The sisters stared in an open mouth silence at each other, and Aisling stared from one to the other. She knew, of course that Una and Aideen were twins but the reality of seeing Una’s double standing in the entrance of her home was still a shock. They were identical twins but the difference between them was glaringly obvious. Aideen’s face had a puffiness to it and her eyes were hollow with dark shadows beneath them. Her head was covered by a scarf and Aisling noticed it was the exact cheerful shade of cornflower blue as Una’s blouse. She was dressed in a pretty lilac jumper with grey trousers with fluffy pink slippers on her feet.
‘Una,’ Aideen whispered finally clasping the door as though frightened she might fall. ‘Is it really you?’
Una nodded and then launched herself on her sister who nearly did fall backwards as she was wrapped in a soggy embrace. Aisling could hear Una’s sobs mingling with her muffled, ‘I’m sorry, I left it too long, I’m so sorry.’
‘So am I. Shush, it doesn’t matter now. None of it matters anymore. You came. That’s what counts.’
Aisling wasn’t sure if it was droplets of rain or tears running down her face as she watched the sisters embrace. She suspected the latter. She couldn’t imagine not having seen either of her sister’s for so many years. Oh they drove each other to distraction most of the time, but they were always there for each other when it mattered. Aideen looked over her shoulder at Aisling questioningly. It dawned on her that she might assume she was Una’s daughter and she quickly jumped in before there could be any misunderstanding.
‘I’m Aisling O’Mara. Una’s staying at my family’s guesthouse, O’Mara’s.’
‘The guesthouse on the green?’
‘Yes.’
‘You always wanted to stay there Una.’
Una broke away and turned toward Aisling. ‘I did. Aisling and I haven’t known each other long, but she’s been a good friend to me Aideen. I don’t know if I’d have had the courage to come today if it wasn’t for her.’
‘When did you arrive in Dublin?’
‘Midweek, I’ve come every day to see you. I’ve sat over there,’ she gestured to the park, ‘trying to pluck up the nerve to knock on your door but I couldn’t. Not on my own.’
‘I’d have never turned you away Una. You must have known that.’
‘I was frightened. Scared I’d left it too long to put things right.’
‘Never. Una. My door’s always been open for you.’ Aideen registered that they were all standing in the doorway. ‘Come inside both of you before you catch a chill. Una we’ll hang that wet coat up and I’ll put the kettle on.’
‘That sounds lovely thank you,’ Aisling said. She’d stay awhile to be polite besides which a cuppa would go down a treat. She was freezing! She closed the umbrella leaving it to stand on the doorstep as she followed behind Una. Aideen closed the door and fussed around taking Una’s coat hanging it on a hook. Aisling took the opportunity to look around her. They were in the hallway, stairs leading off it to the upstairs where the bedrooms would be. There was a room running off the hall on either side. A living room and a dining room no doubt. Aideen must have been in the kitchen Aisling surmised seeing the light was on at the end of the hall. It explained why it had taken her awhile to answer the door.
Photographs lined the walls and a quick glance proved them to be family portraits. A montage of Aideen and Leo’s boys over the years. How boisterous Aideen’s life would have been bringing up her boys compared to her sister’s. They were mischievous looking little lads who’d grown into handsome young men. There were grandchildren too she saw. Six of them if the photograph of them looking angelic in a formal garden setting was anything to go by.
Her eyes settled on a wedding photo curious to see what Leo looked like. He was handsome in his suit and Aideen was a beautiful bride but she fancied she could see a sadness in her eyes lurking beneath the surface. Maybe she was being fanciful. As for Leo he was just a man, rather ordinary truth be told, but both sisters had seen so much more in him. Who would have thought his love could cause so much distress? The same could be said about Marcus she supposed.
‘Do you remember Mam’s friend, Maire Reynolds,’ Una was saying.
‘Of course. She liked her tea strong enough for a mouse to trot on!’
The sisters smiled at the mutual memory.
They had so much shared history and so much they didn’t know about each other’s lives, Aisling thought. It would be a day full of chatter as they desperately tried to catch up on their lost years. A light glowed invitingly in the kitchen and she followed Una and Aideen toward it.
