Page 56 of Three Widows

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Boyd loved Sergio, the son he hadn’t known about until earlier in the year. But he was living under the constant threat of his ex-wife returning to Ireland. It was a certainty that she would try to take the boy away from him.

Sergio was eating a bowl of cereal in front of the television. Boyd yawned. He could do with another glass of wine, but he’d left Lottie’s without the bottle and he only had a few Heinekens in his refrigerator. He didn’t relish mixing beer with the wine he’d already drunk. And he couldn’t sneak off to bed, because he was sleeping on the couch. He’d given his bed to Sergio, and the aches in his hips and back were testament to the uncomfortable arrangements. His one-bedroom apartment was no longer suitable.

‘Is it nearly over?’ he asked hopefully.

Sergio hit the remote. ‘Twenty-three minutes left.’

He could survive twenty-three minutes. Couldn’t he?

‘You can have your own bed, Dad. I don’t mind sleeping here.’

‘And watch television all night? Don’t think so, son.’

‘Okay.’ Sergio spooned more cereal into his mouth and settled his head against Boyd’s arm. That small gesture filled him with love.

Once the twenty-three minutes were up, he had Sergio tucked up in bed and the couch set up with a duvet and pillows for himself. Then he thought of the nettle tea he’d got from Helena McCaul. Maybe it would take the edge off. Worth a try.

He boiled the kettle and spooned in the finely ground leaves. Hadn’t she said to use a strainer? Too late. He poured the grainy concoction down the sink and rinsed out the mug before drying it. When the kitchenette met with his approval, he lay on the uncomfortable couch, hoping sleep would come quickly.

Some hope. An hour later he was still awake.

* * *

The fire was down to dying embers when Kathleen Foley heard the key turn in the front door. She hadn’t needed a fire, but it made the room a bit more homely. If only she could get it tidy.

Her visitor rushed across the room and Kathleen fell into her warm arms.

‘I thought you’d be in bed.’

‘I thought you’d be here earlier.’

‘I got here as soon as I could escape from work.’

The two women kissed.

‘I hate this secrecy,’ Kathleen said.

‘I’ve explained my views on going public.’

‘Coming out, you mean?’

‘I can’t do it, Kathleen. My reputation would be ruined.’

‘Years ago, perhaps, but not nowadays.’ Kathleen wriggled out of the embrace.

‘It’s okay for you, at home all day with nothing to think about except your delusional daughter. I have my business to consider. I couldn’t live with the shame.’

‘Shame? You’re ashamed of me?’ She couldn’t mask her anger at the put-down. The receipt of the latest photo was fresh in her mind.

‘You know what I mean. We agreed. It’s a contract you cannot break.’

Kathleen slumped onto the armchair. ‘I don’t think I can do this any more. I’ve so much going on. You know Helena is out of control. I’m terrified she’ll do damage.’

‘To herself or someone else?’

‘Both, really.’

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