'Hoorah!' Josh broke into a broad smile. 'I love you, mummy, you're the best Mummy in the world.'
Marina gulped. 'I love you too, darling. Do you promise you'll be good?'
'I promise, Mummy.'
'Excellent.' Marina cut off a Punto and swung into a parking spot outside the chemist. She hopped out of the car, flashed the irate driver of the other car a huge smile and went round to open the door for Josh. 'Come on, darling, if we hurry we'll have time for an ice cream.'
Marina clasped his hand in hers. How did she get to be this lucky? As much as she detested Ray at least he'd given her Josh. She knew that he was a little bit spoiled but she'd always felt that she had to make it up to him for throwing out his dad. Of course Josh was only two when Ray had left so he didn't miss him. Marina looked down at his blond head and thought that she hadn't done too bad a job. After they'd got Kay her cream, Marina bought Josh the promised ice cream and then picked up a packet of the chocolate muffins that her mother loved. She was about to head back to the car when she had an even better idea. Stopping off at the off-licence she picked up a bottle of wine and then rented a movie from the video shop. 'Now, Granny is all set for a nice night on her own,' Marina told Josh. 'I hope you remember your promise, Joshie.'
He smiled up at her, his blue eyes full of sweet sincerity. 'I'll be good, Mummy, promise. Can I have popcorn when we go to the cinema tomorrow?'
Celine wandered around her flat, occasionally taking an anxious peek at her watch. She wasn't sure why she was so nervous about Richard meeting Marina. It should be a relaxed evening given that Dominic would also be there. Celine had only seen Dominic once since Thursday and then it had been just for a quick hello outside the shop. He had been with two sober-looking men with briefcases and the three had disappeared into the newsagent's. Celine had hoped that Dominic was as preoccupied as he looked and didn't have time to listen to gossip.
She went into the bedroom and paused in front of the mirror. She was wearing a black, almost transparent skirt but the different layers and clever cut ensured that it was sexy without being too revealing. She had teamed it with a sleeveless crocheted top of silver grey that complimented her large grey eyes. She wore no jewellery. The outfit was finished off with high sandals that were so delicate she'd be lucky to get a second wear out of them. She smiled as she imagined Marina's reaction when she saw her. Her friend took Celine's usual wardrobe as a personal insult.
'She still has legs,' she'd remarked the first time she'd seen her in the shop. Celine smiled at the memory. She knew how frustrated Marina had felt at her total withdrawal from the world after Dermot died but she had stood by her, sometimes annoying, sometimes loving, but always there. Celine was looking forward to seeing her face tonight when she saw her looking well and happy. And, despite everything, she was happier than she'd been in years.
When Richard arrived to collect her, he stopped in the doorway and stared.
Celine twirled around with a self-conscious laugh. 'Will I do?'
Richard moved forward and took her hands in his. 'You look beautiful.'
'You're not so bad yourself,' she said, admiring the beautifully tailored dark suit.
Richard tugged at his tie and grimaced. 'I still prefer jeans!'
Celine closed her eyes as he bent to kiss her. 'I've missed you,' she whispered against his lips.
'I've missed you too.' He smiled down at her. 'It's a pity we have to go out.'
Celine pulled away. 'Well, we do and we should get going.'
'Do you think Marina will approve of me?' Richard asked as they went out to the taxi.
'You're single, rich and not too hard on the eye so yes, I think she'll be quite happy.'
When they arrived, Dominic and Marina were sitting at the bar. Dominic stood up to kiss Celine and gave her his stool. 'You look lovely,' he told her before turning to shake hands with Richard. 'Richard, I'd like you to meet Marina Flynn.'
Marina tossed back her hair and appraised him with twinkling, blue eyes. 'Richard, nice to meet you at last.'
The pleasure is mine.' Richard bent his head to kiss her outstretched hand.
'Enough of that,' Dominic told him with mock severity. 'What would you like to drink, Celine?'
'White wine, please.'
'And a pint for you, Richard?'
'Please.'
'So, Richard, you're in the property business?' Marina said, ignoring the glare that Celine was directing at her.
'And you're in the modelling business. I can see why. Dominic told me you were beautiful and he didn't exaggerate.'
Marina flashed him a dazzling smile. 'Quite the charmer, Celine, isn't he?'
'Isn't he just!' Celine smiled at Richard and then turned to take her drink from Dominic. 'Thank you.'
'How are the alterations going?' Dominic asked.
