Page 12 of The Last Love Song
‘Will I spend my whole life crying?’
‘You might.’
Helen jumped and turned around. The elegant figure of Con Daly came into view. He stood on the rock, towering over her. She blushed an unsightly red colour.
‘Isn’t this view grand?’
Helen sniffed and wiped her nose. ‘It is.’
‘It might be my favourite spot.’
‘Mine too.’
‘I know.’ He came and crouched on the rock beside her. ‘The perfect place for useless articles like you and me to come and be alone.’
Helen guffawed. ‘You’re not useless. All the girls at school were raving about you and your band.’
‘Were they now?’ Con raised an eyebrow. ‘Any girl in particular?’
‘Should there have been?’
Con shrugged. ‘Maybe.’
‘Oh.’ Helen’s shoulders sagged a little.
‘I didn’t see you there,’ he said.
‘No. I didn’t want to go by myself.’
Con exhaled deeply. ‘Ah, Helen, what it is to be living on the edge of society like us. Tolerated, but never accepted. I’m all for leaving as soon as I can.’
‘Lucky you.’ Helen ground her riding boot into the sand.
‘You have nothing to keep you here either.’
‘I have fear to keep me here, Con.’
‘Yes, ’tis a powerful thing, fear. But never forget that loneliness gives you strength. You can spend your life observingothers, on the outside looking in. You end up learning a lot about human nature that way.’
‘I’ve learnt that it stinks,’ she replied bitterly.
‘Come on now, life isn’t that bad. You have that grand mansion and the land around it. Plenty of money to make your dreams happen. The world is your oyster.’
‘I’d trade it all to be popular. And as pretty as Sorcha O’Donovan.’
Con grinned. ‘I think everyone would like to be as pretty as her. But you can buy yourself a new hairstyle and a set of friends.’
Helen sighed. ‘I suppose so.’
Con stood up. ‘I’m off. I have an assignation at my palace over there.’ He indicated the hut.
‘You do?’
‘Yes.’ He put a finger to his lips. ‘But it’s a secret. Goodbye, Helen.’ Con reached out and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Helen’s heart began to beat faster and her body was filled with an indescribable warmth. ‘You know where I am if you want a chat.’
‘Thanks, Con,’ she choked.
Helen watched him step easily over the rocks and disappear.
