Josh sat up, sleep forgotten. 'Can I have a toy, Mummy?'
Marina pulled into a parking spot with a crash of gears. 'My darling, you can have two.'
Fergus got off the bus and stood looking around him. The neighbourhood hadn't changed much in the seven years he'd been away. The streets were deserted, several houses were boarded up and every wall seemed to be covered with graffiti. Fergus wondered what Vincent Bourke was thinking of opening a fancy sports club in a place like this. And, he wondered as he set out on the ten-minute walk to the premises, how long would it last? But as he got nearer, he noticed a change in his surroundings. There was a lot of building work in progress, apartments and town houses mainly, and the old residential home had been razed, a notice announcing that a large shopping mall was to be built on the site. The other thing Fergus noticed was that in this part of town the cars were a lot newer and bigger. Sandhill must be one of Dublin's new up-and-coming neighbourhoods. He quickened his step, his heart getting lighter as he realised that with the advent of such prosperity, his old 'friends' might have also moved on. When he turned into the entrance of the Sandhill Sports and Leisure Centre, he was convinced of it. The place oozed class and sophistication and even though it was the middle of the day, the car park was half full with some rather impressive motors. He walked into reception and was greeted by a svelte blonde with beautiful teeth. Fergus was glad he'd opted for black cords rather than jeans and his crisp new Tommy Hilfiger shirt that Rose had bought him. He smiled confidently at the girl and told her he had an appointment to see Mr Bourke.
An hour later, Fergus was following Vincent around the centre and marvelling at the standard of equipment. Finally they came to the small coffee bar that looked out on the pool on one side and boasted a small patio area on the other.
'That's a suntrap,' Vincent told him proudly. 'We made sure of it when we were designing the place.'
'Cool.' Fergus nodded in approval.
'This is Cindy.' Vincent brought him over to meet the girl behind the counter.
Fergus smiled at the girl. 'Howaya?'
'At the moment we only serve tea, coffee and soft drinks but I plan to expand into fruit smoothies, designer coffees and light lunches. So, Fergus, are you interested?'
Fergus stared at him. 'Are you serious?'
'Sure. Your references are great, you have retail experience, you're exactly what I'm looking for. We've talked about the package and I forgot to mention you have free use of the gym and the pool in off-peak hours.'
'It sounds great, Vincent.' Fergus thought of the salary and Celine, and put his worries firmly to the back of his mind. 'I'd love the job.'
'Good. Well, you talk to your boss and see how soon he can let you go. I take it you'll want to continue at the shelter?'
Fergus nodded. 'Yeah, but I'll be able to work my hours there around the centre.'
'Great. Let's go back to my office and do the paperwork.'
Fergus couldn't wait to tell Dominic. As he hurried up the main street of Hopefield, his face buried in the neck of his jacket, he prayed he wouldn't bump into Celine. He practically burst into the newsagent's and shut the door quickly behind him.
Dominic looked up in surprise. 'Hi, Fergus, I wasn't expecting you today.'
'I thought you should know how I got on at my interview.'
'Of course, the interview, I completely forgot! So?'
Fergus grinned. 'I got the job.'
Dominic crossed the room, his hand outstretched. 'Congratulations, Fergus, I'm delighted for you.'
Fergus grinned. 'And relieved?'
Dominic sighed. 'That too. When do you start?'
'That depends on you.'
Dominic shrugged. 'You can finish up here at the end of the week if you like. Young Grainne will be delighted to do a few extra shifts.' Tracy and Bob's girl had just started college and needed the money but working for her parents did not appeal.
'Then I suppose I start next Monday. It's a great place, Dominic, and I get to use the facilities for nothing.'
'Sounds great. Is Rose pleased?'
'She doesn't know yet.'
'Well, get in there and tell her!'
Fergus studied his feet. 'Not a good idea.'
Dominic nodded. 'Of course, Celine, I was forgetting. Still, I'm sure she'd be glad to hear that piece of news.'
'Ma can tell her. I'm staying well away.'
'I suppose you're right.'
'Right then, I'll be off. Seeya, Dominic, and thanks again for that reference.'
