“Because I’m so happy you’re home, so, so happy.”
“Are you feeling any better?”
“Well, now that you’re home I’m feeling on top of the world. Was everything okay – your da didn’t hurt you or anything?”
“No, he didn’t get mad or anything, but I think he is a bit sad though. He kept saying they weren’t going to let me see him any more but that’s stupid because he only lives around the corner.”
“He’s home, Rachel, he’s home!” Libby is laughing down the phone to her. “He’s home!”
“Oh, thank God! Is he all right? He wasn’t harmed in any way, was he?”
“No – he’s good, he’s in good form – just hungry so I made him some dinner, gave him a bath and put him to bed. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.”
“I’m so glad he’s okay. I’ll call over to see him in the morning, I want to talk to him anyway.”
“Sure, Rachel, we’ll see you then. And thank you so much, you’ve been brilliant over the last few days.”
“Ach, not at all, I’m just glad he’s all right.”
She hangs up and does a little dance around her living room. She feels amazing. The relief of knowing that Jack is okay is rushing around her body. It’s only now that she realises just how worried about his welfare she was.
The next morning she calls over to the house and Jack is already up eating breakfast at the table. Libby is sitting with him, clasping a cup of tea.
“How’re are you doing, buster? You gave us all an awful fright.”
“I hope it’s not too hot in here for you, Rachel,” says Libby. “I’ve the heating up high to stop Jack getting a chill.”
“It’s fine.”
“I’m just going up to see if Tina can stomach anything this morning. I’ll be down in a minute.” She winks at Rachel and she knows it is her cue to talk to Jack.
She waits until he has finished his cereal. He lifts the bowl to his mouth and drains the last of the milk before putting it down on the table again.
“Jack, love, would you be able to tell me what happened in Galway?”
Silence.
“You have to tell me – I just want to help you. It’s really important that I know everything that has happened over the last few days.”
He shakes his head.
She is getting used to Jack’s stubbornness.
“Look, Jack, sweetheart, this isn’t your fault – whatever it is, it isn’t your fault, okay?”
“It is.” He takes his eyes away from the light fitting and looks directly at her.
“Please tell me what happened.”
“I can’t. He’s going to get in trouble.”
“Who is, Jack?”
“Da.”
“Look, I’m not concerned about your da – anything that he has done is a matter for the Gardaí. Now I’m not going to lie to you, what he did was very serious, but it’s not my business – my concern is you, so that’s why I need you to tell me what happened.”
It did the trick as Rachel knew it would.
“Da beat Conor up in the bookshop and there was blood all over his face and clothes. I was so scared.”
“I see. Do you know why your da attacked Conor, Jack?”
“Because I was in the bookshop again – it’s all my fault,” he says in a small voice.
“No, Jack, it’s not your fault.”
“I don’t know if he’s okay.” He starts crying. “Da hurted him really bad and I can’t stop worrying if he’s okay but I don’t want Da to go to jail.”
“That’s okay, Jack, you don’t need to worry about that just now. Thank you for telling me – it was really brave of you, do you know that? I just want to check what you and Conor were doing at the time when your da came in – just before the fight started?”
“I was in the bookshop and Conor was doing work on his computer. Then Da just came flying through the door and starts punching and kicking Conor.”
“That’s all right, that’s all I wanted to know.
“I don’t want to go to Galway again. I didn’t like it there.”
“What your da did, Jack, is very serious – he isn’t allowed to take you anywhere without telling your ma first. I’m sure it was very frightening for you – but don’t worry, no one will be taking you away anywhere like that again, I promise. How about if I find out how Conor is doing and I’ll let you know – would that be one less worry for you?”
He nods. “I really hope he’s all right because there was a lot of blood and Da kept on hitting him.”
As soon as she sees him standing behind the till in the bookshop, she realises why Jack was so traumatised. His face is darkened with blue-black bruising and he has a gauze-padded bandage above his left eye.
“Hi, Conor, I’m Rachel McLoughlin. You may recall meeting me before. I’m the social worker assigned to Jack White’s case?”
“I know who you are,” he says stiffly. “Have they found Jack?”
“Yes, thankfully he’s home.”
“Thank God.” He lets out a huge sigh of relief. “Where was he?”
“John-Paul had taken him to Galway.”
“He’s okay?”
“He got an awful fright, which is only natural, but he’s doing okay. I have to hand it to him, he’s a tough little cookie!”
“He is.”
She pauses for a moment before continuing. “Jack told me what happened, before his dad ran off with him – you must have been so frightened.”
“I was – I’ve never been in a fight in my life. Call me lily-livered or whatever you want but I’m not a fighter.”