Celine laughed. 'Okay. I should be ready by Thursday.'
'What's this?' Richard asked.
'Celine is Hopefield Musical Society's new wardrobe mistress,' Dominic told him.
Marina touched Dominic's face. 'I still don't know how you talked her into it.'
Richard's eyes rested on Celine. 'Are you enjoying it?'
'It's fun,' Celine said with a casual shrug. 'And I get to watch the star of the show in action.'
Marina smiled delightedly. 'Is he wonderful? I've heard him practising in the shower.'
'He's excellent,' Celine confirmed, 'both at the singing and the acting.'
Dominic gave a slight bow. 'You're too kind.'
'When does the show open?' Richard asked. 'We must book front-row seats.'
'Four weeks' time so I don't think you need to book your tickets just yet.'
'I wouldn't bet on it, Dominic. Some of the women were telling me that their whole families are coming, right down to the great-grandchildren,' Celine told him.
'Good. The screaming kids will drown out my singing. We're sure to get rave reviews.'
'I'm sure my mum would like to come, she loves musicals,' Marina said.
'Daddy loves that kind of thing too,' Celine remarked. 'And Brenda would probably enjoy a night out.'
Richard glanced at his watch. 'Shouldn't we be heading over to the restaurant?'
Dominic nodded. 'Yes, the reservation is for eight-thirty.'
'Just let me slip out to the loo,' Celine said, standing up.
'I'll come with you. I like him,' Marina said when they were out of earshot. 'He's even better-looking in the flesh.'
Celine laughed. 'Glad you approve.'
'Is that all you're eating?' Frank looked in disgust at Celine's chicken salad.
She gazed at her plate and wondered if eating at all was such a good idea. 'I was out last night, Daddy,' she admitted.
'Ah, feeling a bit rough, eh? We'd better not talk too loud then.' Frank laughed and winked at Brenda.
Celine touched her temple and winced. 'That would be appreciated.'
'Do you know, I don't think I've ever had a hangover,' Brenda remarked.
'We'll have to take care of that,' Frank replied. 'We must have a night out when Alan gets back next week. What do you think, Celine?'
Celine managed a faint smile. 'Good idea.'
'How's life in Hopefield, Celine?' Brenda asked.
'Great. The shop has been really busy and this week the takings were higher than they've been since I started.'
'Good girl.' Frank beamed at her. 'I'm sure Rose will be pleased to hear that. How is she?'
'She's fine, Daddy. You ask about her a lot. If I didn't know any better I'd say you fancied her.'
Frank almost choked and reached for his pint. 'Well, really,' he gasped when he'd got his breath back. 'It's a sad day when I can't ask after a woman's health without being accused of all sorts.'
'Calm down, Daddy, it was a joke.' Celine glanced at Brenda and rolled her eyes. 'It wouldn't be a crime if you liked the woman.'
Frank glared at her. 'I do like her and that's all. Now, can we please talk about something else?'
'We seem to be running out of things,' Celine murmured.
Brenda started to giggle. 'I'm sorry,' she said when Frank shot her a dirty look. 'It's just this is so nice, sitting here, quarrelling, it's like old times.'
Celine laughed and even Frank managed a reluctant smile.
'If all you needed was a row to make you feel better you should have said!' Celine told her.
'Indeed, we're experts at that,' Frank agreed. 'It's nice to hear you laugh, love,' he added, smiling at Brenda.
'Those antidepressants are wonder drugs, aren't they?' Celine marvelled.
'The tablets help but talking to the psychiatrist is what's really making the difference.'
'I'm glad, love, I've been so worried about you. You know you're like another daughter to me.'
'Don't, Daddy, or she'll start blubbering,' Celine warned.
'She's right.' Brenda blew her nose.
'Blubber away,' Celine told her, 'and if it will make you feel better, we'll argue while you blubber.'
'Don't mind her, Brenda, she always acts the eejit when she's hung over.'
'You know? I'm beginning to feel better,' Celine replied. 'I wonder what's for dessert.'
Later that evening, Celine walked into the pub and frowned at the sight of Richard talking to the waitress.
'Hi,' she said, climbing onto the barstool beside him.
'Hi, Celine, what would you like to drink?'
'A glass of white wine, please.'
'Lucy, can I have a white wine and another pint for me, please?'
After glowering at Celine, the waitress did as she was bid.
'I hope I didn't interrupt anything.'
