The Perfect Gift

by Emma Hannigan

  ‘He acted as if I’d only gone to the shops. He said it was great to hear that I’m doing well and I must come back and visit soon.’

  ‘Is that it?’ Nell asked, feeling totally flummoxed.

  Mouse shrugged. ‘Both my brothers are inside. They were done for robbing cars. Da sounded like he was off his face.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Nell said.

  ‘For what? For caring? For minding me? For giving me a better life? I’m not sorry at all. I know I made the right choice when I left Dublin. And I believe what you said … Laura brought me here. We were meant to find each other.’

  ‘You’re my second chance too, Mouse. Now you probably understand why I’ve said that.’

  Mouse nodded.

  ‘So sod the lot of them,’ Nell said. ‘You and me against the world, eh?’

  ‘Sounds good,’ Mouse said.

  Nell knew it was almost time to put things right. To dot the i’s and cross the t’s. With Mouse by her side, she knew she could do just about anything.

  Chapter 44

  Next morning, as she finished clearing the breakfast room, Keeley looked up to see that Doug had arrived. He stood awkwardly and looked lost.

  ‘May I come in?’

  She shrugged.

  ‘What’s happening to us?’ he asked.

  ‘I don’t know,’ Keeley said with a sigh. ‘This isn’t exactly how we planned it, is it?’

  Doug shook his head. ‘Keeley, I’m more sorry than you’ll ever know,’ he said. ‘I would’ve come and told you that before, but I knew you were so cross with me that it wouldn’t have done any good.’

  ‘I was fed-up being taken for granted. You were treating the house like a B&B,’ she said with a tired smile. ‘I don’t mind the people who pay me acting as if I should run around after them. But we were always a team. You left team us and went off to do something that didn’t include me. I wasn’t in your thoughts or actions, Doug. I don’t deserve that.’

  ‘I know,’ he said, looking shamefaced. ‘I was a total idiot.’

  ‘There are too many cracks beginning to show right now,’ she said. ‘We need to take control of our family. I know the girls are grown-ups, but we’re still their parents.’

  ‘I agree,’ Doug said. ‘Can we call a truce?’

  She nodded as tears of relief seeped down her cheeks. Doug took her in his arms and for the first time in months, Keeley felt safe.

  ‘Fresh start?’ Doug said as he kissed her.

  She nodded. Should she tell him that she’d unpacked the suitcase from under their marital bed? Should he know that she’d kissed another man? A con man who only loved the thought of taking her money? Would he hate her and point out the truth, that she was a selfish and horrible person who had betrayed him?

  A cold sensation washed over her. If she was being totally honest, she should tell Doug the secret she’d been hiding all these years. She looked up at him and tried to envisage what he’d say if he knew.

  She balked. Their relationship was too delicate right now. There were enough issues. She couldn’t add to them right now.

  The landline rang and Keeley went to answer it, calling over her shoulder to Doug that he wasn’t to take any more bookings.

  ‘This place is becoming a home once more,’ she said firmly.

  ‘Keeley?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘It’s Claus.’

  ‘Oh, hello.’

  ‘I wanted to say goodbye. I won’t see you again.’

  ‘Oh, I see. I didn’t realise you were going back to Germany so soon,’ she said.

  ‘I’m not going to Germany. I will travel the world. I am calling to give you the final opportunity to come with me. Will you?’

  There were so many things she wanted to shout down the phone at this low-life bastard. She wanted to yell that he was the most dishonest and double-crossing liar she’d ever had the misfortune to kiss. But how could she, with Doug standing right there in the kitchen?

  She walked out of the room and into her art room and shut the door.

  ‘Claus, I wasn’t able to talk,’ she said. ‘Doug was there.’

  ‘I see …’

  ‘I can’t bear to be without you, Claus.’

  ‘You can’t?’ he sounded delighted.

  ‘You and I both know that we have a connection. You’ve looked after me so believe me, Claus, I’m going to look after you now.’

  ‘Oh I’m so glad, Keeley.’

  ‘I have a pen ready. Tell me where and when. What flight are you on and I’ll book my ticket online before I leave for the airport.’

