Beneath an Irish Sky (Choc Lit) (7 page)

He’d be leaving Dublin soon. Leaving Emer. And he was suddenly sad about that. He had to find out if she felt something for him, if there was anything here to build on. And he had to do that soon. Tomorrow’s dinner might be his last chance alone with her. He’d pull out all the stops. Impress her. Woo her. Let her see the Jack Stewart he used to be before Annie Kiernan broke his heart.

Luke’s anger lasted well into the night. He woke from dreams filled with violent memories. Fists and boots hurting his body. Annie screaming. She’d warned him enough times not to react, but he knew best. As always. And where were his uncles now? Maybe returning to an empty house and a missing car. Going to England was the right decision. Joe and Liam would never expect him to go to Jack’s house because, in their minds, that would be like supping with the devil. He wasn’t safe here, though, in Dublin. He
had
to get out of this hospital. That feeling of desperation made Luke beg the doctor next morning to discharge him.

‘If your test results are good, Luke, then we’ll let you go tomorrow, but you’ll need to follow up with your family doctor. Head trauma needs careful monitoring.’

The doctor had no idea Luke’s health was more at risk if he stayed.

Luke forced himself to keep going on his crutches. He was walking a slow circuit of the first floor, trying to build his strength up. Six days since the accident and the pain was no better. Bruised ribs weren’t as bad as broken ones, the doctor had said. Luke would have to take his word for that. He’d rested as best he could, but today he felt closed in. He hated being cooped up. When they’d moved to the house in Ennis, it was like being put in a cage.

‘Ten to one, I’d say.’

Luke glanced up to see a smiling Emer, standing at the entrance to the cafeteria. ‘Are you takin’ bets on me?’ he asked, resting on his crutches.

‘Well, you’re getting speedier there … I thought you might be in training.’

He laughed despite the pain from his ribs. ‘If I was a horse, I’d be a rank outsider. You wouldn’t want to bet on me.’

‘Oh, I think I’d take a risk. Outsiders can surprise you. So … are you a betting man, Luke?’

‘No,’ he said. ‘A horses man. Often helped prepare them for fairs.’

‘I’d like to hear about that. Have you time in your training schedule for a drink?’

‘That’d be grand,’ Luke replied, and she held the door open and told him to find a seat. He chose a spot near the window, away from the groups of chattering visitors, and watched Emer as she queued at the till. Her red hair was loose and it curled round her face. She looked lovely. He wanted to tell her that, but he was too shy. It would come out all wrong, as if he fancied her. Well, he did a bit, but his chances there were zero. He was just a little Traveller, not that experienced with women. He’d never get a backward glance from someone like Emer. No point in making an eejit of himself by trying. It was enough that she seemed to like his company. When she came to the table, she brought two bottles of apple juice and an iced doughnut. ‘They were out of oats, so I got you this instead.’

He accepted it gratefully. His walk had given him an appetite.

‘So, tell me about you and horses,’ said Emer.

‘Horses are a big part of Traveller life,’ he told her. ‘Never owned one myself, though I did get to ride a thoroughbred once that eventually sold for a packet. Windtalker, his name was. Rode him along the beach at Doolin, just as the tide was comin’ in. No one around but us. I wanted it to last forever …’ He stopped, lost in the memory of a time when he’d been truly content. It didn’t seem to happen that often.

‘It sounds magical,’ said Emer. ‘Would you like to work with horses?’

Luke sighed. ‘Sure, but no owner would let a Traveller near their stables. When I was a kid, some who weren’t too bigoted would let me help out, but it changed as I got older. Probably scared I’d do a moonlight flit with the horses. Suppose you couldn’t blame them. I wouldn’t steal, but those who do give us a bad name.’

‘I saw Jack. He told me you’re going back with him. Maybe you could find something with horses when you get there.’

It was a nice thought, but he’d learned not to hope for too much. It saved disappointment later. ‘Yeah … well, we’ll see.’

‘How are you feeling about England, Luke?’

‘It’s somewhere to go. For now.’

‘It could be a lot more than that,’ said Emer. ‘A chance to meet your brother, and other family too. Might be a good thing.’

And it might be a disaster, but he didn’t say that. Emer was trying to be optimistic, so he wouldn’t spoil it. He swallowed the last of his juice and started to pick at the label. ‘Well anyway, I’m not goin’ with any expectations.’

‘Maybe that’s best – not to have any preconceived ideas.’

‘It’ll be strange, though. I’ve never been out of Ireland. Had a passport for over two years since me and some other lads decided we’d take off and see the world. Mam was all for it, but when it came to it, I couldn’t leave her to fend for herself.’

‘You and your mother were leaving, though. Why was that?’

