Red Letter Day (7 page)

'Of the things you need?'

'Ah.'

'Except the furniture.'

'Oh.'

'That's already taken care of.'

'Oh!'

Richard laughed again. 'You don't say much, do you?'

Celine offered him a small smile. 'Sorry.'

'Hey, don't apologise. It makes a pleasant change.'

She looked at him in confusion. 'You'll understand when you meet some of the locals. And our Rose never shuts up.'

'I think she's very nice,' Celine protested.

He smiled and stood up. 'Me too. That furniture should arrive tomorrow. I'll drop by the shop sometime for that list. Bye.'

'Bye,' Celine replied and watched as he disappeared back down the stairs. God, I never even offered him a coffee, she thought. As she mopped the floor she wondered what was going on with Rose. It seemed very strange that she should offer the flat as part of the job without even consulting the landlord. If it became a problem, Celine realised, she could always offer to pay rent; money wasn't an issue as the bulk of Dermot's insurance money was still sitting in her bank account. And now that she'd cleaned the place up, she quite liked it here. Especially now that she was going to have new furniture. She paused in her work. Richard hadn't actually said
what
furniture was being delivered. She cast a mournful look at the tweed monstrosity. 'Please, oh, please!' she muttered.

With the floors clean, Celine decided to go for a walk. It was time she got to know her new neighbourhood. After she'd pulled on a clean sweater and brushed her hair, she grabbed her keys and bag and ran downstairs. It was almost noon and the day had warmed a little. Celine turned right past the window of the boutique, pausing briefly to admire Rose's display. Marina was right, the woman only dealt with quality clothes. Celine felt a frisson of excitement at the thought of those rich fabrics, the minute stitching and cuts that could make a size sixteen look like a twelve. It would be a pleasant change from advising on remedies for athlete's foot and indigestion. She wandered up the road past the closed shop fronts of a bookmaker and estate agent and paused briefly to study the offers in the travel agent's window. The last time she had been out of the country was her first year in college when she went to Majorca with three of the other students. She and Dermot had planned to travel. Not to the usual places but to more exotic locations. Though Celine had always joked she would not let him near a Third World country or he would probably never come home! She turned away and headed for the large roundabout that marked the end of the main street. The first turn off it was into an exclusive development of town houses and apartments. Celine noted the expensive cars through the gates and wondered how many of the residents dropped into Close Second. Next was a petrol station and she nipped into the shop to get a Coke. She was picking up a newspaper when she thought of Dominic and put it back on the shelf, resolving to drop into the newsagent's on the way back.

The woman behind the counter was watching her curiously. 'You're the new girl from Close Second, aren't you?'

Celine stared at her. 'That's right. How did you know?'

The woman chuckled. 'It's a small place, love. I'm Mary Boyle. This is my son's garage and I help out when I can. Are you settling in all right?'

'Yes, thanks.'

'Well, you let me know if you need any help. My Gerry is a fine big lad and very good with his hands. He'd be happy to help. He's single too,' she added.

'Thanks. Bye.' Celine grinned and went back outside before Mary Boyle produced her son for inspection. She crossed the road to check out the other side of Hopefield's main street. There was a hardware on the corner that was closed and beside it a large bookshop. Dominic's competition. She went inside, nodded at the man sitting behind the till and wandered around. She could see immediately why business was bad for Dominic. The shop was well laid out and as well as books, it stocked a good range of magazines, newspapers and writing materials. There was no food or drink for sale but, thought Celine, the garage took care of those needs and was open all hours.

'You're Rose's new manager, aren't you?' The man had moved around to stand in front of the counter and was studying her curiously. He was about the same age as her father but his hair was an unnatural reddish-brown, and he wore a garish tie with a wide-striped shirt. Celine took an instant dislike. 'That's right.'

'Welcome to Hopefield. If there's anything you need let me know. Tom Parker is the name.'

Celine reluctantly shook the sweaty hand he was holding out. 'Celine Moore. Thanks. See you around.'

He looked disappointed. 'Oh, okay then. Take care.'

Celine escaped back onto the street, went past the launderette and stepped into the café that was directly across the road from Close Second. She felt her mouth water at the display of cream cakes and pastries.

