The Perfect Gift

by Emma Hannigan

  ‘The phrase is actually to turn your nose up at something. It means you don’t really like it that much … Oh I think your mum was a bit jealous of how well the girls can cook so she was making a joke.’

  Both children looked greatly relieved.

  ‘We don’t want the girls to go back to Franceland and Spainland,’ Jess said. ‘They play with us and they even do my hair. They know how to do plaits and put bows in.’

  Keeley hadn’t planned on having the children today and she needed to do a large grocery shop. It was fine because she could bring them along, but she was really starting to get fed-up with being dumped upon. She hadn’t slept much last night. Not because she wasn’t tired, but because she was so furious. Doug’s impromptu wine-buying trip with Jimmy was still making her seethe. The B&B was booked solid, and she’d been counting on his help.

  Keeley didn’t want to be Mrs Killjoy, but she was starting to see a very different side to Doug. A selfish and inconsiderate man seemed to be emerging, and she didn’t like it one bit. Now it looked as if Liv was taking advantage in every way, too. If she was making the foreign students do all the cooking, washing and cleaning, what on earth was she complaining about?

  Knowing the children weren’t at fault in all of this, she forced her own anger to the back of her mind and gathered her shopping bags. Two of the guest rooms were waiting to be cleaned, but she figured she could do all that when they returned. She’d allow the children to choose a little toy each and they could play in the garden while she did the chores.

  ‘If the sun comes out later on, can we go to Seal’s Rest Bay?’ Billy asked.

  ‘I’m afraid not, love,’ she said. ‘I have too many things to do today. But I promise I’ll take you very soon. How about you both get a little present when we go shopping and that might cheer you up?’ They were both heart-warmingly thrilled by the suggestion and ran out to get into the car. Luckily, Keeley had had the foresight to buy booster seats. It made sense, seeing as the children spent just as much time in her car as they did in Liv’s.

  She locked the B&B, knowing none of her guests were planning on returning any time before mid-afternoon. She had her shopping list and knew exactly what she needed to get. Keeley had always been organised. She hated being late and couldn’t bear it when people said they would do something and then didn’t. That was why it baffled her so much that Liv was such a scatterbrain. How had Róisín ended up being so dynamic while Liv was so reluctant to get ahead?

  Thankfully, the supermarket was practically empty.

  ‘Are we the only people not at the beach today?’ Billy asked.

  ‘It looks like it,’ she said. ‘How about we buy a paddling pool? We could have our very own beach out the back garden. Would that help?’ The children were so excited, she actually giggled.

  A fresh wave of irritation flooded her as she paid for the shopping, including a pool with some plastic coloured balls to throw in. Liv was missing out on these little dotes.

  By the time she hauled the shopping out to the car, drove home, unpacked and was ready to blow up the pool, Billy and Jess were hopping from one foot to the other.

  ‘I need to try and find a pump,’ she said. ‘I reckon Granddad might have one in his shed. Let’s go and see.’

  They opened the door and her face fell. The place was like a skip. There were wood chips everywhere and all the coffee cups she’d been missing were happily growing mould. A black sack in the corner was stinking so much, she felt it ought to be giving off green gas. Tins of varnish had been left with the lids off and rock hard paint brushes were mummified in either paint or varnish, never to be used again. Off-cuts of wood were strewn all over the place, with no attempt to even make it look tidy. There was another awful, musty smell coming from the rear of the shed. Gingerly she walked over and found an empty paint can stuffed with cigar butts.

  ‘You silly old fool,’ she said shaking her head.

  ‘Who is a silly old fool?’ Billy asked as he held his nose with his fingers. ‘It stinks in here.’

  ‘Yes, it’s vile. Granddad has been smoking cigars again. They’re bad for him and they certainly won’t help with his dickey heart.’

  ‘What’s wrong with his dick?’ Billy asked in shock.

  ‘No, pet,’ Keeley said, trying not to laugh. ‘Granddad had a bit of trouble with his heart a few years ago. Cigars aren’t good for anyone, but people who have problems with their health certainly shouldn’t smoke. You two are never to do anything so stupid.’

  ‘If it makes us smell like in here, we won’t,’ Billy said wrinkling his nose.

