Page 94 of Calling Frank O'Hare

Frank looked up from the drawing he was helping Robyn with. ‘I doubt our visitors will notice.’

Ellen fixed him with an icy stare. ‘I notice.’

‘They’re here.’ Robyn jumped down off her chair and ran out to the hall, throwing the front door open. Martin and Finn barely had a chance to get out of the car before she launched herself on them.

Martin picked Robyn up and swung her round. He had two kids of his own now, one with his first wife and another with his second. He’d left both wives. According to Siobhan, he was sniffing around one of her friends, Bronagh.

Finn stumbled onto the pavement. He was looking beyond rough.

‘Are you all right there, Finn?’ said Frank.

Martin slapped Finn on the back and nearly sent him flying. ‘He had a big night last night and the crossing was a bit ropey. He’ll be right as rain after a cup of strong tea.’

Ellen looped her arm through Finn’s. ‘Come on, darling. Let’s get you a nice tea.’

Martin waited until Ellen and Robyn had escorted Finn into the house. ‘How are yer?’

‘Grand. Yourself?’

‘Grand. Thanks for putting us up.’

‘Ma would have my arse if I didn’t.’

‘True enough.’

‘How long are you here for?’

‘We’ll be done by the end of summer.’

Frank’s main concern about Martin and Finn staying for the summer was that the holes in his carefully constructed web of deceit would soon become apparent. As far as his family was concerned, his marriage was mostly a happy one. That lie was easy enough to maintain when the family was over the water, but then Martin had messed up yet another job and taken Finn down with him. Cousin Eamon had finally forgiven Martin for making a pass at his daughter and found them some work on a building project over here. That said, he refused to let them stay under his roof. So Martin and Finn needed somewhere to live and Ma had reminded Frank he had two spare rooms. Frank had no choice in the matter. He just hoped Ellen wouldn’t humiliate him in front of them.

It had been three weeks since Martin and Finn’s arrival and things were going reasonably well. Finn was on his best behaviour and wasn’t getting too drunk or stoned. Mainly because Frank had threatened to throw him out if he was either of those two things in Robyn’s presence. Martin was on good form, charming the pants off everyone. Edie had taken a particular liking to him. And best of all, Ellen was being nice. It was a Saturday and the weather was glorious. They were having a summer party in the garden. Edie was here. So were Adrian and Stella, and some of Frank’s other friends from work.

As evening drew in, the guests moved indoors and the music went on. Ade and Frank stayed in the garden, talking about the usual nonsense. It was all daftness but it was a humour they’d nurtured over the years.

‘Lottie’s in good form,’ said Adrian.

‘I’m hoping she’ll stay like this for the rest of the summer.’

‘You should tell the family. I’m sure they’ll understand.’

‘Maybe.’

‘Stell and me are getting a divorce.’

Frank put his hand on Ade’s shoulder. ‘I’m sorry, mate. I didn’t realise.’

‘You’ve had other things to deal with. It’s very friendly. We’re still mates but we’re both agreed, it’s run its course. The kids are older now so it’s a good time. She’ll stay in the house and buy me out.’

‘Where will you live?’

‘I’ll find somewhere to rent for a bit, until Stella’s money comes through, then think about getting somewhere.’

‘If you can wait until after the summer, you can stay here. Martin and Finn will have gone back and Ellen’s hardly here. We can console each other.’ What Frank wasn’t saying was Ade could be his back up man. Maybe he’d be braver with him around.

‘Cheers, mate. I appreciate that. I’ll talk to Stell. Shall we go in? I might have a dance with my wife while she’s still my wife.’

Frank leaned on the wall and watched his guests. Martin and Ellen were dancing. Finn had picked on one of Frank’s friends from work to have an in depth discussion with. She didn’t seem to be too put off by the fact that he could hardly stand. Adrian and Stella were smooching. If he wasn’t mistaken they each had tears in their eyes. He felt like crying himself. Ade and Stell had been a constant in his life for such a long time, and they’d always seemed so good together. It was so sad.

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