Divided Loyalties Read online

  ‘Just bacon for me, no sausages or fried bread. That’s laden with cholesterol,’ Della said self-righteously.

  ‘Ah get a life,’ Greg jeered and Eddie laughed. ‘Lash it on here, boyo,’ he urged Greg greedily.

  Shauna tried to ignore her feelings of distaste as she watched her brother-in-law shovel egg, sausage, bacon and mushrooms into his mouth.

  ‘Did Kathryn have some breakfast?’ Della asked idly.

  ‘Porridge,’ Shauna said dryly. ‘I fed the two of them.’

  ‘Excellent.’ Her sister-in-law ignored the pointed barb and buttered some toast. ‘Are we going for a walk on the beach?’ she asked. ‘The weather’s picked up.’

  ‘You go if you’re that energetic.’ Her husband shook his head.

  ‘Will we bring the kids?’ Della turned to Shauna.

  ‘OK,’ Shauna agreed. It was a gorgeous day, cold and clear, perfect for a bracing walk on the beach, and she wanted Chloe to get some fresh air.

  Three hours later she and Della were strolling back along the strand to the car while the children ran and skipped gaily ahead of them.

  ‘This is a great amenity to have on your doorstep, and to be so near the city,’ Della remarked.

  ‘Yeah, it is. Having been brought up by the sea, I always wanted to live by the sea.’

  ‘And you’re so near town, lucky thing.’ Della’s little hazelnut eyes gleamed enviously.

  ‘Cavan is nice too. You have that lovely lake close to you, and gorgeous countryside.’

  ‘Um,’ Della said unenthusiastically.

  ‘And all that organic meat and veg you can get,’ Shauna wittered on, wondering whether she would get a chance to do some more Christmas shopping. She was almost finished but she had a few last-minute stocking fillers to get and she was trying to be as organized as possible.

  ‘Will I get you an organic turkey? I can order it from the butcher I get all my organic meat from. I couldn’t bear a frozen turkey.’ Della sniffed.

  ‘I wouldn’t dream of serving a frozen turkey.’ Shauna was stung by her sister-in-law’s smug superiority. ‘I’ve got an organic turkey on order already and I’ll be getting veg and potatoes fresh from Dan. So you needn’t worry about the quality of food you’ll be eating,’ she added tartly.

  ‘Oh, I didn’t mean anything. Your food is always delicious.’ Della backtracked rapidly.

  Smug bitch. Shauna was hopping mad. Don’t let her get to you, she told herself, trying to regain her equilibrium. This was what she hated about Della: her sister-in-law could press her buttons so easily. Was she just extra prickly or was she justified in feeling mad? Her dad pushed her buttons, Della pushed her buttons, Eddie pushed her buttons. She was a disaster, she thought glumly.

  Carrie got on great with her sisters-in-law; they were very nice girls. Could Della be described as ‘nice’ in any circumstances? Shauna didn’t honestly think so.

  ‘I wonder will we have a white Christmas?’ She wrapped her scarf tighter round her and changed the subject. It was bitterly cold and the tops of the Dublin Mountains were covered in snow.

  ‘The kids would love it. Maybe we should come early on Christmas Eve in case the roads are icy,’ the other woman said offhandedly.

  Shauna’s jaw dropped. Della was planning to come on Christmas Eve! She could get lost. Shauna would have enough on her plate without having the three of them in the house the day before Christmas. She took a deep breath. This was too much. She’d been manipulated enough; it was time to put her foot down.

  ‘If you don’t mind, Della, I’d prefer if you did Christmas Eve in your own house with Kathryn. We’ll be up to our eyes and Chloe doesn’t really understand about Santa so she’ll be going to bed at the usual time with no fuss. We always go to Mam’s grave on Christmas morning and Carrie and Dan go visiting his family in the morning as well, so I hope to have the dinner around three thirty or so to give everybody time. OK? If you leave between one thirty and two you’ll be in plenty of time. It just makes life that much easier all round,’ she said very, very firmly.

  ‘But we can come and help,’ Della protested. ‘You shouldn’t have to do it all on your own,’ she added with sugary insincerity.

  ‘I won’t be on my own, don’t worry. I’ll have Greg,’ Shauna said resolutely. ‘We’ll see you Christmas Day.’

  ‘Oh! OK, if that’s what you want,’ Della said sulkily.

