Beneath an Irish Sky (Choc Lit) (25 page)

‘Luke, please …’ Maggie was crying, and Luke’s expression softened slightly.

‘Maggie, it’s just not workin’. I’ll go in the mornin’.’ He turned to Jack. ‘And if you don’t want to hear about the cheque and letter from me, you might just read about them in the newspapers. You’ll find this trash is hard to get rid of.’

With that threat, he left the room. Maggie dropped down into a chair. ‘Do you think it’s true, Jack? That Nicholas tried to buy Annie off? It might explain …’

Jack shook his head as if to wake himself from some stupor. ‘His mother filled his head with God knows what. She obviously lied about me writing to her – who’s to say she didn’t lie to him about this, too?’

‘He says he saw the cheque, though,’ Matt reminded him, ‘and you not believing him pushed him over the edge.’

‘Come on, Matt. He can’t expect to drop a bombshell like that without knowing we’d want proof.’

‘It might be unreasonable, but I think he just wanted one show of unconditional support – and if what he says is true, then this has been simmering away and was bound to boil over at some point. If he takes this to the press, they’ll have a field day.’

‘It’ll be his word against Nicholas’s,’ said Jack.

‘Unless he’s still got the cheque.’

Jack and Matt stared at each other. That was an uncomfortable thought.

Luke sat by his bedroom window, packed carrier bags at his feet. He could hear dishes clanking as Maggie prepared breakfast, then he saw Jack leave for work. Sometime later, Maggie left for the supermarket. Matt would still be sleeping. It was safe now to get some tea and wait for Kate.

Except it wasn’t safe because Matt was in the kitchen. No chance of escape, either. He’d looked up the minute the door opened. ‘Hey, bro – tea or coffee?’

‘Tea … thanks,’ mumbled Luke.

With any luck Kate would arrive soon. The last thing Luke needed was an awkward conversation with Matt. He was done talking to the Stewarts.

‘You waiting for a bus or what?’ asked Matt, glancing round at him. ‘Take a pew.’

Luke remained standing. ‘Kate’s pickin’ me up. We’re stayin’ at Tim’s for a bit.’

Matt turned round, disappointment on his face. Luke felt a pang of sadness. Leaving his brother was going to be tough.

‘Luke, I know Granddad was out of order last night. He always has to feel he’s in control …’

‘Well, he’s not goin’ to control me.’

Matt nodded, looking thoughtful. ‘Why did you go to that meeting?’

It seemed more question than accusation. Maybe Luke could win Matt over. ‘Matt, people are goin’ to be forced out of their homes so’s Stewart Enterprises can build high-rise eyesores for profit –
and
ruin a beautiful area in the process. I don’t agree with that.’

‘I understand that – really I do, but there are others ready to try and stop it. Why do you have to be one of them?’

‘Why shouldn’t I be?’

‘Don’t play dumb, Luke – you know why. Look what’s happened already. A big argument, and you’re moving out.’

‘I didn’t start the argument.’

‘Well, in a way you did – by going to the meeting.’

‘I have a right to choose what I do.’

‘We’re just going round in circles …’

They were interrupted by a click. Saved by the electric kettle. Matt finished making the tea, then sat down at the table and pushed a cup in Luke’s direction. Luke stayed where he was by the door. ‘Don’t go, Luke.’ Matt was almost pleading. ‘I know it’s not been easy, but these things take time. We all need to get to know each other and learn how to live together.’

It was time for honesty. ‘I don’t think I
can
learn to live with Jack. I don’t think I want to.’

‘Could you at least give it a try for a few more days?’

Luke tutted in frustration. ‘I’m sick of tryin’! Every time I do, I get accusations flung in my face – I stole a necklace, I’m not Jack’s son, I’m turnin’ people against the family. What’s it to you, anyway? You’re busy and not around much. I’ve had enough. I’m sorry but I’m leavin’.’

