Richard shook his head. 'Stop looking for something to worry about, Rose, everything is fine.'
'I know, but it's not easy given that he's back in Sandhill.'
Richard looked at her. 'What do you mean?'
Rose sighed. 'That's where he grew up, Richard. That's where it all started.'
Richard blanched. 'Jesus, Rose, I'm so sorry. I had no idea!'
'Why would you? Oh, Richard, I'm so afraid of him meeting up with the lowlifes who dragged him down.'
'I'm sure, you don't have to worry about Fergus, he's a different person now.'
'I know that but some of those lads were downright thugs. Who knows what they're capable of?'
'They're probably all married with kids now and working for the civil service.'
Rose smiled slightly but she wasn't convinced. 'I wish Fergus would settle down. He's too much of a loner.'
'He's only twenty-four,' Richard protested. 'Worry when he's as old as me.'
'So what about you?' Rose smirked. 'Any action?'
'Rose Lynch, what a question!'
'How's Celine?'
He chuckled. 'Is there a connection between those two questions?'
'You tell me.'
'She'll be in to see you later,' he said standing up. 'Ask her.'
Rose smiled as he bent to kiss her. 'I wouldn't dare! Thanks for coming, Richard. Keep an eye on Fergus, will you?'
'Sure, but there's no need.'
'I'd feel happier.'
Richard sighed. 'You're a meddling old woman, do you know that?'
'Less of the old please!'
Before he started the car, Richard sent a text message to Celine. ROSE FINE. EXPECT QUESTIONS! Then he sent a message to Fergus. MEET ME 4 A PINT?
He was climbing into his car when Celine's reply came through. He looked at it and laughed.
WHAT HAVE U SAID?!
He keyed in his reply. NOTHING. HONEST.
As he started the engine, a reply came back from Fergus.
8.30, DONNELLYS?
Richard sent back a reply immediately. FINE. He reversed out of the parking spot and headed north, smiling as he imagined what Celine must be thinking. For days he had been threatening to tell Rose about their relationship and she'd made it clear what she'd do to him if he did. He understood her need for privacy but he was so happy lately that he wanted to tell the world. Failing that, he'd love to tell Rose. She knew how to keep a secret. He was disappointed he wouldn't see Celine tonight but he wanted to talk to Fergus as soon as possible. Now that he knew Fergus and Rose used to live in Sandhill, he understood the lad's reluctance to take the job at the leisure centre. He cringed as he remembered the tough time he'd given Fergus over it. Tonight he would apologise and try to find out if Fergus was having any problems in his old neighbourhood. Maybe if they finished up early he'd still get to tuck Celine in.
The object of his affection was at that moment trying to politely tell a customer that she could not return a soiled jacket. 'This has obviously been worn,' she said, looking the woman straight in the eye.
'Not by me. That stain must have been there when I bought it.'
Celine stared at her in disbelief. 'We don't have any stock in that condition. I'm sorry but I will not exchange this jacket.'
'Well, really. Wait until the owner gets back and you'll be looking for a new job!'
'Have a nice day,' Celine muttered as the woman marched out of the shop, banging the door after her. Celine's thoughts were interrupted by the phone. 'Close Second, can I help you?'
'Is that Celine Moore?'
'Yes, that's right. Who is this?'
'Cathy Donlon, Hopefield Musical Society?'
'Oh, yes, hello.'
'I'm sorry for calling you at work. Dominic did give me your home number but I lost it. Not very organised, I'm afraid.'
'That's okay, I'm on my own at the moment.'
'Excellent. Dominic said you were interested in getting involved backstage. It's very kind of you.'
'No problem, I'd be happy to help.'
'Wonderful! Do you think you could come along to rehearsals the Thursday after next at eight?'
'Er, yes, that should be fine. You meet in the community centre, don't you?'
'That's right. Now, as you're in the rag trade we were going to ask you to help out with wardrobe, if that's okay.'
Celine smiled. 'Fine.'
'It won't take too much of your time. We hire in the costumes and they just need to be taken in or let out — usually the latter, ha, ha — nothing too onerous.'
'It sounds like fun.'
'Don't you believe it,' Cathy told her. 'Amateur musicals are serious business.'
Celine laughed. 'I'll take your word for it.'
