I sighed and crossed the road.
‘Nick isn’t here,’ she said as I followed her round the side of the station. ‘He’s down minding the shop.’
My heart sank slightly. After avoiding him for so long this would have been a good excuse to talk to him.
‘I didn’t really want to get a cake,’ said Mary. ‘But Rosie really wanted to blow out the candles, so I had to give in.’
‘Oh yeah, happy birthday, Mary,’ I said. I’d actually forgotten it was Mary’s special day. My mind was racing, trying to link together all the clues.
‘I was out checking if Michael wanted to have a cup of tea with myself and Joe,’ she said. ‘But the lads said he’s gone for a walk up in the forest.’
As I imagined Michael weaving through the conifers, I began to wonder if perhaps he was the person I was looking for. Lydia had said that the killer was too well connected. She’d also said that the man who’d tried to kill her had been going out with one of her friends. And I remembered during the fight in the shop Mary had said he didn’t have an alibi for the night of the murder. Maybe Mary even suspected her own husband. He certainly was a bully. The more I thought about it, the more suspicious I became. It was hard to believe he was Nick’s father.
‘I really better get going, Mary,’ I said, wanting to get back so I could jot all this down in my notebook.
‘Don’t be silly, c’mon in. It won’t take a minute. You’d better hurry before Joe Clancy eats it all!’
I reluctantly followed Mary into the kitchen. I glanced into the sitting room, where Mary’s daughter and her friend sat on the couch watching TV. The volume was so loud that they didn’t even notice us come in.
‘Are you having a nice birthday?’ I asked, trying to appear normal, not wanting to show any signs that I suspected her husband might be a murderer.
‘Ah yeah. It’s been quiet so far. Michael is taking me out for a meal later.’
‘Hi, Jacki,’ said Joe, who was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a cup of tea. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m grand, and yourself?’
‘Ah sure, can’t complain. I was just dropping Mary down her present. Don’t want her to think I’ve forgotten about her,’ he said, giving me a wink. ‘I better head on now. The missus will be wondering where I am. I’ll see ye later.’
‘Right you are, Joe,’ said Mary as he left the kitchen. She took a slice of cake out from a tin and started to wrap it in tinfoil.
‘It’s black forest gateau,’ said Mary, ‘Nick’s favourite. Actually I better remember to keep him a piece!’
The more I heard his name, the worse I felt. I really hoped I’d be able to fix things.
‘Did you get anything nice for your birthday?’ I asked, trying to change the subject.
‘Oh yes. Well, I got that beautiful painting from Colin.’ She pointed over to the far wall, at the painting I’d admired in Colin’s room the first time I’d met him.
‘It’s stunning,’ I said.
‘It’s wonderful. There’s something special about it. And Lydia said she’s dropping down my present later. My sister got me a nice bracelet… and wait till you see what I got from Joe and Rita. I’ll just go and get it.’
Mary hurried out of the kitchen. I looked around the room. Everything in its proper place, everything neat and tidy.
‘Here it is!’
She opened up a gift box to reveal a silver watch.
‘Oh, it’s lovely!’
‘Isn’t it gorgeous? I needed a new watch. Joe must have remembered that. He’s so thoughtful.’ There was a glint in Mary’s eye that I hadn’t seen before.
Chapter 23
‘SURPRISE!’
‘Oh my God!’ screamed Mary.
Everybody cheered. I stood on my tippy toes, trying to see over the crowd. I shuffled in behind Emily, so I could get a better look at Mary’s face.
She looked completely shocked. She had just stepped into the parish hall, which Brigid and Joe had transformed into a sparkling wonderland complete with fairy lights, silver streamers and gold helium balloons.
‘I’m going to kill you, Brigid Smyth!’ said Mary as Brigid gave her a big hug.
‘Don’t blame me! It was all Joe’s idea!’ she said with a smile.
‘No wonder you were trying to get me to wear this dress, Nick! I can’t believe this! This is… this is wonderful!’
‘You deserve it,’ said Joe. ‘And may I say you look lovely.’
She did indeed. Mary was wearing the red silk dress that Lydia had made her for her birthday. It showed off her curves. She’d had her hair blow-dried and was wearing high heels, which meant she now reached Michael’s shoulder. She looked so petite and vulnerable beside this huge man. It was the first time I’d seen Michael out of his police uniform and he looked quite smart in a dark grey suit and blue tie, but he was smiling half-heartedly. He looked like someone incapable of happiness. Couldn’t he at least pretend to enjoy himself?
‘So you didn’t have a clue, Mary?’ said one of the other guests. There were so many people there.
‘Not a notion! I can’t believe it!’ At least Mary was having fun. That’s all that mattered.
I tried not to look at Nick. But I couldn’t help myself. He was wearing a suit. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody look that good in real life. And he was smiling too. Why couldn’t he be in one of his grumpier moods? His warm smile made him even more attractive.
Everybody went up one by one to kiss Mary on the cheek. I was one of the last to greet her.
‘Happy birthday, Mary!’ I said.
‘Oh, thanks, Jacki. Thanks for coming. I can’t believe this! You didn’t give anything away earlier! I should have guessed Joe was up to something.’
‘I love your dress,’ I said.
‘Thank you. Lydia gave it to me for my birthday. Isn’t it gorgeous? I wasn’t going to wear it, thought it was a bit fancy for a restaurant, but Nick insisted. Now I know why! I wasn’t going to a restaurant at all!’
It was nice to see Mary so happy. She really did deserve it.
‘Happy birthday, Mary!’ said David.
‘Thanks!’ she said.
David looked good too. He was wearing denims and a black shirt, which he’d spent ages choosing. Carla and I were ready half an hour before him. There had been talk between Peter and Anne about whether Carla should be grounded, but I was glad that they allowed her to go to the party in the end. And Carla seemed happy in her own way.
‘Jacki,’ said Joe, ‘… can I have a little word?’
‘Of course. Talk to you later, Mary,’ I said.
‘Yes, talk to you later. Oh my God! I can’t believe this! My very own surprise party!’
Joe beckoned me over to the side of the stage. The band had just launched into a rendition of ‘Congratulations’.
‘I’m going to call you up to sing. I’m not sure when it’ll be yet. We’ve to wait till Mary is settled and has said hello to everybody and everything.’ Joe looked anxious. I suppose as one of the chief organizers of this big occasion he wanted everything to go just right. The hall looked great, and everyone seemed to be having lots of fun already. I wasn’t nervous at all. I was excited about performing. I’d really grown to love the song.
‘That’s grand, Joe. Relax. Everything is going great.’ I smiled and he smiled back, but I don’t think he was really listening to me, because he rushed off, still looking flustered.
Everybody from Avarna was in the parish hall that night. Well, almost everybody. Des wasn’t there. I wished he was, just so he could see my mum. She was wearing one of Anne’s blue designer dresses and looked absolutely stunning. I had an idea of how insanely expensive it was, but I didn’t tell Mum. It had a high neckline and dipped down low at the back. She looked like the movie star she’d always dreamed of being. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look so beautiful… except maybe in her wedding photographs. I hadn’t told Mum about my visit to Des. Not yet. I
