Every Time We Say Goodbye

by Colette Caddle

  ‘Well, Dot, thank you. I really appreciate it.’

  Andrew scrambled out of the car. ‘What’s your name?’ he demanded.

  Rob hunkered down and smiled. ‘My name’s Rob and you’re Kate, right?’

  ‘No!’ Andrew giggled. ‘That’s Kate.’ He pointed as his sister climbed out of the car, a reluctant smile on her lips.

  ‘Ah, of course, silly me. In that case you must be Andrew.’

  ‘I am.’

  ‘How did you lock yourself out of your car and the house?’ Kate asked.

  ‘Well, I was putting my fishing gear in the boot and I put down my keys inside. I had closed the boot before I realized my mistake. Stupid, wasn’t I?’

  ‘Yep,’ Andrew agreed.

  ‘Don’t be so rude, young man,’ Dot told him.

  Andrew ignored her. ‘Are you going fishing now?’

  ‘I am. Are you a fisherman, Andrew?’ The little boy shook his head. ‘You should try it sometime; it’s great craic.’

  Dot handed Rob her bunch of keys. ‘Well, this gets you into the house but what about the car?’

  ‘I’ve a spare set inside.’

  ‘Ah, grand.’

  He opened the door and handed her back the keys. ‘I can’t thank you enough, will you come in and have a drink? Or how about an ice cream?’

  ‘Not at all. You go and enjoy your fishing.’

  ‘Ah, sure the fish aren’t going anywhere and I fancy an ice cream.’

  ‘Please, Granny?’ Andrew put on his sweetest, most plaintive expression.

  ‘Ah, well, go on then,’ she agreed.

  ‘Do you have kids?’ Kate asked.

  ‘No, why?’ Rob asked.

  Kate gestured at the three flavours of ice cream, chocolate sauce, strawberry syrup, wafers and cones.

  He grinned. ‘My sister’s two boys come to visit and they love ice cream, but to be honest, I’m a bit of an addict myself.’

  ‘Can I make my own?’ Andrew asked.

  ‘Sure, let’s get you set up here.’ Rob lifted him on to a stool and arranged everything around him.

  ‘He’ll make an awful mess,’ Kate told him. ‘He always does.’

  ‘Do not,’ Andrew protested.

  ‘I’ll help,’ Rob smiled at her. ‘What would you like?’

  ‘Just a vanilla cone, please.’

  ‘Ah, you have simple tastes. What about your granny? I’m guessing she’s a strawberry and chocolate fan.’

  Kate’s eyes widened. ‘How did you know that?’

  He tapped the side of his nose and whispered, ‘I could tell you but then I’d have to keeel you.’

  Kate giggled.

  ‘He knows from looking at the size of me that I eat anything put in front of me,’ Dot laughed.

  ‘Get out of that,’ Rob retorted. ‘You’re no size at all.’

  ‘In that case, make mine a large one with all the trimmings,’ Dot smiled, enjoying the man’s easy company and his relaxed manner with the children.

  ‘How old are your nephews?’ Andrew asked.

  ‘Christopher is eight and Jonathan is four. They will be up to visit me next week; you can come and play with them if you want.’

  ‘Cool. Then we can play on the trampoline and swings again,’ Andrew said with a delighted grin.

  ‘Why don’t you talk to your sister about it first?’ Dot suggested. The woman might not want two strange kids visiting and she didn’t want Andrew and Kate to end up disappointed. ‘Now, we should make a move and let you go fishing.’

  ‘But I’m not finished yet,’ Kate protested.

  ‘Don’t worry, I’m in no rush; there’s more chance of catching a fish if the sun is going down.’

  ‘Do you have a boat?’ Andrew asked.

  ‘No, I fish from the pier or the rocks.’

  ‘What do you catch in Howth?’ Dot asked.

  ‘Pollack or whiting usually. It’s a bit early in the season, but as it’s the first free time I’ve had in a while, I thought I’d give it a go.’

  ‘My husband, God rest him, used to take my son.’

  ‘Daddy went fishing?’ Andrew scowled. ‘He never took us.’

  ‘Well, it was when he was little,’ Dot explained. ‘He’d probably forgotten how.’

  ‘No, he was just too busy; he was always too busy,’ Kate mumbled, her face dark.

