If the Shoes Fit

by Pauline Lawless

  Gavin looked dubious but he presumed Moira knew what she was talking about. He reluctantly agreed on condition that Niamh would allow him to help.

  “What a lucky wee lassie you were,” Moira said, at least ten times a day.

  Niamh was idyllically happy with the house and looking forward to being back to full strength. In the meantime, she had to be patient and was taking it one day at a time. Even though she was aching still, she was beginning to think that maybe her accident had been for a reason. The change in Gav was unbelievable. He seemed to have grown up overnight and was more loving towards her than ever before. He had assumed responsibility for his family, at last, and seemed to be taking it in his stride. He was discovering how much fun his children actually were and every afternoon took them out to give Niamh a chance to rest. They went to the park, to a film or McDonald’s and he even took them to a pantomime once and to the zoo. What’s more, he seemed to be enjoying these outings as much as the kids. They would be back to school in a couple of days, of course, and then things would be back to normal.

  Niamh and Gavin were sitting quietly on the sofa one evening, chatting, as the children played on the floor. Their favourite game nowadays was doctors and nurses.

  “I want to be the doctor,” came Ian’s plaintive little cry. “I’m always the sick one.”

  “No! I’m the doctor,” Lily stamped her little foot, “and Wose is the nurth.”

  She stood with both hands on her hips and Ian, recognising when he was beaten and outnumbered, obediently lay down on the floor.

  Gavin winked at Niamh, smiling, as they watched their children play.

  “I’m Nurth Wose. Come in to the hostipul,” Rose said to Ian, dragging him into her doll’s buggy which was posing as a wheelchair. She wheeled him, wobbling dangerously, to where Lily was waiting for him.

  “My, but you’re a stwong wee lathie,” Lily said, mimicking Moira as she stuck a pen, which was standing in for a syringe, in Ian’s little arm.

  “Ouch!” he squealed.

  “Quiet now. I’m going to dwess your head with this bandage,” Rose said, practically strangling the poor little fellow. “What a lucky wee lathie you are,” she added, standing arms akimbo, just like Moira did every day.

  Niamh and Gavin convulsed with laughter, she holding her sides where her ribs hurt.

  “I guess we’ll have to be careful what we say around here in future,” Gavin laughed.

  “Yes, they don’t miss much,” Niamh agreed with him. “They really are growing up fast.”

  “Maybe it’s time we had another one,” he said, stroking her hair.

  “Are you serious?” she said, looking at him incredulously. “You never wanted another baby.”

  “Well, I’ve changed my mind,” he smiled at her. “What do you say we start to try tonight for one? I’ll be gentle, I promise.”

  Niamh sighed blissfully. Life didn’t get any better than this.

  Amber rang Niamh and arranged for Tessa and her to visit the following day.

  “I’m dying to see you both and hear all your news,” Niamh said, delighted that they were coming over. “I’ll ask Rosie if she can make it too. It will be nice for the four of us to get together, after all that’s happened.”

  “Are you sure you’re up to it?” Rosie asked Niamh on the phone, worried that it might be too much for her.

  “Absolutely!” Niamh assured her. “It will be good for me.”

  “Well, I’ll bake a cake and an apple tart. Don’t you lift a little finger,” Rosie ordered.

  As soon as the girls arrived, bringing gifts of flowers, chocolates and wine, Gavin let them in and brought them into the living-room to Niamh.

  “Don’t hug her too tightly, she’s still sore,” he said, giving them his charming lopsided smile.

  Amber and Tessa exchanged looks behind his back which said, “handsome devil”, as they followed him in.

  Niamh was in great form and looked so much better than the last time they’d seen her in the hospital when they’d been so concerned about her. Rosie arrived just then, giving Niamh the cake and tart and the Mademoiselle Coco perfume that she’d replaced, as asked.

  “Thank you, I appreciate that,” said Niamh, giving her a secret smile.

  Gavin came in with the kids to say hello before he took them off to the park.

  The girls oohed and aahed over them and gave them the sweets they’d brought for them.

  “They’re adorable!” Tessa exclaimed.

