Beneath an Irish Sky (Choc Lit) (17 page)

‘It’s theirs,’ Luke insisted. ‘Joe’s a thug, but he doesn’t steal.’ He believed that. Even though his uncle was a bully, Luke had never known him to be dishonest. But now Matt had put doubts about his safety into Luke’s mind. ‘You know, comin’ here was wrong. I should just go. It’s not fair to drag you all into this.’

‘Don’t you even think about doing a runner,’ warned Matt. ‘We’re family. I don’t want to lose you, bro. We’ll figure this out together, yeah, and I’ll support you, whatever happens.’

‘Thanks.’ Luke hoped Matt really meant those words. He felt so shaky right now that a betrayal would break him. A thought suddenly occurred to him. ‘Matt, promise me you won’t say anythin’ about this to Jack. He can’t stand me as it is. This would just about finish things.’

It was asking a lot, putting Matt in the position of keeping information from Jack, but Luke had just taken the huge risk of trusting his brother, who was still an unknown quantity. He felt he had a right to ask something in return.

Matt nodded. ‘I’ll keep this between us, I promise. Now, let’s go in. You don’t look so good.’

Matt helped Luke up from the chair and settled him on the crutches, patting his shoulder reassuringly. Luke remembered his brother’s supportive arms when he’d collapsed at the funeral. It had felt good. ‘Matt … thanks for everythin’.’

Matt smiled. ‘No worries.’

Luke wished that was the case, but he was worried. And scared.

Kate knocked at Luke’s bedroom door and put her head round before he’d had time to answer. He looked startled but, luckily, was decent. She’d have to curb her enthusiasm. He was sitting against the headboard, cushioned by several pillows, with a book in his lap. He gave her a big smile. Although still a bit pale, he looked a lot better than when she’d driven him home from Manchester last week. He’d been struck down after that with a chest infection. Standing around in that damp churchyard at the funeral when his resistance was already low had probably started it.

‘Are you feeling a bit better, Luke?’ Kate asked, sitting down beside him on the bed. She’d wanted to visit before now, but Maggie wouldn’t allow it.

‘Maggie’s in charge,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t dare not get better, although she’s nearly killed me with kindness and chicken soup.’

The affection in his voice told her he’d become very fond of the housekeeper.

‘I’ve got us chocolate,’ said Kate, delving into her bag. ‘And some DVDs. You can choose what to watch. If you want to, that is.’

She looked at him anxiously. Was she being too pushy? She wanted him to know how much she liked him, but didn’t want to scare him off. Maybe Traveller men were old-fashioned about women, and wanted to be the ones doing the chasing.

‘Sure,’ he said. ‘It’s grand to have company.’

He really had such a gorgeous smile. The most beautiful face. ‘I’d love to paint you,’ she blurted out before she could stop herself.

‘What colour?’

Kate laughed. He looked amused, but not shocked at her forwardness. ‘Seriously, Luke – I used to paint as a hobby. Neglected it a bit since I’ve been at uni, but you’d be a great model.’

‘Well as long as you don’t expect me to get my kit off, I’ll think about it.’

It was on the tip of her tongue to say she had other activities in mind that would involve getting his clothes off, but she resisted. God, the effect this guy was having on her – just being in close proximity to him made her feel like jelly. Kate was used to being chased, and although she was sure Luke liked her, it wasn’t going to hurt to give him a bit of encouragement.

‘I love listening to you talk,’ she told him. ‘You have such a lovely accent.’

He smiled again. ‘I haven’t got an accent. You have, though.’

‘I suppose you’re right,’ she laughed. ‘Anyway – tell me about yourself, Luke. What would you like to be doing ten years from now?’

‘I’d like to work with animals,’ he said. ‘I’m goin’ to make somethin’ of my life, for my mam, as well as for me. I’d have to go back to school, though. It can be humiliatin’ when you go for jobs you know you can do but have to admit to having no actual qualifications and don’t even get considered.’

Had she said the wrong thing? ‘I hope I haven’t embarrassed you.’

‘No. I don’t feel embarrassed around you at all,’ he said with a smile.

If Luke had been on the Titanic, he could have melted the iceberg, let alone Kate’s heart, which was currently doing a jig.

‘Why are you botherin’ with me, Kate?’ he asked suddenly. ‘Don’t get me wrong. I like you bein’ here. I just don’t know why you are.’

‘Because you have to ask,’ she replied.

He looked confused, so she explained. ‘You don’t appreciate yourself, Luke. So many guys I know are just full of themselves – but you’re … you’re gorgeous, frankly, and you don’t even realise it. And anyway, you’re interesting to talk to, nice to be with.’

‘Maybe that’s down to the company.’

On impulse, Kate leaned over and kissed his cheek. He turned to face her, and his lips brushed against hers. A chaste kiss, but with the promise of so much more.

