13

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DIANE KEPT A BEADY eye on his face as she asked, ‘Were you in love with her?’ Then she held her breath and dug her fingers into her palms as she waited for a reply.

‘I’ve always loved Dorothy in the same way one loves one’s mother or one’s sister,’ Horace replied in an even tone. ‘She certainly had no romantic leanings towards me, and I was grateful for it. Ever since the moment she became hysterical at the sight of a puppy, I felt the compelling desire to protect her. I didn’t feel I could do that properly if we were involved in a relationship.’

‘That’s bullshit,’ Diane scoffed. ‘It’s perfectly possible to be romantically involved with someone and protect them at the same time. It’s a process often referred to as marriage.’

‘You’ve grown up a lot during the past couple of years,’ he remarked.

‘Shame you missed them, they were chockfull of fun and excitement,’ she replied caustically. ‘Did Mum know you planned to buy Old Hen?’

‘I didn’t mention it because I was still uncertain myself. On the day you and Josh were due home, she asked me to accompany her to the airport, but not to actually interact with you or your brother for fear of confusing you. I hung back and watched the pair of you walking through the doors into the arrivals hall.

‘I watched her falling on you and hugging you until you begged for mercy. I stayed hidden and watched you leaving the airport. There was something so familiar about the scene. It was as if I had known the three of you all my life. That was when I knew I was going to buy Old Hen. I took a bus back to Shankill and tracked down the estate agent. Plenty of developers had taken notice of the cottage, but as soon as they realised it would be impossible to purchase Bluebell Wood at the same time, they lost interest in pursuing it any further. Consequently, the agents were more than happy to accept my somewhat modest offer, especially as I was a cash buyer.’

‘Did you tell Mum what you had done?’

‘Not straightaway. I engaged a local solicitor and returned to Wales. The cottage had never belonged to the local authority hence it didn’t take long for the paperwork to go through, and my solicitor was soon in touch about the contracts. I hired a van, collected Foxie from the tree house, and said my goodbyes. When I got back to Ireland, I stayed at the B&B where I purchased Foxie, because the cottage was not exactly habitable.

‘My solicitor recommended an architect which is where the bulk of my money was spent. I did very little of the work myself and, consequently, the refurbishment cost a king’s ransom. I moved in and began to live what I felt was a fairly modest life. Two years later, it began to dawn on me that a) I would have to start harbouring my resources better if I intended to live independently of my family’s wealth and b) I was absolutely bloody awful at financial management of any kind.’

‘I’m not being funny, Horace,’ Diane said, ‘but you’re just about the most impractical person I’ve ever met. I don’t know how you’ve managed to survive all these years.’

‘I had Dorothy on hand to advise me and feed me and generally take care of me,’ he replied sadly. ‘She was the one who encouraged me to apply for the narrator’s job at the publishing company, and she made sure Josh and Deco told their school chums about my guitar lessons. When I started offering my services as a gardener, she was the one who advised me how much to charge.

‘There was a time when I truly believed we would continue like that for the rest of our lives. I was so bloody naïve to think nothing would change between us. These days, Josh and Deco are my only real link to you and your mother. I still see Amanda, although her life has also undergone a significant transformation since the lottery happened along.’

Diane stirred her drink with the celery stick as she processed this. Eventually she raised her head and looked him in the face. ‘Were you tempted to go home when the money began to run out?’

‘There was a time when I felt the urge to return to the old homestead,’ he nodded. ‘I really missed my mother, and was curious to know what had occurred during my absence.’

‘What prevented you?’

‘I knew if I went home, there was a good chance I would never see any of you again,’ he said softly. ‘I wasn’t prepared to leave you, Diane. You were only fifteen at the time and to my mind, the risk of losing you far outweighed my somewhat questionable relationship with the family. I took the decision to sit tight and ride out my cash flow crisis.’

‘You stayed because of me?’ she looked startled.

‘Of course,’ he shrugged. ‘I love you. I still have nightmares about how I screwed the whole thing up and made you hate me, although I suppose you’d rather not dwell on that.’

‘You suppose correctly,’ she replied in a tight voice. ‘I’d rather not discuss it. Did you keep in touch with Bertie and Alex?’

‘Absolutely. I’m on their Christmas card list. I usually receive a letter from them twice a year. They’ve done very well for themselves in Canada, and I have a standing invitation to join them there any time I fancy a change of scenery. They’re married now and have two children. They called their son Nelson, which was rather sweet of them.’

‘Nelson,’ she repeated and rolled the word around in her mouth. ‘Do they have a nickname for you at home?’

‘They called me Nellie.’