  ‘This is working out better than I’d hoped. I thought you wouldn’t come with me,’ he said. ‘You’re the most astonishing woman, Keeley. I didn’t actually dare to hope that you would pick me.’

  ‘Well, we never know what’s going on in another person’s head, do we? I love surprises, don’t you?’

  ‘Oh yes my love,’ he crooned. ‘So I’m flying to Amsterdam from Shannon at ten thirty tonight.’

  ‘From Shannon?’ she said with surprise. ‘That’s perfect. That flight gives me plenty of time if I leave now. I’ll see you at the check-in desk, OK?’

  ‘I can barely wait. I’m so excited.’

  ‘Not as excited as I am, Claus,’ she said. ‘Thank you for calling.’

  ‘Bye my love.’

  Keeley walked back into the kitchen and sat opposite Doug.

  ‘So as you guessed, that was Claus.’

  ‘What did he want?’ he asked darkly.

  Keeley told Doug about Claus and what Róisín had found out. She omitted to tell him that she’d considered throwing her life down the toilet and being made a complete fool of by him.

  ‘Did you like him?’ Doug asked. The pain in his eyes made her stomach lurch.

  ‘He made me feel cherished for a moment,’ she said sadly. ‘But that was only part of his façade. That’s what he does. It’s how he gets money out of everyone,’ she said with a dry laugh.

  ‘I know Claus or Wolfgang might’ve been a liar,’ Doug said, ‘but he was right about something. We have all taken you for granted. That needs to change. And it will. Believe me.’

  ‘No,’ Keeley said. ‘I’m a bad person, Doug. I knew I’d be punished at some point for what I’ve done and I’m guessing the clock has caught up with me.’

  ‘What on earth are you going on about?’

  ‘I know something and I’ve never told anyone. It’s haunted me for years and this is how I’m being punished.’

  Keeley was so upset, she couldn’t possibly tell Doug what she needed to say. But now that she’d started the process, she knew it was time for the truth to come out.

  ‘Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together,’ Doug said taking her in his arms.

  ‘I need to do something first,’ she said. Picking up the phone again, she dialled the police.

  ‘I want to inform you of the whereabouts of Wolfgang Bauer. He’s wanted in several countries for fraud. I know where you can pick him up.’

  Back at the Thatch pub, Róisín and Rob were having a relaxed and cosy chat. They’d ordered some food and were enjoying a drink.

  Róisín filled him in on all the events with Liv and how she was finally getting her life back on track.

  ‘It’s funny,’ said Rob, ‘life can often be like a game of dominos. When one thing goes right, everything else falls into place.’

  ‘I hope you’re right,’ she said.

  About an hour later, Rob’s mobile rang. After a brief conversation he hung up and smiled at Róisín.

  ‘That was the police. They’ve picked up our pal Claus.’

  ‘No way,’ she said. ‘Where?’

  ‘They caught him at the airport and he’s been arrested.’

  ‘I can’t say I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘Poor Mum was totally gutted when she heard what he’d been up to. It seems he’d befriended her and was slowly worming his way into her life. It’s a good thing he went when he
did.’

  ‘Now that he’s in the hands of the law, that means you can go first thing tomorrow and speak with Mr Grace,’ Rob said. ‘I wouldn’t waste another day if I were you. Go and make your offer.’

  ‘I certainly will,’ she said. ‘Thanks for all your help, Rob.’

  ‘No worries. I’m so happy that he didn’t get a chance to ruin everything you’ve worked so hard to create. I’d hate to see your business going down the tubes. You don’t deserve that. Besides, if you keep on making money the way you did today, I could enjoy the notion of being a kept man!’

  Even though they’d literally only gotten together, Róisín had a great feeling about him. Clearly he felt the same way.

  ‘Actually,’ he hesitated for a moment before continuing. ‘I’m so impressed by your passion and the whole concept of Nourriture. I wondered if you had thought about turning it into a franchise.’

  ‘Really?’ Róisín’s heart literally skipped a beat. ‘But how on earth would I do that?’

  ‘We’ll talk about it,’ Rob said. ‘My father has the Midas touch when it comes to business. I’ve been talking you up to him and I know he’d be on board with rolling out the concept in Limerick, among other places.’

