Donal had laughed and told her his girls liked to feel needed. He agreed he was perfectly capable of doing the housework and cooking his meals, the proof of which was in the delicious casserole bubbling in his oven, but they’d fallen into routines since Ida had passed. He didn’t want to rock the boat, he’d said. Maureen had pushed the unsettled feeling this information wrought aside. Her girls were beginning to soften where Donal was concerned, she was sure of it. His girls would accept her in their daddy’s life, too.
As she skirted around the sofa sucking up curly poodle hairs, a shiver of trepidation passed through her. How would they take their daddy having a new woman in their life? She’d cross that bridge when she came to it. First things, first. There was a yoga party to be organising.
Chapter 18
1971
Bronagh could feel the package, wrapped in a masculine brown gift wrap paper, burning a hole in the side pocket of her mini-dress as she flapped out the blanket in order to lay it on the grass. She’d arranged to meet Kevin here at midday. The People’s Garden in Phoenix Park was a favourite spot of theirs and she was laying the blanket beside the formal flowerbeds. Behind her the obelisk reared up, separated by the rustling leaves of the line of trees which, if the sun got too hot, they could move under for some shade later.
She bent over, receiving a wolf-whistle for her efforts as she straightened the blanket and hastily sat down. The perpetrator was a spotty jack-the-lad who looked as though he was barely out of school; he was elbowing his pals who were all leering over. She gave them a haughty look before opening the picnic basket so as to have something to do while she waited for Kevin. He was late she realised, but that wasn’t a surprise. Timekeeping wasn’t his strongest suit. Her mouth watered at the sight of the bacon wrapped spam bites and cheese quiche along with a chocolate cake, Kev’s favourite, all made that morning. The Tupperware she’d bought at the party her friend Jeannie had tried to talk her into having a go at selling was wonderful for transporting food, she mused. The bacon bites were calling to her and her tummy rumbled. No, Bronagh, she told herself, wait for Kevin and she shut the lid on temptation.
Mam had commented on how short the skirts were the girls got about in these days as she’d made to leave the house earlier. She’d launched into an ‘in my day’ commentary as Bronagh picked up the picnic basket, pushing her hair back over her shoulders. ‘It’s fashionable, Mam,’ she’d replied, patting her pocket to check the present was there before casting a glance down at her yellow dress.
She’d bought it last summer and had decided she could get away with airing it for another season. The cotton fabric was decorated with bold orange flowers, had capped sleeves, a white Peter Pan collar and yes, it managed to cover her backside, but only just. Her legs were beginning to get a bit of colour she’d noticed, pleased to see they were a shade of honey instead of the pasty white they’d been when she’d finally been able to tuck away her winter gear.
‘And a bird could nest in that hair, Bronagh,’ her mam had added for good measure. Bronagh had seen the twinkle in her eye and knew she was teasing.
It was true though, she’d teased and sprayed it within an inch of its life, securing it back from her face with an Alice band. It was the longest she’d ever worn it. Kevin loved her hair; he’d told her it was her crowning glory and she repeated that sentiment to her mam.
‘Ah, go on with you and enjoy yourselves. You’ve a grand day for it. Remember I’m making the dinner.’
Bronagh had kissed her on the cheek. ‘I’m looking forward to it and so’s Kev, Mam.’ Her mam was enjoying a spell of feeling well. The warmer weather helped as she wasn’t as susceptible to picking up the bugs that saw her go downhill for such long periods. As such, she was determined to cook a birthday dinner for Kevin whom she was growing as fond of as Bronagh was.
She’d called out a goodbye and closing the door behind her had headed down the street to catch the bus to Phoenix Park. Kev had high hopes of saving enough for a car soon and said they’d go all over the show then. She looked forward to it but for today, Phoenix Park was as good a place as any to enjoy a lazy afternoon in the sun.
Now she stretched her legs out, enjoying the warmth of the sun caressing them. Kevin was turning twenty-seven and she’d found the perfect present for him. She couldn’t wait to see his face when he opened it. A bee buzzed past her ear and she sat still as it went on its way. She could hear the distant shouts of children playing and the odd duck quacking. The sounds of summer were all around her and she inhaled the scent of sweet grass as she scanned the faces of the people meandering around the Victorian formal gardens. There was no sign of Kevin though. He was half an hour late now but she couldn’t get annoyed with him on his birthday so she busied herself admiring the reds, oranges and pinks of the well-tended flowerbeds.
She brought Mam here sometimes when she
