Page 223 of The Missing Sister

‘Here he is, Merry, safely transported from Dublin. There now, it wasn’t as bad after all, was it, Mr Lister?’

‘No, although it’s still an awfully long way,’ said Ambrose. ‘How much do I owe you for the ride?’

‘It’s all taken care of,’ I said as I slipped Niall a wad of euros. ‘I’ll let you know when he’s returning.’

‘Grand job. We’d a good chat on the way, didn’t we?’ Niall smiled as he headed off. ‘I’ll be seeing ye.’

‘I’d query the fact we had a good chat. That would take two of us, after all, and I hardly got a word in edgeways,’ muttered Ambrose.

‘You must be exhausted,’ I said as I linked my arm through his.

‘What I could do with more than anything else is a nice cup of tea. It is that time of day, after all.’

‘That’s perfect then,’ I said as we stepped into the lift and I pressed the button to take us upwards. ‘I’ve just ordered some to my room. Jack and Mary-Kate are up there too.’

‘Well, even if you have dragged me halfway across Ireland, it will be a pleasure to see Jack again and to meet Mary-Kate.’

‘What do you think of this hotel?’ I asked him as we emerged onto the second floor and walked slowly along the corridor towards my room.

‘It’s certainly a step up from the shack that used to be here,’ he agreed as we came to a halt in front of my door.

Feeling breathless with nerves, I knocked and waited for Jack to open it.

‘Hi, Mum. Hi, Ambrose. It’s good to see you again. We’re just pouring the tea to take out onto the balcony.’

‘Perfect,’ I nodded at him.

Katie gave me a nod and I saw that Father O’Brien’s wheelchair was on the balcony, partly concealed behind the curtain at the window.

‘This is my sister Katie, and my daughter, Mary-Kate,’ I said to Ambrose. They all said hello, and then Katie looked at me for instructions.

‘Now, Ambrose, why don’t you come and sit outside? We’ll bring your tea out to you.’

‘I might as well make the most of the sea air before it starts bucketing down with rain, which is what it usually does here,’ he commented as he refused my arm and walked with his stick towards the open glass door. I followed him, not wanting him to trip on the ridge between the room and the balcony, and held my breath as he stepped across it. I watched as he turned towards the man sitting in the wheelchair.

Both men stared at each other for some time, and from my vantage point hidden behind the curtain, I could see Father O’Brien’s eyes filling with tears. Ambrose took a step closer, as if his already compromised sight was playing tricks on him.

‘Ambrose? Is that really you? I...’

Ambrose staggered a little and caught hold of the back of the chair in front of him.

‘It is, indeed. Dear James... I can hardly believe it! My friend, my dear, dear friend...’

Ambrose held out his hand across the little table. Father O’Brien raised his to meet it.

‘What’s going on, Mum?’ Mary-Kate whispered. ‘Do they want some tea?’

‘I’ll take it out to them, and then I think we should leave them alone. They have a lot to catch up on.’

Armed with two teacups, I stepped out onto the balcony and placed one in front of each man. They were still grasping each other’s hands, so lost in a lifetime of memories that they didn’t even notice me.

I stepped quietly back inside and ushered my children and Katie out of the room.

‘Are they okay?’ Katie asked an hour later as I joined her back in the lounge downstairs, having discreetly checked on the two men.

‘They seem fine. I asked them if they wanted anything and they said no. Where are the kids?’

‘In their rooms. I think they’re still getting over the hooley last night,’ she smiled. ‘So, why did Ambrose and the father’s friendship end all those years ago?’