‘I haven’t seen the one you’re talking about, but I think they’re always shite,’ said Ray. ‘A couple of years ago, there was a rapist around Waterford and the police brought out some composite thing that was the image of me. I swear to God. It was in all the papers. I thought I’d be the only one to notice, but everyone started staring at me—’
‘I’d say Richie Bates drew that just to piss you off,’ said Hugh.
‘I wouldn’t put it past him,’ said Ray.
‘Well, after his road rage moment the other day…’ said Joe.
‘What has he done now?’ said Ray.
‘What do you mean? You’re the one who was there.’
Ray stared at him.
‘With the garbage on the road outside your house?’
Ray and Hugh exchanged glances. Ray snorted a laugh.
Three beers arrived in front of them and the conversation changed.
Robert Harrington climbed out his window onto the conservatory roof, straddling the glass panes, placing his feet carefully on the aluminium. He walked down slowly, then jumped into the garden, sprinting across it and out onto the road.
‘Free gaff,’ said Shaun, when he answered the door. ‘Mom and Dad are out.’
‘You and your Irish expressions,’ said Robert. ‘Shouldn’t you be saying, like “home alone” or something? You look like shit, by the way.’
‘Thanks. Come in. I’ll tell you everything. My life is a mess. I think we should raid the drinks cabinet.’
‘Any excuse,’ said Robert. ‘And I’ve called Ali. She’s on her way.’
The kitchen table was covered with files. Frank sat, leaning on his elbows, studying an open folder. Nora stood in the doorway.
‘I thought I’d tell you about what happened today—’
Frank raised his hand to stop her. Then he looked up with his magnified eyes.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I’m up to my neck trying to work it all out.’ He pushed himself back from the table.
‘I know you are, pet,’ said Nora. ‘You look pale. And your dark circles are huge,’ she smiled. ‘Are you all right?’
‘My stomach is in bits.’ He nodded towards the coffee pot.
‘It’s worth it sometimes,’ she said, smiling. ‘If you’ve got a lot on. To keep you going.’
‘I just…it’s driving me mad trying to work out why Katie picked me out of everyone to call. Why not 999 or the station or Shaun for that matter? Although, they were arguing, so I suppose…’ He sighed. ‘I just don’t know.’
‘Don’t let O’Connor hear you say that.’
They laughed.
‘Don’t worry about the call. You’ll find out soon enough what it was all about,’ said Nora, walking over and squeezing his shoulders. She tilted the lamp beside him.
‘That’s better.’
‘Thanks,’ he said.
‘I’ll leave you to it.’
As Joe swung the Jeep into the drive, his headlights hit the top of the lighthouse, where he saw a figure leaning dangerously over the balcony railings. He reversed the car and the headlights picked up two other people underneath waving at the person above. He slammed his foot on the gas and drove halfway down the lane, cutting the engine and jumping out at the steps down to the lighthouse. A misty, drenching rain was falling and as he approached, he saw Ali rooted to the spot. Robert staggered around to face him.
‘Mr Lucchesi,’ he said, pointing up at the balcony. ‘It’s Shaun. He’s hammered. He says he’s going to jump.’ Robert stank of beer, but had been shocked almost sober.
‘Jesus Christ,’ said Joe. ‘What the hell’s going on?’
‘Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod.’ Ali was hysterical.
‘We were drinking in the house,’ said Robert. ‘Then he wanted to come outside in the rain, so we said yeah and he said he wanted to show us the lighthouse and he ran ahead and he’s been hanging over the railings for ages saying he wants to die. We didn’t know what to do. We couldn’t leave him.’
‘Where’s Anna?’ said Joe.
‘I don’t know,’ said Robert. ‘Shaun said she’s out.’
‘Did he take anything?’ said Joe.
‘Like drugs? No. He just mixed his drinks.’
‘Shit,’ said Joe.
They both watched as Shaun vomited into the wind and it flew back against him.
‘I want to die,’ he moaned.
‘Well, I want to kill you,’ said Joe under his breath.
Robert smiled. ‘I’m sorry, Mr Lucchesi. I had no idea—’
‘It’s not your fault,’ said Joe. ‘He’s been having a rough time. It was inevitable.’
‘You don’t want to die, Shaun,’ shouted Joe. ‘Come on down, for God’s sake. I’ll get you a coffee.’
‘My life is over,’ shouted Shaun, holding onto the railings, swaying backwards. ‘Katie’s gone and everyone thinks I killed her.’
‘No, they don’t,’ shouted Robert.
‘What would you know?’ said Shaun. ‘Your dad doesn’t even want you near me.’
Robert shrugged his shoulders at Joe.
‘Come on, son,’ said Joe to Shaun. ‘This is just the beer talking. I’m gonna come up to you and we’re gonna come down together. Can you stay where you are?’
‘Just fuck off and leave me alone,’ roared Shaun, trying to raise his knee to climb up. He stumbled back, slumping against the wall, his stomach folded in two. He threw up again, wiping the vomit away with his sleeve.
‘Aw, Jesus,’ said Joe. ‘I’m going up, guys. Wait here. He’s not gonna jump. He wouldn’t even be able to get his leg over that railing.’
Joe ran through the double doors and up the stairs into the lantern house, pushing through the open door onto the balcony. Shaun was weeping now, his hands rubbing at his eyes, his shoulders heaving. Joe sat down and pulled him towards him, smoothing his hair down, telling him it was all going to work out just fine. He called down to Robert and Ali to go home.
After half an hour, he managed to drag Shaun to his feet and guide him back down the stairs and out for a walk across the grass to the house. Shaun muttered random thoughts the whole way, swinging wildly from one emotion to the next.
‘Anna,’ called Joe when he arrived in.
‘Mother,’ shouted Shaun in an English accent. ‘Oh, Mother.’ Joe laughed.
‘Did Mother tell you she was going out earlier?’ asked Joe.
‘No,’ said Shaun. ‘I don’t remember. Maybe. But who really knows?’ He sighed.
‘Well, you’re clearly no use to me. Bed. Now. Actually, shower first.’
Shaun slumped to the floor and curled into a ball, his face resting on a bristled mat, his eyes closed.
‘Get up,’ said Joe, hauling him off the carpet. He dragged him towards his room. ‘You can do the rest.’
Joe looked into the kitchen, but it was dark and empty. He went upstairs and called Anna’s name again. He got no answer.
TWENTY-FOUR