'Why don't you take a seat right over there?' a buxom, red-haired woman said, smiling at her. 'Thanks.' Celine went over to the small table by the window and sat down. She had only intended to have a coffee but as she studied the menu, she realised she was hungry.

'I can recommend the pasta special and the quiche is very good today.'

Celine nodded. 'The quiche, please, and a black coffee.'

'Sure.'

Celine looked around the large, airy room and admired the paintings on the wall. They all seemed to be by the one artist, and had little cards with prices in the corner. The one on the wall by the front door — a stormy seascape — would look wonderful on the wall of her new living room. She'd check out the price on her way out. It would be nice to add a personal touch to the flat.

'Here you go.' The woman was back with her food. 'You're our new neighbour, aren't you?' The woman nodded across at the flat.

Celine wasn't surprised at the enquiry this time. The woman had probably been watching her move in. 'That's right. Celine Moore.'

The woman stuck out her hand. 'Tracy Cunningham.'

'Is this your café?'

'That's right Been running it for five years now with Bob — that's my husband. He does all the cooking, bless him.'

Celine sniffed appreciatively at the quiche. 'It smells great.'

Tracy beamed at her. 'Enjoy. Just shout if you need more coffee.'

Celine tucked into her food and was delighted to find that the quiche tasted good too.

'Hello agair.'

She looked up to see Dominic standing over her. 'Oh, hi.'

'Settling in okay?'

Celine smiled. 'Getting there. Can I buy you a coffee?'

Dominic pulled out a chair and sat down. 'Why not?'

Tracy was already approaching and Celine asked her for another coffee. 'Who's looking after the shop?' she asked when they were alone once more.

'Rose's lad. He often helps me out although I can't put much work his way these days.'

'I met your competition, Tom Parker.'

Dominic grunted. 'Oh, yes?'

'I didn't buy anything,' Celine added quickly. 'It is quite a nice shop though.'

'Yes.' Dominic nodded and then smiled his thanks as Tracy brought the coffee. 'I wish I could afford to do a bit of renovation. I put in new shelving when I moved in but the place needs better lighting and display material and the cold cabinets are ancient. Oh, I'm sorry, Celine. We only met this morning and I've done nothing but moan since we met. What must you think of me?'

'I think you're a nice guy who's going through a rough time. It happens to us all.'

He smiled gratefully. 'I'm going to like having you as a neighbour. If you need someone to show you around . . .'

'I've been up and down the main street already,' Celine laughed. 'I think I've seen it all.'

'Don't you believe it,' Dominic told her. 'There's a lot more to Hopefield than is first apparent.'

'Well, there's certainly one hell of a grapevine.' Celine grimaced. 'Everyone seems to know who I am.'

'You
do
live opposite the only café in town,' Dominic pointed out, a twinkle in his eye.

Celine laughed. 'You have a point.'

'So tell me, what do you do for fun? We have a very good sports club — it's at the back of the apartment complex out on the roundabout. They have eight all-weather tennis courts, a great pool, a gym and a couple of squash courts.'

'I'm not really into sport,' Celine lied. The last thing she was going to do was join another sports club. Look where that had got her in Killmont.

'Oh. There's a cinema complex on the outskirts of town.'

'Near the shopping centre?'

'That's the one.'

She nodded. 'I must take Marina there. She's my friend and she's movie-mad.'

'There's also an amateur musical society,' he offered. 'We're putting on "My Fair Lady" this year.'

'We?'

Dominic puffed out his chest. 'I'm the male lead.'

'Henry Higgins? I'm impressed!'

'We could do with some new members, young female members in particular,' he added. 'We have lots of members over fifty — Eliza Doolittle is forty-eight.'

Celine's lips twitched. 'Oh, dear.'

'So if you're interested . . .'

'Me? Oh, God, no! Not my thing at all, I'm afraid. I don't have a note in my head.'

Dominic sighed. 'Shame.'

'I could help out backstage if you like,' Celine offered, feeling sorry for him.

His face broke into a happy smile. 'That would be wonderful. I'll tell Cathy Donlan — she's our producer.'

'Great.' Celine sipped her coffee, already regretting her offer. She was barely in the town twenty-four hours and already she felt more involved with the community than she had been in all her time in Killmont.