“I wish more men were like you – it would make my job a lot easier for a start.” She smiles. “Look, Conor, as you know, Jack’s mum Tina is very sick. She has only a short time to live – doctors reckon it’s probably only another few days now at this stage.”
Conor sucks in a sharp intake of breath through his teeth. “The poor kid.”
Rachel nods in agreement. “It is so sad. That’s why it is such a relief that he has come home – imagine if she had passed away not knowing whether her son was safe or Jack didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to her?”
Conor nods.
She continues, “I’m not sure how much Jack has already told you but, strictly between us, as Tina is terminally ill, I was appointed to do a Section 20 report to recommend a guardian to take care of him for when she passes away. Because Tina and John-Paul were never married, he wasn’t an automatic guardian to Jack and he never went down the legal route to be appointed as one either. Tina didn’t want John-Paul to have guardianship of Jack at all and after everything that has happened over the last few days, I can’t say that I blame her. Jack’s grandfather has Alzheimer’s and is in a nursing home and not in a position to take on Jack, and his other grandparents are dead. It was Tina’s wish that her sister Libby would be appointed as his sole and primary guardian after she passes away. I’ve met Libby and her family myself and visited her house. They live in the County Wicklow countryside so it will be a big change for a city boy like Jack but she has a nice set-up, a lovely home and three other boys who Jack gets on very well with by all accounts. It is a stable and loving family life, which is what Jack is going to need when Tina goes. Thankfully the court went with my recommendation and Libby is now Jack’s legal guardian but John-Paul was very upset about this in the court. I think he panicked and that’s why he went to snatch Jack but obviously he happened to come across you in the meantime and unfortunately you ended up being dragged into it.”
“I see, so I guess I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“I guess so.”
“Well, I’m glad his dad didn’t get custody. From what I know of Jack, just from him coming into my shop, he’s a really great kid, he has a big heart and is soft. It’s going to be very hard on him when Tina passes away and he needs someone who can mother him and give him stability, and the fact that his cousins would be the
re too would be really good for him.”
“I think so too, Conor. Look, the real reason that I am here is because a certain wee man is worried about you.”
“Jack, I’m assuming?”
She nods. “I promised him that I’d find out how you’re doing.”
“I’m fine – you can tell Jack that I’m going to be okay. Look, Rachel, I’ve only known Jack for a short time but Tina should be very proud of him.”
“Ach, she is, Conor, she dotes on that boy.” She takes a deep breath. “That’s what makes this case even sadder.” She brushes a stray rib of hair from in front of her eye. “Okay, well, I’ve taken up enough of your time anyway. I’d better go.” She is back to formal Rachel again.
“Okay, well, will you tell Jack I said not to worry, that I’m doing fine?”
“I will of course. Okay, thanks, Conor, and I hope you’re back in full health again very soon.”
She is just coming out of Haymarket Books and is just getting back into her car. She sees him hurrying towards her and she stops dead on the path. Everything, all her thoughts leave her head like she doesn’t have room inside to take in what she is seeing.
“Rachel – I wasn’t sure if it was you or not –” He is breathless. “So how’ve you been? You look great?” He leans in to kiss her on the cheek.
There is a faint brush of stubble against her skin. She feels a tingling run through her body. She takes a second to breathe in his scent. He is wearing the aftershave that she bought him last Christmas. She still loves how it smells on him.
“I’ve been good. You look well, Marcus.”
“I’m on a bit of a health buzz. I’ve taken up cycling. I’m trying to keep busy, you know?” He knows he is speaking too quickly between the surprise and excitement of seeing her.
She nods. “How’s work?”
“Busy but, yeah, it’s good. There is a problem with the due diligence for the Francine buyout so everything is up in the air until that gets resolved. I’ve been working crazy doors but I’ve cut back on the travel a bit. I’m trying to do more through Skype and video conferencing. After we broke up I had to do a bit of an assessment of things in my life and that was one thing I needed to change – so no more sitting in hotel rooms eating dodgy room service and drinking the mini-bar dry.”
“Well, I’m glad for you, Marcus.”
“But enough about me, how’ve you been? Still solving the world’s problems one case at a time?”
She nods. “Trying my best,” she smiles.
“That’s what makes you so good at your job, Rachel, it’s because you care.” He takes her in his arms and then steps backwards to look at her fully. “God, it’s so good to see you.”
“How are Eli and Alex and of course Jules, Brian and baby Leo?”
“They’re all good . . . they miss you though . . . ” His tone is bittersweet.
“Well, tell them I said hi.”
“I will, of course I will – they’d love to see you, some time, you know . . . maybe when we’re both a bit further down the line . . . ”
“I’d really like that, Marcus.”
