Read Online Beneath an Irish Sky (Choc Lit) by Isabella Connor - Free Book Online Page A

well, but there was nothing he could do about that. She should have had the full works, surrounded by friends and relatives, not a quick ceremony in some unfamiliar church, mourned only by her son, with her no-good husband there for show.
    ‘I have a suggestion,’ said Jack. ‘We take Annie back – bury her in the family plot.’
    Jesus, he surely wasn’t serious. ‘England? Where she was treated like dirt.’
    ‘Maybe she was – by some. But what’s the alternative?’ asked Jack. ‘Bury her here and then leave her? I know Matt will want to pay his respects, and so will Maggie, my housekeeper. It would give Annie a decent send-off – a proper goodbye.’
    Luke was out of his depth. He’d never organised a funeral. Wouldn’t know where to start.
    ‘Your mother used to attend our local Catholic church,’ said Jack. ‘We could hold it there.’
    Luke considered it for a moment. At least there would be more than two mourners. It was probably the best that could be done. Reluctantly, he nodded.
    ‘What about the rest of your family, friends?’ Jack asked. ‘Do you want to contact anyone?’
    ‘No. There’s no one who matters.’ Actually, there were plenty who mattered, especially Jessie. But he couldn’t risk it because of the two who didn’t.
    All this talk about funerals was too much. It reminded Luke his mother was really gone. He felt tired in both body and spirit, and no longer independent but lonely and needy. ‘I said goodbye to her yesterday,’ he whispered. ‘To Mam.’
    ‘I know. I can understand you wanting to, but I’m not sure you’re strong enough yet to cope with something like that.’
    Was that concern? No matter how hard Luke tried to fight it, he craved comfort and protection. If Jack had hugged him then, offering safe, fatherly arms, he wouldn’t have resisted. But it didn’t happen. Jack was glancing at his watch.
    Luke bit his lip. He hadn’t given him any encouragement, so maybe Jack didn’t want further rejection. More likely though, he just didn’t care. In a moment of weakness, Luke had let down his defences. It wouldn’t happen again. The bitter reality was that as far as the Stewarts were concerned, he was unwanted. He looked at his father, trying to glean some resolve from reawakening the resentment he had always felt for him. He knew where he was with that. It gave him back some normality. He’d always hated his mother’s husband, but it had been easier before he became real. ‘We’ll bury her in England,’ he told Jack, ‘but in the churchyard, not your family’s plot. I don’t want her pushin’ up the daisies on Stewart land.’
    He looked away and turned on his television. The conversation was over. He stared unseeing at the screen as he listened for the closing of the door.
    Emer had chosen La Mer Wine Barge and Bistro for her lunch with Jack. The boat was moored on the Grand Canal, close to the city centre, and it gave office workers the chance to sit somewhere away from the bustle for a while and gaze at the water.
    The interior was cosy, with plush blue cushions, varnished wood and quaint portholes. A smooth background jazz was playing as Emer and Jack settled at their table. Hopefully, the mellow atmosphere would have a relaxing effect on him. He’d been tense ever since they met up and left the hospital together. The first thing he’d done was explain their misunderstanding on the phone that morning, and Emer had apologised for jumping to conclusions. It couldn’t have been easy for him to deal with both Luke and the Guards, not to mention hearing about Annie and the accident again. It was no surprise to hear him say he wasn’t very hungry. Stress played havoc with the digestive system.
    When the waiter came by to take their order, Emer chose baked mussels for an appetiser, and Jack ordered the minestrone soup, without much enthusiasm. He also ordered a beer.
    ‘Jack, you don’t have to pass up on meat just because I don’t eat it,’ Emer