‘Did you mean what you said yesterday,’ asked Matt, ‘about going to the press?’

‘If people push me too far, I will.’

‘I don’t think that’s a good idea …’

Luke bristled. ‘Course you don’t! What you want is for everyone to bow down and do as they’re told.’

‘No, Luke. That isn’t what I meant,’ said Matt. ‘If you get in the papers, your uncles might track you down.’

Fear settled at the back of Luke’s neck like a cold hand. He hadn’t thought about Joe much lately. Could he really find him? Especially if he was no longer staying at Jack’s. He spoke with more bravado than he actually felt. ‘I guess that’s a risk I’ll have to take.’

‘Well then, it’s a risk we’re all taking. Including Kate. Remember, there’s thirty thousand euros still in the safe in my room. If your uncles are looking for it, the trail could lead to us eventually.’

‘I was tryin’ to get rid of it when you stopped me, Matt! Bring it here and I’ll burn it – end of problem.’

Matt shook his head. ‘That’s not a solution. We agreed it could be evidence. You need to keep it. And if you did burn it, your uncles wouldn’t know, would they? They’d still be looking for you. I’ve no problem with it being in the safe – our house is secure enough – but just be careful about going to the press. Okay?’

Luke stared at his brother. ‘Why do I feel you’ve backed me into a corner? I guess manipulation is a Stewart trait.’

‘If it is, you’ve inherited it!’ snapped Matt. ‘How would you describe what you threatened to do?’

‘That’s not manipulation! That’s tryin’ to get justice – for me and my mam!’

‘At any cost?’

Matt didn’t get it. How could he? He was a Stewart, one of them. Luke had been fooling himself if he believed his older brother would protect and defend him. ‘We’re never goin’ to agree. It’s best if I go.’

Matt looked disappointed. ‘At least think on what I’ve said.’

The doorbell rang. At last. Luke turned to go.

‘Take care of yourself. Call if you need me – any time. I’m still your big brother.’

‘Bye, Matt,’ mumbled Luke. ‘Thanks for everythin’.’ He didn’t look back. Couldn’t look back. How many more losses would he have to face?

‘Jack didn’t believe me.’

Kate glanced from the road to Luke’s troubled face. They were two orphans of the storm. Both at odds with their parents. Things seemed to be going from bad to worse.

‘He wanted proof even though I told him I’d seen the cheque.’

There was frustration and hurt in Luke’s voice, and no wonder. Kate was shocked to hear what Nicholas had said, but even more shocked at Jack’s failure to defend his son. ‘Why did your mother keep it?’

‘Proof he’d done it. Proof she was no gold-digger. That she couldn’t be bought.’

‘I suppose you didn’t bring it with you,’ said Kate, ‘or you’d have shown it to Jack last night.’

‘Even if I
had
brought it, I wouldn’t have let him see it. My word should be enough.’

And in an ideal world it would be. But this was real life. Where people attacked each other with cruel words.

‘Are you okay, Kate?’ Luke asked, his voice gentler now.

‘I’m fine,’ she lied, squeezing his hand. ‘Let’s hope this will all blow over.’

‘You shouldn’t be in this position, though. Fallin’ out with your mam because of me – someone you hardly know.’

She reached out and stroked his cheek. ‘I do know you. And we’re a couple now.’

He caught her hand and kissed it. ‘A right pair, more like. Both of us leavin’ home in a cob.’

As she drove along the familiar route, Kate avoided looking at the Foresters Arms, but tears still pricked her eyes anyway and she was relieved when they arrived at Leighton Hall. She rolled down the car window and aimed a remote control at the closed iron gates. They creaked open and Kate drove through.

As she parked in front of the porticoed entrance, Tim bounded down the steps, followed by Edward, the Leighton’s butler. Tim gave Kate a bony hug and Luke a reassuring slap on the back.

