Second Time Around (14 page)

‘Oh, well, fuck that, Jess.’ She put a hand to her mouth and groaned. ‘Listen to me. I’m turning into Mum.’

Jess giggled. ‘Not a chance.’

‘But, seriously, if he’s going to play dirty then you can too. I’m sure that he’d leave you alone if you threatened to shop him to his wife.’

‘I don’t have the stomach for that kind of thing, Shaz, and, anyway, what’s she done to deserve that sort of grief?’

Sharon sighed. ‘Look, just concentrate on your other jobs, don’t talk to him and, whatever you do, don’t meet up with him.’

Jess smiled at her. ‘I won’t. Thanks, Shaz.’

‘Don’t thank me yet, sweetie, I’m buttering you up because I need a favour.’

Jess gave a dramatic roll of her eyes. ‘I should have known there’d be a catch. Go on, then, spit it out.’

‘Keith wants to take me out one night next week. We have some things we need to talk – or argue – about and he thought we should do it on neutral territory.’

‘Makes sense. So you want me to babysit? No problem.’

‘It’s a little more complicated than that. Mum is babysitting, only . . .’ Sharon couldn’t bring herself to say it.

‘Only . . .?’ Jess prompted and then her eyes widened in understanding. ‘You don’t trust her.’

Sharon swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘I don’t think she’d harm Bobby, not deliberately but, given how she behaves with him in front of us, well, how do I know what
she’s capable of if she’s left alone with him?’

Jess stared at her for a moment and then finally shook her head, her eyes bright with tears. ‘Every time I think I’ve got my head round what’s happened to Mum, something new
comes along to knock the wind out of me. I’m beginning to wonder if we’ll ever have the same relationship again.’

‘I’ve been reading up online. There are support groups.’

Jess gave a wry smile. ‘I’ve been reading, too. The nurse gave me leaflets and contact numbers when they were discharging Mum, and I never thought that we would need anything like
that. But they knew this was probably on the cards, didn’t they?’

Sharon shrugged. ‘To be honest, I’m not sure they have a clue what lies ahead. From what I’ve read, nearly all sufferers of traumatic brain injury react differently, improve at
various rates or not at all, and have completely different problems afterwards.’

‘I suppose it’s down to what part of the brain is injured.’

‘I assume so. On the bright side, Mum seems to be at the healthier end of the scale. I remind myself of that every night before I go to sleep.’

Jess reached out and squeezed her hand. ‘I’m glad we at least have each other. I think I’d crack up if I was going through this alone.’

‘Likewise. Have you still got those leaflets?’

‘They’re somewhere in the flat. Do you think we should persuade her to get some help?’

‘We’ve got to do something.’ Sharon gave a weary sigh. She always seemed to feel tired these days. ‘Right now, though, I can’t think further ahead than leaving
Bobby alone with Mum.’

‘You want me to be here as well?’ Jess looked less than comfortable at the idea.

‘Please. If you dropped by supposedly to see me and stayed, that would be great.’

Jess looked at her. ‘Babysit the babysitter? I’ll try, Shaz but she’ll probably tell me to get lost.’

‘Please, Jess? Yes, you’ll be doing me a favour but you’ll have her cornered and she’ll have to listen to your side of the story. I’m sure she’ll mellow when
she knows you’ve finished with the man. You know Mum adores you.’

‘Mellow? Ha! You didn’t see the state of her that night. I thought she was going to have a heart attack. As for finishing with Louis’ – Jess sighed –
‘I’m a sorry, pathetic fool. If he turns on the charm I’m not convinced I’ll be able to resist him, sad bitch that I am.’

Sharon looked at her, shocked at the disgust and self-loathing in her sister’s voice. ‘Hang on a sec. The woman I talked to on the phone a little while ago was telling me how she was
on top of things. She was focused, confident and knew exactly what she wanted.’

Jess raised tortured eyes to her. ‘Yeah, but that woman has a habit of disappearing whenever he’s around.’

‘You’re so much stronger than you realise, Jess,’ Sharon told her. ‘You’re the one who got me and Noel through these last few months. You can easily walk away from
this guy. Writing’s your thing, Jess, and you’re good at it. In fact, why don’t you write down all the nasty things he’s said, the times he’s let you down and made you
downright miserable, and read it every time you feel yourself weaken?’

‘That’s not a bad idea,’ Jess said with a reluctant smile.

‘Good. Now will you come and keep an eye on Mum or not?’

Jess relented. ‘Yeah, okay. I suppose we have to thrash things out sooner or later.’

