Half an hour later, Sophia sat in the armchair looking at the sleeping figure on her couch. There was something more going on with Grace. She was determined to get to the bottom of it. She picked up Grace’s cell phone and looked for Jessie’s number.
“Hi Jessie, my name is Sophia Wynthrope, I’m a friend of Grace’s.”
“Oh hi Sophia, is Grace okay?” said Jessie anxiously.
“I’m sorry to alarm you. It’s just that I borrowed Grace’s phone to let you know that she’s fast asleep on my couch and I think I’ll let her sleep.”
“That’s very kind of you Sophia. She’s going through so much at the moment. Grace talks about you a lot and well … I haven’t been around to meet you …”
“I was so sorry to hear about what happened to you and your family, Jessie. Life isn’t easy at times.”
“Thank you, Sophia. Maybe we might meet up soon.”
“I’d love that. Jessie, can I ask if you’ve noticed anything else about Grace?”
“She’s constantly tired and not eating properly and she spends most of her time in the bedroom. But you know how it is with breaking up.”
“Break-ups are emotionally and physically tiring but I think there is more to it. Maybe I’m over reacting. She plans to look for a place to rent tomorrow but I don’t think she’ll have the energy.”
“I’m glad she’s with you tonight. She needs peace and quiet.”
“I might suggest a visit to her GP.”
“Good idea but I wish you luck. Grace can be a force to be reckoned with if she doesn’t want to do something.”
“It’s worth a shot. Thanks for the chat Jessie.”
“Good night Sophia and thanks for ringing. It would be nice to meet in person.”
“I’d love to, Jessie. Good night.”
The following morning Grace woke and couldn’t believe she had fallen asleep on Sophia’s couch.
“Ah, you’re back with us. I was worried that you might fall off the couch during the night so I put cushions on the floor.”
“You’re too good to me, Sophia. I’m sorry for barging in on you last night and then falling asleep.”
“Let’s have some breakfast. I set the table outside on the patio, it’s a lovely morning. I picked up some fresh croissants and juice on the way back from my walk, and how about some freshly ground coffee?”
“Everything sounds great except the coffee. I’ll have tea if you have it. I’m gone right off coffee lately.”
“I got the newspapers too.”
“Thanks, Sophia, can I do anything to help?”
“No, go on out and relax.”
Grace wandered out to the patio. She looked across towards the sea in the far distance and thought about how much her life had been changed by Dirk’s revelation. Did all their friends know he was cheating? Were they laughing at her behind her back? Why hadn’t anybody told her?
She hadn’t even a toothbrush or a change of clothes. Everything had changed in a moment. She flicked her fingers towards the bright blue morning sky. I’m going to find a little place in the country and live the rest of my days quietly in peace, and alone, she thought. The last two words hurt. Oh, Dirk, why? Even the day she had found out her father was never coming back didn’t compare to the hurt she felt right now.
“Here we are.” Sophia’s words broke her reverie, placing ham and a selection of cheese with the croissants and rolls.
“Thanks, Sophia. This is really kind of you.”
“Eat up. I noticed you’re losing weight, my girl. Weight you can’t afford to lose.”
She was glad that somebody was concerned for her. No that wasn’t fair; she thought of Jessie immediately. “Oh no – I forgot to ring Jessie last night. She’ll be worried sick.” She made to get up.
“It’s okay; I rang her when you fell asleep. I looked up her number on your cell. She knows where you are.”
“Thank you so much, that was thoughtless of me. God, Sophia, I’d love you two to meet.”
“We actually talked about that, maybe we can soon. She so understood … Grace, I was thinking maybe you might consider making a trip to see your GP.”
“What makes you think I need to see a GP?”
“Lately you look awfully tired. She could recommend a vitamin treatment or, em, I’ve overstepped, and it’s not my place.”
“No, no, you’re right, Sophia. I am so incredibly tired all the time. I actually feel like going to bed again. I didn’t mean to sound so tetchy.”