‘Leave your stuff in the car,’ he told them. ‘Teddy will take it in. It’s a bit of a climb.’ He indicated the flight of steps leading up to the front door. ‘No point in you overdoing it, Luke, so I’ve had the brilliant idea of putting you both in the dower cottage near the back gates. We’ll move you there this afternoon. No stairs at all, and you’ll get your privacy.’ He winked at Kate, and she felt herself blush.

‘Teddy!’ Tim called back to the butler who was emptying the car of its bags. ‘Do we still have that antique sedan chair? We could carry young Luke around in that.’

Edward’s face remained impassive. ‘I’m afraid not, sir. The chair broke three winters ago when you tried to use it as a sled on Hartswood Hill.’

Kate failed to restrain a snort of laughter at the ridiculous vision the butler’s words conjured up.

‘Ah yes, so I did,’ said Tim. ‘Thank you, Teddy.’ As they moved up the steps, Tim whispered, ‘That’s the thing about servants. They see and remember everything. Ma’s so terrified Ted’ll write a book about us that she gives him a whopping pay rise every year. I should think he earns more than your average CEO by now.’

‘She’s probably paying him to keep quiet about
you,
Tim,’ said Kate. ‘I don’t think your parents have ever done anything scandalous.’

‘Well, there was one shocking incident shortly after they were married …’ began Tim. By the time they entered the grand hall, Kate was relieved to see Luke was laughing. Tim’s warm welcome had pushed aside the pain of rejection – for now at least.

‘Thanks, Maggie. I’ll be home about seven.’

Before she hung up, Maggie made a barbed comment about Jack being lucky to have a home, unlike some people – obviously a reference to Luke. She’d phoned in a huff to tell him Luke had gone to stay with Kate at Tim’s.

Jack mulled over what Luke had said about the cheque. Knowing how much Grace and Nicholas had disapproved of Annie, there was a ring of truth about it, but it still seemed far-fetched. Not his father’s usual style. If there was a cheque, why hadn’t Annie said something? Or had this all happened while he was in Brussels?

Luke’s outburst had raised a lot of questions, but the kid was unreliable. Hot-headed and grief-stricken. The businessman in Jack wouldn’t let him throw baseless accusations around, particularly at Nicholas. They all needed to take a deep breath and step back from the brink. Having a timeout from Jack would probably be good for Luke.

And Jack would have his own timeout in – he glanced at his watch – twelve hours or so. A weekend with Emer in Ireland would be a welcome lull in this never-ending family battle.

‘Shit!’ muttered Kate. It hadn’t been the best idea to try and lock her car and keep hold of the pile of leaflets she’d just had printed, some of which now lay strewn at her feet. At least it wasn’t raining.

‘Need a hand?’

Kate looked round to see Matt bent down beside her, helping. ‘Where did you spring from?’

‘The pub,’ Matt replied. ‘Saw you through the window. I came to ask Tony if we can hold the karaoke there next week. And I’ve just ordered myself a Ploughman’s – the noise of the builders at The Foresters is doing my head in.’

‘I’ve come to give Tony these leaflets about the next protest meeting,’ Kate told him. ‘He’s on our side. Unlike my mum. Anyway, I’ve got the afternoon off now – can I join you for lunch?’

‘Cool,’ said Matt, holding open the door for her. ‘It’ll be good to catch up.’

‘I’ll be glad when you and your mum sort it out,’ said Matt, spearing a chip from Kate’s plate. ‘She’s unbearable at the moment. Finding fault with everything. I’m surprised the workmen haven’t downed tools.’

‘What do you suggest, Matt? We can’t move forward unless she changes her attitude. She objects to me being with Luke and I’m sad – ashamed – to say I think she’s a bigot.’

Matt nodded. ‘Unfortunately, I can’t disagree. And to be honest, Kate, it’s made me reassess my position. Luke’s my brother. I don’t know how to work for someone who’s so plainly against him. I’m seriously considering moving on. You know how much I’ve always wanted to run my own place eventually, maybe in Manchester.’ He winked at her. ‘Somewhere upmarket, where the girls are falling over themselves to pull the owner. And then I could give Luke a job – maybe we could even become partners.’

