Something Found

  Normally Emily would’ve been offended to be ordered out of her own bedroom, but she was too thankful for the reprieve to mind. She hurried back down the stairs and into the front room. Shutting the door behind her she let out the laughter she’d been fighting to hold in. Tears were soon running down her cheeks and she was doubled over almost in pain.

  “I can still hear you,” Joni bellowed from upstairs.

  That brought Emily to her knees.

  “Okay Ms. Fit,” Joni said when she’d finally found something more suitable. “Let’s see how this’s done.”

  “It’s really quite simple Joni. You put one foot in front of the other. It’s similar to walking except you do it faster.”

  “I see. I praise you once for being sarcastic and you think you’ve mastered it.”

  “Exactly.” Emily liked this new comfortableness with Joni. Two weeks ago she’d never have dared to joke with her this way. But two weeks ago she’d felt like the weakest person on earth. She’d needed all the coddling reassurance she could get then. Learning that she had things to offer changed that. She was starting to feel that maybe she could become an integral part of Collin’s family. Maybe she had something to add to the mix.

  “Some great trainer you’re going to be.” Joni still looked perplexed and uncomfortable.

  Emily’s expression sobered. She didn’t want to scare Joni off before they even started. “Really it’s just about finding a pace you’re comfortable with. Don’t push yourself too hard or you’ll hate it and it’ll be bad for your body. Just push yourself enough so that you can feel your muscles working.”

  “Okay, I can feel it. Am I done now?” They had gone about a quarter of a block.

  Emily ignored her and they managed to make it down to the bridge and across the river before Joni commented again. “I think I was wrong yesterday.” Her breathing was heavy.

  “About what?”

  “About saying this wouldn’t kill me.”

  “You have to think about it in the right way Joni,” Emily said patiently. “Think about the things that make you mad or think about things you’d like to be better at. Get angry or be positive. Either way it’ll fuel you. And you’ve got to concentrate on your breathing as well. Make sure your breathing evenly or you’ll get a cramp.”

  “What happened to just putting one foot in front of the other?” Joni asked snidely.

  “Stop talking and focus,” Emily shot back at her.

  Joni chose not to comment again but her eyes darkened. Her mouth became a straight line and her face became intense. It wasn’t long before her stride was picking up that bit more. Emily had expected it would. Joni was too tall to remain at Emily’s pace and all she needed was a little pushing to get her going. Minutes passed and she was pulling ahead of Emily. Then she was out in front of her. Emily watched her go happily. She had a feeling that Joni might just come to enjoy running.

  “Just remember we still have the run back,” Emily yelled out to her before she was out of earshot.

  They walked slowly back over the bridge, sweat dripping down both their faces. They had run for almost twenty minutes and Joni looked tired, but happy. “My legs feel all wobbly.”

  “Yeah. It’s like that when you first start, or when you run farther than usual. I should warn you Joni, you’ll be in some pain tomorrow.”

  She turned with a typical Joni snort. “You tell me that now?” But there was a smile on her face. “It was like you said. I was thinking about the things that make me mad at first, the things Robert does that annoy me, or even the kids, angels that they are. That got me going at first. But then I started to get another feeling. I felt free. It was great to be out on my own, away from everyone and everything and running.”

  “That’s when you really started going fast wasn’t it?”

  “Yeah. Only I couldn’t keep it up for long.”

  “That’s because you need to work on your breathing. I’m not great at it either when I run fast. You really need to make sure you’re breathing evenly or you start gasping and it just doesn’t work.”

  “I’m glad I came with you.”

  Emily was hesitant to ask the question that had been on her mind since Joni had called but she couldn’t resist. “Why did you? I really was shocked when you called this morning.”

  Joni shrugged her shoulders and threw her arms up in the air like a kid. “Oh petty jealousy. I didn’t like it when Robert commented on how fit you are. I can’t remember the last time he gave me a comment like that.”