“I’ve already made up the spare room for you, eat up and go back to bed,” said Sophia.
“Thanks, Sophia, I am so tired.”
“Promise me that you’ll arrange to see your GP soon.”
“I promise. Sophia, are you sure about me staying here for a few days?”
“I wouldn’t offer if I had any doubt.”
“Thanks a million … for everything. And if you’re free later we could call to Jessie’s house.”
“I’d love that. Now off to bed with you.”
When Grace went to bed Sophia set off to Bayrush. She had been reinventing herself since she came to Ireland. She smiled at the thought of making breakfast and arranging a bed for somebody else.
The only connection to her previous reality was the nightly call to her son, Richard. She loved to hear his voice. He had promised to visit sometime in the next few weeks. That was something to look forward to.
Walking along the harbour front she passed an estate agency. Her eyes were drawn to a photograph of a house she had often admired. She couldn’t believe it was actually available to rent. Without a second thought she went inside.
Fifteen minutes later she continued walking along the harbour when she heard someone calling her name. She looked around and saw Eoghan waving from a boat moored beside the harbour wall.
“Hi Eoghan,” she said, smiling at him.
“Sophia, I was wondering if you’ve seen Grace recently.”
“Yes, as a matter of fact. I saw her this morning.”
“Oh, d’ya mind me asking how did you find her?”
“Well …”
“Look, it’s just that I’m worried about her since the break-up.”
“Do you have time for a coffee?” she surprised herself by asking.
“Em … I suppose I do, why not! There’s a nice coffee shop just around the corner in the square. Give me a minute to lock up and I’ll be with you.”
It was a beautiful, clear day. Too still for sailing, she thought, remembering all the times she and Bill had spent sailing in the Hamptons. That house was closed now; she couldn’t face going there without him.
Eoghan walked towards her along the gangway and then locked the security gate. He chose a coffee shop that could have been located in New England; it was all white panelling with egg-shell-blue walls. They ordered lattes, and because it was lunchtime Eoghan suggested they order some food. She chose a chicken salad wrap, while Eoghan tucked into a tuna and cheese panini. Sitting opposite her in the comfortable armchairs he declared, “Well, isn’t this the life.”
Sophia didn’t want to talk about Grace and her situation as she wasn’t sure how much Eoghan knew, so she asked about his boat.
“Do you fish?”
“Oh yes, I love nothing more than spending my spare time on the sea. I used to have more of it until I met Grace. But sure I love what we do now.”
“Bill and I sailed often at the weekends. I miss the sea.”
“Oh really, well you’re more than welcome to come out in the boat, it’s not a sail boat, but sure you might enjoy the scenery … that is if … well I don’t mean to be forward. You’re married obviously …”
“Oh, em … my husband … died fourteen months ago.” Her voice broke as she spoke.
“Oh Sophia, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. It must be very difficult.”
“We were married for thirty-six years and I have many happy memories. We’ve had heartache too of course. Life isn’t easy.”
“It never is, Sophia. We all have our crosses to bear; maybe that’s what makes us enjoy the good times.”
“I’m bringing down the mood on such a beautiful day.”
“How about some dessert?”
“I shouldn’t.”
“Ah, go on. The apple and berry crumble is delicious here.”
“You’ve twisted my arm.” She smiled.
He went to the counter and turned back, making a gesture of drinking. She nodded. He returned with two more lattes and said, “Dessert is on the way.”
Eoghan was so easy to talk to that they didn’t emerge from the coffee shop until an hour and a half later.
“Well, it was nice chatting with you Sophia and if you ever fancy a trip around the Waterford coastline, send me a text before the weather gets hardy.”
“I will thanks, Eoghan. See you again.” She walked back to her car.
