‘I know,’ Mouse said, sitting back onto her own side of the car and throwing her arms above her head and grasping the headrest. She stretched luxuriously and laughed.
‘I was able to read all the questions too,’ she said. ‘You were right. They were all the same words as the ones we’d seen. Some were in a different order, but I was able to sound them out. Once I was halfway through a question, I had a pretty good idea of what they were asking.’
‘I’m delighted for you,’ Nell said. ‘Now you can drive yourself to work some days. It’s not as if I use my car all that often.’
‘Speaking of work,’ Mouse said. ‘I need to get there or I won’t have a job to drive to. I told Róisín I’d be a bit late. But I don’t want to take advantage.’
Mouse allowed Nell to drive, saying she was too overcome and might drive them into a tree.
‘I’m that excited I don’t trust myself.’
Nell waved as Mouse ran in the door of Nourriture and splayed her arms and announced to all and sundry what she’d done. Nell drove away smiling.
Nell had lots of bookwork to catch up with. Normally at this time of the year the fellow from the council appeared looking for his bits and pieces. In former years, Nell would have them ready and waiting with weeks to spare. This time she was actually anxious about how far behind she might be.
The day flew by as she got stuck into her work. There was barely enough time to drive back and collect Mouse.
The girl was still buzzing after her day. ‘Ooh I have an invitation for us too,’ she said. ‘Promise me you’ll come,’ she said.
‘What’s it for? A party for passing your test?’ Nell asked.
‘No. Nothing like that,’ Mouse said. ‘My boss’s mother is turning sixty. She’s doing a surprise party for her in a marquee across from Nourriture. The same one that was there for the festival.’
‘Oh I see,’ Nell said. ‘And she invited us?’
‘Certainly did,’ Mouse said. ‘She said it’s a case of the more, the merrier. Her ma is a great woman by all accounts and she wants the whole village to come out and celebrate with her.’
‘It’s not my sort of thing,’ Nell said. ‘But I’ll drive you over and collect you afterwards.’ Nell figured the subject would be dropped and thought no more of it until Mouse appeared after her shower a short while later. She was carrying a hanger that contained a dress and wrap.
‘I was rooting in your wardrobe just now,’ Mouse said.
‘You shouldn’t do that, Mouse,’ she said in shock. ‘That’s not polite.’
‘Ah yeah,’ Mouse said. ‘We won’t worry about that. We both know I wasn’t raised. I was dragged up. So we’ll excuse my ignorance. Anyway, I think you should wear this to the party. You’d look very elegant.’
‘I told you,’ Nell said. ‘I’m not going to the party.’
‘Ah but you are,’ Mouse said firmly. ‘We won’t talk about it all the time and we won’t fall out over it. But you’ll come and I’ll be thrilled because I’ll feel like my own ma is with me. You wouldn’t let me go with nobody to call my own, sure you wouldn’t, Nell?’
She was ready to scoff and tell Mouse to stop her nonsense when she realised the young woman was crying.
‘Ah stop that now,’ she said. ‘That’s not fair. You’re using emotional blackmail and that’s not right.’
‘I’m not doing it to annoy you,’ she said. ‘But all the other workers at Nourriture are full of the joys, talking about the party and how they can’t wait. I’d die if I have to go alone.’
‘But won’t you be working essentially?’
‘For a bit, but after that I’ll be standing there like a spare part. Don’t do that to me. Please Nell, I’ll never ask you to come to anything with me again.’
Nell felt her heart drop like a stone. Here she was, full of great intentions to get more involved with life in general and she’d fallen at the first fence. Taking a deep breath she made a decision.
‘OK, I’ll go.’
‘You’re a star,’ Mouse said. ‘Thanks a million. My own ma never came to anything with me and if she did, she’d be too pissed to be of any use.’
Nell inhaled deeply. This kid really needed to be supported. She might have missed out on doing anything good with Laura’s baby, but this was most certainly her second chance.
‘I don’t think I can wear that outfit, however. It’s over thirty years old. We might have to go shopping.’