'We have a neighbourhood watch scheme too if you're interested in getting involved . . .'

'Er, no, I don't think so.'

Dominic shrugged and smiled. 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't be rushing you into these things, you've hardly moved in.'

Celine glanced nervously at her watch. 'I should be going, I still have so much to do.'

'Of course.' Dominic raised his hand to attract Tracy's attention and patted his pockets in search of his wallet.

'No, I'll get this.' Celine opened her purse and handed Tracy twenty Euro. She put on her jacket and followed Tracy to the counter for her change. 'That was lovely, thanks.'

'Anytime. And if you need anything . . .'

'Thanks,' she said and hurried outside.

Afterwards, when she was back in the sanctuary of her little flat, she realised that in her haste she'd forgotten to check the price on the painting by the door. Oh, well, she could always do it tomorrow.

'Do you want me to restock the fridges, Dominic?'

Dominic looked up from the stack of bills in front of him. 'Yeah, great. Thanks, Fergus.'

Fergus checked the fridge and then went to the storeroom out the back and loaded a trolley with soft drinks and water. He had just finished and put the trolley away when Dominic came into the shop with a mug of coffee.

'So what do you think of your mum's new manager?'

'Haven't met her yet, but Ma seems happy.'

'Yes, she's a nice girl, good-looking too.'

Fergus grinned. 'Interested, are you? '

Dominic stirred his coffee, a dreamy smile on his face. 'She's a bit young for me but I like her. She's different, very quiet, deep, a bit of a mystery woman. I'd say there's a lot more to Celine Moore than she lets on.'

Fergus frowned. 'She'd better not let Ma down.'

Dominic shook his head. 'I'm sure there's no chance of that. She seems a very good person. Anyway, you and I will be here to keep an eye on things, Fergus.'

Fergus sighed. True. I just don't want anything to worry Ma when she's going in for this operation. She doesn't let on but she's in an awful lot of pain.'

Dominic had also noticed the shadows under Rose's eyes and the slight stoop she'd developed. 'It's a very successful operation, Fergus, don't worry. This time next year she'll be off skiing!'

Fergus chuckled. 'I don't know about that but it would be great if she could go back to her ballroom dancing again, she misses it a lot.'

'Misses all those men fighting over her, you mean.' Dominic drained his cup and stood up. 'Right, I'm off to see my beloved accountant. Can you hold the fort until two?'

'Sure. Will you need me later this afternoon?'

'Er, no, sorry. But if you could open up for me the rest of this week—'

'No problem,' Fergus said immediately.

'Thanks. See you later.'

'Good luck.'

'I'll need it,' Dominic muttered as he picked up his briefcase and headed for the door.

When he'd left, Fergus tidied some of the shelves, brushed out the floor and restocked the cigarettes. In the last hour he'd served three customers and taken the grand sum of six Euro, forty cent. Dominic wouldn't stay in business long if things carried on like this. It looked like he'd have to find another job. The shelter didn't pay enough and though he'd never admit it to his mother, he'd had enough of looking after broken men who were bent on killing themselves with drink or drugs. What he could do instead, he wasn't sure. He'd dropped out of school at sixteen and had only ever worked in this shop and at the shelter. With his background he was probably unemployable. His mother had hinted that he should go back to school but at twenty-four, Fergus couldn't face that. It was a pity his mother didn't own a hardware then she wouldn't need to hire a manager and he wouldn't have to find a job.

Celine Moore. He frowned. That name seemed vaguely familiar but why he wasn't sure. Well, he'd be meeting her as soon as Dominic got back. His mother had insisted that he drop by, not that he had anything else to do. Even sitting in front of the TV and playing games on his PlayStation got boring after a while. And after running into Mick last week, he was going to stay out of town for a while. It would break his Ma's heart but sometimes he thought it would be better if he left Dublin for good. But he'd wait until she was back on her feet and he was sure she could look after herself. She'd stood by him through some very tough times and now it was his turn to look after her. He'd ask down at the shelter about working extra hours. His mother said that Richard Lawrence could probably put some work his way but Fergus didn't like to ask. Richard had done them enough favours over the years.