Page 75 of Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure
‘You thought I was the one with the roving eye?’ Ruari smiled and shook his head. ‘Most folk think the same, but I never looked at another woman in the years we were together. It broke my heart when we called it a day.’
Mary tried to digest Ruari’s words.
‘But…’ she began. ‘Conor is trying to decide if he loves Lucinda. Surely, he needs space to make his mind up?’
‘Oh, Mary.’ Ruari punched his head with his fist. ‘I cannot believe that you are allowing Conor to make this decision on his own – about your future. What about you?’ He stared hard at her. ‘It’s time for you to face the facts, and I guess it’s down to me to give them to you.’
‘What do you mean?’ Mary was even more confused.
Inching his chair closer, Ruari poured coffee into a mug. Adding a tot of brandy, he gave the drink to Mary.
‘Roisin is a terrible gossip, as you know,’ he began. ‘She cleans many houses and businesses in the area, including Creek House. Once a week, I go there to valet Lucinda’s cars.’
‘I know you’ve seen Conor at Creek House.’
‘Yes. Often. And Roisin has seen them together too. This isn’t a recent fling. They’ve been seeing each other for months.’
‘Months?’Mary blinked slowly.
‘Ever since that prime stretch of land came on the market across town.’
‘The Land Deal,’ Mary nodded in acknowledgement, her voice flat.
‘As you know, Conor got the sale through and earned a handsome commission. But the builder who bought it? He was loyal to Darby’s. Worked with Lucinda’s father when they were starting out. Now that the planning application’s been accepted, they’re going to build multiple houses, and Darby’s will handle the individual sales.’
‘Those sales will be worth a fortune in commission,’ Mary said. ‘I hear the plans are for at least two hundred houses, with both starter and affordable homes.’
‘The town planners have agreed the area needs them, and the services are in place. There are few available properties at the moment, and this will help with local growth and prosperity.’
‘So, Conor’s missing out on the sales of the century to Lucinda?’ Mary asked, shaking her head.
Sipping her coffee, she wondered if this would have happened if she had still been involved in their business. After all, she knew the builder, Cillian McCarthy, from previous sales. He’d always been quite a flirt, but they’d gotten along well. Mary remembered Cillian thanking her for her efficiency and for making his job easy. Her prompt and seamless sales had eased his cash flow during a tough time.
The warmth of the hot drink, combined with the comforting touch of brandy, allowed Mary to ease deeperinto her chair. She felt the tension that had tugged at her shoulders for weeks begin to partially ease.
‘Well, possibly not…’ Ruari was hesitant.
Mary sat up, the tension suddenly returning. ‘What are you saying?’ she asked.
‘Conor wants to join forces with Darby’s, create a joint agency with both names, and dominate the area. That way, he’ll benefit from the builder’s sales.’
‘Oh, shite.’ Mary bit her lip as comprehension dawned. ‘Murphy’s Auctioneers is in his name alone. He can do whatever he wants with it. I have no say.’
‘That could be difficult for you.’ Ruari frowned. ‘But it’s not just the property sales he’s after. Conor wants to get his hands on Creek House, too.’ Ruari glanced at Mary and then continued, ‘Roisin has heard them talking. Conor’s turned on all the charm and proposed to Lucinda. He’s promised to divorce you if she agrees to marry him.’
‘What?’ Mary’s mouth went slack, her eyes blinking in confusion.
‘He’s waiting for her to say yes… and she’s enjoying keeping him waiting.’
‘Oh, Conor!’ Mary gasped. ‘You bloody fool.’
Suddenly, everything dropped into place.
Mary had always known that Conor would give his eyeteeth to have his name on the deeds of Creek House. He’d told her multiple times that it was his dream property, a place he’d stared at from the other side of the Brandon River when fishing in the estuary as a small boy. He’d often told Mary that Creek House had been his inspiration for starting the business, somewhere to aspire to and own. Itmust have cut Conor to the core when Lucinda bought it from the bankrupt chef.
‘She was probably sleeping with him…’ Mary murmured.
‘Who?’ Ruari asked, his expression amused.
