Changing Places (18 page)

‘You’re looking very sexy,’ she said as Anna sat down opposite her.

‘You can talk!’ Anna admired Jill’s low-cut, green top and black gypsy skirt. ‘I feel positively formal.’

‘You look gorgeous,’ Jill assured her.

Anna made a face. ‘I wish I felt it.’

‘A couple of glasses of wine and you will.’

‘I’m driving,’ Anna reminded her.

‘Leave your car here and we’ll take a taxi. I came out on the train so that I could have a couple of bevvies. You can’t let me drink alone.’

‘I suppose not,’ Anna agreed with a grin. ‘But don’t blame me if I get all maudlin and cranky and cry on your shoulder.’

‘I’ll risk it.’ Jill called the waiter and ordered a bottle of the house white wine. ‘Did you tell Liam you were going out?’

‘I sent him a text message, saying sorry and telling him I was meeting you. He didn’t reply.’

‘Oh, poor you.’

Anna shook her head. ‘Forget it. We are
not
talking about Liam tonight. I came out for a break.’

‘Fair enough. Tell me about work then.’

Anna’s eyes lit up. ‘Oh Jill, I love it so much – although I’m working all hours, which doesn’t impress Liam.’

‘I thought we weren’t going to talk about him?’ Jill teased as the waiter poured their wine.

Anna groaned. ‘No, we’re not, sorry.’

They quickly gave the waiter their order, Jill ordering two starters instead of a main course – one meat and one fish. ‘Atkins Diet, no carbs,’ she explained and then settled
back with her wine.

‘So what do you think is going on with Rachel?’ Anna asked. ‘I got a card from Mam today and she’s worried about her too.’

‘Oh, I’m sure it’s just her pregnancy getting to her but I do worry about how isolated she’s become. She’s not telling you or me her problems and your
mother’s miles away, so who does she talk to?’

‘Gary?’ Anna suggested with a shrug.

Jill shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. Maybe you should ask Bridie to come home for a visit.’

‘Maybe,’ Anna said. ‘Let me drop in and see Rache at the weekend first and I’ll see if I can find out what’s going on.’

‘Oh, okay.’ Jill looked mildly surprised.

Anna rolled her eyes. ‘Don’t look so bloody shocked. I’m not that heartless, you know!’

‘Never said a word.’ Jill laughed.

The subject was dropped as their food arrived and instead Jill entertained Anna with stories of her and Karen’s diets and the antics of the staff in ADLI.

‘What about the guy who’s after your job?’ Anna asked.

‘Vinnie? Oh, he’s as big a pain in the ass as usual but I can handle him.’

‘Good woman. You’ll have to show me how it’s done. I should stand up to Mark more.’

‘He does seem to work you quite hard.’

‘He’s just a natural skinflint and refuses to hire anyone else even though we’ve got at least thirty per cent more business now than we did six months ago. But I’m saying
nothing. It’s enough that Liam’s out of work, I don’t want to join him.’

‘But your job’s safe, surely?’

Anna shrugged. ‘It probably is, but after what happened to Liam, I wonder if anyone’s job is really safe any more.’

Jill shivered as an image of Vinny Gray sitting behind her desk flashed through her mind. ‘You could always apply for a job at a different estate agency,’ she said, forcing her mind
back to her cousin’s situation.

‘Oh no, I don’t think so. I know I complain about Mark but he’s not the worst. Better the devil you know and all that.’

‘He’s a lecherous sod, though.’

‘He is, but not with me. He knows that Liam would throttle him if he tried it on!’ Anna smiled as the waiter handed her the dessert menu. ‘Are you allowed dessert on the Atkins
Diet?’

‘No idea, but I’m having the chocolate fudge cake. Chocolate’s protein, isn’t it?’

‘I doubt it,’ Anna laughed. ‘I’ll have the apple pie. Maybe I’ll sneak it home to Liam – he loves the stuff. It could be a little peace-offering.’

‘You know, Anna, I’m sure it will all work out fine. I know that’s hard to believe right now, but we both know that Liam would be an asset to any company. It’s only a
matter of time before the right job comes along.’

Anna nodded. ‘You’re probably right, Jill, it’s just such lousy timing. Our life should be going in a completely different direction right now.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘We had just decided to start a family.’

Jill’s eyes widened. ‘I had no idea! Congratulations!’

Anna sighed. ‘Don’t congratulate me, it’s not going to happen now. Liam won’t even talk about it.’

Jill squeezed her hand. ‘Well, that’s understandable. He has enough on his plate at the moment.’

Anna nodded. ‘I expect so. But you know, I was showing a beautiful little cottage a couple of weeks ago and I fell in love with it as soon as I walked into the place. It was too small for
the client but it would be just perfect for us – Liam, me and our little baby.’