‘I don’t know if Luke would want that kind of work,’ said Kate. ‘He’d more likely want something outdoors, or with animals. He regrets not finishing his education.’

‘He could still do that. I just want to spend more time with him – be a proper big brother. I should have been doing more for him, fitting in around him, not expecting it to be the other way round. I want him to see the Stewarts aren’t as bad as he thinks.’

Kate picked up a spoon and put it in the sugar bowl, stirring the loose grains – it was something she’d done as a child, especially when stressed. ‘I’m sorry, Matt – I know they’re your grandparents, but Nicholas and Grace are every bit as bad as he thinks. And … and I’m having second thoughts about your dad.’

‘Hello, you two. Can I tempt you with my apple crumble?’

Barbara Hayes was in her fifties but looked younger. Kate liked Barbara. Her son, Kevin, had been one of her friends at primary school and they’d sometimes piled back here for cake and lemonade after school. Barbara had been a full-time mother as well as helping Tony in the pub, but she was always there for her three kids. Not that Sarah had been a bad mother, but she always seemed to be busy with something or other, whether work or her love life. Kate had got used to being sent for ‘holidays’ at Jack’s, where Maggie would look after her. Kate had heard it whispered more than once that her kind heart and thoughtfulness was down to Maggie, not Sarah.

‘Apple crumble sounds good to me, Barb,’ said Kate. ‘As long as it’s with that wonderful custard you make – the one you won’t let my mum have the recipe for.’

Barbara tapped the side of her nose. ‘Wild horses, Kate …’

‘Barb,’ said Matt. ‘Have you got a minute?’

After calling to Tony for the two puddings, Barbara sat down next to Kate. ‘It’s nice to get off my feet for a bit. You should have brought Luke with you. It would have been nice to see him again. I didn’t really get a chance to talk to him at the funeral. How’s he doing?’

Matt sighed. ‘Keep this to yourself, but Luke’s moved out.’

‘Ah,’ she nodded, not seeming too surprised. ‘Was that your grandparents’ doing?’

Kate gave Matt a sidelong glance. That was too near the truth – had someone been gossiping already?

‘Why do you say that?’ Matt asked.

Barbara picked up a beer mat and started tapping it lightly on the table. ‘Because they made his mother’s life a misery. Your grandparents thought Annie was the wrong class and never let her forget it.’

‘How do you mean exactly?’

Kate wanted the answer to that too, but she hoped Matt wouldn’t regret asking the question.

‘Maybe it’s not a good idea raking over the past, Matt,’ said Barbara. ‘It was all such a long time ago. It’s not really my place to say.’

‘Annie was my stepmother, and a pretty good one from what I remember. She walked out when I was four and it was as if she’d died. No one talked about her after that – I mean
really
talked about her. Now Luke’s here and I’m worried the same thing’s going to happen. I don’t want to lose him, too.’

Kate fought back the lump in her throat. Matt really cared about Luke, she knew that now. She reached out for his hand, squeezing it gently.

‘Please tell me, Barb – what did my grandparents do?’

Kate had the feeling she was going to hear things she wouldn’t like. Maybe things even Luke didn’t know. It felt a bit like she was delving, uninvited, into his background and that wasn’t a comfortable feeling. How would she feel if someone did the same to her?

Kate and Matt listened in silence as Barbara told them how Grace and Nicholas refused to attend Jack and Annie’s wedding, persuading others to opt out, too. How Grace stopped the long-standing tradition of Sunday family lunch, and refused to visit Matt at home, insisting Jack – and Jack alone – brought him to see her at Edenbridge once a week.