‘I keep the heating on high in here.’ Aideen was saying.
The room was indeed toasty, and Aisling enjoyed the tingling warmth spreading through her cold limbs. It was a small kitchen in need of updating but functional, nevertheless. The window over the sink overlooked the garden where an empty washing line spun around in the wind.
I hope it’s not too much of a sauna for you. But I feel the cold these days since I began the chemo.’
Una made an odd sound.
‘It’s alright Una everything’s going to be alright now you’ll see,’ Aideen said going through the motions of making a pot of tea. ‘Because you’re here.’
Chapter 32
Aisling drank her tea enjoying listening to the sisters animated conversation as they talked overtop of one another. Their eagerness to fill each other in on their lives meant the plate of digestive biscuits Aideen had set out along with the tea were ignored. Just one more Aisling told herself. She was partial to the tea biscuit and she gave it a brief dunk before chomping into it watching the sisters shared gestures and mannerisms with fascination. They were mirror images, peas in a pod.
She let herself be transported along with them back to their childhood as they relived their younger days. She could see where those boys she’d peered up at in the photographs in the hallway got their mischievous streak from. She’d happily while away the rest of the afternoon in Aideen’s snug kitchen drinking tea and polishing off the biscuits, listening to their tales but that wouldn’t be fair. She was a third wheel even if she had been made welcome. A yawn escaped unbidden and she was aware of being lulled by the warmth and lilting of their voices. It was time she made tracks and stopped ear wigging.
‘Aideen, Una, I’m sorry to interrupt but I should really be getting back to O’Mara’s.’
They looked at her startled, pulled from their reminiscing. It was as though they’d forgotten she was even in the room with them. They probably had she realised asking Aideen if she’d mind if she borrowed her phone to call a taxi.
‘Of course not dear. It’s on the table in the hallway help yourself.’
Aisling rang the number she knew by heart having called it a thousand times before for guests. She spieled off the address and was told the taxi wouldn’t be long. She glanced up at the wedding photo that had caught her eye earlier again as she hung up the phone. It was nice to think Leo was looking down on Aideen and Una, a silent witness from up there in heaven as to their reunion. He’d be happy she thought studying his face. It was kind, and she knew he’d have had no wish to cause the rift he had by misplacing his affections on Una. She could see the devotion on Aideen’s face as she smiled up at him frozen in time, but yes there was a definite sadness there too. What a choice they’d had to make, and their happiness had come at a high price.
She hoped as she made her way back into the kitchen to say her goodbyes that Aideen and Una had plenty of time left together. That this chapter of their lives would be happy. Perhaps Una would prove to be the tonic Aideen needed to overcome her illness.
Aideen was telling Una of all the different ways in which she’d learned to tie her headscarf since her hair had begun to fall out when she walked in once more. She inadvertently raised her hand to her own hair, despite the umbrella it had gotten wet and had dried in ratty spirals.
‘My taxi won’t be long so I’ll say cheerio to you both now and t
hank you for your hospitality Aideen.’ She was on the receiving end of warm hugs when a horn sounded from the street outside. She would see Una again and hear what her plans were from this point forward. Who knew, she might even see Aideen again she hoped so. She wished her all the very best and left her to catch up with her sister. She was looking forward to doing some catching up of her own tonight with Leila and Quinn. It had been ages since she’d had a good laugh with her old pals and she was well overdue to catch up on all their news.
The driver having tooted his arrival was a clue Aisling thought five minutes into the journey home as to his sullen uncommunicative manner. She stole a sideways glance at him. His surly expression said he was clearly not living his dream, bring back the jaw clicker! She focussed her attention on the road ahead not really seeing it though as she pondered Marcus. Her head was spinning with all that had happened in the last 48 hours. She wouldn’t call him today. She wasn’t ready. Seeing Leila would give her an outside perspective and she’d hash it over with her tonight. She dealt with the business of love on a daily basis, hopefully she could offer some advice that would help her decide whether giving him another chance might lead to her happy ending. One thing she knew for certain was she couldn’t cope with having her trust shattered a second time.
