“How’s it going? No, he’s not – went home to Kildare for a while to … um, get some stuff sorted.” He sounded uncomfortable. “Do you want his home number? You’d probably get him there now.”
“That would be brilliant, thanks.”
Probably needed to pick up the tickets from the travel agency.
She decided to call his parent’s house and find out when he’d be back – or to make it handy, maybe arrange to just meet him at the airport. She dialled the number Kevin had given her and waited while it rang a few times. Until she heard a female voice answer.
“Hello, Williams’ household, Joan speaking.”
“Hello there, I wonder if I could speak to Roan please?” Jenny greeted pleasantly.
“Roan? Oh, he’s not in I’m afraid. Would you like to leave a message?”
Dammit, she’d missed him again.
“Yes, if you wouldn’t mind. Could you tell him that Jenny called?” She waited for any sign of recognition at the mention of her name. “Jenny Hamilton.”
“Yes, I’ll tell him. A friend from work, is it?”
Jenny’s heart sank. Mrs Williams didn’t seem to know who she was. Maybe Roan hadn’t told his mother that he had a girlfriend in Dublin. She remembered him saying something about how overbearing his mum could be so perhaps he preferred to keep his personal life under wraps. But he must have told her about the Venice trip at least.
She was about to say something when Mrs Williams continued. “He’s in great form altogether these days,” she said chattily. “Delighted about the takeover. Same as yourself, I’d imagine.”
“Well, I don’t work with him, actually. I –”
“Oh, sorry, pet,” his mother laughed pleasantly, “I can’t keep up these days. Between all his friends here and the ones in Dublin, you couldn’t keep track of him. Anyway,” she continued, “he left not too long ago. They’re staying over tonight because of the early flight tomorrow. Venice, imagine? I don’t know where he gets it. His father hasn’t a romantic bone in his body.”
Jenny’s heart lifted. Roan was already on his way back and had arranged for them to stay in a hotel tonight before the flight. What a lovely surprise!
“Well, that’s why I’m calling actually,” she said smiling. “I was wondering about the flight details.”
“Oh, is it you that’s dropping them to the airport? Iwondered about that because I didn’t think Siobhan was driving.”
Siobhan?Roan hadn’t mentioned that he and the ex were still on speaking terms. But then again, hadn’t they grown up together in the same town and known each other for years? To say nothing of once being engaged.
Mrs Williams’ voice interrupted her thoughts.
“You should have seen her earlier, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so excited. And the same one flies here there and everywhere with her modelling. Still, I suppose it’s different when you’re working. Anyway, they deserve this trip. She’s abroad so much they hardly see one other . . .”
What the hell….? Jenny felt her knees weaken, and her heart quickened in panic. For a split second, she wondered if maybe she had called the wrong number.
No, maybe she had just taken it all up wrong. Or maybeMrs Williamshad taken things up wrong. That was it, Jenny thought quickly. Maybe Roan hadn’t said anything to his mother about the break-up with Siobhan. Mrs Williams sounded as though she was quite fond of the ex, so maybe he figured she would take it badly.
Jenny clasped the receiver and tried to tune back into the woman’s chatter. “Sorry – you were saying? About the trip to Venice.”
“Oh, I was just saying that I worry whether they’ll fit their suitcases on the plane, let alone in your car.” She laughed merrily. “He was teasing Siobhan about all thestuff she was bringing.” Jenny felt as though she had been hit with a sledgehammer as Mrs Williams continued, blithely unaware. “Very funny altogether. The two of them carrying on like an old married couple already.”
18
“What areyoudoing here?”
“Can I come in for a few minutes?”
“I’m not sure …”
“Please, I really need to talk to you.”
Shane looked so terrible that Karen faltered. She stood back and waved him into the hallway, and as he passed she caught the familiar scent of Hugo Boss aftershave – her favourite. She tried to collect herself as she trundled upstairs to the flat behind him.
