‘Leo, twenty-first of August, remember? Born leader.’ Margaret reminds me of our first ever conversation in the café when she thought I was Sean’s new love interest. That seems like an age ago now, when I’d been new to the area and everything had seemed so … odd. Now it all seemed strangely familiar.
‘You shouldn’t have,’ I say with unexpected delight, unwrapping the present, making sure I do it carefully so the paper can be reused.
‘Ah, go on, just rip it!’
I look up at Margaret. Why not? I think with a carefree grin. And I rip.
Inside is a lovely handbag, covered in sequins and buttons.
‘She’s fab with a sewing machine, is Maire.’ Margaret pushes her hands into the back pockets of her leather-look hotpants.
‘You shouldn’t have!’ I shake my head, feeling quite overwhelmed with her kindness.
‘Of course I should’ve! It’s your birthday! Oh, and I’ve finished with this. Thought you might like it.’ She hands me a well-thumbed book.Fifty Shades of Grey. I take the book. It’s been ages since I’ve had time to read. I’d gone mad on Amazon and bought a whole pile of books for the honeymoon, but I left them all behind when I ran.
‘So, drinks tonight, sevenish then?’ she repeats. ‘We’ll have great craic!’ She rubs her hands together with excitement. But I shake my head again.
‘Sorry, Margaret, not tonight.’ I think if I was to go out for a couple of glasses, I’d just get all maudlin and sorry for myself. ‘I’m having a quiet night in.’
‘But you can’t! It’s your birthday!’ She flops her hands to her sides and looks gutted.
‘Sorry, Margaret.’ I stand up to hug her. ‘Thank you for this.’ I hug her again.
‘OK, I’ve got to get back. Said I was popping out for coffee. Might still have time for one if I’m quick.’ She jumps back into the little car and I’m relieved she doesn’t pressure me any more into going out tonight. A shower and a good book sounds perfect. Besides, I really don’t have that much money and I need to save what I have got.
‘Oh, Margaret!’ I run after her. She stops reversing and winds down the window. ‘If you’re going to Gerald’s, would you take him the brownies I made?’ That way I won’t have to see the outside world at all today and tomorrow will be just another day again.
As Margaret and the latest batch of brownies bounce off down the lane, I get back to work with a smile on my lips and my spirits well and truly lifted. I go to the shed and get the old silver and rust radio and take it to the barn. I put on RTE 2, turn up the volume and sing along at the top of my voice. Why not? No one’s going to hear me. I belt out the songs for the next couple of hours as I replace all the tables, chairs and boxes, which I’m putting up in the roof space at the far end of the barn. I keep back a large bell I’ve found, an old silver cup and a whole bunch of silver trays.
I’m still singing along to the radio when a voice cuts me off in mid-verse.
‘Hello?’ The radio goes silent and I stumble halfway up the little wooden ladder to the loft space, dropping a box of rosettes. Grace jumps up from her heavy sleep and barks in surprise at the man standing in the doorway. I recognise him straightaway, and the thug behind him. It’s Jimmy Power and his ‘lad’. My good moodevaporates immediately and I suddenly feel very nervous. I cling to the ladder.
He steps in and looks around the barn with a sniff. He’s holding a cigar and the putrid smoke sticks in my throat. His earring catches the light, flashing a quick spectrum of colour across the barn. I grip the ladder tighter.
‘Is Sean here?’ he asks, still circling the barn floor, getting closer all the time. I can’t think how to answer. My brain has frozen, my functioning brain cell obviously having decided to take the day off.
‘He’s, um …’ I can’t think. I don’t want to say I’m on my own, but on the other hand I don’t want him hanging around to speak to Sean. ‘He’s around … somewhere … maybe he’s just popped out, but he’ll be back, really soon.’ Why couldn’t I come up with a good lie? Or even tell the guy to get off Sean’s land and that he’s trespassing.
He laughs, making his belly wobble. His sidekick laughs too.
‘Just thought we’d take a look around, being as I’m an investor …’ His voice is dripping with sarcasm. ‘Just let him know I’m looking forward to getting my money back. Four weeks’ time. Tell him the clock is ticking. Tick, tock, tick, tock,’ he laughs some more.
‘I’ll tell him,’ I say curtly, not wanting to argue or prolong the conversation.
‘And he’s left you here on your own, you say?’ He throws his cigar to the floor and stamps it out. The floor I spent all afternoon cleaning!
‘Hey!’ I shout and turn without thinking and slip on the ladder, missing a rung, stumbling to regain my footing and jumping to the floor. I’m at eye level with Jimmy Power. He steps right up to me and I lean against the ladder. He presses his belly against me, pushing me against the wood. Suddenly he thrusts one leg in between mine. I can smell his stale cigar breath and his body odour. I gag. I’m pinned there. I hear ‘the lad’ snort with excitement. I turn my faceaway, looking for something I can reach out and hit him with. I’m holding my breath. He laughs. The stench is disgusting.
‘Get off me,’ I try and push his heavy carcass away.
‘Or what?’ he says. ‘I’m just being friendly, getting to know the staff. I’m sure Sean would want you to be friendly to his investor.’
I look around hopelessly. I can’t even jerk my knee up to get him in the bollocks. I want to bite him. I can’t scream. I can’t do anything. I freeze.
Then I hear another car on the lane, and another. Oh my God! He’s brought reinforcements!
He looks up, surprised at the sound of car doors slamming.