*
It’s going well, thought Grace, as she cut some more lemon drizzle cake. She had brought Sophia to meet Jessie and the two of them were sitting in the armchairs in the corner of Jessie’s kitchen. Already they were deep in conversation. There was something about Sophia that drew a person in. Grace was pleased because maybe Sophia could reach Jessie in a way that she couldn’t. She had no experience with pregnancy or babies.
“Everybody keeps saying ‘they’re your angels now.’ At first it bugged me, I just wanted my babies. But … well lately I found myself looking up the internet about angels and I even went to the bookshop. It’s quite fascinating the amount of information available about angelic spirits.”
“I’ll tell you something, Jessie, that I have not told many people. I believe in angels,” said Sophia, pouring milk into her tea.
“Why haven’t you told people?”
“Because they might think I’m crazy.”
Jessie raised her eyebrows. “You’re right, they probably would. But it is helping me so I don’t care what people think. Walk a day in my shoes and see how it feels,” said Jessie, with a determination Grace hadn’t heard in her in a very long time.
“So true. Whatever helps you make it through the day in one piece can’t be bad,” said Grace.
“It beats gin or something stronger,” remarked Sophia. “I suppose I’ve always held them close to my heart. I actually can’t believe I am having this conversation.”
“Me neither, but I’m really glad we are. I knew from our phone conversation that I’d like you. Anyway this one is always singing your praises,” said Jessie, tilting her head in Grace’s direction. Sophia laughed.
“Our Jessie is nothing if she’s not honest,” laughed Grace.
“Me too,” said Sophia, smiling, and clinked her mug to Jessie’s.
Over the following days Grace had been too busy with work to make an appointment with the doctor. But another bout of being sick had forced her to fit one in. She shifted and picked at the foam sticking out from the well-worn leather armchair in the waiting room of the old townhouse surgery. She had been thankful to be swamped with work because it helped to distract her from the overwhelming loneliness and at other times the rage that engulfed her. Her emotions were like a rollercoaster. She really didn’t have time for this. Anyway what could she say to the doctor? I’m getting violently sick at all times of the day since my asshole boyfriend told me he’s been sleeping around for years. She was tired but couldn’t sleep. What the hell was wrong with her? Her stomach was in knots, but that had to be normal. She had been betrayed by the person who was supposed to love her. What a lousy judge of character she was. She’d ask for sleeping tablets. If she got some sleep she might be able to think straight. That was it; a few nights’ sleep would sort her out.
“Grace Fitzgerald,” called the secretary.
She explained her symptoms to Jill, her doctor who was also an old school-friend. Jill handed her a pregnancy kit.
“What!” said Grace, looking incredulously at the box Jill was handing her. Somewhere in the back of her mind it made sense. She had been in denial. She knew even before she peed on it that it would confirm her worst fears.
“Just humour me.”
“I can’t be.”
“But Grace, I thought you’d be pleased.”
Obviously Jill hadn’t heard the rumours. Kate was right, today’s news tomorrow’s chip paper wrapping. She had no intention of discussing her circumstances.
“I’m thirty-six years old. I’m not stupid but …”
“I’m not saying you are Grace, but let’s rule it out,” said Jill, kindly.
Grace got up. “Back in a sec.”
Moments later, when she walked back in, Jill looked up expectantly from behind her desk.
Grace nodded and slumped into the chair in front of it as Jill walked around and leaned against the desk.
“Oh Jill, how could I have been so stupid? I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“Grace, it’s not the end of the world. You’re engaged …”
“You obviously haven’t heard. We’ve broken up …”
“Oh Grace, I’m so sorry …”
“Look, you’ve a surgery full of patients out there waiting on you. I’ll be fine. Thanks, Jill,” she said.
“Grace, you are okay about this?”
Grace gathered herself quickly. “Oh, yes, yes, of course. Why wouldn’t I be? It’s a baby! Of course I’ll figure it out.”
