‘Thank God you’re here.’ He kissed her and held her close. ‘I was so worried you wouldn’t get a flight. What happened?’
‘It’s a long story, but I’m here now. I’ll tell you later.’
He picked up her luggage. ‘You look amazing,’ He was looking at her trendy outfit and high boots. ‘Let’s get home. Have you decided where you’re going to stay?’
‘With my da, I hope.’ After what she had been through, Aileen wasn’t going to be fazed by her aunt. She smiled up at him. ‘That’s if you don’t mind taking me.’
As they walked towards the exit, Aileen felt her spirits rise at the sight of a huge Christmas tree in the centre of the airport.
‘Sure, why don’t you phone your da from here? Let him know you’re on your way.’ He paused to glance around. ‘Look, there’s a pay phone over there.’
Her father appeared happy to hear her voice, and she couldn’t wait to see him again.
‘Is everything okay?’ Dermot asked, when she replaced the receiver.
‘Yes, everything’s fine.’ She linked her arm through his, and they walked happily towards the car park.
‘I really wanted us to have a little time together first, Aileen.’ He sighed. ‘Unfortunately, there’s nowhere open on Christmas Eve. I can’t even take you for a drink, but we can talk in the van.’
Aileen nodded. She was just happy to be back in the Fair City, and looking forward to doing normal things, grateful for her time here with Dermot. She tried to forget the previous day, but flashes of what might have happened at that house sent shivers through her body.
‘What are you thinking?’ Dermot, who had been concentrating on finding his way out of the airport, drove a short distance and then pulled into a gateway and glanced towards her.
‘I was thinking how good it feels to be here with you.’ She smiled.
‘You don’t know how good it is to hear you say that. I don’t want to let you out of my sight. At least for now I’ve got you to myself.’ He laughed. ‘Now I sound like a love-struck teenager.’
She felt the same way, and never more than at that moment. Impulsively, she leant across and kissed him.
‘Hold on.’ He fumbled in his pocket and produced a crushed sprig of mistletoe. ‘This has been in my pocket all night.’
Aileen laughed at the small, perspiring white flowers, crushed and wilted against the green stem. How romantic. It was her first time to be kissed under the mistletoe, and when he moved closer—his left arm around her shoulder, his right hand holding the mistletoe over her head—she experienced the same feelings of desire that had coursed through her the last time he had kissed her this way.
The mistletoe dropped onto her knee as his hand slid downwards to gently cup her breast. Aileen didn’t object, and for a few short moments thoughts of the previous evening were wiped from her mind, like a duster across a blackboard.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
When Dermot parked outside the butcher’s shop, he turned towards her. ‘I’ve got something for you.’ He reached across her and opened the glove compartment. ‘It’s just a little something. By next Christmas, if you agree, I’d like to buy you an engagement ring.’
Her heart raced; it sounded wonderful. He handed her the small package and she ripped off the paper and opened the box. Inside she found a purple bottle of lily of the valley. She unscrewed the cap and dabbed a little behind her ears.
‘I love it. Thanks, Dermot.’ She replaced the cap and put it in her bag. ‘You don’t mind waiting then?’
‘Waiting?’ He frowned.
‘To get engaged, silly.’
‘No. It will give me time to save more money and buy you a bigger diamond.’ He leant in and kissed her on the lips. ‘I almost forgot. My brother is here. He’s looking forward to meeting you.’
‘Liam, isn’t it?’
‘He’s fully ordained now. His name is Father Luke. Mam hasn’t stopped singing since he arrived four days ago.’
‘That’s wonderful.’ But she felt a little uneasy. Meeting Dermot’s brother for the first time—and a priest at that—was daunting. As a layman, they could have joked and laughed about everyday things, but now she wasn’t sure what would, or would not be appropriate.
Dermot locked the vehicle, and they both went around the back and stepped into the warm kitchen. The smell of roast chicken cooking in the oven was mouth-watering. The Christmas crib sat on the windowsill.
Dermot led her into the living room where a fire crackled in the hearth. A Christmas tree, with brightly coloured baubles and small neatly packaged presents underneath, brought a glow to her face. She wondered if her da would have kept up their tradition, knowing how her ma had loved Christmas.
