’

‘Please do.’ She scooted over and patted the space beside her.

‘I could do with a hug and a kiss,’ he said. ‘It’s Valentine’s after all.’

‘I could do with a long sleep and breakfast in bed in the morning.’

‘Your wish is my command.’

‘Great, and here’s the hug and kiss you wanted.’

He grinned. He still had a monster-sized plaster on the back of his head, which would have been comical if his injury hadn’t been so deep. He was suffering from headaches and looked thinner, if that was possible.

‘We’re two old crocks,’ he said, before pressing his lips to hers.

She felt an awakening in the pit of her stomach. An intense tingling that was beautiful before it was replaced by a moment of fear. ‘Did you lock the door?’

‘Give me a minute.’ He got off the bed. ‘You don’t have a key in it.’

‘Push the cabinet up against it.’

‘We really need our own place.’

‘Where are we going to find somewhere to fit a family like the Waltons?’

He laughed and lay down beside her. His phone chirped.

‘Don’t,’ she warned.

He checked the screen. ‘It’s Grace. I better?—’

‘Go ahead.’ She fluffed up the pillows and raised herself onto one elbow, close enough to hear, staring at the contours of his face, the glint of gold in his hazel eyes like flint sparking a fire. Fires were dangerous, as their investigation had demonstrated, but this one was exciting.

‘Hello, Mark. This is Grace.’

‘I can see your name on my screen.’ Boyd smirked, and Lottie pulled the pillow over her face to smother a laugh.

‘I know you’re laughing at me, Mark. It’s not funny.’

‘I’m not laughing. What’s up?’

‘What would be up? You’re so silly. I’m sitting down. Are you listening to me?’

‘I am.’

‘I thought you were too stressed when I stayed with you last month. Your living conditions are not ideal. That apartment is too small. It’s not healthy for a young boy. He needs a garden to bring his friends over to play.’

‘He hasn’t got any friends yet.’

‘How could he have friends when he has nowhere to bring them to? You’re a very stupid man, Mark.’

‘I suppose I am.’ He winked at Lottie. She tried not to giggle.

‘Listen, Mark,’ Grace said. ‘Myself and Bryan… and don’t say with a Y or I’d clobber you if I was there…’

‘Go on.’

‘We made a decision. It’s a surprise for you and Sergio.’

Boyd muted the phone and turned to Lottie, ‘She can’t be moving here, can she?’

‘Bryan with a Y won’t leave his farm,’ Lottie whispered.

He unmuted the phone. ‘What decision, Grace?’

‘Bryan and I are buying a house in Ragmullin.’

‘What about his farm?’ Boyd’s eyes widened in horror.

‘If you keep interrupting me, I won’t tell you.’

‘Okay. Sorry.’

‘We can sell Mother’s house and share the proceeds, but this house will be for you and Sergio. And Lottie too, if she wants. If I gift it to you, you’ll be fleeced with tax, so it will have to be in our name. Mine and Bryan’s. We can draw up a rental agreement, and when I die, which I hope isn’t for a long time, it will be yours. Then again, I’m much younger than you, so you’ll probably die first. I’ll make sure it goes to Sergio in that case.’

‘Why would you do this? Or Bryan?’

‘He has money he wants to invest and I told him my family come first. He’s not my family yet.’

‘Can I think about it?’

‘Why would you want to think about it?’

‘It’s a bit of a shock.’

‘You never even said thanks, Mark. You’re not very appreciative of your generous sister.’

‘I love you, Grace. And thank you.’

‘Settled then. Say hello to Lottie. I know she’s there with you. Bye.’

Boyd turned off the phone and left it on the bedside cabinet. ‘How could she know you’re with me?’

‘She’s cleverer than her brother.’

‘She continues to surprise me. We’ll have to discuss this. I don’t want to end up living with Bryan.’

‘Not even a Bryan with a Y?’

‘Now you’re making fun of Grace’s surprise.’

‘Can I surprise you for a change?’ Lottie asked, sitting up.

‘You can try?’

‘First, I need a shower. Care to join me?’ She hauled her T-shirt over her head.

‘I’ll need a shower cap for my wounded head.’

‘That is something I’d pay to see.’ Lottie laughed until the tears ran down her cheeks.

‘It’s not funny.’

‘It is, but you know what? Feck the shower.’

‘I second that.’ He pulled her down on top of him.

She felt the taut lines of his body through his clothes right before she began to take them off him. She didn’t even notice the drip, drip of water from the leaking ceiling. That could wait for another day.

* * *