They All Fall Down

by Cat Hogan

  Tess couldn’t believe it when she saw Jen out the back with a cigarette in her mouth.

  ‘Jen! What are you doing? Why in blue blazes are you smoking, you daft cow? And you, Andy! What has got into you all with the fags tonight?’

  They just laughed and blamed the wine. They were soon lured back inside as they heard Doc begin to sing.

  His voice was beyond compare. He was singing ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’, and he sang it beautifully. That was Andy’s song.

  Next he played the opening bars of ‘To Ramona’ for his wife.

  Jen couldn’t help but feel so sad for him and Tess. After witnessing that last conversation, it was clear that he was doing the dirty. She had no idea how she was going to tell her friend. And he didn’t have a clue he was going to be a father again. It was all such a big sad mess. One she couldn’t think about tonight, but the mess had taken the good out of the evening for her. She and Tess had spoken during the week and she now believed that Doc was faithful to her. He had convinced her.

  Scott saw her change in demeanour and thought it was tiredness. He was impressed by her easy charm and skill at throwing a dinner party and, moreover, making everyone comfortable around each other. She looked tiny standing there beside Andy. It pained him to admit they would make a handsome couple. The wine from the evening had mellowed him, and he was enjoying everyone’s company. And he knew nothing would come of Andy and Jen – tonight at least – because they both had too much baggage to go down the casual-sex route.

  Scott turned his attention back to Sal. She was a wonderful girl and a very talented one at that. He really hoped he could help her out through his contacts.

  The cheers and a round of applause brought his thoughts back to the room.

  Next song on the list was ‘Tiny Dancer’. Scott had chosen this for Sal – it suited her, and he had hit the nail on the head as she was a huge fan. Sal really liked Scott. He was a total ladies’ man, she could see that, but their interest in each other was genuine and platonic. They had a lot in common as regards art and, for Sal, it was rare to meet someone with whom she could chat about her work. It was nice and she was enjoying herself. Jen seemed quite cold towards him, which wasn’t like her. Sal could see that she was just trying to be nice for Andy’s sake.

  Sal joined in with the singing at this stage, and Jen couldn’t help herself either. Neither of them were particularly good singers, but they weren’t all that bad. Before long, everyone had joined in, even Scott, who had a great voice.

  ‘Scott!’ Jen said. ‘You never mentioned that you could sing. What a beautiful voice you have!’

  ‘There was nothing to mention, Jen. I can sing with a few glasses of wine in me, but I think we can leave it to the professional to take centre stage.’

  Scott was taken aback by the praise for his voice. Sing-songs and sessions were rare things in the circles he moved in, and it was so long since he had sung in public he had forgotten he could.

  Doc was in his element, and was getting pretty drunk, downing glasses of wine faster than anyone else.

  ‘Scott, please tell me you know this one,’ he slurred as he started to play the opening bars to ‘The Sound of Silence’.

  Scott started to sing, tentatively at first, then Doc joined him in the harmonies and they really did a wonderful job. More cheers and claps. It always amazed Jen – no matter how drunk Doc got, he never missed a note.

  She slipped out to the deck for another of Sal’s cigarettes and watched the scene inside. The candles cast a soft glow on everyone’s face and her kitchen was full of friends, all happy and enjoying themselves … for tonight at least.

  She sat down at the wooden table. From the distance she could hear the sound of the ocean. She was lost in her own thoughts and didn’t hear the door open. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she jumped.

  It was Scott.

  ‘Sorry, Jen. Did I startle you?’

  She stubbed out the cigarette as he sat beside her on the bench.

  ‘Thank you for the invitation tonight, Jen. It’s been a wonderful evening, and so far removed from my usual social gatherings. Refreshing.’

  She couldn’t decide whether he was being genuine or condescending. ‘You’re very welcome, Scott. I know you and Andy are great friends so it’s nice to get to know you.’

  ‘We are very good friends, Jennifer. I know him better than anyone and I’ve always had his back. Andy is a nomad, and that will not change, dear. He has a fixed plan in his head, and no one will get in the way of that. It’s who he is. He will never settle in this little one-horse town. ’

  Something in the tone of his voice made her sure that he was giving her a warning. She didn’t like it.

  ‘I’m sure Andy is a big enough boy to speak for himself about his plans and his wishes, Scott.’ She stood up abruptly. ‘It’s cold out here. I’m going back inside.’

  Scott placed a hand on her arm.

  ‘Jennifer, he deserves the best. Speaking of which, I’m going to make some calls for your really good friend Sal. I have friends in high places on the Arts Council and in the NMAG. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for her as a fledgling artist to get a solo exhibition there? Her career would be made. It would be a shame for anything to stand in the way of that.’

  She shook his hand off her arm and folded her arms across her chest.

  ‘Scott, if you have something to say to me, spit it out. I don’t like your tone and I might remind you that you are in my house.’

  Sal appeared with a cigarette before he could respond.

  ‘Sal, I was just telling Jen here about our plans to make you famous!’

  ‘Oh, Jen, isn’t he just great?’

