No Way to Say Goodbye - Anna McPartlin [80]
“Who is she?” Mary asked.
“Ah, the lovely Lucia!” Patty said, amused. “You see, it’s nearly midday. You ordered what is essentially a breakfast drink, which upset the poor girl’s sensibilities. Italians take coffee drinking very seriously.”
“Really?” Mary mused.
“Oh, yes,” Patty responded. “It really is a wonder how Italy isn’t and never has been a superpower.”
Mary laughed. She couldn’t help but enjoy her upper-class British friend’s acerbic wit.
Lucia arrived with the coffee. Mary introduced herself and welcomed the girl to Kenmare. Lucia melted and Mary’s ignorance was forgiven. “I come to learn,” she said.
“You’re doing great.”
Lucia raised an eyebrow. “Doing great?”
“Doing well,” Mary amended.
“OK,” said Lucia. “Yes.” She smiled. “Nails?” She pointed to her own hand.
“No, but thanks.”
“OK,” she said, with a smile, and went back to the desk.
Patty grinned. “You have such a way with people.”
Mary nudged her.
“So, how’s Ivan?” Patty asked.
“He’s fine – he’s great, in fact. His kids are home and things seem to be going well with Sienna.”
“Splendid.”
“It is,” Mary agreed.
“And Norma?”
“She’s still in hospital and after that he doesn’t know.”
“Of course she’ll come home,” Patty said. “Where else would she go?”
“I don’t know. Either way I hope she finds some peace.”
“And you, my dear?”
“Me?”
“Have you found peace?”
“I haven’t given up,” Mary answered, with a lying smile.
“Any day now,” Patty said, “any day now.” She patted Mary’s arm. “You just be careful not to miss out. Keep your eyes and heart wide open.”
Enjoying Patty’s honesty, Mary took a chance. “Patty?”
“Yes, dear.”
“You and my dad – are you together?”
Patty smiled to herself. “If we are, then I’m certain neither of us would ever admit to it.”
“Why?” Mary asked.
“Because, my dear, mystery is half the fun.”
It was then that Gemma emerged from Room One with Penny trailing behind her. Gemma apologized to both ladies for the delay. She told Patty to make herself comfortable in Room Two while she took money from Penny. Tina would be taking care of Mary but she was just freshening up Room Three. Once payment was received, Gemma scurried into Room Two to Patty.
Penny sat beside Mary. “Well?” Penny said.
“Well?” Mary smiled – although she was shocked by Penny’s appearance.
“Are you well?”
“I am.”
“I’ve been so busy.”
“I know.”
“I’ve missed you,” Penny said.
“Missed you too.”
“Mary, I’ve been working on an article…” She didn’t get to finish as Lucia returned, pointed at her cup and uttered, “Again?”
“No,” Penny said sheepishly. She had already indulged in four of the strongest espressos in an attempt to disguise the smell of booze, which had seemed determined to seep from every pore.
Lucia left them alone.
“Are you free later?” Penny asked, having decided that the waiting area in a beauty parlour was not the ideal place to break news she needed to break.
“Sorry,” Mary said. “I’m taking Sam to visit Dick Dogs.”
Penny reeked of booze and now Mary acknowledged that her friend had a drinking problem. What now? What can I do?
“Dick Dogs?” Penny repeated.
“He used to be friends with Sam’s grandmother’s brother,” Mary explained.
“Don’t waste your time on him, Mary,” Penny warned.
“Excuse me?”
“You don’t know him.”
Tina emerged from Room Three before Mary had time to respond. She didn’t say goodbye to Penny – she was so hurt by Penny’s cryptic words. Instead she just followed Tina into the small room filled with scented candles and soft music.
Penny left immediately, knowing Mary wouldn’t be calling her and berating herself for not telling her friend why she had offered such advice. It was clear that the man had found his way through the armour that shielded Mary from most. It was even clearer that in exposing him Penny was risking her friendship. She didn’t want to lose Mary, yet instinct told her to publish. The story was ready to go – she was just waiting on one thing. It was a long shot but still a possibility. Mia Johnson was