‘Nellie,’ she tried it out on her tongue. ‘I like that, it suits you. I’m going to stop calling you Horace, because I never really liked it that much. Is that all right with you?’

‘I am, quite literally, yours to command,’ he bowed to her as best he could.

‘In that case, Nellie, I have to ask you something,’ she frowned at him. ‘When you heard Mum was in trouble, did you never suspect my dad might be behind it?’

‘Never,’ he exhaled loudly. ‘What you have to remember, Twiglet, is there was never as much as a peep out of Declan in all the years I lived at Old Hen. The man never as much as sent your mother an abusive text message or a questionable e-mail. For more than a decade, he acted the part of a successful businessman and loving family guy.

‘He or Lelia would often leave a voicemail on Dorothy’s phone regarding the arrangements for you and Josh. She used to play the messages to me so I could judge them for myself. Lelia would usually be reading out the flight numbers, and we would hear Declan in the background saying things like, “Tell Dottie to pack the kids’ swimming costumes because we’re taking them to the waterpark this time, and she had better pack their wellies as well, in case we go to the zoo.”’

‘None of that sounds out of the ordinary,’ Diane pulled a face. ‘In fact, I’d go as far as to say it sounds positively dull and boring.’

‘Exactly,’ Horace sighed. ‘By the time you were teenagers, Dorothy began to accept he was no threat to either of you. Whenever you visited him, Declan would take you out and show you a good time. He used to shower you with gifts whenever he was in the money. Of course, that dried up somewhat after the global crash, but nonetheless he gave the impression of being a doting father. We were blindsided.’

‘Do you think it was the money that set him off again?’

‘I certainly do. That damned lottery has a lot to answer for,’ Horace’s tone was savage. ‘Dorothy decided to hold off as long as possible before telling him. By then, her main concern was that he would try to influence you and Josh into either investing in his business or buying something inappropriate. That’s the real reason she’s only ever given you amounts which many would consider miserly, and that’s why she encouraged you to tell Declan your funds would be tied up until you were twenty-four. She thought she was protecting you by doing that. Nobody could have predicted his evil scheme.’

‘No,’ Diane agreed in a small voice. ‘Nobody could have predicted that.’

Nelson unexpectedly thumped the granite worktop, making her jump. ‘I warned your mother not to move to Falcon,’ he said harshly. ‘I begged her to stay with me in Shankill where it was safe, but she was having none of it. I knew something bad would happen if she left Bluebell View, but she was adamant about starting a new life.’

‘You can’t blame her for that,’ Diane replied in a voice of reason. ‘She’s one of the richest women in the country. You could hardly have expected her to live out the rest of her days in a three-bed semi with a kitchen that was always too small.’

‘And where has it got her?’ he demanded. ‘Abused, threatened, betrayed, hurt, shot, hunted, harassed, harangued, plagued by the media, forced to hide behind the walls of this house like a common criminal for fear of who or what is on the other side. Do you seriously believe she’s better off than she was before?’

‘Not when you put it like that, I don’t,’ Diane grinned at him. ‘But it’s had its compensations as well, and since we can’t turn back the clock, there’s no point in labouring the point. You’re pissed because your cosy little world was rocked to the core and you had nobody to cook for you. Mum still cooks quite a lot, just not for you. How does that make you feel?’

‘You always were a diabolical little minx,’ he glowered at her, and she giggled.

‘Does that mean I’m not your angel girl anymore?’ her eyes twinkled at him. ‘I’m amazed you voluntarily left Shankill if it’s that wonderful.’

‘I didn’t do so of my own volition,’ he appeared shocked she would think so. ‘That little scoundrel, Marco Kelly, bullied me into leaving. Then he dragged me to the shops and forced me to try on some of the most ridiculous outfits it has ever been my misfortune to encounter. And that was merely the beginning of the nightmare.’ Here, he paused and gestured at his chest. ‘I’ve been manscaped,’ he informed her, his voice brimming with indignation.

Diane’s lips quivered. ‘That will come in handy when your ma introduces you to all the single daughters of her pals. Chicks dig a well-groomed guy.’

‘I received zero support from Damerel throughout the entire ordeal,’ he continued bitterly. ‘And as for your mother. Do you know what she said when Marco raided her wallet and helped himself to literally thousands of euro to spend on my makeover?’

‘Leave me a tenner for petrol?’ Diane smirked wickedly.

‘Huh! She said, “Take it all, Marco sweetheart, there’s plenty more in the safe at home. Don’t forget to buy him a decent phone.”’

‘You have a smart phone?’ Diane perked up at this news.

