Second Time Around (45 page)

‘After this?’ Katie held up the frame. ‘I think it’s more likely he’ll be reporting on births, deaths and marriages in some freebie rag, if he’s lucky. The
man’s finished, Jess.’ Katie raised her bottle of beer. ‘What goes around comes around!’

‘Indeed.’ Jess agreed, happy to be able to put that chapter of her life behind her.

‘What’s the party actually for?’ Cal asked as they stood in the hall, divesting themselves of coats and hats and handing them over to a very serious and
self-important Bobby. He dusted snow from his hair.

Keith shrugged. ‘Early Christmas party? Celebration of Suzie getting the all-clear from the hospital? Take your pick. I went along with it because it was either that or she’d be
redecorating the living room.’

‘Mum says that a burst of energy just before the baby’s due is quite common,’ Jess said.

‘We’re going to dance this baby out,’ Sharon said, joining them and hugging her sister.

‘You look b—’

‘Don’t say blooming,’ Sharon warned Cal.

He laughed. ‘I was going to say beautiful.’

‘I look like a whale,’ Sharon retorted, resting her hands on her bump. ‘I haven’t seen my feet in weeks. That’s a killer dress, Jess. You’re looking pretty
sharp too, Cal.’ She nudged Keith. ‘Take note.’

Dressed in a nice shirt and jeans, Keith scowled at Cal. ‘Thanks mate,’ he said before hugging his sister-in-law. ‘You look very festive.’

‘Well, it is almost Christmas.’ She did a twirl and the skirt of her red dress flared out around her slim legs. ‘And, when I saw James Bond here,’ she nodded with some
pride at her boyfriend, ‘I thought I’d better make an effort.’

Cal, who looked as if he’d stepped out of a fashion shoot in his black suit and grey shirt, gave an embarrassed grin. ‘I’m trying to impress the relatives.’

‘You’re doing a good job,’ Sharon assured him and then looked longingly at her sister’s three-inch heels. ‘I can’t wait to wear real shoes again.’

‘It won’t be long now,’ Jess consoled her. ‘Is Noel here yet?’

‘He is, and he’s not alone,’ Keith said, waggling his eyebrows. ‘Don’t mention the war.’

‘What war, Daddy?’ Bobby asked, his eyes round.

Keith mouthed ‘sorry’ to his wife and hugged his son. ‘Daddy was just being silly,’ he said.

‘As usual,’ Sharon chimed in. ‘Percy has more sense, doesn’t he, Bobby?’

‘Percy’s smart,’ Bobby agreed. ‘But Daddy’s clever too.’

‘So what’s that about?’ Jess murmured to Sharon.

‘Mum’s in shock that her darling son has a steady girlfriend, and she’s from Limerick.’

‘Ah, I see.’ Jess nodded in understanding. Suzie was gradually coming to terms with her son’s departure but still harboured dreams of his moving back to Dublin once he got the
whole farming business out of his system. As if
that
was going to happen, her daughters had laughed. ‘Is she nice? What’s her name?’

‘Finola – and, yes, she’s lovely.’

‘Oh, good. Where is Mum?’

‘The last time I saw her she was chatting to her old work pals in the conservatory. Is Katie coming?’

‘She’ll be along later,’ Jess said, and then looked up at Cal. ‘Ready to face my world?’

He dropped a kiss on her temple. ‘I’ve been ready for years.’

She smiled into his eyes, still incredulous that this man loved her. ‘Come on, I’ll introduce you to the guy who almost delivered me.’

‘Lead on, Macduff.’ Cal laced his fingers through hers and she tugged him towards the conservatory, waving across the room at Nora and Aileen, who were chatting with some other
women. Suzie was falling around the place laughing at something Jack was saying, Mal by her side, a proprietorial hand on her back.

‘Jess!’ She smiled when she spotted her. ‘You look lovely, sweetheart. Hi, Cal. You look very smart too. Let me introduce you to my friends.’

Cal shook hands with Doug, Gina and Jack and, lastly, Mal. ‘I believe I have you to thank for the safe delivery of my girlfriend,’ he said gravely, hugging Jess to his side.

‘My part in that has been greatly exaggerated,’ Mal assured him. ‘Suzie was determined to give birth, and Jess was equally determined to make a grand entrance. All I did was
try to keep Suzie calm as this lot were worse than useless.’

‘Your services may be required again,’ Suzie laughed. ‘Have you seen the size of my other daughter?’

‘She looks great, though, doesn’t she?’ Jess said to her mum. ‘All that rest seems to have paid off.’

‘It certainly has. We have so much to be grateful for, Jess.’ Suzie looked at her and Cal with excited eyes. ‘Did Sharon tell you? Bobby’s going for an assessment at the
end of January.’

Jess gave a happy sigh. ‘That’s great news.’

