Beneath an Irish Sky (Choc Lit) (37 page)

‘He’s a good man, Jessie,’ Luke told her. ‘Mam and me – we were told so many lies. And so was he.’

‘The others will be here in a minute,’ said Kate. ‘They’re finishing lunch. I just got here and found Jessie.’

‘She’s a good lass,’ said Jessie. ‘I looked at her palm. And I know folk. Can see what they’re like. Ye won’t find anyone who’ll love ye more.’

Luke smiled. ‘I know that, Jessie.’

Jessie looked sad. ‘But ye won’t be a Traveller anymore.’

‘I’ll always be me, Jessie. I won’t change. Bein’ a Traveller will always be part of me.’

‘Like I promised you, Jessie,’ said Kate, ‘he’ll never need to change for me.’

Jessie reached out and squeezed her hand. ‘As long as ye make him happy, nothin’ else matters.’

‘Jessie!’ Emer looked shocked as she entered the room, followed by Jack and Matt. ‘Jack, Matt – this is Jessie Reilly, Annie’s friend.’

Jack must have been aware of what Jessie’s opinion of him had been, but he seemed undaunted by it as he thrust out his hand. ‘Mrs Reilly,’ he said, ‘I want to thank you for everything you did for my wife and son. Without you, their lives would have been … even worse than they were.’

Jessie said nothing, but looked directly at Jack. She was weighing him up. Luke had seen her do this before. It was like she could tap into someone’s soul. Eventually, she took his still outstretched hand, and spoke. ‘She loved ye. Ye were the only man for her. The first, and the only.’

‘And I loved her,’ said Jack, his voice breaking. ‘I loved her so much. If only she’d been able to tell me … if only she’d come back, long before she had to write that letter.’

Jessie still had hold of Jack’s hand. It looked like he’d passed the test.

‘There was too much stoppin’ her. Family is important to us Travellers. She didn’t want to break yours – or for ye to suffer knowin’ what your own da’ had done. She loved ye too much for that. And she didn’t want to have to face the man who did it to her. She didn’t know if ye’d blame her – some men do. She didn’t know if the child was his – that maybe he would have taken him away from her. She thought ye were likely his da’ but couldn’t be sure. It wasn’t her fault. She was just so shocked and confused. And ashamed.’

‘I’d have supported her,’ said Jack. ‘I’d have done what I’m doing now – my father committed a crime, and should pay the same penalty anyone else does.’

‘And she knew that was somethin’ else that might happen,’ said Jessie, ‘and she didn’t want that either – to have to talk about it to people, stand up in a court of law and say what happened. A Traveller girl takin’ on a man as rich and powerful as him? It was hard enough for her to tell me, let alone go through all that.’

‘But she told her brothers,’ said Jack, his head down.

‘She told Liam. They’d been close before he had that accident. When she got that letter, well it finished her. He found her cryin’ and got it all out of her.’

Jessie let go of Jack’s hand then, but not before she’d patted it. The room was silent for a while, as everyone thought about what had been said. When Jack lifted his head, his face was wet with tears. ‘Finally,’ he said. ‘Finally, we know it all.’

It was the beginning of July and summer had come to Baronsmere. Fields of ripening barley shimmered silver in the sunlight, and the gardens were a riot of colour. Emer drove slowly along the country lanes, drinking in the tranquillity. Memories of her childhood in rural Mayo filled her thoughts. What a long way she’d come since then. So much passion, so much grief, so much
life.

Now here she was in this little English village, about to be reunited with the two men she’d met barely three months ago but who’d woven themselves tightly into the fabric of her life. She’d suffered through their traumas with them, shared the pain and frustration of their discord, but was now visiting them in better times.

After Luke had been discharged from hospital, Jack took his sons to Antibes for a month. The Ingrams, Caroline’s parents, had invited them, wanting to meet their new grandson. It was gratifying to hear how they had welcomed Luke into their lives. Maggie told Emer they’d appreciated the love Annie had given Matt, and there was no question they would have treated Luke as their own grandchild had Annie remained in Baronsmere.

