Page 59 of Harbor Lights

Con was surprised they hadn’t concreted it to match the kitchen. She sipped her coffee.

“Come and sit in the lounge.” Audrey waved toward the open door, and the sound of a baby crying.

Christmas Day had been pleasant enough with just Audrey’s younger daughter, Vanessa, visiting. But today, they’d been joined by the newly wed Stephen and his wife, and Catherine, with her husband and baby. Large though the house was, it felt too full of people she didn’t really want to be around.

“I’ll go and sit in the garden for a moment. I’m feeling a little…” She waved her hand in front of her face and hoped she looked flustered enough to carry it off as a hot flash.

“Oh, I’m well past those days. It only bothered me for a couple of years.” Audrey entered the lounge. “Right, let’s have a round of charades.”

Glad of her escape, Con let herself out into the walled courtyard that led to what had once been the orchard. She found a small metal table with two chairs folded against it. She unfolded one and sat rubbing her face.

This has to end. I’ve let it rule my life for too long.

She pulled out her phone. She had two more days here, but all she wanted was to get back home. The photo Tierney had sent yesterday hadn’t helped her mood, but she couldn’t resist another look. The rowdy family photo featured the older members sitting primly at the front, with a boisterous bunch of cousins, friends and neighbors crowded behind. Her eyes immediately searched out Shiv. She was on the outer fringes of the group, but smiling away, her arms around Aoife’s eldest, Gracie, and the cute Waterside chef, Colette. Even Gracie, not quite thirteen, was a few inches taller. Colette’s arm was draped around Shiv’s shoulder, pulling her close. Or so it looked to Con.

She dropped her phone in frustration. What was she doing? Shiv could cozy up to whoever she wanted; it was nothing to do with her.

But it was, whether she liked it or not. She wanted Shiv’s arm around her, and more. She was falling deeper all the time. Where the hell could it lead to, other than heartbreak? The one thing she’d always sworn she’d never go through again.

She drank down her cooling coffee and pulled up the airline website. She wouldn’t waste another moment here. She would get home and think about what to do next. And talk to Joey. Joey always set her straight.

The flight was booked by the time Majella came outside to find her. “Are you okay? Aud said you were having a hot flash, but you’ve been out here ages.”

Majella pulled the other chair out and sat opposite. She smiled, but her forest green eyes were full of concern. Long ago they’d been full of love and desire. But it really was long ago. And Con had spent too much of her life wishing to return to those days. There was no going back. It was time to move forward.

“I need to go home, Majella. Will you run me to the airport tomorrow?”

Her smile dropped. “Tomorrow? Your flight’s on Thursday.”

“I changed it. I’m sorry, I need to get back.”

“To what? The surgery’s closed, and you’ve got emergency cover until next week.”

A spark of irritation flared. “There’s more to my life than just work.”But please don’t ask me for specifics.

Majella held up her hands. “Okay, fine. I’ll take you. What time will we leave?”

“By nine, if that’s okay?”

Majella nodded with a frown. “So, will you come in and play party games on your last evening?”

“Of course.” It seemed more bearable now she knew she was leaving. “Can we be on the same team?”

Majella stood and led the way back inside. She turned her head and smiled a little sadly. “Yes, Audrey likes to team up with Stephen. He should be on one of those quiz shows. There’s nothing he doesn’t know.”

Majella was good to her word the following day. After a round of farewells, they got in the car for the airport. They drove in silence for a while until Majella glanced across at her.

“Thank you for coming over. I know it’s a long way, but it means so much to have you here.”

“Why does it?” The question was out before she could stop it.

“Pardon?” Majella kept her eyes on the road.

She may as well ask what she’d never understood. “Why have you always insisted on me spending my vacations with you? Was it guilt?”

Majella blinked a few times, and the silence dragged on.

“Probably, to begin with.” She bit her lip. “Yes, it was. But you were my best friend, Connie. I didn’t want to lose that. I love our conversations.”

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