Page 54 of Three Widows

As they drew away and sipped their drinks, still looking at each other, neither of them was aware of the lounge door opening.

Of someone slipping in, walking under the arch and into the bar.

Of that person sitting at the counter, where they could watch uninterrupted and unseen.

34

Farranstown House looked like an old ruin, Lottie thought as she drove up the avenue. She drew her eyes away from the house to take notice of the dimming sun showering sparkling diamonds on the lake. The leaves in the trees fluttered in the evening breeze, and as she got closer to her home, it revealed itself in all its decay. The house was ancient, and despite the fact that she now lived in it with her children and grandson, plus her mother, Rose, she hadn’t the time, energy or money to repair it. It was crumbling before her very eyes and she could do nothing to prevent it.

‘How was your day?’ Rose said without looking up from whatever she was doing at the kitchen table.

Pausing with her hand on the refrigerator door, Lottie said, ‘It was hectic.’ She caught sight of what Rose was at. ‘Are you making a sandwich?’

‘Isn’t that what it looks like?’ Rose snapped.

Moving towards the table, Lottie eyed the small tub of Lidl custard. It still had its orange price reduction label stuck to the side. Besides the fact that it was out of date, it was not butter.

‘Erm, Mother, that’s custard.’

Rose paused with the knife in her hand, custard dripping onto the table, glassy-eyed but daring at the same time. Daring Lottie to interfere?

‘Well, I like it.’ She resumed her task, scooping up more custard and lashing it on the bread.

Lottie stood open-mouthed.

Rose picked up a chunk of cheese, edges hard as rock, and placed it on the second slice of bread. Please God, don’t let her put it on top of the other slice. But she did just that.

‘I really think you should throw that out and—’

‘I’m well able to make my own sandwich. Your father will be home soon. Set the table for him.’

Lottie’s heart sank at the thought of her dead father. Her mother was getting more confused by the day, and it scared the shit out of her. She had no idea how to deal with it.

Placing her sandwich on a plate, Rose marched out of the kitchen.

Shaking her head, Lottie cleared the mess from the table and dumped the offending custard tub into the bin. Her own hunger had vanished, and she washed the cutlery in the sink before wiping down the countertops. Chloe had been great with the housework for a time, but now she cared for Sergio during the day and worked nights at the pub. Once again, the house was being neglected.

A knock on the back door brought her out of her musing. It opened without invitation, and she smiled when Sergio rushed in.

‘Hello, Lottie. Is Sean here? Chloe told me he’d fix my Nintendo.’

‘In his room. Go on up.’

‘Thank you.’ The eight-year-old smiled widely and flew up the stairs.

Boyd followed him in, a bottle of red in his hand. ‘He kept on about his Nintendo the whole way home after I’d picked him up. Nothing for it but to come back. Sorry about today. We were both on edge.’ He kissed her on the lips and waved the bottle. ‘I stopped in the shop on the way. Okay if I have a drink while I’m waiting?’

‘I’ll join you,’ she said, deadpan.

‘Shit. I’m a dope. I never stopped to think. Just thinking of myself and—’

‘Will you stop?’ she laughed. ‘I’m fine. Well, I would be if my mother would stay out of the kitchen. She’s a danger to herself.’

‘Hope she didn’t do too much damage. Where’s the corkscrew?’

‘That’s a screw top.’

‘So it is.’ He opened and shut cupboard doors until he found a tumbler.