  ‘I’m afraid that’s what happens when you grow up,’ Rob told her. ‘I hardly ever get a chance to do the things I’d like.’

  ‘Have you brought your nephews fishing?’ Kate demanded.

  ‘A couple of times,’ Rob admitted, shooting Dot an apologetic look.

  She shook her head. ‘It is sad that you didn’t get to do more with your daddy, love, but we have a grand summer planned; you won’t have time to turn around you’re going to be so busy.’

  ‘But will we be going fishing?’ Andrew asked.

  ‘Well, I don’t know how to fish myself,’ Dot admitted, ‘but I suppose I could learn.’

  ‘If you want, you can come down with me now and I can give the three of you a quick lesson,’ Rob offered.

  ‘Ah, no, love. It’s very kind of you but we won’t intrude on your nice peaceful afternoon.’

  ‘Honestly, I’d enjoy the company.’

  ‘Can we?’ Kate asked eagerly.

  ‘Please, Granny,’ Andrew begged.

  She looked at the eager faces of the children. It was really unfair to this poor lad; he was probably just being polite but she found it hard to resist the kiddies. ‘Okay, but just for a little while and you’ll only be able to watch; if I take you home soaking your mother will murder me.’

  ‘Ah, I think I can help there.’ Rob stood up. ‘Come on.’ He led them through the connecting door to the garage and after checking in a couple of boxes, found what he was looking for. ‘Here we go.’ He drew out two sets of red wellies and two nets.

  ‘Cool!’ Andrew’s eyes lit up in delight.

  Kate sighed. ‘They won’t fit me; I’m almost ten.’

  ‘Try them on; Christopher’s a big lad.’

  The children tugged off their shoes and put on the wellies.

  ‘They fit,’ Kate said, her eyes lighting up in delight. ‘But what about our uniforms?’

  ‘You’re not going swimming, are you?’ Dot said. ‘Anyway, one more day and you won’t need them any more.’

  ‘Wait.’ Rob rummaged in the box again and pulled out two windcheaters. ‘These will keep you reasonably clean and dry.’

  ‘I don’t suppose you have anything in my size?’ Dot joked.

  He grinned. ‘I’m afraid not.’

  ‘Ah, so your fiancée isn’t a fan of fishing?’

  Rob frowned. ‘I don’t have a fiancée.’

  ‘Oh, sorry, I just assumed you were engaged; Marianne mentioned that you were getting married next year.’

  ‘I don’t know why—’ Rob started.

  ‘Come on, let’s go,’ Andrew urged, all kitted out and impatient to get moving.

  ‘Okay, okay, mister, we’re coming,’ Dot laughed and hurried out of the garage after the children.

  Dot had been nervous at the thought of the children standing on the high wall of Howth Pier; a strong wind would take Andrew away, and although she was four years older, Kate wasn’t that much bigger than him. But Rob took them to a quieter spot where the water was shallower and the children would be safer, and so Dot found a flat rock to sit on and watch. It was odd to be here in the company of a total stranger but he seemed a lovely and very patient lad. Andrew was on his best behaviour while Kate listened intently as Rob explained everything that he was doing. He allowed each of the children a turn with the rod and showed them how to reel in the line, but the rod was too heavy for either of them to be able to cast off. She smiled, amused that she even remembered the term; Bill would be impressed. She had some very fond memories of their fishing expeditions. They had been happy days; there was something very calming about the sport. She must ask Rob where
she could get some smaller rods and she would make a point of bringing the kids here on a regular basis.

  They both seemed happy and carefree today and there was a definite improvement in Kate’s mood. Marianne’s chat with her had helped and mother and daughter seemed much closer. Dot was happy for her daughter-in-law. The poor girl deserved some happiness in her life. But though things did seem to be looking up, Marianne had seemed very low in the last week. Dot had said as much but she’d insisted she was fine. Maybe she was finding it hard to settle into her little house. That thought made Dot frown. She wished Marianne would go out more but except for outings with the children or the occasional drink with Helen and Jo, she went nowhere. Dot wondered if perhaps she was grieving for Dominic, but dismissed the idea immediately as idiotic given what he’d put her through.

  ‘Granny, Granny,’ Kate squealed, her voice louder and more excited than Dot had heard it in months. ‘I’ve caught something!’

