Second Time Around (44 page)

‘I’ll give you a call tomorrow and we can discuss it then. Go home and get some rest. You’ve had quite an evening.’

‘I’ve had lots of them recently,’ she said with a shaky laugh.

Doug turned to shake Malcolm’s hand. ‘Look after her.’

‘I will, Doug.’

The sound of a horn woke Suzie and she realised she’d fallen asleep on Malcolm’s shoulder. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry, Mal.’

‘It’s fine, Suzie,’ he said with a warm smile. ‘After hearing about all you’ve been through this year and, on top of that, the carry-on tonight, I’m not
surprised you’re tired.’

Suzie was distracted as the taxi turned onto the coast road. ‘You should have got out about five minutes ago,’ she pointed out, but was glad he hadn’t.

‘I wouldn’t let a lady go home in a taxi alone, especially a sleeping one.’ Mal grinned.

‘Thank you. Isn’t it strange?’ Suzie marvelled. ‘We haven’t seen each other in almost twenty-five years, yet I felt as close to you all as if it was
yesterday.’

‘Not so strange. We were always close. Can I be honest, Suzie?’

‘Of course.’

He looked into her eyes. ‘I don’t want to wait until the next get-together to see you again. Would you like to go for a drink with me? Just the two of us?’

Suzie smiled at him. ‘I’d like that, Mal. I’d like that very much indeed.’

Jess closed the door on the cold and frosty night and hurried up the stairs to her flat, hoping that the heating was working. Sighing contentedly when the warmth hit her as
soon as she opened the door, Jess kicked off her boots and padded into the kitchen. She put on the kettle and then went to check her email, smiling when she saw there was one from Katie. It was
disappointingly brief but, when Jess read it, she let out a whoop of delight. Katie was coming home tomorrow and wanted to meet up. Jess immediately replied, inviting her to her flat with the
promise of pizza and beer and lots of gossip.

It would be great to see her friend again. She had ended up staying in Jersey far longer than expected and Jess had missed her. She made a mug of tea and carried it and her laptop into the
bedroom, quickly changing into pyjamas and huddling under her duvet. Rereading the email, Jess smiled. She had talked to Katie on the phone and they’d exchanged texts, but there was nothing
like sitting over a coffee or glass of wine for a good gossip. Jess couldn’t wait to see her and catch up on all the news.

Jess had confided only in Cal about her meeting on Friday with a major Sunday newspaper, too nervous of jinxing it by telling anyone else. She could barely sleep for thinking about it. Cal,
however, was completely confident that she’d get it, pointing out her excellent experience and the hard-hitting articles she’d written during the summer on important political issues,
sending them off to publications that she admired and would like to write for. And now one of them wanted her to come in and discuss a weekly spot. She was beyond excited. Her phone buzzed and she
groped round for it and read the message from her sister.

As if she could, Jess smiled. Sharon had been buzzing round like a demented bluebottle, determined to have one last big bash before the baby came along. Keith was worried that she was overdoing
it, but the hospital had been really pleased with Sharon’s and the baby’s health on her last couple of visits.

‘Leave her be,’ her mother had advised. ‘She needs something to focus all that energy on.’

Jess responded to the text.

She set her phone on the bedside table and plugged in the charger before going into the bathroom to brush her teeth. As she wiped her mouth on a towel, her eyes caught the framed cutting from
the
Gazette
that she’d hung over the loo to remind her of the moment she’d stood up to Louis. Smiling happily, Jess turned out the light and went to bed.

Katie arrived straight from the airport in a cab, breathless and red-cheeked. Jess, who had been watching out for her, ran down the stairs and opened the door.

‘Hey, you!’ She dropped her bags and embraced Jess.

‘You look amazing!’ Jess stepped back to admire Katie’s black business suit, which was softened by a powder-blue blouse. Her blond hair was caught up in a knot, soft tendrils
framing her face, and she looked every inch the businesswoman.

‘I’m not dressed for this weather,’ Katie laughed. ‘It’s bloody arctic out.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me you needed a lift?’

‘Mum was supposed to collect me but she’s terrified of driving on icy roads, and apparently it’s much worse in Meath, so I just hopped in a taxi.’

‘Well, you’re here now. Come in and get warm. I’ll make you a cuppa.’

‘Coffee, please.’ Katie followed her upstairs and made a beeline for the radiator. ‘So how’s Cal?’

Jess turned and smiled. ‘He’s wonderful.’