  “But Joni you’re in great shape. You’ve had two kids after all.”

  “But I don’t want to be in great shape considering I’ve had kids. I want to be in great shape period. I’m not ready to just let myself go.”

  Emily chuckled. “Yeah. I can tell.”

  Collin was surprised when he got the call to meet Joni and Emily in the pub after work. They sounded like schoolgirls the way they were chattering and he got the impression they’d already had a couple. Emily sounded slightly nervous asking him to join them but Collin intended to prove to her that he could have a drink or two without getting out of control. He was determined to show her that she wouldn’t have to keep worrying about him.

  “So what’re we drinking?” Collin asked, spotting them easily in the quiet bar.

  “Bud and Bulmers,” Joni answered without hesitation. She had no qualms about her brother buying her a drink.

  “And how many of them have you ladies had already?”

  “Only two,” Emily said defensively.

  “Maybe three,” Joni added.

  Collin smiled. He knew his wife well enough to know he wouldn’t be able to drink much anyway. There was a good chance he might be carrying her home. “Then I’ll be back with number three . . . . or four.”

  When Collin rejoined them with a Guinness of his own Emily couldn’t help eyeing it warily. But she made a conscious effort to trust him and enjoy the day she was having. She wanted to hear about his day at work but first she wanted to share her own good news. “So, it’s all decided.”

  “What’s that?” Collin asked confused.

  “I went in to see Orla today. I’ll be working Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from ten to five.”

  Collin nodded, impressed. “Wonderful! My own working woman. Maybe I’ll quit altogether and you can support me.”

  “Don’t be mean,” Emily pouted. The fact that he was supporting her still got under her skin sometimes.

  “Em, I didn’t mean it that way.” He leaned over to kiss her. “I didn’t mean it that way at all.”

  After three Bulmers Emily let herself be easily placated. “Well maybe I’ll take you out to dinner sometime though.”

  “That would be great.”

  “Would you two stop the lovey-dovey crap. It’s disgusting. And what about my news?” Joni cut in impatiently.

  Collin turned to his sister. “Don’t tell me you got a job too.”

  “No,” Joni gave him a mockingly annoyed look. “I went running.”

  Collin did a repeat performance of Emily that morning, almost dropping the glass in his hand. “You did what?!”

  “I went running,” Joni repeated smugly. “And I even liked it.”

  Collin looked wildly at Emily. “That’s it. Back to your own country. It’s one thing to go messing with my head, but leave my poor sister out of it.” Then, looking back at Joni, “Are you okay?”

  “Shut up Collin,” she said flatly, but her lips were still turned up in a smile.

  “I wonder what I’ll come home to find out tomorrow. Maybe you’ll both take up sky diving or something.”

  Joni turned to Emily, suddenly excited. “That’s a great idea for next Wednesday. I could make the call and-.”

  “Forget it,” Emily cut her off quickly. “Moving to a different country is enough of an experience for me right now. If you want to go jumping out of planes you’ll have to find someone else.”

  “Spoilsport,” Joni sulked.<
br />
  Collin sat back in his chair and enjoyed watching his wife and sister banter.

  “So, what about your news,” Emily asked before he could get too relaxed. “How was your day with Kevin?”

  “I never thought I’d ever say this but Kevin and I actually had a grand day together. I stayed in the office and he stayed out of it,” Collin smiled noting the look of disapproval on both their faces. “But we did go out for a nice lunch. You could even call it a business lunch. We discussed what new merchandise we might want to buy and how much we can afford to spend on it. I put together some graphs on what’s selling the most and we had a whole conversation without fighting. Well up until the end.”

  “What happened then?” Emily’s lips turned down expecting the worse.

  “We fought over who’d pay the bill. But since I’ve been the bigger langer lately I won out.”

  “Good for you,” Joni congratulated him as if it were something to be proud of.

  “Thank you,” Collin swelled his chest up and plastered on a bright smile.