  ‘It’s great news, Sal, but it’s chilly out here, I’m going inside.’

  She forced a smile at both of them and went in. She was furious, but for now she was going to keep quiet about it all. She couldn’t understand Scott’s problem with her.

  Inside, Tess and Doc were having words. She was wrecked and wanted to go home; he was having a great night and wanted to stay. Tess won the argument and made her way over to Jen for a hug.

  ‘Jen, tonight has been lovely, thanks a million. I’m wrecked, so we’re heading off. I’ll give you a call in the morning.’

  Doc was man-hugging and handshaking with the boys.

  Sal and Scott had come in, protesting over the party coming to an end.

  ‘Scott, do you need a lift to the guesthouse?’ Tess asked. ‘Sal, can we run you home?’

  ‘Yes, please,’ was the reply from each of them.

  And then, they were all gone.

  Jen and Andy sat down at the table, both with mugs of tea in front of them.

  She told him about the phone call she had overheard. He shook his head and played with the candle.

  ‘What are you going to do, Jen? Are you going to tell her?’

  ‘I can’t even think about that now, Andy, I’m wrecked. I don’t know what to do. Doc is my friend as well and I am sick about this. Poor Tess. Maybe I picked it up all wrong, but I think that’s wishful thinking.’

  They sat in silence at the table, each wondering what was going through the other’s head. He looked at her as she gazed into her cup, and he was struck, not for the first time, with how pretty she was. She could feel his eyes on her and it made her heart start to thump. She held on to her cup for dear life, and couldn’t bring herself to look at him. There were no words in her head, or no silly jokes to make, and the energy had shifted to something almost tangible.

  He forgot sometimes how physically small she was, as she had such a big personality. He knew he was headed into dangerous territory with her. He wanted to reach over and touch her hand, or her face, or that beautiful mop of hair, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He needed to stick to the plan. He had got home from hell after Sharon, and he was never going to leave himself that open again. He thought about little Danny, and his little head of curls inherited from his mam. A sweet loveable
little boy, fiercely protective of her. They were loveable, both of them. It was dangerous.

  He stood up from the table so quickly he nearly knocked over the chair.

  ‘I’m off to bed. Goodnight, Jen.’

  ‘Goodnight, Andy.’

  She breathed out a sigh, and picked up the cups. What a night, she thought. My friend’s husband is doing the dirty on her, my other friend is about to get her foot in the door of the most prestigious gallery in Ireland, I have a thing for my housemate and his best friend is practically blackmailing me to stay away. Great, just bloody great.

  The remnants of the party remained on the table and the counters: it could wait until morning. She began the nightly ritual of unplugging and checking everything before making her way up the stairs.

  Andy’s light was off and his door was firmly shut. Story of my life, she thought.

  She got into bed and then it struck her. Scott is gay. He has to be. That’s why he’s warning me off. He’s in love with Andy. Then she thought: No, he’s not gay, I know he’s not. They’re just close friends and he wants to protect him after what happened with Sharon. Around and around the argument went in her head, around and around, until she finally drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 11

  Scott had finished his breakfast and it was enough to cure the effects of the previous night. He had enjoyed himself. The group was an interesting mix, and he was quite taken with Sal’s sheer talent. He would make a few calls on her behalf. Tess and Doc were easy to read – even though Tess had tried to keep her business to herself in their chats last night, he knew she was in real trouble in many ways. Doc was a lost cause and he was a heavy drinker. Jen’s presence had been tolerable but it was very clear to him that there was something between Jen and Andy, and this could mess everything up for him. She was a problem, but he was good at solving them. Now was the time to act.

  The view from the breakfast room in the Bed and Breakfast was stunning. The weather had changed dramatically overnight. The waves were pounding, grinding and roaring onto the beach, crashing down and sending white spray up into the grey sky. It was hard to tell where the sea stopped and the sky started. The rain beat on the window relentlessly, the wind driving it forward.

  He picked up his phone and punched in her number.

  ‘Good morning, The Gale, Tess speaking.’

  ‘Hi, Tess, how are you this morning? It’s Scott here.’

  ‘Oh, hello, Scott. I’m fine thanks. How are you today?’

  He knew by the tone of her voice that she was surprised to hear from him.

  ‘Tess, I’m staying around for a couple of days. Would today be convenient for us to have a chat?’

  ‘Em, yes, ah – OK. What is this in relation to, Scott?’

  ‘I have a suggestion I would like to run by you about your pub that I feel may be of benefit to us both. How would three o’clock suit?’

  ‘I’m intrigued, Scott. OK. I can meet you at three. Do you want to come here to the pub?’

  ‘No – let’s meet somewhere else, where we can talk. I need to go to town. Say, the County Hotel?’

  ‘OK, cool, I’ll see you there at three.’

  Scott put the phone back on the table and returned to his coffee. He knew that Tess was a savvy businesswoman – she had a good head on her shoulders. The pitch would have to be right, and it would have to be above board. Doc had very little to do with the running of the business – he wouldn’t be able to organise his way out of a paper bag. Scott did know how Doc could be of benefit to him, and would make it his business to get to one of his gigs soon, but this weekend was out. He wanted to stay around and spend a bit of time with Andy.

