Hilary ignored him and dialled Norah Clancy’s number and gave her a brief rundown of the situation.
‘Put that little toad on to me,’ Norah commanded. Hilary handed Rory the phone and had to turn away and hide a smile as she heard the blistering tirade he had to endure.
‘Here, she wants to talk to you.’ The electrician handed her the phone back with bad grace and stomped off.
‘Yes, Norah?’ Hilary said.
‘I gave him what for and told him if he wasn’t able to do the job I’d get someone who was. Whatever expenses you’ve incurred coming down today invoice me for them. He’ll be paying. And if he hasn’t done what you want the next time you’re down, he’s off the project. I’ll tell Peter Ryan I want someone new on the job. OK?’ Norah said briskly.
‘Fine. Otherwise it’s all starting to take shape. Talk soon.’ Hilary hung up. Her client was a woman who took no crap, and Rory Tobin had made a big mistake thinking he could get away with ignoring both her and Hilary’s design.
‘Peter, tell your electrician to follow the plan we all agreed on or there’ll be financial consequences. Norah’s going to be talking to you herself,’ Hilary said coolly. ‘I’ll be getting on to the architect as well. He needs to know what’s going on here as does the quantity surveyor.’
‘God help me with the lot of ye,’ the builder muttered. ‘Right, I’ll get it sorted.’
‘I’ll see you in a week then.’ She marched out of the building and left her hard hat in the prefab. Jonathan was standing on top of the grassy bank watching the sun glistening on the sea.
‘Sorted?’
‘Yep,’ she scowled. ‘Thank God Norah’s a strong woman and knows what she wants. Tweedledum and Tweedledee aren’t too happy though.’
‘Oh I think the filthy look you gave them and the ear-bashing from Norah will keep them in their boxes for a while. The place is going to be fabulous though. I can’t wait to decorate. That floor-to-ceiling wall of glass where the relaxation room is going to be will be stunning. What a view! We’ll come down for an overnighter when it’s up and running.’
‘Wonder will Norah give us a discount,’ Hilary grinned.
‘I wouldn’t hold my breath. She’s one tough cookie! She reminds me of Maggie Thatcher, with a hint of Bette Davis thrown in. You know, the permed blonde hair and the ruby-red lipstick and the square-handbag look.’
‘Well she’d need to be a tough nut to deal with that pair.’ Hilary took her wellies off and threw them into Jonathan’s boot and slipped on her shoes. It was a nuisance that she’d have to come back the following week but that was the way it went sometimes. ‘Thanks a million for driving me down,’ she said gratefully, leaning back against the soft leather headrest.
‘No probs. I wanted to see what the place was looking like with the windows in anyway. I can visualize it all much better now. I need to get cracking on sourcing my materials and fixtures and fittings.’
‘Well I could have driven us. It was a treat being chauf-feured.’
‘That’s what friends are for.’ Jonathan handed her a bottle of water and took a swig out of his own.
‘Speaking of “real friends” I got an unexpected text from Colette earlier. I haven’t heard from her in I don’t know how long!’ Hilary glanced over at him.
‘What does Little Miss Me Me Me want?’ Jonathan derided, reversing out of the parking space.
‘She told me she was in the Caribbean—’
‘Well for some, isn’t it?’
‘Don’t be like that,’ Hilary chided. ‘She said she was lonely and missed home and is planning a trip before the summer and hopes we can meet up.’
‘Something must be amiss and she needs your advice,’ Jonathan remarked as they emerged from the narrow secondary road onto the N11 and headed for the Gorey bypass.
‘I hope it isn’t,’ Hilary said firmly. ‘OK, she’s not the best friend in the world and never has been but I hope life is good for her and I’ll meet up with her when she’s home.’
‘You’re the biggest marshmallow going, Hammond! And don’t forget, the only people who appreciate a doormat are people with dirty shoes.’
‘Yes, Jonathan.’ Hilary smiled. ‘And even though I could say things about pots and kettles, I won’t.’
‘No don’t,’ he grinned back at her and put his foot on the accelerator. They sped along making the most of their time together and had a thoroughly enjoyable natter.
The only people who appreciate a doormat are people with dirty shoes. Hilary couldn’t help remembering Jonathan’s acid comment while she sat in Buswells Hotel sipping a second cup of coffee waiting for her sister-in-law to arrive. Sue had chosen the hotel near the Dáil for their meeting, and Hilary had watched several well-known politicians making their way in and out over the past hour as she fumed about Sue’s lack of respect. Typical. She was always late when they arranged to meet. Sue being firmly of the opinion that her time was far more precious than Hilary’s. If she hadn’t wanted to finally have it out with her about her lack of assistance with Margaret, Hilary would have walked. It helped that by the time her tardy sister-in-law arrived she was steaming.
‘Soooo sorry for keeping you.’ Sue swept across the foyer, the long lilac tie-dye scarf wound around her neck floating out behind her. Her heels were impossibly high, her trouser-leg creases knife sharp and she was impeccably made up. ‘We were meeting with some TDs over in the Dáil bar and I simply couldn’t get away,’ she gushed, giving Hilary an air kiss on both cheeks and looking her up and down rather dismissively.
‘You did pick the time and the location, Sue, and I’ve been here for over an hour. I’ve had to postpone a client consult,’ Hilary said coldly. That was a
