Page 25 of A Merry Irish Christmas
‘Yeah, he came home yesterday.’
‘What’s the story with him and Abbie?’ she asked, deciding to stop pussyfooting around and get to the point. The subtle approach had got her nowhere with her sister.
Aifric huffed a laugh. ‘Your guess is as good as mine.’
‘Really? She doesn’t talk to you about it?’
‘Not really. She keeps her cards close to her chest where he’s concerned. I don’t know why. It’s not as if I don’t spot him in our kitchen in the morning every time he’s home.’
‘So they’re still sort of together?’
‘I suppose so… when he’s here. Which is hardly ever. If you ask me, they need to cut the cord and move on – both of them.’
Mary nodded. ‘Maybe it’ll be good for Abbie not to see him this time – break the pattern.’
‘And there are plenty of guys around here much more suitable for her.’
‘Owen for instance?’ Mary asked with a knowing smile.
‘Yeah. Just as an example, like.’ Aifric smirked. They both knew that their friend Owen had long had a crush on Abbie.
‘But he’s with Katie now, right?’ Mary asked.
‘Yeah, more’s the pity. They should do a swap. Ryan’s much more Katie’s speed.’
‘That was fantastic,’ Mary said, putting her knife and fork together when she’d finished eating. ‘I won’t need to eat for the rest of the day.’
‘I suppose I’d better get back to work,’ Aifric said when her brother Tom came to take their empty plates. She slid out of her seat and helped him clear the table. ‘But I’ll see you in the pub tomorrow night?’
‘I wouldn’t miss it.’
‘Let me know how you get on with Spidey,’ Aifric called as she headed for the kitchen with a laden tray. ‘Good luck!’
‘Thanks.’
‘But I’m sure you don’t need it. I have every faith in you.’
Mary left feeling warm and fuzzy and thoroughly restored, buoyed up by good food and good friends.
10
She was walking back to her car when she spotted a lone figure standing on the bridge on the other side of the road, leaning on the railing and looking down into the water below.
She couldn’t see his face, but she realised with a start that it was Evan. She’d memorised his clothes closely enough last night to describe them to the police and she’d know that cat burglar ensemble anywhere.
What was he doing standing there, looking moodily down into the river? Then her mother’s words floated into her mind.What if he’s planning to do something to himself?And now she knew he was suffering from a broken heart. Her pulse quickened as adrenaline surged through her veins.
‘Evan!’ she called, but he didn’t seem to hear her over the stream of cars passing.
‘Evan!’ she shouted, louder this time. He turned and looked at her querulously.
‘What?’ He frowned as he registered her.
‘Step away from the railing!’ she yelled, waving her arms.
‘Jeez, keep your voice down.’ He looked around wildly. ‘What the hell?—’
Mary huffed in frustration as another line of cars passed and she couldn’t cross the bridge to get to him. ‘There’s no need for this. You have so much to live for,’ she shouted over the noise of engines.