'You're welcome.' Dominic walked to the door and watched him hurry down the road. As he stood there, Richard pulled up in front of the shop and lowered the car window. 'Can I interest you in a pub lunch?'
Dominic shook his head. 'Afraid I'm on my own.'
'Did I see Fergus just leaving?'
Dominic smiled. 'You did and he's one very happy lad.'
Richard raised an eyebrow. 'He got the job?'
'He certainly did.'
'That's going to make two people very happy.' He got out of the car and stretched. 'I'd better go and have a word with Rose.'
'Well don't say anything about Fergus because he hasn't told her yet.'
'My lips are sealed,' Richard promised.
'Hi, Rose, Celine.'
'Hi.' Celine smiled, thinking that Richard filled the small shop with both his size and his personality.
'Hello, love,' Rose said absently. 'Have you come about the keys?'
Richard frowned. 'Keys?'
Rose shook her head. 'Remember you were getting an extra set cut for the shop? And you were to get the alarm serviced too.'
'All in hand, Rose,' Richard promised. 'There's no hurry, is there?'
Rose glanced sideways at Celine. 'I'd prefer to get it sorted before I go into hospital.'
Richard flashed Celine a sympathetic look.
'Can I take my lunch, Rose?' she asked.
'Sure, off you go.'
'How are things?' Richard asked when she'd left.
'Tense,' Rose told him. 'She's agreed to stay another week but I don't have any hope of finding someone else before then. That's why I need the security sorted.'
'Don't worry about that,' Richard told her. 'Your problems are over.'
Rose rolled her eyes. 'I doubt that.'
'Trust me.'
'Stop talking in riddles, Richard.' Rose was rapidly losing patience with him.
'I think I'll go and talk to Celine, she's much nicer,' he remarked.
'Sorry, but this is my livelihood we're talking about.'
He bent to kiss her cheek. 'I know, Rose, but I really think it will work out fine. See you later.'
Celine was just cutting her cheese sandwich in two when the buzzer went. 'Hello?'
'It's Richard.'
'Come on up,' Celine told him and put a hand up to smooth back her hair as she opened the door.
'I thought you might fancy going out for lunch,' he said as he reached the top of the stairs.
Celine looked over at her uninviting sandwich. 'I've only got forty minutes.'
'Plenty of time. Let's go to the pub.'
Celine grabbed her bag. 'What the hell!'
When they got outside Celine started to look nervous.
'He's not working today,' Richard murmured.
Celine shot him a grateful smile. 'I suppose you think I'm overreacting.'
'Not at all.'
'Does that mean you're not going to try to persuade me to stay any more?' Celine couldn't help feeling disappointed.
Richard pushed open the door of the pub and stood back to let Celine go first. 'I don't think I have to.' He broke off to say hello to the pretty waitress who had hurried over to their table. 'Hi, Lucy.'
'Hi, Richard, good to see you,' she purred before giving Celine a malevolent look.
After they'd ordered and she'd left, Celine burst out laughing.
'What?' Richard asked, bemused.
'Is she one of your girlfriends?'
'One of?' he said reproachfully.
'Rose warned me about you.'
'It's all lies.'
'Can I ask you a personal question?'
Richard moved closer. 'Please do.'
'Do you really live in a penthouse?'
Richard threw back his head and laughed. 'I really do. Would you like to see it?'
Celine shrugged. 'I'd like to see the view.'
'But do you think it's safe given my reputation?'
Celine held his gaze. 'Probably not.'
Richard jumped as Lucy banged down their drinks and flounced off. 'Service with a smile, eh?'
Celine frowned. She was already labelled 'the other woman'. She didn't need to complicate her life further.
'So when are you coming to see the view?' Richard asked.
Celine moved away. 'Maybe it's not such a good idea.'
'What, because of Lucy? Celine, I assure you, I've never even gone out with the girl. Ask Dominic.'
'Dominic?'
'He's the one I usually drink with,' Richard explained. 'And he'll tell you what it's like around here. Being a single, wealthy man in a small town full of single women isn't easy.'
Celine laughed at his woebegone expression. 'Poor you.'
'That's what everyone says,' he complained, 'but it's not all it's cracked up to be.'
'What isn't?'
