The Gift of Friends

by Emma Hannigan

  ‘I need an ambulance, please. There’s been a domestic accident. Number two Kingfisher Road. Quickly, please hurry.’

  She cradled Drew in her arms, rocking him back and forth. ‘I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,’ she said over and over again. He said nothing, just sobbed like his heart was breaking.

  Thirty minutes later, she heard a siren approaching. Fearing Seth’s reaction to this public intrusion, she got Drew to his feet and they made their way outside and stood waiting in the driveway. The light in her bedroom went on, and she looked up. Seth was standing at the window, glaring down at them. Pearl moved Drew further down the driveway, both of them shaking in fear. The ambulance turned into Kingfisher Road, blue lights throwing jagged shapes at the houses. Pearl’s bedroom light flicked off.

  The paramedics didn’t ask too many questions, but they were sizing up the situation, she knew that. She quietly explained Drew’s condition and they were incredibly kind and gentle with him, talking to him calmly, making sure he understood what they were doing. They wrapped blankets around them both. As Pearl was being helped into the back of the ambulance, the side-door to her garden opened and Tommy appeared, in his pyjamas, hair all tousled, the picture of a man who’d just woken up. He took in the scene and immediately ran to them, his face full of concern.

  ‘What did he do?’ he said, reaching for Drew.

  ‘He lost it,’ Pearl whispered. ‘Jesus, Tommy, it was terrible. I just didn’t know what to do.’ She began crying quietly.

  ‘You did the right thing,’ Tommy said. He turned to the paramedic. ‘Can you wait five minutes and I’ll throw on clothes and come with you?’ he said.

  ‘Are you her husband?’ the man asked.

  ‘No, I’m the childminder.’

  ‘Afraid not,’ the paramedic said, shaking his head.

  ‘Okay,’ Tommy said, nodding. He turned to Pearl. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll get dressed and follow you in the car. I’ll be right behind you, okay? I’ll be there.’

  Pearl looked at him through her tears. ‘I know you will,’ she said.

  Tommy raced back to the mews and Pearl stared out, unable to believe that she was leaving her own house in an ambulance because of her husband. All around her, lights had come on in the windows of the houses on the road, and now front doors started to open as people came out to see who the ambulance was for. The shame bit deep inside her. All these years, hiding the truth, and now they’d all know. She felt ragged with emotion.

  ‘Go on, have a good look,’ she roared.

  ‘Calm down, miss,’ the paramedic said, shutting first one door, then the other. ‘It’s alright now. No one’s judging you.’

  Pearl curled up beside Drew, holding the blankets tight around them. They would all find out, and what if they did judge her? What if they all thought she was a stupid idiot, like Seth did? She had put her own son in harm’s way, and she’d done it for years, surely that was unforgivable? She hated herself, and she felt sure everyone else would too.

  Chapter 25

  NANCY WAS STILL FEELING SHOCKED BY THE events of the previous night. She had been woken by the blue light flashing across her eyelids and when she’d looked out, she could see the ambulance was outside Pearl’s. It was turning to leave Kingfisher Road by the time she’d looked out, so she didn’t know what had happened, but she was hugely worried.

  She was just flicking on her kettle to make some coffee when her phone beeped. A message from Maia: I’ve breakfast for you. Come on over. Nancy shook her head. Maia was like the Duracell bunny; Nancy didn’t know where she got her energy from. She knew from experience there was no point arguing with Maia when she’d decided on something, so she flicked off the kettle, gathered her bag and her coat and made her way down the road to number three.

  The front door was flung open as Nancy walked up the driveway.

  ‘I was waiting for you,’ Maia said. ‘There was an ambulance last night. Something happened at Pearl’s.’

  ‘I know,’ Nancy said, stepping inside. ‘I was woken by the lights. Have you heard who was hurt?’

  Maia shook her head. ‘I had an eye mask on and ear plugs in because of Freddie’s snoring, so I didn’t even wake up, and sure Freddie would sleep through a demolition team, but as soon as I got up Zara told me about it. Her room’s at the front so she saw it all. She said Drew and Pearl went in the back of the ambulance, but she couldn’t tell which of them was hurt. Then she saw Tommy run out, then he disappeared again, then he came back out and hopped into his car and screamed off in the direction of the hospital.’