They heard about the time Jack took Annie to Grace’s birthday celebration. Annie took a small gift of her own as a gesture to her mother-in-law that she wanted them to get on; it was found later, unopened, in a nearby bin, so visible it was obviously intended for her to see. Then Barbara recalled how Annie had gone with Maggie to his kindergarten play because Jack was away on business. They’d been placed right at the back of the hall, away from Grace and Nicholas seated at the front.

‘If it had just been Grace on her own, I don’t think it would have been so bad,’ Barbara reflected, ‘but many took their lead from her. Ignoring Annie in the street, even crossing the road to avoid her. She did some home baking for May Day, but it was put to one side with loud comments about it being unclean. No matter what she did, those snooty bitches froze her out. And then when Annie tried to set up reading sessions for low income children, Grace used her influence with the local magistrate to put a stop to it because she said Annie wasn’t suitably qualified. I sometimes wonder if that wasn’t the final straw. She told me she was going to confront Grace about it. I don’t know if she did, but she left soon after.’

Matt looked shell-shocked. ‘Why didn’t my father do something to stop it?’ he asked.

Barbara shrugged. ‘Annie never told Jack about most of it. She hoped with time they’d accept her. Annie loved Jack – and you – very much. And he loved her. Was besotted with her. I think if he’d known everything that was going on, he’d have taken you both away. He’d have moved heaven and earth to make her happy. And she knew that. She talked to me but made me promise not to tell Jack for that very reason – she didn’t want Jack to be at odds with the family.’

‘Family is very important to Travellers,’ murmured Kate. ‘Luke told me that.’

‘Are you okay, Matt?’ asked Barbara, touching his arm. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve upset you but you wanted to know.’

‘Yes, I did,’ he reassured her. ‘And thanks for telling me.’

‘Promise me one thing, both of you,’ Barbara said as she stood up to leave. ‘Take care of Luke. I wouldn’t want Annie’s son to have to go through the same nightmare she did.’

‘We will,’ said Kate, feeling anger on Luke’s behalf and pity for Annie Kiernan. She was sick to her stomach thinking how a young girl had been treated by people Kate had known all her life, people she thought she knew. When Tony appeared and placed the apple crumbles in front of them, Kate pushed hers away. Her appetite had gone.

‘You’re right, Kate. The Stewarts
are
as bad as Luke thinks,’ said Matt, taking a half-hearted bite at the pudding. ‘My grandparents have always been snobs, but I believed they were still decent people at heart. How wrong I was.’

‘And not only that, Matt,’ said Kate, delving once more into the sugar bowl, ‘we still don’t know why Annie turned Luke against Jack. Was she angry with him for not doing more? What happened to make her leave without a word and never come back?’

Jack closed the front door behind him, feeling the Friday evening relief of the working week over and the weekend beckoning. It was Maggie’s evening off but there’d be a plate of something in the fridge to heat up. That and a cold beer and whatever was on the TV would be just great.

Jack hung up his coat and greeted the dogs. On the way to the kitchen, he heard music coming from the living room. Matt was usually at the Foresters on a Friday evening, but of course it was closed because of the renovations for the nightclub.

He went through to say hello. Matt was sprawled on the sofa, drinking a beer, watching some reality singing show. He lowered the volume.

‘What a day.’ Jack collapsed into an armchair, loosening his tie. ‘Stuck in a room with a bunch of finance people. How was yours?’

‘Stuck in a bar with a bunch of noisy builders, though I had lunch at The Feathers, with Kate.’

A seemingly innocuous remark, but Matt looked like he had something else on his mind. Since Luke’s arrival, ordinary conversations with no agenda appeared to be a thing of the past. ‘How’s Tony? Did you manage to get a word in?’

‘Didn’t see much of him. We had a long chat with Barbara, though.’

Jack was tired but supposed he should show an interest. Prepare to hear about whatever gossip was rife at The Feathers these days. ‘What did Barb have to say then?’

‘We talked about the old days.’

‘What old days?’

‘When Annie was here.’

Now Matt had Jack’s full attention. ‘I wish you hadn’t done that.’

