The Boatman's Wife(49)

She should have known things were too good to be true. She had learned nothing good lasts forever.





Chapter Thirteen





Mullaghmore, 15th November 2017





Just for one minute, when she opened her eyes first thing the next morning, Lily had forgotten. She’d always been a morning person, bright and cheery – unlike Connor, who could be quite moody first thing. In those first few seconds of consciousness, Lily stretched in the unfamiliar bed – where was she? – feeling refreshed and relaxed, before she suddenly slipped into despair. She was here in Mullaghmore, chasing the truth about her dead husband. Now she wanted to curl up in the bed and never get up. But she was among strangers and had to put a brave face on things. She took a gulp and tried to steady her breath. Today, she would find out who her husband really was.

When she checked her phone, she was astonished to see she’d slept for twelve hours, having fallen asleep at around eight in the evening. There was a missed call from her mom at around 10 p.m. which she hadn’t heard. It was now the middle of the night back home. She’d have to wait until later to call her. Her thoughts immediately went to the Coast Guard’s report. Had it been delivered early? Was there a case drawn up against her father? The idea of him going to trial seemed insane. He’d never so much as got a parking ticket his whole life.

Lily could hear sounds downstairs. The girls clattering up and down, calling down to their mother as they got ready for school. Lily took a shower, then dressed in her warmest clothes. Blue jeans, and a pale grey cashmere sweater Connor had given her last Christmas. The rash on her left arm had calmed down after her long rest.

She went back into the bathroom and brushed her hair, tying it up into a ponytail, then changing her mind and taking the band off. She always had to have her hair tied up for work, but today she was going to let it fly free.

Downstairs, Aisling and Saoirse were sitting at the dining table, notebooks and pens littered across its surface. Aisling was scribbling in a notebook while eating cereal, and Saoirse was sitting back, scrolling through her phone while eating a piece of toast.

‘Good morning!’ Aisling said brightly. Saoirse glanced up at her and gave her small smile.

‘Well hello, Lily.’ Noreen emerged from the kitchen, rosy-cheeked and wearing a blue and white striped apron. ‘How did you sleep?’

‘Well, thanks,’ Lily said. ‘The bed was very comfortable.’

‘That’s grand,’ Noreen said. ‘Will you take a seat at the table now? Cup of tea or coffee?’

‘Coffee, please.’

‘Are you any good at maths?’ Aisling asked Lily, as her mother went back into the kitchen to make Lily’s coffee.

‘Oh no, pretty bad,’ Lily said.

‘Well, you’re no good then,’ Aisling grumbled, chewing the end of her pencil.

‘Don’t be giving our guest such cheek, young lady.’ Noreen tsked, coming back in with Lily’s cup of coffee. ‘So, what can I offer you, Lily?’ Noreen asked, laying her place for her. ‘There’s full fry with eggs, bacon, sausages and toast, or you can have scrambled eggs on toast? Or we’ve lots of cereals, and porridge, too.’

‘What about pancakes?’ Aisling called out.

Saoirse rolled her eyes. ‘She’s obsessed with pancakes,’ she said to Lily.

‘I can make you pancakes too,’ Noreen said, ‘no bother.’

‘But we don’t have maple syrup,’ Aisling said, frowning. ‘She’s American and you’ll want maple syrup, right?’

‘I can have them without,’ Lily said.

‘We have sugar, will that do?’ Noreen suggested. ‘Tastes good with a squeeze of lemon.’

‘Sure, thanks.’ Lily sat back at the table with her cup of coffee. Sunlight filtered through the glass roof and doors of the small conservatory as Lily admired all the foliage. Big pots of green ferns, spider plants trailing from shelves, and hanging baskets of brightly coloured winter blooms.

Aisling slapped her notebook shut.

‘Done,’ she said, looking triumphant, piling everything back in her bag. ‘Mam, can I have a pancake too?’ she called out.

‘Okay, but don’t be late again. Do you want one, Saoirse? Saoirse?’

The elder sister looked up from the phone.

‘No, no.’ She shook her head, getting up off her chair. ‘I have to go.’

‘Will you not wait for your sister, and walk to the bus together?’

Both girls pulled faces.

‘Only if she hurries up,’ Saoirse said. ‘I’m not running for the bus like last time.’

As Lily took a sip of her coffee, she noticed Aisling staring at her hand holding the mug.

‘Oh, are you left-handed?’ Aisling asked. ‘Because I am, too.’

‘Yes,’ Lily said, winking at her. ‘All the best people are.’

‘Is that your wedding ring?’ Aisling asked, her gaze falling on the band of gold around Lily’s ring finger. ‘Where’s your husband now? Why’s he not on holiday with you?’

‘Aisling, where’s your manners?’ Noreen said, bringing in a plate of pancakes. ‘I’m so sorry. She doesn’t think before she speaks, sometimes.’