  Luckily the electric pump was easy to root out, so she took the soiled dishes and rancid bin and shooed the children out into the sun once more.

  The pool was only a tiny thing, but once it began to fill up with water, the children were as excited as if it was the beach. She’d put it right outside the window so she could easily keep an eye on them while she finished cleaning the two guest rooms.

  The screams of delight and constant giggles kept her going as she vacuumed and cleaned the bathrooms.

  She hadn’t imagined retirement being this way. When Doug had announced his, she’d foolishly thought he’d be around more and her load would be lightened. She pictured them working the B&B together and taking the winters off, maybe heading to the Canaries or somewhere for winter sun. But here she was, four months into his retirement, and he wasn’t here and she was double-jobbing. And as for winter sun, she’d probably be fighting Jimmy for a sunbed if they ever went at all.

  A firm rapping at the front door made her rush to see who was there. She called to the children to jump out of the pool.

  ‘Just for a moment until I answer the door, then you can hop back in while I’m watching you.’ They did as she asked and she smiled. They were great kids really.

  She arranged her face into a smile and pulled the door open.

  ‘Keeley!’

  ‘Claus!’ she said, mirroring his wide smile. ‘What a surprise! I had no idea you were coming back to Ballyshore so soon. I thought you said you’d be travelling until August or September.’

  ‘It’s a long story,’ he said. ‘May I come in?’

  ‘Of course. I’ll have to ask you to sit in the back kitchen with me if you don’t mind? I have the grandchildren here and they’re splashing in a little pool. I can’t leave them unattended.’

  He followed her and waited politely until she invited him to sit.

  ‘Would you like coffee or tea?’

  ‘I would love coffee, if it’s not too much trouble?’ he said.

  ‘None at all, I’ll join you,’ she said filling the kettle. Racing to the back door, she told the children they had a guest. They grabbed the towels Keeley had left them and tiptoed to the back door. Jess was shivering, so Keeley scooped her up and cuddled her.

  ‘This nice man was a guest here a little while ago and he’s back now.’ As she turned around, Keeley was surprised to see Claus making the coffee.

  ‘Hello,’ Jess said peeking out of her towel cocoon.

  ‘Where are you from?’ Billy asked. ‘We have girls staying at our house and they come from Spainland and Franceland, don’t they Granny?’ He looked to Keeley for clarification.

  ‘Yes, my daughter has taken in some students for the summer,’ she said.

  ‘But it’s all a bit much,’ said Billy gravely. ‘So we had to come here and be with Granny. Kids are a lot of trouble, you know?’

  Keeley felt a stab of embarrassment at his words, but Claus just nodded and smiled gently. ‘Well from what I can see, you are two marvellous little helpers. And you seem to be so good for your grandmother.’

  ‘They’re the best children in Ireland, Claus,’ Keeley said.

  ‘Oh yes, I can see that,’ he answered.

  ‘I’ll make that,’ she said, putting Jess on a chair.

  ‘No you will not,’ he said firmly but kindly. ‘You need someone to mind you too.’

  Once the co
ffee was made, Keeley excused them for five minutes so she could dress the children.

  ‘Is he here to help with the washing and cooking like our girls?’ Billy asked as she tugged a T-shirt over his head.

  ‘Eh, no,’ Keeley said. ‘Listen sweetheart, the girls in your house aren’t here to do housework either. They’re students, which means they’re here to learn and have fun. So we won’t tell people they do all the work, OK?’

  ‘Why not?’ Jess asked looking confused. ‘’Cause they do.’

  ‘Yes, well I might have a little word with Mum about that. But for now we’ll remember that they are like my guests, OK?’

  The children nodded and ran back into the kitchen. Keeley set up colouring for them and they scribbled away happily.

  ‘I’m fully booked this evening, Claus,’ she said. ‘If I’d known you were coming, I could have tried to move things around …’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ he said. ‘I booked into a little house over at Ballyshore village. Well, I’ve rented it, to be exact. I’ve had some bad news,’ he said looking stricken. ‘It’s Ida …’

  ‘Oh no, is she OK?’