  ‘Great. We should get home. You’ll probably want to be heading off so you won’t be driving in the dark. The traffic was very heavy today, wasn’t it?’ If she was putting the boot in she might as well do it properly, Shauna decided. For Della’s presumption, she was damned if she was going to ask them to stay to lunch. They’d had such a feast at breakfast time they couldn’t possibly be hungry anyway, she thought nastily.

  ‘I might give Kathryn something to eat before we go. She’ll be hungry after the walk,’ Della said coldly, thoroughly miffed.

  ‘I have brown bread and tuna. Just what she likes.’ Shauna smiled brightly, ignoring her sister-in-law’s tone. It was rare to get the better of Della, and it felt good. If Greg wanted to cook lunch for his sister he could go right ahead.

  Her husband didn’t seem so inclined. He was working in his office and Eddie was watching sport on the TV.

  ‘I’m just going to get Chloe ready for her nap. There’s brown bread in the bread bin and tuna in the press. Help yourself.’ Shauna waved in the direction of the kitchen.

  ‘Want sausages and biscuits,’ Kathryn demanded.

  ‘There’s sausages in the fridge.’ Shauna smiled sweetly as she popped a bottle in the microwave for Chloe.

  ‘I don’t give Kathryn sausages,’ Della said crossly.

  ‘Whatever. Come on, sprite.’ Shauna tucked Chloe under her arm and headed upstairs. Della could just get over herself. Shauna wasn’t putting herself out over her any more this day.

  It was with some satisfaction that Shauna watched the Keegans drive off an hour later, lunchless. By putting her foot down about Christmas Eve she felt she’d regained some control over the situation. But when she thought about it later, she wondered whether Della would do as she was asked or whether she would, as she had done often in the past, ignore Shauna’s wishes completely and appear on their doorstep on Christmas Eve, one arm as long as the other, ready for another free-loading episode. They hadn’t even left so much as a bottle of wine this time, she thought indignantly as she closed the door behind them.

  ‘They’d better not arrive on my doorstep on Christmas Eve after what I’ve said to her,’ Shauna told Carrie grimly, later on, ‘or, by God, there’ll be a row to beat all rows, I can promise you that. She had the nerve to say that she couldn’t bear to eat a frozen turkey, as if I’d buy one. She offered to get one at her butcher’s, as if we can’t get organic here.’

  ‘You big eejit, you should have let her get it and pay for it. You can bet your ass you won’t be getting anything else from Les Misérables,’ Carrie chided.

  Shauna guffawed. ‘Les Misérables! Carrie, you’re downright nasty, but I love it. You’re right, I suppose. Bad thinking on my part, but she’d only have arrived with an oversized hen. And she’d have arrived with it on Christmas Eve, so no thanks. It wouldn’t be worth it. I’ve ordered a twenty-two pounder so there’ll be enough meat for you to take some home with you. I know Dan likes his turkey sandwiches on Stephen’s Day.’

  ‘Thanks, Shauna. I was half thinking of getting one to cook on Stephen’s Day myself.’

  ‘Don’t bother! What’s the point of coming to me for dinner if you’ve to cook a friggin’ turkey? Take as much as you want of mine and for God’s sake relax. That’s the whole point of not having to do Christmas.’

  ‘OK, I surrender,’ Carrie assured her. ‘How about if I ring Della nearer Christmas and ask her what beer does Eddie prefer as we’ll be bringing over a few cans and say something like “See you for lunch on Christmas Day”? Then she’ll know that I know she’s coming on Christmas Day and
she mightn’t be so inclined to pull a “surprise surprise” stunt!’

  ‘Oh, good thinking, Carrie. That might put a halt to her gallop.’

  ‘It better,’ Carrie said firmly before hanging up. Shauna smiled. Della would think twice about landing on her doorstep on Christmas Eve after Carrie had sorted her.

  ‘Honestly, Eddie, imagine expecting us to drive to Dublin on Christmas Day. You could have knocked me down with a feather. Shauna can be so thoughtless sometimes. I even offered to help with the dinner preparations on Christmas Eve. She can be very ungracious, that girl.’ Della was livid. ‘And you’d think they would have given us some lunch before we left. I hope she doesn’t expect us to drive home on Christmas night. I wouldn’t put it past her.’

