The Lingerie Designer

by Siobhán McKenna

  He stepped forward.

  This one’s for you, Helen!

  And he punched the salesman’s lights out.

  Sarah, who had remained with her ear to the other side of the door, punched the air in victory when she heard the clout. Good old Fred, I didn’t think he had the balls! She ran as quickly as her six-inch heels could carry her to the Accounts office, with any luck Debbie wouldn’t have left yet and just wait until she heard this!

  Who’d have guessed being a lingerie designer could be so much fun?

  Chapter 63

  “Rob you’re early!” Helen said as Rob walked past her into her kitchen, leaving her standing at the open hall door. She swept her arm and said, “Please come in,” to the empty hallway.

  “I know – I waited as long as I could but it was killing me. Have you anything to eat?” he called from the kitchen, as he opened the fridge.

  “Help yourself,” Helen replied as she followed him in. Rob already had a large chunk of ham in his mouth. “I’m just on my way to pick up Daniel now – do you want to come?”

  “No! Best if we stick to the original plan. I’ll wait and you bring Danny here.” He rubbed his hands together.

  “‘Danny’, is it?”

  “Yes, it seemed natural – after talking to him for a while. Christ, I’m so nervous about meeting him – what if he doesn’t like me?” He scratched his freshly shaven chin.

  “Of course he’ll like you – anyway, didn’t you speak to him on the phone and you got on grand. Stop fretting.” Helen brushed crumbs off his shirt. “I won’t be long – make yourself at home, why don’t you?”

  “Sure, thanks.” He opened the fridge again, missing the humour in her tone.

  Helen closed the door behind her, leaving Rob in a deadly silent house.

  What now?

  Usually, given an opportunity like this, he would have a rummage through the office drawers, or Helen’s bedroom. He always liked going through her top shelf – there was usually something new in her treasure chest of goodies. He made to go upstairs, but stopped. It didn’t seem right.

  He flipped open the iBook Helen kept in the kitchen.

  “Blast, she’s gone and got it password-protected!” he said out loud.

  JD observed Rob from his bed.

  “Don’t look at me like that, JD!”

  The dog continued to stare at him.

  “Okay, you’re right – I’ll stop with the password-guessing.” But he still pressed enter on Helen’s birth date, which he had already input. The screen shook to indicate he was wrong. He got down to the dog’s level and patted his head. “I don’t know, JD, this whole being-a-father thing, it has me thinking differently. I hope I’m not growing a conscience or anything.”

  JD licked Rob’s hand.

  “Less of the dog-breath, boy.” Rob pulled his hand away. He brushed down his trousers when he saw dog-hair on them. “Why Helen keeps you inside, I’ll never know. It’s disgusting having a dog in the kitchen.” He went to the sink and washed his hands with an extra pump of anti-bacterial soap.

  Unable to get up to his usual tricks, due to his new-found ethical code and the watchful eye of the Golden Retriever, Rob turned on the TV and Saturday-afternoon football filled the room. Unable to sit still, he went back into the kitchen to make a sandwich. The doorbell chimed just as he was about to take the first bite. He looked down at his plate and considered whether he should answer the door or eat.

  Then he opened the door, sandwich on plate in hand, to let whoever was there know they had disturbed him.

  “Hello.”

  Great, a bloody Mormon.

  “Sorry, son, we’re not buying religion today, thank you.” Rob closed the door, with his foot.

  The bell rang again.

  “Man of God or not, I’ll bloody well give him an earful!” He swung the door open.

  “I’m looking for Helen – Helen Devine,” Jack Taylor said quickly, before the door slammed shut again.

  Rob’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. How did the clean-cut American know Helen’s name?

  “Who’s asking, have you got ID?” Tanned skin, cropped blond hair, but no suit – didn’t the Mormons always wear suits?

  “I’m a friend, Jack Taylor.” Jack thrust his hand forward, smiling – it wasn’t exactly the Irish welcome he’d played out in his head.

  Rob ignored the hand. “I see. She’s not here at the moment, she’s gone to collect our son. Can I take a message?” Not a lie, he justified.

