Heartstones (28 page)

‘I’ve seen it,’ said Phoebe. ‘I thought I’d get the design printed on a baggy T-shirt for your birthday, but I doubt you wear that sort of T-shirt now.’

Nola frowned and turned her attention to Theo. ‘Do you realise there’s water pouring through that glass dome above the hallway? It’s made quite a lake on the marble floor.’

‘Oh God, has it? That’s another leak to add to the hundred others around here; I ran out of buckets long ago.’ Theo emptied apples from a fruit bowl. ‘I’ll be back in a moment.’ At the doorway to the stairs he stopped and turned to Nola. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve got half a million euro lying around to donate to the roof restoration fund, have you?’

‘If I had half a million euro lying around I wouldn’t be in the west of Ireland in the rain, would I? I’d be sunning it in the Bahamas in a luxury resort, drinking champagne, and having my feet rubbed by some gorgeous man.’

Theo shrugged. ‘OK, I just thought it was worth checking.’ He disappeared, leaving Phoebe and Nola facing each other across the wide expanse of pine.

‘Well, you’re a fast worker,’ said Nola, pushing back her chair and crossing legs that looked as though they were sprayed with denim rather than clothed in it. ‘Though it looks as though your lord of the manor is rather on his uppers at the moment. I do hope he realises that you didn’t inherit any of the family fortune.’

Phoebe contemplated her answer for a moment but the sound of her phone ringing saved her from making a decision about which enraged reply to choose.

‘Hello, Phoebe,’ Katrina’s voice was almost drowned out by the sound of singing and laughing in the background.

    ‘What’s going on? You sound like you’re in the middle of a party.’

    ‘I am. Is Fibber, he has texted everybody in Carraigmore to say that Mrs Flannigan will be coming home tomorrow, and he is so happy he is asking them come and shindig at the pub, drinks on him, and now the whole place is full and Fibber is not back yet from Tralee.’

Phoebe looked at the time on her phone. ‘But it’s not even four o’clock.’

‘I knows. Poor Honey is having to help me with the pint pulling, I have her standing on crate to get to the pump.’

‘Isn’t that illegal?’

‘Oh no; Sergeant Jackson is here and he said is fine. In fact he is learning her how to make a good head on the Guinness right now.’

‘Look, I’ll come right now and I’ll bring my sister with me. Sergeant Jackson can teach her how to make a good head on the Guinness instead.’

Phoebe put the phone back in her pocket. Nola raised her eyebrows.

‘Tell me more about Sergeant Jackson?’

‘Come on, you can see just how challenging it is to be a barmaid after all. I’m sure you’ll get a good night’s pay at the end. That should help towards the three-bedroom semi.’

‘It’s not going to damage my nails, is it? I’ve only just had them done.’

Phoebe stood up and shrugged on her jacket. ‘Are you sure you actually are Nola? My sister used to say life’s too short to bother with mascara, let alone painting her fingernails!’

‘It turned out life was longer than I thought.’

‘Well, that’s the Great Flood dealt with.’ Theo came back down the stairs. ‘And the good news is that the rain’s stopped so I don’t need to worry about the fruit bowl overflowing.

He looked at Phoebe and Nola. ‘Where are you two off to?’

‘Phoebe has me signed up to a bar job at Fibber Flannigan’s.’ Nola turned to Phoebe. ‘Will there be tips?’

Phoebe raised her eyebrows. ‘One look at you and there’ll definitely be tips, though I’d tone down the cleavage, especially if the football lads are in on the big bash. Do up a few buttons.’

‘Look who’s talking!’ Nola pointed at Phoebe’s shirt. ‘You’ve still got some of yours undone.’ She turned to Theo. ‘Are you coming to this little party at the pub?’

‘I’m not sure. I’ve got stuff to do in the studio and the kiln will soon be cool enough to open. I might come along a bit later and see if Honey wants to come home. If Fibber’s having one of his shindigs I expect Honey will be upstairs with the telly all evening, getting bored.’ Phoebe thought it best not to mention that at that moment his daughter was standing on a beer crate handing out free pints with the help of the local constabulary.

Chapter Twenty-seven

‘Oh God, I see what you mean about my cleavage,’ said Nola as she struggled with the optics – accidentally pouring a triple whiskey into a glass. ‘I’ve never seen so many leering men packed so tightly into one place – all the attention is getting rather tedious.’

‘I did warn you about the football team,’ Phoebe laughed.

