‘Ah pity,’ Billy said as he and his sister skipped away.
‘You’ll have to find a bolt for that door if you want any privacy in this house,’ Liv said with a grin. ‘Fair play to you for not balking at your little visitors. I think you’ll fit in very nicely around here,’ she said as she closed the door.
Before Róisín and Rob had a chance to even catch their breath, there was a sound of car tyres on the gravel outside.
‘Granny and Granddad are here!’ Billy yelled.
‘Oh dear Lord, do you think I could at least put some clothes on before I meet your folks?’ He laughed.
‘You get yourself sorted and I’ll go and see what’s going on,’ Róisín said, kissing him.
Liv opened the front door and welcomed Doug and Keeley inside.
‘To what do we owe the pleasure of your company at the crack of dawn?’ she asked nervously.
‘We were awake early and figured we’d pop over to explain what’s happening,’ Doug said. ‘We owe it to you both.’
Liv made porridge for the children and allowed them to eat it in the garden, which they were delighted about. Róisín slipped back into the bedroom and gave Rob permission to slip away. He said he’d walk back to the village and pick up his car.
‘I’ll call you in a while,’ she promised.
‘I feel like a naughty teenager!’ he grinned.
As she joined the others at the table the children were eating happily outside. ‘OK, the coast is clear for a few minutes. What’s happening?’ Róisín asked in concern.
‘Well, we wanted to say that now we know what’s happened with Martin, we’re here to help any time.’
‘Thank you,’ Liv said with glassy eyes.
‘Mum and I feel we must be partially to blame for your stress and drinking lately,’ Doug admitted.
‘How do you figure that one?’ Liv asked.
‘Well, I’ve been gadding about like a teenager and your mother has been left to carry the can. In turn she’s been snowed under with all the responsibility,’ Doug said. ‘Our family was beginning to fall apart. That’ll all change now.’
‘Yes,’ Keeley said. ‘I’m winding up operations at the B&B as you know, so there’ll be lots of time to help out.’
‘We need to be there for you as well, love,’ Doug said, turning to Róisín. ‘We need to look at how we can help with Nourriture. Mum and I were thinking of selling the house. We’d get a good price for it. The books show how successful it is, so it would be ideal for a younger couple or anyone wanting to take on the business.’
‘But where would you go?’ Róisín asked.
‘We’d buy something a lot smaller and give both you and Liv some cash. It would take the pressure off for you both,’ Doug said.
‘We want to help and there’s no point in us sitting in a big house when it could be put to good use,’ Keeley said.
‘Well,’ Róisín said, ‘I have news of my own. Claus has been arrested.’
Doug and Keeley exchanged a glance.
‘We know,’ Doug said.
‘How did you find out?’ Róisín asked, puzzled. ‘It only happened last night.’
Doug grinned. ‘It’s a long story, but let’s just say Miss Marple has nothing on your mother. She snared him good and proper and now he’s going to pay for the havoc he caused around here.’
Liv and Róisín stared at each other open-mouthed. This was a lot to take in pre-coffee.
‘Well,’ Róisín went on, ‘however it happened, it’s good news for me because his offer to buy Nourriture is off the table. So I’m going to find Mr Grace today to explain, in the hope that he’ll accept my offer.’
‘That sounds wonderful, Róisín,’ Doug said.
Keeley began to cry. Doug wrapped an arm around her and she leaned into him, covering her face with her hand.
‘Oh no, Mum, what is it?’
‘Sorry, but I’m just so relieved. Things could actually turn around for us. We really might be OK.’
‘Of course we will,’ Doug said, hugging her hard. ‘We’ve been through thick and thin over the years, us four. We’re not going to fall apart at the seams now.’
Róisín’s mouth was dry. She knew this was the moment she’d been both waiting for and dreading for a very long time. But there wouldn’t be a better moment than this.
‘Can I ask you both something?’ she said. Her voice sounded so wobbly her parents looked up in surprise.
‘What is it, love?’
‘I want to prefix this entire conversation with the fact that I love you both with all my heart and soul.’