'Okay then, see you on Thursday. And thanks again. Bye-bye.'
'Goodbye.' Celine was still smiling when she hung up. She checked her watch. It would be another hour before she could close up and then she was going straight in to see Rose. It was wonderful to see her getting stronger, but with the return of health, Rose's antennae were back in full working order. And Celine knew that Richard was dying to tell her that they were an item. But she wanted to keep it secret for as long as possible because that way, no one could spoil it. Marina, on the other hand, was doing the complete opposite. She and Dominic were always together and their lovey-dovey behaviour was enough to make Celine hurl. It was amazing, she would never have dreamed that they were compatible, but there was no doubt they were good together.
As Celine labelled up some new stock, her thoughts returned to Richard. She couldn't believe how close she felt to him already and how relaxed and comfortable their relationship was. She hadn't expected to feel that way with anyone ever again. She just hoped that he felt the same. It would be devastating if she was just one of Richard's flings.
Fergus pushed his way into Donnellys and went up to the bar. The pub was full and noisy. Not ideal for a quiet chat, he thought with a grin as he ordered a pint of orange. He knew that Richard was on a mission from his mother to find out how things were going in Sandhill. It didn't really bother him. He'd given her enough cause for concern in the past. But she didn't need to know about Mick. Fergus ran a hand through his cropped black hair and sank on to a barstool. He had just had a rigorous workout at the club and ached all over but he loved the feeling. He wanted to get fit and build up his strength. Now that Mick Garvey was back in the picture he would feel better if he was able to defend himself.
'How's it going?' Richard appeared at his side. 'Ready for another one?'
'Yeah, thanks. A pint of lager.' Fergus drained his glass in one gulp.
Despite the crowd, a barmaid was already moving towards Richard. 'What can I get you?'
Richard gave the order and then turned back to Fergus, who was shaking his head. 'What?'
'The bar is packed and you get served straight away. How do you do that?'
Richard grinned. 'I'm irresistible.' As the girl returned with their drinks, he winked at her and gave her a hefty tip. 'Let's find a table.'
Fergus stood up and followed him to a slightly quieter corner of the pub. 'Were you in with me Ma today?' he asked as they sat down.
'I was. She's doing very well.'
'She is, isn't she?'
'Worrying about you, of course.'
'No change there then.'
'She told me about Sandhill.'
'Ah.'
'I'm sorry I gave you a rough time, Fergus, I had no idea.'
'Why would you? We didn't talk about it.'
'So how does it feel being back there?'
For a moment, Fergus was tempted to tell him about Mick but decided against it. 'No problem. I like the job and there's a great crew working there.'
'I'm glad.'
'So you can report back that I'm fine.'
Richard feigned innocence. 'I don't know what you mean.'
'Yeah, right. How's Celine doing?'
Richard nodded. 'Great.'
'Does she talk to you at all?' Fergus asked. 'About me, I mean.'
Richard shook his head. 'She talks about everything except you. Sorry.'
'I can't say I blame her. At least she doesn't have to worry about bumping into me any more.'
'I think it's worked out well all round, most importantly for Rose. Knowing the shop is in safe hands must be a relief.'
Fergus nodded. 'Yeah, it's just a bit weird that the perfect candidate for the job turned out to be Dermot's wife.'
'Tell me about Dermot.'
Fergus sighed. 'I hated him to begin with. Wherever I went, he seemed to find me.'
'Did he try to persuade you to give up the drugs?'
Fergus shook his head. 'Nope. He just talked, gave me smokes, and when I ended up on the streets, he brought me food.'
'I never realised you left home.'
Fergus chuckled. 'I didn't, Ma threw me out. It was probably the best thing she ever did, though I know it was very hard for her.' His eyes glazed over. 'I was a little bastard, Richard. I took money out of her purse, I nicked jewellery. One time I was so desperate for cash, I flogged our toaster! Sometimes, I wouldn't come home at night and she'd be worried sick. But I just didn't care. The only thing that was important was the next fix. Anyway, once I was on the streets, Dermot would come looking for me. If he found me, he'd drag me off to the nearest shelter.'
'So when or how did you give up?'
Fergus closed his eyes briefly.