  ‘Oh my God,’ Nancy said, feeling ill at the thought of anything nasty happening to Drew or Pearl. ‘Have you tried to contact her?’

  ‘I’ve sent four texts and rung twice,’ Maia said, ‘but she’s not answering her phone. I don’t have Tommy’s number or I would have called him.’

  ‘What about Seth?’ Nancy asked.

  ‘Wasn’t he so obnoxious last night?’ Maia said. ‘I could have throttled him. He actually referred to Drew as a retard.’

  Nancy’s face registered shock. ‘What? No way.’

  Maia nodded. ‘He said awful things about him.’

  ‘Jesus, I would have blown a gasket if I’d heard that,’ Nancy said. ‘How could he?’

  ‘I don’t like him at all,’ Maia said. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s involved in this somehow.’

  Nancy thought back to the ex-husband who used to beat her. She shuddered at the thought of any of her friends going through anything like that. ‘Maybe we should go over there,’ she said.

  ‘Do you think?’ Maia said. ‘I don’t fancy the thought of talking to Seth.’

  ‘If Pearl needs help of any kind, we have to be there for her.’

  ‘You’re right,’ Maia said, looking determined. ‘Let’s go.’

  They walked next door and rang the doorbell. Silence. Maia rang it again, long and hard. After a minute, they heard footsteps marching towards the door and it swung open.

  Seth crossed his arms and looked at them. ‘Maia, Nancy, can I help you?’

  ‘We’re worried about Pearl,’ Nancy said. ‘We saw the ambulance last night. Is there anything we can do to help?’

  ‘No,’ Seth said.

  Nancy was so taken aback by his abrupt answer, her mind went blank.

  ‘Where is she?’ Maia cut in.

  ‘There was a minor accident after your party last night and she took Drew to the hospital to be seen to. Nothing serious. They’ll be home shortly.’

  ‘She’s not answering her phone,’ Maia said.

  ‘That’s hardly my concern,’ Seth replied. ‘Now, I’ve satisfied your curiosity and I’ve got a lot to do today, so I’ll have to let you go, ladies.’

  ‘Please tell her to let us know when she’s back,’ Nancy said quickly, before the door closed. ‘Tell her we’re here for her.’

  She didn’t get any answer to that. The door closed firmly and they were left looking at each other.

  ‘That man,’ Maia said. ‘He makes my blood boil.’

  ‘We’ll keep an eye out for her,’ Nancy said. ‘I hope Drew is okay.’

  ‘He was in fantastic form last night,’ Maia said, as they walked back to her house. ‘He had a ball.’

  ‘He’s such a great lad,’ Nancy said, smiling. ‘Hopefully it is just something minor, like Seth said.’

  ‘I’ll ask Zara to keep a lookout while we’re gone,’ Maia said, ‘so we know the moment Pearl gets back. Come on, better get some food and then we’ll have to get going.’

  They went back to the kitchen and Nancy marvelled at the spread Maia had laid out. There was a big pot of porridge, berries, granola, various types of bread and a platter of pastries.

  ‘You missed your calling,’ Nancy said. ‘You should be running a hotel.’

  Maia laughed. ‘I feel like I am today. There are I don’t know how many of the kids’ friends asleep in bedrooms and couches around the place. But thank God I have the cleaners booked f
or today, so they can do the heavy lifting.’

  ‘Good thinking,’ Nancy said. She picked up a croissant and bit into it. ‘Hmm, gorgeous,’ she mumbled. ‘And this coffee is divine. You always make the best.’

  They chatted about the previous night, reliving all the funny moments.

  ‘But what about Freddie,’ Nancy said, not sure if she should ask. ‘I noticed the shiner. How did that happen?’

  Maia sighed. ‘I don’t know. He won’t talk about it.’

  Nancy studied her friend. ‘You’re really worried about him, aren’t you?’

  Maia nodded. ‘Yeah. For a while now. He’s a different man this last while, and I don’t know how to get through to him. There’s something going on, I know that much, but I’ve no idea what it is.’

  Nancy felt so sorry for her friend. Her smile crumpled and she looked utterly stressed. ‘Oh Maia, it’ll be okay. Freddie’s mad about you. I don’t think he’d do anything to compromise your happiness.’