Emer rounded the corner and caught a glimpse of the familiar house through the trees. It wasn’t a given she’d end up with Jack Stewart, but they’d both had their share of sorrow. Perhaps they’d earned this final chance at love.

‘Another four hot dogs, please,’ requested Tim, holding out his plate. He had ketchup on his T-shirt, today’s slogan suggesting ‘Try my buns.’

‘Bloody hell, Leighton!’ exclaimed Jack, as he served up the food. ‘Where do you put it all? You’re thin as a rake.’

‘It goes straight to the brain,’ Tim told him. ‘It’s hard work being a genius.’

‘Tell me about it,’ agreed Al as he moved next to Tim. ‘Two more veggie burgers, please, Jack.’

‘Since when did you start eating that crap?’ asked Tim. ‘A man needs real meat.’

‘They’re for Abbie,’ explained Al. ‘The new love of her life doesn’t eat meat. Odd that, for a farmer’s son.’

They looked over in the direction of the bench near the lake, where Abbie was resting her head on the shoulder of a stocky young man with tattoos decorating his muscly arms.

‘Where did she find
him
?’
asked Tim.

‘Hadleigh Fayre. He won a prize.’

‘What for? Tossing the caber?’

‘Biggest turnip, I think.’

‘Sounds about right.’

They wandered off, giving Jack a chance to restock the barbecue. He was running low on drumsticks.

‘I’ll take over for a bit if you like, Jack,’ said Barbara Hayes.

‘Thanks, Barb,’ he said. ‘I’ll just get more supplies.’

‘Lovely barbecue,’ she said, as she took his place at the grill. ‘So nice to see everyone together. Thanks for inviting us.’

‘It was all Maggie and Claire’s doing,’ he told her. ‘We knew nothing about it till the doorbell started ringing.’

‘He looks well.’

Jack followed Barbara’s gaze. Luke was seated on the grass, Ollie splayed at his feet. He was laughing with Kate, their happiness evident. He was recovering well, physically and mentally, after the shock of learning what Nicholas had done. Despite his own pain, though, Luke recognised Jack had lost his parents, maybe even in worse circumstances than he’d lost Annie. At least Luke had his memories. It had fallen to Matt to try and raise their spirits, even though he too was still suffering from the shock of it all.

However, the slow pace of the summer sun and the kindness of the Ingrams had helped to cushion the blow for all of them. Luke had spent many hours on the phone to Kate, who had been invaluable to his recovery, but he was still extremely vulnerable and Jack had frequent moments of protectiveness towards him. He’d have felt like that even if the DNA test hadn’t confirmed that Luke was indeed his son. It did seem, though, that the worst was over – for all of them.

Kate looked up at that moment and smiled at Jack. She’d been through a lot, too. She was still living at Tim’s, blaming her mother for much of what had happened, both now and in the past. Lord and Lady Leighton, back from their cruise and likely to turn up at the barbecue, had told her their home was her’s for as long as she needed. Luke wanted her to move in with him, but taking a leaf from Emer’s book, Kate was giving the Stewart men some time together.

Jack’s progress to the kitchen suddenly halted. Walking towards him was Emer, carrying a plate of chicken, a smile lighting up her face. The afternoon was truly complete.

‘I come bearing gifts,’ she said. ‘More drumsticks, Chef?’

‘Well,’ Jack said, as she stopped in front of him, ‘you kept this quiet.’

‘I’m not one to spoil a surprise. Maggie called me a few days ago, but I wasn’t sure I could make it.’

‘So glad you did,’ said Jack, pulling her close. Without breaking their kiss, he took the plate she was clutching and held it out to the side so their bodies touched. Someone took the plate from his hand and Jack heard Matt murmur, ‘Get a room, you two.’

Eventually Jack and Emer had to come up for air but still stood there, eyes locked on each other. The sounds of the barbecue around them seemed distant. They could have been on the moon for all Jack cared.

‘How was the holiday?’ Emer asked.

‘It was good. It was … healing.’ He stroked her cheek. ‘I’ve missed you. That ban you imposed on us seeing each other …’

‘Was essential. You had to focus on Luke.’

