The Summer Guest

by Emma Hannigan

  They stacked the bubble-wrapped pictures carefully on the back seat of the car, then waved to Agata and baby Britta.

  ‘These will sell like hot cakes,’ Lexie said. ‘They’re small enough for all sorts of buyers. The bigger pictures are often more impressive but few people have the wall space to show them off. This kind of thing is accessible for everyone. The mythical stuff is brilliant too as it appeals to all ages.’

  ‘Will Agata do more if you want them?’ Kathleen asked.

  ‘Totally. I said I’d let her know how they’re selling and we can take it from there. She’s very talented. Art is sort of like writing.’

  ‘How do you mean?’ Kathleen wrinkled her brow.

  ‘Well, I’ve often heard authors say that easy-to-read books are the hardest to write. The same goes for pictures. If they’re to appeal to many, it means they’re expertly done. Otherwise people only see the flaws.’

  ‘Ah, I get it,’ Kathleen said, nodding.

  Lexie pulled up at the practically deserted car park. ‘Looks like we’re one of the only carloads of loonies willing to go walking in the lashing rain,’ she said. A large part of her wished Kathleen would pronounce the weather too inclement and suggest they eat in the car. The view would still be magnificent and they’d be dry.

  ‘That makes it all the more magical for us,’ Kathleen said, opening her door and pulling up her hood.

  ‘Yay!’ Lexie said, injecting as much gusto as she could into her voice.

  Kathleen giggled. ‘You’re so bad at hiding how you feel, Lexie. I know you think I’m a mad old bat dragging you out in the rain, but it’ll be worth it. Besides, I promised Jackson.’

  Kathleen was like a sixteen-year-old as she yanked the box out of the boot and marched towards the high path. ‘Come on, slowpoke,’ she teased. ‘Keep up!’

  Lexie locked the car and trudged on. The rain was coming in driving sideways sheets, soaking them from every angle. ‘If it wasn’t so nippy I’d nearly opt for doing this in my swimsuit,’ Lexie said. ‘Where are you taking us?’

  ‘Just on another little bit,’ Kathleen said. ‘Nearly there. I want to get up a tiny bit higher and we’ll find a spot.’

  Lexie certainly managed to forget her woes as the freezing rain continued to hammer down. ‘I’m going to die of hypothermia in a minute,’ she moaned. ‘I’m never going on a date with Bear Grylls I can tell you.’

  ‘Who?’ Kathleen asked.

  ‘He’s a survival explorer from the television,’ Lexie said.

  ‘Ooh, I like the sound of him,’ Kathleen said. ‘Anyway, no need to drop dead. We’re here.’ She glanced back at Lexie with sheer delight on her face. ‘Burrow in there and we’ll find a patch of dry ground. It’s so many years since I’ve been here, but it’s astonishing how childhood haunts stay in my memory. Unlike Caracove Bay, this place has changed very little. That’s the beauty of nature, isn’t it?’ she said, clearly thrilled. ‘We have the world at our feet from up here. Just look at the lake! The raindrops make it look like it’s bubbling.’

  Lexie tucked her chin to her chest and headed into the undergrowth. Astonishingly it was bone dry and quite silent. ‘Wow,’ she said. ‘It’s so serene in here.’

  ‘Isn’t it? It’s as if the entire world has been covered in a soft mossy carpet and a pause button has been pressed.’

  ‘Yes!’

  ‘Now,’ Kathleen’s eyes twinkled, ‘here you are. This is your entrée.’ She handed Lexie what looked like a roll of tea towels. It was heavier than she had anticipated.

  ‘Unravel it carefully,’ Kathleen instructed.

  Lexie broke into an instant smile when she found a jam jar with still warm liquid inside. ‘Tea in a jam jar!’ she squeaked. She popped the lid off and drank some, closing her eyes to savour the sweetness. ‘Oh, that is seriously delicious. Hand on heart, I’ve never tasted tea quite like it.’

  ‘Mixed with numb fingers, a sniffly nose and a view so spectacular, it’s pretty special, isn’t it?’

  Kathleen slid out the meat loaf, inverted the tin and placed it on top. ‘This serves as a little table so I can slice it,’ she said. Two small plastic tubs each filled with green salad came next. ‘Can you shake up the dressing and drizzle a little on each pile of leaves?’

  Lexie grinned as she watched Kathleen in action.

  Moments later they were perched side by side on the rug tucking into their lunch.

