Chapter 22
There was a rewarding popping sound when Kasia stretched her back. The plasterer had finished his work in the restaurant, and she’d been working on cleaning up and painting ever since. Over the last two weeks, the dining room had been transformed from dated with flock wallpaper and unattractive windows to an open space. Bi-fold doors blurred the lines between indoor and outdoor dining. Perfect for those summer days when people wanted to feel they were outside without having to risk the occasional downpour. Kasia could feel her vision gradually coming to life. But progress was slow. Tierney seemed wary of moving on with the bigger jobs.
Last time they’d discussed the roof, Tierney had said her dad had only approved work essential for the coming season. She’d gotten a contractor over from Portrinn, and he’d said he could repair the worst areas, and it would probably hold out for another year or two. Kasia had pleaded with her to get a second opinion, but Tierney had made it clear she’d done what she could.
Tierney could be a distraction when it came to getting jobs done, but what a charming distraction. And it was more than the sex. Tierney’s easy enthusiasm and kindness were good to be around. Kasia felt herself unwind whenever she was with Tierney, and she was beginning to understand what motivated her.
She might have talked a little too much about her on a rare night out with Joey the evening before. They’d gone to a community cinema show, and she sat whispering through most of it.
“She’s not just taking those photos to make money, Joey. She really cares about endangered species.”
Joey had managed to subdue their laugh. “You weren’t really paying attention before, were you?”
“No, I guess I’d made some judgments about Tierney before I got to know her properly.”
“And now?”
She’d turned to Joey and then back to the screen. “I…think she’s amazing. I’m still convinced she’ll leave and break my heart, but what we’ve got now is pretty good.” She hadn’t been able to hide her smile, even in the dark.
“Maybe you should enjoy it as it is. Don’t worry about the future.”
“That would be easier if the future didn’t involve trying to keep a crumbling hotel together over a busy tourist season. And most likely without Tierney.”
Where has she got to? As if summoned by Kasia’s thoughts, Tierney wandered in with two mugs of tea and half a packet of biscuits.
“We’ve earned these. It’s break time.”
She handed over a mug and dropped into a chair facing the new restaurant windows. Kasia followed suit, and they watched the rain and wind beat against the glass. Cradling her mug of tea, Kasia said, “It’s much warmer in here now.”
“And it would have the best view for dining on the whole island if only there was anything to see.” Tierney stood and pushed her nose up against the window, peering out into the grayness. “It’s hard to tell where the sea ends and the sky begins.”
Kasia also rose. “If you’ve got your cousins coming over for dinner, I’d better start preparing food.”
“Hey.” Tierney pushed her back down to her seat. “I’m not expecting you to cook. I invited them here because there’s more room than at the cottage.” She shrugged. “And I’ve barely been there for weeks, so it would feel a little weird. But you don’t need to help. I’d like to cook for everyone.”
She wanted to say it would be less work for her to cook than to clean up the mess Tierney made, but she didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm, so she followed her to the kitchen. Tierney pulled a variety of items out of the refrigerator.
Kasia opened a bag to find it packed full of shellfish. “Did Joey drop these off?” The idea of Tierney cooking was terrifying enough without it involving seafood. “What are you planning?”
Tierney laughed and rested against the worktop. “Are you worried I’ll kill people? It’s fine, Kasia, I know what I’m doing. I promised the kids lobster mac ’n’ cheese. Although there weren’t any lobsters, so I’ll make do with Dublin Bay prawns.”
“And you know how to do that?” She looked over Tierney’s shoulder, still wondering if she should insist on helping. Not that she knew how to make the dish, but she did have a food hygiene certificate and some common sense.
“Relax, I’m from Boston. I can cook seafood safely.”
Kasia was ushered to the door by Tierney’s firm hand on her elbow.
“Go and read that book you’re always complaining you have no time for, or have a nap. I’ll call you half an hour before dinner.”
“Are you sure?”
Tierney kissed her, but pulled back before they could get too carried away. “Yes. Now go, or I’ll start to think you don’t trust me.”
Tierney was right; she had proven herself capable of cooking. Kasia needed to stop treating her as if she was clueless. She got the impression Tierney had experienced a lot of that in life. Convincing herself, she took the stairs quickly, determined to make the most of her free time.
“I’ll let you know when they arrive,” Tierney called after her.
Stretched out on her bed, she opened the novel she was still only a third of the way through. But before she’d read a page, her eyes began to droop. She laid the book aside. She had time for a quick nap.
Laughter broke into her consciousness, and she opened her eyes to semi-darkness.
“No wonder you never finish that book.” Tierney grinned as she looked around the open door.
She sat up and rubbed her face, trying to make sense of where she was. She must’ve been deeply asleep. Her brain replayed snippets of a strange dream involving her grandmother playing the accordion.
Tierney stepped into the room. “Sorry, it seemed a shame to wake you, but Aoife and the kids have just arrived. Joey’s been here for a while.”
