'Great.' Celine retraced her steps and stuck her head into the bathroom and bedroom. They were both small but clean and again had wonderfully large windows.
'It could all do with a coat of paint,' Rose fretted. 'I'm afraid it's been a while since I've been up here.'
'I can decorate it,' Celine offered immediately, her expression brightening.
'There's no need, I'll tell Richard to take care of it.'
'No, really, I'd enjoy it.'
'I bet you could make it really special with your talents.' Rose watched as Celine shrugged and looked uncomfortable. This girl was as prickly as a hedgehog. 'Right, well, you can move in as soon as you want. The central heating switch is over here.' She showed Celine the gas boiler beside the cooker. 'I'll put it on now to air the place.'
'I'll go home and pack.' Celine smiled and held out her hand. 'Thanks, Mrs Lynch, I really appreciate this.'
'Call me Rose, love. Oh, and here's the key.'
Celine pocketed the key and started down the stairs. 'Bye, Rose. I'll bring my stuff over tomorrow.'
'See you then,' Rose called after her, before descending the stairs at a more leisurely pace. When she got back into the shop Fergus was leaning against the counter talking to Sadie. 'Oh, hello, love. That's a pity, you just missed my new manager.'
'So Sadie was saying. That's great, Ma!'
Rose nodded. 'Yes, I think she'll work out very well. 'Now, let's go and eat. I'm starving. I'll only be half an hour, Sadie, and then you can get off.'
'So, what's she like?' Fergus asked when they were seated in the tiny cafe across the road eating lunch — an egg sandwich for Rose and a burger and fries for Fergus.
'I have no idea,' Rose replied.
Her son frowned. 'What do you mean?'
'Ah, nothing, love, don't mind me.'
'How's the leg today?'
'Not bad. Are you working in the shop this afternoon?'
'No, Dominic doesn't need me.'
Rose shot him a suspicious look as she poured the tea. 'What do you mean he doesn't need you? What have you done?'
Fergus shook his head. 'Nothing! Things are just quiet, okay?'
'So if you've no work what are you going to do?'
Fergus shrugged. 'I might head into town for a while.'
'Ah don't, son, sure there's nothing much in town.'
Fergus rolled his eyes. 'Ma, stop worrying! Town is a big place, I'll be fine.'
'I just don't want you bumping into any of
that
crowd.'
Fergus rubbed the bridge of his nose. 'Ma, if I wanted drugs I could get them any day of the week. I work in a shelter every night, remember?' He patted her hand awkwardly. 'I'm clean. I've been clean for seven years.'
Rose gripped his hand and nodded. 'Sorry, love, I believe you, honest I do, it's just I can't help worrying.'
He grinned. 'Wait till you're in hospital and I have the house to myself.'
She took a swipe at him that he ducked easily. 'Don't even think about it or I'll get your Aunt Babs to move in and keep an eye on you.'
Fergus groaned. 'No, anything but that! I promise to live like a monk.'
Rose watched him as he wolfed down his burger. 'I wish you wouldn't. It's about time you found yourself a nice girl. You're nearly twenty-four.'
'Yeah, and I'm an ex-drug addict, working part-time in a newsagent's and in a shelter for the homeless; oh yes, I'm a great catch!'
Rose studied her son. He was thin but sinewy with his hair cropped tight against his head and dark chocolate brown eyes, just like his dad's. He was a good-looking lad who bore little resemblance to the skeletal, hollow-eyed automaton of seven years ago. 'You are happy, Fergus, aren't you?'
'Sure, Ma,' he told her through a mouth full of fries.
'Maybe you should look for a better job,' she ventured.
'I'm grand where I am.'
'But Fergus, mixing with all those, those . . .'
'Bums?'
She frowned. 'You know what I mean.'
'Stop worrying, Ma, you'll go grey.' He stood up and tousled her hair. 'Thanks for lunch. Seeya later.'