‘I’m glad it’s working out for you two. I knew from the moment I set eyes on him that he was one of the good guys.’

Jess made the coffee and handed one mug to Katie. ‘So, home to relax for a while before re-joining the workforce?’

Katie’s eyes twinkled. ‘No rest. I start my new job next Monday.’

Jess stared at her. ‘What? No way! When did all this happen?’

‘I applied for a position in this huge accountancy firm and they called me for a second interview in their head office in London last week and rang the next day to offer me the
job!’

‘It’s in London?’ Jess said, disappointed but impressed at the same time when Katie told her the name of the company.

Katie shook her head. ‘No, of course not. I told you I wanted to stay in Dublin. I’ll be working in their offices here, smack bang in the city centre.’

Jess hugged her. ‘That’s brilliant news, well done.’

‘How about you? How’s life as a freelance journalist? Getting any meatier pieces to sink your teeth into?’

‘Now that you mention it . . .’ Jess grinned and filled Katie in. ‘I may borrow that suit for the interview.’

‘No problem. That is so exciting, Jess, and in the area you love, too. I’m delighted for you.’

‘I don’t have the job yet.’ Jess crossed her fingers.

‘You’ll ace it. It’s clear that not only are you smart but that you love what you do. Your mum must be so proud.’

‘She doesn’t know. I haven’t told anyone except you and Cal.’

Katie nodded. ‘You’re probably right. Much better to arrive with a bottle of bubbly when you get it.’

‘Katie, stop!’ Jess looked around for some wood to touch.

‘Fine, I won’t say another word. Anyway, I’m more interested in hearing about your family saga.’

‘It’s like something out of a movie, isn’t it? Mum’s been really open with me, and about John too.’

Katie shook her head. ‘She must have been upset when she remembered what he’d done. As if going through it once wasn’t bad enough.’

‘I know, but she’s determined to keep Dad’s infidelities from Sharon and Noel.’

‘That’s admirable. Is she completely recovered now, then?’ Katie asked. ‘Not embarrassing you anymore?

Jess laughed. ‘She’s fine and, yes, she’s much better behaved but I think that’s a conscious effort for Bobby’s sake.’

‘That must be such a relief. Now tell me about your mad aunt.’

‘Mad may be the word.’ Jess frowned. ‘After the party that night in Doug’s, no one saw or heard from her. After a couple of weeks Mum was getting worried in case
she’d done something stupid and went round to her flat, but the landlord said that she’d moved out. He got the impression that she was going abroad.’

‘I’m sure she’s fine. You don’t pack if you’re planning on topping yourself.’

‘She’s fine all right. Doug knew that Mum was worried about her and called a few friends in the travel business. He finally got a lead the other day. Mandy’s in Ibiza, shacked
up with some rich bloke.’

Katie’s eyes widened. ‘You’re kidding?’

‘Nope. It’s typical for Mandy to land on her feet.’

‘What does your mother make of it?’

‘She’s glad that Mandy’s safe and maintains that she’ll be back in a couple of months when she gets tired of him or the money runs out.’

‘It’s a bit sad, really, isn’t it?’

Jess shrugged, thinking of Mandy’s vicious behaviour at Doug’s party. She had no sympathy for her aunt anymore. ‘On the plus side, Mum has taken over her job.’

Katie’s eyes widened. ‘No way!’

‘Way!’

‘So she’s not looking after Bobby anymore?’

‘She is. She works from home and Doug drops over if there’s anything they need to work on together.’

‘That’s brilliant. It will stop her missing Noel so much. And she’s finally dating too?’ Katie went on.

‘Yeah, she’s seeing Malcolm, a guy she once worked with in CML, Doug’s company. He seems nice. I think Mum is quite smitten but she’s playing it cool.’

‘It just goes to show that you’re never too old to fall in love.’

‘Speaking of love, what’s happening with Sam?’

Katie dismissed the guy with a wave of her hand. ‘That was just a bit of fun.’

Jess wasn’t fooled. From the little Katie had told her, it ran a lot deeper than that. ‘Jersey isn’t that far away,’ she pointed out. ‘How did he feel about you
coming home?’

‘He said he’d miss me,’ Katie said with a sad smile, ‘and that he’s never been to Ireland.’

‘So, invite him over.’

‘Maybe.’

Jess decided to leave it at that. Katie didn’t like to be pushed and, right now, she was probably focused on her new job. ‘So, food. We can stay in and order a pizza or go to the
café on the seafront.’

Katie shivered. ‘It’s too cold to go out.’