  Jack’s smile faded. He looked confused. “Helen Devine? The lingerie designer at Eden, mother was in a car accident recently?” There must be some mistake.

  “Yes, trust me, there’s only one Helen Devine.” Rob was playing with the American. He couldn’t tell what made a man handsome but he was fairly sure this man had it, whatever it was.

  The confusion on Jack’s face was evident. Had the man really said “our son” or had Jack misunderstood his accent? Why didn’t Helen mention she had a son?

  “I don’t think you mentioned how you know Helen?” Rob asked.

  “A group of us met up in Vietnam, same boat on Halong Bay, that’s all. I met Poppy as well,” Jack said, playing down the connection he had with Helen – or thought he’d had.

  Rob’s eyes narrowed. He wanted shot of the American but he also wanted more information. Still, if he played it right, he could get both. “Why don’t you come in? It’s a god-awful day and you don’t look like you’re used to Irish weather – not if the tan is real, that is!” He laughed but he was fishing.

  Jack was too shocked to notice.

  “I’m Rob Lawless.” He put the plate down and finally offered his handshake, now that it was on his terms.

  “Helen’s lawyer?”

  “Yes, I’m that too.” Rob smiled, tightly. Technically, not a lie.

  Blood rushed to Jack’s face. I’m a total Jack-ass.

  “I’m sorry – I won’t disturb you any further. I wanted to make sure Helen got this safely.” He fished in his pocket and handed Rob a small square box containing Helen’s treasured ring. “I believe her father gave it to her, I mean left it to her, when she was a girl.”

  Rob stared at the delicate gold ring. Helen had said she’d lost it, no idea where. She’d been devastated but had put on a brave face saying it was just a possession. In light of everything that had happened, did it really matter? But her pain had been evident.

  “Anyhow, I found this after Helen had left. I was routed through Dublin, so I figured I’d drop it off in person, in case the carrier lost it. Obviously it was of great sentimental value to her.” Jack shrugged.

  “I see. Where are you en route to?” Rob wasn’t satisfied but he couldn’t outright ask the American if he’d slept with Helen.

  “New York. My girlfriend lives there. Actually that’s where I’m from too, New York State, Nyack. Yes, so I’m used to the cold, you see.” Jack smiled. Shut up gabbling! He just wanted to get away now so he could crawl under a rock and die of embarrassment. Hopefully Helen would buy the story, not know he’d come all the way from the States on a whim, following his destiny, karma, synchrodestiny – is that what she’d called it? Horseshit, more like.

  Rob relaxed slightly when he heard mention of a girlfriend.

  “Jack, that’s mighty decent of you, especially since you don’t even really know Helen.” He looked the other man in the eye, as he would when cross-questioning the opposing team in a courtroom.

  “As I said, I was passing through . . .” Jack made a silly aeroplane motion with his hand. “No big deal, better than sitting at the airport for hours in a transfer lounge.” He looked at his watch for added effect. “Which reminds me, I’d better be making tracks. Amy won’t be too pleased if I miss my flight.” He cocked his thumb, conscious he looked as though he was hitching a ride.

  JD decided to investigate the voices in the hallway. He sniffed at Jack’s shoes.

  “Hey there, boy, what’s your name? I’v
e got a guy just like you back home.” Jack rubbed the dog affectionately behind his ears. JD licked Jack’s face.

  “His name is Jack Daniels – I’m sorry, didn’t you say your name was Jack too? Common name, I guess.” Rob got his dig in.

  Asshole.

  “Good choice, great name for a great dog,” Jack replied, not liking Helen’s husband, or partner, very much.

  “It’s Helen’s dog,” Rob corrected him. He tensed when he realised the slip-up he’d made.

  JD looked up with his dark, dewy eyes and wagged his tail.

  “I can see that,” Jack said, giving the dog a final rub.

  A picture of Helen caught his eye, silver-framed. She looked younger but not that different. She had her arms around a blonde puppy – she was laughing, her face full of joy. That’s why you came to Dublin, Jack. What man wouldn’t? He noticed there were no photos of a child, or this man Rob Lawless, for that matter.