‘I can’t seem to shake off that one with the sticky-out ears, he keeps asking me back to his place, says he changed the sheets …’

‘On Saturday,’ finished Phoebe. ‘Goodness knows what’s gone on in that bed since then, if the stories about him are to be believed.’

Nola shuddered. ‘Looks like you’ve already nabbed the best man in Carraigmore.’ She turned back to the bar with the glass of whiskey. ‘There doesn’t seem to be much room in there for any water,’ she told the happy customer before she turned back to Phoebe. ‘I spoke too soon, look what’s just walked through the door. I must say he is rather cute.’

Phoebe stared through the crowds to see Rory pushing his way towards the bar with his guitar. ‘He definitely won’t be leering at you,’ she told Nola with a smile.

‘Hi, Phoebe,’ Rory nodded towards Nola. ‘I heard your sister had blown in. Have you seen the boys yet? Fibber’s asked us to play a few songs to get the evening off to a good start, though by the look of things the good start got going hours ago.’

Fibber appeared, pink-faced and beaming. ‘What a grand night it is,’ he rubbed his hands together. ‘And this time tomorrow me ma will be back where she belongs – thank God for those doctors in Tralee, didn’t they perform miracles with her?’ He spotted Rory. ‘Your gang are over in the corner. Start whenever you like and make it upbeat. You know, less Snow Patrol, more Abba.’

‘Abba!’ Rory stared at him and shook his head.

Fibber turned to Nola, ‘Thanks for helping us out, you’ve been great. Would you like a drink?’

‘I’d love one,’ Nola replied. ‘I’m absolutely exhausted; it’s worse than Flu Jab Saturday at the health centre where I work.’

‘Flu Jab Saturday?’ Fibber looked confused.

‘Hundreds of geriatrics fighting it out with the asthmatics for who gets to go first in the queue.’

‘Sounds like it should be a spectator sport.’

‘This is much worse, I never knew that so much liquid could be consumed in such a short time, and remembering what everyone wants is really difficult.’

‘I told you it was challenging,’ smirked Phoebe.

‘I know just what you need, Nola.’ Fibber was already producing his silver shaker from beneath the bar. ‘One of my special Carraigmore cocktails; that’ll soon perk you up.’

‘Oh no! Nola, don’t,’ Phoebe tried to warn her.

‘That would be lovely, Fibber,’ Nola ignored Phoebe. ‘I
love
cocktails.’

Two hours later Nola was up on the stage singing a duet of “I Have a Dream” with Rory and his band. Phoebe continued to serve pint after pint while watching her sister and hoping she wouldn’t be back to Fibber for yet another cocktail.

‘Ooo, look at Britney Spears up there.’ A young man with muscles like rugby balls was standing in front of Phoebe at the bar. His pale blond hair was meticulously gelled into a dishevelled style. Swedish Jan pushed his way along the bar so that he was standing beside him, a look of puppy love on his heavily bearded face. The boy ignored Swedish Jan and waved at Rory as the song finished. Rory smiled and waved back.

‘You wouldn’t be Ben, would you?’ asked Phoebe.

‘How did you know?’

‘Lucky guess.’

‘Definitely time for a break.’ Rory appeared beside them and grinned at Phoebe. ‘Your sister can really belt them out, though I think she won’t be standing upright for that much longer, she’s plastered.’ He winked at Ben. ‘Thanks for coming,’ he said. ‘I take it you’ve met my friend Phoebe.’

Phoebe and Ben shook hands formally and Phoebe got them both a drink. Katrina squeezed past her.

‘I say to Fibber no more cocktails for your sister or she will be like you when you first come here, sick like dog!’

Phoebe gave the boys – now deep in conversation with the rest of the band – their drinks and decided to use a lull in customers to go and search for Honey; she hadn’t seen her for some time.

She found her fast asleep upstairs in the spare bed. Peeking underneath the duvet, Phoebe could see that she was still wearing the clothes she’d had on all day, including her baseball boots. Phoebe unlaced them and eased them off her feet. Her hair had fallen across her face and Phoebe gently pushed it back and kissed her forehead.

‘Good night, sweetheart,’ she whispered. It wasn’t until she was about to turn out the bedside light that she noticed Theo standing in the doorway. He walked into the room and took Phoebe in his arms.

Phoebe leant into his broad chest; his jacket felt damp against her cheek. Glancing at the window she saw streaks of rain pouring down the pane like tears; she looked up at Theo and hoped she’d never want to cry again.