  ‘I … I don’t know what to say. This is like one of those moments when I feel I could be dreaming.’

  As Rob walked over to Joseph to order them another drink, Róisín couldn’t quite believe how much of a turnaround had taken place over the last couple of days.

  She’d come so far emotionally, too. Jacques had left her with such deep emotional scars. She’d actually wondered if they’d ever heal. But Rob knew all about it and still seemed to want to be with her.

  Róisín knew there was one last elephant in the room. She needed to talk to her parents about her adoption. For so long she’d been afraid of hurting them or making them feel as if they weren’t enough. But now that she was at a crossroads in her life, she wanted to make sure that she was giving herself the best chance to take the right direction. It was time to be a grown-up. It was time to stop running and hiding from the issues that could potentially mar her happiness. She would put the questions to her parents in the most heartfelt and diplomatic way. But she needed to try and find some answers.

  At closing time, Róisín kissed Rob goodnight. She’d already explained that she needed to go back to Liv. Besides, she wanted their first night together to be relaxed and special. With everything that was going on, it wasn’t the time for going AWOL.

  ‘If you could spend the night with me, would you?’ he asked, holding her close.

  ‘In a heartbeat,’ she replied. ‘But I can’t leave Liv alone.’

  ‘I understand,’ he said and kissed her.

  Liv was still awake when she let herself inside. In excited whispers, they chatted the way they’d done as children.

  ‘He sounds perfect for you,’ Liv said. ‘I’m happy for you, Ro. You deserve to find a good man.’

  ‘Thanks Liv,’ she said. ‘So do you. Martin wasn’t the man you fell in love with. He’s weak and doesn’t deserve all of this,’ she said looking around.

  ‘He was the first man who made promises and I believed them,’ Liv said. ‘He’s taught me a lesson though. He probably thinks I’m going to lie down and sob for the rest of my life. But he’s made me stronger, Róisín.’

  ‘How are you so amazing about all of this?’ Róisín asked in awe.

  ‘Because of your birth mum’s letter,’ Liv said.

  ‘What?’ Róisín was astounded. ‘What do you mean?’

  Liv sighed. ‘When I read her words that day, Róisín, they touched my heart. I saw the person I used to be. The one who loved her kids and was delighted by the whole journey of motherhood. I used to be patient and content, you know? Then I saw what I’d become … this narky, joyless, bitter person. It cut me to the quick, and for a while it made everything harder. The guilt and shame seemed to push me further away from where I really wanted to be. But now that I’ve faced that negativity and given myself a serious talking-to, I hope I’m headed in the right direction. Every time I think of those words, they help me through. They actually help me to be brave.’

  Róisín could feel tears welling up in her eyes. ‘That’s so incredible, Liv,’ she managed to say. ‘Thank you for telling me that.’

  ‘The truth is,’ Liv went on, ‘I did all my crying and grieving while I was still married to Martin. As the years rolled by I was sinking deeper and deeper. I suspected a long time ago that he was being unfaithful,’ she said. ‘I questioned him so many times and each time he looked me right in the eye and insisted I was imagining it.’

  ‘That’s awful,’ Róisín said. ‘When you’re so sure of something and another person convinces you it’s not true …’

  ‘It’s soul-destroying. I used to think I was going insane. I thought I had postnatal depression at one point. Then I figured I was probably just paranoid. But the more I turned it over in my mind, the worse it got. He let me believe it was all in my head. We were discussing the idea of me seeing a psychiatrist when I found a load of text messages on his phone quite by mistake.’

  ‘How did you find them?’

  ‘Billy was playing with his phone and opened the messages by mistake. He had her name saved as “Frank” so I wouldn’t suspect.’

  ‘It must’ve broken your heart to read the texts,’ Róisín said, stroking her hand.

  ‘Do you know what? It was a relief. I was angry and hurt, needless to say. But there’s nothing like knowing you’re not a lunatic.’

  ‘I agree,’ Róisín said, sighing. ‘I’ve lived with the thought that I’m not worthy of being loved by any man since I left France. And writing that e-mail to the clinic was so hard, but I think it was the right thing to do.’

