He sat down on the bed and just stared at the envelope for a bit. Then
he finally got the courage to open it. He started reading.
Dear Peter,
Michael told me your mum has passed away. I can't tell you how sorry
I am. I know how it must feel, as I've lost both my parents at a young
age as well. Michael gave me your phone number, he told me you asked me
to call. But since you're not coming back for a few weeks yet, I thought
I'd write.
I know Michael told you it's all over with Leo. It just wasn't meant
to happen. Most of it's my fault. I never should've married him. He was
a good friend and that's how it should've stayed. He'll probably never
be able to trust me again. I've let him down terribly, but I had to get
out of it.
When you told me that night in the pub that it was all over between
us, I felt so angry, lonely. There was no one I could confide in, I thought
no one would understand. So I ran away to London and told Leo that I wanted
to marry him. The poor man was so over the moon, he didn't ask why I suddenly
changed my mind. When I got to London I really believed he could make me
happy. It wasn't until we got back to BallyK and saw you, I realised what
I had done.
When I came to talk to you while you were repairing your car, you looked
so lost. I wanted to hold you, tell you how much I love you and it was
only a bad dream, but it wasn't.
Leo kept trying to do the best he could, but I wouldn't even give him
a chance. I only made him miserable. No wonder he couldn't take any more
after a few weeks. The only option was to go after him and tell him the
truth because I couldn't deceive him anymore. I told him why I really had
gone back to him. At first he was dumbstruck, but then he said he should've
known really. In fact, he knew the first time he came to see me 3 years
ago. I told him I was sorry. At that moment I really wished I could've
turned back the clock to that evening in the pub. I should've told you
then what I was up to. Maybe then you would've stopped me. Would you have?
After I left Leo in Dublin I promised myself, I would tell you how
I really felt, regardless of what your reaction would be. But you weren't
there. The first person I saw when I got back was Niamh. She told me about
everything that had happened during the last few days and that you'd gone
back to Manchester. When she said it, I felt sick, I thought I had left
it too long and you were gone for good. She must've read the expression
on my face, because she quickly added it was to see your mum who was very
ill. When I heard she'd died, I wanted to be with you, comfort you. But
what would I tell the others? I couldn't ask Niamh to look after the bar
on her own again, she's busy enough as it is. So I thought this letter
was a much better option then a phone call.
Peter, I love you to bits, I have since the first moment I laid eyes
on you. If you feel the same way, please phone me as soon as you get this
letter.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Lots of love
Assumpta
Peter found he was crying. If only he had got that letter in time.
Maybe she wouldn't have been in the pub when that blasted fuse blew. But
he soon realised it was no use now thinking that. At least now he knew
she really loved him. He never really had any doubts about it, but she'd
never had the chance to tell him, so he thought.
He just sat on the bed staring at the letter for a while longer. Then
he folded it away, he got up and started packing. He left a note for Andrew,
who had gone to work by now, and got on his way.
The next morning he was looking at the beautiful Wicklow Mountains
from the bus to BallyK. He felt happy and scared at the same time at the
thought that he'd soon see all his old friends back. What would they say?
What would he say? How could he explain, justify the way he had left them?
He got off the bus and just stood there looking at the town for a bit.
It still looked the same, Fitzgerald's still looked the same. He took deep
breath and walked to the pub. There was no one in. He heard someone in
the kitchen. "Hello, anyone in," he called.
"Yeah, I'll be right with you," he heard Niamh reply.
A few moments later she appeared, looking surprised when she saw who
her customer was. "Peter! I didn't think you'd ever..."
"...come back," he finished her sentence.
"Oh, come here. It's so good to see you," she said coming from behind
the bar. They hugged.
"It feels great to be back. I was a bit scared you'd be angry with
me for running away from things," he said as they parted.
"A few of us were a bit hurt at first, but in the end we all got to
understand why you did what you did," she said.
"Do you? I'm not sure if I understand myself," he said.
"So what brings you back here," she asked.
"You could say an angel called me."
Niamh frowned.
"Could you get me a strong coffee? You'd better get one yourself. Then
I'll explain."
"Are you staying here? We need the whole house for living quarters
now, but we do have a spare room. I'll understand if it's too painful for
you," Niamh said.
"No, I'd love to stay here. Do you mind if I go out for a while now?
I've got something to do," Peter asked.
"No, of course not. I'll bring your backpack up to the room, okay,"
she asked.
He nodded and started for the door.
"Oh Peter!"
He stopped and turned round. "Yeah?"
"Don't worry about the others, they'll be delighted to have you back,"
she reassured him.
He smiled at her and went outside.
An hour later he was at the small churchyard. He soon found Assumpta's
grave, which was covered in flowers. He lay down the bunch of red roses
he'd just bought.
"How I wish I could give you these, if only I could hold you, kiss
you just once. Rest in peace, my love." Tears welled up in his eyes again.
He was about to go when he felt a hand on his shoulders and a woman's voice
saying :"Peter."
He didn't believe his ears. It couldn't be. "Assumpta," he called as
he turned round and she was gone. "Assumpta! Assumpta come back!"
"Peter! Peter wake up! I'm right here."
He felt someone shaking him. He opened his eyes and looked right into
Assumpta's. His mouth felt very dry and he was all sweaty. "I feel awful.
What's happened?" he asked.
"I don't know, you were calling my name. You probably had a nightmare,"
she said softly stroking his face.
It slowly dawned on him what he had been dreaming and told her about
it.
"Where did you get the idea I would've married Leo," she asked.
"Don't know. I was just thinking about old times this afternoon; about
what could've happened if I hadn't told you I wanted to leave the priesthood
that night at Kilnashee, while holding the fort for Brendan and Siobhan.
I guess it must've still been on my mind when I got to bed and that's why
I dreamt about it," he said.
"But that was 2 years ago now."
"I know. Maybe it was because of something someone said today."
"Oh, come here," she said. She cuddled up to him and they kissed softly.
"I'd never leave you, ever. We'd better get some sleep now. Shaun's being
christened tomorrow, remember" she whispered.
"Yes, we'd better. I love you."
"Love you too."
The room was silent for a while. Suddenly Assumpta said : "Besides,
I'd never let Brian buy my pub. If I died, I'd come back to haunt him if
he ever tried to," she giggled.
THE END