  “Imagine the two of you getting along for a whole day.”

  “I know.” Collin’s expression mellowed. “He said some things the other day that made me think. Joni, did you ever think we were exclusive?”

  “What d’you mean?”

  “With Kevin and Paul. Well Kevin more so, but Paul too.”

  “I never meant to be.”

  “Me neither, but Kevin says it seems that way to them. That we’ve always had this great bond and left them out.”

  “You two can be that way,” Emily said softly, not sure how much her input was wanted.

  “Really?’ Joni seemed genuinely surprised.

  “Yeah. I picked up on it right away. I was more nervous about losing Collin to you than another woman.”

  “That’s just ridiculous,” Joni said more heatedly.

  “Look I don’t want to fight about it. But you two do have this kind of relationship that puts others on the peripheries.”

  Joni didn’t continue to argue but her expression wasn’t happy.

  “I’m sorry. Look I didn’t mean to ruin the mood. Let’s just talk about something else.”

  Chapter 12

  “Emily!” It was the fourth time he’d said her name. The first three had been gentle enough but he wasn’t getting any reaction.

  “Hmmm?” She still wouldn’t open her eyes.

  “It’s nine fifteen. You have to be to work by ten. I’m leaving now.”

  Emily opened one eye slowly. Then the other. She couldn’t believe Collin was already showered and dressed.

  “There’s coffee and orange juice next to you. I suggest you drink them and get in the shower. You wouldn’t want to upset Orla.” Collin smiled knowing that Orla wouldn’t be upset in the least. But it was amusing to get Emily out of bed this way.

  “You’re enjoying this too much,” Emily croaked.

  “I certainly am.”

  Emily wasn’t really hung over, just tired. Collin had kept her up for some time after they’d left the pub the night before, going on about how much better things were at work. She was annoyed that he could wake up after being up just as late without a problem. He was even smiling which she’d never seen him do on a weekday morning. But by the time she’d showered the coffee was kicking in. She turned on some music and continued to get ready, her spirits rising.

  Orla spent the first hour showing Emily the ropes. She started with the most important thing, the coffee machine. “This is the first thing I turn on every morning and in my opinion it’s what keeps the place going.”

  Emily feigned shock. “But Orla you’re so organic and coffee really isn’t good for you. I mean you even grow your own vegetables. How could you be a coffee addict?”

  “No, Brendan grows the vegetables. I just cook with them.”

  “But you sell organic teas.”

  “I know,” Orla became apologetic. “And I do drink them. I know they make me feel better. But I can’t help it. I love coffee.”

  “But you hide the machine back here in the office where the customers won’t see it.”

  “Well . . . .” Emily waited for the sarcastic come back only to be disappointed. “Yeah.”

  Orla led her back out into the shop to go over the till which took a little longer. Then she showed her where the backup stock was kept. “And if you’re bored there’s this.” She opened a cabinet of cleaning materials. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  Emily smiled. “You’re paying me Orla. I expect to have to work for it.” Orla seemed relieved by her attitude. “Besides I don’t think I could’ve picked a nicer shop in town to work in. Except that I’m going to want to spend all the money I make here too. This place makes me want to redecorate our house all over again and we just finished doing it.”

  “Well at least you’ll get a discount.”

  Emily warmed to that idea.

  “I’ll stay out here with you today. Make sure you’re comfortable before I disappear into the office. Oh, and if you ever want to bring in cds, obviously suitable for the customers, go right ahead.”

  “Cool.”

  “And at one you can go for a lunch break and I’ll go for mine at two.”

  It was funny having these things explained. It was Orla after all. Emily felt like she was playing at work instead of really doing it and she couldn’t keep herself from saying as much. “It just doesn’t feel like work,” Emily explained. “Maybe it’s being in another country. It still kind of feels like I’m on holiday.”