He didn’t answer for a moment. Didn’t want to talk about it. Didn’t want to think about it. ‘Just a fresh start. It’s hard to get work when people find out you’re a Traveller. Thought it might be better in Wales.’

‘Did you never want to go to England? To find your father and confront him?’

‘Sometimes, but if I suggested it, Mam would get stressed.’ Actually, he’d often dreamed about going to England and shoving that letter down Jack Stewart’s throat. Pity he’d left it behind. With everything else. He would get round to confronting Jack about it, though. Once he felt stronger and his stay in England was near an end.

‘What happened to her, Luke – to both of you – after she left England?’

A lot he didn’t want to talk about. He’d not lie to Emer, though – just not mention it. ‘We lived with a group of Travellers. My grand-da and my uncles were on the road too, but not always with us. We shared a van with an old woman called Jessie who took Mam in when I was two. We saw Grand-da every so often, then he had his first stroke. Mam and I moved in with him to take care of him. He refused to go into hospital since my Gran died in one. Somethin’ went wrong when she had my Mam. Eventually, the Settled Housing Scheme got us a house in Ennis. Jessie stayed close by us – in a haltin’ site. She thought of my mam as her daughter.’

‘You don’t talk much about your uncles or want them to know where you are. Why is that, Luke? Do you not think they should be at the funeral?’

‘They wouldn’t give a damn!’ He was annoyed with himself for raising his voice, and the lull in the chatter around them made him flush with embarrassment. ‘They’re workin’ away somewhere, anyway. Probably couldn’t make it. Besides, Mam’s goin’ to be buried in England. Her devoted husband’s idea.’

If Emer noticed the contempt in his voice when he spoke about Jack, she ignored it. She reached into her pocket and handed him a card. ‘My mobile number. Call if you need help or advice, okay? Or even just someone to talk to. Your mother’s funeral is a huge deal. Don’t feel you have to be strong. You can call me and let it all out if you need to.’

‘Thanks.’ He picked up the card and stared at it. Did she always give this out? Maybe she just felt sorry for him.

‘Are you okay, Luke?’

‘Yeah,’ he lied. ‘Just thinkin’. I’d like to say somethin’ at the funeral, but I don’t know what. I’ve never talked in public before. How can you really sum up a person – a whole life – with a few words and some bits of music?’ He shook his head. ‘Mam was a really special person, but the Stewarts couldn’t see that. Not good enough for them. They made her feel like nothin’.’

‘Just say what’s in your heart, Luke, and you won’t go wrong. Let them know how special she was.’

He nodded. ‘I wish you could have known Mam,’ he said. ‘I think you’d have liked each other.’

Emer smiled. ‘I’m sure we would. And thank you. I take that as a great compliment … You know, after the funeral, I hope you’ll finally be able to do the things you want. Maybe use that passport to travel. Right now, you can’t think of enjoying yourself, but eventually you will. You shouldn’t feel guilty. You need to know that.’

‘Maybe. Mam would probably agree with you. She used to worry I wasn’t doin’ the same as other lads, havin’ a girlfriend and all.’ Why had he said that? Too much information. Now he was blushing. Emer would think he was a freak. Maybe that was for the best. The facts about his limited experience with the opposite sex weren’t something he wanted to remember. Or share.

‘So there’s no one special in your life?’

‘No, it wasn’t exactly easy. No Traveller girls around my age where we lived. And settled people weren’t acceptable.’ He didn’t mention that he would never have wanted to take a girl home in case she witnessed his uncles being abusive.

‘Don’t worry,’ said Emer, with a smile. ‘The girls in England love an Irish accent, and eyelashes like yours will have them queuing up.’

He grinned. ‘Sounds like I’ll need my own confessional.’

She smiled back, and Luke wished she could be there, in England. She made him feel special. ‘Will you see me off tomorrow, Emer?’

‘You bet,’ she replied, and he felt the unfamiliar glow of an inner satisfaction. The list of people he trusted was very short. It would be good to add another name to it.

‘Your drink, sir.’ The waiter in the hotel restaurant served a glass of twenty-one-year-old single malt, which was Jack’s reward to himself for a day spent battling bureaucracy. The paperwork required to transport a body from one country to another was unbelievable. Taking Annie back to Ennis would have been much simpler.

‘Would you like to order, sir?’

‘Not yet. I’ll wait for my guest.’

Jack had gone all out to impress Emer, like he’d resolved to do during last night’s post-nightmare drinking session. He’d taken the time today to buy a charcoal-grey Armani suit and some silver and onyx cufflinks. He’d given the
maître d’
a hefty tip to get a window table at such short notice. The view of Dublin by night was breathtaking.

