Red Letter Day Read Free Page A

take him out any time, but as one of Dublin's main dealers, Mick had a lot of contacts. If Mick Garvey ever wanted to get him, he'd only have to put out the word. So Fergus would continue to do what he'd always done: keep his mouth shut and lie low. He moved quickly in the direction of the bus stop. Maybe coming into town hadn't been such a good idea after all.

Chapter 2
    Celine ran a self-conscious hand through her tangled hair as she went to open the door. 'Hi, Marina.'
    Marina frowned at her friend's pale, miserable face. 'You look like shit.' She walked through to the kitchen and stopped in the doorway. 'What the hell?'
    Most of the shelves were empty, half-filled boxes were on the worktops and table and an assortment of clothes was strewn around the room.
    'I'm moving,' Celine explained.
    'Excuse me?'
    Celine took a pile of clothes off a stool and dumped them on the ground. 'Sit down, it's a long story.'
    Marina perched her slender form on the stool and crossed one long leg over the other. 'Do tell.'
    'I've been having an affair.' Celine didn't look at her friend, concentrating her attentions on opening the wine that her friend had brought.
    Marina stared at her, wide-eyed. 'You're kidding! Who with?'
    Celine went in search of glasses. 'Bloody hell, which box did I put them in?'
    'Celine!'
    She found the glasses and turned to face Marina. 'Kevin Gilligan.'
    'Kevin Gilligan? Kevin Gilligan as in the manager of our local building society, pillar of the community, married to that old bag Eileen?'
    Celine nodded. 'That's the one.'
    'Jesus! How long has this been going on?'
    Celine shrugged. 'A few months.'
    Marina scowled. 'Why didn't you tell me?'
    'Affairs are supposed to be secret,' Celine pointed out.
    'Not from your best friend they're not,' Marina retorted. 'I'm supposed to be involved, supplying you with alibis and the like.'
    'But I don't need alibis. I'm a free agent.'
    'Kevin Gilligan isn't. His wife will take you apart when she finds out.'
    'She already has.'
    'She knows? She didn't come here, did she?'
    Celine gave a wry smile. 'Nothing so discreet, she attacked me in the middle of the golf club.'
    'Bloody hell.'
    'In front of Daddy, Brenda and Alan,' Celine continued.
    'Wow, poor you. When did all this happen?'
    'Last week. Dad's not impressed.'
    'And what about the sainted Brenda?' Marina had never had much time for Celine's sister-in-law.
    'Won't even talk to me.'
    Marina shrugged. 'Well, that's no bad thing.'
    'Brenda's okay.' Celine felt obliged to stick up for Dermot's sister.
    'Oh, I know, she's just so, so . . .' Marina fluttered long fingers around as she searched for a word. 'Settled.'
    Celine stared out of the window, her eyes sad. 'Settled isn't so bad.'
    Marina gave an impatient shrug. 'No, but there's settled and settled. Do you think she and Alan are happy?'
    Celine looked surprised. 'I don't know. I suppose so.'
    'He's quite good-looking.'
    'Alan?' Celine stared at her friend.
    'Yes, in a reserved, intelligent sort of way.'
    'Don't even think about it. I'm in enough trouble with Brenda without you chatting up her husband.'
    'Oh, don't worry, I've had it with married men. It's time poor little Josh had a proper role model in his life.'
    Privately Celine thought 'little Josh' was beyond help but she was surprised at the serious look on Marina's face. 'Are you on the look-out for a new husband?'
    'Yes, I think it's time,' Marina admitted. 'You should think about it yourself. Don't you miss having someone?'
    'I've had Kevin,' Celine reminded her.
    'That was just sex — oh, God, you don't love him, do you?'
    'Of course not.' Celine laughed. 'I'm not dumb.'
    Marina shook her head. 'Dumb enough, my dear. As my old dad used to say, never shit on your own doorstep.'
    'Charming.'
    'But true,' Marina insisted. 'It would probably be best if you dumped the gorgeous Mr Gilligan. Date married men, by all means, but next time go a little further afield. Have you been blackballed at the golf club yet?'
    Celine