The Corrigan legacy (25 page)

'Would you mind? I'll lie down and give orders like the Queen of Sheba.'

When everything was put away, Maeve patted the bed beside her. 'You still look worried. Come and sit here. Tell me-what's upsetting you.'

'The thought of seeing my mother - and him.' 

'There will be lawyers with you all the time.' She hesitated, then added, 'They think it'd be a good idea to have a child psychologist with us, too. Would you mind?'

'I'm not crazy!'

'No, but you are in a state of great anxiety about your future, very upset at the thought of moving overseas, nervous about even being with your mother. You do need expert help about that. But the main reason is that it'll help your case if someone who's an expert can testify as to how upset you are.'

'Oh.' Lily began to fiddle with the bedspread, then shrugged. 'If it'll help me stay with Dad, I'll do anything.'

'Good. Now, I need a nap. Why don't you ring your father and invite him round to visit? There's a phone in your room and you can order anything you like from room service.'

Lily went out to dial her father's number. When he answered, she could only say his name before she began to cry. 'Dad. Oh, Dad.'

'Darling! Is something wrong?'

'No. I'm just - acting dumb, crying for nothing. I'm in the Xanadu Hotel and Aunt Maeve says you can come round to visit me.'

'I'll be there as soon as it's humanly possible. Do you need anything?'

'Some more clothes.'

'I'll bring everything you've got here and you can sort through them. How about my old laptop, too? Then you can email me and play games.'

'Great. Thanks.'

'I'll be there in about an hour.'

'I love you, Dad.'

With a happy sigh Lily brushed away a tear. Once he was here, she'd feel better, she knew she would.

Cal put the phone down and turned to Judith. 'That was Lily. She was in tears. I have to go to her. She's at the Xanadu with Maeve.'

'Maybe I can come and see her later too. Give her my love.'

'Can I drop you anywhere? I'm taking a taxi, not the Hog.'

'Would St Rita's be too much out of your way?'

'No. Only a very small detour.'

'Good. Have I time to phone Mitch and tell him I'm going to see his father? He'll probably want to meet me there.'

When she put the phone down she walked across to hug and kiss Cal, amazed at how often she wanted to touch him. It seemed a very long time since she'd been on such terms with Des. 'I'm sure things will work out for you and Lily,' she said gently. 'When these Corrigans want something they usually get it and she's utterly determined to stay with you.'

He hugged her, then held her at arm's length. 'Shall you mind having my daughter round the place? Lily isn't always so quiet and she can be as moody as any other almost-teenager.'

'Are you asking me to live with you?'

'I thought we'd already agreed on that.'

'Not exactly. We were both exhausted last night. I don't even remember falling asleep.'

'I watched you in the moonlight. You looked beautiful and peaceful. You will live with me, won't you?'

'Yes.' She had no doubts about it, not if he wanted her, because she loved being with him. He was gentle and yet passionate, intelligent, kind. His voice brought her out of her blissful daydream.

'And it's all right about Lily?'

'I'll enjoy having her around. Besides, Mitch will be with us too part of the time, I hope, though he'll be going to university soon.' She stirred in his arms. 'This isn't really the time to discuss our future. You have to go and see Lily, sort out her problems before you do anything else. And I have to see Des, make sure he's all right.'

Cal grinned and swung her off her feet, turning round in a joyful circle that left her breathless with laughter before he let go. 'What's to discuss apart from where to live? This place won't be big enough for the four of us.'

'Is it going to be that easy?'

'I think so. People complicate life unnecessarily.'

She went upstairs to get ready. It felt really strange to be going from her new lover to see her husband of so many years. She'd have to make sure the divorce went through as quickly as possible because she didn't like the feeling that she was still legally tied to Des when her heart and body were now solidly with Cal. 

And with Lily. She smiled. She'd grown fond of his daughter too, even in this short time, and Mitch would enjoy having a little sister around, she was sure.

The ten-storey hospital building looms over several acres of striated car parks. A stream of visitors enters, ant-like, quickly subdued by the sterile air, the sternly busy staff and the hushed labyrinths inside.

Judith was directed up to the intensive care unit and when a nurse at the reception station sent her to the waiting room, she found Tiffany there already. The two women nodded a greeting.