  ‘What do you think so far?’ Kathleen asked. ‘Is this or is this not the most scenic vista you’ve enjoyed for a while?’

  ‘Mm,’ Lexie said, struggling to eat slowly. ‘It’s a stunning view and the food is so tasty. Wow, you’re a fabulous cook.’

  ‘Thank you. But you know what they say? Hunger is the best sauce! It’s the whole al-fresco experience. Clean air and lots of chlorophyll are a sure-fire reason to believe that Heaven exists. Just look at that winding path. Isn’t it like a painting?’

  ‘Certainly is,’ Lexie agreed. ‘I can understand why some folk choose to be hermits. I wouldn’t worry about ironing or vacuuming or paying bills if I lived up here.’

  ‘True, but it might get a little less awesome at night or in the depths of winter.’ She smiled.

  ‘It’s nice to fantasise, though,’ Lexie said. ‘How does life get so damn serious, Kathleen? It’s kind of complex, isn’t it? When you stow away in the crook of Nature’s arm like this, all the issues we battle with every day seem sort of futile, don’t they?’

  ‘Totally. I know the world has to evolve and we have such amazing inventions from computers to medical science. But somewhere along the way I can’t help feeling we’ve all lost the true meaning of living,’ Kathleen said. ‘Now that Jackson is gone, I’ve had to look at my world with fresh eyes. I’m going to have to sift through all the debris, figure out which parts truly matter and piece together a new jigsaw to call my own.’

  ‘Sam and I will help you in any way we can,’ Lexie said.

  ‘Thank you, sweetie. You’ve already helped me more than you’ll ever know,’ Kathleen said, as she clambered to her feet. ‘Now, are you ready for my world-famous chocolate-biscuit cake? Do you think you can handle it?’

  ‘Bring it on!’

  ‘Ooh, I forgot the sparkling wine!’ Kathleen said. ‘Let’s have it with dessert.’

  ‘Gorgeous!’ Lexie said. ‘I’ll have a tiny glass, though. Otherwise we’ll end up in a very scenic ditch on the way home.’

  ‘So you’ll have a nice fat doorstep of chocolate-biscuit cake with your bubbly – added soakage – followed by a long walk in the rain.’

  ‘Well, if I’m still alive after all that, I’ll be happy to drive home.’

  Lexie lay back on the picnic rug while Kathleen served the dessert. She didn’t interfere: the older woman was thoroughly enjoying being back in her comfort zone as Queen Picnic Provider. Instead she stared up at the green canopy above. The gnarled trunks and splaying branches made wonderful patterns against the grey sky.

  ‘Isn’t it mesmerising to absorb nature?’ Lexie mused. ‘Look how all the tiny branches are twisting and weaving, creating a lattice way up high.’

  ‘I’m so thrilled you see it too,’ Kathleen observed. ‘She gets it, Jackson,’ she shouted to the sky, laughing.

  They ate the wickedly dense cake and sipped the bubbly while deciding where to walk. On Kathleen’s advice they left the picnic things in their den and marched off. ‘If it gets stolen we’ll survive, but there’s no point lugging it with us.’

  The rain had lifted only to be replaced by a muggy mist, which made the place even more magical. The chat stopped as their stride increased. Before long they were right at the top of the trail. Looking down on the glassy lakes, not another soul in sight, they stood, hands on hips, and smiled.

  ‘I feel as if we’re on the top of the world looking down!’ Kathleen said.

  ‘That’s because we are!’ Lexie said, bending over to catch her breath. ‘I’m so unfit it’s a joke.’

 
; ‘Well, we were walking rather quickly up a very steep incline.’

  ‘You’re perfectly fine, though. I need to get myself in shape,’ Lexie said.

  ‘Well, you’re getting old, I guess,’ Kathleen said, laughing.

  They rested for a bit. Once she could muster the energy, Lexie stood up. ‘Come on, follow me quickly or I’ll fall asleep there and never wake up. If you ever want to rejoin civilisation it’s now or never!’

  They plodded back to the picnic spot and retrieved the box before continuing to the car park. As they drove away from Glendalough the rain fell in such heavy sideways sheets it became difficult to drive.

  ‘Poor little Bluebell is going to drown,’ Lexie said, patting the dashboard protectively.

  ‘This certainly is a good old-fashioned soaking,’ Kathleen agreed. By the time they pulled up outside number three Cashel Square tiny rivers were running down the sides of the footpaths.

  ‘So much for the summer sun!’ Lexie said, bracing herself to get out of the car.

