Excerpt
Her smile disappeared. ‘Oh I’m sorry, Ian. I can’t. Liam’s going out. Tomorrow afternoon I could. As long as I’m back by tea-time. Before Liam goes out.’ Nora looked expectantly at this Scottish builder who was beginning to invade her daily thoughts as she his. Her heart started beating with an excitement she hadn’t felt since Joe Carney was alive.
‘What time?’
‘Half-one, or thereabouts.’
The ash-blonde poked her head round the door. ‘Will Mrs Liam Dooley please stop flirting with the customers and come home to her husband and wee’ns?’
Nora laughed. ‘I’m coming, Bridie,’ she called. Then in a quiet whisper she said, ‘See you tomorrow, Ian.’
Ian walked back into the bar, but his feet did not touch the carpet. ‘One for the road, gentlemen?’ he suggested light-heartedly. ‘A wee deoch an doruis.’
‘Make mine a double,’ said Copplestone. ‘I have a wife upstairs.’
‘And you should have a double yourself, Ian,’ Copplestone’s colleague suggested. ‘To celebrate your victory.’
‘What victory?’ Ian asked innocently.
‘If I’m not mistaken, Ian—and I’m something of an expert in these matters—you won yourself a black-haired beauty this evening. She’s yours, Ian. Heart, soul, and body, she’s all yours.’
҂
‘What will you have to drink, Nora?’
‘Just tea, thank you, Ian. And maybe a couple of digestive biscuits or something.’ Nora looked at the young waiter behind her. ‘Is that all right?’
‘Certainly, madam. Would you like cheese with the biscuits?’
‘No thank you.’
The waiter turned to Ian. ‘And you, sir? What can I get for you?’
‘A Drambuie, please.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘What’s Drambuie?’ Nora asked as the waiter glided away.
‘It’s a Scottish liqueur made from Highland malt Scotch whiskey and heather honey. Just superb. Would you like to try it?’
‘Not just now, thank you. It sounds good, but I’m just gasping for a cup of tea. Maybe some time again.’
Ian caught the words ‘some time again’ and held them like something precious.
