Mike listened and knew somewhere in his mother’s words there was a ‘but’. ‘Mum, tell me, what did Eric do while I was away?’

She stared up at her son and chewed her lip. ‘Mikey, I don’t have a favourite. I love you both the same. But, I have to say, when Eric disappeared to Spain or wherever, I disliked him. I couldn’t get my head around the fact that he left you inside to rot. Your father felt the same. He was so disappointed with Eric. You know, it made him sick. But the fact of the matter is, we’ve still no idea what his life is about, even though he’s been back a while, and we’ve lost interest in his business affairs anyway.’

Turning the phone over in his hand, he looked at his mother, and a cold expression clouded him. ‘Well, Eric seems to be doing okay for himself, so perhaps it’s best that he stays away from the firm. I mean, when he did come to visit me, he almost pleaded to be back in with us. I dunno, that was a month ago. Perhaps he’s changed his mind.’

Gloria slowly nodded, in acknowledgement. ‘Mikey, the lads have been so good, they’ve well and truly had your back. My advice is to stick with them, babe.’

It seemed so natural to talk to his mother about issues he would otherwise have discussed with his father.

‘I love you, Mum. I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve put you through. I just want you to know, I appreciate everything.’

Gloria tilted her head to the side, surprised at her son’s remark. He wasn’t the type to be soppy, and yet his kind heart made him the man he was.

Unlike Eric.

***

As Shamus left, he looked back at the imposing grand house and shuddered. He hadn’t wanted to look at Zara’s wrist, yet his eyes had been drawn, and a sick feeling coiled around him. It wasn’t because what he’d seen was gruesome but for the fact that he’d been sitting with her in the house that had actually been her prison while she nursed a terrible wound.

His mind was electric as he walked to his car. Never in his life had he met a woman more determined. His uncle was right when he’d told him not to be fooled by her dainty looks: she was smart and dangerous. He realized that for himself because there was no way he would sit in a house that would project so many horrific memories and act like it was nothing. With her obvious disability, frail and almost pitiful, she still managed to draw him in, hanging on her every word. It was surreal, and he couldn’t get her off his mind.

***