‘That was you, Ma.’

‘My name is Mammy,’ Vera said; she hated being called Ma, but she almost gave away a smile.

This new relationship wasn’t ideal but it worked, and it was nice to have someone in her life even if it was her difficult mother.

She rang her from the salon. Vera insisted on answering her mobile phone with the words, ‘The Shaw residence.’

‘I won’t have time to call in today but the supermarket is dropping off a shop between two and five.’

‘Why don’t you have time?’

‘Because I have a life.’

‘Since when?’

‘Since today.’

‘Oh well, good for you.’

‘Thank you, Ma,’ she said, and she hung up.

After the beautician had worked her magic she had shopping to do, all in preparation for her new job – at least that’s what she told herself even as a chatty Cork woman yanked hair from her vagina.

‘I’m seeing a few greys down there, so if you’re thinking about laser it’s now or never,’ the girl said. Jesus Christ, what the hell . . .

After that she dropped a ton in the shops, mostly on workwear, but she also bought herself a new dress for the gig that night. She received a text from Davey in the afternoon:

I can’t believe you didn’t give me the heads-up. See you later. ☺

She was excited, like a child on Christmas morning. She told herself it was because of the gig. It would be a trip down memory lane. Seeing everyone, Juliet especially. She couldn’t wait to see her little pal. She had often thought about flying over to see her but then with her mother’s stroke and finishing up at work and her friendship with Davey . . . It seemed too complicated. Better to reunite on home ground. The lads would all be there, the old crowd, playing and bantering, and it would be a fitting tribute to Rabbit and Johnny. She’d been looking forward to it for weeks. She didn’t allow herself to think about seeing Davey; the feelings that conjured up were too real. She had always loved him one way or another, but during the past year she’d fallen hard although she was in denial. We are not meant to be. It’s stupid. I’m just lonely and grieving. I’ve lost my best friend. He lives in the States. If it were real it would have happened by now. There were so many arguments against her feeling what she was feeling, but she felt it anyway. Ignore, deny, forget. That was her motto. We’re friends, that’s it, she thought as she walked around the shops looking for the perfect shoes to match her perfect dress with a raw and sticky fanny. I hope this new job is worth it.

Chapter Forty-Three: Grace

Chapter Forty-Three

Grace

GRACE WOKE WITH A cough and a splutter as the laryngeal mask airway was removed.