Page 12 of Harbor Lights

She reread the note a couple of times. What a puzzle this newcomer to the island was. Prickly and defensive to begin with, it hadn’t taken her long to thaw a little. Once she had, while she hadn’t shared much personal information, Con had seen fleeting glimpses of a fragile soul, less in control of her circumstances than she wanted to be.

The way she’d demolished the meal, too, suggested someone who wasn’t getting enough to eat. She was all bone and muscle. And pale. Although, if the rumors about her incarceration were true, that might account for it. Much as she loved to know people’s stories, Con had been determined not to push her for any information that wasn’t freely given. Which hadn’t turned out to be much.

That comment about lesbians had stung, though. Con knew she hadn’t always acted in her own best interest, but Majella had been her companion and closest confidante for over twenty-five years before she left. What was wrong with maintaining that bond, even if it was just as friends? And it was her own problem if watching Majella move on over the years had been painful. She’d had her chance to move on, too.

She sighed, finished making the tea and juggled the dish and two mugs on her way to reception, a small room off the main entrance hall. Maura looked up from her computer. “Ah, thanks, Doc. It’s been a busy morning so far.”

Con placed the mugs on the desk and passed over the casserole dish. “Thank you, that really hit the spot. Delicious as always.”

“Yes, I saw your visitor leave earlier. Are you providing in-patient treatment now?” She smiled, but her eyes were seeking an answer.

Con sipped her tea. “She’s a newcomer to Inishderry. Des Walsh’s granddaughter. He’s sent her over to do up a property and she hurt herself. She has no power or heating up there yet. I couldn’t let her go back last night.”

Maura’s mouth was open wide. “The granddaughter who’s been in prison?”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, why is everyone in this community such a gossip?”

That was a little hypocritical, as she relied on the local tittle-tattle to keep her up to speed. But she’d always felt she used it for the greater good, to understand her patients better, especially when they weren’t always completely honest with her.

“I don’t know if she’s been in prison. She didn’t mention it. But she seemed to need a little kindness.”

“Well, you be careful. You’ve got a good heart and there’s always those that’ll take advantage. Especially when they’re not from around these parts.”

“Oh, stop it, Maura. You sound like those terrible people who think the worst of people who are different from themselves. I can take care of myself, and Shiv Walsh is not the type to take advantage of anyone. Quite the opposite.”

“Oh, Shiv, is it?” Maura’s smile was curious.

“I call my patients the name they ask me to. All my patients.” She put her mug down. “Now, stop teasing me. Mrs. Dolan is just coming up the hill. Send her straight in, please.”

She turned on her heel and firmly closed the door to her surgery. She looked around at the mess and quickly scooped some of the paperwork into a crate under her desk. She could sort it later, but Ida Dolan would notice every detail and repeat it back to her friends at the community hall bingo later today.

She finished her halfhearted tidying and leaned back against her desk. A large part of her didn’t care what people thought, but professionally it was important she retain her good reputation, or people truly would be off to the health center in town. Con knew the clutter on her desk didn’t detract from her medical skills, or her attention to detail, but impressions were everything.I must try to make an effort to declutter and get some decorating done.

But her days were long, and her rambles on the beach looking for sea glass had become a little time-consuming in recent months. Maybe they were just a good reason not to do anything around the house.

She checked her diary. Today she had surgery appointments, back-to-back, until five thirty. But tomorrow afternoon, after some house visits to a couple of the older residents on Inishderry, she’d promised to drop by and see little Peggy Walsh, too. She’d had a cough for over a week and Kasia was starting to worry. She decided she’d make up a box of food and some treats for Shiv. She could spin it as a welcome package. Perhaps she’d ask Tierney and Kasia if they wanted to add anything, too. The strange woman was playing on her thoughts. She wondered if it was her urge to take care of those who needed it, or was there something else about Shiv Walsh that drew her in?

* * *

“Well,Pegeen, I can confirm that you’re absolutely fine.” Con removed her stethoscope and let the inquisitive one-year-old take hold of it. She stood and turned to Tierney and Kasia, who were hovering behind her.

“It’s just a cough. There’s no rattle, and she seems happy enough.” She indicated toward where Pegeen was trying to put the earpieces of the instrument over her own head, but being far too wide, it kept falling down. Pegeen was not easily put off and kept trying.

“Keep doing what you’ve been doing, and if there’s any sign of it getting worse, give me a call.”

“Thank you, Doc, we appreciate you saving us the trip over to the surgery.” Kasia’s shoulders relaxed, and Tierney slipped an arm around her waist.

“I told you she’d be fine. But thanks, Doc.” Tierney retrieved the stethoscope from Pegeen who was now trying to dismantle it. When she shrieked, Tierney lifted her and picked up a fluffy elephant to distract her.

Con packed the instrument away in her bag. “It was no bother at all. I had those visits to make anyway. And thanks for the loan of your car.”

“Is that you finished now?” Kasia asked.

Con scratched her neck. “Well, I was thinking of dropping in to the cabin on the cliffs. I want to check Siobhán is doing okay after her mishap.”

Tierney and Kasia glanced at each other.

“I dunno what sort of reception you’ll get, Doc.” Tierney shifted Pegeen to her hip. “I tried to get her talking when she arrived, and then Kasia spoke to her yesterday, but she was pretty rude.”

---