Chapter 58
There was an annoying ringing in her ears. Lottie looked around for its source. There it was again. Front door.
She dried her hands and made her way from the kitchen, almost falling over Sergio’s school bag, which the boy had abandoned in the middle of the hall floor.
It reminded her of how untidy Sean used to be around the house.
She missed her son. But he was getting on with his life while she remained stuck.
The bell chimed again. She was breathless by the time she reached the door. So unfit. That would have to be rectified before her next physical. Farrell was mad enough at her without adding more fuel to that particular fire.
She flung the door open. A man stood there, drenched, a bunch of what looked like garage flowers wilting in his hand.
‘Matt Mooney! What are you doing here?’ Her mind flipped through a multitude of scenarios that would have brought him to her door, none of them good. But the flowers? Maybe it wasn’t bad news.
‘Can I come in? I’m getting drowned out here.’
‘Yes, of course.’
He walked in by her, dripping water in his wake, his shoes squelching. ‘I wasn’t sure I had the right house. Parked way down the avenue. Is that what you call it? Anyhow, it must be the right house seeing as you answered the door. I didn’t know I could have driven up closer.’
‘Come into the kitchen and I’ll find you a towel. You can hang your coat there.’ She pointed to the overflowing stairs.
Her mind was reeling. What the hell was Detective Matt Mooney doing in her house?
She’d helped him on an investigation last June when she was in Connemara for Grace Boyd’s wedding.
She’d liked him. The way he worked reminded her a little of Kirby’s bungling ways, and he’d got a result in the end. That was what counted.
He took some bars of Dairy Milk chocolate out of his pocket. ‘They had no boxes of chocolates, so these were the next best thing.’
‘Oh.’ She didn’t know what to say. Dumbfounded was one word for how she felt, then it was quickly replaced with a stab of fear. ‘Is it Sean? Has something happened to him?’
‘Sean?’ He handed the flowers over and placed the chocolate bars on the table. ‘Oh, your son. Nothing’s wrong that I know of, if that’s what you’re thinking. I, eh… I just wanted to thank you for all your help during the summer.’
Her body sagged with relief. ‘Thank goodness. For a second there I thought you had bad news, though the flowers should have been a giveaway.’ She thought it was kind of cute of him.
‘I paid for them, if that’s what you mean.’
‘God, no. I meant… you wouldn’t bring flowers if it was bad news. Then again, I don’t know you that well, so maybe you would. Oh, it doesn’t matter. Sit down.’ She handed him a towel. ‘Would you like tea or maybe a coffee?’
‘Got any of that Connemara whiskey?’
‘No, I try not to drink, so I’ve no alcohol in the house.’
‘Tea would be great then.’
She put the flowers in the sink, wondering where she’d find a vase, and set about fetching mugs. She switched on the kettle before sitting at the table opposite him.
‘Have you got business in Ragmullin?’
‘I had a few things to tie up, so I said sure why not kill two birds with one stone, and here I am.’
‘Have you seen Grace or Bryan recently? Sean is staying with them. He’s in college in Galway.’
‘Aye. I see them now and again. It must be your lad that Grace goes on about.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Do you really want to know?’
‘Nothing Grace says can shock me.’ And that was the truth, she thought.
‘She said something like she didn’t know how the likes of Lottie Parker could produce such a fine, mannerly young man.’
Lottie grinned. ‘You’re pulling my leg.’
‘I’m serious. He was working in the barn with Bryan. I was passing and popped in to see how they were doing.’
‘And how are they? I haven’t been in touch. Boyd did all the organising for Sean. He has a habit of interfering in my kids’ lives, though I was grateful for the help. It was impossible to find accommodation in Galway.’
‘You should have given me a call. I could have sorted something out.’
‘Thanks. I’ll remember that if Grace kicks him out. It’s a trek for him getting buses in and out to the city. But on the other hand it gives him some independence.’
‘What’s he studying?’