Sharon hugged her. ‘Thank you! I’m sure that Bobby will be asleep and I promise we won’t stay out long.’

‘Perhaps there’ll be some protection for me too. Mum can hardly yell at me with Bobby upstairs asleep.’

Sharon gave her a wary look. ‘I wouldn’t count on it but I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.’

Suzie was up and dressed and feeling much better when Nora texted to say that she was in Dublin and suggested meeting for a late lunch. It was exactly what Suzie needed and she
agreed immediately. Aileen would be happy to keep an eye on Percy, not that he seemed to need it, she thought fondly. Suzie hoped that Nora wasn’t planning on telling her any more home
truths. She needed a laugh and a chat and then maybe she’d tell her friend about the group that she’d contacted and was going to meet next week. She felt very nervous about it and
wouldn’t mind some moral support, but the lady she’d talked to had made it clear that it was a group of TBI survivors only. The purpose was that they could vent their frustrations to
each other without hurting their loved ones, which, she supposed, made sense. She still wasn’t looking forward to it.

Suzie studied the menu, disappointed in Nora’s choice of restaurant. It looked very fancy, but the food was weird and everything seemed to involve salad. Still, it was
in the heart of Dublin and she was enjoying people-watching from their table by the large picture window.

‘So, how’s the list coming along?’ Nora asked once they had ordered.

‘It’s not.’ Suzie took a sip of her chilled wine that Nora had chosen and nodded her approval. ‘Apart from the meditation and the book club, I haven’t organised
anything else.’

‘Perhaps it’s just as well now that you’ve a dog to mind.’ Nora smiled.

‘Ha, true. I can’t wait for you to meet him, Nora. He’s a pet, gentle and loving. I’m thrilled I got him.’

‘So, you’re definitely keeping him?’

‘Absolutely, although in Jess’s eyes that will make me public enemy number one. Did you know that she’d been attacked by a dog when she was little?’

Nora nodded slowly. ‘It happened before you came to Limerick. I remember you showing me the scar. You’d changed her hair to cover it so other children wouldn’t be asking her
about it and reminding her.’

‘Did I?’ Suzie was frightened that she’d forgotten something like that. ‘I’d better talk to her. I pretty much dismissed her fear but, still, this dog
wouldn’t hurt a fly.’

‘I’m sure that she’ll get used to him. How’s Sharon doing?’

Suzie rolled her eyes. ‘Rowing with Keith about Bobby, from what I can gather. He’s taking her out some night next week to have a heart-to-heart while I babysit. I’m hoping
he’ll be able to talk some sense into her.’

‘It’s good of you to babysit, I’m sure—’

Nora was interrupted by a knock on the window. Suzie laughed and waved. ‘It’s Mandy.’ She beckoned her sister to join them. ‘You don’t mind, do you,
Nora?’

‘Do I have a choice?’ Nora sighed, clearly unimpressed.

‘Oh, don’t be like that. I know she’s a bit much but she means well.’ Suzie saw Nora’s eyes widen in disbelief but Mandy had already breezed in and Suzie stood up
to hug her sister. Nora didn’t stir, her cool smile making it clear that Mandy wasn’t welcome. Annoyed, Suzie snatched a glass from the next table and poured a liberal amount of wine
into it. Nora’s mouth settled into a thin line but Suzie ignored her.

‘On another shopping spree?’ she asked Mandy.

‘No, hanging around waiting for Douglas. He’s in the library.’

‘Do you drive him everywhere?’ Nora asked.

‘God forbid. No, his rust-bucket wouldn’t start, so he asked me to give him a lift. Why the man won’t buy a new car is beyond me. Lord knows he can well afford it. The only
thing keeping that wreck together is dirt.’ Mandy took a sip of wine and glanced at her watch. ‘I suppose I should let him know where I am.’

‘We’ve already ordered,’ Suzie said. ‘Do you want something to eat?’

‘No, I’m fine.’ Mandy tapped a text into her phone and took another sip.

Nora, rather pointedly, poured her a glass of water and gave an innocent shrug when Suzie glared at her.

‘How are your plans for Croatia coming along?’ Suzie asked.

‘Slowly, very slowly. Douglas is not a man to be rushed.’

‘Mandy’s trying to wangle an all-expenses-paid holiday in Zagreb,’ Suzie explained.

‘Nice,’ Nora said.

Mandy gave a dreamy sigh. ‘It will be. I’ve been checking out the hotel online and it’s very luxurious.’

‘He “and companion” have been invited,’ Suzie explained, ‘but he doesn’t know that she plans to be the companion yet.’

