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They ate in silence for a while, enjoying the flavour and tenderness of the lamb, the velvety potato gratin, and the buttered haricot beans. The dogs wandered in and settled in front of the stove, and the wind sent raindrops tapping against the windows. Jules had opened a bottle of wine, and they both had two glasses before Jules looked at Dessie and smiled.
“Now that we’ve had a little Dutch courage, maybe we should talk?”
Dessie coughed, her throat suddenly dry despite the food and wine. “I suppose. Not that I have much to say, other than what I said before I left. I’ll say it again: it wasn’t true.”
Jules looked suddenly contrite. “I know.”
“What?” Dessie spluttered. “You know? You mean...?”
“I only just...well, it was Rory, really. We had a long talk that night, after he took me home from the restaurant. He made me see how wrong I was, that I should have listened to Harry and not to the gossiping women all over town. I should have stood up for you, and then you wouldn’t have had to leave. Maybe Harry would still be alive too.” Jules lowered her head, her tears dropping onto her plate. “I’m really sorry, Des,” she whispered.
“No, Jules!” Dessie shot up and went to her sister’s side. She dropped to her knees and hugged Jules tight. “Please don’t say things like that. I probably would have left anyway. I wanted to go to college and do something with my life. And I did, only it could have been under happier circumstances. Harry didn’t die in that accident because of me or you. It just happened.”
Jules leaned her forehead against Dessie’s shoulder. “Yes, but I drove him away. We had a row, and then he stormed out and got on that horse.”
“A row about me?”
“No,” Jules whispered into Dessie’s sweater. “About the farm, the house. He wanted to sell it, and I didn’t.” She lifted her head and stared at Dessie, her eyes wild and full of tears. “I love this place. I loved it more than I loved him. I never said it before, but it’s true. I always wanted to live here, ever since I was a small child. Then Harry wanted to marry me and all my dreams came true. But I got him too, and I should have loved him the way he deserved. I always knew that. And when I heard the rumours, I thought he had turned to you...”
“But he didn’t,” Dessie whispered. “I turned to him. I had been betrayed by someone and was desperate. Harry helped me through that.”
“Why didn’t you come to me?”
Dessie let go of Jules and got up. “I was ashamed.”
“Of what?” Jules asked, bewildered. “Oh...I see.”
“Yes.” Dessie sat down again and stared at her hands. “I let him...you know. Not that I didn’t want to, but...”
“Who was it? Rory?”
Dessie laughed. “God, no. Rory would never...I wouldn’t...I mean, I didn’t fancy him at all then.”
Jules laughed and shook her head. “Nah, he was such a nerd then. A mammy’s boy.”
“He sure was. But look at him now. He’s grown up at last.”
“Oh yes,” Jules agreed, a dreamy look in her eyes. “He’s suddenly turned into someone I fancy big time. But enough about me. If it wasn’t him, who was it?”
Dessie took a deep breath. “It was Richard Hourigan. Remember him?”
Jules shook her head. “Vaguely. I think I met him at the summer fair, but only once. Very flash and American. So, he and you were dating?”
Dessie nodded. “Yes. Secretly. He was engaged to be married over in New York. I was silly enough to believe he’d break it off with her and marry me, but that wasn’t his intention at all. He just wanted a quick fling. He disappeared very quickly once he got what he was after. All I got was a text message to say ‘Sorry but I have to go. It was sweet and all that.’ I never hear from him again.”
“What an utter pile of shit.”
“Yes, he was.” Dessie shrugged. “That’s all water under the bridge now. I’ve moved on.”
Jules nodded, fiddling with her cutlery. “You seem so strong.” She sat up and looked Dessie in the eyes. “I just want to say that I am so desperately sorry for not believing you then. For not standing up for you instead of chanting with the chorus.”
Dessie was going to say something, but Jules put out her hand. “No. Please. Don’t say it was understandable or that I was having problems. There was no excuse for me to behave like that, none at all.”
“I agree,” Dessie said. “There wasn’t. But we’re sisters, and we have to stick together. Not only that, I do love you, Jules. Always have and always will. And I truly forgive you.”
Jules let out a long sigh, her shoulders slumped. “Oh, sweetheart, that’s so wonderful to hear. I love you too.” She buried her face in her hands and started to cry, the tears seeping through her fingers. “I’m so happy,” she sobbed. “So glad we finally could talk and make up.” She lifted her tear-stained face. “Thank you.”
“It’s okay.” Dessie blinked away her own tears. “We’re fine. Let’s move on. Blow your nose and make me a cup of tea, willya?”
Jules let out a laugh. “Yeah, that’s the best remedy.” She got up and took Dessie’s plate. “More wine? We might as well finish the bottle. It’s from the wine cellar. One of Harry’s best. Thought we’d include him in our little cryfest.”
Dessie smiled, relieved Jules was back to her acerbic self. “Sure, why not? I’m not planning to drive tonight.”
Jules froze on her way to the sink. “Shit.”
“What?”
“I’ve been drinking too. I can’t drive you home. And in any case, the twins are here. There hasn’t been a squeak from the baby alarm, so they must be out for the count. Probably jet-lagged, poor babies.”
“Oh. So how am I going to get back?”
“You want to stay the night?”
Dessie thought for a moment. “Thanks, but I need to get back. I promised Marcus we’d be up early to get back to the work on the house. And I told Audrey I’d feed Cat.”
“Cat?”
“Her cat called Cat. Don’t ask.”
“That’s funny. What about Audrey and Marcus?”
Dessie shook her head. “No. They’re out on a date. I wouldn’t want to disturb them.”
Jules put the plates in the sink with a clatter that made the dogs jump up. “I know. We’ll call Rory. I know he isn’t drinking, because he was going to a committee meeting with the Farmers’ Association. He should be home now. He’ll drive you back.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.” Jules winked. “Rory and I are getting to be very close, if you see what I mean. He’d do anything for me.”
Before Dessie had a chance to reply, Jules picked up her phone and punched in a number. After a quick few words, she hung up. “There. He’ll be here in twenty minutes. I’ll make tea for all three of us. Problem solved.”
“Great,” Dessie said, trying to look cheerful. She turned, pretending to look at a poster for horse equipment while cold sweat broke out in her armpits. Stay cool, she told herself. Don’t let your feelings for him shatter the peace.