Things had gone from bad to worse at the hospital. Liv had gone against all advice and sat in a bath, soaking the dressing and ending up with an infection. She needed more antibiotics and it now looked likely she’d need the skin-graft operation.
When Keeley picked up the receiver, she heard Liv sobbing like a baby.
‘Can you come in? I need you to tell the doctors that it’s time for me to get out of here. I’m going off my rocker.’
‘Liv, I’m guessing you have to stay until you finish the antibiotics,’ Keeley said. ‘But I understand you’re upset at being stuck in there. Why don’t I bring the children in for a little visit?’
‘OK, thanks Mum.’
‘I’m on my way.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ Róisín said. ‘Let me just call Brigid and we can head off.’
When they arrived the doctor was talking to Liv. Keeley and Róisín introduced themselves and he explained what would happen.
‘We will have to do a skin graft on Olivia’s arm. But the infection needs to clear first.’
‘Is this skin-graft operation a big one?’ Keeley asked.
‘Well, the one we’ll do is called a split-level thickness graft. We will remove some skin from your thigh,’ he said turning to Liv. ‘Or failing that we’ll go to your hip area and transplant it to your lower arm area. It means you’ll come back into hospital for a few days more.’
‘Will she be knocked out for it?’ Keeley asked.
‘Yes it’s a general anaesthetic and as I say, we’ll need to keep you here for three or four days following the procedure. We need to ensure the graft takes. In other words, we need to make sure the new piece of skin develops blood vessels and attaches to the surrounding skin properly. This usually takes thirty-six hours.’
Liv nodded, trying to look brave. Keeley felt as if her heart would break as she saw her daughter’s usual iron will crumbling, leaving her looking as vulnerable as she had the first day she started school aged four.
‘You’re a feisty little madam,’ Keeley said, rubbing her shoulder. ‘And now is the time for you to channel that. You’ll be fine, love.’ Keeley took her daughter’s face in her hands and stared into her eyes. ‘You can do this,’ she whispered, nodding emphatically. In spite of her tears and obvious terror, Liv nodded too.
‘You’ll be a better girl soon, won’t you Mum?’ Billy asked.
‘I’ll let you sleep in my Princess Elsa bed,’ Jess said.
‘I’ll be OK, you guys,’ she said. ‘It’s only a bit of a burn.’
‘Atta girl,’ Keeley whispered, winking at her.
‘Mum will be all better in no time,’ Róisín added with a smile.
‘I’ll leave you for now,’ said Dr Young. ‘We’ll schedule the surgery for three weeks’ time. You’ll finish the anti-biotics, have a rest and come back in to see me. OK? Unless there’s a problem, I’ll see you then.’
‘So does that mean I can go home?’ she asked hopefully.
‘Once you have support and help and promise to keep that dressing dry, I don’t see why not.’
‘We’ll mind her,’ Keeley said.
‘Absolutely,’ Róisín chimed in.
‘OK then. You’re out of here,’ said Dr Young before walking out of the ward.
They packed her things and made their way to the car.
‘Have you updated Martin?’ Róisín asked.
‘Nope,’ Liv said.
‘Why don’t you call him?’ Keeley said. ‘Here, you can use my phone if yours isn’t charged.’
‘I’m not calling him,’ Liv said through gritted teeth.
‘But he’ll want to know,’ Róisín said, looking at Keeley and back at Liv.
‘Don’t cause a scene in front of the children,’ Liv hissed. ‘I want to get home. End of. Would you both mind if we get into the car and out of this God-forsaken kip?’
‘I’ll get a taxi,’ Róisín said. ‘I need to get to work so I’ll go back to the B&B and get my car. You guys go on ahead to Liv’s.’
‘If you’re sure, love?’ Keeley said.
‘It’d be simpler. I think Liv’s had enough stress for now.’
‘Finally someone is thinking straight,’ Liv said as she bustled toward her mother’s car.
As they were on the road home, Keeley broke the news of the students’ departure.
‘What?’ she yelled. ‘How dare they imply they’d been treated badly. They were living in the lap of luxury with a stunning view and not a care in the world.’
