Second Time Around

by Colette Caddle

  ‘He said he’d miss me,’ Katie said with a sad smile, ‘and that he’s never been to Ireland.’

  ‘So, invite him over.’

  ‘Maybe.’

  Jess decided to leave it at that. Katie didn’t like to be pushed and, right now, she was probably focused on her new job. ‘So, food. We can stay in and order a pizza or go to the café on the seafront.’

  Katie shivered. ‘It’s too cold to go out.’

  ‘In that case, why not change into something more comfortable and stay the night? I’ll phone in the order.’

  ‘You talked me into it.’ Katie grinned.

  When they were tucked up on the sofa, replete and sipping beer, Katie returned to the Connors drama that she’d missed out on. ‘How is the farmer doing?’

  ‘Top form.’ Jess smiled. ‘Seeing the way he is now made me realise how miserable he was these last few months, and yet none of us noticed.’

  ‘I think you can be forgiven for that. You’ve had quite a lot going on,’ Katie pointed out.

  ‘True.’ Between Mum’s accident, Louis, and then Sharon and Bobby, Jess hadn’t known whether she was coming or going.

  ‘Is he in Limerick full-time now?’

  ‘Pretty much, although he’s come up to join us for Sunday lunch a couple of times.’

  ‘And how’s little Bobby?’

  Jess smiled. ‘He’s much the same but we’ve learned a lot and so we’re better able to handle him. Mum can even talk him down from a tantrum now.’

  ‘Good on her.’ Katie looked impressed. ‘That must be quite a relief for Sharon.’

  ‘It is.’

  ‘How’s she doing?’

  Jess laughed. ‘Totally stir-crazy but happy. Incidentally, she’s throwing a party on Saturday and you’re invited.’

  ‘Great. What’s the party for?’

  ‘No idea,’ Jess said with a grin.

  Katie sighed happily. ‘When I think of the year you’ve had I never would have thought that things could turn out so well.’

  Jess nodded in agreement. ‘I know. I keep expecting to wake up.’

  Katie smiled at her. ‘So, have you and Cal any plans?’

  ‘What kind of plans?’ Jess said, playing dumb.

  Katie rolled her eyes. ‘Should I buy a hat?’

  Jess almost choked on her beer. ‘It’s only been five months,’ she protested.

  ‘Oh. My. God.’ Katie sat up, her eyes widening.

  ‘What?’ Jess felt her cheeks redden.

  ‘You didn’t say no. Come on. Out with it.’

  ‘Really we haven’t talked about marriage . . .’

  ‘But?’ Katie prompted.

  Jess sighed. ‘He wants me to move in with him.’

  ‘Yay!’ Katie hugged her.

  Jess pushed her off, laughing. ‘I’ve said no. It’s much too soon. I’ve made enough mistakes, Katie. I want to get things right this time.’

  Katie beamed. ‘You are totally besotted with the guy, aren’t you?’

  ‘I am,’ Jess admitted, laughing.

  ‘No more contact from Lecherous Louis?’

  ‘No, thankfully.’

  ‘Is he still harassing the women in the Gazette?’

  Jess lips twitched. ‘You’re useless.’

  Katie frowned. ‘Why?’

  ‘You changed in the bathroom and you’ve been to the loo twice and you didn’t notice.’

  ‘Notice what?’ Her friend looked completely baffled.

  ‘Go and have a look, a proper one this time,’ Jess pushed her, smirking.

  Frowning, Katie stood up and went into the bathroom. Seconds later there was a shriek and she came back, holding the framed press-cutting in her hands. ‘Oh. My. God. When did this happen?’

  ‘Eve sent it to me a few weeks ago.’ Jess smiled. ‘I keep it there to remind me to stand up for myself in future.’

  ‘ “We regret to announce,” ’ Katie read out, ‘ “the resignation of Louis Healy, editor of the Gazette, with immediate effect, due to personal reasons.” ’ She paused to look at Jess with raised eyebrows. ‘Personal reasons?’

  ‘Perhaps he’s sick.’

  ‘Ha! Sick in the head.’ Katie continued to read the statement. ‘Yada-yada-yada,’ she said, skimming through the brief biography of Louis’s time with the paper. ‘ “On behalf of the management and staff of the Gazette, we would like to wish Louis well in his future endeavours.” ’ She looked up at Jess, smiling. ‘Oh, yeah, he’s definitely been rumbled. No notice and no job to go to?’

  ‘It does look suspicious, doesn’t it?’

