Page 25 of The Widow's Irish Secret
‘I remember how you used to love pickles,’ she said. ‘But Fred didn’t.’
‘He was more of a mustard and mayo guy,’ Cillian said with a grin. ‘We used to argue about what to put into sandwiches. And you had a job trying to please everyone.’
‘That was when I was trying to be perfect,’ Tricia retorted, handing him a bottle opener. ‘More fool me. I should have let you make your own lunch.’
‘Of course you should have.’ Cillian took the cap off the bottle and took a few sips, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ‘But you were dealing with two boys that had been spoiled by their mammies. We expected women to do stuff for us.’
‘I know.’ Tricia drank from her bottle and nibbled on her sandwich. ‘But that was then. Things are different now. Women don’t try to please as much as we used to. In fact, these days I try to look after myself.’
He squinted at her against the sunlight. ‘You’re doing a good job. When I came face to face with you at that silly speed dating event, I was blown away by the way you glow.’
‘That was blushing from embarrassment,’ Tricia said, smirking. ‘I was feeling foolish to be found at such an event by someone I know.’
‘You mean a place you wouldn’t want to be seen dead at? I could see you enjoyed yourself, though.’
‘It was fun, actually. And nobody seemed to take it seriously. I didn’t meet anyone who seemed sad at all. Maybe a little lonely but that goes with getting older, I think.’
‘Are you sad and lonely?’ Cillian asked, studying her.
Tricia shrugged. ‘Sure, I’m sad sometimes. I miss Fred and I miss Sean, my second husband too. He was a lovely man, youknow. I found it hard to lose him and to find myself all alone. But I’m not as lonely here as I was in Dublin. Now I have my girls and my grandchildren and Sylvia and Nora and a few friends, both old and new. Life is easier and a lot more fun because of them.’
‘That seems to make you strong, too,’ Cillian said. ‘A real challenge for any man who might be interested in knowing you better.’
‘Why would that be a challenge?’ Tricia asked, beginning to enjoy the admiration in his eyes. ‘Are strong women some kind of threat?’
‘No but they’re very hard to impress.’
‘We’re a lot more demanding than before, of course,’ Tricia agreed. ‘It takes a strong man to take on the modern woman.’ She returned his probing look with one of her own, challenging him to respond. She knew he was flirting with her and she was secretly enjoying it. He was very attractive and there was a new vibe between them that had nothing to do with old memories.What am I doing?she asked herself.I must stop leading him on, even though this flirting is fun. It makes me feel young and attractive again but I can’t let him think I’m interested in starting anything. I’m done with all of that.‘I’m only joking,’ she said to break the tension. ‘You don’t need to impress me. We’re just old friends meeting up again after many years.’
‘Of course we are.’ Cillian finished his sandwich and drained his bottle of beer. ‘But enough of this banter. I’d like to see more of this house.’
‘You’ve seen most of it.’
‘Not upstairs. What’s up there?’
‘Just a room that I think was either a bedroom or just used for storage. There’s a nice view of the bay from the little window. But it seems to have some kind of history.’ Tricia got up fromthe chair. ‘I was actually hoping you could help me find out more about the people who built this house.’
‘That sounds interesting.’ Cillian handed Tricia the wrapper from his sandwich and got up.
‘I have coffee and muffins but we can have that later,’ Tricia said as she tidied away the remains of their picnic.
‘Okay. Let’s go upstairs. It’s such a great little house so I want to see every nook and cranny.’
‘It’s a true gem,’ Tricia agreed. ‘I want to make it come alive again and be a real home.’
‘I think you will,’ Cillian said as they walked into the house. ‘It’s as if it’s been waiting for you.’
Tricia smiled, happy that he felt the same way she did. It was comforting to be together like this, chatting and joking like in the old days.It’s true what they say, she thought.Real friends can be apart for a long time and then be just as close when they meet again.Cillian didn’t seem resentful of the way she had drifted away the last time they met; at least he hadn’t mentioned it. Tricia decided to leave it alone and not try to apologise. If he truly understood, there was no need to bring it up.
She caught up with him at the top of the stairs and followed him to the window, the floorboards creaking as they walked.
Cillian opened the small window and looked out. ‘That’s a lovely view. It would be even better in the winter when the trees are bare.’
‘Yes, probably,’ Tricia agreed. ‘I didn’t think of that. I’m going to put some kind of window seat here so I can look out and see what’s going on out there.’
Cillian didn’t reply, but kept looking through the window. ‘I had no idea it was possible to see the whole bay from here,’ he muttered as if to himself.
‘Neither did I,’ Tricia said. ‘I didn’t even know the cottage had an upstairs until I got the keys and went up here.’
