Before she left backstage, she went in search of Cathy to let her know where she'd be if she was needed. 'And I'll come backstage to help the ladies and Eliza with their ballgowns.'
Cathy smiled. 'Bless you. Now all I have to do is persuade Eliza that her voice is fine and we'll be ready to go.'
Celine was still chuckling as she went down to the hall. Phyllis Jenkins was a very nervous, anxious woman with the voice of an angel. Unfortunately she never thought it was good enough. But no doubt Cathy would reassure her.
'What's so funny?' Richard asked, appearing at her side.
'Just the leading lady's suffering with her nerves. Is everything ready out here?'
'Seems to be.'
'Any news?'
He shook his head.
She sighed. 'I think we'll have to spend the evening dodging Rose.'
'But we'll tell her tomorrow.'
'Do you think so?'
'We can't leave it any longer than that. He's her son.'
By the time the curtain went up, the hall was full and except for a slight smell of smoke, no one would have known of the previous day's crisis. Celine was standing at the back of the room, grateful she had an excuse not to sit with Rose. 'I need to go backstage for some of the costume changes,' she'd explained after introducing her dad, Brenda and Alan to everyone. Richard wasn't so lucky. Rose had patted the seat beside her and he'd thrown Celine a desperate look. 'Enjoy the show!' she'd said with a sympathetic smile and slipped away. Now at least she was able to forget about Fergus for a little while and get lost in the story of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins. The time raced by and before she knew it, it was time to go backstage again. The dressing room was full of hushed excitement. 'You're all fantastic,' Celine told them honestly. 'The audience are really enjoying it.'
They hurriedly put on the ballgowns and Celine moved among them, helping with hair, fastening necklaces, touching up make-up and supplying a safety pin when necessary. She had deliberately worn her lightweight cotton jacket with the large pockets that were laden with pins, buttons, combs and even Superglue for real emergencies! After a frantic five minutes, she was alone again as the women hurried to their positions in the wings. Celine hadn't expected this buzz from an amateur production but there was an amazing atmosphere in the cramped backstage area. She hurried back out front so that she could see the full effects of the costumes from the hall. A ripple went through the audience as the curtains opened revealing the ballroom scene. Celine smiled. If only they knew that under the corsage pinned to Eliza's waist there was a tear; that the elaborate feathers attached to another gown hid a nasty burn and that the gauzy net material adorning some of the ballgowns had come from some old net curtains!
At the break, Celine went to find her dad and Brenda to see what they thought.
'Excellent!' her dad pronounced. 'That Eliza Doolittle has a beautiful voice.'
Brenda shook her head. 'No, I think Henry — Dominic — is better.'
Marina joined them and beamed at Brenda. 'He is wonderful, isn't he?'
'He's marvellous!' Rose told her. 'Kay and I were just saying he could go professional.'
'The costumes are wonderful, Celine.' Brenda smiled at her sister-in-law. 'You've done a great job.'
'She's done an amazing job,' Richard said, putting an arm around Celine.
'Wait until you see the Ascot scene,' Rose told Brenda.
'Kay told us about the fire,' Frank said. 'You did well, love, to get the new dresses finished on time.'
'I enjoyed every minute,' Celine admitted.
Brenda's eyes lit up. 'Really?'
Alan laughed. 'I think, Rose, that Celine may not be working for you for much longer.'
Rose nodded. 'Yes, I know, but at least I'll be able to buy and sell her clothes.'
Frank looked at his daughter. 'Are you really going back to dress design?'
She nodded. 'I even have my first customer.'
'She's making my wedding dress,' Marina told them.
Frank hugged Celine tightly to him. 'That's wonderful.'
There was an announcement telling them to return to their seats. 'I'll see you later,' Celine said, squeezing his hand. She kissed Richard as they left to go back to their seats. 'I'll go back to the apartment with Daddy after the show.'
'And Alan can follow me. Rose said she'll go with them.'
'They all seem to be getting on well,' she remarked.
He grinned. 'Like one big happy family.'
