Richard grinned. 'Not consciously.'
Celine put it down. 'When you dragged me in here I really didn't expect you to show me your etchings!'
Richard laughed. 'I never bring anyone in here.'
Celine smiled. 'Then I'm honoured.'
The buzzer sounded and Richard excused himself.
Celine froze. God, had she got it wrong? Maybe this wasn't going to be a cosy dinner for two after all.
'Celine, dinner!'
'Coming,' she called and went back out to the living room.
'We're eating in the kitchen, I hope you don't mind.'
Celine followed his voice and smiled when she saw the table by the window set for two. 'Mind? With a view like that?' Looking out on the small town bathed in twilight, Celine thought that just living here would be an inspiration to paint.
'Then I'll just apologise for the food,' Richard said as he carried several containers to the table. 'I lost track of time today and didn't get to cook,' he explained. 'But our local Indian restaurant delivers.'
Celine laughed. 'Smells wonderful.'
'It does, doesn't it? Now, more champagne or would you prefer something else?'
Celine shook her head. 'Champagne and Indian food, sounds like the perfect combination.'
'And you are the perfect guest,' he told her as he removed the lids. 'I didn't know what you liked so I just got a bit of everything.'
Celine laughed. 'It's just as well I never got to finish lunch.'
'Why was that?'
Celine sobered at the question. 'Oh, nothing, just a family crisis.'
'Are there many in your family?'
'Just me and my dad,' Celine explained. 'But I have a sister-in-law, Brenda.'
'Are you close?'
Celine thought about the way she and Brenda had clung to one another that afternoon. 'We weren't but I think that's changed. Have you any family?'
Richard shook his head. 'My parents were killed in a car crash when I was five. My father's brother raised me. He died last year.'
Celine nodded. 'Ronan Lawrence? Yes, I remember reading about it. Were you close?'
He smiled. 'Very. From the moment he took me in, I went everywhere with him. He even got a hard hat specially made for me so that I could visit all of the building sites.'
'He wanted you to follow him into the business then?'
Richard shrugged. 'It was taken for granted. It was the family business.'
'What about your painting? Surely you must have wanted to pursue a career in art?'
Richard's smile was sad. 'I thought about it,' he admitted, 'but Ronan had a stroke when I was eighteen and I had to join the business a lot earlier than we'd expected.'
'That must have been hard.'
'Not really. Ronan was alive and that's all that mattered.'
'Did he know you were interested in painting?'
'Oh, yes, he encouraged it. He thought I should study architecture at college and put my talent to good use. It would never have occurred to him that I might just study art.'
'Do you resent that?'
He looked shocked. 'Of course not! If I'd explained the situation to him he would have supported me one hundred per cent, he was that kind of guy.'
Celine considered this and thought that Richard must be a very special man to act so unselfishly. 'So, if it's just a hobby, how come your paintings were hanging in Café Napoli?'
'That was Bob's idea and it was a one-off.'
'But that's such a shame,' she protested. 'There were plenty of paintings in Merrion Square today that weren't nearly as good.'
'Well, thanks for the compliment but I'm not interested.'
'But it's such a waste,' she persisted.
'That's good coming from you,' he retorted. 'Weren't you once the most promising young designer in Ireland?'
Celine put down her fork. 'Who told you that?'
'Rose, of course. She couldn't believe her luck when you walked into her shop.'
Celine picked up her fork again and pushed the food around on her plate. 'She exaggerated. Anyway, it was a long time ago.'
Richard smirked. 'Ah, of course.'
'Look, I don't design any more but you paint. Why hide it?'
'Like I said, I do it for my own enjoyment.'
Celine looked around her. 'Well, I realise you don't need the money, but if you sold your work you would be giving enjoyment to others too.'
It was Richard's turn to put down his fork. 'Let's make a deal. If I promise not to nag you about designing will you stop hassling me about painting?'
Celine smiled. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hassle you, it's just that you're so good—'
Richard raised a finger to his lips. 'Ah-ah.'
'Sorry,' she muttered and concentrated on her food.
Richard smiled. 'Let's talk about something more interesting. Tell me about Kevin.'
Celine choked on a piece of chicken and reached for her wine. 'I don't think I want to talk about him either,' she said when she'd recovered.
