Changing Places

by Colette Caddle

  ‘I’ve made you a nice cup of tea,’ Val said.

  ‘Thanks, you’re very kind.’

  ‘Are you okay, love?’

  ‘I’m fine.’ Anna smiled and immediately picked up the phone. When she had finished the long and difficult call with a client it was time for her meeting with Mark.

  ‘How’s it going?’ he said with a wide smile.

  ‘Great,’ she replied, setting down a pile of files on the edge of his desk. ‘At least it would be if Mr Delaney were to fall off the face of the earth.’

  ‘Delaney?’ Mark frowned. ‘The old lad in Marlboro Road?’

  ‘The very same.’

  ‘But that’s all settled. He agreed to accept four hundred.’

  ‘Ah yes, but then he was on the phone to his daughter in Australia and she told him that he was being robbed.’

  ‘Oh, for pity’s sake!’

  ‘I know, I know. It’s the McHughs I feel sorry for. It was such a stretch for them to go to four hundred and they have to move out of the place they’re renting by the end of the month, but now Delaney’s adamant he won’t sell.’

  ‘He’ll sell all right.’ The veins stood out on Mark’s temples and his eyes bulged. ‘I’ll soon sort him out, leave it to me.’

  Anna was happy to and they moved on to the next client. It was almost seven o’clock when they finally finished. Though Anna was tired, she was sorry the day was over and that it was time to go home and confront her husband.

  ‘I’d better get my skates on, I’ve a viewing in ten minutes.’ Mark stood up and pulled on the jacket of his suit.

  ‘I’ll do it if you like,’ she offered.

  Mark eyed her curiously. ‘No, that’s okay. Tell me, what’s the story with Charlie Coleman? Have you arranged to show him the Brennan house?’

  Anna shook her head. ‘I offered to take him over there tomorrow but he said he’d let me know.’

  Mark frowned. ‘You call him, Anna. Paul Brennan is getting impatient. His house has been on the market for months now. And as for Charlie, he’s dragging his heels too much for my liking.’

  ‘He just hasn’t found the right place.’

  Mark’s look was speculative. ‘Or maybe it’s not a house he’s after.’

  ‘I don’t know what you’re implying, Mark—’

  ‘Oh, don’t play the innocent with me, Anna. You know the man likes you and,’ he held up his hand as she went to protest, ‘I couldn’t give a monkey’s what’s going on between you two. Just sell him a bloody house and fast, okay?’

  ‘Okay,’ Anna muttered.

  He grinned at her. ‘And I won’t even charge a matchmaking fee.’

  ‘I think you’re forgetting that I’m married!’ Anna stood up and gathered her files.

  Mark picked up his phone and keys and headed for the door. ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’ he asked, getting the last word in as usual.

  Feeling slightly sick, Anna went back to her desk and stared at the phone. The last person she wanted to talk to now was Charlie, especially after the way she’d made a show of herself earlier, but she knew she had to do it.

  ‘Charlie, hi, it’s Anna Gallagher,’ she said in a brisk, businesslike tone when he answered.

  ‘Hi, Anna. Are you feeling better?’

  ‘Oh yes, thanks,’ she stammered, his gentle tone putting her offguard.

  ‘So, what can I do for you? Brandy, tea or some sympathy?’

  She forced a laugh. ‘I just wanted to arrange a time to show you the house Mark was telling you about.’

  ‘Oh, I see.’

  ‘Would tomorrow evening suit?’

  ‘I’m free right now, as it happens.’

  ‘Now?’

  ‘Is that a problem?’

  ‘Er, no. The owner’s moved out and I have the keys.’

  ‘Excellent. I’ll be right over.’

  ‘Okay.’ Anna hung up with a sigh. Well, she hadn’t wanted to go home and face Liam, and the sooner she showed Charlie the house, the sooner she could make a sale. The more she thought about it, the more she was sure that the Brennan house was right for him. Knowing Mark, he would probably claim the commission for himself as it had been his idea. Not that she really cared any more. If Charlie did decide to put in an offer and it was accepted, it would be over to the lawyers and there would be no reason for them to meet again.