‘Yes,’ he grumbled. ‘I have no idea how to use the dratted thing. Bunny would get more use out of it than I ever shall.’

Diane chuckled as she slid down off the stool once more, saying, ‘You’re incredibly grumpy. I blame the vodka. Glenda taught me how to make a ridiculously calorific French toast. I’m absolutely starving so I’m going to make it now. Do you fancy some?’

‘You can cook?’ he looked startled.

‘Glenda’s been giving me and Emily lessons,’ she told him, as she rummaged in a drawer for a scrunchie to tie her hair back.

‘You and Emily can cook?’ he sounded flummoxed.

‘Of course, we can cook,’ she told him as she went to wash her hands at the sink. ‘We don’t broadcast it, of course, otherwise the boys would be expecting us to Mammy them, and we draw the line at that. Men are desperately lazy about that sort of thing, although you often find it’s the women in their lives who let them get away with it. Then they end up like Jack! He can’t even boil water.’

She opened the fridge and began to extract a variety of different ingredients. ‘Go and wash your hands,’ she called over her shoulder, ‘then you can set the table. This doesn’t take long. In additional to being super-fattening, it’s also super-speedy. An American recipe don’t you know. I suppose you want tea instead of coffee? No, no, I’ll make it, you’ll only get in my way.’

As a rather bemused looking Horace disappeared off to the boot room to wash his hands, James reduced the volume on the television in the drawing room.

‘I can’t believe she’s cooking,’ Glenda wiped away a tear. ‘She even smiled a few times. It’s a miracle.’

‘You were right, Dottie,’ Simone shook her head in wonder. ‘The Hairy Bear was exactly what she needed.’

‘Kudos, love,’ Chaz grinned at her.

Dorothy allowed her body to relax back into the sofa cushions and closed her eyes with relief.

‘Do you think they might hook up, Boss?’ Rosa chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully. ‘Jimmy’s bro certainly has the hots for your little girl.’

‘Whatever happens between them is none of our business,’ Dorothy opened her eyes and spoke firmly. ‘I interfered in their relationship once before, and it turned out to be a disaster. I’m not going to do that again. Whatever happens, happens.’

‘She’s very young, Boss,’ Rosa looked doubtful. ‘He’s got ten years on her, and he’s not making any secret of his intentions. The guy has her in his crosshairs. No offence to Jimmy and his family, but perhaps the Honourable Nelson isn’t the best bet for Diane O’Keefe. Given his history and the age gap.’

Dorothy was deadly serious when she returned Rosa’s sceptical look saying ‘I trust that man with my life, Rosa. Whether he’s calling himself Horace or Nelson, he is still one of the best men I have ever known. If he and Diane end up together, then so be it. I, for one, will not interfere either way. I’m happy to let nature take its course and I suggest you all do the same.’

‘Copy that, Boss,’ Rosa’s brow furrowed, although she said no more.

Simone and Charlie exchanged a telling glance and remained silent on the subject of Diane and Horace.

Dorothy now addressed the other side of the room. ‘You men are very quiet.’

‘We’re a trifle gobsmacked by old Nellie,’ Marco admitted. ‘Even in prison I never met a fella with ideas like that. Grave robbing indeed. He’s definitely Jimbo’s brother.’

‘Boss, what are your thoughts on it?’ Jack had been mulling the situation over and now spoke up.

‘Yes, Dottie,’ Simone sounded amused, ‘share with us your thoughts on grave robbing.’

‘Whatever the twins want to do is fine with me,’ Dorothy regarded Josh helplessly. ‘As long as Jack takes charge of the operation and none of you get caught, I’m honestly not that bothered either way. The bastard can stay where he is, or he can rot up in the mountains. His final resting place is immaterial to me. If only I could bring myself to believe his soul is in a dark place.’

‘Don’t you believe that?’ Charlie looked startled.

‘I don’t believe in a place call hell,’ Dorothy gave the other woman a wry smile. ‘I know Declan’s soul is in the other place, the one we call heaven. I hope he isn’t reborn for a long time. What a bollocks.’

Charlie’s brown eyes opened wide, as did her mouth. Deco chuckled then did his best to turn it in to a cough. ‘So about the grave robbing,’ he said hastily.

All eyes turned towards Josh. His paleness was only exacerbated by the absence of hair on either head or face. His youthful countenance was set in harsh lines, and his eyes glinted with unexpressed emotions behind the blue contact lenses. In some ways, he was like a stranger, although Dorothy knew her darling boy was still inside the deeply traumatised youth in front of her, if only she could find a way to reach him. Patience, Dottie.