As the lights went down, Celine went backstage to help the women into their gowns but by the time she got to the dressing room most of them were already dressed.
'We couldn't wait,' Maggie told her. 'But we could do with some help with our hats.'
'And can you fix my feathers, Celine?'
'Have you got your stapler, Celine?' another shouted, 'I think my boobs are going to fall out!'
This was greeted with laughter and Cathy ran in to hush them. 'You all look beautiful,' she whispered, 'but keep the noise down.'
As they went to take their positions, Cathy drew Celine into the wings. 'You can watch from here for a few minutes. You'll be able to see the audience's reaction.'
When the curtain went up there was an audible gasp. Then someone started to applaud and soon the entire audience were applauding.
'That's for you,' Dominic whispered in Celine's ear.
'Daddy and Richard probably started it,' she joked but her heart was thumping in her chest. She hurried down to the hall so she could judge the dresses for herself. Her heart thumped even faster and her eyes filled with tears as she studied her own designs and admitted to herself that they were good. 'You were right, Dermot,' she murmured under her breath. 'I can do it.'
Chapter 51
'More champagne?' Richard moved from group to group, a bottle in each hand.
'The champagne's never going to last at the rate he's pouring it,' Marina said as Celine loaded another tray of vol-au-vents into the oven.
'It doesn't matter, there's plenty of beer and wine.'
'You should be out there with your adoring public,' Marina told her.
'No chance. Anyway, this is Phyllis and Dominic's big night. Weren't they sensational?'
'Wonderful,' Marina agreed, misty-eyed.
'Can I help?' Brenda walked in and put her empty glass on the counter.
Celine looked up and smiled. 'Perfect timing, Brenda, we're just about to start the food. Can you take the sandwiches and sausages around?'
'No problem.' Brenda took a bunch of napkins, the two plates and went out again.
'I can't believe the difference in that woman,' Marina remarked as she arranged canapes on a plate.
'I know, isn't it great? I think if Alan's grin gets any bigger it's going to split his face!'
'Speaking of grins, my mum and your dad haven't stopped nattering all evening.'
'I hope Rose doesn't feel left out.'
'Rose? Not at all! She's holding court in the studio and Richard's pal from the art gallery is hanging on her every word.'
'You're kidding!'
'Nope.' Marina loaded a tray with food and napkins. 'I'll see what else is going on and report back.'
Celine wiped her hands on a cloth and sat down on a stool to enjoy her champagne.
'What are you doing out here all alone?' Richard asked, walking up behind her and slipping his arms around her waist.
Celine rested her head against his chest. 'Someone has to look after the guests.'
'Is there no end to your talents?' He leaned across her to take a spring roll. 'Mmmn, these are good!'
'Have you called again?' she asked.
Richard sat down on the stool beside her and pulled out his mobile. 'Several times. I left a message for Fergus telling him everyone would be here after the show.'
'Did you tell him Rose was here?'
'About three messages ago.'
'What about Declan?'
'I phoned the station but they said he wasn't availab
le.'
'All this waiting is driving me mad. What if something's happened to Fergus?'
'What's going on?'
Celine whirled around. 'Rose! I didn't see you there.'
'Obviously. What's happened to Fergus?'
Richard went to her and put an arm around her shoulders. 'Rose, there's nothing to worry about—'
She shook his arm off. 'Don't treat me like a child, Richard. I want the truth and I want it now.'
Richard met Celine's eyes and she shrugged.
'Let's go outside,' he said. 'It's quieter.'
When they were sitting on the sofa in the hallway outside the apartment, Richard started at the beginning and told Rose everything.
She paled at the mention of Mick Garvey but listened in silence as Richard talked.
'Why didn't you tell me?' she said when they were finished, tears rolling silently down her face.
Celine crouched at her feet. 'He begged us not to. He didn't want to worry you.'
'I'm his mother, that's my job,' Rose said wearily. 'He did this to protect me, to protect the shop? As if I give a damn about the bloody shop! I'd gladly move to Timbuktu if necessary.'
