“Larry Jameson called this meeting!” Nellie loudly announced to the gathering, beaming.
Larry Jameson, a childhood friend of Nellie’s eldest son, blushed. He hadn’t expected a crowd when he’d promised to talk about his idea.
“It’s like this, folks,” he said. “I’m talking to Mr. Kelly about buying his house.”
Everyone shouted an opinion, none of which could be clearly heard.
“I’ve noticed this lane is a prime spot for vandalism. I’m not willing to put up with that.”
Larry was shouted down as every person there told of an incident of vandalism against them personally.
“I’ve talked to your local councillor!” Larry shouted, quelling the noise. “You should have told him what was going on here.”
“We did!” Liam Carr shouted. “It didn’t do us a blind bit of good. What do they care that some yahoo is shoving his private parts in our letterboxes and pissing like a racehorse?”
“Liam, there are ladies present!” someone shouted.
No one disputed Liam’s words. A new trick was rags and matches. It made a body afraid to fall asleep.
“I’ve heard the stories!” Larry shouted to stop the flow of horrors being listed. “Your councilman is coming to talk to all of you! I want you to tell him what you’ve told me.” They were all listening now so he lowered his voice. “We might be able to get a grant to put gates up at either end of the Parade. Turn this into a private walkway.”
“I’ve never got something for nothing from the government in my life,” Liam Carr grumbled.
“Just tell the man what’s been going on here for years. He can’t know unless you tell him.” Larry Jameson wanted to protect his investment. He would not buy the property without securing a promise of gates to keep out the drunks. It was constant abuse – drunks performed disgusting acts that turned the lives of the people living on the Parade into a nightmare.
Finn stood back and watched the speaker being skilfully interrogated. Nellie and her cronies drew every bit of information they could manage out of Larry. Rolf was having a ball recording the occasion. Her sons were being petted and stuffed with homemade goodies. The women were flirting madly with the two older gentlemen. Everyone, except Larry Jameson, was having a great time.
“Have another cup of tea.” Nellie held the heavy teapot over Emmet’s mug and beamed. He was such a handsome man and unmarried, he said.
“I think my daughter has more to show us.” Emmet gulped the hot tea. He gave the crowd of old biddies staring at him a regretful smile. He needed to get away before they had the shirt off his back.
“Mother of God, daughter, those women could give lessons to the Spanish Inquisition.” Emmet had his back pressed to the tightly locked door of the second house they had come to see. “The men were almost afraid to open their mouths. Probably terrified of saying something they shouldn’t.”
“It’s nice to see neighbours looking out for each other.” Finn kicked rubble out from underfoot. “This house is almost an exact copy of the first one. You have seen the state they are in. So tell me – do you want me to update them for resale?”
“No, that was never the plan.” Rolf put his camera away.
“I think we should knock these old horrors down,” Emmet said.
“You two need to make a decision.” Finn said. “What did you have in mind when you bought these houses?
“A good investment.” Rolf looked around at the little gems of history.
Finn shoved her hands through her hair. “What do you want from these buildings?”
“You’re asking us to make snap decisions?” Rolf wanted to enjoy these old buildings before Finn pulled them apart.
“You two have owned these buildings for over forty years – there is nothing quick about this.”
“I want to film these monuments to a bygone era. I will never have a chance like this again.” Rolf smiled. “I will employ my two nephews to assist me in this endeavour. Can you allow me this time?”
“You’re the boss.” Finn should have known that Rolf would not be able to resist recording a vanishing way of life.
“Old Sobersides there is right.” Emmet rubbed his hands together. “We don’t have to decide everything in one sitting.”
“I will spend a lot of time here getting the pictures I want,” said Rolf. “I have new equipment I want to play with. These old buildings give me such possibilities. The boys will be my helpers and my stars. The buildings will not be abandoned.” Rolf was already planning the mini-movie he would make here. His brother Dolph would love to see these buildings as they were now before they disappeared forever under a facelift of modernisation. Rolf couldn’t wait to get started.
“Let’s go now –I need to pick up something to cook.” Emmet wanted out of these dark rooms – they depressed him.
“I’m thinking of renting a car.” Emmet wiped his mouth with his linen napkin. “These three want to make a ‘major motion picture’ of the houses in Bray.” He pointed around the table. “Rolf has corrupted them. I have no interest in making movies so I thought I’d have a drive down Memory Lane on my own.”
“Great idea, Dad,” said Finn.
Back home, it had been party time all the way as the four males laughed and joked in the kitchen while Finn was relegated to the living room, wishing she could escape to her workshop.
“By the way, I talked to my old mate Harry Bailey,” said Emmet. “He’ll check out that female lawyer you mentioned. I gave him her name.”
“That’s nice of Harry.” Finn needed to begin the process of legal separation. She seemed to be the only one feeling any pain. Her sons didn’t seem to be thinking of their parents’ marriage break-up at all.
“I’m sure Harry will be glad to help you.”
“Thanks.” Finn dreaded the process to come.
“It would help to make a list of everything you want to cover before you visit with the lawyer, sweetling.” Rolf gave Finn one of his sweetest smiles. He knew how she hated to be rushed or pushed.