'I saw Des for a few minutes,' Tiffany said, 'but he was feeling uncomfortable and they sent me out again.'

Suddenly a siren started wailing and both women rushed to the door to see a doctor and two nurses running down the corridor, followed by another pushing a trolley at a fast clip.

'Oh, no!' Tiffany clutched Judith's arm. 'That's Des's room they've gone into.'

They stared at each other in horror then Judith remembered that her companion was pregnant, so said as calmly as she could, 'We'd only be in the way, so I think we should sit down and . . . wait, let them do whatever it is they have to. At least he's in a hospital already, so he'll get the help he needs quickly.'

Tiffany walked slowly across to lower herself on to a chair like an old woman. 'I'm worried about him. He looked so old and strained this morning.'

'I haven't even seen him yet. I wish I had.' Judith sat next to her and looked at her watch. 'Mitch is supposed to be meeting me here. I hope he doesn't come until this is over.'

A few minutes later a nurse came in and looked at them in an assessing way. 'You'll have seen that there's a problem with Mr Corrigan. I'll keep you informed, but we'd be grateful if you'd stay here. You'd only get in the way if you tried to see him.'

'What's wrong?' Judith asked.

'Doctor will tell you about it when he can get away.' She walked out of the room.

Ten minutes later they were still waiting and when the door opened, they both looked up expectantly. But it was Mitch, not the doctor.

Judith went to hug her son. 'Come and sit down.' She hesitated but there was no way of hiding what had happened from him. 'Your father's had some sort of an incident. It must have been another heart attack because they rushed the emergency team to his room. They've asked us to wait here.'

He stared at her in shock, then asked in a voice cracked with anguish. 'Dad's not going to die, is he?'

How did you answer that? Judith wondered. She tried to find words but couldn't, could only shake her head helplessly. 'I don't know, darling.' 

Tiffany covered her eyes with her hands and Judith saw a tear slide down her cheek. It took her a moment to realize that she had wet cheeks too.

'So we just wait?' Mitch demanded in an aggressive tone.

'Yes. Sometimes it's all we can do.'

'That sucks.'

'The whole thing sucks. Des isn't an old man, not even sixty. I don't know why he's having all this trouble.'

It was twenty minutes before a doctor came into the room, looking grave. 'Mrs Corrigan?' He looked at the two women.

'I'm Mrs Corrigan, but Des and I are separated and Ms Roberts is engaged to him. This is his son.'

'I'm very sorry, but it's bad news. We did all we could but I'm afraid we couldn't save him.'

Tiffany began to sob and Mitch was gulping back tears. For all her own grief, Judith found herself with an arm round each of her companions. 'What happened exactly?' she asked.

'A massive heart attack. There was a structural weakness and it's surprising he lasted so long without an incident.'

'He's had chest pains a couple of times that I know of,' Judith said. 'But he always brushed them off as indigestion and he looked normal the next day, so I didn't press the point. Well, you can't - couldn't get Des to do anything if he didn't want to.' She turned to Mitch and hugged him close, but couldn't leave Tiffany weeping alone, so put her other arm back round the younger woman.

'Do you - um - want to see him?'

Mitch looked up and sniffed, wiping his arm across his eyes. He said, 'Yes!' at the same time as Tiffany.

Judith shook her head. 'No. I'm sorry, but I can't do it, not even to be with you, Mitch. I don't want to remember him dead. Will you be all right on your own?'

He looked at Tiffany. 'I won't be alone.'

'Do you mind me being there?' she asked him, sagging in relief as he shook his head.

'Give us a few minutes to tidy up, then you can see him,' the doctor said.

When a nurse came for them, Mitch stopped at the door to look back at his mother. 'I'll be all right, really I will.'

Judith had the strangest feeling that he'd suddenly grown up. 'I'll wait for you here.' She took out her mobile and dialled Cal's number. 'Cal? Oh, Cal, Des has just had a massive heart attack and - and he's dead. Can you come? Please?'

'Of course I'll come. I'm sure Lily will understand.'

Judith sat and waited, feeling very alone and disoriented. Mitch and Tiffany seemed to be taking a long time.