'If this works, Mick Garvey will go down for a very long time.' Richard pointed out.
'But at what cost?' Rose snapped.
'The police will look after him,' Celine murmured and hoped it was true.
'How the hell can they look after him if they don't even know where he is?'
Celine shot Richard a helpless look.
Rose stood up, wiping here eyes on her sleeve. 'I'm going down there.'
Richard stared at her. 'To the station? There's really not much point, Rose—'
'Don't try and stop me! I'm going down there and I'm not leaving until I get some answers.'
She walked over to the lift and pressed the button.
Richard nodded. 'I'll drive you. Hang on and I'll get my keys.'
On arriving at the police station, Rose and Richard were shown into the same room that Fergus had been in hours earlier.
Minutes later, Declan Murphy walked in and Richard introduced Rose.
'So what can I do for you?' he asked.
'I want to know where my son is.'
Declan frowned. 'Isn't he at home?'
'Jesus, Declan, if he was at home I wouldn't have been phoning you constantly for the last two days!' Richard exploded.
Declan shook his head in confusion. 'Hang on a minute, folks, I think we have our wires crossed. Fergus was here today but now he's gone home. Haven't you seen him?'
'Well, no,' Rose told him, 'but then we've been out all evening.'
Declan's face cleared. 'That explains it then. You don't know what's happened.'
'Why don't you fill us in?' Richard suggested.
The inspector gave them a brief summation of Fergus's detective work over the last couple of days.
'Bloody fool,' Rose muttered. 'When will he ever learn?'
A smile flickered across Declan's face. 'I said something along those lines myself. Anyway, it was lucky for him he didn't track Mick down earlier. Two lads from a rival gang had beat him to it and taken Mick away. We found his body early this morning.'
Rose's hand went to her mouth. 'Holy Mother of God!'
'So its over?' Richard asked his friend.
'As far as Fergus is concerned, yes.'
'Are you sure? What's to stop these characters coming after Fergus?' Rose looked anxiously at the detective.
'They don't even know of Fergus's existence,' Declan assured her.
'What about Mick's cronies? Won't they be looking for Fergus?' Richard asked.
'Unlikely. Mick kept his cards pretty close to his chest and Fergus was a new recruit. But we'll be keeping an eye on things for a while and Fergus knows what to do if he's approached by anyone.'
Rose shook her head. 'The lad will spend his life looking over his shoulder.'
The inspector looked her straight in the eye. 'There's really no need, Mrs Lynch. Fergus was a tiny cog in a very big wheel and no one will think it unusual that he disappears now that Garvey is dead. There will be a lot of characters disappearing into the woodwork, believe me.'
Let's go and see him, Rose,' Richard suggested, standing up.
Rose nodded. 'Thank you, Inspector. No offence, but I sincerely hope we never have to meet again.'
Declan nodded, 'Likewise, Mrs Lynch.'
'Give Fergus my love,' Celine said and put the phone down.
'Well?' Dominic said.
Celine smiled. 'He's safe.'
'Thank God,' Marina murmured. 'Are they still at the station?'
'Fergus is at home and Richard is taking Rose there now.'
'We'll stay with you until he gets back.'
'No, Marina, there's really no need. Now that I know he's safe I'll be fine. Anyway, Richard says he won't be long. He's just going to drop Rose and he'll be straight home.'
'If you're sure?' Dominic said.
She reached up to kiss him. 'I'm sure. And congratulations again on a wonderful performance.'
'Lock up after us,' Dominic instructed, 'and go to bed. You'll have plenty of time to hear about Fergus's exploits in the morning.'
'I will. Goodnight.' Celine closed the door after them and wandered back into the living-room. The place was a mess but she couldn't face cleaning up tonight. She didn't feel much like going to bed alone either. In the end she decided to make some coffee and wait for Richard. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep until he got home.