  That would definitely be for the best all round although Anna knew she was going to miss him. The thought made her feel guilty even though she had no reason to be, she reminded herself, pulling out her make-up bag and mirror. Liam was the one who should be feeling guilty. He had been messing about with Tara while all she’d done was a little harmless flirting. And what woman would be able to resist Charlie Coleman? Looking in the mirror, she saw the tears fill her eyes and she closed them, swallowing hard. ‘You are not going to cry all over this man again!’ she told her reflection. ‘You are going to behave like a professional.’ There would be plenty of time for her to fall apart later when Liam told her that their marriage was over.

  Putting her make-up away, her fingers closed around her mobile phone and she drew it out. She had left it switched off all afternoon and knew that there were probably dozens of messages for her by now. But if she switched it on, Liam might call and she couldn’t talk to him now. Resolutely, she put the phone back in her bag and went to lock up the office.

  By the time she’d set the alarm and switched off the lights, she could see Charlie’s silhouette at the door. Pulling her shoulders back and fixing a smile on her face, she went out to meet him. ‘Charlie, perfect timing.’

  ‘Well?’ Anna stood in the hall looking up at him. He’d been wandering around for a good ten minutes now but still hadn’t uttered a single word.

  Charlie slowly walked down the stairs towards her. ‘It’s perfect.’ He strolled through the downstairs rooms again, pausing in front of the huge bay window that looked out over a large field, with the sea twinkling blue in the distance.

  Anna smiled. ‘Oh, good. Do you think Sophie will like it?’

  He laughed. ‘She’ll nab that attic room for herself straight away!’

  ‘It’s cool, isn’t it? I’d have loved a room like that when I was a teenager. Want to have a look at the outbuildings? I’m sure one of them could easily be converted into a stable. Not that I know anything about horses.’

  ‘I’m sure it’s fine.’ Charlie followed her out to the back of the house.

  ‘The fencing seems secure but I can check that for you.’

  ‘Anna?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Are you okay?’

  Anna nodded and looked quickly away from the concern in his eyes. ‘Fine.’

  ‘You don’t look fine.’ He moved closer.

  ‘Thanks a lot!’ She rolled her eyes in mock disgust.

  ‘Don’t do this.’

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘Don’t push me away.’

  She turned to face him. ‘Look, Charlie, I’m here to sell you a house, nothing else.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘You know what it means.’ She turned on her heel and headed back to the house and when he finally followed her, she was standing in the hall, ready to go. ‘So, would you like to put in an offer? It’s been on the market for a while so they’ll probably be happy to negotiate.’

  ‘I’ll pay the asking price.’ He went through the door without looking at her.

  ‘Are you sure—’

  ‘I’m sure.’ He got into his car and switched on the engine, pulling away as soon as she’d climbed in beside him.

  They travelled back to the office in silence. ‘I’ll phone Mr Brennan first thing in the morning,’ Anna said when he screeched to a halt outside the building.

  ‘Fine,’ he replied without looking at her.

  ‘Bye, then.’

  ‘Goodbye, Anna,’ Charlie said, and was gone in a puff of exhaust.

  Anna watched him leave, her eyes sa
d.

  ‘I’ve been waiting for you.’

  She whirled around to see her husband standing in the entrance to the agency. ‘Liam!’

  ‘I’ve been trying to call you all evening.’

  ‘Yeah, well, I didn’t want to talk to you.’

  ‘It’s your dad, Anna. He’s in hospital.’

  Chapter 20

  ‘Will you please calm down, Rachel, you’ll make yourself sick,’ Gary begged his wife.

  ‘How can I calm down?’ she said, pacing the living room. ‘My dad’s in some crummy hospital halfway across the world and God knows what state he’s in!’

  ‘It’s not halfway across the world and the French healthcare system is a damn sight better than ours.’

  ‘How would you know?’ she said rudely. ‘Oh, why the hell hasn’t Mam phoned? I’m going to ring the hospital again.’

  ‘There’s no point,’ Gary said, pulling her down on to the sofa. ‘You know they won’t tell you anything.’

