Page 96 of The Last Love Song
Helen’s hand hung in the air. Con was embarrassed into taking it.
‘Yes.’
‘Goodbye, and a merry Christmas.’
‘Sorcha, my girl,’ Con said as he watched Helen being introduced to the rest of the band, ‘yer man needs a drink.’
Helen watched the trees outside her window, illuminated by the glow of the street lights. She was too worked up to sleep. Tonight had been, without a doubt, the best evening of her life. The shock on Con and Sorcha Daly’s faces when they’d heard of her position at Metropolitan had put her on a high. Of course, they had never expected her to amount to anything. Little could they ever have fathomed that, one day, Helen would hold the key to the palace. It had been particularly edifyingfor her after the way it all ended in Ballymore. That whole situation was embarrassing to think about now. ThenewHelen would never have let it happen.
Sorcha laid her head on Con’s shoulder as the taxi drove them home to Hampstead.
‘Did you enjoy tonight, Sorcha?’
‘Oh yes. Did you?’
‘I thought it was wonderful. But you weren’t your normal self. Is anything wrong?’
‘I...’ Sorcha stared out of the window. ‘No.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes.’
Con made love to her when they arrived home. Afterwards, she lay in his arms, his hands stroking her hair.
‘It’s all starting to come true.’
‘Your dream?’ He nodded. ‘You deserve it, Con.’
‘And you deserve the life that fame brings with it. I can give you everything now, Sorcha. There’ll be no more struggle, no more having to demean yourself for a few pennies.’
Sorcha swallowed hard. ‘Yes.’
‘And imagine us going to the United States of America! I can hardly wait.’
Sorcha was silent. Con shifted positions so he could see her face. ‘Are you not excited about the trip? Freddy said it will be first class all the way. Luxury cars, hotels – all expenses paid.’
‘It’ll be wonderful, Con. It’s just...’
‘What?’
She’d intended to save her good news for Christmas Day. But somehow, it didn’t feel like good news any longer.
‘I was offered a job today. It would be a year’s contract with very, very good money. Audrey says it would make me famous.The problem is, I’d be starting work just as you flew to the States.’ Con studied her face silently. ‘I don’t know what to do,’ she sighed. ‘I’d love to take the job, but we’d be apart for over three months.’
‘So that’s why you were looking so down tonight.’
‘Yes. Oh, Con, what do you think?’
‘I’m thinking it’s sad that anything should spoil our happiness. It’s silly asking me, Sorcha. You know what I want.’ Con let go of her and lay back on his pillow. ‘It’s a disaster for a marriage to spend a long time apart.’
‘So I couldn’t trust you on your own then?’
Con waved her away. ‘I’m not saying that. You know I’m not. It’s your choice, Sorcha. I can’t stop you.’ He sighed. ‘I suppose it’s a question of priorities.’
‘Of course you’re my priority, Con. But it seems a shame to have to turn such a big opportunity down.’
Con turned to her. ‘What about the opportunity of seeing America?’