Chapter 61
Ella drives down the hill and along the promenade past people jogging and power-walking, and mothers with a coffee-to-go in one hand, pushing three-wheeled buggies with the other, chatting as they walk. She pulls up at the school gate.
Celeste runs across the school car park and over to where Ella is waiting at the gate. It has been so long since she has seen Celeste like this. “I gave out my invitations and everyone says they’re coming, Mummy!”
They have invited the whole class of twenty-four so that no one feels excluded.
“Really?” She tries not to sound too surprised. “Everyone?”
“Uh-huh!” Celeste nods her head enthusiastically.
Ella had expected most people to politely refuse. “Well, isn’t that great!”
“And I’ve been thinking about it some more – can we have a mermaid makeover party, please?”
“That’s a great idea – I like that one!”
“Thanks, Mum, I’m so excited!” Celeste exclaims happily.
“And I ordered your cake this morning – you’re going to love it!”
“What’s it like?”
“It’s a surprise.”
No matter what Dan says about her trying to woo back the other mothers, she doesn’t care. She is buzzing: Celeste is finally letting her in. Once the kids come to the party, she’s going to make sure they have so much fun that they’ll forget all about excluding her.
Chapter 62
Rachel drives to St Dominic’s Terrace. She rings the bell but there is no answer so she knocks gently on the glass in case Tina is sleeping. Finally the door opens and Jack is standing there.
“How are you doing, Jack?”
“I’m okay.”
“Is your ma here?”
“She’s asleep.”
“Where’s Libby?”
“She’s gone home for a few hours to get a few things and to see the boys.”
“Okay, well, do you mind if I come in for a few minutes? I need to talk to you about something anyway.”
He groans audibly but Rachel ignores it. She follows him down the narrow hall with its shelves of ornaments and figurines. She sits down at the kitchen table but Jack bounces a ball up and down on the kitchen floor.
“I went to visit Conor.”
That gets his attention. “Is he in his shop?”
“He is.”
“Is he okay?”
“He’s doing fine. He wanted me to tell you that he’s doing well and not to worry about him.”
Jack looks relieved. “Is Da going to go to jail?”
“Look, wee man, I can’t tell you, that’s going to be up to the judge – but try not to worry – none of this is your fault. Your dad shouldn’t have done what he did. Is your mam awake?”
He nods. “She’s upstairs in her room.”
Rachel climbs the stairs and knocks on the door to Tina’s bedroom.
“I thought I heard you downstairs all right,” Tina says as Rachel comes into the room.
Rachel notices that she has got noticeably thinner over the last few weeks. Her skin clings to her bones and darkness shadows her face. Her breath comes in shallow beats.
Jack follows them in and lies up on the bed and cuddles into his mother.
“Hi, Tina, how are you feeling?”
“Sure can you not tell by the look of me?” she says in her usual sarcastic tone.
Rachel sits down on the chair beside her bed.
“Jack, love,” Tina says, “would you mind getting me another pillow from the hot press – this headboard is too hard for my back.”
Obediently he hops up and goes to do as Tina asks.
“I called into the bookshop earlier.”
“Oh yeah? Did you ask that Conor fella what the fascination is with Jack?”
“Well, it seems Jack just started coming into the shop to have a chat and read a book and then it just became a habit. For what it’s worth, from talking to Conor today and from what Jack has been saying, I don’t think there is anything untoward going on. I actually think that perhaps Jack looks at Conor as a sort of father figure.”
“Well, that wouldn’t be hard, would it? When he has a father like John-Paul!”
“Did you tell Jack about going to live with Libby.”
“I did.”
“How did it go?”
“He was okay about it actually – he kept going on about goal-posts and bunk-beds and computer games. I think he’s excited actually.”
“Well, that’s good anyway.”
Tina grows quiet and Rachel knows what she is thinking.
“Obviously no one can give him as much as you can, Tina, we all know that. Unfortunately life isn’t being very fair to you right now.”
Tina nods. “I know,” she says, her voice breaking.
“Are you okay?” Rachel reaches for her han
d.
“I’m all right, I’m just sad, you know?”
“I think you’re entitled to be.”
Tina pulls back her hand. “Where has that fella got to with me pillow?”
The door opens and when Conor looks up from his paperwork Jack is standing in the middle of the shop floor.
“Jack – no way!” He rushes out from behind the till. “You cannot be serious – you have got to get out of here!”
Jack goes to move backwards and Conor feels bad for him.
“I’m sorry, Jack, but you just can’t come back here any more – it’s too dangerous. I’m not risking having your da finish me off for good this time – go on, go!” He points towards the door.
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