Once she’d set up his choice of DVD to play, Kate stretched out next to Luke on the big double bed. As they watched the film, she laughed when he did, but she couldn’t concentrate much on what was happening onscreen. Being physically so close to Luke was a huge distraction, and her mind kept drifting off into romantic fantasies.

‘Will you come visit me again?’ asked Luke later, as she was preparing to leave.

‘Oh yes,’ she said, with a smile that she hoped left Luke in no doubt about her feelings for him.

Luke coughed, then gasped as the movement hurt his chest.

‘You okay?’ asked Matt.

‘Better than I was, that’s for sure,’ Luke assured him. Matt was driving him home from Chester, where he’d had had some painful physio, but the good news was he’d been told he could walk without his crutches when he felt able. ‘It’s grand to get out.’

Luke had been ill and cooped up inside for a week. It hadn’t been all bad, though. Kate’s visit had almost made being ill worthwhile. They’d watched some films together and it was enough to have her there, to watch her as she watched the TV screen. God, he had it bad. He still found it hard to believe he could attract a girl like Kate, but she definitely seemed keen. Sometimes he wondered if she was just being nice because he was Matt’s brother, but then he’d remembered her words to Abbie – ‘I saw him first.’ That and the brief kiss they’d shared in the bedroom. He wondered what Matt would make of it.

‘Kate’s takin’ me to see her mam’s stables tomorrow,’ said Luke.

‘She’s horse-mad,’ commented Matt. ‘Not my scene, though.’

‘Does she have a boyfriend?’ Luke asked, trying to sound casual. ‘Girls like her aren’t usually single.’

‘Well she’s never short of offers. But there’s no one serious.’

‘Not you?’

Matt snorted. ‘Christ, no! We’ve been virtually raised together. It would be like incest.’

Luke had to be sure. ‘What about Tim or Al?’

‘Al has a girlfriend at uni in Leeds. And Tim – well, let’s just say Tim would be more interested in you than in Kate.’

Luke was quiet for a moment, digesting that information. To his knowledge, he’d never met anyone who was gay. It was kind of taboo among Travellers. At least, the ones he knew. His uncles had often made their bigoted feelings known with crude or aggressive remarks, but they were out of the picture now and had no say in who Luke chose to spend time with. He was free to live his own life. Tim had seemed a fun person and he was Kate and Matt’s friend. That was all that mattered.

‘So, go for it,’ said Matt, ‘With
Katie
, I mean.’ He winked.

‘Matt, I don’t even know if she’s interested in me so don’t go blabbin’, okay?’

‘My lips are sealed,’ promised Matt. ‘Girls are serious business.’

They certainly were. Especially when you’d never had a proper girlfriend. It was uncharted territory for Luke. He’d been left behind by other Traveller lads, who all seemed confident with girls.

‘Don’t know about you, bro, but a beer would go down well,’ said Matt, as he pulled into a flower-decked country pub on the outskirts of Marsham.

‘Sounds good,’ Luke agreed, enjoying the feeling of freedom, of family. He and his brother having a drink together. And tomorrow to look forward to.

Jack had been reading the same page of a property survey for ten minutes. It was Emer’s fault he couldn’t concentrate. Since the funeral, they’d spoken every morning without fail, but today – Friday – she hadn’t called and it was nearly midday. He’d just tried her mobile again with no luck and left another message. He hoped he wasn’t coming across as a stalker. He’d known her only a short time yet already he was attuning himself to the rhythms of her daily life. He thought back to that kiss they’d shared before she left. It seemed a welcome promise of what the future could hold. Jack had loved two women in his life and been so shattered by their loss that he’d assumed there was no more passion left to give …

His mobile rang. An unknown landline – must be Emer calling from the hospital. He smiled as he pressed the
talk
button. ‘That was quick.’

‘I wouldn’t say that. It’s been a fortnight. This is Doyle.’

Damn, it was the private detective from Ireland, not Emer. Just as well he hadn’t launched into sweet nothings. ‘Sorry, I was expecting another call. So – what about the Kiernans? Did you find them?’

‘No. They’ve been gone for nearly a month. Took their motor-caravan. Rumour is they might be working on a construction job abroad, but I wasn’t able to confirm that. I did find something strange, though, when I checked into their finances. Their income doesn’t match their outgoings. This year, Joe treated himself to a brand new Renault Espace. Paid cash. Last year, they bought that motor-caravan. Also, brother Liam has a weakness for the races – he’s well-known at the local bookie’s. Bets hundreds at a time and is never too gutted when he loses. Also plays the big man in the pub, buying rounds for everyone.’

None of this seemed to tally with what Luke had said about growing up poor. He’d sounded sincere – was he that good a liar?

‘When Pat Kiernan, the father, had a stroke, they were offered accommodation under the Settled Housing Scheme,’ Doyle continued. ‘Government-run programme designed to persuade Travellers to give up life on the road.’

