Page 15 of The Last Love Song
‘Because you won’t have any help from me. None at all.’
‘I wouldn’t expect any.’
‘Oh, wouldn’t you? That’s about the only logical conclusion you’ve been able to draw this evening. If your plan is to go over there and find some fancy millionaire man to marry, it’s a foolish one. There’s a lot more women to choose from in England, that come from better stock than you.’
Sorcha observed her mother’s eyes shoot daggers at her father, unseen by Seamus.
‘You’ve a much better chance here, with someone we deem suitable.’
Sorcha felt an anger simmering within her. It was in danger of bubbling over. ‘What if I don’t want to get married? What if I want to have a career?’
Her father guffawed. ‘It’s a career you want, is it? Are you hearing this, Mary? Our daughter wants a career!’ His laughter sent a tidal wave of shame washing over Sorcha. ‘You’ll make a fine typist and an even better wife and mother. No man will want his woman working outside the marital home.’
‘Daddy, please just listen to—’
‘Enough!’ Seamus banged his fist on the table. ‘Your mother and I have raised you to represent the O’Donovan family. I willnothave my child flouncing off to England only to have you come crawling back with an expectation that I will fix everything for you. You willnotembarrass this family, Sorcha. That is the end of it.’
Pudding was consumed in total silence.
That night, Sorcha cried silent tears in bed. Seamus had worn her down. Whether she liked it or not, going to London with Con was an impossibility. Travelling across the Irish Sea would mean cutting ties with her family entirely, and no matter how her father made her feel, Sorcha wasn’t sure she could make such a life-changing decision at such a young age.
If Con truly loved her, as he said he did, then surely a life together in Ballymore was enough?
That said, her next task was to convince her father that Con was more than just the local reprobate. Perhaps if Seamus could appreciate his talent, he would see that Con could be a provider.
With all his ability, how could he fail?
Of course, announcing her relationship brazenly over breakfast tomorrow morning would not be the wisest move. It might just give Seamus a heart attack. That was a problem for a different day.
Sorcha dried her tears on her pillowcase and thought about Con’s shimmering eyes.
Con was strumming morosely on his guitar when he heard the tap on the door. It opened before he reached it.
Sorcha stood there shivering with cold and emotion. ‘I love you, Con. I never want to be without you.’
‘You’ll come with me to London then?’
Sorcha steeled herself. ‘No, Con. I can’t just leave everything behind. This is where my life is.’
Con shook his head and cast his eyes to the floor. ‘Oh, God, Sorcha. How will I cope without you?’
She took his hands in her own. ‘You don’t have to, Con Daly. Stay here, with me.’
‘You know that will never work. Your father won’t allow us to be together.’
‘That’s my problem, Con, and one I will solve...with time.’
He freed his hands and rubbed his eyes. ‘I can’t give up my music. You know I can’t.’
‘I do. But I was thinking that you could go to Dublin, and try and get someone in the business to notice you there.’
Con seemed unsure. ‘They want folk singers in Dublin. I’m a rocker.’
‘Yes. But all you need is a chance. Then you can be whatever you want, Con. When you’re successful, with thousands of pounds and three houses, Daddy will see that you’re the man for me.’ She gave him a reassuring smile. ‘And then, who knows? Maybe we’ll both end up in London just like you want.’
Con looked genuinely torn. ‘Jesus, I love you, Sorcha-porcha. I just...’ Sorcha took his head in her hands and kissed him gently, then more passionately. After a few minutes, desire took over. He pulled her down on the sofa and his hands began to roam Sorcha’s body. He waited for them to be removed from her breasts, but met no resistance. His fingers travelled up her legs and caressed the soft flesh of her inner thigh, still waiting to be checked. But her eyes were closed, her lips turned up in a faint smile.
Small sighs of pleasure left her.