Jill saw the wistful look on Anna’s face. ‘There will be other cottages even more perfect.’

Anna looked at her cousin and nodded. ‘Of course there will.’ She glanced down as her apple pie was placed in front of her. ‘This is way too delicious for Liam. Oh Jill, I said
I wasn’t going to talk about him and I haven’t shut up all night. No more, I promise. Tell me about Handy Andy instead.’

‘Nothing to tell,’ Jill said, tucking into her cake.

‘Oh, don’t be so coy. Come on, you haven’t mentioned the guy in weeks.’

Jill finished her dessert and then turned to signal the waiter for the bill. ‘That’s because I finished with him.’

‘Oh no! He seemed perfect for you.’

‘How can you say that? You never even met him.’

Anna shrugged. ‘Well, no, but from what you told me it was obvious that you were happy.’

‘Was it? Yes, well, it’s too late now.’

‘You could always do something really strange. You could always try to get him back.’

‘Who says I want him back?’

‘Okay, okay, if you don’t want to talk about it, you just have to say.’

‘I don’t want to talk about it.’

‘Fine. Let’s go to the pub.’

‘I shouldn’t have any more to drink,’ Anna was saying as they pushed their way through Gibneys.

‘Don’t worry, darling, I’ll carry you home,’ Jill promised.

‘I’d be glad to offer my services too,’ a voice said from behind them.

Anna whirled around. ‘Charlie!’

‘Hello, Anna.’ Charlie smiled down at her. ‘Mark and I are sitting down at the end of the bar. Will you ladies join us?’

‘Do we have to?’ Jill murmured.

‘Sure, why not?’ Anna said, ignoring her cousin and following Charlie. ‘Hi, Mark.’

Her boss swivelled around on his stool. ‘Anna, what are you doing here? And Jill! What a pleasant surprise!’

‘Is it?’ Jill climbed up on a stool, aware of his eyes on her legs.

‘What can I get you, my darling?’ His eyes had moved up to her chest.

‘Oh, to hell with it, I’ll have a gin and tonic.’

‘And you, Anna?’

‘White wine, please.’ Anna took the other stool and Charlie leaned against the pillar beside her. ‘So, how’s it going?’ she asked.

‘Fine, thanks. Are you going to introduce me?’ He nodded towards Jill.

‘Oh, sorry. Charlie, this is my Cousin Jill. Jill, this is Charlie Coleman, a client of ours.’

Jill watched with interest as Charlie frowned. He quite obviously saw himself as more than a customer and she wasn’t sure she liked the way he was leaning on the back of Anna’s
stool, his bare tanned arm touching Anna’s. ‘Pleased to meet you,’ she said. ‘Is Mark trying to squeeze a larger commission out of you then?’

He laughed. ‘He can try but I wouldn’t rate his chances.’

Mark groaned as he paid for the drinks. ‘I work for a pittance, you know that?’

‘You work?’ Anna retorted. ‘Charlie’s
my
client.’

‘I thought estate agents represented the vendor, not the buyer,’ Jill said.

Mark puffed out his chest. ‘At Donnelly’s Real Estate we offer a better class of service, especially to valued clients such as Mr Coleman here.’

‘Oh, cut the bull, Mark, it’s me you’re talking to.’ Charlie turned to Jill. ‘I’m an old friend and I asked him to help me find a place in
Malahide.’

‘I wouldn’t have, if I’d known you’d be so difficult to please,’ Mark complained. ‘How many houses have you shown him, Anna?’

‘Seven.’

‘Seven! Seven of the best properties on this side of Dublin and they’re not good enough for you.’

Charlie shrugged. ‘I just haven’t seen anything that suits.’

‘Charlie’s changing his mind about what he wants,’ Anna told her boss.

‘I am?’ said Charlie.

She nodded. ‘Yes, for a start I think big houses scare you off. What you really want is something warm and homely. That cottage would have been perfect.’

‘Too small.’

‘There was plenty of room to extend,’ she pointed out.

‘It just wasn’t right,’ he told her. ‘And what about the animal?’

‘Animal?’ Jill asked.

‘My daughter has a pony,’ he explained.

Mark turned to Anna, his eyes speculative. ‘What about the Brennans’ place?’

She nodded thoughtfully. ‘You know, that might well fit the bill. I’ll set up an appointment, Charlie. When would suit you?’

He shrugged. ‘Whenever, sweetheart. You know I’m always available for you.’

Anna giggled. ‘I bet you say that to all the girls.’