'Hey, if you don't want to talk—'
'No, it's okay. When I got really desperate, I agreed to do a bit of pushing. I had no way of paying for the stuff, you see. One of my customers — God, she was only a kid — had a bad reaction. I should have known that Mick would be involved in dodgy gear.'
'Mick was your dealer?'
Fergus gave a reluctant nod.
'Did the kid die?'
'No, she had some kind of a seizure. I called for an ambulance and they were able to help but Jesus, I got such a fright. That night, when Dermot came looking for me, I agreed to go into rehab.'
'And then he got you a job?'
Fergus nodded. 'I wasn't sure it was a good idea and Ma was dead against it but Dermot knew what he was doing. When I saw kids even younger than me coming in totally wasted I knew I could never use again.'
'It can't have been easy.'
Fergus shrugged. 'It wasn't, but I didn't have a lot of choice.'
'What did you use?'
'Crack and speed, mainly. I kidded myself that as long as I stayed away from heroin I'd be fine.'
'How did it start?'
Fergus's face twisted into a bitter smile. 'I wanted to be one of the gang. I was fourteen, a very average student and too shy to be popular. One of the older kids offered me an E. I had it for nearly a week before I worked up the courage to take it. I couldn't believe how happy I felt. Suddenly, for the first time, I was one of the gang. I was sensible enough to begin with, I was almost seventeen before it got out of hand. I was supposed to be studying for my Leaving Certificate but I rarely picked up a book. That's when Ma started to get suspicious. She went through my room one night and found some pills. We had the mother of all arguments and she told me to give up or get out. I promised to toe the line and I really did try.' Fergus swallowed hard. 'It was harder and harder to find money for the drugs and I was getting desperate. One night I took her chequebook out of her bag. She walked in on me when I was practising her signature. That's when she threw me out.'
Richard put a hand on his shoulder. 'Sorry, I shouldn't have asked. It's not a good idea to look back.'
Fergus pulled out a handkerchief and blew his nose. 'It's okay. Looking back reminds me of how lucky I am. If Ma hadn't thrown me out, if Dermot hadn't believed in me, I wouldn't be here now. Dermot was based in the city centre,' he continued. 'He didn't have any reason to come to the shelter that night. But he often dropped in to see how I was doing. We talked a lot. He used to tell me about Celine and what a success she was going to be. He was very proud of her. I'll never forget how she looked the morning of the funeral.'
'She's okay now,' Richard pointed out.
'Is she?' Fergus looked miserably into his pint. 'She's not the big-shot designer that Dermot said she was going to be. She's working in a shop, what does that say?'
'You can't take the blame for that, Fergus. It wasn't your fault.'
'You know, I might have believed that before I met her again but now I'm not so sure.'
'Take it from me, Fergus, she's fine. Yes of course she had a rough time,' he added when Fergus looked at him in disbelief, 'but she's still young. There's plenty of time for her to get her life together.'
'God, I hope you're right.'
'I am. Now you must concentrate on your life. Have a good time and date some women.' He stopped when he saw the slow smile on Fergus's face. 'Ah, you've met someone.'
Fergus nodded. 'Her name's Sarah, she works at the club.'
'I'm happy for you, mate. It's time you had a bit of fun.'
Again, Fergus was tempted to tell Richard about Mick but he was already standing up and reaching for his jacket.
'I've got to go. Keep in touch, Fergus, and I'll give you a call if there's anything relating to the shop that you need to know about. Now, can I drop you home?'
Fergus checked his watch. 'No, that's okay. Sarah will be finished work in an hour so maybe I'll go and meet her.'
'You do that, but don't go walking down any dark alleys.'
Fergus grinned. 'Yes, Dad.'
'Cheeky bugger!' Richard punched his arm and started to push his way out of the pub.
Fergus followed and, after saying goodbye, sprinted to the bus stop. He was surprised that he had told Richard about Sarah, he certainly hadn't planned to. But he was so happy it was hard to hide it, especially as he went around with a smile on his face most of the time. It made a pleasant change. He hadn't done a lot of smiling since Celine had moved to Hopefield. He sobered as he thought of the rest of the stuff he'd told Richard. It had been a long time since he'd talked about Dermot's death. But between Celine's sudden arrival and Mick's reappearance, those sad, bad days were on his mind. Just over an hour later, he walked into the Centre.