Chapter Seven
I look like Mr Blobby as I emerge from the shed.
I’m wearing yellow waterproof dungarees, wellies that are too big, and the extra-large waterproof jacket complete with sleeves that hang down over my fingers.
I half think he’s done this on purpose. Is that a smirk he’s hiding from me?
I bristle but am determined to show him I’m not afraid to get stuck in.
He hands me a pair of brick-coloured waterproof gloves and plonks a woolly hat on my head. I now feel as though every bit of dignity and femininity has been stripped from me.
‘You’ll need it out there!’ He points to the sea where there are now poles in straight lines visibly sticking up out of the water.
I pull the hat down further so it covers my ears and hides my neat bob.
‘Sorry, it’s all I have,’ he apologises again about the waterproofs.
‘It’s fine,’ I say, and mean it. I feel completely detached from reality, numb. And feeling numb is much better than hurting. I just need to get this over and done with before my retreating resolve runs out on me.
‘Where do you want me to start?’ I look around at the untidy shed, but Sean is looking down the lane.
A black BMW is approaching. It pulls into the gates and stops.
Grace starts up her impressive barking and Sean catches her collar and tries to quieten her.
When Grace is firmly in Sean’s grasp, the car door opens and a woman dressed in black jeans, a crisp white T-shirt and a leather flying jacket steps out.
She pushes her sunglasses on to the top of her head, despite there being no sun. She looks like Sophia Loren.
‘Who’s that?’ I look at Sean. He doesn’t look back at me.
‘Ah, that’s Nancy. Nancy Dubois. My … partner.’ He smiles and waves. Grace doesn’t stop barking.
‘Your partner? But I thought you said—’
‘I said I wasn’t married,’ he cuts across me. ‘It’s different.’ He looks directly at me. ‘It’s a good rule for life: never assume.’ That look tells me there’s an awful lot more to Sean Thornton than meets the eye.
I turn back to look at the stylish woman coming towards us in her shiny, black, expensive leather boots. Now I know why the idea of him being with a hooker, or having any designs on me, was so laughable. I shrink further into my waterproofs, actually grateful they’re big enough to get lost in.
‘Nancy has just taken over a new restaurant in Galway, The Pearl. It’s her big passion at the moment, apart from me of course,’ he jokes, and the slightly uncomfortable atmosphere disappears.
‘Why can’t you ever get mobile reception here?
’ Her accent is a strange mix of French with an Irish burr.
She waggles her phone at him and skirts round Grace.
‘I’ve being trying to ring. Don’t tell me, out on the hooker.
’ She falls against him, one hand on his chest, one leg lifted slightly out behind her as she plants a kiss on his mouth.
It’s like a scene from a movie – perfection.
I look away. Brian and I were more an awkward peck on the cheek type of couple, could never get the timing right; I would usually end up getting a kiss in the hair while I kissed his ear lobe. We probably didn’t practise enough.
Nancy pulls away and spins round to look at me.
‘Who’s this?’ She smiles widely.
‘Nancy, this is Fi, my new assistant,’ Sean says charmingly. He holds out his arm, inviting me to step forward. I do, but I can’t shake her hand because of the waterproof gloves, so I wave instead, just like Mr Blobby.
‘Nancy is my oyster broker. I grow them, she sells them.’ His eyes wrinkle just under the corners.
Nancy holds up a well-manicured hand to say hello back.
‘Brilliant! Finally he’s taken my advice and got some help.
You’re very welcome. I’m delighted you’re here.
Now perhaps Sean can stop spending quite so much time out in this God-forsaken place and more time with me in town,’ she says.
She looks around as if monsters might jump on her from behind every rock and bush and I know how she feels.
But I’m sure Sean’s smile has slipped, just a bit. He bangs his gloved hands together. ‘Right, time and tide wait for no man! We need to get on,’ he chivvies me along, reminding me I’m staff.
Nancy tuts. ‘Just remember we’re having dinner tonight.
Chef has some recipes he wants to try out for me.
’ But Sean is on his way down to the shore and I feel I should follow.
‘And iron a shirt!’ she calls after him.
He raises a hand in the air but his attention is focused on the sea in front of him.
‘Sorry,’ I say to Nancy, and pull my hat down further.
‘That man is obsessed.’ She rolls her eyes before pulling down her sunglasses.
I say nothing and follow him. I pull up my hood. With my hat firmly down, coat and dungarees on, stumbling over the rough stones, I feel hidden from the world. And being hidden from the world is exactly what I want right now. I’m invisible again.