  “Well hopefully it’ll stay that way. I like that kind of environment. But every now and then you will get an annoying customer. And around Christmas time, let me tell you, it won’t be very fun. People start going mad that last week. And when they find out you’ve already sold out of something they can go into conniptions.”

  Emily laughed. “That’ll be interesting to see.”

  “You say that now.”

  Emily took a tour of the place while they talked. She wanted to get a feel for the items as well as the prices. She was still amazed by the amount of things Orla sold.

  “So how’s Joni?” Orla asked. “It was good of her to stop in with you yesterday. I haven’t actually seen her in ages.”

  “Good I guess,” Emily said it lightly, keeping her back to Orla while she examined a mirror.

  “I see,” Orla nodded knowingly. “She’s still having problems with Robert.”

  Emily turned confused, wondering how Orla could have picked up on that so fast.

  Orla laughed. “I could see your expression in the mirror. Worried. Besides I figured it out yesterday. I could tell by the way she was.”

  “Oh.”

  “They’ve been that way for a while now. I just hoped it was getting better.”

  “I don’t really understand it,” Emily confessed. “Robert seems like a nice enough guy. And I would say they both still love each other . . . Did it used to be different?”

  “Oh yeah. They used to be fun. I mean really fun. It wasn’t a party without them. Even when they had Leah they were still great craic.”

  “What happened?”

  “I don’t know exactly. I think they stopped talking. Joni didn’t like being a stay at home mom and Robert didn’t like putting on a suit and tie and becoming a salesman. He’s always been a people person and he’s great at the job but he’s not like Kevin.”

  Emily already knew Orla wasn’t the type to talk about things behind someone’s back maliciously. That she was being told these things made her feel she’d stepped into the inner circle of the Ryan family. It was a compliment.

  “I think by the end of the day they’re both just worn out and they’re not talking anymore.”

  “But why doesn’t somebody say something? I mean if everybody knows what the problem is why doesn’t anybody do anything about it?” Emily couldn’t understand.

  “Because it’s not our business. You’re very sweet Emily and good intentioned, bu
t I think you’ll find that over here, while we like to know everybody’s business, we don’t talk about it to their faces.”

  “Oh.” Emily looked confused and then a little guilty.

  Orla’s eyes narrowed. “What’ve you done?”

  “Nothing much. I just offered to babysit a week from Friday so that she and Robert could go out.”

  “Friday week,” Orla corrected her words to the Irish variation without thinking about it. “Were you pushy about it?”

  “I don’t think so.” Emily tried to remember back.

  “Well that’s okay then. But I wouldn’t take it much further. They need to figure things out for themselves.”

  ‘It’s just that Joni and I have been getting on so well lately. And I have to say I didn’t expect it or at least not so soon. I thought she hated me there for a while.”

  Orla smiled warmly. “That’s our Joni. She can give off that vibe whether she means to or not. She’s protective of Collin and the rest and doesn’t tend to trust people right away.”

  “Gee, ya think.” Emily enjoyed how easy it was to talk about things with Orla.

  “Still, even if things are going well I’d be careful. To be honest I’ve budded my nose into her business before. It’s the main reason I don’t see her so much these days.”

  “She got that mad?”

  “I wouldn’t say she really holds a grudge anymore. And we’re happy to see each other. But it’s not like it used to be.”

  Emily met Collin for lunch, reveling in the feel of leaving her own job to do it.

  “So how’s it going?” he asked. His eyes were bright and cheerful. It was not the face she’d grown used to greeting every evening.

  “Good. Easy enough so far. But Orla’s been spending the day with me. I’m sure it’ll be different when I’m on my own.”

  “How’s the head?”

  Emily smiled guiltily. “Fine. How ‘bout yours?’

  “I’m grand. But then I only had two pints.”

  “True.”

  Emily had been pleased to see Collin taking his time over each pint instead of gulping them back. He’d actually managed to keep to the same pace she was, which was saying something. It also made her wonder more seriously if she was developing a problem of her own.