Beneath an Irish Sky (Choc Lit)

by Connor, Isabella

  ‘Maybe,’ said Jack. ‘But maybe the Kiernan brothers are so unpopular the neighbours won’t give a damn.’

  ‘I’m coming with you,’ said Matt. ‘You’ll need backup.’

  ‘Matt!’

  ‘Emer, we’ve come this far. We can’t walk away from a chance to find out why Annie left us.’

  ‘You’re mad, the pair of you!’ Emer declared. ‘We came here for Luke – how will it help him if you both end up in a police cell?’

  ‘We’ll be careful,’ Matt promised.

  Jack was still planning. ‘I’ll need a screwdriver,’ he said.

  ‘And we’ll need to wait until it’s dark,’ said Emer.

  ‘We?’ asked Jack.

  ‘If your mind’s made up, I’m coming with you,’ she told him.

  ‘Like hell you are!’

  ‘I have an idea,’ Emer continued. ‘I doubt The Green Man is the kind of place two women would go together, but Matt and Kate could go as a couple and phone you if the brothers leave. And I can keep an eye out from the car.’

  ‘Good idea,’ said Kate, smiling for the first time since she’d arrived at the pub. ‘I’m impressed, Emer. Have you done this sort of thing before?’

  ‘I used to read Nancy Drew,’ Emer laughed. ‘Never thought I’d get the chance to be her for real.’

  ‘Life with the Stewarts is never dull,’ said Matt, and they all managed nervous smiles.

  The sound of a siren woke Luke and he peered with bleary eyes at the time. Half past three. Monday afternoon. He’d slept on and off for a whole day. Time to drag himself out of bed. A shower revived him a bit and reawakened his appetite. He’d had nothing since a cheeseburger at the May Day hooley, and some crisps on the ferry.

  He took some money from the safe. Not too much. No point inviting temptation. Just enough to get himself a hoodie, a beanie hat and some sunglasses in Penney’s. He wanted to look anonymous when he went to Ennis. Tomorrow he’d contact a private clinic to arrange a hip replacement for Jessie, then stay here in Limerick for a while. Relax and try to get his head round everything. Come to terms with it before taking off somewhere. Having money was giving him a freedom he’d never known – able to stay in a decent hotel, buy anything that took his fancy. It would be easy to lose sight of the fact he’d nearly burnt it because he thought it brought him bad luck. Well, he surely couldn’t have any more bad luck, so he might as well put it to good use. Maybe buy a caravan, or even better, a motorhome. Get a dog for company and take to the road again.

  Luke sat alone in the pub, watching the evening crowd enjoying themselves. Families. Friends. Even the words brought a lump to his throat. He’d just smoked a cigarette, which he hadn’t done since he was sixteen, and polished off a huge plate of sausages and colcannon. Now he had a vodka and coke in front of him. If anyone offered him a joint, he’d probably have that too. Anything to stop him feeling the gaping hole where his heart had once been.

  A scruffy band was singing ‘The Rocky Road to Dublin’, and the accents around him were Irish. He was Irish. He was washing away the Brit. This was home. A woman across the pub smiled at him. Would she have smiled if she’d known Luke was a Traveller? But no one here knew who he was and despite everything, it was good to feel accepted.

  After his all-day sleep, Luke wondered if he’d end up awake all night. He didn’t want that. Didn’t want to lie in the dark, thinking about Kate. Wishing she was there. He went to the bar and ordered another vodka and coke. When he got back to his table, Smiling Woman was there.

  ‘Hi,’ she said, giving him a look that was more than friendly. ‘You’re staying at the same hotel as me. I saw you earlier. I’m Fionnula.’

  Half an hour later, Luke was in her room, standing nervously by the door. He was already having second thoughts. She’d disappeared to the bathroom, probably to change into something more comfortable. She was older than him, maybe twenty-five or more. Not unattractive but definitely pushy. When she’d suggested they go back to her room, he’d just thought Why not? and downed his drink for courage. Now he wondered what the hell he was doing. He’d been propositioned by a woman who obviously spread it about a lot …

  Spread it about a lot. Gavin’s words came back to him like a punch. Jesus! When would he learn? As usual his temper had got the better of him, the red mist robbing him of common sense and logic. What if it was true, that his mam had had an affair? If he’d a brain in his head, he wouldn’t have hit Jack with his fist – just with a demand for a DNA. If he wasn’t Jack’s son, then he wasn’t related to Kate. There’d be a chance for them to be together.