A vaulted ceiling rose above him, and a live quartet playing Mozart added to the genteel ambience. This was Jack’s turf. He felt comfortable surrounded by the luxury and good taste money could buy. In his experience, women usually appreciated men who could provide them with the finer things in life. That certainly seemed to be the case with the blonde at a nearby table who’d been coyly making eye contact with him since he sat down.

‘I think she’s spoken for. That man at the bar is looking daggers at you.’

Emer slipped into the seat opposite and Jack almost spilled his drink. She’d caught him making eyes at another woman … a great start to the evening. He’d have to be extra attentive to atone.

And being attentive wasn’t a problem because Emer looked stunning. Her silver and black dress showed an enticing amount of cleavage, but the
pièce de résistance
was her auburn curls caught up in a number of diamanté combs. Some tendrils had escaped – any second now, he’d have to reach out and twine them back in.

‘Are you thinking that I clean up nicely?’ she asked.

He’d been staring too much, but her tone was playful. ‘It’s certainly a change from jeans,’ Jack said, pouring her a glass of water.

‘It is that. Hospitals and high heels just don’t go together, but I enjoy dressing up when I can. Thanks for inviting me. It’s the first time I’ve been in here.’

‘No, thank
you
, Emer. I don’t know how I’d have got through this week without you.’ He basked in the glow of her smile. ‘You’ve been so supportive – a dinner doesn’t really seem to cover it.’

‘It’s more than enough, believe me, especially given these prices. I’d have been happy with a pub meal.’

It felt like she’d thrown his wealth back in his face. ‘Well, there’s still time,’ he said, an edge to his voice. ‘We could change back into our jeans and go to the pub on the corner.’

‘What are you talking about?’ Emer was clearly startled. ‘I’m staying right here. I might never get this chance again.’

Jack had overreacted and she didn’t deserve his heavy sarcasm. ‘Sorry – it’s just I wanted this evening to be special.’

‘It
is
special,’ she said, her eyes kind. ‘And I love all this. I’m not used to it, that’s all. Sorry if I put my foot in it.’

Jack shook his head. ‘You didn’t. It’s my fault. I was oversensitive. If you have a bit of money, you’re often criticised, whatever you do with it. My family’s company provides jobs and donates a lot to charity but some people just can’t forgive a nice car or an overseas vacation or a meal in a good restaurant.’

Emer was listening but she stayed quiet. He was just making things worse. ‘I’m coming across as a privileged whiner,’ he said. ‘I need to shut up, don’t I?’

She smiled. ‘Jack, I don’t judge people by their money or lack of it. Money can do a lot of good in this world, but I’m more interested in who a person is and what they believe in, rather than what they have.’

She looked deep into his eyes and her expression showed him this was her truth. She’d accept his financial generosity but not compromise herself for it. The difference between Emer and Sarah was startling. Sarah knew the price of everything and had to have the very best that money could buy. Annie had been the opposite – nervous around too much wealth. Emer, though, could dine in a fancy restaurant or share a sandwich on a rooftop, and she’d be okay with both.

The waiter suddenly swooped over, notebook in hand. ‘Are you ready to order?’

‘Have you got any humble pie?’ asked Jack.

‘Er …’

Emer’s laughter was a welcome sound. The evening was back on track.

‘I think I’ve just died and gone to heaven,’ said Emer, after savouring the last mouthful of her white and dark chocolate raspberry tart. ‘A-ma-zing.’

Jack was grinning. He’d finished his lemon tart first so had watched as she communed with her dessert. ‘And I thought that was a myth,’ he said. ‘About women and chocolate.’

‘No myth. Women and chocolate are the best of pals. Mr Cadbury has never let me down yet.’

‘Perhaps I should have had this gift-wrapped in chocolate.’ Jack took something out of his pocket and set it down on the table near Emer’s glass.

It was a Tiffany blue box tied up with a white ribbon. Something she’d only seen before in movies. Her heart skipped a beat.

‘Open it,’ encouraged Jack. ‘It’s the second part of my thank you.’

Speechless, she did as he asked, gently pulling at the ribbon and lifting the lid of the box. Inside was an amber drop pendant – an exact match for the earrings she’d been wearing the other day. This was a man who paid attention to details. Her fingers gently stroked the smooth gem. ‘Oh, Jack … it’s beautiful. Thank you so much.’

His smile of pleasure was genuine, not smug. ‘Amber’s called the lucky stone, you know.’ He cleared his throat. ‘I’d really like to see you again, Emer … I mean, after I’m back in England … Is that something you’d want, too?’

It was the hesitation and uncertainty in his voice more than the expensive gift that decided Emer. ‘When the funeral’s over and Luke’s feeling stronger, I’d like to see you again. Very much.’

Lord knows how they’d manage to get a relationship going when they lived on different islands. Maeve would be pleased, though. No doubt she’d put the success of the evening down to her words of wisdom and choice of dress.