Behind Every Cloud

by Lawless, Pauline

  They broke off work at five and headed to the local pub to drown their sorrows. None of them were keen to head home and break the news to their wives and partners. They needed to be together for a while longer to digest the awful news.

  Ronan rang Louise to tell her he’d be late, only to be told that she was going out with some friends from the gym. He hoped it wasn’t going to be an expensive night. You never knew with these girls’ nights out.

  Louise had been in a state of nervous excitement all day, preparing for her meeting with Alan. He was calling her every hour saying how impatient he was to meet her. She’d taken a long fragranced bath and moisturised her body afterwards with the Crème de La Mer which she’d kept hidden from Ronan. If he ever discovered how much she paid for it he’d have had a heart attack. Dressed in her new La Perla lingerie, she stepped into her leather suit. Finally, she sprayed her wrists and behind her ears with Angel by Thierry Mugler which the salesgirl yesterday had told her was the sexiest perfume in the world. It was quite possibly also the most expensive, but she loved it and was sure Alan would too. If so, it would be worth every cent.

  It was with a heavy heart that Ronan arrived at the wine club. He had decided not to mention his problem to anyone. He didn’t want to spoil the atmosphere, which was buoyant after Rachel’s party.

  The course was even more fascinating this week as Sam took them on a tour of the vineyards of France. Ronan got completely lost in it, forgetting his troubles for the two hours. Afterwards, Sam, Rachel, Ronan, Ellie and Zitaheaded for the Castle once more, the young ones having again declined the invitation to join them. They discussed the party again in detail and Ronan was surprised when Rachel asked him if there was anything wrong.

  “I’m fine,” he lied. “Why do you ask?”

  “You seem subdued tonight. Not your usual self.”

  “I thought I was always quiet,” he said, smiling at her.

  She looked at him probingly. “You are, but you’re different tonight.”

  How very observant of her, he thought. There was more to Rachel than met the eye. Her intuition was bang on the button.

  “I’m fine,” he insisted, smiling brightly.

  She patted his hand, not at all convinced by what he was saying. There was no doubt he had problems with that awful wife of his. And he was such a lovely guy. He deserved better.

  Just then, Zita claimed Rachel’s attention and began to regale her with talk about her job. The two of them seemed to be really hitting it off, Ellie thought as she ear-wigged on their conversation.

  “I’d love to see behind the scenes of a TV studio,” Rachel was saying to Zita.

  “That would be no problem. Actually, we’ve got the go-ahead for a programme on ‘The Women Behind Our Successful Men’. You’d be a fascinating subject: ‘Beautiful wife of young up-and-coming politician. How she juggles her private and public life.’ What do you say?”

  “I don’t know,” Rachel replied hesitantly. “Do you really think people would be interested?” She sounded dubious.

  “Hell, yes, I’ll let you know after I discuss it with my producer.”

  “That’s very kind of you,Zita, if you really think it might work.” Rachel smiled at her, not at all convinced that people would be interested in her life.Ellie still couldn’t get a handle on Zita. There was something unnerving about her. She seemed to be almost reeling Rachel in. Ellie wondered, not for the first time if she wasn’t gay and trying to seduce Rachel. Poor Rachel wouldn’t see it in a millionyears.

  Rachel was yet again drinking faster than all the others and insisted on buying another round at the end of the evening. Again, Zita was the only one to join her. Zita had a crazy moment when she had to break off her conversation with Rachel to take a text from Carl. She smiled to herself at the irony of the situation. He certainly seemed keen and was pushing her to make a definite date to meet up. Let him wait. Playing hard-to-get was certainly the way to go with the suave Mr Dunne.

  Louise had butterflies in her tummy as she walked into the bar where they’d arranged to meet. He’d chosen well. It was so dark that she could barely make him out, sitting on a banquette in the corner. God, he was handsome, she thought, her heart giving a lurch as she went to meet him. He stood up and, putting his arms around her, drew her close.

