Nell instantly searched the Internet for some books and letter cards to teach Mouse how to read. She’d never done anything like this before, but felt enthusiastic about the challenge. She guessed Mouse was a very bright girl but simply hadn’t had the opportunity to learn. Even if her young guest wasn’t planning on staying for long, Nell figured the best gift she could give her was the ability to read and write. She couldn’t predict how long she might have with this girl, but for now, Nell was enjoying this new lease of life being breathed into her lighthouse.
Chapter 18
It was Sunday morning of the June bank holiday and Róisín was attempting to wake Jill.
‘Ugh, go away Ro-Ro. My mouth is as dry as Gandhi’s flip-flop and I honestly think I could pass away at any moment. I’m gravely ill.’
‘I’m not surprised,’ she said dryly. ‘You were knocking back bottles of that blue goo like nobody’s business last night.’
‘In my defence,’ she said as she staggered to the small living-room looking like she’d been backcombed, ‘it was a great idea at the time.’
‘This place is vile. We need to do a quick blitz and get up to the village for the charity race.’
‘Oh listen,’ her housemate said turning an even paler shade of green, ‘I won’t be doing any race. I’ll barf all over the road. We can’t have people wheeling buggies through vomit. It wouldn’t be right. You go on ahead and I’ll go back to bed. I’ll see you later.’
‘Don’t you dare try and bail on me, Jill,’ Róisín said sternly. ‘You do this every year and never get away with it. This year is no exception. Get your ass into the shower and I’ll continue cleaning up.’
‘You’re so mean,’ she said. ‘I’ll wake Gordon and get him to come too.’
‘Ah don’t. He doesn’t really like this sort of thing. Leave him be,’ Róisín said, avoiding eye contact.
‘Oh so it’s fine for me to be dragged out while I’m at death’s door but Gordon can sleep! Charming,’ she said poking her tongue out. ‘Well I know where your loyalties lie,’ she laughed. ‘I don’t blame you having a soft spot for Gordon. He’s pretty amazing!’
Even though she knew her mother would appreciate as much help as she could get, Róisín also knew Gordon would be surplus to requirements. Mercifully, Jill had never asked directly so Róisín had never told her, but she couldn’t abide Gordon. He spent more time looking in the mirror than her and Jill combined and he seriously believed he was God’s gift to womankind. Gordon worked at the local gym, where he was meant to be an instructor. He’d managed to sidle out of teaching swimming lessons by spoofing and saying he had a chlorine allergy. Róisín had once asked him why he didn’t want to give lessons.
‘The hot air at the pool is so bad for my skin and hair. It’s better if I stick to the weights room and do the odd class.’
She had stared at him in shock when she realised he wasn’t joking.
When Jill had started going out with Gordon last year, Róisín had seriously thought she was taking the mick.
‘Where did you find this guy?’ she asked after a couple of glasses of wine. ‘He’s hilarious!’
‘I know, right?’ Jill said. ‘I really fancy him too. I know he’s not my usual type, but he makes me feel good.’
It was at the tip of her tongue to say that was because he had the brain of an ostrich, so clearly she felt like Einstein beside him. But much to her astonishment, Róisín realised that Jill was being serious. She really did fancy this shallow numbskull. Figuring the relationship wouldn’t last spitting time, she’d kept her opinions to herself. Jill kept saying he was a temporary decoration to her life. So now it was far too late for Róisín to pass comments or share her thoughts. Instead, she simply avoided being in his company whenever possible.
By the time she’d finished cleaning the cottage and picking up abandoned wine glasses, Róisín was losing patience.
‘Jill, where are you? We need to go.’
‘Coming,’ she shouted from the bedroom. ‘Ah I’m not feeling that much better. Are you sure you need me?’ she asked. Her eyes were so bloodshot she looked as if she’d been punched.
‘Take some paracetamol and follow me,’ she barked at her.
After a couple of minutes, Jill fell into step with her. By the time they reached the village, which was less than a ten minute walk away, the atmosphere and excitement took over.
‘Look at the turnout!’ Róisín said in delight. ‘Mum will be thrilled.’