“Are you the one we have to thank for all the lists Mum makes?” Oisín pointed his fork at Rolf in accusation. “Those bloomin’ lists were the bane of our childhood.”
“Oh, the horror of those endless lists!” Emmet roared with laughter. “What I’ve suffered over the years.”
Ronan shuddered. “Every time we turned around Mum had a new and updated list of something or other.”
“It’s all his fault.” Emmet pointed at Rolf. “The man’s a menace.”
“Ja, everything is my fault,” Rolf agreed good-naturedly.
Finn sat and watched her family laugh and joke with each other. It did her heart good to see how much her sons were enjoying this time with their grandparents. They might not be the ideal nuclear family but there was a lot of love and laughter at this table. The pain of loss was being assuaged slightly by the introduction of these two exotic men into her boys’ lives.
“Right – you guys can clean up after yourselves. I’m going to bed.” Finn got to her feet. She was an early bird, she always had been. Right now she got the impression that the men in her life were waiting for her to ‘flake out’ so they could really get the conversational ball rolling. She decided to give them a break.
Chapter 23
Finn sat in her silent kitchen, her heart hurting. Her boys and the da’s were up and gone. Her sons had refused to continue with their studies. What could she do? She couldn’t force them but she wasn’t happy with the situation. Patrick had been no help. He refused to become involved. She didn’t know why she was surprised.
The days were closing in but the darkness suited her mood. She was alone and feeling useless. Her father had bought a luxury car, having decided the loss when he resold it would be less than the price and bother of a long-term rental. The men in her life were up and out every morning with plans that didn’t include her. Her father had taken over her kitchen. He ruled her boys with a firm hand. They jumped to obey his
every command. She felt like a child again waiting for life to happen to her.
The ringing of the phone interrupted her pity party.
“Nuala, Nuala, are you there?”
“What do you want, Patrick?”
“I’m calling to remind you of your appointment with the psychologist,” Patrick snapped. “The woman was kind enough to cut out a slice of time for you today. It’s a compliment to me that she’s willing to meet with you. You don’t want to be late – it wouldn’t reflect well on me. I’m preparing to go on air. Try and get yourself organised and for God’s sake dress properly!”
“I can’t make the appointment. Sorry.” Finn refused to allow her temper to escape. Patrick could be taping the call. The man was underhand enough. She laid the phone very gently in its cradle.
She felt as if she were running in place. She wanted to get started on the homes in Bray but Rolf and the boys were knee-deep in something or other there. She’d been in email conversation again with the German building firm who specialised in innovative lighting ideas. They had been more helpful than she could ever have imagined. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for them – and all without her being a client. She was impressed.
She stood up with a tired sigh. She’d spend the day in her workroom beating her frustration out – again.
Days later Finn sat, not really listening, to the chatter going on around her. She was feeling proud of herself. She managed to wave goodbye to her menfolk every morning with a smile on her face. She spent the days working on her nutjobs. She was trying a new process.
“You have things to tell Finn, Emmet.” Rolf sat back and watched the two young men clear the dining-room table after breakfast.
“Finn, Finn!” Emmet knew that look. The girl was off in a world of her own.
“Sorry, I was miles away.”
“I’ve asked Harry Bailey to come here this morning. He and I are having a great time catching up on all the news that’s fit to print. I thought if he came here that would be better for you. All the paperwork you’ve gathered is here. You can show Harry everything you have and he can advise you on which pieces are the most important.”
“That’s fine,” Finn said.
“You’ve gathered a mountain of information together, Finn. I’ve no clue what you’ll need. There’s more to winning an argument then being in the right.”
There was an uncomfortable silence while the two men exchanged glares.
“There’s something else?” Finn knew her fathers. They were hiding something.
Emmet looked at Rolf to see if he wanted to take it from here. At his partner’s glare he shrugged and said, “That company you’ve contacted in Germany – the one Rolf suggested?”
“What about it?”
“It’s run by Ingrid’s son Pieter, your half-brother, and a few more of your German blood kin.”
“Shit! So that’s why they’ve been so helpful!”
“He would like to meet you.” Rolf held his breath, waiting for her reaction.
While Finn was still reeling from the shock, her sons decided now was the time to tell her what they had planned.
Oisín and Ronan stood in the open door.
“Mum, we have something to tell you.”
“You men decided to give me all my blows at once.” Once more she was the lone female outside the gentlemen’s club.
Ronan took the lead. “When Granddad and Uncle Rolf leave we’re going with them.”
“I want to travel.” Oisín was excited about the possibilities. “Granddad is going to show me the ropes while Rolf and Ronan visit the German relations.”
“Well, isn’t it well for you all!” Finn was trying not to let her bitterness show. “Have you discussed any of this with your father?”
“We haven’t told him anything,” Ronan assured her. “We haven’t seen him in a while.” He was sick of his father calling and blaming every wrong in his life on their mother.
“Well, gentlemen, you’ve certainly given me a great deal to think about.” Finn was at a loss for words. She glared at Emmet, green eyes locking with green eyes.