'Bye.' Rose lifted a hand to smooth her blonde head. The only way she'd go grey was if she missed an appointment at Annabelle's Hair Studio! Her smile faded as her thoughts drifted back to her son. She'd never wanted him to work in that homeless shelter but his social worker had convinced her that the responsibility would be good for him. He was right of course. As the months went by and Fergus saw first-hand the damage drink and drugs could do, his resolve to stay clean strengthened. But she thought it was time he moved on to a more normal job. He was so young and vulnerable. She didn't want to go into hospital and leave him alone but she had waited a year for this hip replacement and if she pulled out now she knew she'd be waiting as long again. And at least she had Celine Moore to look after things while she was away. Rose knew that if she told Fergus about the girl's background he'd have said she was mad to hire her. But for some reason, she was drawn to Celine Moore and from their short conversation it was clear that the girl understood clothes. Rose paid for lunch and headed back across the road. Dominic was standing outside the newsagent's.
'Hi, Rose.' He smiled at her, rocking on his heels, his hands dug deep in the pockets of his cardigan. 'Beautiful day.'
'Hi, Dominic.'
'How's the leg?'
She made a face. 'Not bad, not bad.'
'Well, you don't have long to go now.' He walked with her to the door of Close Second, taking off his glasses to polish them on the front of his heavy cotton shirt.
'Have you found someone to run this place for you yet?'
'Yes, thank goodness. She starts on Monday.'
'Wonderful! That must be a load off your mind.'
Rose turned worried eyes on him. 'Yes it is, now if I could only sort my son out. Why didn't you want him to work today, Dominic? Has he been giving you trouble?'
Dominic pushed dark blond hair off his forehead and settled his glasses back on the bridge of his nose. 'Of course not, Rose! There just isn't enough work for us both at the moment.'
Rose frowned. 'That new book shop is really hurting you, isn't it?'
Dominic sighed. 'If only they stuck to selling books, but no, they have to sell stationery and newspapers and magazines.'
'I hate the idea of Fergus having nothing to do all day.'
'I'm sure he'd have no problem finding something else.'
'Yes, but with his background—'
'Forget about his background, Rose. I've left him alone in that shop God knows how many times and he's never touched the till.'
Rose looked shocked. 'I should hope not!'
'If he were still on drugs, Rose, he'd have cleaned me out long ago and you too. He's a good lad and I'd be happy to give him a reference.'
Rose's face cleared as she recognised the truth of his words. 'Thanks, Dominic.'
Two women approached and turned into the newsagent's. Dominic turned to salute her with a twinkle in his eye 'Don't look now but I believe I have customers! See you later, Rose.'
'Bye, Dominic.' Rose laughed. With all his problems Dominic still held on to his sense of humour. Gosh, what must he think of her? He'd said business was bad and all she'd been worried about was how it would affect her son. She'd bring him in a coffee later and ask him about it, she decided as she went back into her shop. She could imagine how tough it must be and how Dominic's takings must have dropped in the last three months. She'd probably never have that problem. There were only a handful of second-hand shops in Dublin and only one other that dealt exclusively in designer labels. She had a loyal clientele, some of them travelling from the four corners of Ireland. She had the phone numbers of her best customers and she called them if something came in that she knew they'd like. It was this personal service that made it even more difficult to find a suitable manager.
The bell tinkled on the door and she looked up and smiled. 'Mrs Williams! I'm so glad you dropped in. I have a lovely Gina Bacconi dress that I think you'll like.'
Fergus stood in HMV debating whether to spend his last few Euros on CDs or a new game for his Playstation. The way things were going it looked like he'd have a lot more time on his hands soon so he decided to go for the game. After paying for it, he tucked it into the inside pocket of his jacket and headed back out onto Henry Street.
'Yo, Gus, how's it goin'?'
Fergus closed his eyes briefly before turning around. 'Howaya, Mick.'
Mick Garvey leaned closer. 'Haven't seen ye in ages.'
Fergus stepped back. 'Ah, well, you know yourself, keeping busy.'
Mick laughed. 'Still working at the shelter, are ye?'
Fergus nodded. 'Yeah, a bit.'
'Ye must meet all sorts down there. Maybe I'll drop in and see ye some night.'
Fergus smiled but his eyes were cold. 'Sure. And if I'm not there, Paddy Burns will be. Do you know Paddy, Mick? He's an ex-cop.'
Mick's eyes narrowed. 'I hope yer not forgetting who yer friends are, Gus.'
'Oh, I know exactly who my friends are, thanks, Mick. See you around.' Fergus walked away before Mick could answer and lost himself in the crowds on Henry Street. He was breathing heavily and his heart was racing. Mick was half his size and he could take him out any time, but as one of Dublin's main dealers, Mick had a lot of contacts. If Mick Garvey ever wanted to get him, he'd only have to put out the word. So Fergus would continue to do what he'd always done: keep his mouth shut and lie low. He moved quickly in the direction of the bus stop. Maybe coming into town hadn't been such a good idea after all.
