Second Chance

by Patricia Scanlan

  “Tomorrow morning would be fine. I’ll see you then and thanks very much, Matt.”

  “Thank you,” Matt said firmly before hanging up.

  “Jean! Jean!” He raced up the stairs.

  “What’s wrong?” Jean looked worried as she came to meet him.

  “Wrong? Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s right. Matt Collins has just offered me a job in his printing firm. He owns it, Jean. He’s the boss and he’s asked me to work for him. One of his men is retiring at the end of the month and there’ll be a vacancy. I’ve to go in and see him tomorrow.” The words were tumbling out of him.

  “Tony. Oh Tony,” Jean squealed in delight as her husband lifted her into the air.

  “I knew something would come up. I just knew it,” Tony exclaimed. “Our luck’s going to change and all because I helped an old lady. Who’d believe it?”

  “This is the third happiest day of my life,” Jean declared giddily.

  “What were the other two?” Tony asked, grinning.

  “The second was the day Angela was born. The happiest day was the day I married you.”

  “Mine too.” Tony smothered her in kisses as they hugged and danced around Bridie’s bedroom amidst the piles of stripped floral wallpaper.

  “It’s better than winning the Lotto. I can’t wait to get back working again. We’ll get our house some time. We’ll buy one near your ma. We’ll go on a holiday. We’ll do all the things we planned we’d do. We’re on the way up again.” Tony brandished his scraper. “Let’s get to it. I have to have this room done before I start work. Jean, I feel ready for anything. It will be good practice for when we get our own house.”

  Thrilled with themselves, they set to work with a will that not even the most stubborn patch of wallpaper could resist.

  OPEN DOOR SERIES

  SERIES ONE

  Sad Song by Vincent Banville

  In High Germany by Dermot Bolger

  Not Just for Christmas by Roddy Doyle

  Maggie’s Story by Sheila O’Flanagan

  Jesus and Billy Are Off to Barcelona

  by Deirdre Purcell

  Ripples by Patricia Scanlan

  SERIES TWO

  No Dress Rehearsal by Marian Keyes

  Joe’s Wedding by Gareth O’Callaghan

  It All Adds Up by Margaret Neylon

  Second Chance by Patricia Scanlan

  Pipe Dreams by Anne Schulman

  Old Money, New Money by Peter Sheridan