‘Oh, sure there you are.’ Dermot’s mother came forward and gave Aileen a hug. ‘Sit yourself down. You must be perished. Get the girl a drink, Dermot.’ Aileen perched on the comfortable sofa.
‘Would you like a soda or perhaps a drop of wine, or sherry?’
‘I’ll have a wine, please, Dermot.’ His eyebrows shot up and, smiling, he disappeared into the adjoining room. She wished now she had asked for a soda but felt in need of a little Dutch courage for what lay ahead.
‘How was your flight? I heard you got delayed. It’s not as if we’ve had bad weather, but we’re glad you got here safe.’ Dermot’s mother said.
‘Yes, it was unfortunate. I’m sorry Dermot had a wasted journey last night, Mrs Brogan.’
‘Oh, get away with you. Call me Alice. Now, Father Luke is up at the church; sure he’ll be down shortly to say hello.’
‘You must be proud to have a son a priest.’
‘Ah, sure indeed I am. I feel blessed, so I do.’
Dermot returned with a drink in each hand. ‘Do you want one, Mam?’
‘I’ll wait until after lunch; otherwise the chicken will be nothing but a burnt offering.’ Chuckling, she left them alone.
Aileen removed her jacket, and Dermot hung it up. He sat down next to her. ‘Happy Christmas, Aileen.’ He chinked her glass. ‘I know you must miss your ma, but I refuse to let you feel sad for one minute.’
Alice insisted that she stay for lunch, and the five of them sat round the table to a tasty meal of roast chicken, roast potatoes and peas, with Bing Crosby crooning out White Christmas on the wireless.
When Aileen met Father Luke, there was no hiding the likeness of the two brothers with the same twinkling brown eyes. Luke was older by about three years, and Aileen found him easy to chat to. She began to relax when the conversation didn’t refer to her mother or her missing brother.
‘What are your plans while you’re here, Aileen?’
‘I’m spending time with my da, and we’re having Christmas with my Aunt Bead and Uncle Paddy.’ She glanced towards Dermot. ‘I’m hoping to fit in a lot in a few days.’
‘Yes, I was sorry to hear about your loss. It can’t have been an easy time for you.’ Father Luke cleared his throat. ‘I hope you’ll find time for a night out before you have to leave, Aileen,’ he said. ‘I want to see as much of Dermot as I can, before I take my leave.’
Mrs Brogan sniffed and stood up to clear the dishes, but he reached over and touched her hand. ‘I have to do God’s work, Mam. You know that, don’t you?’
‘Course I do. Just wish you didn’t have to do it in Massachusetts.’
Dermot’s dad leant his elbow on the table. ‘According to Billy Flood down the pub, yea can ask for a transfer after two years. Is that true?’
‘I guess so, but I could be sent anywhere, Dad.’
As they chatted on, Dermot and Aileen asked to be excused and slipped out of the room. After using the bathroom to freshen up, they set off. Aileen felt suitably relaxed after two glasses of wine, but all the same, she wasn’t taking anything for granted where her aunt was concerned.
‘Well, then. What did you think of our Father Luke then?’
‘He’s really friendly, and nothing at all like I expected.’
&nbs
p; ‘They’re just flesh and blood like the rest of us, Aileen. But I know what you mean. Liam, or should I say, Luke hasn’t changed a bit. We’ll be going to midnight mass. If you fancy coming with us, give me a ring.’
‘Thanks, Dermot, I will.’
When they arrived outside the sweet shop, it was late afternoon, and Aileen felt that sinking feeling in her stomach again. She was anxious to see her da but knew that once she set eyes on Lizzy, angry feelings would surface. Taking a deep breath, she stepped from Dermot’s van.
He placed her case at her feet and then kissed her briefly before going back to sit in the van. He wound the window down. ‘I’ll wait until you’re inside. And Aileen…’ He winked. ‘Ring me at any time.’ She nodded.
Her smile wavered when she glanced at the glass shop door with the closed sign facing her. Her earlier resolve not to allow her aunt to intimidate her had been replaced by an anxious feeling in the pit of her stomach. She recalled the woman’s hostility towards her on her last visit home.