‘Thank you,’ Keeley said.
‘That’s nice to hear, pet,’ Doug said.
‘May I ask you about my birth parents?’ Róisín asked. ‘I’ve wanted to for a very long time, but I never wanted to hurt you. You’ve been so open about the fact I was adopted, but I’ve never had any information after that …’
‘You get your cards every year,’ Doug said. ‘That’s a nice thing, isn’t it?’
‘Of course,’ Róisín said. ‘But I’m wondering if the people mentioned anything when you adopted me? Did they say who my mother was? Where she came from or anything about her?’
Keeley and Doug looked at one another.
‘They gave us a photograph of you the week before we got you,’ Doug said. ‘We had it propped up on the windowsill in the kitchen and it was like looking at our dreams come true.’
‘We cherished it so,’ Keeley nodded.
‘The day we finally got you, it was all very low-key,’ Doug recalled.
‘When you signed those papers,’ Róisín pressed, ‘did they mention my mother’s name?’
‘Oh no,’ Doug said. ‘Nothing like that. We were only presented with our own set of paperwork. We didn’t get to see the stuff from the other side.’
‘Doug was the first to make physical contact with you,’ Keeley said. ‘He stood and walked over and put his finger into your tiny hand. You gripped it tightly and he turned to smile at me. I will never forget the look in his eyes.’
‘We were blessed to get you, Róisín,’ Doug said. ‘And I’m so sorry we can’t tell you more, but honestly, things were so different in those days. The nuns weren’t into background checks and the like, and they weren’t into keeping records either. The way they saw it, you would come to us and that would be an end to it. They wouldn’t have been thinking in terms of you coming looking for information later, especially not when your mother had passed away.’
Róisín nodded and hugged her parents and thanked them for talking to her. But deep down, she was gutted. She’d always held a tiny hope that her parents did actually know where she’d come from and hadn’t said. That once she found the courage to ask, they’d be able to tell her. It was devastating to hit a blank wall immediately.
The only way she could get information was by hiring an investigator. She’d spent many hours online looking at other stories of men and women who’d wasted time and money trying to trace their parents. There were so many gaps in the Irish adoption records that she knew she would probably end up disappointed. She would have to accept defeat.
As the children ran in from the garden looking excited about their day out with their mum, Róisín realised she was lucky. So many people had families that didn’t give a damn about them. She was, and always would be, loved by these extraordinarily generous and giving people. The fact they weren’t blood relatives didn’t really count. What mattered was that they loved and adored her. That was enough, wasn’t it?
Pulling up opposite Nourriture a short while later, Róisín got out of the car and stared across at the ocean. Early morning seagulls were swooping noisily as they argued over their finds. Looking across at Nourriture made her heart jolt. She adored what she’d created. She had so many new ideas, too. If she could secure the building, she planned on moving into the flat for a while. Once she had things ticking along nicely, she wanted to expand and open a restaurant on the upper
floor. From that height it would boast one of the most stunning views in Ireland.
The possibility of franchising this concept and opening in other venues made her giddy with excitement. Rob was adamant that his father wanted to invest.
Just then, Róisín spotted Mr Grace wandering up the road toward her. His old and faithful dog was waddling beside him, looking just as decrepit as its owner. It must be fate, Róisín thought, smiling to herself.
‘Good morning, lass,’ he said, lifting his walking stick in greeting. ‘Isn’t it a gorgeous morning?’
‘It certainly is,’ she said with a smile. ‘There are few places I’d rather be.’
He paused and looked into her eyes. If she wasn’t mistaken, Róisín saw a flicker of regret.
‘Mr Grace,’ she said. ‘I was intending to visit you this morning, as a matter of fact. Could I call over in a while if you’re not too busy?’
‘Now is a good time unless you’ve something on?’
‘Of course,’ she smiled. ‘Come inside and I’ll make you a coffee.’
Róisín opened the shutters and wasn’t surprised to see Brigid inside, beavering away busily.
‘Hi Brigid,’ she said. ‘Only me. I’m having a quick meeting with Mr Grace and I’ll be with you shortly.’
