Page 10 of Changing Tides
“I should have let you know. I can’t buy your lobsters. I don’t have a restaurant anymore.” That was what it sounded like through the sobs, anyhow. But they were standing in Marianne’s restaurant, so that didn’t make any sense.
“What are you talking about?”
Mari pulled herself together a little and took them by the hand, through the dark and empty kitchen out into the dining room. She unbolted the front door and swung it open, pointing dramatically at a sign stuck there with tape.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances Batiya is closed for business.”
There was no contact information or anything to say how long the closure would be for.
“I’ve got a van full of shellfish. I could’ve done with some prior warning.”
Marianne burst into tears again, drawing the attention of passersby. Knowing how important image was to her, Joey pulled her back inside and locked the doors. They took a deep breath and leaned back against the door. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Marianne blubbered, her face in her hands. Joey pulled her closer and got a waft of stale alcohol.
“Are you drunk?”
When Marianne staggered back toward her office, Joey followed, not knowing what else to do. The couch in the office was piled with cushions and a blanket lay on the floor. Three empty wine bottles stood on the desk.
Joey took her by the elbows. “I’ll make you coffee and you can talk to me, okay?”
Marianne sniffled, dropping into her chair. “You can’t. No power.”
“I’ll get you some water, then.” Joey ran water into the largest glass they could find and came back to find Marianne slumped at her desk.
“Has something happened to Amira? Where’s Denny?” They hoped someone other than Marianne was responsible for him. What the hell was going on?
“He’s upstairs with Amira. She’s destroyed the business. And now she’s leaving me because it’s all my fault.” Marianne had gone from hysterical to so downbeat Joey barely heard the words.
“Destroyed it how?”
“With debt. She has a gambling addiction. She was in trouble when I met her, but she swore to me she’d given it up. I’d never have married her, or started a business and a family, if I’d known she was still doing it.”
“Oh.” Joey hadn’t been expecting that. They’d suspected the relationship was under strain and maybe Amira had met someone else. This was much more complicated.
“Why are you down here?” Surely Marianne should be trying to sort things out instead of getting drunk.
“I couldn’t think straight last night, so I thought I’d have a couple of glasses of wine, but my head was spinning with everything, so I kept going in the hope of blotting it all out.” She sobbed again.
Joey could relate to that, although they were aware how much it didn’t help. Putting the glass into Marianne’s hand, they knelt beside the chair and held out a box of tissues. “Try and get the water down, and then maybe you should go and talk to Amira.”
Marianne took a tissue and blew her nose. “Thank you, Joey. I wish everyone was as reliable as you.”
Good old reliable Joey.“It’s no bother, but I will need to get on with deliveries soon. Are you going to be okay?” They didn’t really want to leave her, but this mess wasn’t theirs to get involved in. Besides, they had extra lobsters to try to sell, and Tierney was relying on a lift to her appointment.
Marianne sniffed. “I’ll have to be, won’t I?” She blinked. “What will you do with the order?”
“I’ll see if Whyte’s want some extra. If not, I’ll sell them cheap at the fish market.” They pushed up with the arm of the chair. “Will you call me if you need anything?”
“Thanks, yes. And sorry about the lobsters.”
“It doesn’t sound like there’s anything you could have done about it. Take care of yourself. And say hi to Denny.”
They left Marianne sipping her water and got back into the van. Luckily, their other customer was happy to take the extra lobsters at a discounted price, letting them quickly return to the harbor. Marianne was in their thoughts throughout the drive, and as they steered Queen Maedbh back to Inishderry. They struggled to think of anything they could do to help since doing nothing didn’t feel right. They hoped Marianne would reach out if she needed anything.
They got back to the island in plenty of time to pick Tierney up for her midwife’s appointment. Kasia was at the dock and she gave Tierney a long kiss before allowing her to get on the boat.
“I’ll look after her, don’t worry.”