  Rob was getting antsy. Helen would be back soon. The American had to go.

  “We thank you again, Jack – Helen and I – for bringing back the ring. I’m sure Helen would have liked to thank you in person.” Rob opened the door. But he hadn’t covered all the bases, yet. “Does she have your details – an email or mobile number so she can contact you?”

  “No, I’ll leave my card. The details are out of date – I’m moving office but I’ll write my personal email and cell number on the back so she can get in touch, if she’d like to. I’m really sorry about her mother . . . I . . . well . . .” Jack bent down on the hall table to write, his line of vision directly on the picture of Helen. Why didn’t you tell me you had a partner and son, Helen?

  “Great,” Rob said tightly, taking the card from Jack, then putting it and the ring in his pocket. “Well, goodbye, Jack, nice meeting you.” Now that definitely was a lie. “And sorry about the whole Mormon thing, didn’t occur to me you’d be a friend of Helen’s – Daniel’s maybe but not Helen’s.”

  Jack walked away from Helen’s house. How had he misread the situation so badly? This power-of-coincidence bullshit had him convinced there was more to it. He’d really started to believe. The whole thing was probably nothing special, just something he’d got into his head because he wanted to believe he could have more in his life – real love. He smiled to himself. Good old reliable Jack. Solid as a rock, would never do something as stupid as jump on a plane and cross the Atlantic to surprise a woman he’d only actually spent two nights with – they hadn’t even made love.

  He replayed the conversation he’d had with his mother when he’d said he was going to Dublin.

  “Don’t be a fool, Jack! You lost Amy once and now you want to throw her away again for some holiday romance!”

  “Amy left me, Mom, remember? And I’m not back in a relationship with her. And this isn’t a holiday romance – it’s different. It’s karma!”

  “Did they put something in your water in Dubai? You don’t sound like my educated, intelligent son!” she’d fumed.

  “No, Mom, I’ve just woken up. I’m seeing the world for the first time without fear, following my heart instead of my head,” he’d chirped.

  “It’ll all end in tears, mark my words, Jack.”

  As usual, Mom was right.

  Jack Taylor’s spontaneous side would go back in the box where it belonged. He pulled the collar of his jacket up around his ears and plunged his hands deep into his pockets. Damn, it was cold here. He’d noticed fishing boats and a harbour from the taxi earlier. He decided a blast of fresh air was exactly what he needed – wipe out his thoughts of Helen. He put his head down and walked quickly towards the sea. That feeling was back though, the one where something just wasn’t right.

  Christ stop it, Jack, look where that got you before – following your gut – freezing your balls off on a grey, Dublin day.

  Chapter 64

  “Here’s the rain.” Helen flicked on the car’s wiper blades, as she turned the corner for home.

  A man caught her attention – and her breath.

  “Jack . . .”

  “Sorry?” Daniel asked.

  Helen watched the figure of a man walk hurriedly in the direction of the pier. His face covered, protecting himself from the wind.

  She smiled. “Nothing, I just remembered someone I used to know. Something about that man reminded me of him.”

  “What man?” Daniel looked around.

  The man was out of sight.

  “Never mind, it can’t have been him, just the same gait is all. Different life, different dimension. Now, more importantly, present time, present moment – are you ready to meet your father?”

  Rob looked at the card Jack had given him. Plain, good quality, white card: Jack Taylor – Architect.

  He’d seemed like a pleasant fellow, but surely not Helen’s type? Rob had always felt sure of Helen’s feelings for him. Helen was like his comfort blanket in a way. Always there for him, yet independent, too bloody independent. And headstrong, Helen was too headstrong as well. She was like him in that way – maybe that’s why they didn’t make it in the past. Neither would admit to making a mistake.

  He heard her key in the door and quickly crumpled up Jack’s card and threw it in the bin, along with his uneaten lunch.

  The first meeting of Rob and Daniel was a success. The boy was mature for his age and Rob actually managed to drop his airs and graces and be himself. Helen watched as father and son talked about rugby and computer war games.

