5 Peppermint Grove

by Jackson, Michelle

  Ruth felt in her pocket and took out a tissue to wipe the tears and dribbles away from Julia’s hair.

  “You need a cup of tea and a lie-down, Julia. I’ll book a flight after you drink it.”

  Julia nodded and went over to the couch and lay down. It was the most horrendous news to hear while so far away. If she had been at home could she have done anything? She hadn’t been very close to her brother-in-law but she always took him as part and parcel of her family. He was the father of her beloved niece and nephew. How could he do this to them and to her sister? She cried out with anger at him for leaving his family this way.

  Ruth handed her a mug of strong tea with sugar added. It tasted strange and uninviting but she drank it nevertheless.

  “What happened exactly?” Ruth asked.

  “I don’t know any more than I told you. Mum just said that he didn’t come home from work –” She sobbed before starting again. “And then they found his car at the pier in Howth and the coast guard picked up his body a while ago.”

  Ruth was shaking now. Suddenly Australia didn’t feel like a couple of flights from home – it felt very far away. This was an example of just how far. She would get down to seeing what flights were available straight away because the only place Julia wanted to be right now was back in Dublin with her family.

  The Malaysian Airways flight was leaving in four hours. Julia insisted that she wanted to go for it and she didn’t care how much it cost. It was the quickest option. She would have two stops but a short transfer in Kuala Lumpur. Ruth was in shock herself and feeling very bad that she selfishly didn’t want her friend to leave so soon. The drive to the airport was quiet and Ruth had a lump in her throat – holding back so many things that she wanted to say. How could she help her friend while she was in so much pain? She had never felt so helpless in her life.

  At the airport Ruth made sure that Julia’s luggage was checked in properly and waited with her until it was time to board.

  Julia hugged Ruth tighter than she had ever held her before.

  “I really wish you weren’t living here – I wish I’d never told you about this job but, you know, it’s probably the best thing I have ever done for anyone. If I hadn’t meddled in matchmaking all those years ago my beautiful sister wouldn’t be going through so much pain right now. I feel like it’s all my fault.”

  Ruth had to calm her friend down to see sense.

  “Julia – Odette and Craig would have probably met with or without you – they both drank in Gibneys and it was inevitable. You must not blame yourself in any way. Odette loved him.”

  “But she was miserably unhappy for the last couple of years and now it’s clear he was too. It really is my fault.”

  Ruth looked her hard in the eyes.

  “Julia – don’t let me ever hear you say anything like that ever again – you always try to help people – if it doesn’t work out it is not your fault.” She paused. “Besides, Odette has her beautiful children and she did have good times with Craig. You have to get a perspective on this – we don’t know the full story yet.”

  Julia nodded. That was true – it could have been an accident. But people didn’t go out on their own and ditch their car the way that Craig had without a motive.

  “Call me as soon as you get home,” Ruth said. “I’d love to say I’ll be back in a couple of weeks but that’s not going to happen.”

  Julia shook her head. “I know that and I wouldn’t expect you to either. You have been sweetness itself looking after me and Michael and I was having such a lovely time – apart from the disaster with Brian – nice guy but so not for me. You know, one thing I’ve learned from seeing Richie again – there is someone for everyone and maybe I should not create obstacles any longer. I might even consider a relationship with an Irishman!”

  This made Ruth laugh and broke the tension.

  Even Julia was smiling now. “Yes, can you imagine – Julia Perrin and an Irishman? It might happen yet!”

  As she drove back alone along the Great Eastern Highway she felt as if she was going to burst into tears but that was not going to help her friend or herself. She had to be strong and focus on her life in Australia – no matter how hard the next few days would be.

  Angela was torn as she heard her daughter crying down the phone, the pause between her replies emphasising the terrible distance between them. She was a strong woman in her own way – there had been pivotal times in her life where she had made her decisions and stuck to them. This was one of those times. She didn’t need her husband’s permission to travel to Australia – she had taken the trip before without him and she would do it again!

  “I’m coming out to see you, Ruth. I’ll be with you before this month is out if I can.”

  “Mum that’s very kind of you but really there is no need – I’ll be fine.”

  “I know what that place is like better than anyone and how lonely and isolated you must be feeling – I’m going to the travel agent’s tomorrow.”

  “I’m not lonely or isolated – honestly, Mum, I’m having a good time – it’s just that this sad news has shaken me a little.”

  “I know that, Ruth – that’s why you need me to come and visit. Everything may have been fine but you will be feeling sad after that shock and that’s why I need to be with you.”

  Ruth let her mother rant on because she really did want to see someone from home and soon.

  Chapter Forty

  Julia held Odette by the crook of her arm as they walked down the aisle behind her husband’s coffin. Her sister was a composed widow and determined not to shed a tear. Julia wondered how she was strong enough to hold it all together but the frightened faces of little Jamie and Charlotte showed that Odette had more to think of than her own grief.

  Horatio was taking it badly and for the first time ever needed a walking stick to help him make the short journey from the car to the church. The tragic death of someone with such small children had a terrible effect on the congregation and the fact that he had taken his own life brought dreadful bitterness and regret.