“Thank you. Give me a minute, and I’ll be down.”
“You wouldn’t want to miss this meal. It smells amazing.” Tierney flashed her another grin and left.
Kasia splashed water on her face, struggling to escape the tendrils of the odd dream. Serves me right for sleeping in the daytime. She wasn’t in the mood to socialize, but she didn’t have much choice. She shook herself before she headed downstairs and was quickly re-energized by the smell of food and the sound of lively conversation. The hotel had been dark and silent for weeks. It was good to hear life again.
“Hey, Kasia.” Joey, wearing their Christmas gift shirt, noticed her first and was with her in two long strides.
She hugged them tightly, then pulled away to see Aoife and her three children.
“Hi, Gracie. Hi, Ruane. Hi, Saoirse.” They all waved from their positions around a game on the floor. She gave Aoife a quick hug. “Is Seán working?”
“Yeah, just me and the kids, as always.” She nodded at her offspring. “If I’d bought that game, they wouldn’t have bothered opening it. But because wonderful cousin Tierney gave it to them, they think it’s the best thing ever.”
“Make the most of it.” Tierney breezed in, holding a large dish between oven mitts. “Sit yourselves down. This is best eaten hot.”
Kasia turned to see the table had been laid for dinner. Bowls of bread and salad were already in place. “Can I do anything?” She was lost without a job to do.
“Yeah, sure. Help me with the wine.”
Following Tierney into the kitchen, she was immediately drawn into a tight embrace. Hands slid into her hair and pulled her head down for a kiss. Kasia melted into the sensations of Tierney’s mouth on hers, but she resisted the urge to deepen it. She pulled away. “What was that for?”
Tierney’s smile was shy. “I missed you. I’m not used to being left in the kitchen unsupervised.”
“You made it very clear I was to leave you alone.” Being missed made her feel warm inside. She gave her a quick kiss on her upturned nose. “Now, let’s open this wine and get our food before the gang eats it all.”
Exclamations of delight came from the dining room. They emerged with wine and soft drinks to find Aoife serving the food up on everyone’s plates. The girls were already stuffing their mouths full.
“This is so good. Like mac ’n’ cheese but even better,” Saoirse mumbled, barely audible around the mouthful of food.
“If anyone doesn’t want theirs, I’ll have it.” Gracie stopped eating long enough to pour glasses of Club Orange for herself and her brother and sister.
“No one’s leaving anything.” Joey speared some meat and chewed on it. “I’ll bring you all the shellfish you want if you make me food like this with it.”
“Deal.” Tierney grinned at everyone enjoying their food. Despite pretending she wasn’t trying to impress anyone, her pleasure at succeeding with the meal was obvious. Kasia wondered how often she felt that sense of satisfaction.
Afterward, when Joey and Tierney insisted on cleaning up in the kitchen, Kasia played along with the children. When Tierney returned, she made up more and more absurd rules for the board game, until all three kids were rolling around on the floor laughing.
Aoife eventually stood up. “Right, kids, we’d better get moving. Thanks for calming them down before their bedtime, Tierney.” She rolled her eyes at her cousin, but Tierney just laughed and stuck out her tongue.
Kasia let Aoife and her family out through the front door and waved them off on their short walk home. When she returned to the lounge, Tierney was pouring whiskey into Kasia’s beloved crystal tumblers.
She stretched out on the recently vacated couch and plumped some cushions behind her head. “I don’t know why I feel so tired. I’ve done nothing.”
“You were painting all day.” Tierney passed a glass to Joey then pushed her way onto the couch. Tierney swung her legs up and handed a glass to Kasia. “You’re just not used to letting someone cook for you. I’ll have to make it a more regular thing.” She clinked glasses, then sipped her whiskey.
“If everything you cook tastes as good as that, be my guest.” Kasia enjoyed the heat of the whiskey in her throat.
Tierney shuffled until she was in the crook of Kasia’s arm and turned to smile at her. “If I’m honest, that was a bit of a fluke. I’ve eaten it in restaurants loads of times, but I’ve never made it before. I googled some recipes, and it turned out surprisingly well.”
“Maybe that’s your hidden talent.” Joey stroked a purring Fergus on their lap. “Spontaneous culinary masterpieces.”
“Or like I said, I got lucky.”
Kasia pulled her in close and kissed the top of her head. “Just take the praise. We can test your cooking winning streak another time.”
Tierney placed her glass on the floor and snuggled in close to Kasia’s chest. Kasia wrapped her arms around her and breathed out slowly. This was perfect; she could lie like this forever.
When Tierney’s breathing evened out, Kasia caught Joey watching, a small crease between their eyes. They flashed her a quick smile before turning their attention back to Fergus. Resting her head back against the arm of the couch, Kasia focused on the sense of peace and belonging. But deep down, she knew one day soon this would be over. She couldn’t deny it would hurt like hell.