Straightening her shoulders, she rang the bell. It pealed through the shop. Within seconds the door opened and her da stood smiling on the other side. He was wearing a silly Santa hat she hadn’t seen for years. Laughing, he opened his arms, and she went to him. It was the first time she had properly felt his arms around her since her ma’s death, and she clung to him, enjoying the scent of his aftershave for a few seconds, before pulling back.
‘Oh, Da!’
‘It’s good to see you, love.’ He placed his hand on her back and ushered her inside. Then he stepped out onto the pavement, gave Dermot a wave, and picked up her case.
Aileen knew she should ask about her aunt, but she didn’t want to spoil the few minutes she had alone with her da. He led her through the passage into the living room, where Tom Jones was singing The Green, Green Grass of Home on the wireless. ‘You were lucky to get a flight on Christmas Eve, Aileen. We were all a bit concerned when Dermot rang to say you’d been delayed.’
‘I’m sorry, Da. This kind of thing happens at Christmas. Did you let Uncle Paddy know?’
He nodded and placed her case against the wall. ‘I’ll take it up later.’
A Christmas tree stood in the corner, and homemade decorations hung from the ceiling. ‘Oh, Da, it’s lovely.’ She felt tears fill her eyes. Her ma’s sofa looked inviting, and she sat down.
‘Have you eaten?’ he asked.
‘Yes, I’ve had dinner at Dermot’s. I’m going to midnight mass with him later.’
‘Okay, grand. Now, I know you’re anxious to discuss your brother.’ He sat down next to her. ‘I’ll help you all I can. Together we’ll get to the bottom of it.’
He had no idea how wonderful it felt to hear him say that.
‘How long can you stay?’
Right now, she never wanted to leave, and she glowed inside with happiness and felt the urge to hug him again. ‘Just a few days, Da.’ There was still no sign of her aunt. ‘Is Lizzy at church?’
‘Lizzy doesn’t live here anymore, Aileen.’
Chapter Thirty-Nine
‘What happened?’ She really couldn’t have cared less; Lizzy not being there was better than any Christmas present.
‘We had a disagreement and she stormed out. To be honest, I felt a great sense of peace after she left.’
‘Really?’ Aileen wanted to add her own thoughts to that, but decided to keep quiet for now. She had thought her aunt had left before, but then she came back. ‘What did you disagree about, Da?’
‘We had quite a few argy bargies over the last few weeks. I discussed Jessie’s request.’ He shrugged. ‘I know I said I wouldn’t. Well, she ranted and raved when I said I was going to find my son, and bring both my children into the business if they wished it.’ He shrugged. ‘It wasn’t just that, Aileen. I knew I’d made a mistake after you left the second time.
‘I’ve been a fool, but I just couldn’t forgive Jessie for keeping something like that from me all these years. I thought we were close. I’m afraid I let it get to me. It was Lizzy who got me to see a doctor. It turned out I was suffering from depression. I felt ashamed.’ He removed his Christmas hat and ran his hand through his hair. ‘I was deeply hurt by the fact that the woman I loved had secrets she never felt she could share with me. But that’s no excuse for the way I treated you.’
Aileen gave in to the urge and hugged him. He held her at arm’s length. ‘I’ll make it up to you, love.’
‘You already have, Da.’ She sniffed. ‘You don’t think Lizzy will come back, do you?’
He shook his head. ‘She won’t.’
‘What about the joint business?’
‘Don’t fret, pet. I didn’t put all my money into the shop. Lizzy doesn’t know that, and she’s taken more than her share of the profits. She won’t be getting another penny, I promise you.’
Aileen let her shoulders relax. She would hate her da to lose everything he and her ma had worked so hard for over the years.
‘I’m sorry for a lot of things, Aileen, and hope you’ll forgive an old fool.’
She loved her da; forgiving him wasn’t an option. ‘I love you, Da. I always have.’ She twisted round to look at him. ‘Where’s she gone? Did she go back to her old place?’
‘I’ve no idea. She took everything she could carry, and she emptied the till as well.’ He gave a little chuckle. ‘Having you back in my life is all I care about now and finding my son.’
