Page 55 of Three Widows

Lottie said, ‘I’ve no idea where I’ve put the wine glasses, or if I even have any.’

‘I’d drink it out of a shoe this minute.’ He poured some of the red liquid and gulped a mouthful before refilling the glass, slowly this time.

Her eyes watered as the aroma wafted towards her. What she wouldn’t give for a quick swig of anything containing alcohol. She was distressed over Rose, but Boyd was also cause for concern. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him this rattled, or seen him drinking like she used to.

‘Sit down and tell me what’s really bothering you.’ She flicked on the kettle, having to make do with a coffee. ‘It’s not all Jackie, is it?’

He stared at her, bottle in one hand, glass in the other, and leaned against the counter. ‘It’s just… Oh, I don’t know… Parenting is hard work.’

‘Is Sergio dropping his clothes all over the apartment again?’ Lottie smiled, knowing that Sergio was wrecking Boyd’s compulsive tidying gene.

‘Ah no, I got over that. He’s a good kid. I can’t get a school to admit him. The rules of entry are so bloody antiquated. Did his parents attend this school? Is he living in the catchment area long? No, he lived in Spain for eight years because his mother didn’t inform me of his existence. Has he a sibling already attending? No, he hasn’t any siblings. None that I know about, but I wouldn’t discount it, knowing Jackie.’ His shoulders relaxed as the alcohol took effect.

She moved closer without touching him, though she dearly wanted to smooth the worry creases from his forehead with a kiss. ‘I hate to be the one to say this, but when Jackie arrives—’

‘Don’t go there.’ He jumped, sloshing wine down his shirt, which he uncharacteristically ignored. He paced around the kitchen. ‘I want him enrolled in a local school. I want him kitted out in a uniform with a bag full of school books. I want him settled. I don’t want to make it easy for my ex-wife to take him away from me.’

The kettle whistled and she busied herself spooning coffee into a mug. She poured in the water and milk. At the table, she pulled out two chairs and sat, waiting until he joined her.

‘I think you’ll have to work things out with her,’ she said, ‘Jackie is his mother. She reared him from the day he was born.’

‘I wasn’t given a chance to rear him. She never told me about his existence until it suited her.’ He put down the glass and turned to her. ‘I don’t know what to do.’

It was a long time since she had seen Boyd so vulnerable. Not since he’d received his cancer diagnosis. ‘I’d go easy on that stuff for starters. You have to drive home.’

‘Or I could get drunk and stay the night with you.’

‘That would be nice. Not the drunk bit, mind. But now you have your son to think of, and I don’t relish putting him in Sean’s room for the night. Sean is a night owl and doesn’t sleep until near morning. Bad example for your little boy. And I still have my mother sleeping in the sitting room.’

‘Didn’t you give her your room?’

‘I did, but she got a bee in her bonnet and insisted on setting up a bed downstairs. I can’t argue with her. She’s impossible.’

‘Has she asked to go back to her own house?’

‘Yes, but she can’t live on her own. I honestly don’t know what to do any more.’

‘Seems like we’re both in awkward situations.’

‘Awkward is an understatement. Can I have a sip of that?’

‘Drink your coffee, Lottie.’

‘Yes, Dad.’

When he put his hand on her shoulder and drew her to his chest, she welcomed the safety of his arms. If only the feeling could last for ever. But she felt she didn’t deserve to be happy. So many attempts had been thwarted that she could not envisage ever enjoying pure happiness again. She was willing to accept every brief second where possible, and right now was one such second. No one knew what the future would bring, least of all her. And then there was murdered Jennifer and missing Éilis.

Boyd pulled away. ‘Your mind is on the case.’

‘We need to find Éilis Lawlor. She has two young children longing for her return.’

‘Tomorrow,’ he said.

He lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers. She leaned against him and allowed the beat of his heart to soothe her racing mind. One moment is all I ask for, she thought, just as Sergio burst in the door.

‘It’s fixed!’ The boy skidded around the table waving the console. ‘Sean is a genius.’

And the moment was lost.