‘In that case, why not change into something more comfortable and stay the night? I’ll phone in the order.’

‘You talked me into it.’ Katie grinned.

When they were tucked up on the sofa, replete and sipping beer, Katie returned to the Connors drama that she’d missed out on. ‘How is the farmer doing?’

‘Top form.’ Jess smiled. ‘Seeing the way he is now made me realise how miserable he was these last few months, and yet none of us noticed.’

‘I think you can be forgiven for that. You’ve had quite a lot going on,’ Katie pointed out.

‘True.’ Between Mum’s accident, Louis, and then Sharon and Bobby, Jess hadn’t known whether she was coming or going.

‘Is he in Limerick full-time now?’

‘Pretty much, although he’s come up to join us for Sunday lunch a couple of times.’

‘And how’s little Bobby?’

Jess smiled. ‘He’s much the same but we’ve learned a lot and so we’re better able to handle him. Mum can even talk him down from a tantrum now.’

‘Good on her.’ Katie looked impressed. ‘That must be quite a relief for Sharon.’

‘It is.’

‘How’s she doing?’

Jess laughed. ‘Totally stir-crazy but happy. Incidentally, she’s throwing a party on Saturday and you’re invited.’

‘Great. What’s the party for?’

‘No idea,’ Jess said with a grin.

Katie sighed happily. ‘When I think of the year you’ve had I never would have thought that things could turn out so well.’

Jess nodded in agreement. ‘I know. I keep expecting to wake up.’

Katie smiled at her. ‘So, have you and Cal any plans?’

‘What kind of plans?’ Jess said, playing dumb.

Katie rolled her eyes. ‘Should I buy a hat?’

Jess almost choked on her beer. ‘It’s only been five months,’ she protested.

‘Oh. My. God.’ Katie sat up, her eyes widening.

‘What?’ Jess felt her cheeks redden.

‘You didn’t say no. Come on. Out with it.’

‘Really we haven’t talked about marriage . . .’

‘But?’ Katie prompted.

Jess sighed. ‘He wants me to move in with him.’

‘Yay!’ Katie hugged her.

Jess pushed her off, laughing. ‘I’ve said no. It’s much too soon. I’ve made enough mistakes, Katie. I want to get things right this time.’

Katie beamed. ‘You are totally besotted with the guy, aren’t you?’

‘I am,’ Jess admitted, laughing.

‘No more contact from Lecherous Louis?’

‘No, thankfully.’

‘Is he still harassing the women in the
Gazette
?’

Jess lips twitched. ‘You’re useless.’

Katie frowned. ‘Why?’

‘You changed in the bathroom and you’ve been to the loo twice and you didn’t notice.’

‘Notice what?’ Her friend looked completely baffled.

‘Go and have a look, a proper one this time,’ Jess pushed her, smirking.

Frowning, Katie stood up and went into the bathroom. Seconds later there was a shriek and she came back, holding the framed press-cutting in her hands. ‘Oh. My. God. When did this
happen?’

‘Eve sent it to me a few weeks ago.’ Jess smiled. ‘I keep it there to remind me to stand up for myself in future.’

‘ “We regret to announce,” ’ Katie read out, ‘ “the resignation of Louis Healy, editor of the
Gazette
, with immediate effect, due to
personal reasons.” ’ She paused to look at Jess with raised eyebrows. ‘Personal reasons?’

‘Perhaps he’s sick.’

‘Ha! Sick in the head.’ Katie continued to read the statement. ‘Yada-yada-yada,’ she said, skimming through the brief biography of Louis’s time with the paper.
‘ “On behalf of the management and staff of the
Gazette
, we would like to wish Louis well in his future endeavours.” ’ She looked up at Jess,
smiling. ‘Oh, yeah, he’s definitely been rumbled. No notice and no job to go to?’

‘It does look suspicious, doesn’t it?’

‘Did you not ask Eve what the word was in the office?’

Jess shook her head. ‘I thought about it but I didn’t think it was worth the risk. I managed to leave the
Gazette
on my own terms. I don’t want to
remind her of my relationship with Louis.’

‘She’s one sharp lady. I doubt she needs reminding,’ Katie said.

‘But she hasn’t broadcast the fact and I appreciate that. I’ve moved on and I don’t want it resurrected. Especially with this interview coming up.’

‘It’ll be interesting to see where Louis pops up next.’

‘As long as it’s not in a certain Sunday newspaper,’ Jess said, pulling a face.