Page 24 of Family Secrets in Inishbeg Cove

‘Deal,’ he agreed, sounding eager to take whatever hearing he could get.

Lucy set her jaw as they all headed inside the cottage. They stood around Elizabeth’s tiny kitchen, which was warm and cosy thanks to the Aga.

‘Mum, why don’t we go into the living room so they can talk?’ Faith suggested.

‘I don’t understand you young people at all,’ Madeleine muttered, making a dramatic display of hobbling out of the room.

‘We’ll be in here if you need us,’ Faith said to Lucy, patting her sister’s arm before she left the room.

18

Lucy shut the door behind Madeleine and Faith, then she filled the kettle and placed it on the Aga to boil. The kettle soon whistled to life. Once it was bubbling, she made a pot of tea and put it down in the centre of the table. She took a seat. Kyle did the same.

‘So, how are you doing?’ Kyle asked sheepishly.

She exhaled heavily. ‘I’ve been better, to be honest.’

‘What … er … happened to your mum?’

‘She collapsed outside the church during Nanna’s funeral. Typical Mum – she had to cause a drama.’

‘I’m sure she didn’t do it on purpose,’ Kyle said. ‘I bet she’s finding it tricky to manage her work, though, if she can’t get around the place too easily?’

‘Oh, actually, she got fired too.’

‘Your mum got fired?’ he repeated incredulously.

‘It’s a long story.’

‘Wow, it sounds like a lot has happened since I saw you a couple of weeks ago.’

‘Why did you come here?’ Lucy asked, wishing he would stop circling the issue and get down to the real reason for his visit.

‘I wanted to see how you were. I was worried about you. I’m really sorry, Lu, about everything. We need to talk.’

Her heart stumbled at the familiarity of his words; he was the only person who called her Lu.

‘I’ve just buried my grandmother, a woman who was more of a mother to me than my own mother ever was. Now really isn’t a good time.’

‘Well, when is?’

‘I don’t know.’ She shook her head. ‘Maybe never.’

‘I’ve come all this way, and I’m not leaving until we talk.’

‘Well, I don’t want to talk to you.’

‘I guess I’ll just have to stay here until you do.’ His fingers clenched the side of the table.

‘Don’t waste your time.’

‘I know you’re angry. You have every right to be, but if you just let me explain⁠—’

‘Explain?’ she shrieked. ‘You said you thought we should take a break. It doesn’t get any clearer that that!’

‘A break from trying to have a baby. I didn’t mean a break from us; I guess I didn’t explain myself very well…’

‘No, you didn’t,’ she agreed.