“That’s okay, then. I thought …”
“No, I’m, eh, delighted,” Grace added before Jill launched into what would happen next. All about gynaecologists and dominoes, a service provided by midwifes to promote natural childbirth and loads of other stuff. Grace didn’t take in any of it. All she could think of was that she couldn’t have this baby. She couldn’t – how would she cope? Having a baby … mother of God. She was hardly capable of taking care of herself, never mind a baby. People say it’s easy. It’s nature, it’s natural. But a baby … she didn’t even own a dog.
“Look, Jill, I’d like to keep this quiet for a while. Pregnancy can be very long if everybody knows too early.”
“Of course, Grace.”
“Thanks, Jill.”
She walked out of the surgery in a complete haze. She couldn’t think straight. She had a hundred and one things she should be doing; all of them related to work. And now she was possibly ten weeks pregnant. A scan on the 1st of October would give a clearer timeline. Hello, pregnant, she thought. Wandering aimlessly along the square she heard somebody call her name.
“Grace, hi Grace, over here.”
She looked around. It was Anna, Paul’s wife, waving like a mad thing. Grace pretended she didn’t see her. But it was too late; Anna was already making her way across the busy square.
“Oh, Grace, I’m so glad I’ve met you. I’ve been trying your mobile, but you never answer. I’m probably ringing at all the wrong times. I was worried about you. I want you to know we’re here for you. We’re friends too, you know.”
“I know, but … I’m sorry I didn’t return the calls, Anna. I’ve been so … oh maybe in time we can meet up for coffee or something, but thanks Anna, thanks for caring. I’m sorry, I’m on my way to a meeting. I’ll call you … I will.”
“Please do, Grace.”
“See you.”
She tried not to cry as she rushed along the street. This time she wasn’t aimless. She wanted to get to her car as quickly as possible before she met anybody else she knew.
Sophia had been dreading this day, pushing it to the back of her mind. If only she could blot out the 24th of September, every year. She remembered people saying “give it time”. She knew it was true to some extent. After three years the pain had become less sharp, more of a dull ache. She could still hear their voices in her head the last time she had spoken to them. Standing in the bathroom of Rose Cottage, Sophia looked at her reflection in the mirror and thought how much her life had changed in the intervening years. Tired from another sleepless night, she decided to set out for a walk, a long one. It was windy outside. It might help to blow the cobwebs from her over-active brain.
As she walked along the beach, she felt drawn towards the church spire of St Brigid’s, the Catholic Church which was perched on the top of the hill overlooking the sea. She wandered around glancing at the names engraved on the tombstones. Some of them were barely readable, they were so blotted from the white lichen blown in from the surrounding countryside. One in particular caught her eye; it read:
In loving memory of Agnes Moran, aged 2 died 1892
daughter of Patrick Moran, aged 60 died 1926,
and his wife Bernadette, aged 61 died 1928.
There were no other inscriptions, leading her to think that maybe they had no other children. How sad. They had probably been surrounded by large families. She would have loved a large family. Month after month she had hoped and twice she had been devastated by miscarriages. Bill had been so disappointed too. And when Richard had met and married Heather they had been so delighted. Heather had been bright and bubbly and had brought out the best in Richard. When Billy Junior had been born, the excitement had been incredible.
Sophia felt an overwhelming sense of sadness engulf her as she sat on the low wall surrounding the graveyard. She needed to be here; she needed a place to share her grief.
Sophia had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed the time. She had no idea how long she was actually sitting on the wall at the very back of the graveyard. From her viewing point she could see for miles across country to the mountains in one direction and the sea in the other. It was a beautiful clear but cold day; thankfully the wind had died down. The cows were grazing away, taking no notice of her. Behind her, the graveyard was neatly arranged with rows of footpaths ready and waiting to be filled with the bodies of other people’s loved ones.
The sound of footsteps from behind brought her back to her reality. The feet had to be coming to see her because there was no other reason to bring a person to this end of the graveyard.
She didn’t turn around, hoping that the person would get the hint that she wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries. But no … the person leaned on the wall a few feet away looking out towards the view beyond. For a few moments neither of them spoke.