Aileen couldn’t hold back the tears. This was the best Christmas homecoming she could have wished for. ‘I’ve had no luck trying to find him through the normal channels,’ she said. ‘Perhaps we should start by going back to that residential home I told you about. Someone there must know something.’
‘Fair enough then, we’ll start with that. But with Christmas, it will have to wait, and you haven’t got many days.’ He rubbed his hand over his chin. ‘We could try on St. Stephen’s Day. We’ll find your brother, I promise you.’ He stood up. ‘By the way, don’t forget we’re having Christmas dinner at your Aunt Bead’s.’
‘I’m looking forward to it, Da.’ She placed her hand on his arm. ‘Are you…’
‘I’ve made my peace with them. Everything will be grand love.’
‘That's grand.’
He picked up her case and she followed him upstairs. ‘How long have you been on your own?’
‘A couple of weeks, and it’s been all right, love. I’ve put an advertisement in the paper for someone to help me in the shop. It’s been busy.’
She wished she could stay and help him, but she’d put that right at the first opportunity.
The clutter had disappeared, and the bedroom she had previously slept in looked bigger and had a fresh smell. The apple green walls looked nice against the white candlewick bedspread.
‘Sorry about the smell.’ He moved across the room, undid the catch, and opened the window. ‘I hope you like it.’
‘It looks lovely, Da.’
‘How is Mary?’ He sat on the edge of the bed. ‘It was good of her to take you in so readily. She was always a good sort, from what I remember of her. Jessie liked her, and they were friends for a long time.’
‘She’s fine.’ She hung her coat on the back of the door. ‘Speaking of Mary. Can I phone her and let her know I arrived okay?’
‘Sure, use the shop phone. I’ll make us both a Christmas ham sandwich. Then if you’re not too tired, we can sit and chat for a while before you go to church.’
* * *
Later, Aileen rang Dermot and arranged to attend mass with him, his brother, and their parents. Just as she was about to leave, her da followed her to the door.
‘Would you mind if I came along?’
‘Da, are you sure?’
He nodded.
That night, Mr and Mrs Brogan, Aileen, her da, Dermot and his brother walked back home after attending midnight mass. Aileen couldn’t have been happier, as she linked arms with her Da and Dermot. They had a nightcap and homemade mince p
ies at Dermot’s before Aileen and her father walked home together.
She glanced up at the sky full of stars and pointed to one particular star that appeared to shine brighter than the others. ‘Do you suppose Ma can see us, Da?’
‘I’d like to think so, love.’
* * *
Christmas dinner at Bead and Paddy’s was a special occasion. A Christmas tree decorated and trimmed with tinsel and fake snow graced the corner of the room. Small gifts were exchanged before the meal of turkey, with all the trimmings, and later they watched the Queen’s speech and a little Christmas television.
It was difficult to believe all that had gone before, and no-one mentioned Lizzy. That suited Aileen fine. Her da partook of a few bottles of stout with Paddy while Aileen and Bead had a sherry and relaxed. What pleased her most was seeing her family together again.
Later, as Aileen helped her aunt with the dishes, she said, ‘Thanks for a lovely Christmas dinner, Aunt Bead.’ Aileen smiled. ‘And isn’t it great to see Da happy again?’
‘It is that, love.’ Bead hung the mugs back on their hooks and placed the dinner plates into the cupboard. ‘Just like old times, isn’t it? I don’t think he was really happy with Lizzy. She got her claws into him when he was at his most vulnerable.’
‘I wish I’d done more to protect him, Aunt Bead.’
‘You did everything you could, love. We all did.’ She dried her hands. ‘But you can put all that behind you now. When are you going to start looking for your brother?’
‘First thing tomorrow.’ Aileen sighed happily. ‘Da is as keen as I am to find out all we can while I’m here.’
‘Bit ambitious, don’t you think? Especially as you’re going away in a day or so.’
Aileen chewed her lip. Returning to England was less exciting to her now, but she didn’t want to let anyone down. Mary had been good to her, and she was happy enough at the mill. Still, she didn’t want to think about leaving Dublin until she had to. ‘We can make a start, though.’
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