  Rachel turned frightened eyes to him. ‘Oh Gary, he will be okay, won’t he?’

  ‘Of course he will. Your dad is as strong as an ox.’

  ‘An ox that eats all the wrong food and smokes forty a day,’ she said miserably. ‘And you can bet he’s been lowering back the San Miguel – oh, why didn’t they stay in Ireland? What the hell was Mam thinking of, dragging him all over Europe in a bloody caravan at his age?’

  ‘He’s only sixty-four, Rachel, and I don’t think your mam had to do much dragging. Look, carrying on like this won’t do you or the baby any good.’

  Rachel’s hand moved to her bump. ‘I’m sorry, it’s just I’m so worried.’

  ‘I know.’ He put an arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him.

  The phone rang and Rachel jumped. ‘You answer it,’ she said.

  Gary picked up the phone. ‘Hello? Oh hi, Anna. Hang on, I’ll put her on.’ He handed the phone to his wife.

  ‘Anna? Have you heard anything?’

  ‘No, Rachel, Liam just told me what’s happened. I was hoping you’d have heard something.’

  Rachel sighed. ‘No, nothing.’

  ‘Tell me exactly what Mam said.’

  ‘Well, they had just come back from the beach when he complained of a pain in his chest. Mam went to get him some Alka-Seltzer and when she came back, he was rolling about the place.’ Rachel’s voice shook as she talked and Gary’s hand tightened around hers. ‘Mum called the ambulance and now he’s in Casualty.’

  ‘Is he conscious? Are they operating? What the hell’s happening, Rache?’

  ‘They were running some tests when Mam phoned. She had to go because there was a queue for the phone. I don’t know if he’s conscious or not, she didn’t say and I was too flustered to ask. Sorry.’

  ‘Hey, that’s okay. Don’t mind me, it’s just all been a bit of a shock.’

  ‘I know. I tell you, I don’t care what they say, I’m buying them a bloody mobile phone after this!’

  ‘Damn right,’ Anna agreed. ‘Will I come over?’

  ‘Please.’

  ‘Hi, Anna.’ Gary opened the door and kissed his sister-in-law’s cheek.

  ‘Is she okay?’

  ‘A bit upset but not too bad. How about you?’

  ‘I’m fine.’

  ‘Go on in, she’s in the living room.’

  ‘Hiya.’ Rachel stood up to hug her sister. ‘Sorry for dragging you over here.’

  ‘I’d prefer to be here worrying with you than at home on my own,’ Anna told her sister.

  ‘Why, where’s Liam?’

  ‘Oh, nowhere.’

  ‘Glass of wine?’ Gary appeared brandishing a bottle and two glasses.

  ‘Oh yes, please.’

  ‘I have the kettle on for you, Rachel.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘So did she say when she’d call again?’ Anna asked.

  ‘When she had some more news. Do you think we should go over there?’ Rachel looked to her big sister for guidance.

  ‘I don’t know. I suppose if it’s serious . . .’ They stared at each other, afraid to think of what might lie ahead.

  ‘It won’t be, don’t worry,’ Gary told them.

  ‘Maybe we should check out flights, just in case,’ Anna said.

  ‘Already done,’ he said quietly. ‘There’s an Aer Lingus flight every morning and there are seats available on tomorrow’s flight.’

  ‘Should we book it?’ Rachel asked.

  Gary shook his head. ‘There’s no point in doing anything until you talk to your mother.’

  ‘But either way she’d probably like one of us to be there,’ Rachel murmured.

  ‘I can’t just fly out there in the morning, Mark would go spare.’ Anna fretted, taking a gulp of wine.

  ‘You may not have a choice.’ Rachel’s voice was sharp.

  ‘This is a pointless conversation,’ Gary said, frowning at his wife.

  ‘Oh, I don’t know. I think it’s a very interesting conversation. Anna’s job is obviously more important than our dad’s life!’

  ‘Rachel!’ Gary looked from one sister to the other.

  ‘That’s not fair,’ Anna defended herself. ‘That’s not what I said. I just need to give Mark some notice, that’s all.’