‘No problem,’ she said. ‘Morning, Mr Grace. I don’t suppose you’d have a quick taste of my pain au chocolat? I used a new ingredient and I’m not sure how the customers will take to them.’
He grinned as Róisín set a frothy latte in front of him.
‘I’ll wander up here more often,’ he said before looking guiltily at the floor. ‘Oh,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry. I’m forgetting …’
‘That’s what I need to tell you, Mr Grace.’
Róisín started from the beginning and explained everything she knew about his generous investor.
‘Wolfgang Bauer you say …’ He nodded calmly.
‘Aren’t you surprised?’ Róisín asked.
‘Not hugely,’ Mr Grace admitted. ‘I’ve been watching him for the past few weeks. He disappeared for days on end and was always cagey when I tried to speak with him. I put it down to being foreign and not wanting to fraternise with the locals.’
‘So, his offer to buy this place won’t stand any longer.’
‘No,’ Mr Grace said.
‘So I would like to submit mine. I know it’s not as much as Claus was offering …’
‘It’s much more than he was offering,’ Mr Grace corrected. ‘For a start, your money is legitimate. Secondly, you are breathing life into this village. You are attracting more tourists than the view and that’s saying something!’
‘So would you consider my offer, please?’
‘No, I won’t consider it, Róisín. I’ll accept it and be glad of it.’
‘Really?’ Róisín leapt out of her chair and hugged him.
‘You deserve it, my girl. I wasn’t finding it easy to live with myself these past weeks,’ Mr Grace said. ‘I knew I was being ruled by greed. That’s a nasty way to be. I’m ashamed of my behaviour and I sincerely hope you can forgive me.’
‘Of course,’ Róisín said. ‘Business is business,’ she said with a shrug.
‘I’ve realised another thing,’ Mr Grace said. ‘My two boys are idle good-for-nothings. I’ve told them in no uncertain terms that they won’t be splashing my cash. I’ve told them to get jobs and sort themselves out.’
‘Wow, good for you,’ she said. ‘How did they take it?’
‘Surprisingly well. Sean thinks he has work with a fisherman friend of his and Liam is in Galway since yesterday, working in a hotel.’
‘Will you be lonely without them?’ Róisín asked.
‘It’s hard to be lonely on a cruise,’ he said, laughing. ‘That’s what I’m going to do. It’s a golden years one, so it’ll be a ship full of old fogies like me! Who knows, I might even make some new acquaintances.’
Róisín promised to have the final documents ready for them both to sign as soon as possible.
‘I really am delighted for you, Róisín,’ he said. ‘Seeing this place turned into one of those gaudy supermarkets would’ve been a travesty. This is better for everyone.’
As soon as Mr Grace and his dog waddled back down the village, Róisín let out a happy scream and dropped to her knees with her hands clasped above her head.
‘Thank you God,’ she shouted.
‘Eh, have you lost your marbles?’ Brigid asked as she stood with a spatula, staring at her from the back kitchen.
‘No, my darling Brigid, I’ve found them! I’m buying this building. Nourriture is here to stay and I’ve so many plans!’
‘Oh cripes,’ Brigid said. ‘You’re going to expand and find more things for me to do, aren’t you?’
Róisín burst out laughing and Brigid hugged her.
‘Nobody deserves this more than you. Well done. I’m thrilled. But promise me one thing?’
‘What’s that?’ she asked.
‘Don’t lose the run of yourself. You’re already dedicated to this place. Don’t forget to live too.’
‘I won’t,’ Róisín said. An image of Rob and the night she’d just shared flashed through her mind and she blushed as she ran up the back stairs to her office.
Checking her e-mails, she was delighted to see confirmations for things she’d bought for her mother’s party. This party would be one hell of a celebration, after all. Keeley deserved to be thanked for all the wonderful things she’d done over the years and Róisín was going to make sure Nourriture got a little nod of appreciation too.