Quinn’s face floated before her he had such an infectious grin. An old memory fought its way through. They’d gone ten-pin bowling and he let her win. As the victor it had been her responsibility to buy chips on the way home. A grand debate had been waged in the chipper over drowning them in curry sauce or eating them plain with salt and vinegar. Aisling was partial to the curry sauce, Quinn said it was sacrilege. They’d had such a laugh that night. She quashed the familiar pang but not before remembering how he let her have her way with the curry sauce.
The taxi pulled up across the road from O’Mara’s and Aisling paid him. She wasn’t a tipper but even if she was that way inclined he didn’t deserve one. As if he’d read her mind, he sped off spraying her with water much to her chagrin and she managed to refrain from giving him a rude finger sign. She waited impatiently for a break in the traffic and ran across keen to get out of the weather. Evie was on the desk and looked up startled when she barrelled in through the door shaking herself off like a dog.
‘You look like a drowned rat.’
‘Cheers.’
‘Have you been out with yer man Marcus then?’
Straight to the point. She really was a nosy madam. Aisling toyed with the idea of telling her that she’d had a delightful morning riding her ex and the cobwebs had well and truly been blown away. It would almost be worth it to see the shock on her smug little face. It was on the tip of her tongue, but she held back. A lie like that however satisfying would be cutting her nose off to spite her face and God help her if it got back to Mammy!
‘I’ve been out with one of our guests, actually.’ And that was as much information as she was going to give her. ‘Right, I’d best get into some dry gear.’
She left Evie pondering who the guest might be and why Aisling had ventured out on such a miserable day with them. That morsel of information would keep her amused all afternoon as she tried to solve the mystery—a regular little Nancy Drew.
Moira was sitting where she’d left her still glued to the television although her favourite show would have finished by now. She called out a cursory greeting. This time her sister switched the set off and focussed her attention on her. ‘Where’ve you been? Mammy called, her sailing lesson got cancelled and she wanted to chat. I told her I couldn’t cos EastEnders was on but seeing how it was an ad break I’d go downstairs and nab you instead. I didn’t know you were heading out.’ Her tone was accusatory.
It was like she was a wayward teen and Moira was the mam desperately trying to keep her inline. ‘You wouldn’t have heard me if I’d told you where I was going, anyway. You were too involved in whatever was happening in Albert Square this week.’ The soap opera was almost a religious experience for Moira and you did not interrupt her when she was watching it. ‘Give me ten minutes to have a shower, I need to warm up then I’ll tell you what I’ve been up to. Oh and by the way it doesn’t involve Marcus if that’s what you were thinking.’
Aisling clambered out of her wet gear and put her dressing gown on. She’d have a hot shower to warm up shortly and then she could think about getting ready for her date with Leila and Quinn. She carried the damp clothes through to the kitchen and left them to whir around in the dryer before sitting down next to Moira. There were two mugs of tea on the coffee table.
‘I made you one.’ Moira stated.
‘Thanks.’ Aisling picked hers up, it was out of character for her sister to get off her arse and make her a cuppa, but she wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. She realised what had just run through her mind and shuddered. She really was morphing into Mammy with all her little sayings—a gift horse in the mouth, what did that even mean for goodness sake? She had a sip and felt the sweet hot liquid warm her right through. ‘Oh that’s good.’
Moira looked pleased with herself. ‘So come on then, where’ve you been.’
‘Well you know the guest in Room 1, Una Brennan?’
‘The battle-axe who’s got a face on her like someone farted. You should have seen her giving me the hairy eyeball the other morning when I was under the weather.’
‘Jeez Moira you come out with it. Yes her, only she’s not such a battle-axe, listen to this.’ Aisling didn’t think Una would mind her sharing her story with Moira, not with how things had worked out today. She filled her in on the Brennan twins’ story and Moira listened wide-eyed. She wasn’t as hard as she liked to make out. Aisling saw her eyes well up when she got to the part where Una hadn’t long been out of the hospital and Leo had told her he’d realised it was Aideen he loved.
