My Mother's Secret (35 page)

‘I need to sort everyone out.’ Roisin had already been up half an hour before Paul opened his eyes. ‘I don’t know what people want to do about getting home.’

‘They can just go,’ Paul mumbled from beneath the duvet, where Dougie was still sleeping. ‘You don’t need to do anything else for them.’

‘I have to say goodbye,’ said Roisin.

‘Why?’

‘It’s good manners.’

‘What time is it?’ asked Paul.

‘A little after nine.’

‘What! We’ve only been in bed a few hours. They’ll all still be asleep.’

‘Maybe. But I can tidy up.’

‘Around them?’

‘Whatever.’

‘You go and sort things if you want,’ said Paul. ‘I’m staying here for a bit longer.’

He pulled the covers further over his head.

Roisin opened the bedroom door and walked quietly down the stairs. The first person she saw was Summer, stretched out on one of the two sofas, a blanket around her shoulders. In sleep, she looked almost as young as Daisy, her face unlined and untroubled, her long dark lashes sweeping her dewy cheeks.

Bernice, on the other hand – and on the other sofa – was managing to look tired despite being asleep. Her red hair was tangled and her eyes were smudged with mascara. Roisin thought she’d been crying and her heart hardened against Carl. She was convinced that the whole ‘on a break’ thing had been his idea.

There was nobody in the kitchen. She filled the kettle and switched it on, then realised that the power was still out. She poured herself a large glass of water and began to tidy up, putting empty beer cans into one plastic bag for recycling and empty wine bottles into another, and then stacking glasses in the dishwasher for later. She’d just closed the door when Colette walked into the room wearing her now crumpled black and yellow dress but looking, Roisin thought, happier than she’d seen her in ages.

‘I’m going to head back to town,’ Colette told her.

‘I can’t offer you tea or coffee before you go because there’s no electricity,’ said Roisin.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ said Colette. ‘I’m not the sort of person who needs caffeine in the morning to get going.’

‘Plus you weren’t drinking last night so you’re not hung-over. Lucky you.’

‘Indeed.’

‘I was going to make some sandwiches,’ said Roisin. ‘I thought people could do with some food inside them before they go. Though perhaps not if they have particularly sore heads.’

‘You should chill a bit, Roisin,’ said Colette. ‘You don’t have to look after everyone. If they have sore heads, it’s their own fault.’

‘It’s what I do,’ said Roisin.

Colette smiled. ‘It always was,’ she said. ‘I remember when we were kids and the boys and I stayed here. You were always rushing around the place doing things. You were so efficient and grown up. Glamorous too, of course.’

‘Glamorous? Me?’ Roisin snorted. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘You were what – eighteen, nineteen back then?’ Colette recalled. ‘Of course you seemed glam to me. And you had a part-time job too, which made you properly important.’

‘Stacking shelves in the local supermarket,’ said Roisin. ‘Not at all glam or important.’

‘To me it was. And you were so together, that was the thing. Nothing seemed to bother you.’

‘I’m sure plenty of things did,’ said Roisin.

‘If they did, you never let it show. I wanted be like you but I couldn’t.’

‘Like me?’ Roisin was flattered.

‘Of course. You were the eldest. You were super-cool. And I was … well, not in a good place back then.’

‘It was a tough summer for all of you,’ said Roisin.

‘And I let it get on top of me,’ agreed Colette. ‘But you – you never let things get to you. You’re like – like Superwoman.’

Roisin smiled.

‘Except you don’t have to be all the time,’ added Colette. ‘Like now. You need some time to yourself after everything that’s gone on.’

‘It won’t change anything,’ said Roisin. ‘Besides, I have me time when I’m tidying up and stuff.’

‘It’s not quite what I meant.’

‘I know, but it works for me. Anyway, thanks for everything you did yesterday.’ Roisin took some butter from the lifeless fridge.

‘No worries,’ said Colette.

‘Um, one other thing. I hope you don’t mind me asking – did you and Davey have a row about something last night?’

‘It was a misunderstanding, that’s all,’ said Colette.

‘I saw him talking to you and he seemed so angry. It was odd after you’d driven through all that bad weather together.’

‘Nothing to worry about. All sorted.’

‘Sure?’

Colette nodded.

‘You and I don’t see each other enough,’ said Roisin. ‘We should do coffee sometime.’