‘Something to do with designing computer games. Goes over my head, but he loves it so that’s half the battle.’ The kettle whistled and she made the tea. ‘It’s good to see you, Matt.’ After pouring tea into two mugs, she sat opposite him.
‘Grand house,’ he said.
‘It’s a bloody wreck.’
‘I like its old-worldliness.’
‘You mean it’s banjaxed.’
‘That too.’ He laughed and she joined in. It felt good to laugh.
At that moment Boyd walked in holding an empty mug in his hand. ‘Oh. Matt Mooney. What brings you here?’
Lottie felt a blush form on her cheeks for no reason. God, she thought, I’m like a teenager being caught with someone else’s boyfriend.
‘Mark,’ Mooney said with a nod, sounding formal. How one word could be so telling, Lottie had no idea. ‘Didn’t know you two had, eh… reconciled your differences.’
‘What’s it to you?’ Boyd said, the sharpness in his cadence cutting through the air.
‘Just saying.’ Mooney fumbled with his mug of tea, splashing it on the table.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘There’s no need to be rude.’ Lottie balled her hands into fists on her knees, fuming. It was her house. How dare he! A red mist was descending, but she was aware enough not to make a show of herself in front of her guest.
‘Sorry.’ Boyd dumped his mug in the sink on top of the flowers and stomped out of the room.
When he pulled the door shut behind him, Lottie exhaled. ‘I’m sorry about that.’
‘Why should you apologise for him?’ Mooney said. ‘Anyhow, I’m happy for you.’
‘Happy for me?’
‘You’re back together.’
‘No, we’re not. His apartment got flooded, so he and his son are staying here for a few nights until the plumber sorts it out.’
‘Can I say something that is none of my business?’
‘Sure. Everyone else does.’ She gave a half-smile, rage still burning in her chest over Boyd’s conduct.
‘You shouldn’t have to put up with that sort of behaviour. You’re doing him a favour, aren’t you?’
‘I think he’s jealous.’
‘Why? Isn’t he the one that finished things between you?’
‘I know all that, but we go back a long way, so he’s protective of me.’
‘I can think of other words, and protective isn’t one of them. Sorry, it’s nothing to do with me.’ Mooney took a slurp of his tea. ‘You make a good brew.’
‘Thanks. You know something? You’re like a breath of fresh air to me right now. Things are hectic at work and it’s good to talk to someone not involved in the investigation.’
‘A tough one, then?’
‘It’s taking me too long to get a handle on it. Where are you staying tonight?’
‘I’m heading back to Galway.’ He checked his wrist, which held an old-fashioned gold-rimmed watch on a battered black leather strap. He seemed nervous, and she didn’t think it had anything to do with Boyd. ‘It’s getting on. Maybe I should go. You can phone me to talk about the case, if you like.’
He made no move to leave.
‘Why did you come here, Matt?’
He blew out his cheeks, then pursed his lips into a straight line.
‘What is it?’ she pressed. ‘You’re worrying me now.’
‘Ah, nothing at all. I’m sorry I barged in on top of you and Mark. I should have phoned first. I’m an eejit. You can take the man out of Connemara, but you can’t take Connemara out of the man. I was in the area and decided to drop in, and now I best be off.’
She knew he was lying, but why? Did he fancy her and thought he had a chance since he knew she and Boyd had broken up? And then Boyd walked in, all territorial in her house, and scared him off. Was that it? Maybe, but she didn’t think so.
He was in the hall, his coat on, by the time she caught up with him. ‘Why don’t you stay here? It’s an awful night out.’
‘Another time maybe. I have to get on the road. Ring me about your case. I’d be happy to help if I can.’ He tied a sopping knitted scarf around his neck. ‘Lovely to see you again, Lottie.’
Without thinking, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. ‘Thanks, Matt. Don’t know when someone last gave me flowers and chocolate.’
He blushed, his face puce to his ears, and hustled out the door.
Lottie felt totally confused. She shut the door and locked it. Turning around, she caught sight of Boyd standing at the top of the stairs. He shook his head, a grimace stretching his face, and walked into his bedroom.