‘I know,’ he said. ‘And you were right … as usual. And right about Luke. He’s a great kid.’

She smiled and they were about to move in for another kiss when they heard the tinkle of cutlery against glass. Jack looked round as Matt called, ‘Can I have everyone’s attention, please. We’ve an announcement to make … Dad?’

An hour or so earlier, Jack and his boys had agreed this afternoon was as good a time as any to announce their plans. Everyone they cared about was there, and Tony Hayes’ presence ensured that the news would be broadcast around the rest of Baronsmere and the neighbouring villages in no time.

Jack walked over to Matt and motioned to Luke to join them. It felt good to stand there with his sons beside him, Emer close at hand, and the sun shining down on their celebration.

‘Thanks to everyone for coming,’ he began. ‘And thanks to Maggie and Claire for organising everything.’

‘Hear, hear!’ shouted Tim, putting an arm around Maggie and planting a kiss on her cheek.

‘The boys and I have something to tell you,’ Jack continued, ‘and it might come as a bit of a shock.’ He hesitated. ‘We’re leaving Baronsmere. Leaving England, in fact.’

‘When?’

‘Why?’

‘Where are you going?’

‘For good?’

‘What about the house?’

That last question came from Barbara, and Jack decided to answer it first. ‘The house is going to be in good hands – Claire is taking it over. She has some great plans for making it a short-term foster home, and Maggie will stay and help her – although the offer is there for them to come with us, whenever they want.’

‘What a great idea!’ said Barbara, giving Claire a hug. Claire flushed with all the sudden attention and Jack watched her anxiously. She should ultimately flourish without Richard, but the news that Gavin had decided to go with his father to Hong Kong had hit her hard. He hoped her new project would distract her until she was emotionally stronger.

‘Where are you
going, Jack?’ asked Dave, who looked more than a little sad. They’d been friends since they were kids and Jack would miss him.

‘I’ve bought a small hotel in Ireland – about ten miles from Glendalough in Wicklow,’ Jack said. ‘Before we went to France, we checked it out. Matt’s going to help me run it, and Luke’—he put his arm round his younger son’s shoulders—‘well, Luke is going to study with the aim of eventually qualifying as a vet. So, those are our plans. And we hope you’ll all visit us … at special rates of course.’

‘Bags first visit!’ cried Tim. ‘You’ll need help with the décor.’

‘Not a chance!’ responded Matt. ‘I don’t think the locals are ready for gold lamé seats and strobe lights yet.’

‘What about you, Kate?’ asked Barbara. ‘Are you going, too?’

Kate nodded, and smiled at Luke. ‘Yes, of course. Not right away, though. I’ll finish my degree, and Abbie and I are going to share a flat in Manchester for a while. I’ll miss him, but I want Luke to spend time with Jack and Matt and I don’t want to distract him from his studies.’

‘So,’ said Jack, ‘that’s it really, except to say a big thank you to everyone for supporting us these last few months. We couldn’t have got through them without you. Now – please – eat, drink, and be merry!’

Luke eased himself discreetly out of the circle of people surrounding Jack and clamouring for more details about the hotel. He preferred to let his father do the talking – he was still trying to come to terms with the dramatic changes in his life. He’d been stunned when Jack first suggested they move to Ireland – it seemed too good to be true. Perhaps things wouldn’t work out, but he was determined to give it his best shot. A future was opening out before him and it felt good.

‘Hello, you.’

Emer was holding a plate stacked with three hot dogs. ‘Please tell me those aren’t for me,’ he said with a grin.

‘Oh yes, they are. You’ve got to eat them – Maggie’s orders.’

Luke gave a mock groan. ‘She’s always tryin’ to feed me up. Matt says I should wear three T-shirts at once so she’ll think I’ve put weight on.’

‘You’re looking well,’ Emer told him.

‘I feel well, Emer. The break was good.’ The holiday had given him some much-needed time to sort out his feelings about Jack, and to come to terms with the nightmare his mother’s life had been. Despair had loomed frighteningly close at times, but he’d eventually realised there was nothing else for him to do but soldier on and make something of himself, for her sake. This resolve, hard won, had finally brought him some sort of closure.