  A short time later, he received a text message from Andy. They arranged to catch up over a few pints in the Gale later. He hoped that Jen wouldn’t tag along – he was sick of looking at her. He wanted his friend all to himself. He finished the dregs of his coffee and went upstairs to get organised.

  The bar in the County Hotel was small and full of character – of days of old. The oak panelling and the dark walls coupled with the weather made it feel like a cosy afternoon in December. Tess sipped on tea and watched as the locals at the bar counter scanned the daily papers for the next bet. They were deep in thought, and didn’t seem to notice her sitting in the corner. It was quarter past the hour, and there was still no sign of Scott. He didn’t strike her as one who would make a habit of being late for anything, but she felt irritated anyway. Sitting there, she recapped on the previous night’s conversation. She hadn’t said anything outright to him about how much trouble the business was in, but she hadn’t lied to him either. He had made some suggestions to her, some of which she hadn’t thought of. She had no idea what he was going to propose at this meeting, and felt under pressure as the time ticked on. Doc had a gig in Dublin and she needed to get back. I’ll give him until half past, she thought. Of course she hadn’t asked him for his number, and he had called the landline in the pub.

  He arrived two minutes later, with no umbrella and soaking wet. Throwing off his light jacket, he apologised about his tardiness and ordered a coffee from the waiter who had materialised at his side.

  ‘So, Tess. Have you been wondering about why we are here today?’ He locked his fingers into a position of prayer, focused on her and looked like a man who was about to reveal the secrets of the Universe.

  She took a moment to answer, taken aback by the lack of small talk. ‘I have been wondering, Scott, but I’m sure you’re going to cut to the chase. So tell me, why are we here?’

  She had sprung into work mode, her demeanour very different from when they sat together in Jen’s the previous evening.

  ‘I want to invest in your business, Tess. That’s the short answer.’ He sat back in the chair and studied her reaction.

  ‘You want to invest in my business? Why?’ She didn’t know where this was going.

  He knew she was now on the defensive. ‘Let’s not beat about the bush here, Tess. Your business is in trouble and I have the means to help you out.’

  ‘I appreciate you taking the time to meet me, Scott, but I have kept the business afloat up until now, without anyone handing me money in the guise of investment. I don’t understand where you are coming from by making this offer, when you don’t know a thing about the business. Not very business savvy.’

  He had expected this kind of reaction. Pride tends to get in the way.

  ‘Tess. This is not a trick.’

  ‘I didn’t say it was, but my father always taught me –’

  ‘OK. Tess, your business is about to go belly-up. You are not in a position to turn down investment opportunities – that’s not, as you put it, business savvy. I am offering you an investment, and I will of course get a return on that.’

  She was getting annoyed now; it just didn’t make sense to her. ‘What kind of return are you looking for, Scott, just so we are clear?’

  ‘When you pick up and you start making a profit, I will seek a percentage of it. I will get the paperwork drawn up, and your lawyer can do the rest.’

  Tess was speechless. It was the last thing she expected to hear from him. An injection of money was exactly what she needed, but why did he want to do this?

  As though he were reading her thoughts, he leaned forward and said, ‘Tess, you need this. I have been in your pub enough times to see you are the brains behind the operation, and you run a tight ship. You have a prime property, in a perfect location that has pots of potential. I don’t need to see historical accounts to know that.’ He touched her hand before he continued. ‘This is not a handout, Tess. It’s a real opportunity for you to get back on your feet and get your business out of the gutter. It’s not charity, it’s a business deal. I have the means to invest, and I am always on the lookout for opportunities.’

  He was right in what he was saying. She needed this, and she knew with the right backing that place could be a goldmine. But she was wary. It all sounded too good to be true.

>   ‘I apologise if I sound sceptical or indeed ungrateful, Scott, but what’s the catch? It all sounds a bit fairytale-like at the moment.’

  ‘No need to apologise. I haven’t put much thought into the finer details, as it was late last night when the idea first came to me. Suffice it to say, I have a substantial fund for investment and I will be looking for a percentage share in the business.’

  They sat in silence as he gestured to the waiter for a refill. He wanted to give her a few moments to process what he had just offered.

  ‘Tess, let me get something down on paper and you can have a think about it. Would you be open to that much?’

  ‘OK, Scott. This is a lot for me to think about, but I am interested in your offer. Get the paperwork to me and then we can talk further.’ Her head was spinning with ideas and figures, but she didn’t want to let him see her excitement – excitement that wasn’t sullied by the notion of someone else now owning part of her empire.

  He nodded and smiled, before putting out his hand. She shook it, nodded and smiled in return.

  Scott’s drink arrived and Tess refused one.

  ‘So, Scott, when you are not throwing money at business owners, what do you do for a living?’ She had visibly relaxed and sat back in the chair with her legs crossed.

  ‘I manage Weybridge Estate for my mother and I am involved in the Opera Society nationally. Weybridge has been in the family for generations, and about ten years ago it was redeveloped into a high-end guest house.’