Celine ran a self-conscious hand through her tangled hair as she went to open the door. 'Hi, Marina.'
Marina frowned at her friend's pale, miserable face. 'You look like shit.' She walked through to the kitchen and stopped in the doorway. 'What the hell?'
Most of the shelves were empty, half-filled boxes were on the worktops and table and an assortment of clothes was strewn around the room.
'I'm moving,' Celine explained.
'Excuse me?'
Celine took a pile of clothes off a stool and dumped them on the ground. 'Sit down, it's a long story.'
Marina perched her slender form on the stool and crossed one long leg over the other. 'Do tell.'
'I've been having an affair.' Celine didn't look at her friend, concentrating her attentions on opening the wine that her friend had brought.
Marina stared at her, wide-eyed. 'You're kidding! Who with?'
Celine went in search of glasses. 'Bloody hell, which box did I put them in?'
'Celine!'
She found the glasses and turned to face Marina. 'Kevin Gilligan.'
'Kevin Gilligan? Kevin Gilligan as in the manager of our local building society, pillar of the community, married to that old bag Eileen?'
Celine nodded. 'That's the one.'
'Jesus! How long has this been going on?'
Celine shrugged. 'A few months.'
Marina scowled. 'Why didn't you tell me?'
'Affairs
are
supposed to be secret,' Celine pointed out.
'Not from your best friend they're not,' Marina retorted. 'I'm supposed to be involved, supplying you with alibis and the like.'
'But I don't need alibis. I'm a free agent.'
'Kevin Gilligan isn't. His wife will take you apart when she finds out.'
'She already has.'
'She knows? She didn't come here, did she?'
Celine gave a wry smile. 'Nothing so discreet, she attacked me in the middle of the golf club.'
'Bloody hell.'
'In front of Daddy, Brenda and Alan,' Celine continued.
'Wow, poor you. When did all this happen?'
'Last week. Dad's not impressed.'
'And what about the sainted Brenda?' Marina had never had much time for Celine's sister-in-law.
'Won't even talk to me.'
Marina shrugged. 'Well, that's no bad thing.'
'Brenda's okay.' Celine felt obliged to stick up for Dermot's sister.
'Oh, I know, she's just so, so . . .' Marina fluttered long fingers around as she searched for a word. 'Settled.'
Celine stared out of the window, her eyes sad. 'Settled isn't so bad.'
Marina gave an impatient shrug. 'No, but there's settled and settled. Do you think she and Alan are happy?'
Celine looked surprised. 'I don't know. I suppose so.'
'He's quite good-looking.'
'Alan?' Celine stared at her friend.
'Yes, in a reserved, intelligent sort of way.'
'Don't even think about it. I'm in enough trouble with Brenda without you chatting up her husband.'
'Oh, don't worry, I've had it with married men. It's time poor little Josh had a proper role model in his life.'
Privately Celine thought 'little Josh' was beyond help but she was surprised at the serious look on Marina's face. 'Are you on the look-out for a new husband?'
'Yes, I think it's time,' Marina admitted. 'You should think about it yourself. Don't you miss having someone?'
'I've had Kevin,' Celine reminded her.
'That was just sex — oh, God, you don't love him, do you?'
'Of course not.' Celine laughed. 'I'm not dumb.'
Marina shook her head. 'Dumb enough, my dear. As my old dad used to say, never shit on your own doorstep.'
'Charming.'
'But true,' Marina insisted. 'It would probably be best if you dumped the gorgeous Mr Gilligan. Date married men, by all means, but next time go a little further afield. Have you been blackballed at the golf club yet?'
Celine laughed. 'No, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Eileen Gilligan is an important woman.'
'Which is why I'm saying—'
'I know, I know, don't shit on your own doorstep.'
'How on earth did it all start anyway? It's not as if you move in the same circles. It's not as if you move in
any
circles at the moment,' Marina added.
'We met down the gym.'
'The gym!' Marina's eyes lit up. 'I told you it was the perfect place to meet men.'
'Yes, well, I was fed up getting the third degree from the local biddies every time I went swimming, so I started to go down at seven a couple of mornings a week.'