‘You didn’t fancy going to London?’
‘It just seemed like a big step. What if it hadn’t worked out?’
‘If it hadn’t worked out, you pick yourself up and you make the best of things,’ said Meredith. ‘I knew in my heart of hearts that I was taking a risk marrying Darren, but if I hadn’t I wouldn’t have my two girls and they definitely were worth the risk.’
‘Yeah,’ agreed Izzy. ‘Sometimes you have to go for it. If I hadn’t followed Philip to Edinburgh, I wouldn’t have ended up living there and working at the Festival which was the best job ever, and I made so many brilliant friends and I loved living in the city. It’s one of the best in the world. So although it didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, it was still worth taking the chance.’
Hannah nodded, not believing either of them. Look what had happened in Dublin. If she’d played it safe, she wouldn’t be in this horribly awkward situation with Conor where every time she saw him she wanted to die of mortification.
‘Is that your phone, Hannah?’ asked Izzy suddenly as a mobile began to ring.
‘Yes.’ Hannah picked up the phone but didn’t recognise the number. Curiosity won over manners. ‘Sorry, will you excuse me?’ she said to Meredith and Izzy. Unknown numbers freaked her out a little. She knew that there was a strong chance it was some sales call but at the same time, it could be a policeman or a hospital.
‘Hello, Hannah Campbell speaking.’
‘Hannah!’ She grinned at the sound of her old university friend’s familiar bellow. ‘It’s Aidan. When are we seeing you?’
‘Aidan,’ her tone warmed with the delight of hearing his voice. ‘How are you? I’m so sorry I haven’t called yet, it’s been so busy.’
‘Don’t you fret. I’ve got you now,’ he replied. ‘What are you doing tomorrow? Come for lunch.’
She laughed. Same old Aidan. ‘I’d love to. Text me your address.’
‘I will. Twelve-thirty? See you then.’ With that Aidan disconnected the phone and found Meredith and Izzy staring at her, full of curiosity.
‘He’s an old university friend and colleague. We worked together in Manchester and then he came back to Tralee to take over his father’s practice.’
‘Oh, that’s lovely,’ said Meredith. ‘An old flame?’
‘Huh! No. Just a very good friend. He’s married to another friend of ours from uni.’
‘That’ll do you good. It’s a long stretch to be away from home,’ said Meredith. ‘Although I’m quite enjoying being with other people. It gets quite lonely on your own when you’ve been used to a house full of people for so long.’ Meredith gave them a sad smile and then perked up a little. ‘Although as much fun as it was to spend the evening with you, I’m going to have to head up the hill to bed. I agreed I’d meet Alan at nine and… well, I’d rather not look like too knackered. I do have some pride.’
‘Atta girl,’ said Izzy. ‘I’ll come with you. Thanks so much for having us, Hannah. To be honest Iwasfeeling a little bit homesick, and this was just what I needed. Not that I am missing home’– she pulled a face and Hannah knew she was referring to her mother – ‘but I just felt a bit… lonely isn’t the word but a long way from home. Does that make sense?’
Hannah smiled at her and then realised she didn’t agree. The homely cottage with its restful coloured walls, the little vases of flowers and votives of candles, cushions, and throws, and charming pictures of contemporary watercolour landscapes was a world away from her own apartment and she fallen in love with her new surroundings. Her furnishings were strictly utilitarian – in fact, the only cushion she owned – a bright-pink one with a beaming pug on the front – had been a gift from her sister.
Meredith gave Hannah a big hug at the door. ‘Thank you for this and for including me. It was a lovely evening.’ With a cheeky grin, she added, ‘I hope we can do it again, if it’s not too forward. I’m inviting myself but you’ve got that beautiful garden.’
‘You’re welcome anytime,’ said Hannah, feeling an unexpected glow of warmth towards both Meredith and Izzy. ‘It’s been fun.’
With a happy smile on her face, she closed the door behind them and sat down on the sofa to finish her glass of Prosecco. She’d enjoyed their company; they hadn’t stopped talking and laughing all evening and they’d managed to get through two bottles of Prosecco. It was one of the best nights she’d had for a while – well, Dublin excepted, and that was best forgotten. With a sigh, she realised she’d become a little too used to and resigned to the loneliness of living on her own. When had it become the norm? She kept herself busy, going walking and kayaking, but now she realised that they were coping mechanisms. Since her sister had moved to Switzerland, her social life had dwindled to nothing. Had coming here been a subconscious hankering for change?
She thought about it for a while as she sipped her wine. An unfamiliar noise made her glance up out of the window. It was dark out there now. A little prickle of unease ran down her spine. She was being daft – see, she was lonely now the others had gone. Time for bed. She’d read for a while on her Kindle. Rising to her feet, she gathered up the bowls and glasses and carried them through to the kitchen. Washing up quickly, she left everything to drain and then went back into the sitting room to turn out the lamps and collect the empty bottles.
As she turned out the last lamp, two bottles in hand, she glanced up.
A face stared at her through the window. For a brief moment she thought it must be Meredith or Izzy coming back. But the face moved back out of sight. Startled, the bottles slipped out her hand with a crash and she looked down as they clattered and rolled across the stone floor, the loud noise in tandem with her hammering heart.
Frozen for a moment, she stood in the dark, realising that whoever it was couldn’t see her now, and then hurriedly drew the curtains, bolted the door, and switched off all the downstairs lights.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, with the sun shining brightly through the window, she lay there feeling stupid. Last night, still jittery, she’d put a chair up against her bedroom door. Now, with sunbeams lighting up dancing dust motes in the air, she wondered why she’d been so scared. All those thrillers she’d read, no doubt, along with an overactive imagination. It could have been any number of things: Fergus coming back from the pub, someone checking on the animals, or… well, there were probably plenty of explanations. Whoever it was had probably been just as startled as her.
As it was so gorgeous, she decided to take her breakfast and a book outside and sit at the little bistro table in the front garden, and, after a quick shower, with tea and toast on a tray, she stepped out into the glorious morning. Clear blue sky stretching as far as the eye could see greeted her, the colour so pure it made her heart sing. There wouldn’t be many more days like this. September began tomorrow, and already there was a slight chill in the morning air.
As she admired the day, her eyes strayed to the window and she frowned at the sight of the mangled flowers. They seemed worse today. Picking up her tea, she walked over to the bed, that prickling sense of unease trickling back.