‘I’d like that,’ said Colette. ‘Keep in touch, Roisin. I’m off now. Give my good wishes to your mum and dad. Tell Davey I said goodbye.’

‘OK.’

‘And go easy on Steffie when she comes home. It was a big shock for her.’

‘Oh, I know.’ Roisin put some glasses in a cupboard. ‘I always seem to be making allowances for Steffie, even when she does something that scares us all witless.’

‘I always make allowances for Eoin because he’s my younger brother,’ said Colette. ‘Even though he can be a right eejit. Steffie’s not a bad person, and yesterday’s news was a really big deal as far as she was concerned.’

‘It was a big deal for all of us.’ Roisin flicked a cloth across one of the worktops. ‘Oh, you’re right, Colette. Her stuff is harder. It’s just … there’s always something with her, that’s all. And for some reason everyone thinks she needs support while I’m supposed to manage by myself.’

‘I understand,’ said Colette. ‘I feel that way too sometimes.’

‘You do?’

‘You and I are life’s copers,’ said Colette. ‘You do it by organising and cleaning and I do it by looking bizarre outside when I feel churned up inside.’

‘Oh Colette! I never thought – you always seem totally happy and together to me.’

‘I think I’ll be better in the future,’ said Colette. ‘Funnily enough, last night made me see some things differently myself.’

Roisin looked at her enquiringly, but when she realised that Colette wasn’t going to say any more, she simply asked her if she’d like a sandwich before she went. When her cousin said no, she put her arms around her and hugged her.

Colette had just picked up her bag prior to leaving when Davey and Camilla appeared.

‘Don’t go yet,’ said Davey. ‘We want to celebrate.’

Colette looked between them. Camilla held up her engagement finger.

‘It looked so good on you, I had to have it for myself,’ she said.

‘Oh my God, Davey!’ squealed Roisin, who, in the excitement of seeing the ring on Camilla’s finger, hadn’t listened to what she’d said. ‘I don’t believe it! Today of all days!’ She threw her arms around her brother and then around Camilla, who hugged her tentatively in return.

The sound of their raised voices soon brought everyone else into the kitchen, where Camilla showed off her ring amid delighted whoops. When Jenny and Pascal, awakened by the noise, came downstairs themselves, they found their only son and his new fiancée the centre of attention.

‘It’s wonderful news,’ Jenny repeated over and over. ‘Simply wonderful.’

‘The best anniversary present you could give us,’ said Pascal.

‘Um, it’s not actually your anniversary,’ Roisin reminded him.

‘Whatever,’ Jenny said. ‘It’s the best news, Davey. I can’t tell you how happy you’ve made me.’

‘You’re some woman, Camilla, taking on this family,’ said Paul.

‘She’s seen us at our absolute worst,’ Davey told him. ‘I’m hoping in the future she gets to see us at our best.’

Carl clapped him on the back and told him that he was a crafty sod not to have said anything before. He wished him lots of happiness and then glanced across the room to where Bernice was standing, her face totally expressionless. Summer was missing out on the commotion as she was still asleep on the sofa, oblivious to the excitement of the moment.

‘I’m glad we have something to celebrate,’ Roisin said. ‘After all, a celebration is what this party was supposed to be.’

‘When do you plan to get married?’ asked Lucinda.

‘I don’t know yet,’ replied Camilla. ‘But as soon as possible, I think.’

She smiled. She couldn’t believe how happy she felt and how much enjoyment she was getting from the fact that people were crowding around her, wanting to look at her fabulous ring and being delighted for her and Davey. Such unbridled joy had never been part of her life before and it was exhilarating. It was equally exhilarating, too, to allow herself to realise that she really and truly did love Davey Sheehan and that she wanted to be married to him. She was also looking forward to being part of his family, even though he kept apologising for the debacle of the day before. She’d never seen so much emotion on show in her life, and although he told her that this wasn’t normal for them, she couldn’t help feeling that she was part of something bigger than just her and Davey. That although there were clearly issues to be sorted out among the Sheehans, they would talk them through. Her own parents had never talked about anything.

‘We’ll have to go to Copenhagen,’ Jenny said. ‘See where you live and meet your parents, Camilla.’

‘Give us a chance, Mum,’ said Davey. ‘
I
haven’t even met her parents yet.’

‘They will be happy for me, I know,’ said Camilla.

‘And the wedding? Here or in Denmark?’ asked Roisin.

‘I haven’t thought about the wedding at all yet,’ said Camilla. ‘Only that Davey and I are going to get married.’