‘So – how does it feel to be going home – this time, with your family?’

‘Grand,’ he said, looking across at his father and Matt who were posing together for a photograph. ‘It’ll be good. You’ll come to visit – soon – won’t you?’

Luke had been touched by the way she had distanced herself from Jack for the past weeks – such a selfless gesture. He wanted nothing more than for her and Jack to become a permanent couple.

‘For sure I’ll visit,’ Emer said. ‘Once you’re all settled in.’

Luke suddenly felt a surge of anxiety. ‘We’re doin’ the right thing, aren’t we, Emer? I feel bad that we’ll be in Ireland and Mam’ll be here … but Maggie and Claire have promised to look after her – well, you know, the grave.’

Emer’s expression softened and he felt her deep affection for him. ‘Luke, your mam would want you to do whatever makes you happy,’ she said. ‘She’ll be with you anyway, wherever you go.’

Her words comforted him. Luke reached forward and gave her a hug. ‘Thank you, Emer – for everything.’

She’d been there for him in the hospital when he’d needed reassurance, and she’d helped Jack piece together the past. She’d done her very best to make them both whole again. That father and son were now getting along was largely due to her. She was wonderful, and Luke loved her.

Emer held his shoulders gently, tears in her eyes. ‘You did most of it yourself, Luke. And it took great courage. I’m so proud of you. You’ve come such a long way.’

Luke smiled and glanced over at Kate, who was bouncing Tony Hayes’ toddler granddaughter on her lap. ‘And the best is yet to come.’

He wished he could bottle this moment, keep it fresh forever. The warmth of the afternoon sun, the chatter of friends and family, the welcome future that beckoned. He silently absorbed it all then offered it up with love and gratitude to Annie Kiernan.

The afternoon slowly merged into evening at Jack’s house by the lake. Emer watched the man she loved as he chatted and laughed. He seemed in his element, freed at last from the heavy weight of the Stewart family’s obligations. They met up later by the drinks table on the patio, and Jack poured them both some wine.

‘What a great day!’ he said, his enthusiasm making him seem touchingly boyish.

‘For sure,’ Emer said. ‘And you are going to be so missed when you go.’

‘I’ll miss them, too. But I’m looking forward to Ireland … especially since you and I will finally be living in the same country.’

His words touched the chords of her passion, but she tried hard to stay focused. ‘True, but – don’t take this the wrong way, Jack – we need to wait. It’s still on ice – for now.’

‘Ice has a habit of melting,’ said Jack, moving closer so that she could feel the warmth of his body.

‘Just be patient.’ Her advice was directed as much to herself as to Jack. ‘You’ve got so much catching up to do with Luke. And you’re still grieving for Annie.’

He sighed. ‘I loved her, Emer, but she’s gone and I did most of my grieving twenty years ago. I know what you’re saying, but I’ll never fully get over what happened and the circumstances of her leaving, even if we wait another twenty years.’

‘It won’t be that long, I promise. And it’s more about Luke than it is about Annie. I just don’t want you to have any distractions. Let him see he’s a priority. Really get to know him … Jack, what’s going to happen to your father?’

‘I’m taking legal advice. If I had my way, he’d be treated just like any other rapist, but it was more than twenty years ago and the key witness is dead. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it could get messy when the Kiernans go to trial. They’re almost certain to talk. I’ll try to go after Richard, too – for theft and forgery. Claire wants me to do that.’ Jack sighed. ‘I’m just going to take each day as it comes.’

Emer nodded. ‘It’s all you can do, I suppose.’

‘I don’t want to think about it, to be honest. It’s bad enough that we’re going to have to testify at the Kiernan’s trial. It’s going to be hard for Luke, especially. It’s not something he wants to do at all.’

‘Travellers are generally very loyal,’ said Emer. ‘It’s a pity Luke’s uncles weren’t more typical.’

‘Perhaps because of that, other Travellers will understand him testifying against them,’ suggested Jack.