The Girl Who Lied

by Sue Fortin

  They soon reached the new estate where Fiona lived. Any doubts that Erin wasn’t looking forward to it were dispelled as soon as he turned into their road. Erin and the girls were waiting in the front garden for him. Erin was sitting on the doorstep but jumped up and waved at him. Her smile lifted his heart.

  Erin gathered the girls up and met him halfway up the road.

  ‘Hey, there,’ she said. She was carrying a small rucksack. ‘I’ve got us a few snacks. It’s not a huge picnic but it will do us fine.’

  ‘What? No hamper today with Champagne and vol-au-vents?’ He put his hands on his hips and gave her his best old-fashioned look.

  ‘Oh, don’t,’ said Erin, rolling her eyes. ‘That’s so embarrassing. Look, let’s make a deal. No talk about the barbecue or Ed.’ She held out her hand.

  Kerry shook it. ‘Deal.’

  ‘Okay, girls, hold my hand. One each side,’ said Erin. ‘Storm, you keep hold of Kerry’s hand. Make sure he doesn’t wander off into the road.’

  They made their way to a sheltered part of the beach. It wasn’t quite a cove, but the hollow in the coastline gave shelter from the sea breeze, which could be fierce at times.

  Erin spread a blanket out on the sand and took out the snacks from the rucksack. The beach bag contained the buckets and spades.

  ‘Has Storm got sun cream on?’ said Erin, making sure Molly’s sun hat was securely in place on the little girl’s head.

  ‘Yep. Bex said she’d already done it.’ Kerry slipped off his trainers and stood up to undo his trousers. ‘Who wants to go for a paddle?’

  ‘I hope you’ve got something on under there,’ said Erin as she kicked off her flip-flops.

  ‘It’s okay, you’re safe,’ said Kerry. ‘I’ve my shorts on. What about yourself? You got your bikini on under that dress?’

  ‘You must be joking, this is the Irish coast, not the Bahamas. I’ll just be paddling, thanks.’

  The party of five made their way down to the water’s edge. The children rather more brave in their t-shirts and shorts, running on ahead and wading straight in.

  ‘Don’t go too deep,’ said Erin. ‘No further than your ankles.’

  Kerry watched on as Erin held onto Molly and Storm’s hands and jumped the incoming waves with them. The little ones were loving it. Sophie, although that bit older at ten, was having just as much fun splashing about alongside them.

  ‘Come on, Kerry,’ said Erin. ‘You’ve not gone all chicken on us, have you?’ She turned and kicked some water in his direction, only to get some sent back her way.

  ‘You’re lucky you have the little ones with you, or you’d be in trouble,’ he said, coming to stand next to them. He held Storm’s other hand and they jumped the waves together, laughing when Kerry mistimed it and sent a huge splash of water over them.

  It was nice seeing Erin laughing and so relaxed after the last time they had been together.

  Later, sitting on the blanket, eating their picnic, Kerry found himself watching Erin as she sorted the children out, making sure they all had something to eat, that their hands were clean from sand, reapplying sun cream and generally making sure they were all catered for.

  She caught him watching her a couple of times and he looked away, making out he was admiring the beach. On the third time, he didn’t look away.

  She grinned at him, a small moment of self-consciousness settled on her face. ‘What?’ she said.

  ‘What?’ said Kerry innocently.

  ‘You know what. You keep looking at me.’ She sat back next to him. ‘You’re going to tell me I’ve got sand on my face or cake or something, aren’t you?’

  ‘No, I wasn’t, actually,’ said Kerry, rolling onto his front. ‘I was thinking how relaxed you looked. You’re a natural with the children.’

  ‘Hmm, maybe,’ she said, her smile dropping from her face. She looked out at the horizon and let out a small sigh.

  ‘You okay?’ said Kerry.

  The smile returned. ‘Of course I am,’ she said, lying down next to him on her back. ‘Anyway, you’re pretty good with the kids yourself. And I have to admit, Joe is too.’

  ‘You sound surprised.’

  ‘I guess I saw him in a different light at the barbecue. More Joe the husband and dad, rather than Joe the boy who teased me relentlessly when we were kids.’

  ‘He’s all right, is Joe. Just likes a laugh, that’s all. He’s like his mum, Louise.’