  “I thought this night would never come,” he whispered into her hair. She shivered with excitement. “Mmmm . . . You smell divine. Angel, isn’t it?”

  She smiled, pleased that he had recognised it.

  He moved over to make room for her on the seat and held her hand tightly.

  “Would you like some champagne?” he asked. “I have a feeling tonight is a night to celebrate.”

  “Yes, please,” she whispered, feeling the force of his personality. She had a powerful feeling that this was the start of the rest of her life.

  Afterwards she couldn’t remember what they’d talked about. She could only remember his closeness and his eyes piercing into her being. Was it possible to fall in love in one night? She had never felt so alive. Every nerve in her body tingled. When Alan asked her if she could come away with him the following weekend, she never hesitated for a moment.

  “I want our first time to be very special,” he whispered.

  She closed her eyes in anticipation.

  She appreciated the fact that he hadn’t wanted to take her to an anonymous hotel for a quick romp. This relationship was going to be more important than that. She left him, on a cloud of happiness, already thinking ahead to the weekend. He rang her while she was on her way home in the taxi.

  “I think I’ve fallen in love with you,” he said quietly.

  It gave her a warm glow.

  When she got home Ronan was in bed and to her relief he was asleep. She undressed in the guestroom and slipped into bed beside him, hugging her arms around herself as she relived the evening. She had never been so happy. She knew this was meant to be.

  23

  When Ellie got home from work on Tuesday, her sister Sandrine was sitting at the kitchen table with her mother, drinking tea.

  “To what do we owe the pleasure?” Ellie asked, grabbing one of the chocolate biscuits off the plate. Sandrine normally worked till seven or eight most evenings so it was a surprise to see her so early.

  “I want to talk to you about the wedding,” Sandrine stated.

  She was to be Ellie’s chief bridesmaid – well, she only had one sister, she didn’t have any choice – did she?

  “What about it?” Ellie asked warily. Her sister was known to meddle and always wanted to be chief bottle-washer when it came to family occasions. She hoped she wasn’t about to start in on her wedding, trying to take it over.

  “Well, David rang me today and he would really much prefer if you were to hold it in Fitzpatrick’s Castle in Kill–”

  “Don’t even go there!” Ellie shrieked, giving her mother a jolt and shocking even Sandrine to silence. “How dare David go behind my back and ring you about my wedding!” She was shaking with fury.

  “Be reasonable, El. It’s his wedding too, you know,” Sandrine said primly.

  “It’s none of your business!” Ellie cried. “Just keep out of it. It’s between David and me.”

  “Obviously not or he wouldn’t have involved me. I think you should give it some thought.”

  Ellie stuck her chin out in the obstinate way her sister knew so well.

  “I am having my wedding reception in Clontarf Castle or there’ll be no wedding reception at all!” she said resolutely, her voice rising with each word she uttered. With that she turned on her heel and went up to her bedroom.

  “Better not interfere, dear,” her mother said to a dismayed Sandrine as she poured her another cup of tea.

  “Well, honestly, I was only trying to help,” her daughter replied with a miffed air.

  Ellie lay on her bed shaking with fury. How dare David try and involve her sister behind her back and how dare Sandrine attempt to force her to chang
e her plans! She was livid with them both. She somehow felt betrayed. When she’d calmed down a little she rang David. It went to his voicemail and she left him a message to call back urgently. He rang back ten minutes later and couldn’t understand her anger.

  “I just thought maybe Sandrine could change your mind . . .” He tailed off feebly not knowing how to handle this situation.

  “Well, she didn’t. And no doubt she’ll probably be in touch to tell you what I said – if she hasn’t rung you already, that is.”

  “She has actually,” he said sheepishly.

  “And what do you have to say about that?” Ellie demanded.

  “It’s okay. We’ll have it in Clontarf Castle if it’s really so important to you,” he replied, resignation in his voice. He was afraid that she’d meant what she’d said about no wedding at all. He didn’t know what had got into Ellie. She’d been acting very out of character lately. Maybe it was her hormones. You never knew with women. He sighed.

