Author's note – Thank you so much for all the reviews and I'm really sorry for torturing you. All will be explained soon, I promise. Although, I'm really enjoying hearing your theories!
Assumpta was busy in the kitchen preparing for lunchtime. They were getting into a bit of a routine now. Abby and Sam had been looking forward to their second day at the village school and Molly had been much less clingy when she'd left her at nursery that morning. The move definitely seemed to have been good for the kids and had taken their mind off Peter's whereabouts a little. She still couldn't decide if it had made things better or worse for her.
She pulled her phone out of the pocket of her jeans to check it and sighed when she saw there was no signal. It had become something of a habit for her to routinely check her phone throughout the day since everything had happened, and it made her feel slightly panicky that she didn't have a good signal here. She resolved to walk the dog up onto the hills later and see if she could find some reception there.
The door went and she stuck her head into the bar to see Padraig coming in.
"Morning Assumpta."
"Morning Padraig, what can I get you?"
"A favour, well two actually."
"Oh yeah?" She raised her eyebrows but grinned.
"You know Kevin's getting married?"
"Yeah, Christmas wedding isn't it, in Dorset?" Padraig had called them excitedly a few months ago to tell them all about his son's upcoming nuptials to a girl he'd met a few years previously at university in London.
"Yeah, well it should've been."
"Why what's happened?"
"All that summer flooding in England. You know the south coast was badly hit?" Assumpta nodded. "Well their venue has been ruined. They say there's no way they'll have everything sorted until well into next year. The whole town's a bit of a mess."
"That's awful."
"Yeah and the thing of it is all the other venues are booked up, very popular time of year for weddings. So Kev called me last night and asked me what I thought about them doing it here in Ballyk instead."
"And they'd both want that?"
"Yeah, apparently she and her parents are so upset they just want it sorted, you know?" Assumpta nodded again, still not entirely sure where she fitted into all this. "Well Kev's told them all about here and they've seen some pictures and they've all agreed that if it could be done they'd go for it. So I've been up to the church to speak to Father O'Connell and he's got a free slot."
"That's grand Padraig. Are you wanting to have the reception here?" Assumpta asked.
Padraig looked apologetic and said, "Eh no, there's too many guests I'm not sure they'd all fit in here. But Father O'Connell said we could have the church hall so I wondered if you'd provide the bar?"
"Of course Padraig, that's no bother. When is it?"
"In a couple of weeks."
"What?"
"I know it's a bit soon but it was the only time the church and hall were both free. I spoke to Kev and they think they want to go for it."
"God they're a brave pair, that's not long to reorganise a wedding."
"No it's not," he agreed. "They're coming over tomorrow so she can see Ballyk. Which bring me to the other favour I wanted to ask."
"Go on."
"I really want to make her feel at home and they never had a proper engagement party so..." He looked beseechingly at Assumpta.
"You want to put on a party here for them?"
"Yeah, tomorrow night?"
"It's not much notice Padraig to organise everything."
"I know."
"But Kevin definitely deserves a good homecoming so we'll see what we can do," she smiled.
"Assumpta, you're a wonder!" He grasped her by the shoulder affectionately. Then ran out the door saying, "Just do whatever you think's best, I'll pick up the tab." Assumpta was left shaking her head and grinning.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The next day it was all hands on deck in Fitzgeralds. Orla was in the kitchen preparing food, Assumpta was unpacking and restocking shelves after persuading the brewery to deliver a few days early and Niamh was sorting the decorations whilst keeping an eye on Liam and Donal who were assembling the sound system. Amazingly they'd been able to find a band who were free and willing to come at short notice.
Assumpta grinned as she knelt by the bar fridge, filling it with lager while listening to Niamh berating Liam and Donal for getting in her way.
Everyone had gotten a bit older in Ballykissangel. People had got married, had kids, their kids were getting married but as she listened to Niamh, Liam and Donal and thought about her other friends she realised nothing had really changed. She tried to contain a snort of laughter while Niamh reprimanded Liam and Donal like they were school kids for having tangles of wires everywhere. She grinned again as she overheard Donal admitting to Liam that he had no idea what to plug in where. She probably should have been more worried about Liam and Donal's attempts but it was so nice to be back in Ballyk, where the outside world seemed very distant and almost irrelevant, that she didn't have the heart.
Peter would have enjoyed the absurdity, the chaos and the fact that everyone had pulled together to help Padraig, she thought and then stopped herself, deciding that particular train of thought wouldn't do her any good at all.
The door went and Assumpta finished what she was doing and stood up to see Brian enter.
"Ah Dad can you have a look at what these two are doing?" Niamh nodded towards Liam and Donal who were both on their hands and knees behind the phone table in the corner.
"I'm retired Niamh, that means not having to deal with Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee," he said in a low voice and then in a louder one called over, "Alright there lads?".
"Grand Mr Quigley," Liam called back and turned back to Donal, "Plug that in there will you."
"See Niamh they're grand. I came in to say hello to the new landlady, or returning landlady I should say."
"Hi Brian, you well?"
"Can't complain." He paused and then said softly, "It's nice to see you back Assumpta. You're settling in okay and the kids?"