  ‘Ida passed away the day after we left here, Keeley,’ he said quietly. ‘We knew she was very ill and had only a little time left. She had cancer and it was her dream to come to Ireland.’

  ‘Oh Claus,’ Keeley said covering her mouth with her hand. She felt winded. ‘I had no idea.’

  ‘She didn’t want to make a fuss and she knew she wouldn’t be able to enjoy herself quite as freely if people knew she was so sick.’

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ she whispered. ‘She was such a lovely lady. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting to her. I was looking forward to seeing her when you returned. I was going to show her how to make brown bread. I offered her the recipe but she said she’d prefer to see me doing it instead …’

  ‘She told me that you had made a wonderful connection. I’m not sure what she meant and she didn’t elaborate, so I didn’t push it. But Ida said that you helped her to shed light on a matter that she had been harbouring for many years. She said you gave her comfort as she spoke about it with you …’ He got quite choked up. ‘So thank you for helping her, Keeley.’

  ‘Oh Claus,’ she said, hugging him and sobbing. ‘She was far too young to die.’

  ‘She was only fifty-eight. I know it’s not exactly young, but she will always be my little sister.’

  They sat in silence for a few minutes, each trying to compose themselves.

  ‘We never know the time or place we will leave this world, do we?’ Keeley said.

  ‘No,’ he said with a sigh. ‘I feel as if I need to rethink my time. Life is precious and it’s very short. I intend to make the best of mine. I’ve rented the house for six months. I don’t want to go home just yet. So I suppose you could say we are almost neighbours now.’

  ‘Good for you,’ she said. ‘What a lovely idea. Well, you won’t be lonely. Ballyshore is a hive of activity at this time of the year. There’s lots going on, starting with my sponsored walk on Sunday.’

  ‘Really? Can I join or is it too late?’

  ‘Ah, I have an in with the organiser. I think I can organise for you to be a part of it. We do it every June bank holiday and it promises to be a fantastic day out.’

  ‘Where is Doug?’ he asked suddenly. ‘Is he out in his shed? I could pop out and say hello.’

  ‘No, he’s not there—’ she began.

  ‘Granddad has gone on a boat with his friend Jimmy. They’re having the best fun,’ Billy said. ‘When I’m a grown up, I’m going to do things with my friends all day just the way he does.’

  She knew she was being disloyal, but Keeley couldn’t help passing a comment. ‘Doug has retired from his entire previous life. He’s having the time of his life, which is lovely.’ As soon as she said the words she regretted them. ‘Sorry,’ she said to Claus. ‘I’m very cranky today.’

  ‘You’re stressed out and overworked Keeley, that’s all. And now I bring you bad news. Why don’t you try to take a break?’

  ‘It’s almost high season. I absolutely cannot afford to do that now. Besides, what on earth would I do? Sit and stare out at the garden on my own?’

  ‘I’d welcome your company any time,’ he said looking incredibly sad.

  ‘Yes,’ she sighed and bit her lip. ‘Of course you would. That was utterly insensitive of me. My apologies.’

  He patted her hand for a moment and stood up. ‘I’ll go. It was good to see a friendly face. If you happen to be passing, I’m staying in one of the town houses along the main street.’

  She nodded. ‘Which number?’

  ‘Two,’ he said.

  She waved him off and felt oddly empty as he disappeared out of sight. Knowing she mightn’t even manage to make contact, she dialled Doug’s number. The foreign ringtone sounded. Fully expecting it to go to voicemail, she prepared herself to sound chipper.

  ‘Hello?’ The noise in the background was deafening.

  ‘Doug?’ she said.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Can you hear me?’

  ‘We’re at a street festival,’ he shouted. ‘It’s the best craic ever. You would love it here. There’s food and beer and loads of street performers. It’s lovely and warm too. Not like Ballyshore where you feel like your skin will be whipped off in the wind.’

  ‘It sounds great,’ she said weakly.

  ‘Ah listen I can’t hear you. I’ll give you a shout tomorrow. Love you.’

  There was a click and he was gone. Keeley glanced at the kitchen clock and realised she had just enough time to drop the children home before returning for the guests. Some needed to shower before they went out and she’d promised to give four guests a lift to the castle.