All day she had tried not to think about David and Debbie Richards, how could she have ever been so naïve? David probably never had any intention of leaving Sandra, he had never really loved her, but suddenly she found she didn’t care at all. If it had all led to this moment it had been worth it – all the heartache, all the misplaced grief.

Theo kissed her lightly on the lips and the sound of Nola’s voice attempting “I Will Survive” on the karaoke came up the stairs and made them both laugh.

‘I unpacked the kiln,’ Theo said as they walked out on to the landing.

‘And?’

‘All broken, I’m afraid.’

‘Oh no!’ Phoebe stopped.

‘Iʼm joking,’ he grinned. ‘Actually the pots look wonderful. Your designs seem to really complement my shapes.’

‘I can’t wait to see them.’

‘I think you’ll be very pleased. Would you be up for painting some more?’

‘I’d love to.’

Theo kissed her again and went on kissing her for a long time.

After a while he drew back and looked at her. ‘What would you think of us working together? You know, trying to sell some pots; maybe get some work in galleries, get ourselves involved in some exhibitions?’

Phoebe’s eyes widened. ‘But what about your own work?’

‘I told you, I’ve been looking to change what I do, looking for a new direction, and for the first time for years I actually feel excited about the idea of making pottery.’ He smiled. ‘What do you say? Why don’t we just give it a try?’

Phoebe realised she had been opening and shutting her mouth like a stunned goldfish as she listened to his proposition. She wondered if she was asleep and dreaming. ‘Are you sure? Supposing no one likes my decorations, supposing I let you down? I mean, you hardly know me really.’ Theo gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. ‘I feel as though I know you very well.’ He leant forward to kiss her again. ‘I trust you.’

‘Pheeebeee,’ Nola’s alcohol-addled call reached them from below. ‘Pheeebeee, come and sing a song with me.’

‘Oh no.’ Phoebe rolled her eyes. ‘I wish I’d left her in your kitchen now, she’s not ready for a Carraigmore party, especially not a party with Fibber’s lethal cocktails flowing so freely.’

‘Do you want me to take her home? You know when I came in she was doing some rather raunchy dancing with some bloke from the football team.’

‘The one with the sticking-out ears?’

Theo nodded grimly.

‘Oh God.’ Phoebe started going down the stairs. ‘I’d never forgive myself if she ended up between his infamous sheets.’

Nola was swaying at the bottom of the stairs, one arm draped around the banisters for support.

‘Come on, little sis,’ she slurred. ‘Fibber says you like singing karaoke, so why don’t we sing a song together?’

‘No, Nola,’ Phoebe protested. ‘I think it’s time you went to bed. Theo’s offered to take you home.’

‘Ooooo, has he indeed?’ Nola turned to Theo. ‘Well OK then, I’ll just sing one more song and then you can whisk me away to your castle. You can be the errant knight and I shall be your captive princess.’ She linked her arm through Theo’s and gazed up at his face.

‘Theo will take you back to mine,’ said Phoebe firmly. ‘You can sleep on the bed and I’ll sleep on the floor.’

‘Come up to the Castle later,’ Theo mouthed. Phoebe nodded; Nola watched them.

‘You don’t change do you, Phoebe,’ she slurred. ‘Always falling into bed with any man that asks you.’ Theo looked at Phoebe and raised his eyebrows.

Phoebe gave a dry laugh and steered Nola towards the kitchen. ‘Come on, you can go out the back way and Theo will take you down to the boathouse.’

‘The boathouse,’ said Nola wistfully. ‘Did I tell you that I’m going to sell it and make lots of money? I’m going to by a big house for me and the kids and show Steve I don’t need him any more.’ She stopped. ‘Wait! No! I’m not going to buy a house for me and the kids. Steve can have the kids and I’ll buy a penthouse flat in London and a sports car and I’ll get a boob job.’ She pushed up her already ample cleavage and turned to Theo. ‘Don’t you think they’d look good bigger? Bigger and more pointy upwards, would you like that, Theo? Not like Miss Flat-as-a-Pancake over here.’ She gave Phoebe a little push. ‘Flat Phoebe, they used to call her at school!’

‘Nola!’ Phoebe could feel herself going red.

‘Your sister looks perfect to me,’ said Theo with a grin, obviously amused by Phoebe’s embarrassment.

‘That’s why she can’t be choosy about her men?’ continued Nola. ‘That’s why if she can’t get one herself she has to take someone else’s, ones that aren’t that fussed about the little tits.’

‘Please, Nola.’ Phoebe had her by the back door now. ‘You don’t know what you’re saying.’