Clicking on to the long-term weather forecast, she was delighted to see a period of settled weather ahead. If the sun and warmth could last until Saturday week, she’d be a very happy bunny. The marquee company that had provided the tents for the festival had confirmed they would return with a similar one for the party.
The feelings of dread and fear were all gone. Róisín couldn’t wait to finally take the reins and see just how bright her future could be. She dialled Jill’s number and grinned as her beloved friend cried happy tears for her.
She texted Rob and asked him to pop in whenever he could. She wanted to get the ball rolling on Nourriture, the franchise. She also wanted to see him again. Love was a drug and she was well and truly hooked.
Chapter 46
Mouse was pacing the kitchen floor like a caged tiger.
‘You need to calm down,’ Nell said. ‘I know it’s soon to take your test, but if you don’t try you won’t have an idea of where you’re going wrong.’
‘But what if I can’t read the questions?’
‘We’ve gone over them in the guidebook. You know the answers and your writing is clear. Take your time and you’ll be fine.’
Nell had applied for Mouse to do the driving test. She’d heard the test centres were backlogged and it could take up to a year for a slot to become available. As luck would have it, the centre outside Ballyshore wasn’t exactly inundated with applications, so Mouse was going this morning.
‘You remembered to tell your boss you’ll be late in, didn’t you?’ Nell asked.
Mouse nodded and bit her nails. ‘I don’t think this is a good plan, Nell. I’ve never passed a thing in my life.’
‘You’ve never taken a test in your life,’ Nell pointed out.
Mouse looked utterly stricken. Nell softened.
‘OK, I’ll tell you what, if you fail and they say you didn’t manage to do any of it correctly, I’ll eat my words.’
‘That’s big of you,’ Mouse said.
‘You don’t know unless you try,’ Nell repeated. ‘Besides, what’s the worst that can happen? They tell you a visually impaired goat could drive better than you and that your writing is worse than a drunk spider? Who cares? You go away and try harder.’
Mouse swallowed. ‘You won’t tell anyone if I make a balls of it, will you?’
‘Who would I tell?’
‘OK,’ Mouse said with a sigh
, ‘let’s do it.’
‘Atta girl,’ Nell said.
They sat in silence as Nell drove them to the test centre.
‘Good luck. No matter what happens, I’m ever so proud of you,’ Nell said.
As Mouse got into the car with the examiner, a wave of loneliness and regret washed over Nell. Why had she given Laura’s daughter away? She could’ve had all the years of watching her grow and mature. She would’ve had companionship and love and laughter …
But it wouldn’t have worked like it did right now with Mouse. The poor girl hadn’t exactly been given many opportunities over the years, but she’d still been out there, living in the world … seeing things, albeit the more dingy end of life … that baby would’ve been thwarted if she’d stayed with her, wouldn’t she?
Nell stayed in her own car while Mouse did the test. She didn’t want to sit chatting to some random stranger about the difficulties of the driving test in the waiting area. She’d rolled her seat back and closed her eyes. She knew she wasn’t going insane, but Nell was starting to hear whispers. She wouldn’t call them voices per se. Just suggestions that it was time to move on. Time to play out the end of her life in a more positive way. She knew that in order to do that, she needed to set things straight.
Mouse came out to the car a while later. Her head was hung low and she looked defeated.
‘Hey, it was all too soon,’ Nell said as soon as she sat in. ‘It’s my fault Mouse, I shouldn’t have pushed you to take the test yet. You weren’t ready …’
‘I PASSED!’ Mouse shouted, shaking her fists in triumph. ‘I’ve never passed a single thing in my life, Nell.’ She threw her arms around Nell, almost strangling her as she mashed her into the driver’s door with the force of her enthusiasm.
‘I am so unbelievably proud of you. You are some force of nature. This is the first test you’ve ever taken and you passed. Have you any idea how amazing you are?’
‘I can’t believe it,’ Mouse said. ‘I’m not as thick as I thought I was.’
‘You’re as far from thick as it’s possible to be,’ Nell said. ‘Don’t you ever put yourself down. There are enough people in this world who’ll jump on the bandwagon of trying to crush others.’
The Perfect Gift Page 36