“How long has it been?”
Sophia turned to look. The woman was in her sixties and she had a full head of grey hair acting like a halo around her round face. She wore reading glasses around her neck, which led Sophia to think of her as bookish. Sophia had seen her around but they had never spoken before. Sophia looked away.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have invaded …”
With eyes filled with tears. Sophia replied, “Three years today.” Silence again. Eventually, Sophia spoke. “And you?”
“Five years next week.”
“Does it get any easier?”
“No.”
“Great, you’re exactly what I need.”
The woman laughed a loud laugh. Sophia smiled.
“My name is Nora. I’ve heard of you, you’re Grace’s American friend.”
“Sophia.”
Sophia put out her hand and Nora took it, putting her other hand over both of theirs. “It doesn’t get easier but you get used to it. You have to move on,” she said, with such kindness that Sophia felt a strange comfort in it. “It’s life. It’s for the living,” Nora continued. “There are times I would do anything to see my daughter again. But if I did I wouldn’t have my lovely granddaughter, Monique, in my life. I would be turning back time, and time waits for no one.”
Sophia felt the pain in her heart at the mention of grandchildren. “My eight-year-old grandson, Billy, and his mother were killed in an aeroplane crash.” Looking at Nora’s face, Sophia realised how the words must have sounded. But she continued, it was like a flood gate had opened and she needed to share. “Heather, my wonderful daughter-in-law, had planned to surprise Richard, my son. He was working in Grand Cayman at the time. They took a sea plane from Miami. It never reached the island. Do you know what I find so hard to accept?” Nora remained silent, but it was her kind face that made Sophia continue. “Their bodies were never recovered … Sometimes I wake in the night, having dreamt about them. For that first moment, I am so sure that none of what happened is true and then reality hits. It was easier to bear when my husband, Bill, was alive but since his passing … Oh God …”
“I’m sorry.” Nora spoke again. “I’m so sorry to have invaded your …”
“Oh, no,” Sophia cut in. “It’s nice to think that you weren’t afraid to come over. That’s one of the things I like about Ireland. You’re never really alone.”
Nora smiled but didn’t say anything. Sophia watched the cows graze. After a few minutes, Nora spoke again.
“You know watching that lot graze is making me hungry. How about a cup of tea and some freshly baked scones? You’ve been here long enough for one day. Now come on, get down off that wall!”
Sophia felt like a sixteen-year-old being reprimanded. Her body reacted before her brain did and she found herself obliging. The two women walked along the path together. Sophia asked about the woman’s family. Nora talked about how much she missed her daughter who had been killed in a car crash in Paris along with her husband. Nora had become a guardian to her granddaughter Monique, who helped out at Jessie McGrath’s yard. Nora’s husband had also died just a few months before her daughter.
“Do you believe? Do you think you’ll meet them again, you know, up there?” asked Sophia.
“I don’t know. I come here every day to have my chat with Eilish, although she is buried in Paris with her husband, and Mass is an outlet for me, a reason to get up in the morning to meet my neighbours and chat and the like. I’d like to think there is an afterlife,” Nora replied.
“I grew up in the Catholic faith but I didn’t practise for years. I guess I fell out of it. I can’t say I go in for all the rules but it’s nice to have something to believe in and a place to go. Like today I needed this place. To be honest, I don’t think I could get through the day without thinking that someday I will see all of my family again.”
“That’s nice, Sophia.”
“Nora, you gave me a chance to talk. Something I haven’t done for a long while and had no intention of doing. Thank you so much.”
“Come on, my cottage is not far from here. That is, if you have the time …”
“I have all the time in the world, thank you so much, Nora.” Sophia smiled, struck by the kindness of a perfect stranger.
For the first time in her life Grace felt she couldn’t turn to Jessie. Her friend had wanted her twin babies so much and now a baby couldn’t have been further off her “to do” list.
