My Mother's Secret (12 page)

‘More than his ego, I bet,’ said Alivia.

The two of them laughed.

‘Thing is,’ Alivia continued, ‘if he’s not going to marry Bernice, he might as well have a bit of fun.’

‘And I agree with him, mostly. But thinking about Mum and Dad and their forty years together has put me into a different frame of mind.’

‘So you’re looking to get hitched?’

Steffie laughed. ‘No. Not yet. It’s made me think the complete opposite. That I should steer clear of men altogether and concentrate on developing my career. Although that’ll piss Roisin off big time.’

‘Why?’

‘She thinks I should get married and have kids so that she’s not the only one providing grandchildren for Mum and Dad.’

Alivia smiled. ‘That’s so Roisin, isn’t it?’

‘She means well, I guess.’

‘Yeah, we all say that about people who do things that drive us nuts. Like my mum.’

‘What’s your mum doing that’s driving you nuts?’

‘She’s on at me to move back in with her,’ said Alivia. ‘I’m renting an amazing apartment in Galway but she thinks it’s a waste of money and I’d be better off at home. I know it’s because she hates not being able to keep tabs on me every minute of every day.’

Steffie nodded sympathetically.

‘It’s partly because I tracked down my dad,’ added Alivia. ‘She sees it as a massive betrayal.’

Alivia’s father had disappeared as soon as he’d heard that Lucinda was pregnant.

‘But I needed to know,’ said Alivia. ‘And it’s not like I’ve abandoned her for him or anything. I see him a couple of times a year, that’s all. I think it’s the fact that he got married and had a family of his own that bothers her as much as anything. That he married someone and had kids and it wasn’t her.’

‘It was thirty years ago,’ Steffie said. ‘Surely she’s got over it by now!’

‘You’d think,’ agreed Alivia. ‘But you know my mum. Never forgets.’

‘Whereas mine would forget her own head if it wasn’t screwed on,’ remarked Steffie.

‘Mum will be fine eventually,’ said Alivia. ‘But her overwhelming interest in my life is driving me mad right now. Especially as …’ she lowered her voice, ‘I have a new man in it.’

‘Ooh, sounds exciting? Is it serious?’

‘It’s early days.’ Alivia’s eyes twinkled. ‘But it could be. It’s Dermot Falconer.’

‘From
Inisfree
? The Irish-language soap?’

‘The very man.’

‘But he’s married!’ cried Steffie.

‘Not for much longer,’ Alivia said.

Steffie looked enquiringly at her.

‘He’s getting a divorce.’

‘I don’t want to appear less than enthusiastic for you,’ said Steffie, ‘but weren’t he and his wife together at that music award thingy a few weeks ago?’

‘It’s PR,’ said Alivia.

‘Really? They seemed very loved-up to me.’

‘He’s an actor!’ protested Alivia. ‘He’s meant to be able to look loved-up with her.’

‘Sophie Fisher, isn’t it?’ said Steffie. ‘The newsreader?’

‘Yes.’

‘Are they still living together?’

Alivia shook her head. ‘He has a place in Galway, she’s in Dublin. So not surprising it’s all fallen apart.’

‘I can’t believe it’s not in the gossip mags. I can’t believe
you’re
not!’

‘We’re keeping it totally under wraps,’ said Alivia. ‘Until he gets the divorce.’

‘And when will that happen?’

‘He’s working on it,’ said Alivia.

‘Sure?’

‘For God’s sake, Steff, stop being so feckin’ negative!’

‘I’m not, I’m not!’ she cried. ‘It’s just – I guess I thought they were a solid couple.’

‘Nobody’s a solid couple these days,’ said Alivia. ‘Except Aunt Jenny and Uncle Pascal, obviously. It’s not possible any more.’

‘Oh, I hope you’re wrong about that,’ Steffie said. ‘I’d like to think that one day … maybe …’

‘I never took you for a soppy romantic,’ teased Alivia.

‘It’s not romantic to want to find someone you’ll stay with for ever,’ said Steffie. ‘It’s practical. After all, it’s expensive to extricate yourself, as Dermot will undoubtedly find out.’

‘That’s true.’ Alivia took out her phone and began to tap out a text. ‘They both have their own lives and their own careers, but she still wants money. That kind of does women and women’s rights a disservice, doesn’t it?’

Steffie nodded. ‘I hope it all works out,’ she said.

‘It will.’ Alivia was confident. ‘And the sooner the better. I’d’ve loved to bring him here today, but he was doing a charity thing later this afternoon. He couldn’t dump sick kids for me.’ She smiled as her phone buzzed with a return text and began typing furiously again.