  Clinging to the hope his mother had left Jack because she was pregnant by someone else, Luke left Fionnula’s room and returned to his own, but there was no peace there. As much as he wanted to think maybe he wasn’t Jack’s son, he couldn’t really believe Annie had been playing around. She wasn’t that kind of woman, he’d stake his life on that. And why would she have lied to him and said Jack was his father, with all that went with it – the pain of rejection?

  Luke helped himself to wine from the fridge then got into bed still wearing his clothes, and pulled the covers over him. He wanted Kate; his arm went round the pillow, hugging it tightly, so he could pretend. He’d been devastated by his mother’s death, but Jack had been there, a parent of sorts, and then there’d been Matt and Maggie and Kate. He’d still felt alone at times, but nothing compared to this. He felt like he was five years old again, and he wanted his mam to make everything right, but she was gone and now he had no one to turn to. He’d lost Kate, his soulmate. And his brother. Was he always going to lose everyone he cared about? It scared him to think he was now truly alone. He curled up, tears close once more. Years with none, and now he couldn’t get rid of them.

  Emer jumped as a ginger cat suddenly appeared, stalking across the bonnet of the car as though to remind her this was his territory. Thankfully, the cat was the only sign of life as she sat parked a short distance from the Kiernan house, waiting for Jack.

  It was after eight and dark now. They’d had to wait an hour before the brothers left their house. Joe and Liam had headed down the street on foot, thankfully in the opposite direction from Jack and Emer in their car. The Green Man was three streets away, and Matt and Kate phoned when the brothers arrived. They’d phone again when Joe and Liam left, so there’d be time enough for Jack to get out safely.

  Emer sighed with relief as Jack reappeared, shifting his attention from one end of the street to the other. He looked suspicious, but maybe that was because she knew his intentions.

  He got into the car beside her. ‘No burglar alarm and no dog. The back door looks very basic. I should be able to jimmy it with the screwdriver. Don’t want to risk breaking a window.’

  ‘It’s not too late to change your mind, Jack,’ said Emer. She wished he would, but he had the look of a determined man.

  It was as if he hadn’t heard her. ‘There’s access to the house from the rear but to get there you have to approach it from one of two pathways. This is a good vantage point – you’ve got a view of both directions. You can clearly see if anyone’s going round the back.’

  He opened the glove compartment, taking out a torch and screwdriver from a small tool kit they’d bought earlier. ‘I’ll check the upstairs first. Hopefully, this won’t take long.’

  ‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph!’ exclaimed Emer. ‘I never thought this trip could end with us being arrested.’

  ‘That’s a risk I’m prepared to take,’ said Jack. ‘There’s still time for you to back out.’

  ‘I’m in for the duration, Jack.’

  Breaking in was easier than Jack imagined. No wonder people turned to crime. The lack of real security was either down to the fact people knew there was nothing worth stealing or, even more likely, no one would knowingly mess with the Kiernan brothers. Thankfully, the win
dows had curtains, and Jack closed them and switched on his torch, keeping the beam low in the hopes that no one would see it from outside.

  Upstairs, he started trying doors. The first led to a bathroom which looked like it hadn’t been cleaned for weeks. The next door revealed a room which was neat and feminine. Annie’s room. A picture of the Virgin Mary on the sparse white walls. A small portable TV on the dressing table, along with various jars of skin products. His stomach turned over as he looked at the single bed with its pretty lilac quilt. Annie had lain here, her long black hair splayed against the pillow …

  Jack’s mind had now taken him to the one place he didn’t want to go. To memories of Annie’s lithe, sensual body and of her passionate delight in lovemaking. She was a virgin on their wedding night, ever mindful of her Catholic upbringing, but once married, she was a natural and exciting lover. When he’d told her so, she’d simply replied, ‘That’s because I love you so much.’