'Being an eligible bachelor. Women seem to see me as a challenge.'
Celine grimaced. 'Well, you don't have to worry about this woman. I've no intention of chasing you.'
'Exactly! That's what I like about you.'
Celine looked at him. 'Look, Richard, I was flirting with you, having a bit of fun, that's all.'
He grinned. 'I liked it.'
'Don't get used to it, I'll be gone in a couple of weeks.'
He shook his head. 'No you won't.'
'There you are.' Lucy banged down their lunch, making the drinks slop over.
Richard scowled at her. 'She won't be getting a tip today,' he muttered as she tottered away. 'Now, as I was saying before that rude interruption, you don't have to go.'
Celine sighed. 'I know you mean well, Richard, and I appreciate that, but you don't understand.'
'No,
you
don't understand. You want to leave because you can't handle seeing Fergus about the place, right?'
Celine nodded.
'Then you'll be happy to hear that he's starting a new job on Monday on the other side of town.'
'Really?'
'Really.' Richard turned his attention to his toasted sandwich.
'I can't believe it. Is he leaving because of me?'
Richard shook his head. 'No, Dominic can't afford to keep him on, it was only a matter of time. You may have accelerated it but that's all.'
'Did you have something to do with it?'
'Now what makes you say that? Eat your lunch, it's getting cold.'
Celine shot him a suspicious look. She didn't really care why Fergus was going, she was just relieved he was. Now she could stay. Now Rose could go into hospital and not have to worry about the shop. Now Celine could relax again and throw herself into the job. Maybe things would work out after all. Tears welled in her eyes.
'Hey, are you okay?' Richard was looking at her.
Celine jumped to her feet. 'There's just something in my eye.'
'Let me look.'
'No, it's okay. I'll be back in a minute.' She hurried out to the toilets, splashed water on her face and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. 'It's going to be okay,' she murmured. 'Everything's going to be okay.'
Brenda pushed a trolley around the supermarket, throwing things into it without much thought or interest. They'd had another row that morning. As usual it had started over something silly. This time, Brenda was annoyed because she'd asked Alan to put out the bin and he hadn't.
'I will put the bin out, I always put the bin out,' he'd told her. 'What is your problem?'
And Brenda couldn't answer that. She didn't know why she felt angry all of the time. She didn't even know what she was angry about. And she couldn't explain to Alan why he was the focus of all this anger. At the bakery, she tossed random packets of bread and cakes into the trolley — she didn't feel much like baking lately. Frank had noticed. Dear old Frank, he was so kind. He was dropping around more than ever, bringing her flowers and sometimes vegetables from his garden. The vegetables usually ended up in the bin. Brenda would plan to cook something nice for dinner but as the day progressed she would find herself curled up in a ball in front of the television. When Alan arrived home from work she would stick a ready meal from the freezer into the microwave and leave him to eat alone.
After this behaviour had continued for a couple of weeks, Alan had begged her to go to the doctor. Brenda had screamed at him that all he was interested in was his dinner and he didn't give a damn about her. She could still see the look of hurt and confusion in his eyes.
'Excuse me? That's my trolley.'
Brenda looked from the woman down to the trolley full of nappies and baby formula and stammered an apology. Abandoning her shopping, she ran out to the car and cried her eyes out. When she'd calmed down a bit, she drove very carefully to the medical centre in the village. It took all of her willpower to go into reception and ask for an appointment without breaking down.
Jim Gallagher was walking another patient to the door when he spotted her. Alan had called him a number of times over the last couple of weeks but Jim had told him that unless Brenda was willing to come in and see him, there was nothing he could do. He went back into his room and buzzed reception.
'Maria? I'll see Brenda Foley after the next patient, don't let her go.'
The receptionist put down the phone, consulted the appointments book and smiled at Brenda. 'You're in luck, there's a cancellation.'
Brenda sat down in the waiting room and leafed through a magazine without seeing it. She felt a sudden urge to run away but she knew that if she did she might never come back.
'Brenda?' She looked up to see Dr Gallagher smiling down at her. 'Come on in.'
She didn't remember much of the consultation afterwards except that she'd cried through most of it. Dr Gallagher had diagnosed depression.