She still had a few more questions though.
‘And Miriam Twohy? She and Mulhern were in college together?’
‘Yeah.’
Flynn nodded slowly.
‘They were all in UCD at the same time: Mulhern, Eamonn Teevan and Miriam. Gerry and Miriam had a big barney in the bar one night, he made a move on her and she told him to get stuffed. Caused quite a scene, apparently. He never forgot it, and Gerry Mulhern isn’t a man you want to cross. Well, that goes without saying. He recognised her, one night when he was on this Netmammy site, from a photograph she’d posted. Sent her a message, pretended he was one of the other women and wanted to meet up. He’s swearing blind that he didn’t start off intending to kill her, that he just got mad when she turned him down again. I don’t know. We’ll leave that to the jury too, I suppose.’
Claire had a headache. But there was more.
‘And the woman in Galway?’
Flynn looked puzzled.
‘What woman?’
She sighed. She’d forgotten no one else had made the connection.
‘You’re going to have to get a file reopened.’
She hoisted herself up on the pillows again. She was getting very tired and she knew Matt would be up in a moment, scowling at the clock on the bedside table.
Flynn closed his notebook, and looked straight at her.
‘You saved Mrs Mulhern’s life. Twice. I mean, I was heading back to the room anyway, but if she hadn’t had the buzzer in her hand …’
Claire returned the stare.
‘She saved her own life.’
She blinked, then rubbed her hand over her eyes again, harder this time and Flynn nodded gently.
‘If you don’t mind me saying, you looked kinda knackered.’
Claire was about to argue, and then felt the pain in her back and swallowed her words. The previous day had left her exhausted. But at least her instincts had been right. She had only spent five minutes at LondonMum’s bedside before Matt had burst in and dragged her home. But she had had enough time to place the call buzzer in the young woman’s hand and hide it under the bedclothes. She hadn’t even known if Yvonne had heard her, or if she knew the buzzer was there. But she had felt responsible for her.
Yeah, it had been a long day. She was paying for it now. The doctor said she’d be lucky if the baby didn’t come early. She would be on strict bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy, and she’d be hospitalised if things didn’t improve. And this time she wasn’t going to argue. Anyway, there was very little left to do.
Her colleague stood up and then pointed at her laptop, which was charging at the bedroom wall.
‘I’ll leave you to it, so. Can I get you anything before I go? Do you want me to bring over the computer for you?’
Claire was about to say yes, and then looked over at the pile of magazines Matt had arranged on the bedside table. Pregnancy and Baby, Modern Mum, good Jaysus, he’d even added in a copy of Hello. Then she noticed a cardboard box buried beneath them. A dark brown cover, jagged silver lettering. A box set, that Scandinavian drama she had wanted to watch, if she ever got the time. Fair play Matty. You know me well.
‘No, you’re grand, thanks, Flynn. I think I’ve got everything I need right here.’
HELP? CAN ANYBODY HELP?? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FIRSTTIMER
Oh my God girls. At home. DH is at work, phone turned off. My Mum’s away for the weekend. AND I THINK MY WATERS HAVE BROKEN!!! OMG!!! Am 39+6. Just stood up there and OMG water everywhere! Do you think this is it? OMG. Oh Good Jesus girls. Just got a pain there. At least I think that was it. Can’t get DH. HELP ME PLEASE!
MeredithGrey
It’s okay honey. Deep breaths now. Have a glass of water. Deep breaths. Relax. Might be best to call the hospital pet. They’ll tell you what to do.
FIRSTTIMER
OMG BAWLING NOW GOT ANOTHER PAIN WHAT AM I GOING TO DO IS THIS IT IS THIS THE BABY?
RedWineMine
Yep, sounds like it love. It’s okay. Give the hospital a call, try DH again and tell us what they say.
FIRSTTIMER
OK JUST GOT DH AND HE’S COMING HOME TO GET ME. GOT ANOTHER PAIN THERE GIRLS WHAT WILL I DO IT’LL TAKE HIM A HALF AN HOUR TO GET HOME I’M SO SCARED.
MammyNo1
It’s alright love. No need to be a hero. Take all the drugs if you need them! And don’t worry love. We’re here. We’re always here.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to the fantastic team of women who helped bring this book to life, Sheila Crowley and Becky Ritchie at Curtis Brown, and Katie Gordon and Jane Wood at Quercus. It was a pleasure working with you all.
Thanks to Eimear Cotter, Ciara Ní Laighin and Darina Sexton for your expert advice.
Love and thanks to Ciara, Fachtna, Margaret and Treasa who read everything first.
Thanks to Paula for your support.
Special thanks and much love to Caroline Stynes for your invaluable help and encouragement.
Thanks, and all my love to Andrew, for your advice and encouragement, and to our beautiful boys Conor and Séamus, who inspired me to see it through. Mo ghrá sibh go léir.
Finally, this book is dedicated to my parents, Alice and Mick Crowley, who didn’t see it published but always believed it would be.
Can Anybody Help Me? Page 27