‘Liv,’ Keeley said using her warning voice. ‘Not in front of the children. The girls needed to go,’ she added cheerfully and loudly.
‘They went back to Franceland and Spainland,’ Billy said. ‘We were sad for a minute, but Granny ‘splained that they missed their mum, just the way we miss you when you have to be in the hospital.’
‘Yeah, we miss you when you go away,’ Jess said. ‘’Cause you and Daddy did go away and we only got Auntie Ro-Ro. But she brings us cake from her shop so it’s OK. But we’ll be much more happy with you back!’ They both clapped from the back seat and Liv dissolved into tears.
Keeley glanced over and tried to concentrate on the road, but it was extremely hard.
‘Hey,’ she said patting her daughter’s leg. ‘Take it easy, love. I know you must be so emotional after being away from the children. But it’ll all be better now.’
‘Yeah,’ Liv said bitterly. ‘It’ll all be fabulous.’
Keeley couldn’t talk in front of the children so she drove on until they got home.
‘Oh I almost forgot to tell you,’ she said. ‘Róisín said she’d come and stay at yours for a bit, until you’re back on your feet.’
‘Really?’ Liv said. ‘Why?’
‘I think she genuinely wants to help out,’ Keeley said. ‘But she also wants to get out of the love nest she’s living in. She says Jill needs the space to be with her man. She was giving out yards about it earlier on.’
‘Ah stop!’ Liv said. ‘It’s lovely for Jill. I’m surprised at Róisín being so cranky about it.’
‘I don’t think she means any harm,’ Keeley said. ‘But it’s more a case of three’s a crowd and all that.’
‘Well I think it sounds as if she’s being a jealous little cow. I hope she doesn’t expect people to be excited for her if she ever manages to get a man,’ Liv snapped. ‘Mind you, the way she’s going I don’t think there’s any danger of that.’
Keeley was about to reprimand Liv and tell her that she was the one being cranky but figured it wasn’t the right moment. Liv was stressed and she needed to make allowances for her right now.
Doug was at Liv’s house when they pulled up. He waved and jumped up and down like a small child.
‘What is he like?’ Liv grinned. ‘Where on earth did you find him, Mum?’
‘He’s one of a kind, I’ll give him that,’ Keeley said with a smile.
They had lunch and for once the sun decided to make an appearance, so Doug and Keeley pottered in the garden with the children while Liv made a bed on the sofa and watched television.
Keeley made dinner for them all.
‘This is lovely,’ Liv said. ‘Thanks, Mum and Dad, it was such a relief to be out of that hospital and back in my own place. Your cooking is slightly better than the muck they serve in there.’
‘I should hope so too!’ Keeley laughed.
‘Did you clean up?’ Liv asked.
‘We all helped,’ Keeley said. ‘I think you’ve been getting a bit behind with things lately.’
‘But she’ll be grand again now, won’t you, love?’ Doug said.
Keeley looked over at Liv and wasn’t quite as optimistic.
By the time they’d cleared away after dinner and put the children in bed, Róisín reappeared.
‘Hey sis. Good to see you looking more like your old self,’ she said. ‘Is it OK if I crash here for a bit? Did Mum tell you the cottage has become a love shack?’
‘So I h
ear,’ Liv said looking cross. ‘I believe you’re being a right nark about poor Jill’s happiness.’
‘No … not at all … I was only saying it’s …’
‘I know what you were saying,’ Liv snapped. ‘You need to think outside of yourself sometimes, Róisín. Life isn’t perfect for anyone. So, enough of the pity-party. You’re a successful businesswoman. So if you want to stay here, that’s fine. But don’t think you can sit around looking like your world is ending. If you can be helpful and pleasant, you’re welcome. If not, sling your hook.’
Liv walked into her bedroom and slammed the door. Róisín, Keeley and Doug stood staring at one another open-mouthed.
‘Did I miss something?’ Róisín asked.
‘If you did, I missed it too, love,’ Doug said.
‘I’ll go and have a word with her,’ Keeley said.
‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ Róisín said, looking ashen-faced.