  ‘Don’t be daft, Della. They won’t expect us to go home Christmas night, I’m telling you,’ Eddie assured her. He patted his rotund belly. He was a big stocky man, with double chins, fat fingers, and ruddy cheeks. He loved his grub. ‘I intend to have a big feed, and a good few scoops so I won’t be able to drive and you just say you’re too tired because you’re pregnant. They won’t expect us to drive home late Christmas night.’

  ‘Carrie and Dan and the rest of them will have to,’ Della snapped.

  ‘They only live up the road. We live in the country,’ he pointed out.

  ‘I’m pissed off about it, anyway. Imagine inviting people to come for Christmas and expecting them to drive on Christmas Day. The day will be practically over by the time we sit down to dinner. Some hosts they are,’ Della grumbled, conveniently forgetting that it was she who’d invited herself to Shauna and Greg’s in the first place.

  9

  ‘Any sign?’ Carrie’s voice floated down the telephone wires around midday on Christmas Eve.

  ‘Not so far. My nerves are in shreds.’ Shauna sighed.

  ‘I’ll be over in under an hour and then we’ll go and pick Bobby up, OK? Stay calm, little sister. I’ll bring the potatoes and veg with me.’

  ‘OK, see you soon.’ Shauna smiled, glad of Carrie’s support. She hung up and continued wrapping the last of her presents, a set of warm pyjamas and a big Barney cuddly toy for Kathryn. She’d left them until the last minute, afraid that Chloe would somehow manage to get her hands on the Barney and want him for herself. Her daughter was fast asleep in her cot, but Shauna was a little concerned that she was cutting another tooth. She was doing an awful lot of dribbling. Shauna didn’t want her to be fractious on Christmas Day. There was nothing more wearing on company than a cranky toddler.

  The house was spotless; she’d had the mini-maids in the previous day. The linen was changed on the beds in the guest room and the smaller bedroom just in case Bobby decided to stay a night. She hoped that he would; she was longing to spend time with him. He’d promised that he would come out to visit her in the Gulf. That would be a treat to look forward to.

  It would be nice having sun to heat up her bones, and to go swimming in the warm sapphire waters that lapped the Emirates. She was looking forward to some decent shopping too. January was actually an excellent time to be going out there, she acknowledged. The contrast between sunny, bright, balmy Abu Dhabi and grey, freezing, wintry Ireland would be enough to put a smile on anyone’s face.

  In the circumstances she felt quite cheerful. She was reasonably organized. She had sorted all the clothes that she was bringing to the Gulf. All summer stuff, fortunately, which didn’t make life too difficult. She’d packed books, CDs and about five copies of Vanity Fair that she had being trying to catch up on for the past few months. She had her sewing machine and accessories all ready and the van was coming to collect everything on the 28th. Greg had his packing sorted too. Once their stuff was gone, she’d know there was no going back.

  She looked around the lounge, pleased with her Christmas decorations. She’d gone for gold, green and red, and her tree was a sight to behold, sparkling and shimmering in the bay window. The red and white lights of the tree reflected in the polished wood of the floor, giving a very satisfying effect and showing up the gleaming sheen the mini-maids had achieved.

  The mantelpiece was draped with a bough of pine, holly and ivy and the scent of the pine, mixed with the scent of the satsumas studded with cloves and dusted with cinnamon, was a treat for the senses. Two red candles in gold candlesticks stood at either end of the mantelpiece. She’d have them lighting on Christmas Day. Sprays of frosted gold and red-berried dried branches in a Louise Kennedy glass vase in the alcove beside the chimney breast was her only other decoration. Shauna liked the idea of less is more. She’d had the sofas and chairs steam-cleaned and the gold fabric had come up wonderfully clean. She was very pleased with it. The rich, dark green colour of the walls lent a warm, cosy air to the room and the gold curtains, which matched the fabric on her sofa and chairs, were draped elegantly over the wooden poles framing the window, finishing off the room. Shining rosewood units shone under their polishing and the crystal in the drinks cabinet sparkled. The lounge ran the width of the house and was ideal for entertaining. It was her favourite room.

  Across the hall in the dining room, her mahogany table, polished within an inch of its life, was dressed with her best linen, crystal and cutlery. Chunky red and gold crackers decorated every place setting. The adults would enjoy them as much as the kids. She’d make a fresh centrepiece of holly, ivy and red roses in the morning and that was all she had to do there. She’d been determined to set the table while Chloe was asleep. It was a time-consuming job and the last thing she needed to be doing on Christmas Day.

