Page 85 of Changing Tides
“I have other priorities. I’ll cope.” An idea suddenly occurred to Marianne. She might have found a solution to her own situation, but maybe she could help Kasia and Tierney with their problem, too. “How would you feel about moving back to the West?”
They emptied the bottle while Marianne explained the role at the Waterside. “The position they offered me was salaried. I’m sure we could negotiate something similar. You get paid all year, but the hours in the summer are much longer. And out of season, you might be expected to do other duties. Would that be okay for you?”
“Are you kidding? This would be my first head chef position. I’ll lick the floors clean if they need me to.”
She laughed. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”
Colette emptied her glass. “Do you really think they’ll take me?”
“They trust my judgment, and I know you’re a great chef. I’m sure of it.”
Colette raised her glass. “In that case, shall I get us another bottle?”
“Not for me, sorry. I need to drive home first thing in the morning.” She hoped with all her heart Inishderrywasher home. She felt it. Now she needed to make it happen. “There is room in the car, though, if you’re able to join us?”
“Maybe you should make a call before I turn up for an interview?”
They laughed together. “As soon as I get to my mum’s, I’ll call Kasia. But pack your bag, you’re heading west.”
The sightof Inishderry made Marianne’s stomach clench as she held back a wriggling Denny from getting too close to the railing. On the one hand, heading back to the island brought on a sense of calm and belonging, but it was accompanied by a nagging feeling that perhaps it wasn’t destined to be her home, no matter how much she wanted it. She couldn’t stay if Joey didn’t want her there. It was too small a community to avoid someone for long. She couldn’t bear the idea of having to see Joey daily and not be with them.
“I-lund. Joey i-lund.” Denny pulled her hand and pointed.
She hunkered down next to him so she could see the approaching landmass from his perspective. “That’s right, sweetpea. See the lighthouse? We’re going back to Joey’s island.”And I hope so much it’ll soon be our island, too.
She looked over to Colette standing nearby in the traditional spot of first-time visitors: at the prow of the boat, watching as the features of the island became visible. The younger chef turned her head. “It’s so beautiful.”
“It is.” Marianne heaved an internal sigh of relief. She’d had more than one moment of uncertainty when she considered what would happen if her protégé took one look at Inishderry and turned on her heels. But Colette was an outdoors-loving young woman. She was happy walking, swimming, climbing, and taking part in every watersport imaginable. The opportunities here would likely counterbalance the limited social life and the dark, dark winters. At least for a while. Nobody expected her to stay forever.
But Marianne wanted to stay forever. She’d never wanted anything so much in her life. Not success, or celebrity, or industry recognition. She thought she’d wanted those things, but they paled into nothing against the thought of a future with Joey and Denny on this beautiful island. She pulled out her phone with her free hand and sent a text.
We’re just pulling into the harbor. How’s your dad doing? Can we talk?
Not her most articulate message, especially when there was so much she wanted to say to Joey, but she couldn’t take her attention from Denny. She didn’t quite trust him not to jump in and swim back, he was so excited. She continued to point out places he knew as they approached, but she was waiting for the vibration in her coat pocket.
She didn’t have to wait long, giving her hope as she opened the message.
Hey, got a lot on at the moment with Dad. He’s improving slowly. Can you give me some space for now?
Her heart sank, but she sent a thumbs up reaction. There was nothing more to say. She only hoped Joey would give her a chance to explain what they meant to her before she had to make a decision about whether to stay.
THIRTY-FOUR
Joey wanderedaround the small yard at the back of their cottage. It didn’t contain much more than fishing equipment, a mountain of broken lobster creels and some abandoned DIY projects. They spent all their leisure time at the front of the cottage, on the deck overlooking the sea. But in the corner was a tarpaulin covering a project they’d been working on in their spare time for months. They pulled it back and looked at the perfectly finished parts of a wooden boat. They’d built it to sit in the garden of wherever Marianne decided she would finally settle, but they’d hoped to temporarily assemble it out front, where Denny could stand at the wheel and be the captain of his own vessel.
The tiny red wheel sat on top, and Joey recalled the time they’d spent finishing it perfectly so there’d be no splinters and the wheel would move easily in tiny, chubby hands. How naive had they been to dream they’d ever have a long-term place in Denny’s life?
Tears stung and they turned their frustrations to the heap of traps. One had escaped the pile, and Joey swung a boot at it and sent it flying to the top of the mound and beyond. “So fucking stupid.” It came out half yell and half sob.
“Poor creel. What did it ever do except serve you faithfully?”
The voice was unmistakable, and Joey turned in horror to see that their tantrum had been witnessed, not only by Doc, standing with her thumbs in her waistcoat, grinning inappropriately, but also Kasia and Tierney, who stood further back, concern furrowing their foreheads.
“What are you doing here? I’m busy.” They pushed past Doc, then moved more gently past Tierney.
Kasia’s hand wrapped around their elbow. “Hey. We care about you. You don’t get to brush us off.”
Her caring words made Joey’s eyes sting again. “I’m fine. Just got a load of work to do.” They tried to pull away, but Kasia wasn’t letting go.
