Red Letter Day

by Colette Caddle

  'Hi, Rose.' He smiled at her, rocking on his heels, his hands dug deep in the pockets of his cardigan. 'Beautiful day.'

  'Hi, Dominic.'

  'How's the leg?'

  She made a face. 'Not bad, not bad.'

  'Well, you don't have long to go now.' He walked with her to the door of Close Second, taking off his glasses to polish them on the front of his heavy cotton shirt.

  'Have you found someone to run this place for you yet?'

  'Yes, thank goodness. She starts on Monday.'

  'Wonderful! That must be a load off your mind.'

  Rose turned worried eyes on him. 'Yes it is, now if I could only sort my son out. Why didn't you want him to work today, Dominic? Has he been giving you trouble?'

  Dominic pushed dark blond hair off his forehead and settled his glasses back on the bridge of his nose. 'Of course not, Rose! There just isn't enough work for us both at the moment.'

  Rose frowned. 'That new book shop is really hurting you, isn't it?'

  Dominic sighed. 'If only they stuck to selling books, but no, they have to sell stationery and newspapers and magazines.'

  'I hate the idea of Fergus having nothing to do all day.'

  'I'm sure he'd have no problem finding something else.'

  'Yes, but with his background—'

  'Forget about his background, Rose. I've left him alone in that shop God knows how many times and he's never touched the till.'

  Rose looked shocked. 'I should hope not!'

  'If he were still on drugs, Rose, he'd have cleaned me out long ago and you too. He's a good lad and I'd be happy to give him a reference.'

  Rose's face cleared as she recognised the truth of his words. 'Thanks, Dominic.'

  Two women approached and turned into the newsagent's. Dominic turned to salute her with a twinkle in his eye 'Don't look now but I believe I have customers! See you later, Rose.'

  'Bye, Dominic.' Rose laughed. With all his problems Dominic still held on to his sense of humour. Gosh, what must he think of her? He'd said business was bad and all she'd been worried about was how it would affect her son. She'd bring him in a coffee later and ask him about it, she decided as she went back into her shop. She could imagine how tough it must be and how Dominic's takings must have dropped in the last three months. She'd probably never have that problem. There were only a handful of second-hand shops in Dublin and only one other that dealt exclusively in designer labels. She had a loyal clientele, some of them travelling from the four corners of Ireland. She had the phone numbers of her best customers and she called them if something came in that she knew they'd like. It was this personal service that made it even more difficult to find a suitable manager.

  The bell tinkled on the door and she looked up and smiled. 'Mrs Williams! I'm so glad you dropped in. I have a lovely Gina Bacconi dress that I think you'll like.'

  Fergus stood in HMV debating whether to spend his last few Euros on CDs or a new game for his Playstation. The way things were going it looked like he'd have a lot more time on his hands soon so he decided to go for the game. After paying for it, he tucked it into the inside pocket of his jacket and headed back out onto Henry Street.

  'Yo, Gus, how's it goin'?'

  Fergus closed his eyes briefly before turning around. 'Howaya, Mick.'

  Mick Garvey leaned closer. 'Haven't seen ye in ages.'

  Fergus stepped back. 'Ah, well, you know yourself, keeping busy.'

  Mick laughed. 'Still working at the shelter, are ye?'

  Fergus nodded. 'Yeah, a bit.'

  'Ye must meet all sorts down there. Maybe I'll drop in and see ye some night.'

  Fergus smiled but his eyes were cold. 'Sure. And if I'm not there, Paddy Burns will be. Do you know Paddy, Mick? He's an ex-cop.'

  Mick's eyes narrowed. 'I hope yer not forgetting who yer friends are, Gus.'

  'Oh, I know exactly who my friends are, thanks, Mick. See you around.' Fergus walked away before Mick could answer and lost himself in the crowds on Henry Street. He was breathing heavily and his heart was racing. Mick was half his size and he could take him out any time, but as one of Dublin's main dealers, Mick had a lot of contacts. If Mick Garvey ever wanted to get him, he'd only have to put out the word. So Fergus would continue to do what he'd always done: keep his mouth shut and lie low. He moved quickly in the direction of the bus stop. Maybe coming into town hadn't been such a good idea after all.