‘I quite like the idea of having his skeleton,’ Josh sounded hoarse as he addressed the room at large. ‘Especially his skull. It would give me a part of him to talk to whenever I felt like a chat. Like your man in Hamlet.’

‘What’s left of it,’ Deco pointed out. ‘There won’t be much bone left above eye level, although you might be able to have it reconstructed. A cutting-edge 3D printer would very likely be able to match the missing piece.’

Charlie squeaked and pressed her hand to her heart. Glenda also blanched and squirmed in her chair.

Marco took pity on the women and decided to step up. ‘Hamlet doesn’t talk to his da’s skull,’ he pointed out. ‘It’s a fella called Yorick they dig up. He was the king’s jester.’

‘Are you a Shakespeare buff?’ Simone spoke into the silence that followed.

‘The Bug re-enacted all the guy’s plays when he was in the joint,’ Jack answered the question on his friend’s behalf. ‘He’s a regular thespian, so he is.’

‘Gosh,’ Charlie cast a covert glance at her partner. ‘I’d love to see a Shakespearean drama played out in this gracious drawing room. Is there any chance?’

‘Maybe we could discuss that later,’ Simone cut in hastily when she caught the irked expression on Jive’s face. ‘Josh still hasn’t made up his mind about the grave robbing.’

Josh seemed oblivious to the chat going on around him and was staring at the floor as he gnawed on his lower lip. ‘Di didn’t seem overly keen on the idea,’ he now addressed the room at large.

‘You can’t expect a chick to get excited at the notion of digging up a rotting corpse,’ Jack told him laconically. ‘I think you’ll find this is your call, kid.’

Josh turned his head and looked at Deco. A silent exchange passed between them.

‘I was thinking Operation Hellraiser would be a good name,’ Deco muttered in an undertone. ‘Let’s do it before Nellie goes home. It’s not fair for him to miss the fun.’

‘Right,’ Josh nodded decisively at Jack. ‘It’s a go, but we have to include Nellie. Feck knows when we’ll see him again once his ma gets hold of him. It was his idea, so it’s only fair.’

Jack looked at James, who frowned and seemed about to protest. Clive nudged his friend and muttered something in his ear. James considered this input for a few moments and then, in his turn, stepped closer to Jack and muttered something to him.

‘Outstanding,’ Jack sounded pleased. ‘I’ll let you kids know when it’s time. In the meantime, don’t go blabbing to anybody and wait to hear from me. Am I clear?’

‘Roger that,’ Josh and Deco replied obediently.

‘Nellie’s back from the boot room,’ Charlie suddenly announced. ‘He looks like he’s about to pounce on Diane. Are we going to intercede if he tries to nail her, Dottie?’

‘Diane knows the kitchen-cam is pointed directly at her,’ Dorothy reminded them. ‘Besides, given everything that’s happened, I’m not inclined to get between them. We’ll avert our eyes if they decide to do the nasty up against the fridge.’

‘Good thing the handles are inset,’ Simone sounded amused. ‘A girl could easily hurt herself on those. Depending on how hard a pounding she’s getting.’

‘He looks like a real goer,’ Charlie remarked. ‘I bet he has fantastic stamina.’

On the screen, Nelson shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his pants and stopped a metre behind Diane’s back. Unseen by her, his eyes glowed with desire as they devoured her.

‘Kitchen intercourse is super-unsanitary,’ Glenda sighed unhappily. ‘That said, I’m all for them having a little snog. It might cheer her up a bit more. Nellie looks like a good kisser.’

‘I can’t believe how blind I was,’ Emily sighed unhappily. ‘All the time I spent with the pair of them over the years, and I never realised how much he loved her. I feel so stupid. Any idiot can see he adores her. Poor Nellie. He really messed up and I don’t think she’s going to forgive him for breaking her heart. Poor Di.’ She sniffed loudly.

‘By the looks of things, I don’t think he’ll be getting anywhere near her anytime soon,’ Marco sounded satisfied with this.

As if to prove the other woman correct, Diane began ordering Nelson around and, with a rather hangdog look, he went to collect cutlery and set the island for the meal.

‘I really should go and start lunch,’ Glenda said worriedly. ‘At this rate, we’ll be lucky to sit down by two. I hate to interrupt them.’

‘We’ll give them ten more minutes together before we barge in,’ Dorothy said decisively. ‘Diane needs time away from Nellie to process everything she’s heard. Perhaps you men could take him down to the basement and keep him out of the way?’

‘No problemo, Boss,’ Marco replied. ‘Although it might be better if the Dog hangs out in the kitchen with Glen and learns how to boil water.’

‘That’s a bit harsh,’ Jack muttered, as they all laughed.