  “That’s settled then,” she replied, somewhat mollified. They made small talk for a few minutes but when she’d hung up she was still feeling dejected. She hoped this arguing would not continue until their wedding day. She’d never stick it. Everyone had told her that it would be a stressful time but she hadn’t expected David and herself to be fighting. It was very upsetting.

  Louise had been sleeping when Ronan left for the office that morning. He was relieved to be able to put off telling her that next Friday he’d be out of a job. Tuesday was the night she went to the gym and she and her girlfriends always went for a drink afterwards, so after work Ronan decided to go over to Conor’s house.

  His brother was surprised to see him.

  “Hey, you look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. What’s up?” he asked, concern in his voice.

  “The company is closing on Friday. I’ll be joining the ranks of the unemployed.” Ronan tried to smile but none was forthcoming.

  “Jesus, Ronan, that’s desperate. When did you hear?”

  “Yesterday. We’re all devastated.” He ran his fingers through his hair.

  “I can imagine,” Connor remarked as he poured two whiskeys. “Here, drink this – you need it.” He handed a glass to Ronan. “What will you do now?”

  “I’ve no idea,” Ronan answered, taking a large gulp of the whiskey which warmed him as it went down. “I can’t think straight.”

  “God, man, I don’t blame you. This country is in a mess.” Conor’s voice was bitter. “Have you told Louise? How did she take it?”

  “I haven’t had the courage to tell her yet to be honest. I’m sure she’ll go ballistic.”

  “Well, it’s not your fault. It’s happening all over the place. People are losing their jobs every day. She’ll have to understand.”

  “You don’t know Lou.” Ronan laughed bitterly.

  Conor didn’t know what to say. He was angry. The bloody Fianna Fáil government and their buddies the banks! It made him furious to think how they had sold out the country. He ran his fingers through his hair exactly as his brother had done earlier. It was a shared habit they both indulged in when they were worried.

  “Surely she’ll understand,” he said. “This will certainly put a stop to her gallop. No more shopping sprees for a while.”

  “I doubt it. It’s when she’s depressed that she goes crazy. You know the saying, ‘might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb’? That’s her motto.”

  Silly cow, Conor wanted to say but he resisted, not wanting to hurt his brother.

  “At least I’ve got the part-time work in the wine shop. That’s something but it won’t pay the mortgage.” Ronan looked into his glass and drained the rest of the whiskey in one gulp.

  Conor poured him another large one.

  “I’ll have to go and talk to the bank manager about the mortgage – God, I hope we don’t lose the house,” he said, his voice anguished.

  “Will you stay for dinner?”

  “Well, I certainly can’t drive after these large whiskies.” He made a grimace as he went on. “Louise is not home anyway. She was out last night and again tonight with her friends so I’ll stay for dinner but I’m not terribly hungry. Thankfully she’s out as it means I can put off telling her for a little longer.” He laughed harshly.

  “Great stuff! I’ll just tell Betty.”

  “Isn’t this your card night?” Ronan asked him, suddenly remembering that his brother played cards with friends every Tuesday.

  “Don’t worry about that,” Conor assured him, his hand on the door handle as he went out. “I can cancel that, no problem.”

  Conor left the room to tell Betty to put another name in the pot.

  Ronan thought how lucky he was to have such a supportive brother. He could always rely on Conor, which was more than could be said for his own wife. Downing his whiskey, he went out to greet Betty.

  Sitting at the table later, sipping yet another whiskey which he had to admit was dulling the pain somewhat, he marvelled that he had been able to eat a second serving of lasagne. Betty was such a great cook and his appetite had returned as he tasted the delicious dish.

  After the children had been packed off to bed, the three of them had sat chatting for a while and then Conor insisted that Betty drive Ronan’s car home while he and Ronan followed in theirs. Louise wasn’t home and Conor took an unsteady Ronan by the arm as he opened the door for him. Ronan went straight up to bed and within seconds was asleep.

