CHAPTER FOURTEEN

 

Oona was working underneath the open window and a light breeze lifted her hair from her shoulders. She was aware of Jack’s closeness as he hovered by her desk.

‘Have you anything special to do over lunch, Oona?’ They had dispensed with formality except when Mrs. Kovac was around.

‘Not especially.’

‘I wondered if you’d have lunch with me. There’s something urgent I need to discuss with you.’

‘What is it?’

‘Can we talk later?’

‘Yes, okay then.’

For the remainder of the morning, Oona was curious. Why couldn’t he discuss whatever it was in front of Brenda? Was he planning more changes to the office? The staff, maybe?

‘What’s up?’ Brenda frowned.

Oona shrugged. ‘I’ll let you know later.’

‘And why’s Mr. Walsh taking you out?’

‘It’s only lunch, Brenda.’ Oona smiled, glad that she had decided to wear her new sapphire blouse, flattering the slim lines of her navy skirt, and matching summer sandals.

A short time later, Jack escorted her into a nearby city café.

‘It’ll be more private in here,’ he said, ushering her across to one of the chequered tables in the corner. The lunchtime rush had not yet started, and the place was quiet apart from the clatter of crockery behind the counter and the intermittent roar of traffic. ‘What would you like to eat, Oona?’

‘Just coffee, thanks.’

He removed his jacket and hung it over the back of the chair. She watched him walk to the counter in confident strides. Men like him were hard to come by; handsome, kind and self-assured. It was the first time she had let herself think about him in that way. Then, feeling disloyal to Eamon, she quickly dismissed any more thoughts of that kind and wondered what he wanted to discuss with her.

Had he come to the end of his patience with Mrs. Kovac? If that was the case, she didn’t mind admitting that she felt the same way at times. If he resigned, the office would be unbearable without him. She had come to rely on him.

He returned with two coffees and a selection of neatly-cut sandwiches. ‘You must eat. I hope you like ham or cheese. I’m afraid there wasn’t much choice.’ He placed them on the table and sat down opposite her.

She had no appetite, and there was enough to feed four people. Not wanting to offend him, she reached out and took one. ‘Umm . . . This ham’s nice,’ she savoured the taste then sipped her coffee. ‘What’s on your mind, Jack?’

He cleared his throat. ‘I didn’t want to say anything to embarrass you at the office.’

‘Sounds ominous. Have I done something wrong?’

He paused to finish his cheese sandwich. ‘Well . . . Do you remember, about a week ago, there was a large consignment of paper for delivery to DeLaMars, North of Dublin?’

‘Yes, I certainly do.’

‘You sent it to the wrong place. It ended up in Northern Ireland.’

‘What? I don’t believe it!’ she laughed out loud. ‘I didn’t send it.’

‘You didn’t? I don’t understand. Who..? You don’t mean..?’

‘Mrs. Kovac insisted on dealing with it. She turned the office upside down looking for a bill. It was for DeLaMars.’

‘Well, I never.’ Now Jack was laughing. ‘Oh, I wish I’d known. I’m sorry, Oona. The old dragon was in the office when the customer rang, and I purposely kept the details from her.’ He paused to eat another cheese sandwich and drink his coffee.

‘So that’s why you invited me to lunch?’

He wiped his fingers on his serviette. ‘Well, yes. Besides,’ he placed both elbows on the table, fingering his signet ring, ‘it was an opportunity to get you away from that drab office.’ Their eyes met across the table. Her heart skipped and she quickly lowered her eyes. Then, straightening her shoulders, she tried to ignore what had just happened between them.

‘Well, I won’t argue with that.’ She swallowed. ‘What are you going to do about the mistake?’

‘They’re sending the consignment back down at our expense. And I’m going to make sure she knows about it.’

‘I’d love to see her face when you tell her. Can you imagine how she would have reacted had it been one of us?’

‘Yes, indeed. But it was worth it, to hear you laugh like that.’

Laughing was something she had thought she would never do again, and it felt good. ‘I’m sorry. I’m not miserable by nature.’

‘I’m sure you’re not.’ He smiled and picked up the bill.

‘Thanks for lunch,’ she said. ‘I’d better be getting back. Brenda’s on an urgent cosmetic shopping spree.’ Smiling, she stood up and picked up her jacket.

Jack put his hand on her arm and gently pressed her back down. ‘Tell me to mind my own business if you like, but I can’t understand why a girl like you would choose to work for such an ill-tempered employer.’

A silence fell between them.

She fingered the silver locket around her neck, containing pictures of her loved ones. He was not the first person to ask her that.

‘Forgive me, I didn’t mean to pry.’

‘It’s all right, Jack,’ she said, finally. ‘I guess, after what happened . . .’ She swallowed, feeling a host of emotions. ‘At that time, I didn’t think I could cope with changing jobs, you know . . . Then, when the Kovacs agreed to increase my hours, I just went along with it. I didn’t really have a choice.’

People brushed past with trays of food. Suddenly the café was quite noisy.

‘Why? I don’t understand. What does your husband do then?’ Jack asked, draining his cup.

Didn’t he know? It had been in all the newspapers. She started to feel hot.

‘Eamon . . . Eamon and . . .’ Gripped by anxiety and as if rooted to the spot, her chest hurt and she fought for breath.

‘What’s the matter?’ Concerned, he jumped up. ‘I’ll get some water.’ He returned with a jug and poured her a glass. ‘Sip this, you’ll be fine.’

Instead, she took some deep breaths and tried to stay calm. Just when she’d thought she’d got these attacks under control, this one had taken her by surprise. It was a while before she could breathe normally. ‘I’m sorry. This is embarrassing.’

‘Have I said something to upset you?’

She shook her head.

He reached across the table and covered her hand with his. For a brief moment, their eyes met again. She looked away. ‘We should be getting back.’

‘Are you sure you’re okay?’

‘I’m fine, thanks.’

He searched his pockets for change and left a tip. Then he picked up his jacket and followed her out of the café.