Page 97 of Harbor Lights
She took it gladly. “So, you were all in on this?”
The kids grinned and looked around at one another.
“Doc said it was a good way to thank you for making the youth club happen, and also to welcome you officially to living on Inishderry.” Gracie stood, fists in pockets as always, but she scowled less these days.
Was Shiv officially living here now? She hadn’t thought of it in such absolute terms, but she was here to stay. She knew that for certain. She clinked bottles with the kids. “Here’s to living local.”
“Where are you going to stay?” Gracie asked. “When Uncle Des kicks you out.” There were no secrets on the island.
“I’ll work something out.” But the kids had turned, distracted. Con was approaching, leading someone.
“Siobhán, we’ve a visitor to the island I think you might know.”
She stepped back to reveal a small, familiar woman with straight gray hair streaked with pink. An older man with a beard stood behind, resting his hand on her shoulder.
Shiv blinked, trying to put what she was seeing into context. “Mom?”
Her mom stepped up and pulled her into her arms. “My little Siobhán. I’ve missed you so much.” She sobbed into Shiv’s shoulder.
“Mom, why are you here?” She looked up. “Art?”
Art leaned in and wrapped them both in his arms. Shiv’s eyes stung. She’d wondered if she’d ever see her mom again. But what was she doing here, in the Waterside?
“I missed you too, Mom. So much. I’m sorry I had to leave without a proper explanation.”
Her mom pulled back, the tracks of her tears running down her tanned face. “Well, now we’ve got all the time we need. You can tell me everything.”
Beyond them, Con stood observing, a happy smile on her face. Shiv had no doubt who was behind her mom’s appearance. “I love you,” she mouthed.
Con blew her a kiss and moved away. Shiv sat her mom down and pulled up a chair.
She smiled. “So where shall I start?”
THIRTY-ONE
“So,this will be your consulting room.” Con stepped aside in the doorway of the spare consulting room to allow her newly appointed practice nurse to step inside.
“Nice.” Daisy Walsh approached the modern new desk and dropped into the chair. She spun it toward the window. “And an amazing view. I didn’t have this in Dublin.”
“It’s views everywhere you look here. As you must be aware.” Con was still a little nervous about sharing her practice with a virtual stranger, but Daisy was a Walsh and at least knew the area well, from a lifetime of summer vacations.
She’d provided excellent references and with her advanced nursing qualifications, she’d be working at a level that meant she could do initial consults and really take a significant load off Con.
Daisy swung around in the chair. “Yeah, I didn’t value it when I was a kid, but a lifetime working in Dublin has made me more appreciative.”
She’d dressed smartly enough for the interview, but Con had been a little taken aback by her appearance today. Baggy sweatpants hung off her hips and her short, auburn ponytail was crammed through the back of a cap with a label stuck to the peak.
Daisy touched the hat and smiled ruefully. “Sorry, it’s Paudie’s. Didn’t have time to wash my hair this morning.”
Con hoped she’d be more organized when she started work. “What about your boys? It’ll be a big change for them.”
“Ah, they’ll get used to it. Conor’s very into his music, and there’s plenty going on here, so he’ll cope. Paudie’s the most easy-going kid you’ve ever met, and he loves surfing, so he’s all over the move.”
“And what about… Declan, is it?” Con had a working knowledge of the entire Walsh clan, so she was familiar with this particular branch of the family. She’d been trying not to pay too much attention to the rumors about Daisy’s middle child.
“Ah, yeah. That one’s not so keen.” Daisy scratched at her hair under the cap. “But it’ll be the making of him. And probably keep him out of prison, if I’m honest.”
Con didn’t want that level of honesty. Or drama. She wondered again if she was making the right decision, but as she showed Daisy around the surgery and they discussed the systems she used, Daisy was already making suggestions for innovation. This was exactly what she had needed; new blood in the practice and someone to share the load. Still, she sent off a quick text to Shiv as she made tea.
