Let Them Lie by Gillan Florence

Author:Gillan, Florence
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pooleg Press, Irish Crime, Kindle Unlimited, Ireland, Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Murder, Serial Killer, 1970’s, Fiction, Family Drama, Female Protagonist, Secret, Epistolary, Suspense, Alcoholism, Modern, Family Relationships, Women, Grief, Mental Illness, Mental Health, Psychology
ISBN: 9781781997024
Publisher: Poolbeg Press
Published: 2022-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

Aoife woke energised and optimistic. Convinced she could cope with anything life threw at her. There was nothing like a good ride to lift the spirits. God, she was bad! Why no guilt, no feeling she had betrayed Connor? What had happened to her? Anyway, whatever it was, she would row with it. Time enough for regrets later. In this mood of invincibility, she showered and dressed at superhuman speed.

As she headed downstairs, she was aware that for the first time in ages the ache in her stomach could be attributed to hunger and not the usual dull misery. She hoped her mother was preparing one of her infamous coronary-on-a-plate fry-ups. She felt woman enough to devour it in minutes.

Aoife pulled up short when she heard raised voices coming from the kitchen. She listened in disbelief. Sam was shouting at Agnes. What the hell! Sam never shouted at anyone, let alone his mam.

‘You had no right to sell them the land! I can’t believe you’ve done this to me. They’re down there with a digger. A digger, Mam! They’re planning to carve up the field. What the hell were you thinking?’

Sam stood, fists clenched, towering over Agnes. His face was grey with a sheen of sweat. A glob of spittle perched on the corner of his mouth.

‘What do you mean by “what right”? You may manage the farm, Sam, but as long as it’s in my name I’ll do what I please with it.’ Agnes stood her ground, two bright flames of colour raised against the whiteness of her skin like a brand. ‘How dare you speak to me that way? I’ll do as I please with my land. I don’t have to get permission from you.’

‘Do what you want then, I don’t give a fuck! But I promise you you’ll live to regret it.’

Aoife held her breath, terrified that Sam was going to strike Agnes. She watched, fascinated, as his arm rose. Her mother, too angry to flinch, glared at him. They stood frozen by fury until Sam turned on his heel and left, yanking open the door and hitting his arm so violently on the door frame it was bound to leave a bruise.

Aoife hurried over to her mother who looked like her legs were about to give way and helped her into a chair.

‘Mam, are you OK?’

Her mother’s face was now the colour of chalk. ‘Water,’ she croaked.

Aoife hurriedly filled a glass from the tap.

Agnes had several sips and her breathing became less laboured.

‘Take it easy, Mam, catch your breath.’

Agnes nodded and drank some more. ‘I’m OK now, Aoife.’

But she wasn’t OK. Her face had a greyish hue and Aoife worried that she might have a heart attack.

Seeing the concern on her face, Agnes squeezed her hand. ‘I’m better now. I just can’t credit what happened.’

‘Mam, what was that all about? I can’t believe Sam was shouting at you of all people. Are you able to tell me what happened?’

‘I’ll try, Aoife, but in truth I can’t understand it.

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