‘He’s going to be fine,’ Cal said. ‘You’ve all been great with him – especially you and Percy,’ he told Suzie.

‘I won’t disagree about Percy, but that child has done more for me than I have for him. Now I have a good think before I open my mouth and say anything.’

‘And I was quite enjoying the swearing phase,’ Doug chipped in.

‘You wouldn’t want me swearing at your publishers, would you?’ Suzie retorted.

‘It would make a change from me swearing at them,’ Doug laughed.

‘So you’re not ready to sack her yet?’ Mal asked. ‘Pity. I wouldn’t mind having her as my assistant.’

‘You’d get no work done then,’ Jack quipped.

Suzie swatted him with the back of her hand. ‘No idea what you mean by that, Jack.’

Gina drew her and Jess to one side. ‘No word on your sister?’

Suzie nodded. ‘She’s alive and well and living in Ibiza.’

‘But why did she leave?’ Gina asked, obviously sensing a story.

Suzie seemed lost for words and Jess came to her rescue. ‘Mandy’s always been a bit of a gossip, so we tended to leave her out of the loop. That night in Doug’s was the first
she’d heard that Mum had me before she got married and that John wasn’t the father and she was furious we hadn’t told her.’

Gina rolled her eyes. ‘Talk about oversensitive. I mean, things like that weren’t talked about in those days.’

‘I know,’ Suzie said, ‘and Mandy was only a child herself at the time.’

‘Families, eh?’ Gina nodded towards her husband.

‘What was that?’ Jack cupped his ear.

‘Nothing, darling,’ Gina said, with an innocent smile.

‘I read your piece on housing the other day, Jess,’ Doug said, butting in. ‘It was excellent, couldn’t agree more. I wish all the newspapers would give you more work like
that instead of these asinine articles they ask you to do.’

Suzie gave him a grateful smile for stepping in and diverting the conversation. She still wasn’t comfortable talking about her sister and he understood that better than most. Jess
exchanged a grin with Cal before looking from Doug to her mum. ‘Thanks, Doug. I hope to be doing a lot more articles on current affairs, every week, in fact.’ Jess went on to tell them
about her new column with one of the most prestigious Sunday newspapers.

Suzie hugged her. ‘I’m delighted for you, sweetheart.’

‘That’s fantastic news,’ Doug said with an affectionate smile.

‘Congratulations, Jess, that’s amazing.’ Gina looked at her in admiration.

‘Well done, Jess.’ Mal smiled. ‘That is quite an achievement.’

‘Thanks, Mal. I’m really excited about it.’

‘Excited about what?’

Jess looked around and saw her brother standing behind her. ‘Hey!’ She hugged him. ‘I’ve got a new gig.’

‘Cool,’ Noel said when she’d filled him in on the details.

‘So, how’s life as a farmer?’

‘Spending all your time with your hand up a cow’s butt?’ Cal added.

Noel punched his arm. ‘You’re thinking of vets, dork. I’m up earlier than I’ve ever been in my life and it’s a seven-day week, but, yeah, I’m loving
it.’

‘Aren’t you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?’ Jess asked.

‘Sure.’ He looked around. ‘She’s around somewhere.’

‘How did you manage to snare a girlfriend if you’re working those hours?’ Cal raised his eyebrows.

Noel grinned. ‘She’s my vet.’

‘Ugh, so
she’s
the one with her hand up cows’ butts.’ Jess shuddered.

‘Do you get a special rate, being the boyfriend?’ Cal asked.

‘I do. I’m trying to convince her to move in, then she’d be on call 24/7.’

Jess rolled her eyes and nudged him when she saw Mum’s ears prick up.

‘You’re moving in together? Isn’t that a bit hasty? You haven’t known each other that long.’

‘I’ve known her long enough, Mum,’ he said, his mouth settling in to a stubborn line.

A girl with lovely green eyes and a mane of curly, auburn hair appeared beside Noel. ‘Don’t worry, Mrs Connors, I haven’t said yes.’

‘Sensible girl. Wait until you know all his habits first,’ Suzie said.

‘Jeez, thanks, Mum.’

Finola laughed and stuck out her hand, smiling. ‘You must be Jess.’

‘That’s me,’ Jess said, liking her on the spot, ‘and this is Cal.’

‘Cal, nice to meet you. Noel’s told me all about you.’

He smiled. ‘Only believe the good stuff.’

She frowned. ‘Good stuff?’ And everyone laughed.

‘She’s lovely,’ Jess whispered to her mum.

Suzie gave a resigned sigh. ‘I know. Come on, love, let’s give Sharon a hand. She shouldn’t be doing so much in her condition.’

Jess allowed herself to be pulled away from the group towards the kitchen, stopping for a few minutes to chat with Aileen and Nora and to say hi to Suzie’s new friends from the book club
and meditation class.