  ‘Steady now,’ Rob said calmly, taking the weight of the rod while allowing the little girl to reel in the fish. ‘Slowly, Kate, take your time, there’s no rush. Andrew, my man, do you think you can handle catching the fish in the net once Kate gets it out of the water?’

  Andrew nodded and then, his face a picture of concentration, grasped the handle of the net tightly between his two little hands and trained his eyes on the water rippling around the fishing line.

  Dot had to smother a laugh but stepped forward to see what Kate had caught, praying furiously that the bloody fish wouldn’t get away.

  ‘That’s it, Kate, you’re doing great.’ Rob’s voice was quiet and steady. ‘Can you see it?’

  ‘Yes!’ the child gasped, excitement lighting up her face.

  Dot swallowed the lump in her throat and gripped Andrew’s shoulder as he edged closer to the water to catch a glimpse of the flash of silver as the fish wriggled frantically on the end of the line. And then it was out of the water and Rob hoisted it high for them to see. ‘Well, would you look at that!’ Dot clapped her hands. ‘Well done, love!’

  ‘Okay, Andrew, are you ready?’ Rob asked. ‘He’s a lively little fella so you’ll need to keep a tight hold of the net.’

  ‘Will I help?’ Dot asked, knowing that Kate would brain her brother if he dropped the bloody thing.

  ‘No, I can do it,’ Andrew insisted.

  As Rob lowered the squirming fish into the net, Andrew hung on as if his life depended on it. Rob quickly set down the rod and came over to release the hook from the fish’s mouth.

  ‘Now,’ he looked from one child to the other, ‘do we keep it and cook it or just take a couple of photos and throw it back?’

  Kate didn’t hesitate. ‘Throw it back.’

  ‘But take a photo of it first,’ Andrew said.

  ‘Okay.’ Dot pulled out her phone. ‘Say cheese.’

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Marianne emerged from the meeting room and switched on her phone. There was a voice message from Dot, and finding a quiet corner, she played it back. Immediately she heard Kate’s voice. ‘Mum, Mum! I caught a fish! It’s huge, it’s called a polk—’

  ‘Pollack.’

  She froze at the distinctive voice that had corrected her daughter.

  ‘A pollack and—’

  ‘It’s my turn,’ she heard Andrew wail. There was a scuffle and then her youngest said, ‘Mum, I caught it in my net, all on my own. It was really heavy, even Rob said so, but I didn’t drop it.’

  ‘Say bye, love,’ she heard Dot say.

  ‘Bye, Mum,’ her two children chorused happily and then there was silence. Conscious that she was late, Marianne moved out onto the steps in front of the hotel but there was no sign of Johnny. She quickly checked her other messages and found a multimedia one from Dot. She pressed enter and waited for the photo to load. And then there it was: her two kids grinning broadly, a fish between them held by none other than Rob Lee. A horn blared and she looked up to see Johnny’s car stop on the other side of the road. She quickly shoved the phone into her bag and ran across to him, almost relieved that she didn’t have time to wonder how or why her children were out fishing with her mother-in-law and ex-lover.

  She’d got a call first thing this morning from Adrian Matthews asking if she and Johnny would like to drop in later. There had been some developments.

  ‘Nothing to get excited about,’ he’d warned her, ‘but I’d prefer not to go into it over the phone.’ And so Marianne arranged a meeting for after her course finished and called Johnny to see if he was free to join her.

  She sensed him hesitate. ‘If you’re too busy . . .’

  ‘No, no it’s fine,’ he said, but he sounded tired and distracted and once they’d agreed a meeting place, he hung up.

  ‘Hi, Johnny,’ she said breathlessly, climbing in beside him. ‘Thanks for this.’

  ‘No problem, sweetheart. How did it go today?’

  ‘Great, I enjoyed myself,’ Marianne said, pleased that Rob had been proven right and she was having no problem mastering the technology.

  ‘When do you start?’

  ‘Next week. I’m teaching pensioners how to use email, Twitter and Facebook over three evenings. I’m a bit nervous to be honest.’

  ‘You’ll be grand. So, any idea what Matthews has to tell us?’

  ‘Not a clue but I don’t think it’s anything earth-shattering.’

  Johnny guided the car through the heavy afternoon traffic towards Donnybrook. ‘Still, it’s good that he’s keeping in touch.’