  “You’re so lucky,” Amber said wistfully to Niamh.

  “I know that,” Niamh replied, smiling over their heads at Gavin.

  “I’ve left all the tea things out ready on the dining-room table,” he told her. “You just have to make the tea.”

  “We’ll do that,” Rosie assured him.

  Amid kisses and hugs, he left with the children. The girls could feel the love in the house and were happy for Niamh. She deserved it.

  Then Rosie and Niamh sympathised with Tessa on her father’s death.

  “When is the funeral?” Rosie asked.

  “Next Friday,” Tessa replied.

  “I’d really like to go,” Rosie said.

  “You can come with me, if you like,” Amber offered.

  “Could I come too?” Niamh asked quietly.

  “Would you be up to it, darling?” Tessa asked her. “I really wouldn’t expect you to come.”

  “No, I’d really like to be there. I’ve got to get back to normal now and I’m feeling much stronger. Anyway, work starts next Monday, so the quicker I get on my feet again the better.”

  “Speaking of work,” Amber said, twirling a curl with her finger, “I have some news for you.” She looked at Rosie and Niamh’s expectant faces.

  Tessa, knowing what was coming, was grinning broadly.

  “Miss Gileece has an announcement to make,” Tessa said formally, causing the others to titter.

  “Give over,” Amber swatted her. “Actually, I’m taking over as Area Manager for Dublin, as from next Monday.”

  “Congratulations!” Rosie and Niamh hugged her.

  “She’s our boss now, can you imagine it?” Tessa threw her eyes to heaven.

  “What about your area, Amber?” Niamh wanted to know.

  “Well, I’d like to talk to you all about that. My first job is to redistribute that, and Val and Phoebe’s areas. They’re gone, as you’ve probably heard. As you know, we have seven new managers but of course you three, as the most senior,” she grinned at them, “will have first call – that is, if you wish to expand.”

  “Great,” Niamh said, her cheeks flushed. “Gav is talking about coming in with me in the business, so once I’m on my feet I’ll definitely be interested in expanding.”

  “Hard to believe he was against your taking the job in the beginning!” said Tessa.

  “That’s all changed,” Niamh told them, blushing. “In fact, he’s changed so much since I’ve had my accident. He’s been wonderful.” She looked down at her hands, embarrassed at how emotional she felt.

  Rosie had tears in her eyes and Amber and Tessa weren’t far off tears either.

  As they were having tea, Rosie told them about her trip to Clare and how much she’d loved it there.

  “I was just thinking how much I’d like to live there again,” she said wistfully. “All my family are there still.”

  “Maybe you can,” Amber said excitedly. “Carlo is about to start recruiting all over Ireland. Limerick, Galway and Clare will be his starting points. It would be fantastic to have someone with experience based there. I’m sure he would be delighted to let you move.” She looked at Rosie earnestly. “Would you consider it, Rosie?”

  “Gosh, I’ll have to think about it,” she said. What she really meant was, I’ll have to talk to Jack about it. And then there was Gail to consider, of course.

  On the way home in the car Tessa and Amber discussed the afternoon.

  “Niamh and Gavin are still really in love
, even after three kids. Isn’t it wonderful?” Tessa remarked.

  “Kind of restores one’s faith in marriage, doesn’t it?” Amber said gently.

  “Are you trying to tell me something?” Tessa asked her. She could see that Amber was twirling her curl again. Always a bad sign! “Uh-oh, spit it out!” she cried.

  “Well, Luke has asked me to move in with him,” Amber said, blushing. “I told him I would.”

  “Fantastic! If you’re sure you love him,” Tessa stressed.

  “Yes, I’m sure,” Amber smiled broadly.

  “Well, what are you waiting for, girl? Go to him! In the meantime, I’ll rent your apartment from you till I’m sure where I want to live. Only if that’s okay with you, of course,” she added.

  “You just want my shoe-room!”

  “Well, yes – but what are you going to do without it?” Tessa was intrigued to hear what she’d say.

  “Well, Luke has promised to build me an even bigger one,” Amber grinned.

  “Some women have all the luck!” Tessa cried.