  Chapter 2

  Celine ran a self-conscious hand through her tangled hair as she went to open the door. 'Hi, Marina.'

  Marina frowned at her friend's pale, miserable face. 'You look like shit.' She walked through to the kitchen and stopped in the doorway. 'What the hell?'

  Most of the shelves were empty, half-filled boxes were on the worktops and table and an assortment of clothes was strewn around the room.

  'I'm moving,' Celine explained.

  'Excuse me?'

  Celine took a pile of clothes off a stool and dumped them on the ground. 'Sit down, it's a long story.'

  Marina perched her slender form on the stool and crossed one long leg over the other. 'Do tell.'

  'I've been having an affair.' Celine didn't look at her friend, concentrating her attentions on opening the wine that her friend had brought.

  Marina stared at her, wide-eyed. 'You're kidding! Who with?'

  Celine went in search of glasses. 'Bloody hell, which box did I put them in?'

  'Celine!'

  She found the glasses and turned to face Marina. 'Kevin Gilligan.'

  'Kevin Gilligan? Kevin Gilligan as in the manager of our local building society, pillar of the community, married to that old bag Eileen?'

  Celine nodded. 'That's the one.'

  'Jesus! How long has this been going on?'

  Celine shrugged. 'A few months.'

  Marina scowled. 'Why didn't you tell me?'

  'Affairs are supposed to be secret,' Celine pointed out.

  'Not from your best friend they're not,' Marina retorted. 'I'm supposed to be involved, supplying you with alibis and the like.'

  'But I don't need alibis. I'm a free agent.'

  'Kevin Gilligan isn't. His wife will take you apart when she finds out.'

  'She already has.'

  'She knows? She didn't come here, did she?'

  Celine gave a wry smile. 'Nothing so discreet, she attacked me in the middle of the golf club.'

  'Bloody hell.'

  'In front of Daddy, Brenda and Alan,' Celine continued.

  'Wow, poor you. When did all this happen?'

  'Last week. Dad's not impressed.'

  'And what about the sainted Brenda?' Marina had never had much time for Celine's sister-in-law.

  'Won't even talk to me.'

  Marina shrugged. 'Well, that's no bad thing.'

  'Brenda's okay.' Celine felt obliged to stick up for Dermot's sister.

  'Oh, I know, she's just so, so . . .' Marina fluttered long fingers around as she searched for a word. 'Settled.'

  Celine stared out of the window, her eyes sad. 'Settled isn't so bad.'

  Marina gave an impatient shrug. 'No, but there's settled and settled. Do you think she and Alan are happy?'

  Celine looked surprised. 'I don't know. I suppose so.'

  'He's quite good-looking.'

  'Alan?' Celine stared at her friend.

  'Yes, in a reserved, intelligent sort of way.'

  'Don't even think about it. I'm in enough trouble with Brenda without you chatting up her husband.'

  'Oh, don't worry, I've had it with married men. It's time poor little Josh had a proper role model in his life.'

  Privately Celine thought 'little Josh' was beyond help but she was surprised at the serious look on Marina's face. 'Are you on the look-out for a new husband?'

  'Yes, I think it's time,' Marina admitted. 'You should think about it yourself. Don't you miss having someone?'

  'I've had Kevin,' Celine reminded her.

  'That was just sex — oh, God
, you don't love him, do you?'

  'Of course not.' Celine laughed. 'I'm not dumb.'

  Marina shook her head. 'Dumb enough, my dear. As my old dad used to say, never shit on your own doorstep.'

  'Charming.'

  'But true,' Marina insisted. 'It would probably be best if you dumped the gorgeous Mr Gilligan. Date married men, by all means, but next time go a little further afield. Have you been blackballed at the golf club yet?'

  Celine laughed. 'No, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Eileen Gilligan is an important woman.'

  'Which is why I'm saying—'

  'I know, I know, don't shit on your own doorstep.'

  'How on earth did it all start anyway? It's not as if you move in the same circles. It's not as if you move in any circles at the moment,' Marina added.

  'We met down the gym.'

  'The gym!' Marina's eyes lit up. 'I told you it was the perfect place to meet men.'

  'Yes, well, I was fed up getting the third degree from the local biddies every time I went swimming, so I started to go down at seven a couple of mornings a week.'