‘Did you get a look at their house?’

‘Your average rabbit hutch. Nothing special. I looked in the windows – saw what looked like a new TV, but no luxury furnishings. Clean enough but basic.’

‘But if they’ve got all that money to throw around, why not buy something decent?’

‘Who knows?’ said Doyle. ‘Not a priority for them, maybe.’

‘So where’s the money coming from? Are they involved in drugs?’

‘No sign of it. And I know where to look. I wondered – did your wife take any cash with her when she left England?’

Jack flinched at the mention of Annie. She was cold in the ground now, but her betrayal could still hurt. ‘She took about five grand that was in her bank account. Nothing more.’

‘I can keep looking,’ Doyle told him, ‘but it seems the brothers have covered their tracks pretty well. What about the boy, Luke – has he told you anything useful?’

‘No.’ And Jack didn’t plan to ask. They were barely on speaking terms as it was, and Luke was very closed about his life. ‘So, if they’re abroad, they probably don’t know about Annie’s death yet?’

‘Who knows?’ replied Doyle. ‘The accident was reported in the Dublin papers, but only a few lines. Depends on whether they’re in touch with someone back here. Incidentally, did you know Luke’s had some trouble with the law?’

That must have been what the Guard in the hospital had been referring to. Great. His parents would have a field day with that. ‘Tell me.’

‘Assault charge. Punched a man in the face – hard enough to knock his bridge out. Claims the man was hassling Annie. Big businessman from Dublin – supposedly Joe Kiernan had promised him Annie would do him sexual favours. She obviously didn’t agree. Luke got probation and community service. First and only offence.’

It could have been worse. Violence was never the answer, but it sounded like Luke had had a valid reason. Jack would probably have done the same.

‘That record made it hard for Luke to find a job,’ Doyle continued. ‘He regularly volunteered at an Animal Rescue Centre and helped out at a Traveller halting site, but mostly he lived on unemployment.’

If Luke had been on benefits, Joe and Liam probably weren’t sharing their wealth. So what Luke had said at the funeral could have been true. ‘And what about Annie?’

‘Not a lot to tell about recent years,’ admitted Doyle. ‘Her Traveller friends wouldn’t say much. Most didn’t know about the accident so were pretty shocked and as much as told me to let the dead rest in peace. But I struck lucky in Kerry. Went to the hospital where Luke was born and managed to find the address he’d been registered at – confidentiality doesn’t mean much if you offer the right incentive. Anyway, it was a bedsit in a house she shared with other women who were on their own with kids. No one there now who knew her, but I did find a neighbour who remembered her well. She often had Luke while Annie worked – cleaning offices until she got sick. Having a job and a kid wore her down. She ended up in hospital with bronchial pneumonia. Luke was taken into care …’

‘Care!’ repeated Jack. That was a surprise. ‘So Annie was on her own by this time?’

‘I got the idea she’d always been on her own,’ said Doyle. ‘Anyway, she lost her job and then struggled to pay the rent so was evicted. She stayed with the neighbour for a few weeks and tried to get Luke back, but she was basically homeless so the authorities wouldn’t permit it. Eventually, she hooked up with a Traveller woman and took to the road again. It was a home of sorts and Luke was returned to her. She stayed on the road until her father became ill and she went to nurse him.’

I got the idea she’d always been on her own.
Jack’s mind replayed Doyle’s words. Something wasn’t adding up. ‘When did you say she moved into this bedsit?’ he asked.

‘According to her friend, it would have been the March before Luke was born,’ said the detective. ‘She remembers it because she was in her last month of pregnancy herself. Annie did shopping for her and helped with her other kids.’

Jack remembered the last private detective’s report, some twenty years ago, which told of Annie’s return to life as a Traveller. That she was with another man. Now Doyle was telling him that in March, only a month after she left Baronsmere, Annie had been living in a bedsit. Alone. Had the detective got it wrong? Perhaps the man had just been a friend, not a lover. Or maybe, as he’d suspected, Annie started an affair before she left Baronsmere, and the other man was only interested in the fact she was married to a millionaire. She’d fallen for him and left Jack, only to be dumped for that very reason.

Jack thought a detective would clarify things, not raise even more questions. Still, at least Jack had learned something about Annie and Luke’s life in Ireland.

‘Mr Stewart? Do you want me to do anything else?’

Jack stopped his speculation and refocused on the conversation. ‘No, not for the moment. I’ll be in touch if I need you for anything else. Thanks, Doyle. Good work.’

Jack sat at his desk, thinking about what he’d just heard. Luke had claimed poverty but it seemed his uncles had money to play with. That didn’t make any sense, but if he pressed Luke for more information, he’d get a mouthful of abuse. And did any of it really matter anyway? Annie was gone. Revelations from the past wouldn’t do her any good. Or him. Perhaps he should just look to the future …