  24

  The next evening Ronan went straight to the wine shop from the office, feeling very despondent. He had found a way to simplify withdrawals from the bonded warehouse and Sam had asked him to implement it. He worked on it every chance he got but tonight he couldn’t concentrate on it. Fiona came down when it was time for his break and they went into the staff kitchen where Ronan made a pot of tea and brought out the shortbread biscuits that she liked so much.Dermot took over in the shop for him, as usual, while he took his break.

  “My mother is really pressing for me to go and stay with her now,” Fiona confided as she nibbled on a biscuit. “She’s terrified I’ll go into labour when I’m on my own.”

  “That would be pretty scary, I’m sure,” Ronan agreed.

  “Well, I wanted to stay on here in the flat as long as possible but I suppose I’ll have to go sooner or later. I’ve only four weeks left although first babies are usually late. Mam’s a terrible fusser so the later the better.” She smiled ruefully.

  “I can imagine that’s the last thing you need,” he said sympathetically.

  Fiona heard the dejected note in his voice.

  “Is everything okay, Ronan?” she asked, her voice gentle.

  “No,” he replied, shocked to find tears coming to his eyes.

  “What is it?” she asked, her face suffused with alarm.

  “I’ve been made redundant and I haven’t even got the nerve to tell Louise. She’ll go ballistic.”

  “It’s not your fault. Half the country is out of work. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

  “You don’t know Louise!”

  Ronan thought it was funny that he’d had this exact conversation the night before with Conor. They all thought that Louise would understand. He knew better.

  Fiona wondered, not for the first time, what kind of a battle-axe Ronan was married to. She could sense that he was deeply unhappy.

  “I’m sure something will turn up,” she said reassuringly.

  Ronan shrugged as he got to his feet, realising that it was time to get back to work.

  They said goodnight and Ronan went back into the shop where Dermot was busy with customers. Fiona put the stuff away and washed the cups then waved goodbye before shemade her wayback up the stairs.

  The next day Fiona came down to see Sam. She found him in a foul humour because the girl who was due to replace her that day had not turned up for work that morning.

  “No phone-call, no message, nothing!” Sam growled.

 
Fiona thought he looked even more handsome when he was angry. His navy eyes became almost black.

  “These young ones are so unreliable,” he grumbled. “That’s the second girl who hasn’t turned up this week. I’ll have to find someone else and quick. I can’t have people letting me down like this. I had to cancel two important meetings today.” He was lifting bottles out of boxes with a vengeance. “Dermot can’t manage alone and I’ve too much else going on to stay here.”

  “What about Ronan?” she suggested.

  “What about Ronan?” He looked at her as if she was speaking double Dutch.

  “Well, you say he’s a great worker. He could take over my day-shifts.”

  “Don’t be silly. He works Monday to Friday.”

  “Not any more he doesn’t,” she smirked.

  Sam stopped what he was doing. “What did you say?” he asked, raising his voice.

  “He’s been made redundant. He finishes up tomorrow and he’s distraught about it.”

  “Oh my God, the poor chap! Why didn’t he tell me?”

  “He’s a bit embarrassed about it, I think. He hasn’t even told his wife yet. He says she’ll go ballistic.” Fiona’s eyes clouded over.

  “Well, that’s good news for me. I’ll ring him immediately and ask if he can fill in till he gets another job.” He beamed at her happily. “Problem sorted!”

  “It’s pretty unlikely he’ll get another job in this economic climate,” she nodded sagely. “Please don’t tell him I told you.”

  “And who will he think told me? The fairies?” Sam shook his head disbelievingly. “He won’t mind that you’ve told me – not if it benefits us both.”

  “I suppose,” Fiona replied hopefully.

  Ronan couldn’t believe his luck. The call from Sam was like manna from heaven. At least he could face the bank manager now with some kind of hope. He must remember to buy Fiona a big bunch of flowers. If she hadn’t mentioned it to Sam he might still be in a deep hole. Now at least Louise wouldn’t have him under her feet all the time.