  'And Kevin was there perfecting his breast stroke?'

  Celine rolled her eyes. 'He's a really nice guy, Marina.'

  'He's not exactly hard on the eye either.'

  'No,' Celine agreed, a twinkle in her eye.

  'So, he chatted you up in the Jacuzzi.'

  'No, in the snack bar. We got into the habit of having a coffee after the session. One morning the bar was shut and I invited him back here.'

  Marina's eyes widened. 'You little hussy! I didn't know you had it in you!'

  'Me neither,' Celine admitted. 'I hadn't intended it to turn into a full-blown affair but, well, Kevin can be very persuasive.'

  'I bet he can.'

  'It was nice to feel attractive and sexy again.'

  Marina leaned forward. 'So is he good?'

  'Marina!' Celine cried but she was smiling. 'He's great.'

  'So what happens now? I don't suppose he's going to leave Eileen?'

  'Of course not, I wouldn't want him to. No, it's over. I feel quite ashamed of myself.'

  'Oh, for God's sake, you are only human,' Marina said matter-of-factly.

  'It's not just about Kevin, it's my life. I've been so pathetic these past few years. I haven't done anything. I didn't even set out to have an affair. It just' — she shrugged — 'happened.'

  Marina nodded. 'I've had relationships like that too. I must say, though, I am relieved!' I was beginning to think you were heading for a nunnery. You've been on your own for so long — it's not natural.'

  Celine chuckled. 'But now you know different.'

  'Yes, thank goodness, you're normal after all.'

  'I wouldn't go that far.' Celine gave her a lopsided smile. 'I have to hand it to Eileen, she gave quite a performance. No screaming or shouting — she even apologised for interrupting our meal — and then went on to tell Daddy that I was screwing her husband.'

  Marina cringed. 'Ouch.'

  'Yeah, I felt like a teenager caught behind the bike shed.'

  'So what happened then?'

  'Brenda stormed out and Daddy and I drove home in silence. Honestly, I would have preferred it if he'd shouted at me.'

  'Hurt silence is much more effective,' Marina agreed, 'but he'll get over it. Give him time to cool off. Moving is a bit drastic though, don't you think?'

  'Ah, but you haven't heard the full story. You see, I've also been fired.'

  Marina raised her eyebrows. 'Because of the affair?'

  Celine nodded. 'Turns out my ex-boss is a distant cousin of Eileen's.'

  'God, that woman has more tentacles than an octopus. So what now?'

  'I've got myself a new job!'

  'Crikey, you don't hang about, do you?'

  'Can't afford to, but no, this was sheer luck. I was going through the situations vacant page in the Times on Thursday and found it.'

  'Not another pharmacy, I hope.'

  'Nope. It's a second-hand fashion boutique in Hopefield and as of this morning I'm going to be the manager.'

  Marina's eyes widened. 'Not Close Second?'

  'Do you know it?'

  'Well of course I know it! It's only the best second-hand shop in Dublin. My God, I get most of my clothes there these days!'

  'Well, that's great. Now I actually know one of my customers.'

  'It's the place to go for the perfect little designer number at half the price. You would be amazed at the ladies who shop there.'

  'Looks like I'm going to meet them.'

  'I hope there will be special discounts for your friends,' Marina purred.

  Celine hugged her. 'I'll do my best.'

  Marina raised her glass. 'This is great, Celine, congratulations. It's about time you got back into the rag trade. Next thing you'll be telling me you're designing again.'

  Celine's smile faded. 'Definitely not.'

  Marina tactfully changed the subject. 'But why do you have to move house? You could easily commute.'

  'The job comes with a flat over the shop and I think it might be a good idea for me to disappear for a while.'

  'Your dad will miss you.'

  Celine shook her head, her eyes dark with sadness. 'I think he'll be relieved.'

  'Rubbish, you know he's mad about you.'

  'And the feeling is mutual, which is why I have to go.' Celine stood up abruptly and brushed her hands on her faded jeans. 'Now are you going to help me pack?'

  Marina looked down in alarm at her cream linen trousers. 'Absolutely not!'

  Celine laughed. 'Then get out.'

