CHAPTER NINETEEN

 

The following morning, on her way to work, Oona felt a modicum of relief since her talk with Connie and Dessie, but guilty at upsetting them. Involving Dessie only compounded her misery, and if anything happened to him, she would never forgive herself.

At the office, Brenda, usually as chirpy as a sparrow first thing in the morning, greeted her sullenly.

‘What’s the matter?’

‘Mrs. Kovac’s back. She’s in with Mr. Walsh.’

Oona removed her coat and hung it up. ‘That’s all I need.’

‘If looks could kill,’ Brenda said, tears glistening in her eyes. ‘She’s going to gimme me cards, I know she is.’

‘Don’t be silly, Brenda. Jack is in charge now.’

The door to the office opened and Mrs. Kovac stepped out.

‘Mrs. Quinn,’ she said, by way of greeting, and glanced at her watch. ‘Mr. Valsh will explain everything to you. He knows vhat needs to be done.’

Oona hadn’t a clue what she was talking about, and began to wonder if what Brenda said could also apply to her.

‘Is something wrong, Mrs. Kovac?’

‘Nothing you should vorry about, Mrs. Quinn. I’ve important things to see to,’ she snapped and hurried out.

‘Jesus!’ Oona cried. ‘Give me patience!’

Brenda burst into tears. ‘It’s not fair, so it’s not!’

A polite cough made Oona turn round. Jack was in the doorway. ‘What’s not fair, Miss Byrne?’

Brenda’s face reddened. Embarrassed, she rushed from the office.

He spread his arms. ‘What’s going on?’

‘I wish someone would tell me. Brenda’s under the impression Mrs. Kovac’s going to sack her.’

‘Olga’s got a lot on her mind right now.’

She’s not the only one, Oona thought. It was the first time she had heard him call Mrs. Kovac by her first name. Now, more than ever, she wanted to know what was going on. ‘Why? Has something happened to her husband?’

‘See if young Brenda’s okay, will you? Then, can you both come into the office?’

 

***

 

‘Sit down,’ he said, removing files from a chair. ‘There’s no need to look worried, Miss Byrne.’ He smiled at Brenda.

‘This sounds ominous, Jack. What’s it all about?’ Oona asked.

‘Mr. Kovac’s coming out of the private nursing home today. Apparently, he’s not completely recovered yet.’ He linked his fingers.

‘Will she employ a nurse?’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘She’s planning to take care of him herself.’

‘She’ll find it demanding. Anyway, I’m pleased he’s coming home at last,’ Oona said. ‘It can’t have been easy for him.’

‘Won’t . . . she?’ Brenda hesitated. ‘I mean, won’t Mrs. Kovac be able to come to work then, Mr. Walsh?’ She fluttered her eyelashes.

‘Not for the time being, Miss Byrne, but,’ he added, ‘I think we’ll manage, don’t you?’

Brenda’s face flushed a deep red. She lowered her head and picked at the chipped varnish on her nails.

‘Is there anything else worrying you, Miss Byrne?’

Brenda glanced up, her eyes smudged with blue eye shadow. ‘I’m . . . not . . . being . . . sacked then, Mr. Walsh?’

‘What gave you that idea?’

She played with the hem of her red mini-skirt. ‘I thought . . .’

‘I’ve no complaints about your work, Miss Byrne. And, if you have any concerns, you come to me.’

She glanced sideways at Oona, who gave her a reassuring smile. ‘Thanks . . . Mr. Walsh.’

Oona smiled. She felt sure Jack had no idea the girl had a crush on him.

The telephone rang in the outer office. Brenda jumped up. ‘I’ll get it,’ she said, making a hasty exit.

‘I’d better be getting on with some work,’ Oona said, opening the filing cabinet and plucking out a folder.

‘Hang on a minute, Oona.’ He placed his hand on her arm. ‘Please, sit down.’ He looked grave. ‘There’s something else.’ He straightened his shoulders.

‘What is it, Jack?’

‘Mrs. Kovac believes her husband will be fit to return to work before Christmas.’

She was speechless for a second. Keeping disappointment from her voice, she asked, ‘Have the doctors said so?’

‘I’m not sure. They want to see him again in a month’s time.’ He leaned back in his chair.

‘I see.’ She paused, trying to imagine what this extra piece of news would mean to both herself and Brenda. Would Jack have to leave? If so, the thought upset her more than she cared to admit. Working alongside him had seemed so natural. He had made her job more interesting and, as far as was humanly possible, he’d improved their working conditions. How could she go back to the way things were? She was certainly no longer prepared to put up with Mr. Kovac’s temper tantrums. She would look for another job rather than resort to that.

‘I thought you should know,’ he said, cutting across her thoughts.

‘Does it mean you’ll be leaving, Jack?’

‘I guess so.’ A sad expression crossed his face.

‘You’ll be going back to your own office then?’

He glanced around him. ‘I’ll hardly miss this place. But, I’ll miss you, Oona Quinn. The truth is . . .’ He swivelled round in his chair so he was facing her. His next words stunned her. ‘You’re the reason I’ve put up with the old dragon for so long.’ He smiled. ‘I think I’m falling in love with you.’

Taken aback, she gripped the folder to her. His statement, so unexpected, sent her heart racing. She wanted to reciprocate, but her eyes stung and a tear rolled down her face. ‘Jack, I . . . I’m . . .’

He leaned over and gently wiped her tear away with his finger. She longed to confide in him about her past, but was frightened he would think badly of her.

