The Stone House Read Online Free PDF Page B

unbelieving, getting her breath and trying to think. She dialled the operator and got put straight through to the airline, the words tumbling out as she told them her situation. They could put her on the last flight from Heathrow to Dublin but she would have to be there in just over two hours and fifteen minutes. She booked it and stood trembling at the dining-room door. Patrick came out to join her.
    â€˜Is it the kids? What’s happened? Is one of them sick?’
    She shook her head.
    â€˜We have to leave right now. Mammy’s in hospital, Kate says she’s in intensive care, and they are doing everything they can to save her. I’ve got to go straight away, I can get a seat on the last Aer Lingus flight from Heathrow.’
    â€˜We can’t just walk out on Hilary and Ken like that.’
    â€˜It’s my mother, for God’s sake!’
    She could see it in his face. He was torn between staying at the party and getting her to the airport.
    â€˜You bastard!’ she screamed at him. ‘You stay here if that’s what you want but I’m going home to Ireland!’
    Hilary and Ken appeared, and Moya quickly explained the situation. Hilary hugged her close.
    â€˜I remember the day I got word about my mother, Lord rest her. Ken and I drove to Scotland like two maniacs. No, you’ve got to go and get on that flight, get home as soon as you can.’
    â€˜I’m sorry for ruining your party,’ she apologized.
    â€˜Don’t even think like that, my dear,’ insisted Ken. ‘Family must come first.’
    Three hours later she had boarded the flight, a small bag stuffed with essentials by her teenage daughter stored in the overhead rack. Moya closed her eyes and silently prayed.

Chapter Four
    ROMY STARED AT the ceiling, listening to the distant hum of traffic from Lexington and 57th Street below and the night sounds of the city as Greg lay snoring slightly beside her, his arm flung across her chest, his naked body close to hers. She stroked his skin: it was soft and warm and she loved the way he smelled. Wholesome and manly, he didn’t douse himself with colognes and body sprays and deodorants like some of the guys she’d been with. He didn’t need to. She pushed herself into the curve of his shoulder wishing she could snuggle there and drift into sleep. She needed to sleep, forget her aunt’s call and the lonesome thought of her mother lying in a hospital bed. Going home was something she didn’t even want to think about. Where did Kate and her Aunt Vonnie get off with telling her what to do!
    Vonnie had even threatened never to speak to her again if she didn’t fly home immediately. She’d had a bellyful of them all and the very thought of returning to Rossmore and seeing the Stone House where she’d grown up made her feel panicked and nervous. She hadno wish to revisit that part of her life, and as far as she was concerned there was no going back.
    Guilt tormented her as she tossed and turned, rebuking her, forcing her to confront the possibility of her mother dying without her presence. A sound of utter despair escaped from her.
    â€˜Hey, Romy, are you OK?’
    She was too choked to speak, too wrapped up in her own misery.
    â€˜You’re thinking about your mother.’
    She nodded in the darkness.
    He rolled over towards her, and Romy was glad of his comforting warmth as she buried her face against his shoulder, wanting to erase the anxiety and dread within her.
    â€˜You know, I wasn’t there when my dad died,’ he confided. ‘I was away at college when he had his heart attack.’
    â€˜That wasn’t your fault!’
    â€˜I know, but they’d sent word to the dean. But, I’d skipped lectures that day. Took off with a few of the guys and was busy skirt-chasing and downing beers when my old man passed on. He’d been fit and healthy up till then.’
    â€˜You being there wouldn’t have