  'Charming.' Marina drained her glass and leaned over to kiss Celine's cheek. 'When do you start?'

  'Monday, but I'm going to move into the flat tomorrow.'

  'Well, the best of luck, darling. I'll drop by during the week and you can sell me something.'

  'Ooh yes, that will impress Rose.'

  Marina tapped the side of her nose. 'Leave it to me. Before I've left she'll think you're the saleswoman of the year!'

  After Marina left, Celine went back to her packing with a lighter heart. It would be exciting to work with clothes again, especially some of the newer designs. When she'd gone for her interview this morning she'd noticed that Rose had a fair representation of Irish designers — one of whom Celine had gone to college with. It would be strange to be selling Emily Park's creations. She had her own shop on Baggot Street now and dressed some of Ireland's most famous women. Celine didn't follow fashion any more but everyone knew about Emily's meteoric rise to fame. She was a media darling and everyone's favourite success story. Celine was happy for her and not remotely jealous. She'd realised when Dermot died that all her creativity had died with him and was resigned to living an uneventful life. She smiled slightly as she cleaned out the fridge. Her life could hardly be called uneventful now that she was the scarlet woman of Killmont! But she would be happy to leave that behind, leave Kevin Gilligan behind and go back to being a shopkeeper. Although working in a clothes shop would be a lot more fun than the local pharmacy and the clientele would be more interesting too. Celine looked forward to blending into the background and watching Dublin's finest up close and personal. It would be a wonderful distraction from her own dreary life and being on the far side of Dublin from Killmont made it all the more attractive.

  Chapter 3

  Kay Flynn was on her knees picking up pieces of crayon when Marina arrived.

  'Mum, what on earth are you doing down there? Where's Josh?'

  There was a crash and the sound of breaking glass. Kay closed her eyes briefly. 'At a guess I'd say he's in the kitchen.'

  Marina hurried past. 'Josh, darling, are you all right?'

  Kay stood up and followed her, groaning inwardly when her worst fears were confirmed. Her beautiful Dublin crystal vase was in pieces on the floor.

  Marina sat her son on the kitchen table and began examining him from head to foot. 'Are you hurt, my darling?'

 
Josh took one look at the frown on his grandmother's face and burst into tears. 'It was an accident, Mummy.'

  'Of course it was, Joshie. Mummy and Granny know that, don't we, Granny?'

  Kay got back down on her knees and began to pick up shards of glass. 'Of course we do,' she muttered obediently.

  'I think some chocolate buttons will help dry those tears.' Marina smiled lovingly at her son and produced a bag from her pocket.

  Josh wiped his face on his sleeve and grabbed the bag.

  'What do you say, Josh?'

  'Thank you,' he said through a mouthful of chocolate.

  Happy that all the glass was off the floor, Kay dumped the daffodils in the bin and mopped up the water.

  'He's so brave.' Marina sat down next to him and watched her mother at work. 'Did he eat his dinner, Mum?'

  Kay thought of the food that Josh had hurled around the kitchen but decided it was easier to lie. 'He certainly did.' Josh looked up in surprise and she put her finger to her lips.

  'You are such a good boy, Joshie, and I think you are Granny's pet.'

  Pet Rottweiler, Kay thought, reaching for the kettle. 'Tea, Marina?'

  Marina shook her head. 'I don't suppose you have any Evian water?'

  Kay nodded towards the tap. 'There's plenty in there.'

  'Oh, Mum!' Marina gave a tolerant laugh. 'Well, maybe a cup of weak tea then.'

  'How's work?' Kay asked as she fetched two mugs.

  'Not great but I'm modelling in the Penney's fashion show tomorrow night.'

  Kay tensed. 'Tomorrow's my book club night.'

  'Oh, that's okay, Katie is going to baby-sit.'

  'Don't like Katie,' Josh piped up.

  'Of course you do, darling. Katie's a lovely girl.'

  Josh's bottom lip trembled. 'Don't like her.'

  Kay rolled her eyes as her daughter gathered him into her arms.

  'Don't cry, darling! You don't have to stay with Katie if you don't want to. But if you do, Mummy will bring you back a special present.'

  Josh stopped crying. 'What?'

  Marina hugged him. 'It will be a surprise. Okay?'