Though Fergus was dog-tired when he got home he couldn't face going to bed. Instead, he got a beer from the fridge and went into the living-room. Stretching out on the sofa, he went over the last couple of days in his head and knew that he'd been very lucky to walk away from this mess unscathed. As he finished his beer, his eyelids began to droop. He'd go up to bed in a minute. As soon as he'd locked up properly. Fergus settled himself more comfortably, closed his eyes and slept.
He was dreaming of knives and blood when he heard the front door bang. Almost catapulting out of the chair, he ran to the door.
'Fergus? Fergus, love, are you here?'
Sagging against the wall, Fergus gave his mother a shaky smile. 'Hiya, Ma.'
Richard's head was in turmoil as he drove home. It had been a relief to see Fergus safe and well but it all could have turned out so different. And it would all have been his fault. He'd contacted Declan Murphy. The sting had been his idea. If Fergus had been with Mick when those men had come to get him — 'Jesus!' he muttered as he turned into the aparment complex. He had taken ridiculous chances with another man's life and he wouldn't blame Fergus or Rose if they never wanted to talk to him again.
The apartment was silent when he got in. Celine was probably tucked up in bed. He went out to the kitchen, checked that the oven was off and switched off the lights. As he crossed the living-room, he noticed that Celine was curled up on the sofa, fast asleep. Sitting down beside her, he pulled her gently into his arms and closed his eyes.
She stirred. 'Richard?' she said sleepily.
'Yeah, I'm here. Everything's fine, Celine. Go to sleep.'
Epilogue
'That was a lovely service,' Celine said as they emerged into brilliant sunshine.
Dominic struggled with the cork on the bottle of champagne.
'It was certainly fast!' Marina laughed as she held out her glass.
'I'm so glad you decided against Elvis.' Kay dabbed her eyes.
'We have our own little Elvis right here!' Richard swung Josh up onto his shoulders. 'Isn't that right, champ?'
'Uh-huh,' Josh said and they all laughed.
'He looks wonderful,' Celine said, smiling at the little boy resplendent in a white suit with his hair greased back. He had been positively angelic in the chapel, walking up the aisle with Marina exactly as Kay had taught him.
'A beautiful bride and a handsome stepson, I'm a lucky man.' Dominic said happily.
Marina did look ravishing i
n a cream silk halter dress that hung in soft folds to her ankles. Her hair was piled into an intricate knot on the top of her head and with her eyes shining, she looked every inch the beautiful bride.
'Come on, guys, our car awaits!' Dominic lifted Josh down and held his hand as they crossed the road.
Celine lifted Marina's short train as they went over to the car.
'Isn't this tacky?' Marina laughed as she climbed into the white stretch limousine.
'The only way to travel in Las Vegas,' Dominic said as he popped another cork.
Kay covered her glass with her hand. 'I'll be drunk before we get to the hotel at this rate!' she protested.
Dominic laughed. 'It is still an Irish wedding. Tell me, Kay, should I call you Mum now?'
'Not if you want to make it back to Ireland in one piece,' Kay retorted and they all laughed.
They returned to the hotel, where they enjoyed a wonderful dinner in the rooftop restaurant and afterwards, when Kay and Josh had retired to their room, the others danced to the mellow sound of the small blues band.
'Happy?' Dominic asked, looking down at his new wife.
'Very,' she assured him reaching up to kiss his lips. 'Coming here was one of your better ideas.'
'Well, enjoy it because it's going to be hard work when we get home. And lord only knows when we'll be able to afford another holiday.'
'Who needs holidays? We have a home, a nice garden and each other. What more do we need?'
Dominic smiled as Richard and Celine glided past. 'I have a feeling we might be going to another wedding in the not too distant future.'
Marina followed his gaze. 'It's wonderful to see Celine so happy. But it's not all down to Richard.'
'Oh?'
'No, I think she's thrilled to be designing again.'
'It's certainly what she's good at.' Dominic's eyes travelled over Marina's slim figure in the silk dress that clung to every curve. 'Let's hope her talents are recognised. I wonder if it was their creativity that drew them to each other. I still can't believe the paintings that Richard has produced. I mean he's a builder, for God's sake!'
Red Letter Day Page 31