‘Why?’ Matt’s tone was sharp. ‘She was my mother for a while – why shouldn’t I learn about her? You don’t talk about her. You’ve never wanted to. All those years ago when she left, I thought it was my fault. Maggie was the one who persuaded me it wasn’t. You always sent me to my room whenever I asked about Annie, so I learned not to.’

Jack knew there was truth in that, but putting the past behind him had been the only way he knew how to survive. He explained that now to Matt, adding, ‘If you need to know something, ask me. Best if we keep it within the family. There’s nothing anyone else can tell you about Annie that I can’t.’

‘I’m not so sure about that.’

‘What do you mean?’ It was Jack’s turn to be sharp. ‘What exactly did Barbara say?’

‘She told me about the way Gran and Granddad treated her.’

Jack shook his head. ‘God, that’s ancient history! Everyone knows they found it difficult to accept Annie. But it’s over and done with and can’t be changed. What’s the point of bringing it all up again?’

‘Because the same thing is happening to Luke, but you don’t see it. You don’t
want
to see it.’

‘Matt, I can’t force your grandparents to accept Luke. All we can do is limit his contact with them.’

‘Okay, but have you phoned Luke or gone to see him?’

‘Of course not. I’ve been at work all day.’

‘Okay then, why don’t you go over to see him now?’

‘No. I’m exhausted, Matt. Can we please talk about this tomorrow?’

‘Dad, Luke needs to know we support him right now.’ Matt was sounding impatient. ‘I’ll come with you.’

Jack sighed. ‘Matt, Luke doesn’t want to see me. He resents me – hates me even – and I haven’t done anything to deserve that.’

‘No?’ challenged Matt. ‘Hearing him called trash and saying nothing, and then having the nerve to tell him not to insult your family?’

Matt was right about that. Had things gone too far now for anything to be reclaimed? ‘I’m not going to see Luke so he can use me as an emotional punchbag.’

‘Dad, he’s your son.’

‘Maybe …’ Jack said this quietly, almost to himself, but Matt heard.

‘What did you say?’

‘I said he
may
be my son. I don’t know that for sure.’

‘I don’t believe I’m hearing this!’

‘Oh, come on, Matt. Don’t be naïve. You know it’s a possibility. Sometimes you can’t just accept things on blind faith.’ That’s what Jack had done up till now. Never raised the issue of a DNA test with Luke because the kid had been grief-stricken and injured – and partly because Jack himself was afraid to know the truth.

‘You don’t want Luke to be your son, do you? You’re really hoping he’s not. I think you’re glad he left!’

Matt’s accusations were so close to the mark. Jack had been wrestling with this dilemma on and off ever since he’d learned about Luke. If a DNA test confirmed he was Jack’s son, then there might be something to build on there. However, if the test revealed Jack wasn’t the father, then he’d have to live with the hard evidence that Annie had betrayed him. Perhaps it would be better not to continue dwelling in uncertainty, though.

‘I’m going to ask Luke to take a DNA test,’ Jack announced.

Matt’s expression was one of shock, incredulity. ‘Luke’s left home – he’s upset, he’s angry, he’s still mourning his mother, and he’s far from fit – and you want to kick him when he’s down.’

‘I need to know the truth, Matt. I need to know if Annie left me because she had an affair. It’s eating me up inside.’ It was hard for Jack to voice aloud the feelings he’d kept under wraps since he’d been hit with this whole bloody mess, but it was time for everyone to face reality. Luke might not be a Stewart.

‘So you’ll have a DNA test to make you feel better. Even if it turns Luke against you.’

Matt’s voice was dripping with contempt, and Jack almost lost his nerve. Almost. ‘Luke’s already moved out. He’s not talking to me. Now he’s involved with this protest against Stewart Enterprises. How could things get any worse?’

‘And if it turns out he’s not your son – what then?’ Matt was watching him closely.

‘He’ll still be Annie’s son. I’ll see he’s okay.’