  “I like Wii Fit Yoga, myself, now that I can’t get to my yoga class in London,” Helen said, leaving out the barring bit.

  If she had expected deep, meaningful conversation, she’d have been disappointed. She wished Mary was here with them and her heart gave the by now familiar tug of grief.

  Helen wasn’t the only one observing the scene. Although he was enjoying every moment of meeting Daniel, Rob couldn’t help taking sneaky peeks at Helen – she was radiant. That American showing up with his all-white teeth and blond hair had been a wake-up call. Even if he’d been telling the truth about passing through Dublin, which Rob didn’t believe, he still cared enough about Helen to go out of his way to do something for her. In the few days he’d known her, he knew the significance of the ring. Would Rob have thought about that? Would he do something like that for Helen? Probably not – and yet another man had. He’d seen something in Helen and Rob had nearly lost her to him. Nearly.

  Timing had been on his side, this time.

  Helen laughed at something Daniel said. Then she looked at Rob, a look that lingered a fraction of a second. Rob smiled back.

  One thing he’d told that Jack Taylor was true: there was only one Helen Devine.

  “That went well, don’t you think?” Helen came into the living room where Rob was still sitting.

  “It was fantastic – he’s a great kid.” Rob stretched back, interlacing his fingers behind his head. “Are you sure we shouldn’t have dropped him into town though?”

  “He’s meeting his new college mates, Rob, what do you think?” She threw her eyes to heaven. “Surely you remember what it was like at Daniel’s age?”

  “True. Time for a celebration – it just so happens I’ve a bottle of Bollinger in the boot of my car,” he said, with a glint in his eye.

  “Really? Who drives around with champagne in the boot?”

  “Solicitors with happy clients – besides, this is a double celebration.” He disappeared before Helen could question him.

  She was nervous – Rob and champagne usually equalled no knickers.

  “Here we are – it’s so bloody cold out, it’s already chilled.” He went to the kitchen, returning with champagne flutes. He handed her a glass – her father’s ring wrapped on the top of his finger. She spotted it immediately.

  Her hand flew to her mouth, “Oh my God, I don’t believe it! How on earth? Where . . .?” Emotion caught in her throat.

  “At the back of the toaster, stuck behind a coffee pot, noodle-head!” He bru
shed her chin with affection.

  “I could have sworn the last time I had it was in Vietnam.” She placed the tiny ring on her little finger, where it belonged.

  “You’ve been through so much in the past few weeks, darling, is it any wonder you got confused?” He put a protective arm around her.

  The scent of his cologne and the feel of his chest felt so familiar, she stayed there, in his arms, feeling relaxed for the first time in weeks.

  “It’s Saturday night, aren’t you meeting your girlfriend?”

  “She’s not my girlfriend. Anyway, I’m not seeing her any more.” Rob tightened his hold on Helen, her head on his chest listening to his heart-beat.

  “Does she know that?”

  Rob ignored the comment. “Is it me or do our bodies fit?” He rested his head on top of hers.

  She closed her eyes and inhaled his skin – she knew exactly what he meant.

  Jack checked his cell phone for the umpteenth time – it remained painfully silent. Outside his hotel window, Dublin city was gearing up for a Saturday night, laughter and music filling the air. He looked at his phone again.

  Nothing.

  Suddenly it shrilled, causing Jack to jump. Private number. “Hello?”

  “Jack, it’s Amy.”

  “Oh, hi.”

  “Contain your excitement, will you?”

  “Sorry, Amy, jetlag, you know what it’s like.” Jack sighed heavily.

  “So, did you see her?”

  “No,” Jack said, barely audible.

  “Have you still got that blasted ring, Jack?”

  “No, I left it with her husband – long-time partner, I don’t know.”

  “Interesting.”

  Jack could hear the smile in Amy’s voice.

  More brightly, she said, “Jack, I forgive you – come home, baby – we can put this whole mess behind us.”

  “When did I get to be the bad guy? I don’t need your forgiveness, Amy – you left me – remember?” What was it with the women in his life – were they all living in a parallel universe or maybe Andromeda as his Uncle Tom would say?