  ‘Did you not ask Eve what the word was in the office?’

  Jess shook her head. ‘I thought about it but I didn’t think it was worth the risk. I managed to leave the Gazette on my own terms. I don’t want to remind her of my relationship with Louis.’

  ‘She’s one sharp lady. I doubt she needs reminding,’ Katie said.

  ‘But she hasn’t broadcast the fact and I appreciate that. I’ve moved on and I don’t want it resurrected. Especially with this interview coming up.’

  ‘It’ll be interesting to see where Louis pops up next.’

  ‘As long as it’s not in a certain Sunday newspaper,’ Jess said, pulling a face.

  ‘After this?’ Katie held up the frame. ‘I think it’s more likely he’ll be reporting on births, deaths and marriages in some freebie rag, if he’s lucky. The man’s finished, Jess.’ Katie raised her bottle of beer. ‘What goes around comes around!’

  ‘Indeed.’ Jess agreed, happy to be able to put that chapter of her life behind her.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  ‘What’s the party actually for?’ Cal asked as they stood in the hall, divesting themselves of coats and hats and handing them over to a very serious and self-important Bobby. He dusted snow from his hair.

  Keith shrugged. ‘Early Christmas party? Celebration of Suzie getting the all-clear from the hospital? Take your pick. I went along with it because it was either that or she’d be redecorating the living room.’

  ‘Mum says that a burst of energy just before the baby’s due is quite common,’ Jess said.

  ‘We’re going to dance this baby out,’ Sharon said, joining them and hugging her sister.

  ‘You look b—’

  ‘Don’t say blooming,’ Sharon warned Cal.

  He laughed. ‘I was going to say beautiful.’

  ‘I look like a whale,’ Sharon retorted, resting her hands on her bump. ‘I haven’t seen my feet in weeks. That’s a killer dress, Jess. You’re looking pretty sharp too, Cal.’ She nudged Keith. ‘Take note.’

  Dressed in a nice shirt and jeans, Keith scowled at Cal. ‘Thanks mate,’ he said before hugging his sister-in-law. ‘You look very festive.’

  ‘Well, it is almost Christmas.’ She did a twirl and the skirt of her red dress flared out around her slim legs. ‘And, when I saw James Bond here,’ she nodded with some pride at her boyfriend, ‘I thought I’d better make an effort.’

  Cal, who looked as if he’d stepped out of a fashion shoot in his black suit and grey shirt, gave an embarrassed grin. ‘I’m trying to impress the relatives.’

  ‘You’re doing a good job,’ Sharon assured him and then looked longingly at her sister’s three-inch heels. ‘I can’t wait to wear real shoes again.’

  ‘It won’t be long now,’ Jess consoled her. ‘Is Noel here yet?’

  ‘He is, and he’s not alone,’ Keith said, waggling his eyebrows. ‘Don’t mention the war.’

  ‘What war, Daddy?’ Bobby asked, his eyes round.

  Keith mouthed ‘sorry’ to his wife and hugged his son. ‘Daddy was just being silly,’ he said.

  ‘As usual,’ Sharon chimed in. ‘Percy has more sense, doesn’t he, Bobby?’

  ‘Percy’s smart,’ Bobby agreed. ‘But Daddy’s clever too.’

  ‘So what’s that about?’ Jess murmured to Sharon.

  ‘Mum’s in shock that her darling son has a steady girlfriend,
and she’s from Limerick.’

  ‘Ah, I see.’ Jess nodded in understanding. Suzie was gradually coming to terms with her son’s departure but still harboured dreams of his moving back to Dublin once he got the whole farming business out of his system. As if that was going to happen, her daughters had laughed. ‘Is she nice? What’s her name?’

  ‘Finola – and, yes, she’s lovely.’

  ‘Oh, good. Where is Mum?’

  ‘The last time I saw her she was chatting to her old work pals in the conservatory. Is Katie coming?’

  ‘She’ll be along later,’ Jess said, and then looked up at Cal. ‘Ready to face my world?’

  He dropped a kiss on her temple. ‘I’ve been ready for years.’

  She smiled into his eyes, still incredulous that this man loved her. ‘Come on, I’ll introduce you to the guy who almost delivered me.’

  ‘Lead on, Macduff.’ Cal laced his fingers through hers and she tugged him towards the conservatory, waving across the room at Nora and Aileen, who were chatting with some other women. Suzie was falling around the place laughing at something Jack was saying, Mal by her side, a proprietorial hand on her back.