  Greg had gone out to get the car washed and fill it with petrol and do a few other little ‘chores’, he’d told her, and she guessed that he was buying her Christmas present. It irritated her. He’d had weeks to do that and yet he’d left it to the last minute. He’d better be back in time so that she could go to the airport with Carrie to collect Bobby.

  The doorbell rang and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Was it Della and co.? she wondered with a sinking heart. She edged behind the Christmas tree and tried to peer out the window. She couldn’t see their car in the drive. Relief flooded her as she hurried out to the hall. It was her neighbour, Hilary, with a bottle of champagne and a gift-wrapped present for Chloe.

  ‘Hi, honey. I’m dropping this in now because we’re heading over to Galway. Have a great Christmas and we’ll see you when we get back.’ She gave Shauna a warm hug.

  ‘Come in and have a drink while I get yours,’ Shauna invited.

  ‘Can’t stay for long, hon, John has the car packed. And we want to head off as early as we can. It’s the pits driving in the dark.’

  ‘I know. I won’t delay you, then. Thanks a million for the presents, Hilary,’ Shauna said, bending down to get her neighbour’s Christmas gifts from under the tree.

  They chatted for a few minutes, and as she was standing at the front door waving Hilary off, Shauna heard Chloe stir. She’d hoped that her daughter would sleep longer, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise and she’d sleep longer in the morning.

  She was feeding her some mashed potato and chicken when Carrie arrived, laden. ‘I’ve brought everything over today, veg, potatoes, beer, wine and goodies.’ She unpacked deep shopping bags and went back out to the car to bring in a crate of beer just as Greg was turning into the drive.

  ‘Great timing,’ she grinned. ‘Will you carry this in?’

  ‘Sure,’ he said equably. ‘Did you rob an off-licence? You’re too kind, Carrie. There’s no need for all of this.’

  ‘There is need,’ Carrie said firmly. ‘Fair is fair.’ She often wondered how her brother-in-law felt about Della and Eddie’s meanness, but of course she wouldn’t dream of commenting on it.

  ‘We’d better head off. I’d say the airport will be pandemonium,’ Shauna suggested after she’d packed away Carrie’s shopping.

  ‘Yeah, and the traffic is dire. We’ll see you God knows when, Greg.’ Carrie smiled.

  ‘We’ll take my car so you won’t hav
e to drive. It’s bad enough having to come in from White-shells Bay,’ Shauna offered.

  ‘Fine with me,’ Carrie agreed.

  ‘This is great, isn’t it?’ Shauna remarked cheerfully as she reversed out the drive. ‘I feel like a schoolgirl skipping school.’

  ‘Me too. Davey and Olivia are up to ninety and bickering to beat the band, they’re so excited. And if I hadn’t put my foot down and said I was going to collect Bobby from the airport, Dan would still be in his blinking glasshouses.’

  ‘Let’s make the most of it. If we have time we’ll even have a coffee.’

  ‘No arguments from me.’ Carrie stretched her legs and relaxed her head against the headrest. She hadn’t exaggerated about the traffic. It was very heavy and as they neared the airport it became slower-moving and then bumper to bumper.

  ‘Might as well park in car park C. We won’t get parking any closer. Sorry about the walk.’ Shauna pulled her ticket from the machine and the barrier went up.

  She had to circle for fifteen frustrating minutes looking for a space before she finally found one. It was awkward to get into because one of the drivers had parked over the white line and Shauna was fit to be tied as she manoeuvred into the tight spot. As the pair of them eventually hurried through the draughty, fume-filled car park towards Arrivals, Carrie remarked that they’d hardly have time for coffee, unfortunately for her, because she was craving something sweet and had been going to treat herself to a chocolate biscuit.

  They battled their way through the hordes to the monitors and saw that Bobby’s flight was on time and had landed.

  ‘Just in time. Honestly, I could have flattened Greg. He decides to go and do his bits and pieces with the car this morning and I know that he was getting my present as well. Typical of him to leave it to the last minute when I could have done with him in the house. I was half afraid that he wouldn’t be back in time for me to come to the airport. He drives me mad sometimes,’ Shauna confessed as they edged their way towards the arrivals barrier. The airport was chock-a-block and Shauna was already the victim of a trolley bash as harassed travellers headed for the exits.