‘Will we go to the city again?’ Mouse asked.
‘No, I don’t think I can bear it. There are boutiques in Clifden. That’s only half an hour’s drive. Maybe tomorrow. You’re on a day off aren’t you?’
Mouse was so enthusiastic, Nell felt ashamed. How could she have considered not going if it meant this much to her?
They shared some fish stew that Nell had cobbled together and chatted about how important it was to tell people what they mean.
‘The only consistent feedback I got as a kid was how much of a nuisance I was. I didn’t try to annoy people, but that was what happened. I wish I had some memories of nice things Ma had said.’
‘What about your da?’ Nell asked. ‘Did he mind you much?’
‘Nah, he was all about the boys. I remember he took me on a job one time. He was robbing a house and wanted me to get in a small window. I was to run to the front door and open it so he and my brothers could get in and steal stuff.’
‘Did you do it?’ Nell asked.
‘No,’ she said. ‘I cried and said I didn’t want to get put in a police car. I was terrified of getting caught … I also knew it was wrong. I didn’t want to help them rob other people’s things.’
‘What happened?’
‘He smacked me so hard it winded me. I ran all the way home in the dark and hid under my bed.’
‘How old were you?’
‘Six or seven,’ Mouse said. ‘In fairness to Da, he never hit me much after that. He wrote me off, though. He used to act as if I wasn’t there. For months he blanked me totally, refusing to answer if I spoke to him.’
‘How did that make you feel?’
‘Horrible. I figured it was my own fault. My brothers did what he wanted and they got on like a house on fire.’ She shrugged. ‘But I couldn’t be what he wanted. I wasn’t born that way. God only knows where I came from. Maybe Ma was a good person underneath her problems.’
‘Did you have a better relationship with her?’
‘Yeah, I suppose I did … when she was sober, which wasn’t often, we got on great. She was funny. Knew how to look at things in the world and make them seem like a laugh. She loved me, I know she did. But she was too messed up to be able to mother any of us.’
‘That was the way for a lot of kids when I grew up in the flats,’ Nell said. ‘You’ve a wise head on young shoulders, Mouse. It’s taken me many more years, decades even, to come to the same conclusion as you.’
‘Did none of your family come here to visit you?’ Mouse asked.
‘No. I was a bit like you. I disappeared and nobody seemed to mind. I know it would sound totally crazy to a person with a loving family, but mine were probably relieved I went.’
‘I get it.’
‘I know you do,’ Nell said. ‘I know when Laura’s father left me at the altar, everyone assumed I’d go off my rocker. I probably would have if Laura hadn’t needed me so badly. I came here because I knew she’d be safe.’
‘I know,’ Mouse said. ‘And for the record, I think you did the right thing. When I see her in those videos, it’s obvious that she was so happy with life.’
‘I miss her,’ Nell sighed. ‘I’ve learned to live without her for certain. But I’ve never stopped longing for her.’
They went to bed and Nell slept better than she had for a while. Mouse was up early the next morning. Nell was up at the observatory doing her morning routine.
‘What time will we go to Clifden?’ she asked. ‘Can I drive?’
‘Sure,’ Nell said. ‘
We’ll go in the next half hour.’
They mooched around, each doing her own thing and gravitated toward the car at the same time.
Nell smiled as Mouse drove them away from the lighthouse. They’d fallen into step with one another. They were kindred spirits and it felt great.
Nell was pleasantly surprised by how much the town of Clifden had come on. It was a long time since she’d been there. The array of high quality gift shops, boutiques and restaurants was impressive. Once she’d picked an outfit, which Mouse insisted looked ‘stunning’ on her, they visited the bookshop.
‘I’ve never been in a bookshop before!’ Mouse said with excitement. ‘I love the smell and the fact there are so many stories waiting to be discovered.’
Nell spoke to the owner as Mouse browsed. She expertly directed them to a section of books that would be suitable for Mouse, taking her reading level into account.