‘Why not just ask him outright?’ Nora asked, looking bored.

‘I need to pick my moment. He’s a grumpy bugger and I’m not flavour of the month right now, as I dumped some of his old clothes.’

Nora raised her eyebrows. ‘That was a bit presumptuous.’

‘It was only a couple of jackets and jeans and they were ancient. We’d bought him replacements and I didn’t think he’d miss the stuff.’

‘If you did that to me you’d get a kick up the arse and be out of a job,’ Suzie told her.

Their salads were served and Mandy stole a prawn from her sister’s plate. ‘Douglas is lucky to have me. Not many would put up with him.’

‘Are you kidding me?’ Suzie scoffed. ‘You have it easy! If you decide to move on, tell Douglas that I’m more than happy to replace you.’

‘Seriously?’ Nora asked, sitting forward. ‘Would you be interested in getting back into the workplace?’

Suzie felt a spark of excitement at the thought of being back in an office again. ‘Do you know, I really think I would? Being idle is bad for the old grey matter. I need
stimulation.’

‘You were doing quite well before you got married,’ Mandy remembered. ‘Mam was always going on about your high-powered job and telling me I’d have to study if I wanted to
get on as well as you.’ She flashed a smile. ‘I proved her wrong, though. There are easier ways.’

Suzie saw Nora’s expression and figured she’d have to keep these two women apart. Had her friend always had a low opinion of her sister? Yet another thing that she couldn’t
remember. She pushed the rabbit food round her plate wondering if she could order a side of chips.

Mandy groaned as her phone rang. ‘Typical. As soon as I get a glass in my hand, Douglas is ready to go.’

‘Ask him to join us,’ Suzie suggested on impulse. ‘I’m curious to meet him.’

Mandy answered the phone and gave Douglas directions to the restaurant. ‘He’s just going to say a quick hi,’ she said after he’d rung off. ‘The man is so
antisocial, it’s unbelievable.’

‘It’s hard to imagine the two of you getting on. Why on earth would you want to go to Croatia with him?’ Nora said.

‘It will be fine. He can wander around old ruins while I’m in the spa or sunbathing.’ She winked and then, glancing at the door, lowered her voice. ‘Here he is now, not
another word, ladies.’

Following Mandy’s gaze, Suzie blinked and blinked again. It couldn’t be. He hesitated a moment and she saw that he was just as surprised to see her, but then his face broke into a
broad smile as he made his way over to them.

Mandy made the introductions. ‘Suzie, this is Douglas Thornton. Douglas, this is my sister and her friend, Nora.’

Thornton? Suzie frowned, confused. Why was he calling himself that? He took her hand and held it between his, blue eyes twinkling.

‘It’s wonderful to meet you, Suzie. I’ve heard a lot about you. I hope you’re recovering well from your accident.’

‘I am, thanks,’ she said, wondering why he was pretending they didn’t know each other, but deciding to play along. He must have his reasons. ‘It’s lovely to finally
meet you. Mandy talks a lot about you too.’

He glanced at her sister and raised an eyebrow. ‘Mandy?’

She scowled. ‘Childhood nickname. Don’t use it if you expect me to answer.’

‘I’ll try to remember that.’ Douglas chuckled, shook hands with Nora and then pulled up a chair next to Suzie. She couldn’t believe that after all this time he was
sitting here beside her. He looked older and greyer but still handsome, although more subdued, and there was sadness and weariness in his eyes. ‘You’re not what I was expecting,’
she said, mischievously.

He smirked. ‘Likewise.’

‘That just goes to prove neither of you ever listen to me,’ Mandy complained, although they were both oblivious of her.

‘I loved your book on Malta,’ Suzie said and saw his surprise and pleasure at the praise.

‘You read it?’

‘Only because she picked it up at my place,’ Mandy butted in, earning a glare from Nora for her bitchiness.

‘That’s true,’ Suzie admitted, not bothered. ‘I’ve never bought a travel book. We’ve only ever gone to the usual touristy places, but your book made me want
to be more adventurous.’

‘Thank you,’ said Douglas. ‘That’s a wonderful compliment.’

‘Perhaps you should add that to your list,’ Nora suggested with an affectionate smile.

‘Oh, come on, sis. If you went on a sun holiday you would spend it by the pool like the rest of us,’ Mandy scoffed.

Suzie thought about it. ‘That was true in the past but not now. Life’s too precious to just sit around doing nothing all day.’

‘I’ve always hated beach holidays,’ Nora agreed. ‘I like to explore.’

Douglas laughed. ‘That’s not Amanda’s idea of fun.’