‘Oh yes I do, but after what that so-called best friend Sandra did to me, I don’t care what you’ve done to her in the past.’

Phoebe looked at Theo’s bewildered expression. ‘Look, on second thoughts I think I’ll take Nola home myself, she’s completely out of it. Fibber and Katrina will just have to cope without me’

‘No, don’t worry. I’ll look after her, and then I’ll look forward to your company later on.’ Theo bent and kissed her cheek.

‘What Nola just said,’ Phoebe anxiously searched his face for signs of suspicion, ‘she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.’

‘Don’t worry about it, Phoebe. She’s drunk and she’s your sister. I know from having Oliver as a brother that an older sibling’s speciality is undermining the younger one.’

‘Thank you,’ Phoebe looked up into his reassuring eyes. She dragged her gaze away. ‘Time to go, Nola,’ she looked around. ‘Nola?’ Nola wasn’t beside them any more; Nola wasn’t in the kitchen any more. From the bar came the sound of Molly from the Hair Hut and her husband singing a duet. Suddenly Molly’s shrill harmonies were interrupted by Nola’s loud voice over the microphone.

‘Hello all you lovely Irish people. It’s me again, I just want to tell you that I’ve had the best time of my life with you tonight.’ As Phoebe and Theo arrived in the bar no one appeared to be taking much notice of Nola. ‘You’re all fantastic,’ Nola shouted, a few people cheered and there was a chorus of wolf whistling from the footballer’s corner.

‘I’d better go and get her,’ sighed Phoebe, and she opened the flap on the counter and started to push her way through the crowd.

‘The time has come to leave you now,’ continued Nola, dramatically gesturing with her arms, ‘but before I go I’d just like to sing you one more song to thank you all for being so fabulous.’

‘I think your sister thinks she’s Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall,’ said Rory, as Phoebe passed him.

‘I was thinking more Bette Midler,’ said Phoebe through gritted teeth.’

‘I’m waiting for “Over the Rainbow”,’ sniggered Ben.

‘It’s a song for you, but it’s also for someone very special in my life, my little sister Phoebe.’ Nola pointed at Phoebe who was wedged between the large woman from the general store and Swedish Jan; the crowd cheered a little louder. ‘My sister and I have been through a lot lately at the hands of unscrupulous men, or, as I like to call them – bastards!’

To the sounds of surprised murmurs around her, Phoebe pushed harder; she had to get Nola off the stage.

‘Now I know that being someone’s mistress isn’t exactly the most virtuous position to be in as a woman, especially when the married man you’re sleeping with is also your boss.’ Nola wobbled slightly on her high-heeled boots and giggled. ‘And let’s face it, it’s not as if Phoebe didn’t know he was a married man.’ She leant towards Phoebe, who was frantically mouthing
No, No, No
. ‘You can’t deny it Pheebs, of course you knew, you were invited to the wedding; not that you bothered turning up.’

At that point Phoebe managed to burst through the bodies, but found her way blocked by a line of stools and tables that had been moved back for the dancing. Nola addressed the room again. ‘It was a lovely wedding, very tasteful, everything taupe.’ She hiccupped. ‘I was chief bridesmaid and six months pregnant with my second child – looked like an upholstered sofa but I put up with that humiliation because Sandra was my oldest, bestest friend and she was getting married to the lovely David – the Brad Pitt of Basingstoke, wasn’t he, Phoebe? God’s gift, that’s what Sandra thought, unfortunately that’s what he thought and several other women too, including my little sister.’ Nola had the attention of the whole room now; she swayed and steadied herself by leaning against the microphone stand. ‘But I know, that like I loved my Steve, Phoebe loved David, and probably believed him when he told her he’d leave his wife and two small children just as soon as he could get the chance.’ Nola paused, there was complete silence, then a crash as Phoebe knocked a stool over in her attempts to get onto the stage.

‘Please shut up,’ whispered Phoebe as she tried to push two circular tables apart, she was only inches from her sister now.

Nola ignored Phoebe and continued on. ‘And maybe if he hadn’t died in that terrible traffic accident she could have broken up his home like Sandra went on to break up mine, but he would only have ended up cheating on my sister like he had been cheating on his first wife with her,’ Nola paused and the silence in the room became all the more apparent. Nola continued with her speech. ‘Now there was a time when even I thought my sister deserved to be punished for her unscrupulous behaviour,’ she looked straight at Phoebe now, her smile disconcertingly benign. Even though Phoebe had her back to the crowd she felt the entire room staring at her. There was no point trying to stop Nola now.