  “Enough about me,” said Amber. “I notice Carlo is ringing you every day. Is there anything you want to tell me?”

  “Sadly, no, he’s just being kind,” Tessa said wistfully.

  Amber wasn’t so sure. “You’re really fond of him, aren’t you?”

  “Actually, I think I’m in love with him,” Tessa admitted. “But unfortunately, it’s all on my side.” She was glad that they had arrived back at the apartment as she didn’t want to discuss it further.

  As they walked in the door her phone rang and it was Carlo. After talking to him, she came into the kitchen to Amber, her eyes shining.

  “Carlo is flying over for Dad’s funeral. He says he’ll drive me down, if that’s okay with you.”

  “Of course, sweetie,” Amber hugged her. It was as obvious as the nose on your face that Carlo was interested in Tessa but she was afraid to believe it. Amber hoped with all her heart that it would work out for them. She wanted everyone to be as happy as she was.

  Rosie was really excited on the drive home from Niamh’s. She was beginning to understand that she needed a new start and Amber had handed her that possibility this afternoon. She talked to Jack all the way home and felt that he was behind her one hundred per cent. The only problem was Gail. She had been such a wonderful support over the past year that Rosie felt she couldn’t just up sticks and move back to Clare. That would have seemed so ungrateful and of course she’d miss seeing Holly every day. No, Jack, she said that night. I really couldn’t move away from them. That’s final!

  The following morning when Gail called in for coffee, Rosie sensed that something was bothering her.

  “Is something wrong, pet?” she asked her daughter, seeing how agitated she was.

  “Mum, I don’t know how to tell you this but Mike has been offered a job in Limerick University and he desperately wants to take it. I told him I can’t possibly go as I couldn’t leave you but he says he has to take it as it’s such a wonderful opportunity.” Gail looked at her mother, her lower lip quivering.

  She looked aghast as her mother started laughing crazily.

  “Mum!” Gail cried, wondering if her mother had gone mad.

  “Oh sweetheart,” Rosie cried, “I can’t believe this! I’ve been thinking of going back to Clare but I wouldn’t go because of you and Holly.” She pealed with laughter once more. “Now you’re telling me you won’t go to Limerick because of me. Oh, girl, your dad has outdone himself this time!”

  Gail didn’t know what her mother was on about, although she knew that she spoke to Jack every day.

  “Well, it looks like we can both go,” Rosie said, her eyes shining. “I’ll go back to Clare and you to Limerick.”

  “Mike will be so pleased,” Gail said, hugging her mother, “and we’ll be practically next-door neighbours!”

  Oh Jack, you’re something else, Rosie chuckled to her late husband after Gail had gone. “You’re my guardian angel now, aren’t you?” she whispered, looking heavenward.

  Chapter 48

  Luke wanted to attend Tessa’s father’s funeral and after numerous phone calls managed to get someone to fill in for him on the New York route the following Friday.

  On the Thursday, Niamh rang Tessa to tell her that she would not be able to travel to the funeral after all.

  “My wrist is giving me grief,” she explained, “and Gav has arranged to take me into the hospital tomorrow to let them have a look at. Anyway he’s dead set against me going. He thinks it’s too soon.”

  “Sweetheart, I understand completely,” Tessa replied. “Actually, Gavin’s right. I was worried it might be too much for you too.”

  “Thanks, Tessa. I’ll be thinking of you,” Niamh said sweetly. “Is Amber there? I’d better tell her I’m not travelling with her.”

  Tessa called Amber and gave her the phone, quickly explaining that Niamh would not be travelling after all.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Amber told Niamh. “You take care of yourself, honey, and of that beautiful family you have. I’ll call you when we get back.”

  Niamh was relieved that they understood and blushed with pride at Amber’s comment.

  Tessa had arranged to pick Carlo up at the airport and head straight to Galway from there.

  Coming off the plane, he kissed her cheek, shocked at the circles he saw under her eyes. He reckoned that she’d had a bad week and hadn’t slept much.

  “All set?” he asked.

  “More or less,” Tessa answered, not very convincingly.

