Page 58 of Three Widows

Now Jennifer was dead and Éilis had gone AWOL. Did that mean she was in danger? A slowly climbing trail of fear inched up her spine.

The sound of a bird twittering on a branch of the tree outside her window roused her from her self-pity. She had to get up, get dressed and get out. Life waited for no one.

If she didn’t keep her shop going, what else did she have?

Nothing much, she concluded.

38

When Boyd arrived at Farranstown House to drop off Sergio, he felt like he had walked in on a breakdown in UN negotiations.

‘It’s a belly top, Gran,’ Chloe said, stamping barefoot across the concrete kitchen floor.

‘Your poor father would turn in his grave if he saw you going out like that.’ Rose slapped the table repeatedly with a tea towel.

‘I’m not going out, am I? It’s eight o’clock in the morning and I wouldn’t even be up yet if I hadn’t to look after Sergio, and you’re making such a racket, you’d wake the dead. Will you stop doing that, Gran?’

‘In my time, young ones didn’t go around half naked at any time of the day.’

Boyd stepped into the kitchen with Sergio. Leave or stay? He was already late for work and there was no one else to mind his son.

‘Good morning, ladies. Hope I’m not interrupting anything.’

‘Hi, Sergio,’ Chloe said quickly.

Boyd noticed she was working hard to fake a smile. ‘Are you sure it’s okay to leave him with you?’

‘I’m absolutely certain.’ She gave Sergio a hug, took his hand and brought him out to the hall. She indicated for Boyd to follow. ‘What am I going to do about Gran, Boyd? It’s so sad, but if I hadn’t agreed to mind Sergio, I’d have volunteered to work at the pub day and night.’

‘It’s a tough one,’ he said. ‘Have patience with her. It isn’t her fault. It’s the way her brain is wired at the moment.’

‘I know all that, but it’s so hard to watch. Do you mind if I take Sergio into town today? Just to get a break from this house.’

‘No problem. I packed his swimming gear in case you or Sean want to bring him to the lake later.’

‘Great idea!’ She smiled, and he saw her father in her eyes.

‘Make sure someone stays with Rose. Will Katie and Louis be here?’

‘I’ll check. Don’t worry, I won’t abandon Gran. Though sometimes…’ She grinned and gave him a hug. ‘Thanks, Boyd.’

‘For what?’

‘For trusting me to mind your son. He’s a dote.’ She pulled away and ruffled Sergio’s hair. ‘How about toast and orange juice? Later we’ll go on a little trip.’

Sergio seemed reluctant. ‘Only if you’re sure. I don’t want to be a burden.’

Boyd smiled weakly. Sergio had heard the interchange between Chloe and Rose. His son definitely took after him.

And now he was late for work.

* * *

Jackie had stayed in some terrible rooms, so she was delighted to get a nice clean one in the Joyce Hotel. While compact, it was comfortable. The window looked out over the street and the hum of the early-morning traffic below woke her, despite the late hour checking in.

She spent fifteen minutes in the shower with the hot water drumming open the pores of her skin. Refreshed, she dressed in white jeans and a white T-shirt and slipped her feet into soft leather pumps. Spanish leather was one thing she’d miss if she moved back to Ragmullin. And the sun, of course. It looked fine outside, but she was well aware of the sharp breeze that blew in from the lakes, so she pulled a navy blazer out of her case and admired herself in the mirror.

Her tanned skin saved her a fortune on the fake stuff. She’d had her hair cut and it was almost bleached. Satisfied with her look, she picked up her bag and checked she had her wallet and cigarettes before leaving the room.