‘You’d certainly have set tongues wagging if you’d rocked up with him on your arm. Nobody knows about him and Sophie getting divorced.’

‘The tongues are busy enough wagging about Carl and Bernice,’ remarked Alivia as she sent her text. ‘Davey and Camilla, too. Isn’t she gorgeous? I reckon he’s hit the jackpot with her.’

‘He thinks so too.’

Alivia grinned. ‘Well, he’d want to keep an eye on her so. I’ve seen Uncle Charlie give her a few lascivious glances.’

‘Alivia!’

‘Oh, it’s a hotbed here today,’ said Alivia happily. ‘Loads of stuff to keep us amused. But I’m sorry you’ve broken up with your absent boyfriend, Steff. You deserve someone nice in your life.’ Her phone buzzed again and she frowned as she read the message.

‘What I deserve and what I end up with are two completely different things,’ said Steffie. ‘Anyhow, I’ve my business to think about. That’s far more important.’

‘You don’t mean that.’ Alivia started to type again.

‘I don’t see you putting your love life ahead of your career,’ Steffie said.

‘Why do you think me and Dermot are keeping things under wraps? Being linked with him right now wouldn’t do me any favours. But you don’t have to worry about being in the spotlight. You can jump on whoever you like.’

‘I need to get over my broken heart first.’

‘Has the guy who doesn’t even know he’s been dumped yet broken your heart?’ Alivia reread her text before sending it.

Steffie considered it for a moment. ‘Not as much as I thought,’ she admitted eventually. ‘In fact, I’m sort of happy about it.’

‘It takes me ages to get over a break-up,’ said Alivia. ‘I sit at home and watch weepies so that I have an excuse to cry.’

Steffie laughed.

‘Whereas you’re Miss Cool Cookie,’ added Alivia.

‘Not today.’ Steffie drained her glass. ‘I’m melting. I have to get more of this. Can I bring one back for you?’

‘It’s OK, I’ll get some myself,’ said Alivia. ‘And I’d better do some mingling. That’s what these occasions are all about. Talking to people who tell you what you were like as a five year old and treat you as though you still were. Oh well. Once more unto the breach.’ She stood up, put her phone in her bag, and walked into the crowd.

‘Where’s Carl?’ asked Colette. ‘Hasn’t he come with you?’

‘You didn’t hear?’ Bernice exhaled sharply. ‘We’re on a break.’

‘What! Nobody tells me anything. But that’s not entirely surprising. It’s not like I talk to them that often. But Bernice, I think Carl is here with Mum.’

‘I guess so.’

‘And you’ve come too.’

‘I was invited.’

‘You were?’

‘Of course I was. Before Carl and I … The invitation was to both of us. So I came.’

‘Are you certain that’s a good idea?’ asked Colette.

‘Just because we weren’t married doesn’t mean I haven’t been part of this family for eight years. I think I’ve a right to celebrate with Pascal and Jenny.’ She reached into the car and took out a bottle of Bollinger, tied with a giant ribbon. ‘Besides, we’re only on a break. We’re still a couple. I’m not going to hide away.’

‘Fair enough. And if you’re here to show him what he’s missing, you’re doing an outstanding job,’ said Colette. ‘You look stunning.’

‘Thank you.’ Bernice smoothed back her flaming-red hair, which she’d styled into a mane of big curls. She didn’t normally do curls, but she’d wanted to look different today. Not only so that Carl would see her and realise that he’d been wrong to say the things he had, but also to show confidence. Because inside, she really wasn’t feeling it.

‘Mind you, I wouldn’t have wasted all that glamour on a family party,’ added Colette. ‘If I was in your situation, I would’ve jumped at the chance to stay away.’

Bernice smiled slightly.

‘However, now that you’re here, I guess we could enter the fray together.’

‘All for one,’ said Bernice, and linked Colette’s arm.

Having greeted everyone at the surprise party she’d never wanted, Jenny had retreated to her bedroom for a few moments of calm. But finally on her own again, she realised that she wasn’t feeling as calm as her outward appearance suggested.

In fact she was in turmoil. The last thing in the world she wanted this weekend was for family and friends to be gathered in Aranbeg congratulating her and Pascal on forty years of married bliss. Why on earth had Roisin decided it was a good idea when she already knew that Jenny hated surprises? Why was it that people who liked making a big deal of things, like Roisin, couldn’t see that not everybody else shared their views? Why did her eldest child always think she knew better? Why was she such a meddler? Why couldn’t she leave well enough alone?

