Page 49 of Harbor Lights

“Keep up!” Shiv shouted back over her shoulder at Aoife jogging after them. Being around kids made it easier to open up with the adults, somehow.

When she’d taken the boys’ dare and somehow got her ass down the slide, to their screams of joy, she left them swinging on the swings and joined Aoife on a bench.

“You’re good with them. No wonder they’re so fond of you.”

“I think they like me because I’m their size.” Aoife joined in her laughter. “But I grew up in a big community with kids of all ages. I guess a part of me misses it.”

“You’re welcome at our house any time. It’s full of kids. In fact, I’ve invited Kasia and Tierney over on Wednesday evening. Seán’s got a rare night off. Why don’t you join us? Six pm.”

To her surprise, Shiv realized she’d like that very much. “Thanks. I’ve got some final work to do for Joey this week while they’re away. They want it finished in good time before their brother comes for the holidays. But I’ll make sure to finish in good time on Wednesday.”

“What areyourplans for the holidays?”

“Oh, I don’t really celebrate. I’ll probably curl up with a book.” Or catch up with all the demands from her online activist friends who were starting to lose patience with her recent lack of dedication.

“Uncle Des will be here, and our dad. You should at least have a drink with them in the bar one night.”

Shiv didn’t think her granddad would want that any more than she did, but she nodded. “Yeah, I might.”

When Aoife and the still rowdy boys left, she waved them off up the hill, then continued on to take another look at the tin-roofed shack she’d talked up to Con.

The painted door was off its hinges, and she moved it to peer inside. With the light fading, she pulled out her trusty headlamp for a better look. The beam lit up a sorry scene of discarded tables and chairs, and a floor strewn with broken picture frames. It had such potential, though. She imagined the young people taking ownership of the space, and what a difference it would make to their lives. This was just as meaningful a project as her online activism, and she could see the results directly. Was it so bad that she wanted this more? Perhaps she just needed some respite from the cause that had cost her her liberty and her home.

She moved further inside, relieved to see the interior was mainly dry, though water had seeped in through the broken door. A lightbulb hung from a cable above and she located a switch, surprised to see the room bathed in light when she flipped it.

“That’s most likely running off the hotel supply.”

Shiv jumped at the voice. Tierney stood grinning in the doorway.

“I thought it was you snooping in here.”

“I’m not snooping. My granddad’s thinking of giving me this place.”

“Really? It’s not good for much. I was thinking it could be a storeroom for my watersports equipment over winter.” She pushed the door back against the wall. “Needs a new door, mind. It got a real beating in that storm a couple years back.”

“I’ve got an idea for something.”

“Are you gonna tell?”

The youth club had begun as Con’s baby, and even if Shiv was now getting involved, it didn’t feel like her news to share. “D’you mind if I don’t at the moment? It’s early days.”

Tierney smirked. “No problem. You keep your mystery shed project under wraps.” When she ducked out of the door, Shiv switched off the light and followed.

“Want to get a coffee?” Tierney indicated the brightly lit hotel.

“Not this time, thanks. I got waylaid visiting the play park with Aoife, and I’ve still got work to do.”

“You did?” Tierney’s brown eyes held nothing but enthusiasm. “Glad you’re getting to know the family.”

“Yup, and I’ll see you on Wednesday for dinner.”

“Cool.” Without warning, Tierney threw her arms around her. For once not feeling smothered, she reciprocated the hug. “See you then.”

* * *

Wednesday came around fast.Joey, Marianne and Denny had left for a pre-Christmas visit to Denny’s other mom in the USA. And Joey had insisted Shiv use the house while they were gone. It did make working on the holiday cottage easier, and she didn’t need to navigate the path to the cliff cabin each evening. She had left her laptop at the cabin and instead worked late into the evenings, dozing off watching the stars—weather permitting—from Joey’s hammock each night. It was certainly more relaxing than fascist-stalking, but she was feeling guilty about all the calls she was avoiding with her online friends.

This evening, she’d made an effort to finish early, shower and change into her best pair of skinny jeans and a clean tank. She pulled out a folded black cotton shirt she’d picked up on her shopping trip with Con the previous weekend. It was a cheap supermarket brand, but it was new and paint free. She buttoned it and looked in the mirror. It was a little baggy. She should’ve gone for a kids’ size; they were always cheaper. But Con had been browsing nearby, and she didn’t want her seeing her shopping in the “boys 11-13” section. She’d also tried on a beautiful silver-gray coat that fit perfectly. It’d been warm and waterproof, and exactly what she needed. Con had said it looked great on her, which had made her want it all the more. But she’d checked out the price tag and put it back, promising herself she’d return when she’d saved some more cash.

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