  ‘Jess!’ She smiled when she spotted her. ‘You look lovely, sweetheart. Hi, Cal. You look very smart too. Let me introduce you to my friends.’

  Cal shook hands with Doug, Gina and Jack and, lastly, Mal. ‘I believe I have you to thank for the safe delivery of my girlfriend,’ he said gravely, hugging Jess to his side.

  ‘My part in that has been greatly exaggerated,’ Mal assured him. ‘Suzie was determined to give birth, and Jess was equally determined to make a grand entrance. All I did was try to keep Suzie calm as this lot were worse than useless.’

  ‘Your services may be required again,’ Suzie laughed. ‘Have you seen the size of my other daughter?’

  ‘She looks great, though, doesn’t she?’ Jess said to her mum. ‘All that rest seems to have paid off.’

  ‘It certainly has. We have so much to be grateful for, Jess.’ Suzie looked at her and Cal with excited eyes. ‘Did Sharon tell you? Bobby’s going for an assessment at the end of January.’

  Jess gave a happy sigh. ‘That’s great news.’

  ‘He’s going to be fine,’ Cal said. ‘You’ve all been great with him – especially you and Percy,’ he told Suzie.

  ‘I won’t disagree about Percy, but that child has done more for me than I have for him. Now I have a good think before I open my mouth and say anything.’

  ‘And I was quite enjoying the swearing phase,’ Doug chipped in.

  ‘You wouldn’t want me swearing at your publishers, would you?’ Suzie retorted.

  ‘It would make a change from me swearing at them,’ Doug laughed.

  ‘So you’re not ready to sack her yet?’ Mal asked. ‘Pity. I wouldn’t mind having her as my assistant.’

  ‘You’d get no work done then,’ Jack quipped.

  Suzie swatted him with the back of her hand. ‘No idea what you mean by that, Jack.’

  Gina drew her and Jess to one side. ‘No word on your sister?’

  Suzie nodded. ‘She’s alive and well and living in Ibiza.’

  ‘But why did she leave?’ Gina asked, obviously sensing a story.

  Suzie seemed lost for words and Jess came to her rescue. ‘Mandy’s always been a bit of a gossip, so we tended to leave her out of the loop. That night in Doug’s was the first she’d heard that Mum had me before she got married and that John wasn’t the father and she was furious we hadn’t told her.’

  Gina rolled her eyes. ‘Talk about oversensitive. I mean, things like that weren’t talked about in those days.’

  ‘I know,’ Suzie said, ‘and Mandy was only a child herself at the time.’

  ‘Families, eh?’ Gina nodded towards her husband.

  ‘What was that?’ Jack cupped his ear.

  ‘Nothing, darling,’ Gina said, with an innocent smile.

  ‘I read your piece on housing the other day, Jess,’ Doug said, butting in. ‘It was excellent, couldn’t agree more. I wish all the newspapers would give you more work like that instead of these asinine articles they ask you to do.’

  Suzie gave him a grateful smile for stepping in and diverting the conversation. She still wasn’t comfortable talking about her sister and he understood that better than most. Jess exchanged a grin with Cal before looking from Doug to her mum. ‘Thanks, Doug. I hope to be doing a lot more articles on current affairs, every week, in fact.’ Jess went on to tell them about her new column with one of the most prestigious Sunday newspapers.

  Suzie hugged her. ‘I’m delighted for you, sweetheart.’

  ‘That’s fantastic news,’ Doug said with an affectionate smile.

  ‘Congratulations, Jess, that’s amazing.’ Gina looked at her in admiration.

  ‘Well done, Jess.’ Mal smiled. ‘That is quite an achievement.’

  ‘Thanks, Mal. I’m really excited about it.’

  ‘Excited about what?’

  Jess looked around and saw her brother standing behind her. ‘Hey!’ She hugged him. ‘I’ve got a new gig.’

  ‘Cool,’ Noel said when she’d filled him in on the details.

  ‘So, how’s life as a farmer?’

  ‘Spending all your time with your hand up a cow’s butt?’ Cal added.

  Noel punched his arm. ‘You’re thinking of vets, dork. I’m up earlier than I’ve ever been in my life and it’s a seven-day week, but, yeah, I’m loving it.’

  ‘Aren’t you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?’ Jess asked.

  ‘Sure.’ He looked around. ‘She’s around somewhere.’

  ‘How did you manage to snare a girlfriend if you’re working those hours?’ Cal raised his eyebrows.