‘She’s eager and very quick to learn,’ Nell assured the lady. ‘But I don’t want her to get bogged down with a novel that will put her off. I don’t want to put a halt to her gallop at this stage.’
Nell needn’t have worried. Mouse was like a child in a sweet shop and took the lady’s advice.
They went to a gorgeous fish restaurant for lunch and Nell enjoyed every morsel. The best part was when the waiter offered them the dessert menu.
‘For madam,’ he said in a French accent, ‘I would recommend the tarte au citron. And for your daughter, the salted caramel and chocolate sundae.’
‘Sounds lovely,’ Nell said as she winked at Mouse.
‘Yep, I’ll go for that,’ Mouse giggled.
‘Do you hate it that he thinks I’m your mother?’ Nell asked staring intently at Mouse after he’d left.
‘No, it makes me feel great,’ she said. ‘I never thought I’d have a mother again. You’re my second chance, Nell. My life began when you found me.’
Nell stared at Mouse and shook her head. ‘I know you were sent to me,’ she whispered as she attempted to swallow the large lump in her throat. ‘We’re so damn lucky to have each other.’
Chapter 47
Closing down and moving on was proving easier than Keeley had anticipated. Once she’d decided to close with immediate effect, she’d had to organise alternative accommodation for her bookings, and happily had been able to pass on the business to two extremely grateful nearby establishments. She’d spent an entire morning calling guests and explaining her situation and asking them to move to the other B&Bs. Keeley found it very bittersweet when people said lovely things to her.
‘We’ve enjoyed every stay at your place,’ one lady said. ‘You’ve made us feel so welcome and it won’t ever be the same in Ballyshore for us. But we wish you well.’
Keeley felt more at ease than she had for such a long time. She and Doug needed to rebuild their relationship, but those changes were already taking place. Liv needed support and Róisín needed to know they were behind her every step of the way, too. This way, with more free time, they could attend to themselves as well as to their daughters.
‘It would be lovely to buy a cottage near the village,’ Keeley said with excitement. ‘One that only has two or three bedrooms. Can you imagine how easy it would be to keep?’
‘Can we find somewhere with a little garden so I can have a small man shed?’ Doug asked sheepishly.
The estate agent had come that day and was confident the B&B would sell in no time. ‘Summer is the optimal time for selling houses like this one. People don’t have to imagine what it all looks like with the sun making the water glisten and the flowers are divine. This place is immaculate and it would be a luxurious family home if the new owners don’t want to continue the business.’
Keeley had thought the entire process would take months, but it seemed property was shifting at a good pace.
‘This has been the busiest summer for sales in I can’t tell you how long …’ the estate agent said. ‘I have two properties I’d like to show you both. One is on the market and the other has literally just come to us. It’s not officially for sale, but I can give you a sneak peek.’
So that’s exactly what they were doing today, sneaking and peeking.
As soon as they drove up to the property Keeley got a good feeling. ‘It’s perfect,’ she said to Doug.
‘Shush,’ he said. ‘Don’t let Jack-the-lad hear you being so enthusiastic. He’ll add another ten grand to the asking price.’
Keeley smiled. Doug was always looking for a bargain and this time was no exception.
The cottage was newly refurbished and ready to move into. It was decorated in simple rustic fabrics, in tones that brought the garden and ocean together sympathetically.
‘The couple are moving to England to be with their daughter as she’s just had a baby. They’re looking for a quick sale,’ the estate agent explained.
Doug went into bargaining mode. ‘We were looking for something with a much larger garden,’ he fibbed.
‘It’s all in immaculate condition,’ the estate agent shot back.
‘I’d need to buy a shed,’ Doug said.
‘There’s a very nicely appointed outhouse to the rear left,’ he said. ‘If you’d like to follow me, I’ll show you.’
Doug and Keeley looked at one another and followed him out the back. What looked like a miniature version of the cottage sat prettily surrounded by blossom trees.
‘The occupier worked as an architect before his retirement and this was his office-cum-workshop.’
Doug’s eyes lit up as he walked in. There was enough space to have his tools along with an art area for Keeley. And it was properly insulated, heated and lit.