  Dylan was at the forefront of the church ceremony. His speech was touching and wonderfully supportive. Without dwelling on the terrible end of his brother’s life, he focused on his great achievements and the wonderful legacy that he had left behind in his children. There wasn’t a dry eye left in the congregation afterwards.

  Julia went to commend him on it as they got into the cars outside the church, but he didn’t seem to take much notice of her – it was clear his concerns were focused largely on Odette and his aunts and uncles who were visibly disturbed by the whole scenario. Dylan was totally on his own now – no parents or siblings.

  Julia regretted desperately how offhand and rude she had been to him over the years – her prejudice and pride had prevented her from giving him a chance. Odette had said that he was thinking of moving to London and Julia wished and hoped that he wouldn’t go, because she didn’t feel like superwoman at the moment and she knew that Odette would need all the support she could get.

  The cortège drove to Fingal cemetery and Julia was reminded of the last time that she had been there. In a strange way she felt her father with her now, helping and supporting her spiritually in the way that he done since his own death.

  And the big question that hung in the air and on everyone’s lips was one that no one was willing to ask – why? Why would Craig do such a thing?

  The funeral lunch was held at the yacht club and Dylan had organised every detail to perfection. He must have been in a terrible state of shock but Julia had to admire the way that he held everything together. His care and thoughtfulness towards Odette and her small children made Julia almost desire him. It wasn’t the first time that she had felt this way. When she had been in Australia and heard that he took Gillian out for drinks with his family it had touched a chord with her that didn’t make sense. But now, as he swept around the room seeing to every detail of the lunch and ordering drinks for everyone, she f
elt a shiver as she again thought of her father. That was who he was behaving like and the realisation made her think of Dylan even more fondly.

  Julia looked over at her mother who was sipping a cup of tea in the corner of the room next to Horatio. Carol was very worried for her daughter and, for the first time since her husband’s death, Julia could see traces of the old Carol return. She wasn’t so self-assured nor had she turned on the computer since the terrible news.

  It was an awful way to return to Dublin and Julia hadn’t had a chance to review what was happening to her business. Remarkably, Gillian appeared to be handling everything well and her team were managing without her. But a time like this makes people reconsider their priorities and what really matters in life. While Julia was in Australia she had time to consider what mattered and now with Craig’s death she really had to ask herself what life was all about – what did she want to leave as her legacy?

  Julia stood up to go over to her mother but just then a stocky man who was about the same age as her mother walked through the door and made a beeline for Carol who stood up as she saw him. The man went over and hugged Carol tightly and she put her head on his shoulder and cried.

  Julia had never seen him before but guessed that this was the man Horatio had spoken about while she was in Australia. Carol took the man’s hand and led him out to the balcony. Julia was desperate to follow them but Horatio noticed what was going on and gave her a firm nod which her told to stay where she was.

  Julia was torn and walked over to Odette but found her flanked by friends and neighbours. She felt so alone and decided to leave the room to compose her thoughts and take stock of the situation. Everything was changing around her and she wasn’t sure where she fitted in with anyone in her life any more or if she indeed fitted anywhere.

  Chapter Forty-one

  Michael was frustrated in Singapore. Even a proposed party later couldn’t distract him from the anguish he felt. He was concerned about his sister and his entire family. He was angry with Craig for doing what he had done. He couldn’t see any other point of view. And he was angry at himself for being so far displaced from his family. He had been away for too long but it would be foolish just to walk out – he had earned shares in his company and he wanted to go home with a nest-egg. However at times like this money wasn’t very important. His family needed him and he needed them. It was the Catch 22 situation of the emigrant and his home.

  He decided to call Julia – the funeral would be in motion now and he wanted to be connected in some way.

  Julia was outside on the balcony of the yacht club. She had avoided her mother and her new friend but realised that it would only be a few moments before they would be introduced and she dreaded the thought of speaking to the man who had replaced her father. When her phone rang she felt relieved.

  “Julia, it’s me.”

  “Michael, it’s so good to hear you. It’s been the most awful day. I don’t know how Odette has managed to keep it all together so well. Dylan has been wonderful.”

  “I told you he was alright, Ju. I wish I could be there.”

  “Don’t worry – really you are better off there. Nothing can make this situation any easier.”

  “Well, I’m more determined than ever to come home now. Especially for the kids.”

  “It would be nice for Jamie to have you around – and Charlotte too – they are going to miss out so much not having a daddy.” And then Julia’s eyes welled up again like they had done so often during the day.

  “Has anyone any idea why he did it?”

  “We just don’t know. He had been acting very strangely but Odette thought that it was work pressure and Dylan thought that he was having an affair. There really is no glaringly obvious reason – the police said that people can be depressed and those that live with them don’t realise it until something like this happens. It turns out that he was doing a huge amount of extra work and there was a terrible atmosphere in his office. But there must be people living with that every day up and down the country.”

  “I don’t suppose we’ll ever know.”

  Julia sighed. “Well, we can’t ask him now and that is going to be the difficulty for Odette. And in time we’ll have to tell the children the truth too.”

  “It really is a mess. How’s Mum?”

  “Well, it looks like Granddad was right – a man has just arrived and swept her off – she never mentioned him to me. I guess I’ll meet him in a few minutes.”

