Page 90 of Harbor Lights

She reached for the teapot, but Shiv was around the table and pulling her to her feet before she could lift it.

“Fuck tea. I don’t even like it.”

Con opened her mouth wide in mock horror. “And you’re sure you want to live here?”

Shiv was sure. Just one more thing nagged at the back of her head. “When you were worried about people knowing we’d spent the night together, what was that?”

Con frowned. “Just my insecurities. My dad was a good man. He served the community well, but he was never a part of it. A throwback, I guess, to our family’s history. He said it was all about how we looked to other people. Not better than anyone, but respectable.” She took a long breath. “When Majella left me, it was the biggest gossip to hit Portrinn and Inishderry for years. And I couldn’t escape it. I think it’s part of the reason I struggled to move on.”

“So, you were afraid of gossip about us?”

Con shook her head slowly. “I would be proud for people to know we were together. Unfortunately, my mind went straight to you leaving me and having to go through all of that scandal again. I’m sorry.”

Her head dropped. Shiv kissed her forehead. “Perhaps I need to work harder to show you how much I don’t ever want to leave you.”

When Con raised her head, Shiv moved to her lips. The tea could wait. The youth club could wait. For now, she just needed Con.

TWENTY-NINE

Con closedthe door quietly on her way out. The first month of the youth club had seen a big increase in young people signing up for clubs and proposing new ideas for themed nights or meetings. Tonight’s music session was full to the rafters, and she didn’t want to spoil the vibe. The young people saw Christy and Shiv as confidantes, but Con would always be, first and foremost, the village doctor.

She didn’t mind. The club had become Shiv’s baby and she’d risen to the occasion. She’d signed up for a part time youth leader course in the next academic year, and in the meantime was soaking up all the online resources she could find.

Con had been worried that being in a relationship with a GP, with all the long hours and out of hours callouts that entailed, would annoy Shiv. But in reality, it was often Con who had to remind Shiv to stop work and have some fun. They’d found the time for long beach walks and DIY projects, and Con was now a committed cold-water dipper, even though she was sure at this point it couldn’t get much colder without freezing over. Cold immersion had helped with her hot flashes, and she was finally feeling like she might see a light at the end of the tunnel with her symptoms.

She walked quickly up the lane to the Waterside, turning her collar up against the light drizzle driving horizontally into her face. There were a few slivers of pink light in the otherwise overcast darkening sky; the remnants of a hidden sunset. The days were already getting longer, even if only gradually.

But she didn’t long for spring as desperately as she usually would in February. Evenings curled up on her couch with Shiv, watching the flames dance in the hearth, had given her a new appreciation for long winter nights. She almost resented the approach of the more hectic seasons of spring and summer. Almost. But the fair weather would bring new adventures for them. Shiv wanted to paddle out to Inishkyle as soon as the weather permitted. Con had dusted off her rowing machine and was back training regularly. Her flexibility and strength had already improved. Shiv was good for her well-being.

Con shook off her thoughts as she entered the hotel foyer and little Pegeen barreled toward her. “Badadadabada!”

“Hi, Peggy.” She squatted on her haunches to get closer to the little girl. Lower than she’d gotten for years. It felt good.

Pegeen continued her babble.

“Would you mind watching her for a couple of minutes?” Kasia rushed past with laundered sheets piled high in her arms. “The sooner she can make beds, the better.”

Con hoisted Pegeen onto her hip. “Of course. I’m just hanging around waiting for Shiv, so I can get her ready for bed, if that helps?”

“I’ll accept that offer gladly, thank you. If you take her up now, Tierney will be home in an hour. There’s a bottle of milk in the refrigerator.”

“Come on, Pegeen. Shall I tell you a story?”

Peggy clapped as they mounted the stairs, then tried to take off Con’s glasses. Rescuing them, she clasped the little girl’s hands and smiled.

She was glad to be doing something useful as she opened closets in Peggy’s nursery, until she found sleep suits and diapers.

Peggy was very accommodating, and even tried to help change her own diaper. Con laughed along with the child’s giggles and successfully swerved when Peggy made another grab for her glasses.

“You’re a little monkey, aren’t you? Now, let’s find you a book to read and we’ll have you all settled before your mommy arrives home.”

“Mamamamamama,” Peggy agreed.

Three story books and a bottle of milk later, Peggy dozed on her shoulder, and Con was hoping she could take a trip to the bathroom soon.

She heard the door open and turned to warn Tierney not to wake Peggy.

“Hey, look at you being all maternal.” Shiv appeared behind the couch.

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