Chapter 5 #3
A complicated set of emotions flickers over her face, but then she stands up tall.
She still barely reaches my shoulder. ‘So what if I am, son? I told you I was putting a call out to my friend the universe, didn’t I?
Now, I’m not a complete idiot – I’m not so doolally that I think you two are going to take one look at each other and fall in love, Rory.
I know the human heart is more complicated than that.
But… look, if nothing else, I think you’re lonely out there in that big old house.
She genuinely needs somewhere to stay, and frankly you could do with the company.
It’ll make everything easier if you just see sense and agree.
Please. I… I just would so love one more happy ending. ’
I do want to argue. I want to tell her to stop interfering, to mind her own business. But she’s Moira. I could never say any of those things to Moira, especially in her current complicated mood.
‘But what makes you think she’ll want to stay with a strange man?’ I ask. ‘She doesn’t know me from Adam.’
‘She has her daughter with her,’ Moira adds, her tone sweeter now, obviously sensing my weakness.
‘Even more reason for her not to want to!’
‘Och, I’ll reassure her. Promise you’re a saint. And if she says no, then so be it – I’ll accept defeat. But if she does say yes…’
I sigh, and stare at her. ‘You’re an old witch, do you know that?’
‘Aye. Fire burn and cauldron bubble, Rory. Will ye do it? Say you’ll do it!’
‘She’s at the cottage for tonight, you say?’
‘She is,’ Moira replies, grinning mischievously, suddenly so much happier. ‘The place where the magic happened last time.’
‘You can’t always expect magic to happen, Moira!’
She frowns and shakes her head. ‘Why ever not, man? That’s the problem with you whippersnappers – no faith! So, is that a yes then?’
‘It’s a maybe. Look, I’m tired. I need to get some rest—’
‘You mean drink Guinness all alone, sitting in that big living room with no company but your television set? Getting all the questions right on The Weakest Link and patting yourself on the back for how clever you are?’
Damn her. How does she always know everything? How does she stay five steps ahead of me every time?
‘I’ll be doing exactly that and have no shame in admitting it. You’re just bitter because I always beat you in the pub quiz. Look, let me think about it, okay? I love you to bits, Moira, you know that, but I’ll not be bullied into doing something I don’t want.’
She gives me a wink.
‘Of course not, Rory. All I’m asking is that you keep an open mind.’
The mind in question flickers back to the couple I saw earlier. To their quiet affection, the way they shared such an obvious bond. The gaping wound that is my own personal life.
I’m overthinking this. Doing a favour for Moira will not result in a life-changing experience. It will just be a few karma points notched up, and, like she says, maybe a bit of company. Moira knows me well, and she wouldn’t suggest them as house guests if she thought we wouldn’t get on.
I nod. ‘All right. Get back to your wine, and don’t get ossified, all right?’
‘What’s that one again? You Irish have so many words for pished!’
‘So drunk you want to flush your own head down a toilet the next day.’
‘Right,’ she says, pondering it. ‘Well, I make no promises…’
She leaves me standing there on the cobbles, feeling thoroughly outfoxed. Here was I, planning a simple night at home. One man and his Guinness. Now, she’s got me all messed up. I let out an exasperated growl and walk down the steps and back onto the beach. I need to think about this.
I sit on the sand in front of one of the big red boulders, and stare out at the horizon that always calms me. The kittiwakes are calling, and I spot seals basking on the distant rocks. I need to be more seal.
I feel better, watching the final rays of the sunset over the water. I love this time – that perfect moment between day and night, when all seems possible, all seems touched with at least a glimmer of enchantment. The time when anything could happen.
Maybe, I think, she’s right. Maybe I need to open my mind. I’ve seen magic happen – I saw it happen for Kate and Brody. For my brother and sister. For so many others.
It’s been a long time since I let myself believe it could be possible for me, and I realise I’m almost too scared to allow it. The only thing worse than being without hope, after all, is having hope and then seeing it crushed.
I hear a small commotion coming from behind me, laughter and giggles.
The women decamping, Moira’s clear voice saying she’s going to give her guest a guided tour of the gallery, and then take her to the pub.
‘Okay,’ comes that sweet, soft tone again.
‘But I’m switching to Coke – I can’t keep up with you lot!
’ Again, for some reason the sound of her speaking makes me smile.
I’ve never met Moira’s latest project in person, but somehow, she already seems like somebody I will feel comfortable with.
I should stand up, go and introduce myself – but I suddenly realise I’m not ready for that.
I need to think it through first. I sit hidden by the boulder, and wait until they pass.
Time to go home – for now, alone.