'Did he break your heart?'
Celine burst out laughing. 'Certainly not!'
Richard smiled. 'Glad to hear it.' He leaned across and touched the side of her mouth. 'Sauce,' he explained and licked his finger.
Celine gulped and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. 'Gone?'
'I'm not sure, come closer,' he murmured.
Celine's eyes flickered between his eyes and mouth as she moved closer.
'There's just a little bit here.' He pressed his mouth to the side of hers and she felt his tongue on her skin. She shivered and closed her eyes. 'And here.' He moved to the other side of her mouth and she barely suppressed a moan. 'And here.' This time his lips touched hers in a very light kiss. When he stopped, she opened her eyes to find that his face was barely an inch from hers. Without stopping to think about it, Celine snaked a hand around his neck and pulled his mouth to hers. Without taking his lips from hers, Richard lifted her to her feet, pulled her around the table and dragged her onto his lap. Celine rubbed her body against his and dragged her hands through his thick, wavy hair. Richard slipped his hands under her silk shirt and ran them up and down her back. 'Would you like to move somewhere more comfortable?' he murmured against her lips.
'Okay.' Celine looked at him through half-closed eyes.
Richard stood up, kissed her again and then led her into the living room. He reached for the remote with one hand, dimmed the lights and pushed her down on the sofa. Celine wound her legs and arms around him. 'Now you can't go anywhere,' she whispered and kissed his ear.
'Trust me, I don't want to,' he said and pulled her mouth to his. Celine knew that things were moving much too fast but she couldn't stop it and she didn't want to. Richard dragged her top over her head and when her bra followed, she went to work on his shirt and soon it was skin against skin. Richard pulled her to her feet again. 'Come to bed with me.'
Celine pressed her lips against his chest and then looked up into his eyes. 'I thought you'd never ask.'
Fergus loved his new job but he was finding it hard to concentrate this morning. His eyes kept flicking to the clock but the time seemed to be dragging. The nurse had told him the operation wouldn't be over until after eleven and then Rose would be in recovery for about an hour. All in all, there was no point in him visiting before the afternoon. The club was quiet and after cleaning down the tables, he went for a wander around the gym and pool area. There weren't many customers on a Monday morning so the trainers were hanging around too. They were a nice enough gang, most of them younger than he was, and John, the supervisor, had offered to give him a few tips. 'You could do with some weight training,' he'd said, running a practised eye over Fergus's wiry frame. 'Are you fit?'
Fergus had shrugged. 'Probably not. I used to play football in school but now the only exercise I get is running for the bus.'
'I could give you a programme to follow if you're interested,' John offered.
'That would be great.' Fergus thought it might be a good idea to be fit now that he was back in Sandhill. So far, he had seen none of the old gang and he was hoping that it would stay that way. He wandered over to the window that looked out onto the pool. There was a man doing relentless laps in the lane, two young girls messing about in the shallow end and a mother teaching her toddler to float.
'It's very quiet today, isn't it?'
Fergus looked around and smiled at the tiny blonde. 'Hi, Sarah, how's it going?'
'Oh, I'm bored. One of my ladies was supposed to come in for a workout at ten but she phoned to cancel. Honestly, the number of people who pay a fortune to join this place and then throw in the towel after a couple of weeks.'
Fergus grinned. 'Vincent must love customers like that.'
Sarah sighed. 'Maybe but I find it very demoralising. I'm working my butt off to get these people fit and they give up so easily.'
Fergus took her hand and led her back into the snack bar. 'What you need is one of my special fruit smoothies.'
Sarah groaned. 'You're just looking for a guinea Pig.'
'Rubbish, my smoothies are legendary.'
'That's what worries me!' Sarah laughed and climbed onto a stool. 'Go on then, but give me something with strawberries, I love strawberries.'
Fergus looked up his notes. 'I've got just the thing, you're going to love this.'
Sarah watched as he chopped fruit and dropped it into the juicer. Within minutes, he presented her with a pink concoction in a tall glass. 'It looks pretty,' she admitted and then took a tentative sip. 'Oh, it's lovely, Fergus.'
He grinned. 'You see, I told you I was good.'