  Almost trance-like, Jack sat on the bed and caressed the pillow gently before taking it in his arms and hugging it to his chest. Luke had to be his son, created from the passion he and Annie had shared. All that nonsense his parents had spouted about her seeing someone else was just that … nonsense. Annie was a devout Catholic and would never have broken their marriage vows. His chest felt tight and he closed his eyes, willing her to be there when he opened them.

  Eventually, Jack shook himself from his depressing nostalgia and went back out into the hallway. One of the remaining two rooms had a few car posters, and Jack guessed that belonged to Joe. As the older brother, he’d likely have his own space. Traveller culture wouldn’t approve of a woman sharing with an adult male who wasn’t her husband, so that would explain the two single beds in the last room Jack entered. Luke had shared with Liam.

  It was definitely a room of two halves, one half a mess of clothing and little else, the other half with Manchester United posters on the wall, and strewn with personal items: a radio/CD player, a handful of CDs and some dog-eared paperbacks on the floor. Luke had been drawn to the bookcase back home and had obviously inherited his mother’s love of reading. Emer had told him Luke was articulate and intelligent, and he’d virtually laughed that off. It seemed he was as guilty of prejudice as the next.

  On the bed in Luke’s half of the room was a tatty blue towelling dressing gown, which was sure to have been needed. The house felt cold. God knows what it must be like in winter. Jack slid back the door of the built-in wardrobe. There wasn’t much in there, just jeans, T-shirts, a woollen jumper and a suit. He remembered the new clothes he’d bought for Luke, who clearly needed them yet had resented what felt like charity. And wouldn’t anyone? Designer label clothes bought for you by a father who didn’t really want you. Jack felt the sting of shame.

  Five minutes later, Jack found what he was looking for, at the back of a drawer. He sat on Luke’s bed, his hands trembling. Emer would be frantic with worry, but he wanted privacy for this.

  Emer drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, agitated and more than a bit scared. Jack had been gone for at least twenty minutes, and during every one of them she’d expected to see Joe and Liam Kiernan. What if Matt and Kate couldn’t call for some reason?

  When people passed, she’d pretended to be reading a map, convinced she looked as guilty as she felt. She jumped as a torchlight shone through the window, and a near heart attack followed when she saw a Guard. Swallowing hard, she rolled down the window. ‘Good evening, Officer.’

  ‘Can I ask what you’re doing here?’ said the policeman.

  ‘I’m waiting for my … my boyfriend. He has business with one of the tenants. He should be back soon.’

  ‘What business does your boyfriend have?’

  ‘He’s a debt collector,’ Emer replied, thinking on her feet and wondering when she became such a proficient liar.

  ‘He’ll be lucky round here,’ said the Guard, tipping his cap. ‘Good night, then. I’ll be around for a while if you need me. You really shouldn’t be here by yourself.’

  ‘Yes,’ smiled Emer, trying to look calmer than she felt. ‘It is getting quite dark.’

  ‘Dark or broad daylight makes no difference here,’ he replied.

  Hopefully, her relief at the policeman’s leaving wasn’t too obvious. When Jack appeared ten minutes later, Emer hardly gave him time to close the door before she started the car and drove as fast as was legal away from Carnlough Street.

  Jack was deathly quiet and Emer could sense the tension in his body as he sat beside her in the car. She resisted pushing him for information, and when they picked up Kate and Matt, she shook her head, indicating they shouldn’t ask questions yet.

  Once back at Jack’s hotel room, he went into the bathroom, and moments later Emer heard the shower start up. She couldn’t be certain, but she thought Jack might be crying. Although exhausted, Emer wouldn’t be able to go to her own room until she knew he was okay. Finally, the shower stopped and a few moments later Jack emerged from the bathroom, towelling his hair. He gave her a weary smile then headed to the minibar, taking out two small bottles of brandy, the contents of which he poured with absolute concentration and precision. He handed her a glass and downed his own in one gulp. She watched as he rummaged in the pocket of his jacket on the chair. He took out a paper and handed it to her. There was the slightest tremor in his hand.