  The two sisters curled up together in Liv’s bed.

  ‘For the record,’ Liv said, ‘I think you made the right decision. It was best that you came to your own conclusion, too.’

  ‘Really?’ Róisín stared at her in the darkness.

  ‘Mum would’ve had you on the next flight back to France to try and retrieve them. I know she would. But it wouldn’t have been right for you.’

  ‘It’s such a difficult subject. It’s not something I thought I would ever discuss until I told Rob.’

  ‘You told Rob?’ Liv said. ‘I’m gobsmacked. You really have told him a lot, haven’t you?’

  ‘This is what I’m trying to explain … I think he’s my soulmate, Liv.’

  ‘Sounds like it,’ she said. ‘Clearly he didn’t judge you either?’

  ‘No, bless him. I know there are many people in the world who would never want to be in the same room as me again because of that decision. This might sound crazy to you, but I want to bring a baby into the world in a more traditional way … with Rob, if I’m lucky …’

  ‘I honestly thought Martin and I would make it,’ Liv said.

  ‘Oh Liv, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to sound like I’m preaching. I know you had your babies hoping you and Martin would last the test of time together.’

  ‘I really did,’ she said. ‘But that hasn’t happened. So I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t judge you either because you also acted in good faith when you went for IVF with Jacques. We can only do what we think is right in our hearts.’

  They lay in silence for a long while, both women caught up in their thoughts.

  ‘Thanks for being my sister,’ Róisín said as she was about to drift off to sleep.

  ‘Thanks for being mine too,’ she said. ‘An angel was watching over me when you were sent to my life.’

  When Róisín’s mobile phone rang, it made her jump a foot off the bed.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Hi, it’s me,’ said Rob. ‘Are you two finished talking yet? I’m outside at the gate and it’s kind of cold.’

  ‘What?’ she giggled. ‘You’re here?’

  ‘I asked where Liv lives and that nice fellow Joseph gave me a lift. Can I
come in?’

  She hung up and jumped out of bed. ‘Sorry sis, you’re on your own tonight,’ she said with a skip in her step.

  ‘Go for it Roisin,’ Liv smiled sleepily.

  As soon as she opened the door, Rob picked her up in his arms. She directed him to the bedroom and she kicked the door shut.

  Chapter 45

  Róisín woke early the next morning and reached over to check that Rob wasn’t a figment of her imagination.

  ‘Morning, sleepyhead,’ she said stroking his face.

  ‘I could get used to this,’ he said. ‘Waking up and seeing you.’

  Before they could have an encore of last night’s antics, the door flew open.

  ‘Auntie Ro-Ro,’ Billy said and stopped in his tracks.

  ‘Eh, look who’s here,’ Róisín said. ‘You remember Rob, don’t you?’

  ‘Hi Rob,’ Billy said, running and jumping onto the bed. If the child thought it was remotely odd to find this man in his auntie’s bed, he certainly didn’t show it.

  ‘Guess what?’ he said sitting cross-legged facing them.

  ‘What?’ said Rob.

  ‘We’re having a day out with Mum today,’ he said. ‘We’re going to the adventure park and we’re going on climbing frames and swings and everything.’

  ‘And we’re bringing a nic-pic,’ said Jess as she ran in too. ‘Hi Rob,’ she said, waving happily. Róisín laughed at the innocence of them.

  ‘Mum said she is sorry that there’s been lots of shouting here, but that it’s all finished now,’ Billy said.

  ‘That’s fantastic, isn’t it?’ Róisín said, feeling as if her heart might break.

  ‘We had a lovely talk yesterday, didn’t we, guys?’ Liv said, walking in and leaning against the door. ‘I explained that I haven’t been behaving like a fun mum for a while. But I’m going to try and make it up to them.’

  ‘You’ll do a fabulous job,’ Róisín said, blowing her a kiss. ‘Now if you don’t mind, we might take a little minute to wake up before we join you for breakfast.’

  ‘Sure,’ said Billy as he jumped down off the bed.

  ‘You can come to the adventure park too if you like, Rob.’

  ‘Oh thanks Jess, but I might have to go to work today.’