When the door opened and Cal walked in, she ran to fling herself into his arms, able now to let her own grief pour out.

Maeve looked up as Lily came into her room. 'Why did your father rush away?'

'Judith's husband has just died.'

'Des? Des is dead?'

Lily clapped one hand to her mouth. 'Oh, no! I'd forgotten he was your brother. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come out with it like that.'

Maeve took hold of the girl's hand. 'It's all right. At my age one gets used to death. Des and I weren't the best of friends, but still, it's sad when a brother dies, especially one who was only fifty-eight. Dear heaven, it doesn't seem possible.' She closed her eyes for a moment or two, then looked at the anxious young face next to her. 'We're not doing well healthwise, my generation of Corrigans. I hope yours does better. Don't forget, though, that Des was your father.'

'I've never met him, not once. He didn't want to see me, so I don't feel as if he's anything to do with me. I'm sorry if that sounds cruel, but it's how I feel. I'm sorry for Mitch and Judith, though.' She saw that her aunt was pale and looked sad, so squeezed her hand. 'And I'm sorry you're upset. Is there anything I can get you?'

'Yes, pass me the phone and get me my address book out of my handbag. I'd better ring my other brother in Australia and give him the news. This isn't a time for keeping up feuds.' She waited as the phone rang several times and then someone picked it up, a woman who sounded breathless as if she'd been running.

'Yes?'

'Is that Mrs Corrigan, Kate's mother?'

'Yes. Is Kate all right?'

'She's fine. Look, this is Maeve, Leo's sister. Could I speak to him, please? And if he tries to refuse, tell him Des has just died.'

There was a gasp and the phone was put down, then a woman's voice called out to someone to come quickly.

When the phone was picked up again, a man's voice said, 'Is that true, Maeve? Has Des really died?'

'Yes. He had a heart attack, seemed to be recovering then had another one a few days later in hospital. They couldn't save him.'

'I can't believe it.'

'No. I'm having a bit of trouble believing it myself.'

There was a moment's silence, then he added, 'And you're ill too, my wife tells me.'

'Yes. So I think - don't you? - that it's time we stopped feuding. Will you come to Des's funeral, Leo?'

There was a moment's silence, then, 'Yes.'

'I'll get my assistant to book tickets for you and your wife. No, don't argue with me. My company will have a better chance of getting emergency seats than you would.'

'Very well. Um - is Kate there?'

'No. She's not got back from her iron transfusion. Shall I ask her to ring you when she does?'

'Please. I'd like to speak to her. And Maeve - thank you for letting me know. I haven't seen Des for years, but we rang one another every now and then.'

She sighed. 'Which puts you in a happier position than me. I wish . . . well, it's too late for that now. Look, I've to go into hospital for some more tests tomorrow, so I'll get my PA, Andy Blauman, to arrange things. Goodbye.'

She let the phone drop on to the bed as if it had suddenly become too heavy and Lily took it off her and put it back in its cradle.

'Will you fetch Andy?'

She nodded and went along the corridor to knock on his door. It made you think. Her aunt had quarrelled with her brothers and not spoken to them for over twenty years. She didn't want it to be like that between herself and her mother - even if she did want to live with her father.

When she went back into her bedroom, leaving Andy and Maeve together, she hesitated, then picked up the phone. 'Mum? Yes, it's Lily. No, I don't want to come home but - Mum, will you just listen, please! There's some really bad news. He's died. No, not Dad, my biological father, Des Corrigan. He had a heart attack this morning and they couldn't save him. Yes, I'm fine. Look, I can't talk for long because they may need the phone. I just - thought you should know.'

'All right. Thanks for ringing, Lily.'

Kerry put the phone down and turned to explain to Wayne what had happened.

'Does his death make any difference to us?' He frowned at her. 'Or are you still carrying a torch for that guy?'

'No, of course not.' She chewed her lip for a moment or two, then decided to tell him. 'Des has been paying maintenance for Lily right from the start.'

'But you said Cal's been paying maintenance.'

'He has. They both have. And Des has been paying Lily's school fees, too.' She shrugged. 'I didn't see why he should get away scot free. It's not as if he was short of money.'

