Page 14 of Where the Waves Kiss the Shore
“Not much against her at all then.” Joey held her hands. “She’s not comfortable in this employer role. She’s never wanted it, and now she’s stuck in an awkward situation just like you are. She’s so much more than you can see, Kasia. It’s not all been an easy ride for her, even on the island. Yes, she’s part of the big Walsh clan, but the rest of the family has stayed close to Inishderry. Des is in the UK, but he has business interests here, and all his kids have holiday homes. Tierney was always the outsider with an absent father and an American accent. When we were kids, she was always being challenged to prove she was really a Walsh. You’ve probably got much more in common than you think. Just come and have a couple of drinks with us and get to know her a little better. It can’t do any harm, can it? And it might even open up some doors for progressing things with the hotel.”
Kasia let out a breath. “I doubt that. Okay, just one drink, but not until I’ve completed all the preparations for tomorrow.”
“Grand. We’ll wait for you.” Joey wrapped her in a hug then left.
Kasia went to make up the beds for tomorrow’s large group. Their stay would be hard work on her own, but she didn’t feel she could refuse bookings. Surely it was best to keep the hotel as profitable as possible in case it might influence Kevin Walsh’s decision. She’d hoped she could talk to Tierney about it, but going through the books with her today had taken all the patience Kasia had left. It wasn’t that Tierney didn’t understand the finances. In fact, she’d appeared to grasp it all very quickly. She just had no interest in doing anything other than the bare minimum so she could get out of there.
When she was satisfied all was prepared for the next day’s visitors, Kasia locked up the hotel and took the short walk to the bar. The light from the full moon glinted off the road and made a torch unnecessary. She hoped they’d finished whatever it was Tierney had been so eager to talk about with Joey. Joey had never shared much detail about their lifelong friendship, but they’d told Kasia how much they missed having Tierney in their life in recent years. Kasia couldn’t quite grasp why, but Joey was never one to think the worst of people or hold a grudge. Their kindness and open heart had drawn Kasia to them when she first arrived. That and the unexpected joy of finding another queer person her age residing on the island.
Warm yellow light from the windows of the pub spilled out into the dark, and the sound of laughter and music drifted out. She pushed open the door to find it busy for a Sunday evening. There was often an early evening music session for the remaining weekend visitors, but the last ferry had left, so the crowd was all locals or long-term visitors.
Both older Walsh brothers were at their preferred table by the window. Tierney had said she would speak with them about finding a housekeeping assistant for the hotel. Kasia was pleasedTierney had shown some concern over her workload, but that wasn’t the answer. The brothers had shown little enough interest in the running of the Waterside all summer when the estate had yet to be settled. Now that they had no financial interest in the hotel, they would be no help at all.
The brothers ignored her, but she got a nod from Christy who was sitting with them. She looked around the other tables until she spotted Joey and Tierney in the corner. Tierney had her back to the door and was hunched over the table talking close to Joey’s ear over the noise of the pub. Joey saw Kasia over her shoulder and waved her over enthusiastically.
When Tierney turned, her smile faded, but as Kasia approached she said, “Hi, Kasia. Why don’t you join us?”
Joey jumped up. “Come and sit ’round here. I’ll get the drinks.” They shuffled around the cramped table until Kasia found herself wedged into the corner, sharing a small bench with Tierney.
“Well, ain’t this cozy,” Tierney muttered.
Joey returned with the drinks. “Two Guinness and a vodka.” She deposited the glass of clear liquid in front of Kasia.
She lifted the glass. “Is that a double?”
Tierney groaned. “We’re four ahead of you. Just relax and enjoy your drink.”
She turned. Who was Tierney to give her orders about what to drink? “Some of us have a job to go to tomorrow.” It came out as more of a hiss than she’d intended, but Tierney’s smug, laid-back approach to the world was annoying.
Tierney’s mouth dropped open.
Joey grabbed her hand. “Hey, Kasia, a friendly drink, remember?”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You’re right.” She turned to Tierney and tried not to grit her teeth. “I apologize, Tierney. I have no right to make any judgments about you. Ihardly know you.”Because you rarely bothered to come and visit your granny.“Let’s drink.” She held up her glass.
Tierney studied Kasia for a moment before she lifted her glass and cracked a slight smile. “Sláinte!”
“Na Zdrowie!” She clinked glasses and downed her vodka. It didn’t have the smooth, buttery taste of Polish vodka, but it went down quickly enough. “I’ll get us another.”
She squeezed her way between the table and Tierney and escaped to the bar. The buzz of the alcohol helped her relax slightly. Maybe another couple and she could get home to bed. She ordered another double.
Joey appeared beside her. “Please don’t get one for me. I’ve got to be out on the boat early, and I’ve already had too many trying to keep up with Tierney. I’ll finish this one and go.”
That was good news. She had hoped her evening with Tierney wouldn’t drag on too long.
Joey put their hand on her arm and forced her to make eye contact. “Please stay for a while. You need to get to know Tierney. It’ll be good for you both.”
“I’ve got to know her this week while she’s been hanging around at the hotel, getting under my feet and never offering to help with anything.”
“When you’re in work mode, you can be pretty intimidating. Did you find out anything about her?”
“I discovered she has no interest in helping rescue the hotel.”
Joey raised an eyebrow. “No interest? Or a lack of confidence that her dad will listen?”
Kasia didn’t like her opinion about Tierney being challenged, but Joey knew her best. And they were right. “Both, probably.” She let out a long breath. “Okay, you’re right. I have to keep trying. I’ll stay for one more drink.”
Returning with the drinks, she found Tierney tucked in the corner, her legs tucked up under her, allowing Kasia a little morespace on the bench. Tierney’s glass was empty. As she handed over the fresh drink, she noticed her gaze was a little unfocused. Perhaps she’d be less annoying drunk. “Have you spoken to your uncles?”
