Page 31 of Three Widows

‘I backed out at the last minute. I dropped by to see how you’re doing today.’ She pointed to the floor. ‘What happened here?’

‘Damn, I forgot about that. I never finish what I start.’ Helena put her mug on the counter and bent down, picking up tubs and putting them back on the shelf.

‘Let me help you.’

‘Honestly, it’s fine. I need to keep myself busy.’

‘Two pairs of hands are better than one.’

Unable to protest without appearing ungrateful, she said, ‘They go on this shelf.’

Orla joined her, kneeling on the floor. ‘I enjoyed last night. Paying for it today in a big way.’

‘I’m a bit fragile myself.’ The sound of tubs slamming on the shelf echoed in Helena’s head. ‘Did Éilis mention anything to you last night about her plans for this morning?’

‘No, why?’

‘You walked with her to the taxi rank. I wondered if she might have said something.’

‘Nothing that I can remember. I left her outside Danny’s to wait for a cab. I couldn’t be bothered hanging around for God knows how long, so in my drunken state I decided to walk home. I needed fresh air after the pub. Why?’

‘No reason.’ Why was she reluctant to share Bianca’s phone call? Narrowing her eyes, she glanced surreptitiously at the other woman. Orla’s clothing matched, in an unmatched way. Éilis would approve. Feck it. She told Orla about the call.

‘Holy shit.’ Orla sat back on the floor. ‘That’s odd.’

‘I told Bianca to call the guards.’

‘Not that they’re much good, and I speak from experience.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t worry. But really, what mother goes off and leaves her kids alone voluntarily? Éilis has never struck me as that type of person.’

Helena felt her head fill with static guilt. Memories (were they even memories?) melted into white noise. Was she that type? After Gerald, she had floundered around.

‘You’re right. Éilis isn’t like that. I’m worried.’

Orla stood, placed her hands on her hips and admired the stocked shelves. ‘That looks better. Do you want me to do anything else for you?’

‘No thanks. This is great.’

‘You look like you could do with a strong coffee. Can I make one for you? Or will I run out and fetch one?’

‘Honestly, I’m fine. I had a nettle tea.’

‘Ugh. How can you drink that stuff?’ Orla blushed. ‘But I do love your shop. The oriental smells. Reminds me of a nice Indian restaurant I went to on my honeymoon.’

‘You were in India?’

‘God, no. It was in London. Tyler had a work thing that week. Said he couldn’t get out of it. I spent my honeymoon in a London hotel, mostly alone.’

‘That was a bit pissy of him. Sorry, I didn’t mean… I have a habit of putting my foot in it.’

‘No worries. It was just his way. He put himself first in everything. It’s only since he’s been gone that I can truly be myself. I don’t know why I’m spilling my guts to you today. You know all this already.’

Helena smiled. ‘Shouldn’t you be working?’

‘I’ll be at it soon. I’ve been neglecting my home office and I have a few client accounts that need finalising. Boring. At least I haven’t Tyler breathing down my neck. Shit, that sounded awful.’

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