The ringing of the doorbell shattered the uneasy atmosphere in the room.
“That’ll be Harry.” Emmet jumped to his feet with relief. Saved by the bell!
“Come in, Harry, save me!” he roared dramatically when he flung open the door.
“You always were an old ham.” Judge Harry Bailey walked into the house.
Emmet led him into the dining rom.
“Let me make the introductions,” he said, “before everyone rushes off.” He knew the lads and Rolf had things to do, places to be.
There was a round of introductions and polite conversation before leavetaking.
“I hear you have need of advice from this old man,” Harry said when only he and Finn remained. Emmet was in the kitchen rattling dishes. Harry hadn’t seen Finn Emerson since she was a tiny infant. She’d grown into a beautiful woman.
“Before we start picking your brain . . .” Finn smiled at the distinguished, charming older man. It wasn’t his fault her father had blindsided her with his sudden appearance. “How do you want to be addressed? Judge, sir, Your Honour, Mr. Bailey or simply Harry?”
“Let’s keep it simple. I’m Harry.” His brown eyes were sparkling with good humour.
There was also a spark in the judge’s eyes that told her he thought she was an attractive woman.
“Well, Harry, can I get you anything before we become buried in dusty papers?” Finn was nervous.
“Tea would be welcome.” Harry Bailey liked surprises and having Emmet pop up out of the blue had done him a power of good. He hoped he’d be able to help his old friend’s daughter.
In the next few hours Harry drank an ocean of tea and nibbled on the snacks Emmet supplied. He sat at the dining-room table, carefully studying all of the papers Finn presented to him.
Finn pointed to the papers she’d presented that showed her careful working within budget through the years. She’d been proud of keeping the family debt-free.
“You’ve amassed a mountain of paper and that can only be a good thing.” Harry sat back and stared at the woman before him. He’d handled all the legal documents concerning her unusual birth. It was quite a surprise to see how she’d turned out.
“I have a feeling I need to protect myself,” she said.
“Yes, you do.” Harry agreed. “The law of the land is still not very clear when it comes to legal separation, I’m ashamed to say.”
“So I’ve discovered from talking to other women.”
“What I suggest …” Harry pulled his bottom lip away from his mouth as he thought the situation through, “is this. You make an appointment with Orla Mountjoy. That young lady is well known in the lower courts and has the reputation of being something of a shark. I can act as an advisor if you like but this is not my area of expertise.”
“That’s very generous of you, Harry.” Emmet had come in on the end of that offer.
“I’m hoping I get a meal out of it at least.” Harry Bailey stood and stretched. “The smells coming out of that kitchen have been killing me for hours.”
“I was coming in to shift you two along so I could get this table laid but I was afraid to interrupt you – really afraid!” Emmet said with a grin.
“I’ll take this stuff away.” Finn began to gather up her papers.
When she left to go to her office Emmet leaned towards Harry and whispered, “What are her chances of getting a legal separation?” He’d had to stop himself from eavesdropping, to hear what was going on in here.
“Her paperwork is very impressive.” Harry felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as he met Emmet’s eyes. He realised his friend’s daughter might well be facing a legal nightmare. “I liked her graph showing earnings she should have received. It’ll never stand up in a court of law but it will make people think.”
“Finn’s always had a head for figures. She gets that from Rolf’s side of t
he family.” Emmet didn’t like the look on his friend’s face. “They have this house wired up like something out of the future.” He didn’t want Finn to be able to listen to their conversation and he had no clue how all the gadgets in this house worked. “Why don’t we have a cigar outside on the patio?”
“Right,” Emmet puffed on a fat Cuban cigar. “Now tell me what has you looking like a man with an ulcer.”
“Jesus, Emmet,” Harry looked around him, “how many years has it been since I’ve visited this house?”
“What has that got to do with anything?”
“Everything.” Harry shook his cigar in Emmet’s face. “This place was falling apart the last time I saw it – now it’s a bloody show home. Do you have any idea of its worth in today’s market?”
“Millions if I wanted to sell it.”
“Only you could shrug away millions, Emmet.” Harry closed his eyes in horror. “I can bloody guarantee that Mr Patrick Brennan will not be so casual about money. You should have warned me.”
“About what?” Emmet threw his hands up in the air.
“This is a nightmare. I’m going to have to consult people,” Harry waved his cigar in the air, “and I’m going to bloody charge you for their fees.”
“OK.”
“This isn’t my area of expertise. Legal separations for the most part go through family court – the lower courts – I have nothing to do with them. But, because of the value of this property the lawyers are going to wet themselves, seeing fat fees in their future. Your girl could be in serious trouble if we don’t handle this right.”
“This house and I suppose everything in it belongs to me – not my daughter.” Emmet really couldn’t see the problem. “To all intents and purposes my girl is penniless.”
“I’m afraid the courts may not agree with you.” Harry sighed. “We have to document everything. Finn has gathered enough paperwork to choke a horse but we need more. We need details, facts, figures.”
“You need to talk to Rolf.” Emmet was beginning to worry. “He’s the man when it comes to finances.”
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