Damn Roisin, she muttered. Damn her relentless optimism and wanting everyone to have a good time. But even as the thoughts formed in her head, she was reminding herself that Roisin was a loving and caring daughter and that she was lucky to have her.

But still, she thought, as she reapplied her lipstick with a shaking hand. She’s left me in a very awkward position.

Chapter 11

You’d think that someone would notice she was doing it all on her own, thought Roisin, as she added more bottles of wine to the fridge and more ice to the cool box where the beer was being stored. But no, Steffie had spent the last half-hour lounging around under a tree chatting to Alivia, while Davey was busy showing off his glamorous girlfriend to the neighbours. Neither of them had bothered to check on her although they must have known that there’d be things to do. Always me, Roisin muttered to herself. Always having to take charge. Even when I left it to Steffie to set up the table and the veranda, she made a complete mess of it. Why don’t they see what I see? Why do they think that a job half done is good enough? That’s why Steffie’s career is in the doldrums, she thought. And why Davey still hasn’t made a commitment to a decent woman. She wasn’t entirely convinced that Camilla was the woman for him either, despite the fact that he was parading her around the place. Roisin thought she recognised a kindred spirit in the Danish girl. Someone who liked order and organisation, who liked everything to be in its place. Someone dependable. Which made her totally hopeless for Davey.

Roisin stood at the doorway and stared down the garden. Alivia had abandoned Steffie for Bobby, a cousin on their father’s side, and his partner, Tom. She was flirting happily and harmlessly with both of them and they were laughing at her moves. Honestly, thought Roisin, you’d imagine they’d be a bit more grown up. She left the house and strode down the garden to where Steffie was sitting staring into space.

‘I need you to help organise the food,’ she told her sister. ‘I want the guests to eat before they have too much to drink. Also, I’m going to ask Dad to make another speech, because now that he’s had some time to get over the surprise, he’ll want to say something a bit more meaningful. And Paul will say a few words too before giving them the crystal bowl.’

‘We don’t need too many speeches,’ said Steffie as she stood up and brushed grass from her dress. ‘It gets boring.’

‘People want to say things,’ said Roisin. ‘It’s right that we give them the opportunity.’

‘Maybe they don’t. Maybe they just want to have fun.’

‘Don’t be— What the hell …’ Her voice rose and Steffie followed her surprised look across the garden. Colette and Bernice were crossing the lawn.

‘Oh-oh,’ she said. ‘Cat among the pigeons alert.’

‘God almighty! What’s she going to do when she sees the bimbo Carl has brought with him?’

‘Kill him?’ suggested Steffie. ‘And I’m saying that quite seriously.’

‘Stay here and keep an eye on things.’ Roisin marched across the lawn to intercept the two new arrivals.

‘Hi, Roisin,’ said Colette. ‘Sorry I’m late.’

‘Glad you finally got here.’ Roisin gave her cousin a quick hug. ‘We were wondering where you were. Bernice … we didn’t expect to see you at all.’

‘You invited me,’ said Bernice.

‘I know. Along with Carl. But under the circumstances …’

‘I came to wish your mum and dad well,’ said Bernice. ‘They’ve always been very nice to me.’

‘And they’ll be delighted you wanted to share the day with them,’ said Roisin. ‘All the same …’

‘We’re on a break,’ said Bernice. ‘That doesn’t mean that I can’t be in the same place as him.’

‘I know,’ said Roisin. ‘But the thing is, Bernice …’ She looked around the garden. She couldn’t see Carl, but Summer had joined Alivia, Tom and Bobby.

‘What?’ demanded Bernice. ‘Am I being airbrushed out because Carl and I never got married?’

‘It’s not that at all,’ said Roisin. ‘It’s … well … Carl brought someone else with him.’

Bernice paled beneath her make-up. ‘He what?’

‘It’s clear he brought her along as a stand-in for you,’ Roisin said. ‘But you can see it’s a little awkward.’

‘Her?’ Bernice’s eyes widened as she followed Roisin’s gaze. ‘That chit of a thing?’

Colette gave her a quick hug. ‘You don’t have to worry, Bernice. That’s rebound stuff if ever I saw it.’

‘He’s not meant to be rebounding,’ said Bernice. ‘He’s meant to be on a break. Like me.’

‘Men are hopeless at that,’ Colette said. ‘All my exes were off with other women before the tan line on my engagement finger had faded. You’d have thought they’d want to be off the hook for a while, but they don’t really like it.’

‘I’ll fecking kill him,’ said Bernice.

‘I can’t let you do that,’ said Roisin. ‘It would ruin the party.’

‘OK, I won’t kill him.’ Bernice’s eyes narrowed. ‘I’ll maim him for life instead.’