  Setting down her glass, Emer gingerly took the paper and unfolded it. It had worn away slightly at the creases but the words were legible. She glanced up at Jack. ‘It’s typed.’

  He nodded. ‘Richard only needed to forge my signature, and that was easy enough.’ He sat down heavily on a chair. ‘Read it, Emer.’

  So she did.

  Annie

  Years ago, you left Baronsmere without warning or reason. Matt cried for you for months, and I had to pick up the pieces of my shattered life and find a way to move on. Now you suddenly tell me you have a son – that we have a son. You expect me to accept responsibility and take you both back into my life. Well, I’m sorry, but that’s just not possible. How can I not have doubts, given the way you left?

  When we married, I ignored the warnings that eventually your background would come between us. I should have listened to that advice, but I think I was too grief-stricken after Caroline’s death to think straight.

  When you left, I was considered by many a fool for having married you, and it’s taken years for me to build up that lost trust and respect again. My position in both the business and the village would be less respected if I was known to all as ‘the man with the gypo kid’. Sadly, prejudice still exists. Also, I am in a relationship now – a happy one – and don’t see why I should jeopardise that. Haven’t you made me suffer enough already?

  I’m sorry if you’re having problems, but this is the risk you took when you walked out on me and a lifetime of security. It might have been better if you had taken the necessary steps to ensure you didn’t have to be a single mother. Getting rid of it would have released you from the burden. Released you from me.

  Do as you please with my wedding gift to you. The symbol of the start of our marriage now symbolises the end of it. Please consider this letter as the last communication there will ever be between us.

  Jack

  A chill settled over Emer despite the warmth of the hotel room. She took a quick gulp of the brandy. The letter was nasty, mean, intended to hurt, to wound. Intended to make certain Annie never returned to Baronsmere. ‘That’s vile,’ she said. ‘The person who wrote this … is sick, twisted …’

  Jack nodded, anger and pain evident in his eyes. He went to his jacket once more. ‘I found this, too.’

  Emer took what he handed to her, and opened it. It was a cheque for fifty thousand pounds, made payable to Annie Stewart, and signed by Nicholas Stewart.

  Jack took the letter and the cheque back, putting them
in his wallet. ‘I tell you this – they’ll wish they’d never crossed me,’ he promised, his tone dark, threatening. ‘No wonder Luke hates me. He thinks I wanted him aborted. That I told his mother she should have got rid of it – it!’

  ‘The letter doesn’t explain why Annie actually left Baronsmere, though,’ said Emer.

  ‘I know. Looks like I’ll have to talk to Joe and Liam, after all. Beat it out of them, if I have to.’

  His anger was understandable but still alarming. Emer could see he was very much on the edge right now, capable of anything. ‘Perhaps we’ll never know the reason,’ she cautioned. ‘Perhaps she never told anyone.’

  Jack thumped the desk in frustration. ‘I have to know! It’s eating me up inside!’

  ‘I understand, Jack – but surely the most important thing now is Luke. Rebuilding your relationship with your and Annie’s son.’

  Jack sighed. ‘I don’t know what to do for the best. I don’t know anything any more. I’m dog-tired. Emer, could you hold me – just hold me – tonight? Nothing more than that, I promise. Please.’

  Emer had already decided that even if she and Jack were a couple again, it wouldn’t be in the true sense until he’d worked through his feelings. There would be no making love tonight, not even for comfort. Everything had changed, because now Jack was truly a bereaved man. The woman he had loved was dead, and the knowledge she hadn’t just abandoned him meant he could now properly grieve. The man was in deep crisis. She curled into him, her hand on his chest. He was staring at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts. Emer felt drained, close to tears, and wondered what tomorrow would bring.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  So far, so good. Nearly ten-thirty in the morning but few people around. Not even John, who seemed to have built-in radar when it came to visitors or intruders. Luke knocked on the door of Jessie’s caravan. He saw her peering from the window, no sign of recognition. The dark glasses, the hoodie and the beanie were obviously a successful disguise. He must look a bit suspicious, though. He removed his sunglasses and her face broke into a smile. A moment later, she’d pushed open the caravan door.