Maybe he had gone to the cops? He was owed an apology. He needed his conviction to be overturned and to be taken off the sex offenders register. He needed to be compensated for the thirteen years of his life, his future as a doctor, his future with me, the children we would have had. No amount of money would make up for this. My call to Mom had been in the middle of the night Irish time, but I could not wait until morning.
That night, I had to tell Vince what had happened. He was shocked. He knew that I was estranged from my sister, and he thought originally that was Milo’s fault. But since he’d gotten to know Milo, he said he could not imagine him hurting anyone. He saw how tenderly he had treated Nick and asked for nothing in return. ‘I knew you were angry with him, but you know I never thought he was capable of … my God, your sister is crazy.’
‘I should have listened to you. Your instincts were better than mine even though I knew him better.’
‘What’s going to happen now?’
‘I have to go to Ireland tomorrow. I need to confront her. Mom will have told her that we know.’
‘Are you sure you want to get involved, Erin?’
I looked at Vince in disbelief. ‘What are you talking about? I am involved.’
‘It’s between Milo and Ruby and your mom, though, right?’
‘They betrayed me. I betrayed him. I loved him.’
‘But that was years ago …’ He stopped mid-sentence. There was a long silence. Neither of us wanted to say it. Eventually, he did.
‘You still love him?’
I couldn’t answer. I went back to the spare room and tried to sleep, but sleep was like a butterfly that night, occasionally settling but flitting from one thought to another, remembering the horrible words that I’d said to him. How cruel I had been on that one visit to Whiteshore. The way I had treated Margie. Mom had let me think I was crazy for trusting a man who had never done anything wrong. Years of therapy. Milo would not speak to me, but I sent him one more text before I turned out my light.
I’m going to Ireland and I’m going to bring her back with me. You can decide what to do with her. I will not stand in your way.
I took the noon flight from Logan Airport next day. I was physically and emotionally exhausted and thankfully slept most of the way after two Jack Daniel’s. I didn’t tell any of them that I was coming. When a taxi delivered me to a large Victorian house in Ranelagh, it was after midnight Irish time.
Jack answered the door quickly. I recognized him instantly from his screen appearances. I had not woken him, he was still dressed, but his surprise was obvious. ‘Erin …? Hi … I … I wasn’t expecting you.’ He opened the door wider, and I rolled in my small overnight case.
‘Hi, Jack, I’m sorry to intrude –’
‘Did Ruby invite you?’ He looked exhausted.
‘No. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was coming, and I’m sorry it’s late, but I need to talk to Ruby urgently.’
Very slowly, he took my jacket and hung it up as I was led down a corridor to a beautiful sitting room at the back of the house. There was a tear-stained girl sprawled on the couch. I realized quickly that this must be Lucy. Mom always had photos to show me when she visited. Pretty girl. ‘I’m … I’m sorry, Lucy?’
‘Yeah, are you Erin? I recognize you from Granny’s photos.’
Jack recovered himself from the surprise. ‘Ehm, Ruby isn’t here.’
They both looked guilty.
‘Well, when will she be back?’
Lucy spoke up. ‘Never, I hope.’
‘Lucy,’ said Jack, a warning tone in his voice.
‘Well, it’s true.’
I had obviously walked into the aftermath of some domestic row between mother and daughter. Jack cleared his throat. ‘Ummm, I’m sorry, Erin, sit down and I’ll … Can I get you something?’
‘Do you have any red wine, please?’
‘Um, we don’t keep alcohol in the house. Can I get you a Coke, tea or coffee?’
I could have kicked myself. ‘I’m sorry. I completely forgot. Just a glass of water will be fine. I tried calling her, but she didn’t answer.’