  ‘Let’s hope,’ Maia said, looking unconvinced. ‘It’s horrible being in the dark, makes me think all sorts. He used to tell me everything. We were a little team, there for each other. Somehow that seems to have got lost along the way.’

  Nancy reached out and covered Maia’s hand with hers. ‘He’s still there, Maia, my darling. You’ll just have to make an effort to reach him, let him see how upset you are about the way things are between you. I’m sure he’ll want to meet you halfway.’

  ‘Or break up with me and take up with some young one with pert boobs,’ Maia shot back.

  ‘You don’t think . . .’ Nancy said.

  Maia shrugged. ‘I think all sorts, Nancy, and an affair is right up there near the top of my list.’

  She looked at the clock on the wall and jumped up. ‘Enough gasbagging. Time to get moving,’ she said. ‘Just let me find my car keys.’

  The drive to the council offices took only fifteen minutes, and Maia found a handy parking space right outside. Before they got out of the car, Nancy put her hand on Maia’s arm.

  ‘Maia, you know I love you dearly, especially your fierce loyalty, but I need you to stay calm in here today. It can be aggravating when they bang on about their rights and ignore mine, and I don’t want you erupting in anger, okay, because it won’t help my case. And it may be a lost case, of course, and we’ll have to accept that.’

  ‘I’ll try,’ Maia said. ‘I’ll do my best not to staple this guy’s tie to the desk.’

  ‘Well, I appreciate your self-control,’ Nancy said, giggling. ‘That’s a beautiful image you’ve conjured up there.’

  ‘If you see me reaching for the stapler,’ Maia said, ‘disarm me.’

  ‘Deal,’ Nancy said.

  They went through the same motions as Sean and Nancy had before – giving her name to the receptionist, being made to wait for ten minutes, and finally Derek Small appeared, file in hand.

  ‘Good to see you again, Nancy,’ he said. ‘I have a new office, so it’s not as far into the warren, you’ll be glad to hear.’

  ‘I’m sure I’ll still feel like I’ve fallen down a rabbit-hole,’ Nancy said drily.

  He led them to a more spacious, brighter office just down the hall. Nancy made the introductions, and then sat down to hear what retirement home they wanted to stick her in this time.

  Derek shuffled the papers in the file, but before he could speak, Maia jumped in.

  ‘You’re totally wrong,’ she fired at him. ‘This is immoral. There’s no way we’re letting you evict Nancy without a fight. We’ll do everything possible.’

  Nancy gave Maia a look, to remind her of her promise outside.

  ‘Sorry,’ Maia said, ‘but I’m just so upset and angry.’

  ‘If you’ll just let me speak,’ Derek said. ‘I called you here today, Nancy, because there has been a significant development in your case.’

  Nancy felt her heart beating faster. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘An objection has been lodged by the Conservation Society, which carries great weight in these matters. Their stance is being backed by local councillors.’ He fixed the papers in a straight line again, then looked up at Nancy. She could see it was killing him to say what it was he had to say. ‘We are withdrawing the CPO on numbers five and six Kingfisher Road, effective immediately.’

  There was total silence for a few seconds as Nancy tried to process his words. Maia seemed to be as surprised as her. Then with a whoop, Maia jumped up and punched the air.

  ‘Yes!’ she shouted. ‘Common bloody sense at last. Oh Nancy,’ she cried, throwing her arms around Nancy’s neck, ‘it’s over. You’re staying. Your house is safe.’

  Nancy didn’t know if she was laughing or crying. The weight of the last few weeks shifted off her and she felt like she could breathe properly again. It was a delicious feeling.

  ‘I don’t believe it,’ she said, looking at Derek. ‘But you were so adamant. What did this society say that changed your mind?’

  ‘Unfortunately,’ Derek said, looking miffed, ‘it transpires there is a nesting pair of kingfishers in your garden. When the Conservation Society was informed of this, it issued a cease and desist on the grounds that the birds are amber-listed in Ireland and therefore endangered, to an extent. We have to honour that request.’

  ‘My kingfishers,’ Nancy said, laughing. ‘I was saved by my kingfishers? That’s crazy. Boy, am I glad I fed them now!’

  ‘Did our protest make any difference at all?’ Maia asked, and Nancy had to suppress a smile.