Doug got a call from Jimmy and said he’d slip away. ‘I’ll leave you girls to it,’ he said.
Keeley went into the sitting room and sat down. She was glad there were no new guests checking in at the B&B. They were all away at a wedding so she knew there was no rush for her to get back just yet.
Róisín made a pot of tea and they sat in the living room and tried to take stock of things.
‘Tell me about your day,’ said Keeley. ‘I could do with some good news. Any more excitement with your new business plans?’
‘Afraid not. It seems Mr Grace’s other offer is substantial, much more than mine.’
‘So will he give the building to you, seeing as you’ve been so loyal in the past?’ she asked.
‘Sadly not,’ Róisín said. ‘Who can blame him? He’s only looking after his sons’ best interests. My little emporium clearly only means something to me.’
Keeley sighed. ‘I wish we could do something to help you financially, love. What are you thinking of doing?’
‘I honestly don’t know, Mum,’ she said. ‘But I’ve decided on one thing. I’m not letting go of Nourriture without a fight.’
‘Good on you, love,’ Keeley said. She stared at Róisín. ‘What else is bothering you?’
Róisín swallowed hard. She sighed deeply and dropped her chin to her chest.
‘There’s an unresolved issue … One I thought could be kept on the back-burner. But I need to deal with it sooner rather than later.’
‘Go on.’
‘Mum, Jacques is dead.’
‘Oh dear … I had no idea … what happened?’
‘It was a boating accident,’ Róisín said. ‘I got a letter from his mother, Vivienne, a while ago.’
‘And you never mentioned it?’
‘No, I didn’t want to talk about him.’
‘Hi.’
Keeley and Róisín turned to see Liv standing there looking sheepish.
‘Hey Liv,’ Róisín said. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘Like the biggest thundering bitch in the universe. I’m so sorry I’ve been so vile. Especially to you, Ro. I’m so proud of everything you’ve achieved. I don’t deserve you and I’m so, so, so sorry.’
‘You are a horrible cow,’ Róisín said standing up to hug her. ‘But you’re also my sister. So no matter what you do, you’re stuck with me.’
‘Can you forgive me?’ Liv asked.
‘I’ll see,’ Róisín said with a smile. ‘Of course, you goon. Come and sit.’
‘Sorry, Mum,’ she said as Keeley smiled.
‘Come and sit with us. Róisín is just about to tell me something important. Go on … what happened with you and Jacques, love?’
‘We had our lives all planned out,’ Róisín said. ‘But he bailed on me. I couldn’t think of what to do, so I fled.’
‘Did he go off with another woman?’
‘No Mum,’ she said as tears coursed down her cheeks. ‘He wanted a family,’ she continued. ‘He longed for children and I was all on for it too. But things weren’t simple. He had mumps as a child. It left him practically sterile.’
‘What do you mean practically?’ Keeley asked.
‘He was told that the only way he would father a child was with the help of IVF.’
Keeley nodded and took Róisín’s hand.
Róisín explained to Keeley and Liv what had happened. How she’d known the joy of being a mother for those ten short weeks and how Jacques had distanced himself from her when she needed him most. How they’d argued about her not wanting to commit to living in France and telling her family her plans.
‘Oh Róisín,’ Keeley said, as she too began to cry.
‘That’s just heartbreaking,’ Liv said, reaching out to hold Róisín’s hand.
‘We figured the most sensible thing would be to freeze the embryos. So that’s what happened. Our relationship took a nose-dive, I saw him kissing another woman, so I ran home.’
‘Oh darling, I wish you’d told me,’ Keeley said looking stricken.
‘How could you come back here and not tell us?’ Liv asked in astonishment. ‘You must’ve been hurting so much. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you.’
‘I couldn’t say it out loud … I couldn’t begin to talk about it. I figured if I kept it all inside that I would heal more quickly. That it would be the same as any ordinary break-up …’
‘But when you heard he’d died, you knew you needed to make a decision about the embryos …’ Keeley finished.
She nodded. ‘Vivienne doesn’t know anything,’ Róisín was quick to add. ‘The letter was purely to let me know what had happened.’