  Noel grinned. ‘She’s my vet.’

  ‘Ugh, so she’s the one with her hand up cows’ butts.’ Jess shuddered.

  ‘Do you get a special rate, being the boyfriend?’ Cal asked.

  ‘I do. I’m trying to convince her to move in, then she’d be on call 24/7.’

  Jess rolled her eyes and nudged him when she saw Mum’s ears prick up.

  ‘You’re moving in together? Isn’t that a bit hasty? You haven’t known each other that long.’

  ‘I’ve known her long enough, Mum,’ he said, his mouth settling in to a stubborn line.

  A girl with lovely green eyes and a mane of curly, auburn hair appeared beside Noel. ‘Don’t worry, Mrs Connors, I haven’t said yes.’

  ‘Sensible girl. Wait until you know all his habits first,’ Suzie said.

  ‘Jeez, thanks, Mum.’

  Finola laughed and stuck out her hand, smiling. ‘You must be Jess.’

  ‘That’s me,’ Jess said, liking her on the spot, ‘and this is Cal.’

  ‘Cal, nice to meet you. Noel’s told me all about you.’

  He smiled. ‘Only believe the good stuff.’

  She frowned. ‘Good stuff?’ And everyone laughed.

  ‘She’s lovely,’ Jess whispered to her mum.

  Suzie gave a resigned sigh. ‘I know. Come on, love, let’s give Sharon a hand. She shouldn’t be doing so much in her condition.’

  Jess allowed herself to be pulled away from the group towards the kitchen, stopping for a few minutes to chat with Aileen and Nora and to say hi to Suzie’s new friends from the book club and meditation class.

  Sharon was stirring a pot of chilli when they walked in. She looked up and smiled. ‘And about time, too.’

  ‘Sorry, Mum wanted to introduce me to the world,’ Jess said. ‘What do you want me to do?’

  ‘You’re on the cold salads and dressings. Mum, will you check on the rice and slice up the baguettes?’

  ‘Only if you sit down,’ her mother retorted. ‘You’ve taken on far too much.’

  ‘It is a bit like feeding the five thousand,’ Jess agreed, putting an apron on to protect her dress. ‘Who are all these people?’

  ‘Apart from Mum’s guests, there’s some of our neighbours
and friends, a couple of mums of autistic kids at the school and a few of Keith’s mates too.’ Sharon went to lift a heavy saucepan off the stove.

  ‘Don’t even think about it,’ Jess warned her. ‘So, Mum, now that we can talk, have you heard any more from Mandy?’

  Suzie groaned. ‘Well, I told you she called me last month—’

  ‘No,’ her daughters said in unison.

  ‘Sorry, I’ve been busy and you know what my memory’s like. But yes, she called, sounding a little drunk, to be honest. She was bragging about her rich boyfriend, the amazing house, his yacht and all the famous people she’s met.’ Suzie rolled her eyes. ‘I couldn’t get a word in edgeways.’

  ‘So she’s done well for herself?’ Sharon looked at Jess. ‘Typical, isn’t it?’

  ‘I wouldn’t go that far,’ their mother said. ‘She’s living with a guy that could be Doug’s older, uglier brother and, word is, he’s not a very nice man.’

  ‘How do you know all this?’ Jess asked.

  ‘Ah, it’s a small world we live in. Nora was out there for a few days’ holidays, she just got back. And she was strolling around the marina, admiring all these enormous yachts and heard shouting and a woman screaming. It was Mandy and her new man, on a huge boat, hurling abuse at each other, both rolling drunk. Nora said he was quite vicious.’

  ‘Just like Onassis and Maria Callas,’ Jess murmured.

  ‘Jackie Kennedy,’ Sharon corrected her.

  ‘No, he was with Maria for years before he dumped her for Jackie,’ Jess told her. ‘They fought all the time.’

  ‘Poor Mandy. She seems destined to be alone,’ Sharon said.

  ‘She deserves everything she gets,’ Jess said, and received a warning look from her mother. ‘Sorry,’ she mouthed.

  ‘Where’s Bobby gone?’ Suzie changed the subject and looked around.

  ‘Watching a video upstairs, away from all the noise. I’m taking him up a picnic.’

  ‘I’ll do it, if you like. He’s turning into a grand little fella,’ Suzie said, pride in her voice, and Jess saw Sharon tear up.

  ‘So have you met Finola yet?’ her sister asked, dabbing at her eyes.