  ‘I remember Louise.’ said Erin. ‘She always seemed good fun. I remember at Shane’s eighteenth birthday party, her and Max were giving it some on the dance floor.’

  ‘That sounds about right.’

  ‘Was your mum there that night?’ said Erin. ‘I mean, Shane’s her nephew, so presumably she came.’

  Kerry sat up. ‘No. She didn’t go.’

  ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. Ignore me.’ Her voice was tender.

  Kerry gave her a small smile. ‘You’re not being nosey. It’s just, I didn’t get on well with my mum when I was a teenager.’

  ‘And now?’

  ‘We haven’t spoken for years. I can’t see us ever patching things up.’

  Erin slipped her hand into his. ‘Is it really that bad?’

  ‘You know you didn’t want to talk about Ed and the barbecue…?’ He left the rest of the sentence unsaid. He lifted her hand and kissed it. There were lots of things Erin didn’t want to talk about. She’d understand.

  She held his gaze. Her soft-green eyes looked intently into his, as if she could read not only his thoughts but his soul too.

  Kerry moved his head closer to hers. For a moment he thought she was going to kiss him, but instead she rested her forehead against his. A feeling of mutual understanding passed between them.

  Erin pulled away first. ‘Sandcastle competition anyone?’ She turned to the children. ‘Boys against girls?’

  This was met by a resounding and excitable yes from the children.

  Kerry took a moment to watch her organise everyone. There was something special about Erin Hurley. There was just one fly in the ointment. Dick-Ed. Still, there was time to work on that.

  The afternoon went far too quickly and, before he knew it, Erin was looking at her watch, saying it was time to get them all back.

  ‘They should sleep well tonight after all this fresh air,’ said Erin, as they gathered up their belongings. ‘Storm looks like he’s about to zonk out right now.’

  They rounded the children up and tramped their way back up to the road, then ambled along, no one in any rush to get back.

  ‘The kids have had a great afternoon,’ said Kerry. ‘And so have I.’

  ‘Me too,’ said Erin. They exchanged a smile.

  A car pulled up alongside them. ‘Ah, would you look at you two playing happy families!’ came the unmistakable voice. Kerry knew who it was before he even looked round.

  ‘Hello, Roisin,’ he said, and then muttered to Erin. ‘Keep walking.’

  Roisin cruised alongside the kerb. ‘Been out to the beach, have you?’

  ‘Clearly,’ said Erin, as she held up the bag with the bucket and spades poking out.

  Roisin pulled a face. ‘Only asking. You’re a bit tetchy, aren’t you, Erin. I noticed your man’s not about. Gone off back to London, has he?’

  ‘Did you want anything in particular?’ said Erin.

  ‘What do you think?’ said Roisin. ‘I’ll give you a call.’

  With that Roisin sped off down Beach Road and out of sight.

  ‘What was all that about?’ said Kerry.

  ‘You don’t want to know.’

  ‘As it happens, I do.’

  ‘Let’s not spoil the afternoon,’ said Erin.

  By the time they reached Fiona’s house, Erin seemed to have relaxed.

  ‘There you go, lovely lady,’ said Kerry. ‘Delivered safely to your door.’

  ‘Thank you for this afternoon,’ said Erin. ‘I really enjoyed it.’

  ‘We’ll have to do it a
gain sometime.’ Kerry couldn’t deny the disappointment that was creeping up on him. The afternoon had come to an end far too quickly. ‘Do you fancy a drink this evening at The Smugglers?’

  ‘Oh, I… I…’ She shifted uncomfortably on her feet, not meeting his eyes.

  ‘It’s okay. Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked,’ said Kerry quickly, wishing he could kick himself right there and then for pushing his luck.

  ‘It’s not that,’ said Erin quickly. ‘I’m going up to the hospital to see my dad. I promised Mum.’

  ‘Okay. Well, give my regards to your mum,’ said Kerry. ‘I’ll catch you later. Come on, Storm. Let’s get you home.’ He paused. ‘So would you have said yes? To the drink, if you weren’t busy?’

  Erin walked over to him and, rather unexpectedly, rose on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. ‘Well, that would be telling,’ she said. ‘You’ll have to ask me again another time.’

  This time it was her turn to wink and walk away without turning.

  Kerry knew he was going to have a hard time getting rid of the grin that had spread across his face.