A slow smile lifted the corners of Wayne's mouth. 'You're a girl after my own heart, Kerry.'

She shrugged. 'I'd as soon Cal didn't know about Des's money. I suppose it'll stop now. Well, at least Lily rang to tell me. Wayne, have I been wrong, wanting to take her with us?'

'Seems normal for a mother to do that. Why? Have you changed your mind?'

'I'd rather take her, but . . . well, she's been so adamant and ran away rather than stay with me ... it makes you think.' She spread her hands wide. 'If I leave her with Cal, she'll grow up as soft as him. The thought of that annoys me, I must admit. And I hate backing away from a fight, just hate it!'

'So do I, honey, but sometimes you need to cut your losses.'

'I don't know what to do about her.'

'Do nothing. Think about it some more. Let the two of them stew for a while.'

'I don't want Lily to stew.' She smiled. 'But I don't mind letting Cal worry for a bit longer.'

'Do you want to go back to my mother's?' Judith asked when Tiffany and Mitch had rejoined them in the waiting room.

'The hospital needs some papers signing,' Tiffany said. 'I think legally you'll need to do that. And what I really want is to go back to my own flat, not that I'm ungrateful. I think your mother is a very special person.'

'You shouldn't be on your own at a time like this.'

'You're very generous, but I can cope. I've been living mainly on my own for quite a few years.' She sighed and wiped away another tear. 'But I'll miss him. He was such fun.'

'He was, wasn't he? Selfish, aggressive, greedy - but fun.'

Mitch looked at Tiffany. 'Your baby will be my brother or sister. I want to know it as it grows up. I've been kept from my other sisters a lot of the time, and I don't want to be kept away from this one.'

'You're welcome to visit any time. I think it'll be good for the baby to have a brother like you.'

Mitch blushed and nodded, his eyes still bright with tears.

Judith could feel herself flushing at what he'd said. 'What about the funeral?'

'You won't try to keep me away?' Tiffany asked.

'Of course not. I meant - do you want to help plan it?'

Tiffany thought for a moment, then shook her head. 'No. I don't know anything about funerals. All I care about is being there to say a final farewell to Des.' She gulped and pressed one hand to her mouth, tears rolling down her cheeks.

'I'll take you down to find a taxi, Tiffany,' Cal said when she'd pulled herself together a bit. 'Will you and Mitch be all right for a minute or two, Judith?'

'Yes, of course.'

As she was speaking a nurse came in. 'Mrs Corrigan? There are some papers we need you to sign.'

Later, as the three of them were leaving the hospital, Cal said, 'Had we better go and see Maeve? She may want to be involved too. He was her brother, after all.'

'I suppose so.'

'You look exhausted.'

'I do feel tired. And it's only mid-afternoon. Mitch, we didn't have lunch. You must be hungry.'

He shook his head.

'Then we'll go and see your aunt now, get it over with.'

At the hotel they found Maeve sitting on her own in the suite.

'I'm glad you came. Do sit down. Lily's talking to a psychologist.' She gestured to a closed door.

Cal stopped dead. 'What's wrong with her?'

'She's upset about a lot of things. It seemed a good idea to get her some counselling, and also it should give you ammunition for keeping her with you, Mr Richmond. Do sit down.'

'Call me Cal, please. I'm not one for formality, Miss Corrigan.' But his eyes were on the closed door.

'Nor am I, especially in the circumstances. Now, I have to go into hospital tomorrow for some tests, but it'd still be best if we used this hotel as a central meeting point. I've hired another suite here and suggest we use it as a place to gather.'

She picked up a pad from the small table next to her. 'Now, what else is there? Oh, yes. I've arranged for a lawyer to talk to you and Lily tomorrow morning, Cal. He's coming here. Lily's afraid her mother will try to snatch her if she goes out. Is that all right with you? Good. And Judith, can we postpone Des's funeral for a few days? It'd be good to wait for Leo and his wife to arrive from Australia. Mitch and Lily will want to meet their Australian aunt and uncle, I think. And there are Mitch's other two sisters to think of. Could you break the news to them, please?'

Judith nodded, feeling as if she'd been picked up by a gentle whirlwind and wondering what Des's sister had been like when she was in full health.