They spotted Keeley and went directly to her so they could get their instructions. Jill decided she’d be happy to sit at one of the water stops, which was at a crossroads.
‘Make sure you point people in the right direction or they’ll end up at a dead-end,’ Keeley said. ‘There are bottles of water that Joseph donated from the pub, so hand those out and be as cheerful as you can!’
‘Aye, aye, captain,’ Jill said as she headed toward her station.
‘I’ll check in with Nourriture and come back to help you, Mum,’ Róisín said. Before she could get there, she bumped into Liv with the children. It was the first time she’d met the foreign students, so she introduced herself. The four girls seemed very sweet and they were clearly delighted with the festival and fun.
‘Hey, you two,’ she said happily to Billy and Jess. ‘Are you ready for the walk?’
‘I’m going to sit out this year,’ Liv said. ‘I’ll help Mum while the girls do the walk with the children.’
Róisín glanced over at Liv with a furrowed brow.
‘What’s up with you, Liv? You’re turning into a right lazy lump. Since when is a five kilometre walk too much for you? If Billy can do it, surely you can too?’
‘I don’t see you doing it,’ she spat back.
‘I’m working. I can’t.’
‘Your excuse for everything,’ she said rolling her eyes. ‘The big career woman.’
‘Hey,’ Róisín said, reaching out to touch her arm. ‘Don’t bite my head off. I don’t want to fight with you, Liv. I was only teasing. What’s up?’
‘I’m fine,’ she said, tossing her head and making it clear she was really cross. ‘You’d better get on with running your empire.’
Liv hoisted her picnic basket by the handles and made to leave.
‘Liv, please,’ Róisín said and her sister looked at her. ‘Come on, do you guys need anything else for your picnic today?’ she said, nodding at the basket. ‘Help yourself in the shop if you like.’
‘It’s fine,’ Liv snapped.
‘Let me see what you have, it’s no hassle. I’d like to give you something. If I can’t feed my own family, what kind of a person am I?’ She laughed lightly as she pulled open the basket lid and peered inside. She only caught a glimpse of the wine bottle with the cork rammed back inside, but it seemed to have quite a bit missing. Perhaps it was one left over from the night before, Róisín thought. But another voice in her head was telling her that she knew her sister better than most, and she’d been drinking.
Liv closed the lid with a snap. ‘I said we’re fine,’ she said coldly. ‘Come on, kids.’ She marched off, followed by Billy, Jess and the four students, all of them looking far from happy.
‘Hi love,’ said Keeley coming over with her clipboard. ‘What’s up? You look dreadfully worried.’
‘Oh … no … I’m fine, Mum. Just multitasking in my head as usual,’ she lied. Now wasn’t the moment to tell their mother that she suspected Liv was not sober and it was only nine thirty in the morning.
Accepting a list of jobs from Keeley, Róisín jumped into action.
It was a full hour before she came across Liv again. She was sitting on the wall opposite Nourriture looking utterly miserable. She was about to approach her when a voice came booming out of the overhead PA announcing the start of the walk.
There was a rush of people, prams and even small children on scooters to the starting-point. There was a loud bang as the starter-gun sounded amidst applause and laughter
and the walk got underway.
It was a good ten minutes before all the participants were on the road.
‘Wow, Mum, this must be a record turnout,’ Róisín said. ‘This seems to get bigger and better every year. Well done. You should be so proud of yourself.’
‘It’s all for a wonderful cause,’ she said.
‘Oh hello there,’ Róisín said. ‘It’s Claus, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, hello there,’ he said. ‘I don’t know if your mother told you, but I have taken a little house here at Ballyshore for a few months.’
‘No, I didn’t realise,’ Róisín said.
‘Poor Claus has suffered a bereavement,’ Keeley said. ‘His sister Ida, who you met before … she passed away.’ Keeley wiped her eyes with her hand, and it was obvious she was very upset.
‘I’m so very sorry to hear that,’ Róisín said.
‘It’s all been a nightmare,’ Claus replied smiling sadly, ‘but your mother has been wonderfully kind to me.’