By the time she’d finished her tale Moira was reaching for the tissues. ‘Jaysus that was worse than when Tiffany Mitchell got run over by Frank Butcher.’
Aisling assumed she was referring to an EastEnders plot but didn’t dwell on it further because the phone began to ring. It was probably Mammy ringing back. A beat later hearing the familiar voice she knew she’d guessed correctly.
‘Aisling is that you?’
Mammy always sounded surprised when she answered the phone. It probably stemmed from all those years working abroad. You’d think she’d have gotten used to her being home by now though. ‘Yes it’s me. How’re ya keepin mammy?’
‘Ah grand although I’m at a bit of a loose end. My sailing got cancelled and I can’t very well go and play golf in this weather unless I want to put my bathers on and have a round with the ducks.’ She sighed as though the weight of the world rested on her shoulders.
Maureen O’Mara was a people person. She didn’t like rattling about on her own and was in her element when her social calendar was full. The idea of a day at home by herself followed by more of the same in the evening would fill her with fear. Mother and middle child were different like that. Aisling enjoyed her own company and hated having a social calendar that was full to the brim—not that there was much chance of that these days. Musings aside she got what her mammy was hinting at. ‘Did you want to come over this evening for some company?’
‘For dinner? Now that would be lovely, I’ll be there by seven at the latest.’ The phone went dead before Aisling could say that she wouldn’t be home. Of course Mammy would assume she’d be home for the night given she hadn’t been out for the evening in an absolute age. She got a glint in her eyes. It was payback time for Moira’s behaviour this morning.
Moira what’re your plans tonight?’
She looked a little glum. ‘I was hoping to hear from a friend.’ She picked up her phone and eyed the screen before dropping it by her side. ‘But I haven’t and it’s not likely I will now.’
‘What friend?’
‘Oh no one you know, just someone from work.’ This was said quickly and Aisling glanced at her sister sharply. She caught a
glimpse of that secretive closed Mona Lisa face once more but Moira moved on before she could delve into what she was up to.
‘How’s about going halvesies on a takeaway? I’m starved with the hunger. How’s about lemon chicken and maybe a black bean beef with fried rice.’
There it was again, the assumption she’d be sitting in. It annoyed her. ‘Actually I’m out tonight, NOT with Marcus.’ She shot back at her sister before she could open her mouth. ‘I’m meeting Leila at Quinn’s for your information. Mammy’s on her way round though, she’ll go you halvesies. She’s partial to black bean beef. I’d get out of those pyjamas though if I were you or you’ll never hear the end of it.’
Aisling left Moira muttering under her breath and headed off to get ready. She planned to make her escape before Mammy arrived. The only person she wanted to talk to about Marcus tonight was Leila.
Chapter 33
It was a little ridiculous calling a taxi to travel the short distance from O’Mara’s to Quinn’s. There was no way Aisling was going to arrive at the restaurant soaked and looking like a bedraggled sea creature washed ashore though. Not when she’d spent an age dolling herself up. Nor would she risk her Jimmy Choo glitter mules, a bargain so far as Jimmy Choo’s went bought in the sales several years ago, encountering a puddle. Truth be told and puddles aside she wasn’t sure even she could walk more than a block in the heels. They defied gravity even by her standards.
She’d made a special effort tonight and she wasn’t sure why. Leila and Quinn wouldn’t care if she turned up in her pyjamas. Speaking of which Moira had finally gotten dressed. The thought of the lecture she’d be sure to receive on falling into slovenly ways from Mammy was all the incentive needed.
Aisling had fluffed with her makeup and hair before sliding into her little black dress—actually she’d wriggled her way into it. She wasn’t sure if it would fit, but she managed to wrestle the zipper into place completing her outfit with the crème de la crème pair of shoes in her collection. It was as though she were putting on armour she’d mused giving herself a final once over. Proving to herself that she was in control of what happened next in her life. She sucked her tummy in and smoothed the dress down, she didn’t scrub up too badly. It was nice to get dressed up she used to all the time. She’d forgotten what a boost it always gave her.
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