Page 95 of The Last Saturday In July
‘Yeah, that’s not all. You remember I was telling you about that old cottage his friends are selling in Limerick?’
‘I remember.’ Jess realised that Zoe was trying her best to appear cool.
‘We’ve checked with them that they’re still selling. It’s a private sale, no agent.’
This was it, Jess thought, Zoe was moving out, moving on with her life. Jess wouldn’t see her when she came home to visit. Apart from the time Jess spent a term in Germany during college, it’d be the first time in twenty-five years that they’d really be apart.
‘What’s the catch?’
Zoe shrugged. ‘It’s quite rural and it’s really rundown. Like, it would take a lot of work. But it’s a total steal. I mean, I have some savings, and we’ll have a small mortgage and Mam and Dad have offered to help a bit.’ Before Jess could reply, she added, ‘Dad said he’d take a look at it. He won’t let us buy anything that’s not structurally sound. And he’s promised he’ll do loads of the work for us.’
‘So, you’re buying it?’
‘We’re buying it together, Jess.’ Zoe sounded firm. ‘There’s a large shed at the back, that could be a studio. In the meantime, I’ll try to get a job down here. Worse case, I can freelance.’
‘It sounds like you’ve thought it through.’
Zoe gave an unladylike snort. ‘What’s there to think about? It’s either that, or I stay here with Mam and Dad while Finn moves down on his own. I love him too much to split.’
Jess tried to imagine Zoe living in a crumbling, rural cottage. ‘Zoe, if this is what you want to do, do it. You’re young, and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t matter. Just do what makes you happy.’
‘So, I shouldn’t stay in my safe job?’
Jess released a tense laugh. ‘Did Mam say that?’
Zoe rolled her eyes. ‘She said we should try a long-distance relationship for a while. Mad stuff.’
‘It’ll be an adventure, Zoe. I’m kind of surprised though. Finn doesn’t strike me as the teacher type.’
‘Fuck it, Jess, you can be completely clueless.’ Zoe gave her a hard look. ‘Who do you think does all the choreography for the troupe? You’ve all judged Finn for years. You think he’s a waste of space.’
‘Zoe!’
Her sister’s voice rose. ‘The only reason Finn stayed in those crappy jobs was to eat and pay his rent. But he can’t hang around forever for his big break. So, this is him getting real. He’ll be on a steady wage. It’s not performing, but he’ll be happier than working as a waiter.’
Jess was quiet for a moment. ‘Sorry.’
Zoe sighed. ‘Yeah, don’t sweat it.’
Jess rubbed her eyes. It was starting to feel like the longest day of her life. ‘When are you moving?’
‘I don’t know. We can’t put in an offer until Dad has seen it. But if we buy it, he’ll help me hire builders. There’s two bedrooms. You could come stay … on your own, or with Simon, obviously.’
Jess managed a smile. Zoe knew well that unless Simon was heading off to a four-star hotel, preferably with a golf course, he rarely ventured beyond the confines of South County Dublin. ‘It sounds great.’
‘Hey, if you decide to move home, you’ll get your old room back.’ Zoe tried to make it sound like a joke.
‘I think I’ll go lie down for a while.’ Jess stood.
‘You sure you’re okay?’ Zoe narrowed her eyes. ‘Mam set her alarm clock for two, so she could take a look at you then.’
‘I’ll be fine, I just need some rest. See you later.’ Jess tried to avoid the creaky steps as she headed up to her room, before remembering that Zoe slept there now.
She headed down the corridor to Zoe’s old room, stepping out of her suit and slipping between the clean, cool covers of the bed. When the tears came, they rolled down her cheeks, wetting the pillow. As her eyes shut, she wondered if she could just stay here forever.
Carmel was in the kitchen heating up some soup, when she got up. She gave Jess a quick look over. ‘Zoe told me you were home. How are you feeling, love?’
‘Better, Mam.’ As well as anyone could feel when their life was falling apart.