She had driven out of town and was still aimless when she spotted the signpost for the mountain drive. She took the turn. There would be hardly anyone up in the mountains today. Her head was throbbing so she stopped at a service station. The whiff of food from the deli counter made her stomach turn. She picked up a box of paracetamol and a bottle of water, paid and sat back into the car and was about to pop the pills when she realised maybe she shouldn’t. “So this is it, it’s dictating my life already,” she muttered. After reading the instructions she took the tablets.
She drove on. After a while she stopped at one of the empty viewing points on the roadside. It was a perfect day; she could see for miles, right down to the ocean. It’s a pity I haven’t a ship in today, she thought. She couldn’t stop herself from thinking about business. Her life was falling apart and she was thinking about cruise liners. Her head was fit to explode.
She needed to sort herself out and fast. But what if she couldn’t work – if she got sick during the pregnancy! She was self-employed. She couldn’t stay with Sophia forever and her mother was nearly seventy. She couldn’t expect her to help.
“What am I going to do? I’m a thirty-six-year-old pregnant person. I mean please. Jesus, how can I be pregnant?” she said, aloud to the sky.
She thought of Dirk – what would he say? She hadn’t heard a word from him since that day. She felt the tears come. She got back into the car. Which way next? If she turned left she would end up back in Bayrush or right would lead her further into the mountains.
She turned right. After a few kilometres she saw a signpost for an old monastery and retreat centre. Some monks still lived and prayed there. She knew about it because she had organised tours to visit there. People always came back raving about how tranquil and peaceful it was.
Along the way she stopped at a grotto dedicated to Our Lady. It had become well known in the eighties when the moving statues phenomena had swept Ireland. She was still a little intrigued by all of that. Here goes nothing, she thought as she got out of her car. There was a handful of people either kneeling or sitting in complete silence. Grace sat too on a pew obviously donated from an old church. It was so peaceful. She felt her head begin to relax for the first time all day.
After a while a young girl came down the steep incline, carrying a baby in her arms. Grace watched as she gave the baby to an elderly woman, who had been kneeling in front of the grotto since Grace arrived. No words passed between them.
After a few moments the old woman walked towards the statue of Our Lady. She seemed to be praying and kind of swaying rhythmically at the same time with the little baby in her arms. Grace looked around for the young girl who was kneeling at one of the pews with her head in her hands. The girl’s body was shaking – no, racking would be a better description.
The realisation hit Grace that this little baby was obviously ill in some way and the old woman seemed to be in some way gifted with prayer or faith. It didn’t matter because whatever it was the young girl obviously believed in it and really needed her. Instinctively Grace put her hand on her belly protectively.
She knew in that moment that she would never give up this baby. She would be capable of loving it and caring for it. As Jessie always said, “there are reasons for everything” and maybe she had been meant to witness this.
She sat for a while longer, offering up a prayer for the young girl and her baby and for Jessie’s little ones, Anthony and Geoff. The day she had held them in her arms had been heartbreaking. How could she not want this little life … her tummy rumbled.
Okay, okay, I get it – you’re hungry.
Grace drove up to the monastery. She parked and walked across the paved courtyard which housed a café and a little gift shop. She ordered a chicken and stuffing panini and a cup of tea. It was a homely little place.
After eating, she pottered around the gift shop for a while. It was full of little ornaments – angels, fairies and statues along with prayers and cards inscribed with words of wisdom, bookmarkers, candles, crystals, and fridge magnets with thoughtful words.
She saw two little blue figures of boy angels and thought of Jessie. And then she saw a little plaque with the serenity prayer on it:
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things
I cannot change;
Courage to change
the things I can;
and the wisdom to know
the difference.
She felt those words were so appropriate for Jessie. Her friend was desperately trying to make sense of what had happened. Maybe she’d buy two because it spoke to her too.