"Fine thanks." Assumpta was taken aback by Brian's concern.
Brian nodded and then said, "And when will we be seeing that husband of yours again?"
Assumpta was becoming more use to this question now and was more practised with her answer and deflections. "Not sure Brain. What can I get you, on the house."
"Whisky thanks."
She poured the drink and handed it to him; he was still watching her closely. "Cheers and welcome back." He held the glass up to toast her. "Ballyk has definitely been quieter since the pair of you left, less drama." His tone and meaning were difficult to read.
"Missed us did you?" She said mildly.
"Maybe I did, maybe I did. I hear you've already been giving Father Mac a hard time and scaring Father O'Connell?"
"Father Mac came in here looking for a fight and if Father O'Connell scares that easily then I'm not sure how he's lasted this long."
"Well he's no Peter Clifford that's for sure," he replied so inscrutably that Assumpta was unsure whether this was a criticism or a compliment.
She frowned and left him to his drink.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Amazingly between the three of them Assumpta, Niamh and Orla had managed to pull everything together for the party. The band was playing in one corner, and Liam and Donal must have figured out the wires because they had sound and lights. There was a cold buffet laid out and the bar was busy with people clamouring to get drinks from Niamh and Orla.
Assumpta had managed to get all the kids into bed, although she suspected Sam had probably snuck his light back on and was reading. She was now trying to stay in the kitchen as much as possible and was currently washing things up that could easily have waited. In reality she was avoiding the crowds of people in the bar who she felt were watching her and speculating upon Peter's whereabouts. No one had actually said anything to her and she certainly hadn't been subjected to any of the taunts or abuse that she'd had when she and Peter's relationship had first gone public. However, she could still feel the looks and pitying glances and occasionally, she suspected, the smug 'told you it would never last' comments behind her back. She smacked the chopping board she was holding down hard on the worktop in frustration making Brody, who'd been curled up in his bed, jump.
"Sorry Brody, but if all those people knew what was really going on." The dog came over and pushed his nose into her hand in reply. She absentmindedly scratched him behind the ears with one hand whilst checking her mobile with the other. She groaned, still no reception and with trying to organise the party she hadn't had time to get up the hill to where there was stronger signal.
She popped her head round the door into the bar to see that Padraig was starting to make a speech. Kevin and his fiancée, Nicola, were standing next to him smiling. Assumpta had only had a chance to hug Kevin briefly and congratulate him before he'd been swept away by old friends who wanted to discuss his stag party. Padraig had introduced her to Nicola who was petit with dark blonde hair, freckles and an infectious smile. She seemed pleased to be in Ballyk and excited to meet everyone, it was hard not to warm to her. Padraig was in his element introducing her to half the village and Assumpta was genuinely happily for them all.
She leant against the doorway to listen to Padraig's speech but could feel the glares of Kathleen and a few of the other "church ladies" on her so she slipped back into the kitchen.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Padraig was midway through his speech, waxing lyrical about the beauty of Ballyk and what a nice location it would make for a wedding, when he realised he was losing his audience. He faltered as some people at the back began to whisper amongst themselves and glance at the door. Padraig looked at the doorway to see what could possibly be more interesting than his three page, joke-filled speech.
Niamh turned to see what had caught Padraig's attention, as did the rest of the pub. Standing in the doorway was a tall man who wore brown combat trousers, a creased dark green shirt and was carrying a battered rucksack. His hair was beginning to recede and had faded to grey around the temples, his build was slightly heavier than it used to be and he had a scruffy looking beard, but Peter Clifford was still recognisable.
The crowd started muttering as slowly people began to recognise him despite the beard and dishevelled appearance.
He stood in the doorway looking taken aback at the mass of people who were staring back at him. He dropped the rucksack he was carrying to the floor and smiled self consciously at the assembled crowd, but his eyes were searching for someone. All eyes including his turned to the kitchen door when Assumpta remerged into the bar. She looked around curiously, probably suddenly aware of the lack of noise then her eyes fell on him and the plate she was carrying crashed to the floor. They locked eyes with each other and the entire room seemed to hold their breath.
Assumpta took a step forward, her eyes still locked on Peter's then she let out a cry that was somewhere between a gasp and a sob before launching herself at Peter. She didn't have far to go because Peter crossed the floor in a couple of strides. He caught her and pulled her tightly towards him wrapping his arms around her.
The locals exchanged some glances but still no one spoke, they were all transfixed by the couple who were clinging onto each other in the middle of the pub. Assumpta's face was buried in his chest and Niamh thought she could hear her crying. Peter had buried his face in Assumpta's hair and seemed to be muttering words of comfort.
Niamh heard him mumble, "I'm so sorry we got trapped and couldn't get any word out."
Slowly Assumpta seemed to regain control and Peter loosened his fierce grip on her ever so slightly. She pulled back just far enough to look up at him. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, knackered," he said giving her a tired smile. "Are you okay, the kids?"
"We will be now." She gazed at him taking in his battered appearance and tired eyes and whispered, "You're really okay?"
He nodded and kissed her mumbling, "I missed you." Assumpta flung her arms round his neck and kissed him back. They were oblivious to everyone around them.