  ‘Em, no, it didn’t,’ Derek said. ‘The CPO would have gone ahead in spite of local objections, but this is a different kind of objection.’

  Maia shrugged. ‘Well I’m glad we highlighted the practice anyway. And I’m over the moon that you have to climb down off your high-horse and admit defeat. This has absolutely made my day.’

  ‘There’s no need to crow about it,’ Derek said irritably.

  ‘Can we kingfisher about it, then?’ Maia said, then cracked up laughing. Nancy couldn’t help but join in. Poor Derek had to just sit there until they’d got their breath back.

  ‘Okay, just a few things to get signed in order to finish this up,’ he said, sorting through the papers. ‘If you can sign here and here and . . .’

  ‘Wait a second,’ Nancy said. ‘I won’t sign anything without my lawyer’s consent. Please send those to the office of Sean Claffey. Once I have his say-so, I’ll get them straight back to you.’

  Derek sighed deeply. ‘Fine, Mrs Smyth,’ he said. ‘I’ll get those couriered over to him now. But please try to get them back to us on Monday, okay?’

  ‘No problem,’ said Nancy happily. ‘Is that it? Am I done with you people?’

  ‘Yes, that’s it,’ Derek said wearily. ‘We rescind the CPO and you are free to remain in your house.’

  ‘Thank you for having the courtesy of telling me in person,’ Nancy said. She got up to leave, then turned back. ‘Just one thing. Perhaps you’re not allowed to tell me, but do you know who alerted the Conservation Society to the presence of the kingfishers?’

  He hesitated, then shrugged. ‘I suppose there’s no harm in telling you. Presumably it’s someone you know. The name on the letter was Danielle O’Brien.’

  ‘My word,’ Nancy said, shaking her head. ‘What a girl.’

  She and Maia left, giggling like schoolgirls, arms linked.

  ‘I feel like throwing another party tonight,’ Maia said. ‘I can’t believe that just happened. And I can’t believe Danielle spotted that loophole. Whenever she gets that law degree, she can count me as one of her clients. That was bleedin’ genius.’

  ‘I owe her big time,’ Nancy said.

  They got back in the car and headed back to Kingfisher Road, stunned at Nancy’s good fortune. They were just getting out of the car in Maia’s driveway when Betsy came running towards them.

  ‘I saw your car,’ she said, gasping for breath. ‘How did the meeting go?’

  ‘Follow m
e and you’ll find out,’ Nancy said, marching across the road to number ten.

  Maia and Betsy followed in her wake, with Betsy begging for information every step of the way. Nancy rang the doorbell and after a few seconds, the door opened.

  ‘Morning,’ Justin said. He looked tired, and his face was all stubbly and pale. Nancy had never seen him look so rough.

  ‘Hi Justin, is Danielle here?’

  He shook his head. ‘No, she’s not at the moment.’

  ‘Has she come back from her mother’s?’ Maia asked.

  Justin looked surprised for a second, then gathered himself. ‘No, she’s staying there. I don’t know when she’ll be back.’

  ‘Have you called her?’ Maia demanded.

  ‘I don’t have to explain my life to you,’ Justin said coldly. ‘Can I help you with something?’

  ‘No, it’s fine,’ Nancy said. ‘I just wanted to thank Danielle for helping me. I was served with a CPO and they’ve dropped it because of her.’

  ‘She mentioned that,’ Justin said. ‘So it actually worked?’

  Nancy smiled. ‘Damn right it worked. Your Danielle is a genius, and one of the most kind-hearted people I’ve ever met. I owe her so much.’

  ‘Wow,’ Justin said. ‘I didn’t think that bird idea would work.’

  ‘Well, it did,’ Nancy said. ‘I’ll keep an eye out for her and come over when she comes home.’

  Justin looked uncomfortable. ‘I’ve no idea when that will be,’ he said quietly.

  ‘It’ll happen if you want it to happen,’ Nancy said.

  ‘What does that mean?’ he asked.

  ‘If you know you want something, you have to fight for it,’ Nancy said. ‘Just like Danielle fought for me. You’ve got to take the risk, just like she did. She didn’t know if it would work, but she sent that letter anyway. She committed to the idea, do you know what I’m saying?’