Page 49 of Where the Waves Kiss the Shore
“Hi, Uncle Anto, Uncle Desmond. How are you?”
They glanced up at her. Desmond didn’t even bother to fake a smile.
“Tierney. You’ve managed to pull yourself away from rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.”
Anger flared. How could they have such disregard for Granny’s dream? The respect she’d been raised to show to older members of the family meant nothing if they didn’t respect their own mother. “We’re doing pretty well, thank you, despite your attempts to sabotage any progress.”
“Nonsense.” Anthony leaned over the table. “That’s the price we charge for a full trip outside of the regular service.”
“Whatever. I didn’t come here to get into an argument. Enjoy your evening.” She marched to the bar, wishing the pub was a little larger so she could be farther away from her evil uncles. She jumped onto a bar stool. “Hi Seán, how are you?”
He smirked as he started pouring her pint. “I’ll be back in two minutes.” He picked up a tray of drinks and carried it to her uncles’ table.
Tierney pulled out her phone and fired a quick text to Joey. She didn’t want to be sitting here for long on her own.
Seán came back quickly and finished off her drink. “Well done for standing up to them.”
His voice was little more than a whisper, but she appreciated the support, even if it was in secret. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. “Ah, shit. Joey’s not coming out to play.” She wasn’t surprised. Joey had started work even earlier than usual this morning to be able to spare the time to help her, but she selfishly wanted the company. She wished again she could speak to Megan. Earlier in the day, she’d sent her a selfie, surrounded by bathroom fittings, from the deck of the Queen Maedbh. She’d hoped she might get even just a laughing emoji as a response, but still nothing.
She jumped when arms wrapped around her. Then she relaxed, recognizing the touch. Tilting her head to Kasia, she accepted a peck on her cheek.
“I’m sorry I was distracted by the delivery. I don’t want to be that person who’s more interested in the bathroom fittings than her gorgeous girlfriend.”
The pub wasn’t busy, but enough people were around that Kasia’s gesture was definite progress in her attempt to be more open in public. Tierney didn’t want to spoil that by freaking out at “girlfriend” but it was difficult not to react. “It’s okay. I get this is your vision turning to reality. It’s important to me too.”
Kasia’s smile faded, and she pulled up a stool close to Tierney’s. “It’s not reallymyvision. It’s not my hotel. It’s wonderful to be able to do the place up, but it needs so much more.”
When Seán placed a glass of vodka in front of her, Kasia nodded. Tierney sensed a lecture coming.
“The roof is the most urgent job, but just picture all the other changes if we were to make them happen. The old cottages converted to self-catering accommodation, and the dining room packed out as a high-end restaurant.” Her eyes were bright, and she waved her hand descriptively.
Tierney placed her hand over the one Kasia was gesticulating with and squeezed. “I know. But we agreed to take small steps first. Let’s hit the season ready to do the best we can, and show Dad some figures before we get him to invest more deeply.” She was already worried he’d notice how much she’d spent on the new bathrooms, but she’d spread out the payments in the hope the mounting costs wouldn’t be flagged to him. She’d done what she could with the roof repairs, but Kasia was still pushing for more.
“I don’t understand why he won’t invest for the future. It makes solid business sense, and he is, first and foremost, a businessman. This is exactly the kind of project he specializes in.”
“At home, yeah.” Tierney sipped her drink. “My dad drew a very firm line under his life here when he moved to Boston. Inheriting the hotel has messed with his head, I think. The business side of him must be itching to make it a success, but he doesn’t want to renew his connection.”
Kasia’s enthusiasm faded from her eyes and Tierney hated that she had caused it. She wished once again she could finance the hotel without having to ask her dad for everything. But that’s how she’d lived her life until now, dependent on him for financial support. Megan could probably afford the project with her savings, but she wasn’t Megan. While she’d never coveted Megan’s work-focused mentality, she couldn’t help but think maybe, if she’d worked a little harder and been a little more committed, she’d be in a position of control now. She downed the dregs of her drink and jumped off the stool. “Shall we go and get an early night? I’m not in the mood for socializing.”
Kasia followed her out as she pointedly ignored her uncles. She wondered why Kasia had ever had any faith in her. Maybe she was meant to spend her life disappointing people.
TWENTY-FOUR
Flickingthrough the bookings on the system, Kasia wondered about Tierney’s strange mood that had made the refurbishment work less enjoyable these last few days. She was pleased with the progress on the inside of the hotel and couldn’t wait for the weather to improve a little so they could brighten up the outside. Easter would be early this year, and there were only a few weeks until the hotel would start opening for weekend visits.
After the flurry of Easter activity, it would go quiet again for a while. She intended to get the paintbrushes out then, and set to work, whether Tierney was still here or not. They hadn’t discussed how long she was going to stay, and Kasia didn’t want to ask. The thought of Tierney leaving filled her with a pain she didn’t want to touch. Maybe this was why Tierney was pulling away now, so it would be easier when she had to leave.
A bump against her leg alerted her to Fergus on the search for food. She picked him up and hugged him to her. He stiffened and then surrendered, probably figuring if he played along, she might feed him sooner. She buried her face in his soft, thick fur. “I’m thirty-nine years old and relying on a cat to comfort me. Thank you for humoring me.”
He squeezed out of her grip and jumped to the floor. She followed him to the kitchen door and checked her watch. She’d worked all morning and lost track of the time. A saucepan of soup that she’d prepared earlier sat on the hob. Broccoli and blue cheese, just like Tierney loved. But Tierney had gone to the cottage for peace to do some work for a client back home.
Kasia had missed working together more than she could have imagined a few weeks ago when Tierney’s mere presence had been more than enough to annoy her. She pulled out her phone.Hey, what are you up to? I made some lunch if you’re hungry.
She lit the flame under the pot, pulled out a loaf of brown bread, and sliced a few thick wedges, hoping she was preparing Tierney’s food as well as her own.
Sorry, I’m in the middle of this work. If I can get it done today, it’ll free me up for the rest of the week.
Kasia’s chest tightened. It was good Tierney planned to work on the hotel for the rest of the week, but it didn’t diminish her disappointment about today.