‘Well, if I can ever do anything for you, please let me know. Drop by any time. I’m here most days, or failing that my manager Brigid is a true gem.’
‘You seem to have a wonderful business going here,’ he said, nodding toward Nourriture.
‘It’s a work-in-progress,’ Róisín smiled. ‘But I adore it. It gets better all the time and I’m constantly adding new and exciting products and initiatives. I’d be delighted to look after you anytime.’
‘How about you two do a guided tour another time,’ Keeley said. ‘I’ve got a couple of thousand people marching their way right back to us shortly and all of them need a medal and a care package, so get to your stations!’ she said with a grin.
‘Quite the taskmaster your mother,’ he said smiling.
Róisín went to her assigned area and glanced around for Liv. She was gone from the wall and she couldn’t see her. Some of the people taking part in the walk would be back shortly so she’d have to wait before she could get her sister on her own and talk to her properly. She just hoped Billy and Jess were alright – it would be an easy day to lose a child in the crowd.
The rest of the morning flew by as the participants trickled back into the village. The atmosphere was wonderful and the sun actually shone, which made a nice change.
Róisín was back in the shop, behind the counter when Rob walked in.
‘I said I’d drop the shelf down,’ he said. ‘I totally forgot about the fund-raiser today.’
‘It’s a bit bananas here at the moment,’ she said, taking a payment and filling a small tub with pâté.
‘I can give you a hand if you want?’ Rob said.
‘Really? You wouldn’t mind?’
‘Of course not. Looks like fun, in fact. I’d be delighted to give you an extra pair of hands; you definitely need it.’
‘That’d be great,’ she said, smiling gratefully at him.
‘Will I work the off licence? Needless to say I’ll be pushing my own product the most,’ he said, winking.
‘Sure, and if you’ve any plastic shot glasses, you could do tastings of Celtic Beer if you want?’
‘Yeah, perfect!’ he said looking thrilled.
Several times over the next few hours Róisín laughed out loud as she heard Rob selling to the customers.
‘What do you mean you don’t drink beer? You haven’t lived until you’ve tried Celtic Beer.’
She had no idea how much he was selling, but the customers were all delighted with him.
By the time the shop closed, Róisín was tired but completely wound up. Brigid and the other staff left and Rob stayed back to assemble the shelf.
‘That was great fun,’ he said. ‘I think there are several tipsy tourists knocking about now, mind you.’
‘You could sell sand to the Arabs once you get going. I was having a real giggle at you earlier on telling that French woman that Celtic Beer is good for the complexion because the ingredients are grown in Ireland!’
‘And she bought eight bottles, so where’s the harm in that? I’m sure by the time she’s finished drinking them all, she’ll think she looks stunning.’
Róisín shook her head and laughed. ‘Would you like a bowl of soup? It’s Thai chicken and butternut squash. It’s pretty delicious with a wedge of sourdough on the side.’
‘I’m sold,’ he said gratefully. ‘I’d love a glass of wine as well,’ he said. ‘But I’m supposed to be going back to Limerick tonight. My father will be expecting me.’
‘There are usually spare rooms at the Thatch pub if you want to check.’
‘I thought of that earlier but it’s fully booked. The whole village is, thanks to the bank holiday and the walk.’
‘You can kip on our sofa,’ she said. ‘Jill won’t mind. In fact, she’ll throw a party in your honour if I know her!’
‘Are you sure?’ he asked. ‘Do you know, I’d love that. Thank you. There’s a lot going on at home and I’d actually love a bit of space.’
‘Well, there’s nowhere better to exhale than Ballyshore. I take it you haven’t made proposals then?’
‘No.’ He looked uncomfortable. ‘Not yet at least …’
She stared at him. He looked kind of lost. As if he was genuinely torn.
‘I’ll step outside and give my dad a shout.’
Róisín liked the way Rob talked about his dad and clearly he was an important part of his life. Family was so important, but not everyone actually got that.