‘What are you thinking of doing?’ Liv asked.
‘Well, we both signed an agreement to say that the embryos couldn’t be used unless both parties were in agreement. Now that he’s dead, I’m guessing I can’t have them implanted.’
‘Is that what you want?’ Keeley asked.
Róisín shrugged. ‘I’ve thought of it non-stop since getting Vivienne’s letter. But how could I even consider being a mother when I’ve no home and possibly no job?’
‘You’re still very young, love,’ Keeley reminded her. ‘You have so many years ahead to think about starting a family.’
‘I need to meet someone first,’ she said dryly. ‘Unless I try to get those embryos implanted.’
‘I’d think long and hard before you go rushing off to get pregnant on your own,’ Liv said. ‘It’s no picnic.’
‘It’s not easy,’ Keeley was quick to agree. ‘But it’s also the most rewarding and wonderful thing in the world. If you decide to try and have a baby, I’ll always be here for you. You know that, don’t you?’
‘Thanks Mum,’ she said as she began to cry.
‘Wait a minute,’ Liv said. ‘Don’t think being a mum is all smiles and cuteness. Look at how much you put into Nourriture. I’m guessing you give it no less than 100 per cent, am I right?’
Róisín nodded.
‘Well try continuing that and adding a baby into the equation. You’ll have to find another 100 per cent from thin air to put into the baby. Don’t get me wrong,’ she held her good arm aloft. ‘I adore my kids. But being a mother is probably the most difficult job any woman can ever have.’
Róisín looked at her sister. Sitting there, she looked tired, hunched, stressed and – much as she hated to even think it – miserable. She certainly wasn’t an advert for motherhood in her current state.
Liv actually looked haunted. Róisín’s heart went out to her. How had the two of them ended up in such turmoil? They were both a mess. There wasn’t much joy in their lives right now. Sighing, Róisín guessed that no matter what she decided, at least one thing was for sure: a change, any change in her life right now would be most welcome.
Chapter 27
The two spare bedrooms were still unoccupied since the students’ departure, so Róisín had chosen the one with a view of the ocean. She’d finally gone to the cottage and packed all her stuff into boxes and was using Liv’s car to move it all. M
uch as she loved her own Fiat 500, she knew it wasn’t suited to being a removal van. To make it easier to move her stuff inside, she drove to the rear of the house and let herself in the back door.
There was no sign of the children and Liv was on the phone. She seemed to be having an argument.
Róisín didn’t want her sister thinking she was ear-wigging so she walked into the kitchen and waved. By the time she’d finished unpacking the car, Liv was off the phone.
She was red eyed but seemed to be making a concerted effort to smile so Róisín decided not to push her to talk.
‘Glass of wine?’ she offered.
‘Eh, maybe not just yet. Where are the children?’
‘Ever the worrier,’ she said. ‘They’re having a sleepover with Martin’s sister. It’s hardly a crime to want a glass of wine while I have a free evening for a change. You need to loosen out a bit. No wonder you’re single.’
Róisín walked toward her bedroom. Liv followed her.
‘Hey, I’m sorry, Ro. That was bitchy. I’m not in good form right now, that’s all. Lately I’ve lost a lot of my humanness. I knew the house was turning into a skip and I wasn’t able to care. I wasn’t even able for the kids,’ she said. ‘I feel so ashamed. I’ve been the worst mother and wife.’
‘No you weren’t,’ Róisín said. ‘It’s hard for you being here alone so much. And besides, the children are so small they won’t remember. I mean, it’s not as if you left them locked in a room with a bar of chocolate while you went off to the pub.’
‘I know,’ she said. ‘I’ll make it up to them once I start to feel better. Oh when I think of those foreign students … Ugh, the shame of it …’
‘Listen, I can draft up a letter that we can send to the agency to explain. I’m sure they’d pass on your apologies to the girls. I know this is dreadful of me, but you’ll never see them again, so put it out of your mind. You can’t fix every misdemeanour in your life, so there’s no point in beating yourself up.’
The Perfect Gift Page 23