Page 38 of Harbor Lights
“I’m off to Galway this evening,” he said abruptly. “I don’t get many weekends off, so gotta make the most of it. Are you sure you can’t be tempted?”
She held up her hands. “Positive. But you get ready to go and I’ll walk you down to the quay.”
“Oh, I don’t get dressed up here. The ferry ride would ruin my hair.” He tossed his head with a laugh. “We have a family apartment in the city. I get ready for my big night on the town there.”
Shiv wondered if there was more to it than that. Did Christy really feel comfortable being his true self on the island, or was he living two lives? She guessed it wasn’t her business to pry.
When she got back to her cabin later, she chewed distractedly on the bread Christy had given her as she browsed her online messages. Her contacts were getting a little impatient she wasn’t replying to messages as quickly as she used to. But out on the road, she’d had her laptop and cell by her side at all times.
Here there was too much else to focus on, between her various jobs, visiting new friends and, until she’d pissed her off the other day, trying to spend time with Con. But was she just kidding herself? Trying to live a normal, respectable life wasn’t her thing. It never had been. That’s why Con had pushed her away. She wasn’t girlfriend material. Was she even a suitable friend? Even if Con did want that, Shiv was already unsure it would be enough for her. So, if she was such a bad fit for this little island and its inhabitants, why did it all feel so good?
THIRTEEN
Con tried notto hurry as she walked the steep track to the old Walsh family cabin on the cliffs, but the truth was, a week without Shiv’s company had been too long, and she couldn’t wait to see her again.
Even from a distance, the signs of renovation on the cabin were obvious. A new door had been installed and painted a calming sage green. The once peeling paint on the windows had been rubbed down and coated with the same green. It was a different house already and she hadn’t even stepped inside.
“Siobhán?” she called as soon as she was in earshot, remembering the frosty reception she’d had last time she visited. But this time she’d sent a message and the blue tick next to it showed Shiv had seen it, even if she hadn’t responded.
Con guessed she was busy with the work on the cabin, alongside Joey’s rewiring job. Joey had said that was nearly done now, and that Shiv had worked like a Trojan to complete it. Still, she’d missed Shiv’s company and had wanted to share her good news in person.
“Come on in.”
Shiv’s voice had sounded from somewhere inside. Con opened the door and was again surprised at the transformation. Light shone from creatively placed wall lights around the previously gloomy interior. The lighting shone against the newly plastered white walls and threw shadows on nooks and corners. It would be seriously atmospheric at night with the fire lit.
“This place is looking amazing.”
Shiv sat tucked away in a corner behind a desk and didn’t get up. Blue light from her computer screen lit her from below, giving her an almost skeletal look. She’d recently shaved the sides of her hair, making her mullet even more shaggy. “Give me five minutes and I’ll be with you.”
“Grand. Will I boil the kettle?”
She took the almost inaudible grunt as a positive and stepped into the kitchen. The flat roofed extension that housed the cooking facilities hadn’t received the same level of makeover just yet, and a power lead from the main house provided a socket for her to connect the kettle. Shiv’s less than enthusiastic reception bothered her a little. Certainly, less defensive than the previous visit, but no warmer.
What was I expecting? For her to throw herself in my arms and tell me she’d been lonely without me, just like I’ve missed every moment of her company?
She leaned on the old Formica worktop and traced the orange mosaic pattern on the surface. She needed to stop projecting her own feelings onto this poor woman who had just offered a little companionship and practical help she desperately needed.
“Sorry, I needed to send that.” Shiv’s low voice jolted her from her internal monologue, and she turned.
Shiv stood at a distance, hands shoved in her pockets as Con now knew she did when she felt uncertain. She hoped she wasn’t responsible for that, but she’d felt she’d been too clingy, so she’d given Shiv some space. It hadn’t been a good week.
The kettle boiled and she tipped water onto the teabags in the old metal teapot on the counter.
“What do you think of the place?”
“It’s a transformation indeed. Your granddad should be paying you well.”
Shiv smiled a little and reached for two mugs. “Since you pushed me last week, I’ve negotiated some sort of wage, at least. Below what he should be paying, but I can live.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Con poured the tea and added milk. She felt warm knowing Shiv had listened to her advice.
“But I’d’ve probably carried on if he’d said no. It’s kinda become a labor of love now.” Shiv led the way back into the main room, and Con followed, a mug in each hand.
“This was my great-grandparents’ home.” Shiv pointed to a wedding photograph in a sparking silver frame. “My granddad was born here, before they moved down to run the hotel. It’s part of my history, even if I wasn’t aware of it for most of my life.” She sat in a chair and Con followed suit.
“So, you feel a responsibility to bring it back to life?”
“Yeah.” Shiv sipped her tea.She must have a mouth made of Teflon.“I never got to know my great granny, but Tierney has told me about how she pretty much invented tourism on this island, and how she loved people to come and build memories on Inishderry. This place may never get to be anyone’s home again, but I want it to be somewhere people enjoy vacations to remember.”