Richard grinned. 'Just the usual. So, what is it you want to talk to me about?'
Celine stared at him. 'Sorry?'
'Last night on the way home in the taxi you were going on and on about something you had to tell me.'
'Was I? Gosh, I must have been a bit more tipsy that I realised.'
'We all were. It was a good night.'
'What did you think of Marina?' Now that the time had come, Celine was feeling a bit nervous about telling Richard about Kevin Gilligan. Lucy appeared with their drinks and she grabbed her glass.
'She's good fun,' Richard was saying. 'Dominic is nuts about her, isn't he?'
'I think they're nuts about each other.'
'I hope so. I'm not sure Dominic could handle being dumped again.'
'He was dumped?' Celine was momentarily diverted.
'Yeah, at the altar, poor bastard. He hasn't gone out with a woman since.'
'How long ago was this?'
Richard shrugged. 'I'm not sure, but it must be at least ten years.'
'Crikey!'
'So I hope Marina is serious about him.'
'She is.' Celine took a drink from her glass and winced. 'God, this is awful stuff.'
'Let's go back to my place,' Richard suggested. 'I happen to know there are a couple of bottles in the fridge and the waiter is very friendly.'
Celine laughed. 'How can I say no to such a tempting offer?'
They ended up taking the wine into the bedroom and somehow Celine never got around to telling him about Eileen's visit. Later as he slept in her arms she convinced herself that he really didn't need to know at all. If Dominic did hear about it she would easily convince him that it was nothing but gossip. And Dominic was not the sort to spread gossip.
Fergus felt bile rise up in his throat as he watched them. Sarah was laughing and talking, obviously enjoying herself. And that bastard—
'Excuse me? I asked for a latte not a cappuccino.'
'Sorry.' Fergus dragged his attention back to the queue of impatient customers. By the time things had quietened down, Sarah had gone and Mick Garvey was sitting alone. He looked up, caught Fergus's eye and winked. Fergus walked over to him.
'Leave Sarah alone.'
Mick looked offended. 'Don't be like that, Gus, we were only talking. Ye don't have to worry about her, she's crazy about ye, can't stop talking about ye.'
Fergus shrugged and turned away.
'Yeah, talks about you and yer ma — sorry to hear she's not too well.'
'Thanks,' Fergus muttered.
'She must miss the shop.'
Fergus froze.
'A boutique, isn't it? And in Hopefield, nice spot that. That's where you and yer ma live now, Sarah was saying.'
Fergus turned back to him. 'Leave us alone.'
Mick's hand shot out and grabbed Fergus's wrist. For a little guy he was surprisingly strong. 'Don't be like that, Gus, it's no way to talk to an old friend.'
Fergus looked around the small bar but no one seemed to have noticed what was going on. 'What do you want?'
Mick released his hand and patted the chair beside him. When Fergus sat down, Mick leaned so close that Fergus could feel his breath on his cheek. 'I think ye know what I want, Gus.'
'I'm clean, Mick, and I'm going to stay that way.'
'Good, that's good, it's better for business to have a clear head.'
'This is my business now.' Fergus waved a hand around the small snack bar.
'Oh, come on, Gus, how much do ye make here, a few hundred a week? Work for me and ye could be making that much a day.'
'Thanks, but no thanks.' Fergus went to leave but Mick grabbed his wrist again, the skinny fingers pinching his skin.
'I'd feel a lot more comfortable if we were working together again,' Mick hissed. 'That way I'd be sure that ye wouldn't go running to the law.'
'I'm not going near the law, Mick, as long as you leave me and Sarah alone.'
Mick's eyes were cold. 'Hey, I'm a member here, Gus. Ye'd better be nice to me or I'll have to have a word with the boss.'
Fergus pulled his hand away and stood up. 'Just leave me alone to get on with my life, Mick, and I'll do the same.'
Mick gave him a twisted smile. 'Yer making a mistake, Gus. We could be a really good team.'
'I'm doing fine as I am.' Fergus escaped back behind his counter and started to chop fruit to make another batch of smoothies. His hand trembled slightly and he forced himself to take deep breaths and keep his eyes on his work. He felt rather than saw Mick leave and it was only then that he put the knife down and slumped against the counter. He felt cold but he was sweating and his stomach felt sick. The fact that Mick knew he lived in Hopefield, knew about the shop, scared him. Thank God his ma was staying with Babs — at least he didn't have to worry about her for the moment.