Sharon was stirring a pot of chilli when they walked in. She looked up and smiled. ‘And about time, too.’

‘Sorry, Mum wanted to introduce me to the world,’ Jess said. ‘What do you want me to do?’

‘You’re on the cold salads and dressings. Mum, will you check on the rice and slice up the baguettes?’

‘Only if you sit down,’ her mother retorted. ‘You’ve taken on far too much.’

‘It is a bit like feeding the five thousand,’ Jess agreed, putting an apron on to protect her dress. ‘Who are all these people?’

‘Apart from Mum’s guests, there’s some of our neighbours and friends, a couple of mums of autistic kids at the school and a few of Keith’s mates too.’ Sharon went
to lift a heavy saucepan off the stove.

‘Don’t even think about it,’ Jess warned her. ‘So, Mum, now that we can talk, have you heard any more from Mandy?’

Suzie groaned. ‘Well, I told you she called me last month—’

‘No,’ her daughters said in unison.

‘Sorry, I’ve been busy and you know what my memory’s like. But yes, she called, sounding a little drunk, to be honest. She was bragging about her rich boyfriend, the amazing
house, his yacht and all the famous people she’s met.’ Suzie rolled her eyes. ‘I couldn’t get a word in edgeways.’

‘So she’s done well for herself?’ Sharon looked at Jess. ‘Typical, isn’t it?’

‘I wouldn’t go that far,’ their mother said. ‘She’s living with a guy that could be Doug’s older, uglier brother and, word is, he’s not a very nice
man.’

‘How do you know all this?’ Jess asked.

‘Ah, it’s a small world we live in. Nora was out there for a few days’ holidays, she just got back. And she was strolling around the marina, admiring all these enormous yachts
and heard shouting and a woman screaming. It was Mandy and her new man, on a huge boat, hurling abuse at each other, both rolling drunk. Nora said he was quite vicious.’

‘Just like Onassis and Maria Callas,’ Jess murmured.

‘Jackie Kennedy,’ Sharon corrected her.

‘No, he was with Maria for years before he dumped her for Jackie,’ Jess told her. ‘They fought all the time.’

‘Poor Mandy. She seems destined to be alone,’ Sharon said.

‘She deserves everything she gets,’ Jess said, and received a warning look from her mother. ‘Sorry,’ she mouthed.

‘Where’s Bobby gone?’ Suzie changed the subject and looked around.

‘Watching a video upstairs, away from all the noise. I’m taking him up a picnic.’

‘I’ll do it, if you like. He’s turning into a grand little fella,’ Suzie said, pride in her voice, and Jess saw Sharon tear up.

‘So have you met Finola yet?’ her sister asked, dabbing at her eyes.

Jess nodded. ‘Yeah, she seems really nice.’

‘And fun, too, exactly what Noel needs.’

‘A pity she’s not from Dublin,’ their mother lamented. ‘She might tempt him back.’

‘Mum, there’s no chance of that,’ Sharon said firmly. ‘He loves it there and you know that Maurice is failing.’

Suzie looked up, her eyes widening. ‘No. No, I didn’t. I think Noel’s afraid to mention his name to me. I’m sorry to hear that.’

‘Really?’ Sharon raised an eyebrow.

‘I may not be his greatest fan, Shaz, but I’m not made of stone. How long has he got?’

‘Not long.’

‘And then Noel will have the farm.’ Suzie sighed.

‘Don’t be sad, Mum.’ Jess put an arm round her. ‘You want him to be happy, don’t you?’

‘Of course I do.’ Suzie glanced up at them. ‘Nora wants me to go back with her for a few days.’

Jess stopped making the salad dressing to exchange a surprised look with her sister. ‘And?’

Suzie shrugged. ‘I suppose I should go. Apart from anything I should make my peace with Maurice.’

‘Good on you, Mum. Noel will be chuffed. Oh!’ Sharon clutched her bump and bent over, her face screwed up in pain.

Suzie went to her side and put an arm round her. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Yes, just Baby doing its nightly aerobics,’ Sharon gasped.

‘Right. You’re not lifting a finger for the rest of the evening,’ Jess said, unnerved. ‘Just sit there and tell us what to do.’

She turned back to help her mother lift the pot of chilli onto the table, sneaking a taste. ‘Mmm, this is spicy. You should have a large portion, Shaz. It might bring on labour.’

There was a splash and Sharon sighed. ‘I don’t think that will be necessary.’

Jess stared. ‘What the hell?’

‘Her waters broke,’ Suzie said calmly.

‘What?’ Jess looked from her mother to her sister in horror.

‘Relax,’ Sharon said with a pained smile. ‘It’ll be hours before anything happens. We’ll get everyone fed and watered, and then Keith and I can head off to the
hospital.’