  Chapter 17

  Breeze’s naming ceremony couldn’t come around quick enough for Kerry. He had made a point of not going over to the café. He felt Erin needed some space and he wasn’t quite sure what the situation was with Ed. As Joe had pointed out to him, he would find out soon enough. He didn’t want to add to the pressure she was already under, what with her dad and having to work at the café. He wanted to be there for her when it got too much, as he was sure it would sooner or later. He wanted her to run to him, not from him.

  Now everyone was standing in Joe and Bex’s back garden next to the olive tree they had planted for Storm’s naming ceremony three years earlier. The proud parents had just pledged themselves to bringing up Breeze in a safe and happy family, where the natural beauties and all living forms of the world would be respected. Where love would always be in their hearts, warmth in their souls and protection in their arms.

  Joe stepped forward and, with the help of Kerry, they manoeuvred a new olive tree into place and shovelled in the earth around the roots. Once they had trampled the soil back down, Bex tied a pink ribbon around the trunk and hung a wooden heart with the name ‘Breeze’ painted on it. This matched the blue ribbon and now rather weather-beaten heart with the name ‘Storm’ tied around the other tree.

  ‘For my beautiful Breeze,’ smiled Bex, stroking the bark before kissing her daughter on the head.

  ‘Beautiful Breeze,’ echoed the Wright family, which was then repeated somewhat randomly by the other guests.

  Kerry glanced around and caught Ed rolling his eyes towards another couple standing with Erin who Kerry didn’t recognise. Erin looked lovely as the sun bounced off her red hair. She had it tied up in some sort of bun at the nape of her neck. A few strands of curls hung loosely around the side of her face. She was wearing a pale-pink floating dress, which reached just below her knees, with a cream-coloured wrap across her shoulders. Her casual look was at odds with the rather starchy look of Ed and his companions. They looked like they were attending a sailing regatta with their navy blazers and cream chinos, while the woman was done up like a dog’s dinner. Skip whimpered beside him, as if agreeing with his master’s thoughts. Kerry bent down and ruffled the dog’s head.

  ‘Yes, you look dashing too, so you do,’ he said, adjusting the blue bandanna tied around Skip’s neck.

  He looked back at Erin and she met his gaze. He wondered if she would look away. Did she regret going out with him last week? She smiled at him. It warmed his heart. That was definitely a no-regrets smile.

  Then, as casually as the naming ceremony had begun, it was over. The guests began milling about, chatting, while Joe went off to crack open some beers and tend the barbecue. Kerry wandered over to Erin and her group.

  ‘Hi, Kerry,’ smiled Erin, as he approached. ‘That was a lovely ceremony.’

  ‘If you like that sort of thing,’ Ed muttered to the couple standing with them. Kerry ignored the snigger the other man tried to suppress, while the woman pressed her lips together to try to hide her smirk.

  ‘Good job we’re not all the same,’ Kerry couldn’t help responding.

  He noticed the uncomfortable look on Erin’s face. Jesus, for the life of him, Kerry didn’t know what she saw in Ed. She was talking now, introducing the other couple. ‘This is Ralph, he’s an old friend of Ed’s, and his girlfriend, Melissa.’

  Kerry nodded briefly. ‘Can I get anyone a drink?’

  ‘We’ve got some Champagne in the car, actually,’ said Ed. He patted his trouser pocket and then pulled out the car keys.

  ‘Champagne?’ replied Kerry, irritated by Ed’s aloof manner. ‘We’re quite happy with the beer and homemade wine.’

  ‘I’ll have a white wine, please, Kerry.’ Erin smiled at him, although it was somewhat strained.

  ‘No, Erin. Have some Champagne. Ralph and I brought some especially.’ Ed jangled the keys. ‘I’ll go and get it.’

  ‘Really, Ed. I’m fine.’ Erin turned to Kerry. ‘I’ll still have that glass of wine, if that’s okay?’

  ‘Sure.’ Kerry looked at Ralph and Melissa. ‘What about you two? Are you waiting for the Champagne or can I get you something?’

  Ralph spoke first. ‘I’ll wait, thanks. Shame for it to go to waste. In fact, I’ll give Ed a hand.’

  ‘I’ll wait too,’ replied Melissa. ‘I’ll nip to the loo. Back in a minute.’