  ‘Why wouldn’t he?’ Marianne couldn’t help retorting. ‘I’ve bent over backwards to help him, despite the fact that I’ll probably get nothing out of it.’

  ‘Hey, what has made you so pessimistic all of a sudden?’ Johnny glanced at her.

  ‘Sorry. I suppose I’m feeling a bit stressed.’ She pulled out a tissue and dabbed the corner of her eyes; she didn’t want to go into the office looking like a panda.

  ‘I’m not surprised. When you go home, have a nice hot bath and an early night and you’ll be right as rain in the morning.’

  Marianne thought of Dot’s small bathroom and smaller boiler; by the time the children had been bathed, it would take at least two hours for the water to heat again and even then there would be barely enough to cover her legs and she would emerge shivering. ‘Yes, that’s what I’ll do.’ She smiled at Johnny.

  He pulled into a parking spot straight across the road from Matthews and Baldwin. ‘Now, let’s go and find out what the man has to tell us.’

  ‘Marianne.’ Adrian Matthews walked into reception, his hand outstretched.

  ‘Hello.’ Marianne shook his hand and tried to hide her surprise that he’d come to greet them personally.

  ‘Mr Sheridan, good to see you again.’ Matthews offered him the same firm handshake.

  ‘Please, call me Johnny.’

  ‘And I’m Adrian,’ he replied.

  Marianne and Johnny exchanged bemused looks as they followed him down the corridor to his office. He paused at his secretary’s desk. ‘Would you like tea or coffee?’ he asked them.

  ‘Tea please,’ Marianne said.

  Johnny smiled. ‘Me too.’

  ‘Tea all round, please, Kara.’ He stood back to let Marianne precede him into his office and when she went to sit at the desk he stopped her. ‘Let’s sit over here, we’ll be more comfortable.’

  Marianne glanced at Johnny who just shrugged. She figured that Matthews had either very good or very bad news to break. While they waited for the tea, Johnny and Adrian made small talk but she couldn’t bring herself to join in. Since that day in her house with Rob when Vanessa had arrived, she had found herself becoming increasingly depressed.

  The few times she’d seen or talked to Rob since, he’d been pleasant. He’d said he was too busy to train her himself but she didn’t believe that. He was keeping his distance and he was probably right. She found herself wishing that Vanessa hadn’t shown up that day and that he had taken her to b
ed. If he had, she was sure that they would be together now, despite the fact that he was engaged to be married.

  Kara brought the tea and once they all had cups in hand, Adrian got straight to the point. ‘My apologies for dragging you in here but I feel this matter is too sensitive to discuss on the phone. There has been a small development. It would appear that Dominic was not working alone.’

  Marianne stared at him, too stunned to speak.

  ‘And do you know who else was involved?’ Johnny asked.

  ‘Let’s say there is a very strong case against one person but we have no hard evidence yet.’ He looked at Marianne. ‘It may help you to know though that Dominic seems to have been just a pawn in the operation. He may only have been involved because he was being blackmailed by someone aware of his drug habit.’

  ‘Well, that’s a turn up for the books,’ Johnny said, shaking his head in wonder. ‘No wonder the poor guy had a heart attack; he must have been under terrible pressure. Is the mastermind of the operation one of your other employees?’

  Marianne finally found her voice. ‘Barbara.’

  Matthews nodded. ‘You are quite right, although as I said, we can’t prove it yet.’

  ‘We thought there were discrepancies in her story.’ Johnny looked from Marianne to Adrian. ‘But I’d never have guessed this.’

  ‘Well, thanks to some of the leads we got through the phone contacts, we found out quite a lot about Ms West. For one thing, she didn’t give up her job for Dominic; she was advised that it would be in her best interests to leave.’

  ‘Why’s that?’ Johnny asked, leaning forward.

  ‘For behaviour that, though not quite criminal, was less than ethical, shall we say . . . As for her house, yes she sold it and there is no paper trail but neither is there any evidence that Dominic was involved in the transaction.’

  Marianne felt as if her head was going to explode; nothing made sense. ‘But the baby . . .’

  Matthews raised his eyebrows. ‘Ah, yes, the baby. I talked to one of my staff who used to be quite a close friend of Barbara’s. When I mentioned Barbara might be pregnant, she laughed and said something to the effect that before even taking a pregnancy test, Barbara would have been on the phone making an appointment for a termination.’