  “Go easy on him, Ju – you know how harsh you can be on some men!”

  “Hey, that was the old Julia Perrin – so much has happened these last few weeks I don’t know who or what I am any more!”

  “Call me later if you need to – I can’t sleep here at the moment – it’s so damn hot and all the stuff going through my head is really getting to me!”

  “Hurry home, Michael!”

  Suddenly Lydia arrived on the balcony and walked in Julia’s direction.

  “I have to go here – bye.” Julia hung up, aware she was leaving Michael confused at the other end of the line. “Lydia, you are so good to come!”

  They hugged warmly.

  “I’m so sorry that I couldn’t make the church. I couldn’t get out of today’s meeting but I wanted to see how you were.”

  “It hasn’t been easy. It’s all a bit of a haze at the moment. Come inside and have a drink. Tell me all about your happy life – I need to hear good news!”

  Lydia followed her into the lounge and they took a seat by themselves.

  “I’ve been looking at houses in Sandymount,” Lydia said. “I think I told you that – oh, and how was Australia, I forgot to ask?”

  “It was really lovely – cut short by six days of course – but Michael came down to us for the weekend and we had a really lovely time.”

  “And how does Ruth like it?”

  “She’s enjoying it – not too homesick so far.”

  Lydia took one of the cups of tea that were being passed around by the waiters.

  “Before I forget, you must thank Peter for us,” said Julia. “He was really wonderful about Craig. It helped hugely to know that someone we knew, even indirectly, was handling the case. He has been so comforting with Odette and made all the questioning so easy. He even brought out a lovely Ban Garda who was wonderful with the kids.”

  “He has his good points,” Lydia smiled proudly. “Howth wouldn’t normally be in his jurisdiction but there are so many suicides at the moment that there is a fear it is becoming endemic – the guards are trying to keep them all as quiet as possible and, knowing that you were a friend of mine, he jumped in to get involved immediately. It won’t make the papers, he assured me before I came out. I know it’s not much but I hope that that’s some help.”

  “You’ve no idea how much that helps. I could never in my wildest nightmares have imagined how awful something like this is for a family.”

  Lydia recognised the start of tears in her friend’s eyes and gave her a warm hug.

  “Thanks, Lydia,” Julia said as she pulled away. “And what about you – how are things?”

  “Well, no rings yet if that’s what you mean! And Peter doesn’t seem that keen to go house-hunting with me. He says he loves where he is. Sometimes I think all men are the same!”

  This was the first time Julia had heard a cool word said about Peter. She wondered if his halo had slipped for some reason. As far as the Perrin and Fagan family were concerned, however, Peter was some sort of superman.

  “Are you still considering asking him to marry you on the 29th?”

  “Well, when I emailed you it was a bit of a joke because I honestly thought that he had the ring bought and all – it was something his sister had said at Christmas – but now I’m beginning to think that I may well have to do it myself. Men change when you move in with them, don’t they?”

  “Well, I wouldn’t know – I’ve never lived with anyone else except Ruth! And that was only for a summer!”


  Lydia backtracked. “Don’t get me wrong – he’s really good to live with – and now that I’m in his apartment I thought that he would be territorial but he’s not at all – I can do what I want with the place. But I’m the one selling my apartment and he isn’t interested in finding a dream house like I am.”

  “Is his apartment nice?”

  “It’s lovely – you must come over some night – actually, we must do that next week. I’m sorry that I’ve been so caught up in my relationship with Peter – I’ve been a terrible friend.”

  “You have not! You’re a wonderful friend and I can always rely on you at any time!”

  Lydia smiled. Then she noticed something unusual over Julia’s shoulder. “Who is that with your mother?”

  Gerry had walked into the lounge holding Carol by the arm. Now he was shaking hands with Horatio and sitting down beside him.

  “Oh, that’s her new fella that she hasn’t told me about – I can’t believe that he has showed up!”

  “Where did she meet him?”

  “Playing bridge online.”

  Lydia laughed out loud.

  “I know, it’s hilarious, isn’t it?” said Julia. “Even my mother can meet a man – I’m beginning to think that there’s something wrong with me.”

  “Julia, you were never looking for one – all the men around are looking at you and you could have your pick of any of them – don’t you realise that?”

  Julia was amazed by Lydia’s remark. What was she saying? That to the rest of the world she was some sort of Ice Queen? That made her feel bad.

  “So what do you think of my mum having a new man?”

  Lydia shrugged. “It’s great – everyone has a right to happiness. I can see that it must be hard for you when you miss your dad so much – but you have to ask yourself: would your dad have minded?”

  Julia shook her head.

  “So, if he wouldn’t mind, then why should you?”

  That was very true. Her father hadn’t a jealous bone in his body – it was his ‘live and let live’ nature that she had admired but she hadn’t followed his lead. Instead she had tried to control everything and everyone around her. But there was time to change and maybe she shouldn’t be so offensive with her opinions. Her mother was upset and it was sad that she couldn’t confide in her daughter that she had met someone. She suddenly vowed she would make this man welcome – because if he made her mother happy then that was all that mattered.