  Kerry watched Melissa tiptoe across the lawn to avoid her heels digging into the soft ground. He looked down at Erin’s flat shoes. ‘You’re learning.’

  She gave a small, wry smile. ‘Just for the record, I didn’t know Ralph and Melissa were coming.’

  Kerry shrugged. ‘Are they the cavalry? Back-up?’ He rested his hand between her shoulder blades and guided her towards the gazebo, which was a permanent fixture in Joe’s garden, whatever the weather. The drinks were stashed on a trestle table, which had been painted random colours and patterns by Bex and Storm. Kerry poured Erin a glass of homemade elderflower wine. ‘Here, tell me what you think of Joe’s home brew?’

  He watched as she took a sip and then blinked a couple of times, probably surprised by the strength of it, before she took another taste.

  ‘It’s strong but very nice,’ she said.

  ‘A bit like us Wrights,’ he teased, moving to stand closer to her than was necessary.

  ‘Something like that.’

  The bottle in his hand was the only thing keeping their bodies apart. ‘Do you want a proper taste now?’

  Erin looked down at the bottle and then up at Kerry. She smiled. ‘I think that might be dangerous.’

  Kerry, not to be outdone, replied without hesitation, ‘But it might also be fun.’

  She let out a small sigh of resignation. ‘I guess I’ll have to take your word for that.’

  It was Kerry’s turn to sigh now. He glanced down at the bottle, his hand wrapped around the base, so close to her waist. He uncurled a finger and with the lightest of touches, traced the waistline of her dress. He thought he heard her take in a small breath as he ran his finger back again. ‘Seems to me there’s something coming between us.’

  Erin looked over his shoulder towards the house. ‘In more ways than one,’ she said. ‘Here comes Ed.’

  The party drifted through the afternoon. A very relaxed affair, although Kerry found himself becoming increasingly distracted from conversations as his eyes, time and time again, sought out Erin.

  Ed seemed to be keeping a tight rein on her today. A proprietorial arm over her shoulder or round her waist. Kerry was aware of the little feeling of irritation that crept through him at this sight.

  ‘So, Erin, when are you coming back to civilisation?’ Ralph asks as he gulps the last of the Champagne from his glass. ‘Or have you defected?’

  I feel myself bristle slightly at the scornful tone in Ralph’s voice. Before I can answer though, Ed speaks.


  ‘Oh God, don’t start on that for fuck’s sake,’ he groans. ‘Bit of a moot point.’

  If I was bristling before, I feel positively spiky now. ‘It’s not that.’ I look to Ralph. ‘My dad is still in a serious condition.’

  ‘Yes, well, time is running out.’ Ed’s clipped voice has a note of danger in it. ‘We need to have that discussion.’

  ‘It’s not as simple as that, but can we save the discussion until later?’

  ‘Frightened your country-bumpkin friends will ostracise you if they think you’re leaving them? Maybe they’ll cast some ancient pagan spell over you.’ Ed laughs at his own pathetic joke. Encouraged by Ralph and Melissa laughing along, he continues, ‘They might even put you on a ducking stool in the local village pond.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Erin, we’ll come and rescue you.’ Ralph sniggers. ‘Headline news. Beautician rescued in a daring night raid from sleepy Irish village cult.’

  ‘You’re not actually funny,’ I snap. ‘In fact, you’re bloody insulting.’

  ‘Oh, lighten up,’ says Melissa. ‘The boys are only joking. You’ve got to admit, this is like something from one of those Hollywood movies, you know, where they live in some backwater town and all marry their cousins.’

  ‘Er…excuse me, I wasn’t joking,’ chips in Ed, the smile now nowhere to be seen. ‘Bloody new-age pagan hippies. They’ve certainly got Erin brainwashed.’

  ‘Just stop it now.’ I try to keep my voice to a hiss. I look round the garden, conscious we can probably be heard. Shit. Kerry’s watching, although hopefully he can’t hear what we’re saying.

  ‘I don’t know what’s happened to you since you got here,’ huffs Ed. ‘I mean, a few weeks ago you hated this place. After all, you did leave it as soon as you could. What exactly drove you away? You know, you’ve never told me?’

  The pain of the memory sticks like a thorn in my throat. I can’t answer. I can feel the tears stinging the back of my eyes. I need to escape.