  ‘Do you want to leave the art work here until the rain stops?’ Kathleen asked.

  ‘No, I’d be afraid something might happen,’ Lexie said, twisting herself around to grab her treasures from the back seat. ‘You wouldn’t run on ahead and open the front door, would you?’

  ‘Sure thing, honey,’ Kathleen said. ‘One, two, three— Ooh,’ she screeched, as she made a dash for it.

  As soon as the door was open Lexie followed her. ‘That is crazy madness,’ she puffed. ‘Tea? It won’t be quite as divine as the stuff from the jam jar, but I’ll do my best.’

  Moments later Kathleen held up her full mug, preparing for a toast. ‘Thank you for sharing my first memory,’ she said. ‘I feared it would be horribly sad and leave me feeling desolate. But it’s given me a new lease of life. To friendship.’

  ‘To friendship,’ Lexie repeated, clinking mugs.

  Chapter 24

  Kathleen woke to the sound of a phone ringing. Sitting bolt upright in bed she gazed around in confusion, trying to figure out where the noise was coming from. Unaccustomed to the sound of her new cell, it took her a few moments to establish what she was hearing.

  ‘Hello?’ she said, diving at it just in time. She didn’t see who was calling.

  ‘Ah, hello,’ said a man’s voice.

  Kathleen inhaled sharply. She didn’t recognise the tone and was about to hang up when he continued: ‘It’s me, Rodger.’

  ‘Hello there!’ Kathleen said, relieved. ‘How are you?’

  ‘Ah, not too bad. You’ll be delighted to know I’m in St Mark’s hospital,’ he said, laughing.

  ‘Oh, no, poor you. Of course I’m not delighted,’ Kathleen said. ‘Would I be right in assuming you … Did you have your surgery?’

  ‘Yesterday,’ he confirmed. ‘That’s why I didn’t answer your kind text then.’

  ‘Well done, sir,’ Kathleen said. ‘How’s the pain today?’

  ‘Not as bad as I’d anticipated,’ he said. ‘I’m taking a whole host of tablets, though.’

  ‘Good. That’s what they’re for.’

  ‘I feel it’s a bit of a cop-out all the same. I’ll try to cut down on the painkillers tomorrow.’

  ‘Your body won’t heal if you’re in pain. Besides, there are no medals for being a martyr.’

  ‘That’s true.’ He chuckled. ‘You’re a breath of fresh air, Kathleen. I’m glad I called.’

  ‘Would you like a visitor?’ she asked spontaneously.

  ‘Uh …’

  ‘Oh, shoot. You don’t have to say yes. I’m doing it again, being too pushy. Forget I said anything.’

  ‘I’d love you to visit if you have the time,’ Rodger said. ‘To be honest, it would be great to see someone who doesn’t look at me as if I’m a nuisance. My children say they’re glad I finally had the surgery but I feel as if I should be bounding around playing soccer in the corridor to show I’m totally fixed.’

  ‘I’m sure they don’t expect that.’

  ‘You’re probably right,’ Rodger agreed. ‘I can’t help feeling I’m a burden on them all the same.’

  ‘I’ve no plans today,’ Kathleen ventured. ‘Shall I pop in?’

  ‘That’d be great. They aren’t strict with visiting hours in this section of the hospital, so any time would suit me. I’m not going anywhere.’

  ‘I’ll be there in about two hours. How’s that?’

  ‘I look forward to it.’

  Kathleen hung up, invigorated. She was thrilled to have a purpose. She’d walk to the village and buy some fruit before getting the DART to the hospital.

  The ritual was oddly comforting. She’d grown so accustomed to visiting Jackson in hospital over the years that she was enjoying the chance to make herself useful again.

  By the time she arrived at the stop near the hospital, the rain was coming down in spits. Beneath her small umbrella, she made quick progress. Rodger had texted his exact location, so she followed the signs and found his room easily. She’d already knocked on the door before she had time to think.

  ‘Come in!’ Rodger called.

  Feeling suddenly shy, Kathleen’s heart thumped as she strode in. All too late, she realised she was in a private room with a near-stranger, who happened to be a man in bed.

  Rooted to the spot, she loitered in the doorway. ‘Oh, I didn’t think …’ She wanted to back away and run.

  ‘Excuse the state of me,’ he said easily. ‘They don’t go in for black tie around here.’ His warm smile urged her into the room. ‘Take a pew,’ he instructed, pointing to an armchair upholstered in a sea-green shade similar to the floor.

