Page 64 of The Women at Ocean's End

‘I think by the time Wesley has finished selling up the estate, you’ll be able to fix the roof ten times over, if you want,’ Heather said.

It was the strangest feeling, to think that a huge chunk of worry that had gnawed at the back of Constance’s mind for so long had suddenly evaporated. That was what it felt like. She had no idea when the money would come through or how things would work. Heather would have to sort all that out, but soon, Heather could ring up a builder and fix the metal railing that had fallen from the roof a few weeks ago, knowing that there was the money to pay him when it was done. Constance took a deep breath; it felt almost miraculous.

*

‘I think I’m too excited to cook dinner tonight,’ Constance said when they came up from working on the cottage later. How could she possibly serve up leftover bacon and salad from yesterday after such an amazing day? ‘I rang Finbar and asked if he’d like to come for dinner with us at the hotel.’

‘Oooh, really?’ Ros looked so excited, but then suddenly, that familiar glint of concern crossed her eyes. ‘Are you sure you’re up to it?’

‘Are you trying to matchmake, Constance Macken?’ Heather said then to cover over any mention of the fact that things had changed. The fact was, Constance thought there was a spark between Heather and Finbar, even if Heather hadn’t actually realised it for herself yet.

‘Moi?’ Constance said as innocently as she could manage. ‘Not at all, I just think we deserve to celebrate. I’ve booked the hotel for seven, so we could maybe have a glass of wine before we go and that gives you both a bit of time to tidy yourselves up first.’ Not that Constance had exactly been preening herself for the evening, but she took down her mother’s brooch and pinned it to her best cardigan. Maggie would have been so happy to know that her books were going to keep on going long after they were both gone.

42

Heather

‘The Bookselleris the publishing industry bible,’ Heather said, as she pushed her phone across for Constance to read the article. ‘Well, that’s what Wesley says anyway and we’ll have to take his word for it.’

‘Oh my, they’ve made quite a thing of it, haven’t they?’ Constance breathed. She was still scanning through the article. Even though she’d read through the press release already, somehow seeing it all there in black and white made it seem more real. ‘Oh, my…’ Constance said and it was only then that Heather realised she was about to faint.

‘CONSTANCE!’ she screamed, jumping behind her to catch her as she fell. Just in time, she saved her and managed to half walk, half carry her to the large chair near the old stove. ‘Constance, are you okay, can you hear me?’

But Constance was out of it, her eyes rolling in her head, a filmy rash of sweat seeping from her pores. Her skin had turned almost yellow. Heather took her hand, tried to feel for her pulse, but there was no point. Heather knew next to nothing about taking a pulse or a temperature or any of the basic skills most parents managed to gather when they had young children. She stood for a moment, total panic threatening to engulf her.

‘Constance, oh, Constance, what will I do?’ There was nothing to give her, no emergency medication to fix this. All they had onhand were painkillers. An awful thought, was she dying? Was this is it?Oh God, no.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the card Avril Duignan had left on the dresser with her mobile number and an email address. Heather grabbed it, tapped the number into her phone, her fingers shaking so much she wasn’t sure how she managed to get through.

‘Come quickly, it’s Constance, she’s… I’m not sure what to do…’ she said and she realised she was out of breath.

‘It’s okay, don’t panic, stay calm, that’s really important, just for Constance’s sake. I’ll be there in ten minutes.’ Avril hung up and, somehow, even just knowing that she was on her way made Heather feel as if everything was a little more under control.

‘Heather, what happened?’ Constance breathed next to her.

‘I think you fainted, Constance, I think it was the excitement –it was overwhelming.’ Heather managed to smile; she hoped it was convincing. She hoped it was the truth, that Constance would be fine, for now at least, just for a little longer.

‘I don’t know what happened…’ Constance’s voice sounded so pathetic and weak and Heather wanted to cry, but she couldn’t, she needed to be strong.

‘It’s okay, Constance.’ Heather gripped her hand and held it tight. ‘It’s okay, we were looking at the announcement inThe Booksellerand I think it was all too much.’

‘Ah, it’s better than I could ever have dreamed of, I suppose I was overcome with it all.’ Constance murmured then. ‘What a complaint, eh?’

‘Yes, it’s a very good reason to be off your feet.’

‘And you here and Ros too. And knowing that Ocean’s End is going to be okay…’ Constance closed her eyes and Heather wondered if she wasn’t drifting a bit, almost as if she was losing a grip on the present moment.

‘It’s all good. I’m here and Ros will be along soon and so will Avril and you’ll be fine by lunchtime.’

‘I’ll be fine by lunchtime,’ Constance repeated in a soft whisper, then she closed her eyes and, for a moment, Heather wasn’t sure if she was sleeping or unconscious.

‘Constance, maybe I should get you a blanket?’ Heather said, more to keep her awake than because it was cold.

‘No, no, don’t go to any trouble, I’ll just sit here and catch my breath, I might have a little nap,’ she said as if on the verge of sleep.

It felt as if Avril was on the doorstep far more quickly than was humanly possible, but Heather certainly wasn’t complaining.

‘Let’s take a look, shall we?’ Avril said with a tone of confidence that Heather was grateful for. She went about checking Constance’s pulse and her blood pressure and looking into her eyes. She asked Heather what had happened and checked that Constance had in fact taken her regular medication for the day.

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