‘Don’t worry. I understand. I would never have said anything before . . . but now . . .’ He reached out and took her hand. ‘I don’t want to lose touch with you, Oona.’

Smiling through her tears, she said, ‘Me neither.’

‘Perhaps we could go to a movie sometime?’

‘Yes, that would be nice.’ It was all she could think of to say. A host of emotions filled her mind; joy one minute, guilt the next. She could hardly comprehend how she felt about Jack. Not to see him again was something she could not contemplate right now. She would miss his cheerful greeting when she arrived at the office each morning. The knock on the office door gave her the breathing space she needed.

Brenda popped her head round the door and, with a cheery smile, said, ‘Mr. Frazer’s on the phone, Oona, something about a shipment from Germany. Shall I put it through?’

‘No!’ she replied quickly. ‘I’ll take it at my desk.’

 

***

 

That evening, she thought about Jack until visions of Vinnie Kelly loomed in her mind, driving her mad. She would never close her eyes until she knew the outcome of her brother-in-law’s meeting with him.

Once Sean and her mother had left for the early showing at the local cinema, she hurried across to see Connie. When she opened the door, Oona tried to read her expression. She didn’t look happy. ‘I’m glad you’re here,’ she said. ‘Come in.’

Elvis Presley’s A Fool Such As I drifted down the hall. Oona did not need reminding. ‘Has something happened?’

‘Not really. Come into the kitchen.’

She followed Connie down the hall into the galley kitchen, which was just big enough to hold a small Formica table and four chairs. The smell of cooked fish and cauliflower cheese wafted around. Connie turned off the radio, then she placed her husband’s dinner over a pot of boiling water. ‘Dessie’s going to be late home. I’m afraid we’ll have to sit in here and talk, otherwise the pot will boil dry.’ She looked dejected.

‘What is it, Connie?’ Oona’s pulse quickened. ‘Where is he?’

‘Just before I left the salon, he rang to say he was calling in to McCarthy’s after work.’ Connie sighed.

‘Oh, Connie, I’m sorry. I . . . wish we hadn’t involved him.’

‘We had to tell him, Oona. It wouldn’t have been right to keep it from him. Oh, I do hope he’s all right.’

‘So do I. You don’t think he . . .’ Oona closed her eyes. ‘Oh, God, Connie, if anything . . . happens to him . . .’ She couldn’t stand still.

‘Sit down, you’re making me nervous. He’ll probably be home by the time we’ve drunk our tea.’ Connie poured them both a cup. ‘Besides,’ she said, ‘Dessie can take care of himself. I know him, and he won’t do anything silly.’

‘Oh, I hope you’re right, Connie. You don’t think we should go and find him, do you?’

‘That would really please him,’ Connie snapped.

After that, they sat in silence, each with their own private thoughts. Fear and uncertainty scrambled Oona’s mind.

Connie stood up. ‘Keep your eye on that saucepan. I’ll just look out and see if there’s any sign of him.’ Worry wrinkled her brow.

An hour later, still sipping tea, they heard the key turn in the lock and Dessie made a hasty entrance.

Connie hurried down the hall, followed by Oona. ‘Are you all right?’

‘Just give us a minute.’ He took the stairs two at a time.

Oona looked puzzled, but Connie smiled. ‘He’s probably had one Guiness too many.’

The sight of her brother-in-law brought tears of relief, and Oona brushed them away with the back of her hand.

‘He’s okay,’ Connie said, slipping her arm around Oona’s shoulder. ‘He’s okay.’

‘Sorry about that. Guinness goes straight through me.’ He was smiling when he came back down.

Connie’s face brightened. ‘Here, sit down, love. I’ll put your dinner out. So, what happened then? Did you go to McCarthy’s?’

‘Yes, I did. And you two ladies can stop biting your nails.’

‘Really,’ Oona said. ‘Did you speak to Vinnie?’

He lifted a forkful of fish and started to eat. ‘This is lovely. I’m absolutely famished.’

‘Do you realise how worried we’ve been, Dessie Flanagan?’ Connie lifted his plate off the table. ‘Did you talk to Vinnie?’ she demanded, the plate held high.

‘Look, gimme me dinner back.’ He was smiling. ‘We can all relax. He’s gone.’‘What do you mean, gone?’ Connie sat down next to him.

‘I spoke to one or two of the regulars, who saw someone fitting Vinnie’s description buying farewell drinks two nights ago. So, it looks like he’s gone back to Leicester.’

Oona, who was still standing, gripped the back of the chair. ‘Oh, I can’t believe it. Has he really gone?’ she asked. On the night she had gone to McCarthy’s, she had seen more than one odd-looking character hanging around the bar. ‘Do you really think it was him, Dessie?’

‘More than likely. He probably won on the gee-gees, the lucky blighter! You haven’t heard from him, have you?’

‘No. But . . .’ she paused.

‘Put him out of your mind.’ He looked up at her and smiled. ‘I’m sorry if I was hard on you last night, you know . . . I was only looking out for you,’ he said, between gulps of tea. ‘It looks like Kelly took you at your word, Oona. Well done!’

‘That’s a relief.’ Connie blew out her breath.

‘You’re not joking. Why don’t you two go into the room and make yourselves comfortable. I’ll finish up here.’ He sighed. ‘Then we can go across to your Mam and Dad’s.’

Pleased to be back in her brother-in-law’s good books, Oona smiled. Perhaps she had not been such a fool after all.