  ‘And what if it’s serious? Really serious?’ Rachel’s eyes challenged hers.

  ‘Then of course I’ll go.’ Anna stood up and walked to the window.

  ‘I’m going up to check on Alex.’ Rachel stormed out of the room.

  ‘Take no notice – she’s just upset,’ Gary said apologetically.

  ‘I know.’

  ‘Listen, Anna, I don’t mean to pressurize you, but if you don’t go . . .’

  ‘Yeah, I know, I might live to regret it. Don’t worry, Gary, I’m not going to let anyone down.’

  Gary checked his watch. ‘Like I said, there’s no point in making any decisions right now. We’re probably worrying about nothing.’ He was topping up Anna’s glass when Rachel returned, her hand massaging the small of her back. ‘Is he okay?’ he asked.

  ‘Fast asleep.’

  The phone rang again and Gary jumped on it. ‘Hello? Oh hi, Jill. No, no news yet, we’re waiting for Bridie to call. Yes, I will. Thanks. Bye.’ He hung up. ‘Jill sends her best.’

  ‘Oh God, I wish Mam would just phone, I can’t stand this.’ Rachel slumped on to the sofa and closed her eyes.

  ‘Maybe you should go to bed,’ Anna said, noting her sister’s pale face and the dark circles under her eyes.

  ‘I couldn’t possibly sleep.’

  ‘But you could rest,’ Gary replied.

  ‘Can you both just leave me alone, please?’ Rachel hissed.

  ‘Okay, okay. I’ll go and make some more tea.’ Gary stood up and went out of the room, closing the door.

  Immediately, Rachel turned to her sister, her eyes flashing. ‘How can you even think of not going? He’s our dad, he’s sick, he might be dying, for God’s sake, and you’re more worried about your job!’

  ‘I’m not! I just want to be fair to Mark. It’s a small company, Rachel, and we’re very busy at the moment.’ Anna took another swig of wine.

  ‘Of course, silly me. They couldn’t possibly do without you. No doubt the business would fall apart if you went away for a few days.’

  ‘Don’t be such a cow, Rache. Anyway, it’s not as if Mam’s some feeble little old lady. She’s well able to look after Dad and herself.’

  ‘God, Anna, how can you be so hard?’ Rachel’s eyes widened.

  Anna looked away. ‘I’m not. I’m just reminding you that we have very independent parents.’

  ‘And what the hell does that mean? Are you saying that now they’ve left the country we shouldn’t care about them any more?’

  ‘All I’m saying is that if they needed us, they wouldn’t have left the country in the first place.’

  ‘My God! You resent them for leaving Ireland, don’t you?’ Rachel breathed.

  A
nna whirled around to face her. ‘Of course not!’

  ‘Yes, you do!’

  Anna flopped into a chair, her hair falling forward to hide her face. ‘I just miss them, that’s all.’

  Rachel shrugged. ‘Well, so do I, but they have their own life to live.’

  ‘I know that. I suppose I just miss having our home to run to when the going gets tough. Does that sound silly, coming from a thirty-one-year-old woman?’

  Rachel relaxed a little. ‘It doesn’t matter what age you are,’ she agreed, ‘you still need your parents. Well, maybe not need them, but you don’t expect them to just walk out of your life. That’s supposed to be our job. We’re the ones who are supposed to flee the nest. We should have been off touring Europe or emigrating to Australia, or, or something.’

  Anna stared at her little sister. ‘I didn’t know you wanted to travel.’

  ‘I didn’t, I don’t. Oh, I don’t know what I want.’

  Anna moved to sit beside her and squeezed her hand. ‘For once I think I know exactly what you mean.’

  ‘Tea, anyone?’ Gary hovered uncertainly in the doorway.

  Rachel managed a wobbly smile. ‘I think my sister needs it.’

  ‘And what’s that supposed to mean?’ Anna objected, pushing her away.

  ‘You never could hold your drink,’ Rachel retorted. ‘Dad always knew when you’d been on a bender.’

  ‘Did he?’ Anna looked surprised.