‘It even has a feed to the satellite dish so you can watch sport out here,’ the estate agent said.
Keeley laughed out loud as Doug turned to look at her. Gone was the hardball poker face. She knew he’d been drawn in!
Keeley left them to poke about in the man-cave as she returned to the house. Standing in the open-plan kitchen area, she could clearly see herself living here.
The three double bedrooms with one en suite were immaculate too. She wouldn’t even change the colour of the bed linen, she loved it all so much.
By the time the men joined her at the front door Keeley had made up her mind.
‘We’ll take it,’ she said firmly. ‘We’ll give the full asking price and we’ll go for it.’
‘Keeley!’ Doug said. ‘That’s not the way to play the game.’
‘I’m fed-up playing games, Doug. We’ve worked long and hard for what we have. Once this kind gentleman can sell our place, let’s do a deal.’
‘But …’ Doug looked astonished by her unbending manner as she folded her arms and stared him down.
‘I don’t see an issue with selling your house,’ the man said. ‘You’ll end up with a nice nest-egg at the end of it all too.’
‘Precisely,’ Keeley said. ‘We won’t find anything nicer and besides, I knew from the moment we drove up here that it felt like home.’
Doug threw his hands up in surrender and hugged her.
‘I like this new bossy version of you.’
Keeley was oozing with excitement as they sat having a cup of tea back at the B&B.
‘It’s a new beginning for us,’ she said. ‘We’ll be able to help the girls financially and it means we can sit back and enjoy the time we have left.’
‘You’re making it sound as if we’re both on the way out,’ Doug said.
‘I don’t mean it like that,’ Keeley said. ‘But I think we both deserve to enjoy the next chapter. Are you excited?’ she asked.
Doug took her hand from across the table. ‘I can’t wait,’ he said.
Over the next few days there was a steady stream of viewers at the B&B.
Keeley was delighted with the snippets of information she gleaned about the party the girls were organising.
‘I wish you’d let me help,’ she said.
‘No way,’ Liv said. ‘It’s o
ur turn to spoil you.’
The girls had insisted that Keeley buy a nice dress for the party. Doug had brought her to a boutique and paid for everything, from the dress to the shoes and a matching wrap.
‘If you don’t look knock ’em dead fabulous in new gear, the girls will have my guts for garters.’
Keeley knew the party was on Saturday and she was to be there at eight o’clock, but that was it. Her friends refused to discuss it and most of the times she walked into Nourriture, or anywhere else for that matter, people stopped talking and looked at her with a grin.
‘I’m getting a bit nervous about this party,’ she confided to Doug. ‘What if it’s not organised properly? I’d prefer to speak to Róisín about it and see if I can help out.’
‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you,’ Doug said. ‘You’ll risk having your head bitten off.’
‘Róisín is a bit of a control freak, isn’t she?’ she mused.
‘She didn’t lick that off the stones either,’ Doug smiled. ‘She’s so like you. Most of the time I forget she was adopted. She’s more like you in mannerisms than Liv.’
‘I agree,’ Keeley said. ‘I hope poor Liv manages to find her feet. She’s had a tough time of it. Both of them have, as a matter of fact.’
‘It’s called life,’ Doug said. ‘But I think both of them will come out the other end. They’re both strong women in their own ways.’
Keeley knew Doug was right. She did wish she could shield her girls from all of life’s upsets. But no mother could ever do that. When Róisín arrived and once she’d had Liv, she’d vowed she would do everything in her power to help them grow into independent and happy women.
There were many years ahead of her girls and neither of them was perfect, but Keeley was incredibly proud of both. For the first time in a long time, she was truly excited about the future.
Chapter 48
Róisín was walking on air. It was the beginning of August and the papers were signed and it was official – Nourriture and the building it inhabited now belonged to her. Not wanting to waste another second, she typed up a letter and slipped it under the door at the flat. She apologised to the tenants, but explained that she would need them to move out and gave them a month’s notice as per their letting agreement.
The Perfect Gift Page 37