  As they went to retrieve the car he put his arm around her shoulder and felt that she was trembling. “Would you like me to drive?” he asked, as they reached her car. “I can never resist driving a Porsche. It’s my Italian blood.”

  “Would you?” She smiled at him, relieved. “I’d appreciate that. And Carlo,” she continued shyly, “I really appreciate you coming over for Dad’s funeral. Thanks.”

  “It’s the least I could do,” he replied gently.

  Tessa relaxed and smiled back at him as they set off for Galway.

  As they neared the church, Tessa felt the butterflies start to dance around in her stomach. Carlo felt her tension and reached over to hold her hand.

  They arrived at the church to find a large crowd milling around outside. Her stepmother was in the centre of these people, shaking hands and smiling as if, for all the world, she was Queen Elizabeth greeting people at the annual garden party at Buckingham Palace. Tessa turned away in disgust.

  Jeffrey and Bart broke away from the crowd to come and greet Tessa but Claudia never left her coterie of admirers.

  “Be brave, sweetheart, for your father’s sake,” Jeffrey whispered in her ear.

  Bart squeezed her hand. “Ignore her,” he whispered. “Think of Edward.”

  She was very grateful to them both – her father’s two best friends. They stayed with her, arms protectively about her as they greeted Carlo.

  “I think Edward would be very happy to think that Tessa has you with her,” Bart said to him.

  “Oh, Carlo is . . .” Tessa started to say but Carlo put his finger over her lips. “Sshh,” he said, looking into her eyes intimately.

  She saw from the smiles of her father’s two friends that they obviously thought Carlo and she were a couple.

  Just then Luke and Amber arrived, together with Rosie, followed closely by Kate and Kevin from Ballyfern.

  “Oh, thank you all so much for coming,” she said as she hugged them. “It’s so good of you all to travel so far.” She was moved at their kindness.

  “Of course we’d be here for you,” Kate said, squeezing her. “And this must be Carlo,” she added, giving him a big hug.

  He instantly loved this warm, motherly woman and understood why Tessa was so fond of her.

  Then it was time to enter the church and Tessa watched her stepmother walk regally up the church to the front pew. All her hangers-on piled into the seat besi
de her and when Tessa reached it she found that there was no space left for her. Jeffrey led her into the pew opposite and as one, Carlo, Bart and all her friends moved in beside her.

  For a brief moment, Tessa felt sorry for her stepmother. Now that her father was dead it meant Claudia’s biggest supporter was gone. Tessa recognised the people surrounding her stepmother as sycophants – she had no real friends – whereas Tessa herself was surrounded by the greatest bunch of friends anyone could ask for. Having Jeffrey and Bart, her father’s true friends, on her side was like the icing on the cake. She realised how lucky she was.

  The funeral passed her by in a daze. She couldn’t even remember the eulogy that she gave her father from the altar, but afterwards they told her that there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Carlo thought that she’d never looked more beautiful. She was wearing a short black coat-dress with gilt buttons down the front and black suede boots over black opaque tights. Her hair hung like silk under a simple wide-brimmed hat but it was her face, suffused with sadness as she spoke about her father that captivated him most. Her stepmother finished proceedings by inviting everyone back to the house for a party to celebrate Edward’s life.

  “Any excuse for a party,” Bart said bitterly, watching the masses rush out and away from the church, not even bothering to go to the graveside.

  Tessa stood on one side of the grave, pale and silent, while Claudia stood on the other side, weeping copious tears.

  “Crocodile tears,” Jeffrey muttered under his breath.

  Tessa had had enough and, when her father’s coffin was lowered into the ground and the prayers finished, she turned and left without a backward glance at her stepmother.

  Carlo kept his arm around her all the time, a fact that didn’t escape Amber, Rosie or Kate, much to their delight. Tessa and her little group went to the local hotel where Bart and Jeffrey had organised a lunch for them.

  “We guessed you’d want to be with real friends, not that other circus,” Bart nodded.

  “Thank you both so much,” Tessa said, shedding her first tears of the day. “You’re wonderful. No wonder Dad loved you so dearly.”