Jill groaned inwardly. The fourth glass of wine was obviously beginning to take effect. She’d better get Anna out of here before she got silly. There was way too much flirting going on for
her liking.

‘So, Jill, how are things? I haven’t seen you in a long time.’ Mark leaned closer. ‘Any man on the scene?’

‘Several.’ Jill sat back on her stool.

‘Excellent. A girl like you should play the field.’

‘A girl like me?’

‘You know – successful, sexy, mature.’

‘You were doing fine until you said mature,’ she said dryly.

‘Hey, that was a compliment. You’re in your prime.’

‘Thanks,’ Jill replied, trying to listen in on what Charlie and Anna were talking about.

‘Any man would be glad to have a woman like you,’ Mark continued, licking his lips.

‘You have a very interesting way with words, Mark, you know that?’ She finished her drink and shot her cousin a meaningful look. ‘Hey, Anna, let’s get going.’

‘But it’s early,’ Anna protested.

‘It’s a work day tomorrow,’ Jill reminded her.

‘But I’m with my boss,’ Anna beamed, waving her glass precariously. ‘You won’t mind if I’m a teensy bit late tomorrow, Mark, will you?’

‘I suppose we could call this business,’ he agreed with a knowing wink at Charlie.

‘Come on, Anna, I’m tired and we’re sharing a taxi, remember?’

‘I could drop her home,’ Charlie interrupted. ‘I’ve only had one pint.’

‘There you go.’ Anna smiled at her cousin. ‘Problem solved. You go on home, Jill, I’ll call you tomorrow.’

‘Oh well, maybe I’ll stay for a bit longer,’ Jill said, loath to leave her cousin alone with Charlie and Mark.

‘That’s more like it,’ Mark said, squeezing her knee. ‘Have another drink. The night is young.’

‘Did you have a good night?’ Liam asked, as Anna wandered into the kitchen the next morning looking pasty and red-eyed.

‘Yeah, not bad.’

‘I didn’t know you were planning such a late one.’

‘We weren’t.’

‘Where did you end up?’

Anna poured herself a cup of stewed tea from the pot and wondered if a slice of toast would help or finish her off altogether. ‘Tamango’s.’

‘Just you and Jill?’

Liam’s voice sounded normal enough but Anna knew he was annoyed. ‘No. Mark and one of his friends were with us.’

‘I see.’

Anna groaned inwardly as Liam’s mouth set in a grim line. ‘We were just having a laugh, Liam, no big deal.’

‘Right.’

‘I’d better get a move on or I’ll be late.’ Suddenly neither the tea nor the toast held any appeal and Anna knew if she didn’t get out quick, there’d be
another row.

‘Well, the boss won’t mind, will he? You and he are obviously close.’

‘Oh, for God’s sake, Liam. I just bumped into him! Stop being so ridiculous.’

‘Sorry, I didn’t think I was being ridiculous, just curious. Any man would be if his wife didn’t get in until three in the morning.’

Anna winced. She didn’t think he’d heard her coming in but then she probably hadn’t been as quiet as she’d thought. ‘It was just a bit of fun. Remember what that
is, Liam?’ Guilt made Anna’s tone sharper than she’d intended.

‘Vaguely.’ Liam’s voice was calm but his eyes were cold. ‘But then I haven’t had much of it lately,’ he said and brushed past her.

‘Liam, wait a minute—’ But he was already on the stairs and moments later, Anna heard the door of the bedroom slam behind him. ‘Shit.’

‘That was a good night, eh?’ Mark winked at her when he breezed in the door at half past ten.

‘I don’t know, was it?’ Anna managed a weak smile.

‘Indeed it was. Where did you and Charlie get to? One minute you were dancing beside us and the next you were gone.’

Anna felt her face grow hot as Val eyed her curiously. ‘Oh, you know me, Mark. I got a bit wobbly and Charlie offered to drop me home.’

‘Wobbly? You were plastered!’ Mark’s grin broadened as he sat down on the corner of her desk. ‘Bring him in for coffee, did you?’

‘No, I did not.’ Anna buried her head in a file and prayed that he would go away or the phone would ring or the ceiling would fall in.

‘Probably just as well. Liam wouldn’t have been impressed.’

‘Don’t be silly, Liam wouldn’t mind. He’d be delighted that someone had seen me home safe and sound.’

‘Ha!’ Mark laughed as he stood up and went into his office. ‘Of course he would.’

‘I need a cup of coffee,’ Anna said and hurried out of the room before Val could say anything.

‘Jill’s on hold,’ Val told her when she returned.

Anna set down the coffee with an unsteady hand and picked up the phone. ‘Jill?’

‘Hi, Anna. How are you?’

‘Lousy. You?’

‘Fine. You got home okay, then?’