‘I’m delighted for you,’ said Colette. ‘I really am.’

She was telling the truth. She didn’t quite understand why, but Davey and Camilla’s engagement had lifted a weight from her own shoulders. He wasn’t available any more. He belonged to someone else. He would be living a different life. And she was glad about that. It freed her up to think about men as people in their own right, not simply to be found wanting against Davey Sheehan. Maybe the next time I get engaged to someone – always providing there is a next time – I won’t mess it up, she thought as she looked at the ring sparkling on Camilla’s finger. Maybe it’ll work out for me.

‘OK, I know everyone’s driving home and you can’t be lashing back more alcohol,’ said Pascal. ‘But there’s one bottle of champagne left and I think we should all have a tiny drop. To toast the engaged couple.’

‘The engaged couple!’ cried everyone when he’d filled the glasses.

And that was when Steffie arrived home.

Chapter 31

Steffie and Liam had met Tim, the garage owner, at her car before coming to Aranbeg. When she saw the little Citroën askew in the ditch, she’d cried.

‘We’ll get it out of there, don’t you worry,’ said Tim. ‘And I’ll do a complete check on it. It’ll take a few days, mind.’

‘I understand.’ Steffie sniffed. She’d been thinking mean thoughts about the car as she’d driven from Dublin in the sweltering heat, but seeing it looking like a wreck was really upsetting her. On the up side, though, she hadn’t been injured, which in the light of day seemed a total miracle.

‘I’ll phone you with an estimate on the repairs,’ Tim said. ‘I won’t be able to get it to you today, but with a bit of luck your insurance will cover the most of it.’

She nodded as she looked mournfully at her car.

‘Here are the lads.’ Tim nodded in satisfaction as a tow truck arrived and two mechanics began to haul the Citroën out of the ditch.

Steffie watched and winced as they righted it and hooked it up to the truck, then she and Liam got into his van and set off along roads that were still partly flooded to Aranbeg. As they passed the GAA car park, Steffie could see a river of water running from one end to the other, although the vehicles themselves seemed to be unscathed. The gates to her parents’ home were still under a little water, but it was possible to drive up to the house. When she stepped out of the van, however, she could see how drenched everything was.

‘They got it worse here than up the road,’ remarked Liam.

‘I suppose we’re lucky that the gardens slope away from the house,’ said Steffie. ‘But it certainly looks like the stream flooded. That’s never happened before.’

‘At least you don’t have a flat roof like the restaurant,’ said Liam. ‘So no internal damage.’

She nodded as she got out of the car and inserted her key in the door. Liam stayed outside as she walked into the house.

‘Aren’t you coming in with me?’ she asked.

‘I’ll wait here.’

‘Come in,’ she said. ‘Please.’

He followed her into the hallway and then to the kitchen, where she stopped and looked at the scene in front of her in surprise.

‘Steffie!’ It was Davey who saw her first. ‘You’re back. Here, have a glass of champagne.’

‘Champagne?’ She stared at him. ‘At this hour?’

‘We’re celebrating,’ he said.

‘Camilla and Davey are engaged,’ explained Roisin, who realised that this wasn’t an appropriate time to give Steffie an earful for running away even though she desperately wanted to.

‘What!’

‘I asked her last night and she said yes.’ Davey couldn’t contain his excitement.

‘Last night?’

‘After we left you at Cody’s. Hi, Liam,’ he added. ‘Thank you for bringing her home like you promised.’

‘No bother,’ said Liam.

‘You’ll have a taste, Liam?’ asked Jenny. ‘We don’t normally neck back alcohol before noon, but we’re just having the tiniest sip to celebrate.’

‘No thanks, Mrs Sheehan,’ replied Liam. ‘If you have some sparkling water, that’ll do me.’

‘Water is enough for me too,’ said Steffie. ‘Congratulations, Davey. And Camilla.’

Roisin filled a glass and handed it to Steffie, who raised it to her brother and his fiancée. She was glad Davey had found the right time to ask his girlfriend to marry him, and equally glad that Camilla had said yes. She hadn’t been a hundred per cent confident that the Danish girl wanted to marry him, and yet she was certain that she was perfect for him.

‘Are you OK, Steffie?’ Jenny’s look was anxious.

‘I’m fine,’ she said, avoiding her mother’s eyes. ‘Liam looked after me and he’s driving me back to Dublin. I only came to get my things.’