She loved being in the shop when everyone was gone. It felt so different when it fell quiet. She set the table and selected a bottle of Chardonnay. She thought it was totally weird that he was thinking of getting engaged to Theresa when he was so unsure. Still, she was hardly one for giving advice on relationships considering her own track record. She swallowed hard as an image of Jacques flitted into her mind’s eye. It was difficult keeping a handle on her feelings since reading Vivienne’s letter, but once she kept busy she could manage it. She just had to keep moving.
By the time Rob returned she had the soup ready along with a selection of cured meats, cheeses and dips.
‘It’s what my father calls picky food,’ she said. ‘But it’ll be tasty.’
She poured two generous glasses of wine and they clinked glasses.
‘Thanks for your help today,’ she said. ‘It was a great day business-wise. I’m thrilled.’
‘You’ve a little goldmine going here,’ he said. ‘The atmosphere is brilliant, too. That’s what sets you apart from anywhere else in the village.’
‘That and my products,’ she said. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I’m very fond of Joseph at the Thatch pub, but his food is very outdated and most of it comes from either the freezer or a packet.’
They enjoyed the food and before she knew it, Róisín was holding up an empty bottle.
‘Will we open another? Would you drink another glass?’ she asked.
He nodded. ‘I’m on holiday after all!’
‘So who designed the Celtic Beer product? I love the bottles,’ she said. ‘Those old Grolsch-type flip lids are really great. And the amber-coloured glass is stunning against the label.’
Rob explained that he’d designed the label himself. ‘It’s recycled glass and we’ve tried to make it look like a top quality product.’
‘Well it worked,’ she said genuinely.
A text from Jill let her know there was a gang congregating at their house again. She said she’d be there shortly and that Rob would be with her.
‘Wooo!’ Jill texted back. ‘Fresh blood. Can’t wait to have a gawk at him.’
Róisín rolled her eyes and put the phone away.
A bang at the door made Róisín groan. ‘I really don’t want to have to open the tills again,’ she said. ‘I’d better see in case it’s a starving tourist who needs some supplies.’
It was Liv and the children.
‘Hi guys,’ she said to the children. ‘Come in! Look at your face painting you two, you look great! And where
have you been, Liv?’ she said, looking hard at her sister. ‘I’ve sent you about five texts and you didn’t answer.’
‘I’m not staying,’ Liv said crossly. ‘I’ve had it up to here with all the crowds and hanging about. We’re getting a lift home. Can you slip me a bottle of wine? I’m heading home with the car stuffed with kids and I need a glass of wine. I’d like to salvage even an hour of this miserable day.’
‘Why was it miserable?’ Róisín asked. ‘Didn’t the students enjoy the race?’
‘Oh they did,’ Liv said. ‘In fact, it seems everyone had a whale of a time except me …’ She bustled toward the wine section. ‘Oh!’ She stopped dead. ‘I didn’t realise you had company.’
‘This is Rob,’ Róisín said.
‘I won’t stay. I’m the married with children boring as hell sister. Don’t worry, I won’t wreck your buzz. I’ll swipe some wine and get out of here.’
‘You’re welcome to join us if you like?’ Rob said standing up and looking uncomfortable.
‘Oh believe me Rob, you don’t need me here. I’m like the old woman who lived in the shoe. I’ve kids and teenagers coming out of every orifice. Thanks Ro-Ro,’ she said snatching the wine and herding the children out.
Róisín followed her, feeling really concerned.
‘Liv, are you OK?’
‘No!’ she said. ‘I’ve just told you. I’ve had a crap day and I want to get home and unwind unless that’s against the law now?’
‘No,’ Róisín said evenly. ‘It’s not against the law. I’m just concerned because you’re so stressed and I know you’re on your own. Will I drop over later on? We could have a catch-up?’
‘As if you want to swap a night with a divine-looking man for a space on my vile sofa with half the nations of the world represented in every bedroom. Do yourself a favour and enjoy your life before you end up like me.’
Róisín was shocked by the tone of her voice. She’d never heard Liv talk like this before, or look so angry before. Then she wondered, is this Liv talking, or is it the wine talking?
‘Honey, why don’t you come and sit for a bit?’ Róisín leaned forward slightly, trying to catch sight of the wine bottle from earlier without giving herself away.
The Perfect Gift Page 16