  ‘I could lie and tell you how wonderful you look,’ she ventured, ‘but that used to annoy my Jackson more than anything. He’d almost blend in with the sheets, looking like Casper the ghost, and folk would tell him how great he looked.’

  ‘Why was he in hospital?’ Rodger asked.

  ‘He had a brain tumour,’ Kathleen said, and proceeded to tell him everything.

  ‘Oh, Kathleen, I’m ever so sorry,’ he said. ‘I wittered on about how much I miss Claudia and didn’t give you the opportunity to tell me about Jackson.’

  ‘That’s not your fault. When we met I was feeling so raw that I was pretending he was still alive. It’s me who should apologise to you.’

  ‘I understand,’ Rodger said. ‘I almost wish I’d thought of doing the same thing after Claudia went. It might have eased the pain somewhat.’

  Kathleen shook her head. ‘It didn’t work. The pain is there, no matter what.’

  ‘Death does that to a person,’ Rodger agreed. ‘It’s so final. So harsh and so difficult to comprehend.’

  Kathleen smiled and nodded. Rodger’s face was coated with a dusting of ashen stubble. His hair was matted on one side and he was dishevelled, no longer the dapper gentleman she’d first encountered. She didn’t know him well enough to touch him, but a part of her itched to shave him and brush his hair. She was a dab hand at both. It used to cheer up Jackson no end.

  ‘So what has the surgical team said to you? Are they pleased with how the operation went?’

  ‘By all accounts it was fairly straightforward. As they’d suspected, I needed a full replacement rather than that coating-the-joint business some people get away with.’

  ‘Better to go the whole hog, I say.’ Kathleen grinned. ‘You’ll have a busy time getting your strength back. But if you do what the physiotherapist tells you, it’ll be just dandy. Look at me! I’m what you might call “Here’s one we made earlier.” I’m the hip-replacement poster girl!’

  Rodger laughed. A brief knock at the door was followed by a whoosh of air.

  ‘Daddy!’ An attractive woman in her thirties burst in. ‘Oh … I … Sorry, I didn’t realise you had company. Hello. I’m Bee. And you are?’ She raised an eyebrow and stood with her hands on her hips.

  ‘Hello,’ Kathleen said, standing up to offer her hand. ‘I’m Kathleen. Pleased to meet you, Bee.’


  ‘You’re American,’ Bee said, with mild distaste.

  ‘Not entirely,’ Kathleen said. ‘I was born here and raised in Orlando.’

  ‘She didn’t leave Ireland until she was eight,’ Rodger added.

  ‘Well remembered! I’m impressed,’ Kathleen said.

  ‘I came because I thought you might appreciate a visitor. I had no idea you’d be entertaining. I’ve a hundred and one things to do,’ Bee said, sighing dramatically, ‘so I’ll push off.’

  ‘Please don’t go on my account,’ Kathleen said. ‘I’ll go find a coffee shop. You sit with your father for a spell.’

  ‘Thank you for trying to organise my time, Kathleen, but, as I said, I’m busy. ’Bye, Daddy.’

  ‘’Bye, love. Thanks for coming,’ Rodger said hurriedly, as the door banged shut.

  There was an awkward silence. Kathleen looked at the floor. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve upset your daughter. I hope she didn’t think there was anything untoward going on.’

  ‘Bee was well named,’ Rodger said. ‘She’s constantly buzzing around in a frenzy, acting as if she wants to sting the world.’

  Kathleen smiled, but she was sad for Rodger. His daughter was a rude little madam. She should realise her father was feeling sore and vulnerable and act accordingly.

  ‘She’s been very distant since Claudia died. The girls were like a little threesome. They loved their shopping trips and doing all the usual girly stuff. Aisling, our eldest, has coped with her mother’s death better. But I guess Bee has found it difficult. She’s the baby of the family so it’s very tough for her.’

  Kathleen decided to keep her thoughts to herself. She didn’t know anything about Bee or her life. It wasn’t fair to judge her from one brief encounter. She changed the subject. ‘Did you and Claudia talk much about the future? You know – the time after she was gone?’

  ‘No,’ Rodger said sadly. ‘We didn’t know she was going to die. It was a heart attack and she’d had no previous sickness to speak of. Why?’

  ‘Jackson and I knew he didn’t have long – he’d been ill for years – so we had plenty of those talks. They were terribly sad in the beginning, but over time we got better at expressing our wishes to one another.’