  It was genuinely lovely to see Claus just now. She felt desperately sorry for him, and for poor Ida. The tragedy of the woman’s death had really made her think. There were no second chances at life. There was one shot at it and then it was curtains. Why, then, was she spending her days feeling put-upon and frazzled? What was happening that she always felt as if she’d drawn the short straw? Life was too short. She needed to contemplate what it was that she wanted. She’d spent long enough being the only one to compromise all the time. Her head hurt when she thought about Ida. It was all so unfair.

  Still, at least she was still here and tomorrow was another day and it would be a very busy one, too, as she put the finishing touches to the sponsored walk. It was a pity Doug wouldn’t be here to share it. But there was nothing she could do to change that. As she gathered the children into the car, Keeley forced herself to smile and count her blessings.

  Chapter 17

  Nell was trying to decide whether she was put out or rather pleased. It wasn’t yet Monday, but she hadn’t a morsel in the house.

  ‘I’m like Old Mother Hubbard,’ she said to Mouse. ‘I’ve shopped once a week for as long as I can remember. I’ve never needed to go more often and now all of a sudden you’ve turned up and my routine is inside out.’

  ‘Sorry,’ said Mouse.

  ‘You look anything but,’ Nell said. ‘I ought to be very cross with you. I don’t take kindly to having my routine altered.’

  ‘Ah you’ll get over it,’ Mouse said as she stood on a chair and stared out the observatory window with the binoculars jammed to her eyes. ‘Jay-sus,’ she said. ‘I can see right across the water. It’s mad how this place is only a few hours from the flats and yet it’s like a different planet.’

  ‘I know. I still appreciate it,’ Nell said. ‘For months, even years after I came here, I used to smile every time I looked out that window. I don’t think the locals appreciate quite how incredible the scenery is.’

  ‘Nah,’ Mouse agreed. ‘But how could they? Unless you’ve spent most of your life living in a concrete bunker, this would seem normal.’

  ‘Right,’ Nell said. ‘I’m going to the village to get some supplies. Are you coming?’

  ‘Do I have to?’ Mouse l
ooked suspicious.

  ‘No,’ Nell said evenly. ‘But I thought you would like a change of scene.’

  ‘OK then.’

  ‘Don’t do me any favours. Stay if you want.’

  ‘Would you honestly trust me here without you?’

  ‘Why, what are you planning on doing? Setting fire to the place?’

  Mouse laughed loudly. ‘You’re as mad as I am. I think we could be related and we don’t know it. Ma used to yell and shout at me because I annoyed her so much. We sparked off each other.’ She looked painfully sad all of a sudden. ‘I miss her. The feeling is so strong sometimes that it makes me feel like I’ll be sick.’

  ‘I know that feeling,’ Nell said with all harshness gone from her tone momentarily. ‘It gets better, but it never really goes away.’

  Mouse shrugged and nodded.

  ‘So are you coming then?’

  ‘Yeah.’ Mouse stopped dead. ‘There’s a bright yellow car coming along the road,’ she said pointing.

  ‘That’s Mo. My housekeeper I told you about.’

  ‘Ah the one with the goon of a husband.’

  ‘Yes, but that’s strictly between us, remember? Don’t hang me out to dry now.’

  ‘I won’t.’ She climbed down off the chair and scurried over to sit down beside Nell.

  ‘Mo is lovely. You’ll like her,’ Nell said. ‘Everybody likes Mo. Even if she has a mouth like a jackhammer. She never stops talking.’

  ‘What will we tell her?’ Mouse looked terrified. ‘I don’t want her asking a load of questions. I won’t answer if she does …’

  ‘Hey,’ Nell said. ‘It’ll be fine. Leave it to me. You just agree.’

  Mo bustled in the door and called out.

  ‘Up here,’ Nell said. ‘Come up and meet my new lodger,’ she said.

  ‘Ooh, I don’t remember you telling me you were getting a lodger,’ Mo said as she climbed the stairs. ‘Hello there, pet,’ she said with a wide grin.

  ‘Hiya,’ Mouse said, swallowing hard. Nell noticed the colour had drained from her face and she was all hunched over.