She remembered listening to Nora in Jessie’s kitchen recently. She had said, “If God told a group of people to lay their problems on the table and then choose one, most likely they would choose their own again because they are already learning to deal with them.”
Nora was right. She’d take her problem over Jessie’s. She placed her gifts on the wooden counter to pay.
“Lovely day,” remarked the old man dressed in a long brown robe.
“It is,” she said.
“Nice choices. Will I gift-wrap them for you?”
“Ah no, they’re grand,” she said. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome my dear.”
She walked out of the shop into the wide-open space and wondered if the monk was lonely. She couldn’t bear the thought of being alone forever. How would Dirk react when she told him about the baby? Oh God, please help me.
“Happy birthday, Jess,” said Geoff, kissing her on the lips when she arrived down to the kitchen. He handed her an envelope. She opened it. She had told him she didn’t need or want anything for her birthday but enclosed in the birthday card was a print-out of a plane reservation to Barcelona leaving on Tuesday next and back two days later.
“What’s this about?” she said, trying not to sound pissed off, but doing everything to contain the anger inside.
“I picked midweek so that you won’t miss lessons. You need a break Jess. I thought it would be nice for you to visit your sister. Jesus, can’t I do anything right?”
He walked out the back door, leaving her standing in the kitchen holding the envelope wondering how it had all gone wrong. She was about to go after him to apologise when she looked out the kitchen window and saw him talking to Jack in the yard.
“Christ, that’s all we need. Another vet’s bill!” She threw the envelope on the counter and stormed up the stairs.
Jack had been passing near Geoff’s place and decided to call to say hello.
“Bad time?” he asked, seeing the look on Geoff’s face.
“Women,” said Geoff.
“Tell me about it!” laughed Jack.
“I’m just heading up to move a couple of horses from the top of the farm. Come with me, we’ll be safer out here,” said Geoff.
The two of them set across the fields.
“It’s good to get a walk in. I spend so much time in the jeep driving all around the place.”
“Do you miss Dubai Jack? I mean the weather is so changeable here. You must miss the heat!”
“Yes and no, sometimes I miss the job and yeah the sunshine too, a bit. But I don’t miss other stuff.”
“Wife.”
“I didn’t know you were married.”
“Nine years and she went off with a man twice her age.”
“Lovely. Any kids?”
“No, thank God. I would have loved one and she told me we were trying but that was a lie. I was sorry to hear about what happened.”
“People are so good, you find out who your real friends are in times of crisis.”
Jack nodded his head and thought he hadn’t been so fortunate. Nobody had told him about Lynda’s affair; he had found out later that it was the talk of the circuit. He wasn’t ready to go back to Dubai, not yet. He missed the buzz of his work, but nothing else. It occurred to him he had hardly thought about Lynda since he had come home. His head was full of just one woman but that was doomed.
“What do you think of her?” asked Geoff, pointing towards a grey mare.
“She’s a fine-looking horse,” said Jack, momentarily startled. Had Geoff read his mind? Then, smiling, he walked towards the mare to take a closer look.
“And there’s her three-year-old daughter. Now she’s got great potential. I’m seriously thinking of applying for a training licence but it costs a few grand and I just don’t have it at the moment.”
“Really!” Jack watched as the young horse cantered around playfully. She was a beauty all right. “Geoff, are you interested in an investor? I miss the racing circuit.”
“Let’s talk some more but yeah, I’m certainly interested.” They chatted about the finer details and shook hands, making a gentleman’s agreement. Walking back towards the yard, Geoff said, “We’ll have to work out a training schedule and young Jay Moynihan is a fine amateur jockey. Hey you can ride her out too, if you’re up for it.”
“Jeez, I’d love to but I’ll leave the racing to Jay.”
“Too right,” laughed Geoff.
Jack loved coming over to McGraths’. Geoff was sound and now he’d have some involvement with horses, more than just when they were sick. Conor had been right; he wished he could just work with horses. But he was glad to have landed a job at all.