Alice enjoyed a blissful Sunday morning lie-in, the house quiet until Conor and Sean came into her bedroom.
‘What time did you get home last night, Mum?’ asked Sean.
‘Late, very late,’ she said, rolling on to her side. She had absolutely no intention of telling either of her sons what time she had actually got home.
‘We’re having lunch with Dad,’ reminded Conor. ‘Do you want us to get you a cup of coffee or something before we go?’
‘No thanks,’ she said, wrapping the duvet around her. ‘I’m fine.’
‘It’s lovely out!’ Conor said. ‘Really sunny.’
An hour later the doorbell went, and she remembered that she had invited Joy for brunch. She managed to find her flip-flops and raced down the stairs in her pyjamas to let Joy in.
‘Look what the cat dragged in!’ teased Joy, as Alice poured them each a large glass of orange juice. ‘Where’s Sean?’
‘Conor’s taken him over to meet Liam for lunch.’
‘Bit of fatherly bonding,’ quipped Joy.
‘I suppose if there is one good thing that has come out of the accident it’s that Liam is making an effort with the boys.’
As Alice hopped in the shower upstairs and dressed, Joy made bacon and scrambled eggs and a mound of French toast for them.
‘Don’t burn it!’ warned Alice.
After they had eaten, Joy persuaded Alice to put on her sunglasses and come for a walk. It was a glorious day and they wandered down to the little beach in Seapoint, which was only a few minutes from the house. They watched the gangs of kids and toddlers in shorts and togs splash and play around.
‘Summer’s here!’ They laughed, seeing all the exposed white skin being revealed for the first time.
Alice watched as the sunlight bounced off the water, and a load of small yachts flew by, their sails catching the light breeze. Such a beautiful day! A perfect summer Sunday! The marina in Dun Laoghaire was busy as boats sailed in and out of the harbour.
Alice’s phone had a message, and when she checked it she saw that Alex had sent her a text.
Lovely night, Alice. Let’s do it again. What about dinner in the Unicorn on Friday?
Alex Ronan
She smiled. Sally or Hugh must have given him her number.
She texted him back.
Yes please … Looking forward to it.
She put her sunglasses back on, and as she walked in the sunshine she began to tell Joy all about meeting Alex.