Sarah fluttered her eyelashes over the rim of her glass. 'Have you any other talents?'
Fergus felt his face redden and he busied himself tidying up behind the counter.
'A few of us are going out for a drink on Wednesday, would you like to come?'
Fergus stopped. 'Er, well, I'm not sure—'
She shrugged. 'No big deal.'
Fergus nodded. 'Yeah, why not, that would be fun.'
Sarah smiled. 'Great.'
An hour later, he was on his way to the hospital to visit his mother. She probably wouldn't be back in her ward yet but when Vincent had come in search of a coffee and seen him drumming his fingers nervously on the counter he'd told him to go.
'You'll make the customers nervous,' he'd said with a sympathetic grin. 'Go and check on your mother and we'll see you later.'
Fergus smiled as he looked out the window of the bus. This job was turning out to be great. An understanding boss, free workouts and a gorgeous girl like Sarah chatting him up. The bus pulled up outside the hospital and he jumped off. When he arrived in St Bridget's ward on the second floor, the nurse recognised him immediately. 'You're Rose's son, aren't you?'
He nodded. 'How is she?'
'Why don't you see for yourself?'
Fergus hurried in and was amazed to see his mother awake.
'Hello, love,' she croaked.
The nurse followed him in. 'How are you feeling, Rose?'
'A bit groggy and my throat hurts. Can I have a drink?'
'Not yet, love. I'll get you some water and swabs and you can wet your lips.'
When she'd left, Fergus sat down beside his mother. 'Are you really okay, Ma?'
'Fine, love, but I could murder a cup of tea.'
'Did they tell you if everything went all right?' He looked nervously at the cage that covered her leg.
'The surgeon said it all went fine but he's going to come and talk to me tomorrow.'
The nurse returned with a glass of water and swabs and handed them to Fergus. 'Just wet her lips for the moment. She can have a proper drink in a few hours. Now, Rose, as soon as you feel any pain, let me know and I'll get you something.'
Fergus held a wet swab to Rose's mouth and she sucked on it. 'I don't think you're supposed to do that, Ma.'
'Are you going to tell on me?' Rose asked, her eyes twinkling. 'How's work going?'
'Fine. Really good.'
'You haven't met any of
them,
have you?'
Fergus sighed. 'No, Ma, I haven't. Now stop worrying about me and concentrate on getting well.'
She nodded and then froze, a grimace on her face.
'Pain?' Fergus asked.
'Yes.'
'I'll get the nurse.' He stood up and went out to the desk. 'My mother's in a bit of pain.'
'I'll be right in.'
Fergus went back to his mother. She had her eyes closed and Fergus thought she looked very vulnerable — not at all like his ma.
The nurse appeared at his side. 'Now, Rose, I'm going to give you an injection and then I think you should get some sleep.'
'Right, I'll go, Ma. I'll be back in this evening.'
Rose opened her eyes. 'Leave it until tomorrow, love.'
'Are you sure?' He looked at the nurse.
'Sleep is the best thing for your mother now,' she assured him. 'She'll be off the drip and ready for visitors tomorrow.'
'Okay then. Do you want me to bring in anything, Ma?'
Rose shook her head. 'Just you.'
He bent to kiss her forehead. 'See you tomorrow.'
As he left the hospital, Fergus took out his mobile and sent Richard a text message. SURGERY SUCCESSFUL. NO VISITORS TIL 2MORO.
Celine was on her knees taking up the hem on some trousers when Richard came in. She removed pins from her mouth. 'Do you want to go through and I'll be with you in a minute?'
Richard disappeared and Celine smiled up at the girl balancing on the chair. 'Nearly finished.'
'I'd hurry too for a guy like that,' the girl said.
Celine's smile got broader. 'There! Now, have a look in the mirror.'
The girl stepped down and studied the shortened trousers. 'Oh, that's great! They hang so much better now. So how much for these and the jacket?'
Celine picked up the jacket. 'The collar is a little worn so let's say fifty-five for the lot.'
'Great, thanks.'
Celine nipped out the back while the girl went into the dressing room to change. 'Hi, there.'
Richard pulled her into his arms and kissed her. 'I just dropped by to tell you Rose is fine.'
Celine grinned. 'You could have phoned.'