Family Ties

PART 4: Cara finds out everything she wants to know – and it brings far more than she could ever have imagined!

came into the kitchen carrying an empty basket. “Everything’s out, Noor,” the woman smiled. “Oh, hello – Cara?”

She nodded. “Hello Bernadette.”

The woman reminded her of someone, but who? Perhaps she saw Norah’s features echoed in her sister’s?

“So, you’re liking Dingle?” Bernadette said, sitting down.

“Very much. My father was from here.” “Ah yes,” she nodded, “Paddy.”

Silence filled the kitchen as Bernadette looked pensive. For a moment, Cara feared she’d show the same resentment towards her father as Dingle had.

“Please, Bernadette, if you know anything about Dad, I’d love to hear it. He was a fantastic father. But everyone acts as if he was… well, a very different man to the one I loved.”

Bernadette patted Cara’s hand. “I’m afraid that’s my fault. You see, Paddy and I so defensive. Especially as it had been Bernadette that ended the relationship. “Tell Cara everything,” Norah coaxed. Silent tears slid down Bernadette’s cheeks. “Paddy was heartbroken. He left Dingle for England soon after.”

“But he had a great life in England. Don’t blame yourself,” Cara replied.

Bernadette took a deep breath and went on, “After Paddy left, I met Martin Kennelly – my husband.”

Cara smiled. “You met your husband and Dad married Mum. They’d a long, happy marriage. These things happen.”

“But there’s more… goodness, this is hard after all these years.”

“Shall I tell Cara?” Norah offered. Bernadette shook her head. “No, Noor, it’s my story.”

Her words reminded Cara of Finn when he’d refused to tell her about Paddy. “It isn’t my story to tell,” he’d said.

“Martin and I fell madly in love. Soon after we got together, I discovered I was pregnant. Even thirty years ago, the world was a different place. We had to get wed but we were happy to.”

“They’ve a super son,” Norah added. “Then Martin became ill.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Is he…?” Cara asked.

“It was kidney disease. He needed a transplant.” Bernadette held Cara’s gaze. “Our son was tested and it was then…”

Cara shivered. Please don’t say their son had the same illness. From the heavy atmosphere she guessed this story didn’t end well. “Then?” she prompted.

“We discovered Martin… wasn’t our son’s real father. He was…”

Cara gasped. “Paddy’s son?” Bernadette and Norah nodded.

“I swear I’d no idea until the tests. We were so shocked. But with Martin ill we’d other worries. Eventually a donor was found, and Martin had a transplant. Once he was recovering, I tried contacting Paddy, but didn’t know where to start.”

Cara was reeling. Her father had a son! And she had a half-brother.

“Then I remembered Paddy’s cousin in Dublin. I found him on Facebook…”

“Daniel Byrne?” Cara’s mouth was dry from shock.

“We don’t want our beautiful land spoiled,” an old man told the presenter. “Dingle relies on tourism. We’ll do everything to stop the diggers.”

The camera cut to a woman who said, “This place is teeming with wildlife. We’ve many rare species and we can’t let Compass bulldoze their habitat.”

“But,” the presenter said, “there’s a need for development.”

“Perhaps,” agreed the lady, “but more sympathetically.”

Cara was pleased her work was helping. “Were they your photos?” asked one of the locals. “You’ve done us proud.”

When the waitress brought her water, she said, “I wanted to thank ye for helping our Aoife on the beach yesterday. She and Darragh said ye saved the puffin.”

Cara felt embarrassed. “It was nothing. If I hadn’t done it, someone else would.” “But someone else didn’t – ye did.”

She felt pleased. Were the people of Dingle welcoming her at last? Finn had said, “…like any small town, Dingle takes a while to warm to newcomers.”

As the news switched to a sports story, Cara was lost in thought. Something the presenter said resonated with her. Was there another way she could help Dingle?

The next day the weather was wet, grey and dank. Cara made a quick call on her mobile and then, since she was leaving tomorrow, she packed a few things. Suddenly the telephone buzzed.

“Miss Byrne, I’m awful sorry to disturb ye but Mrs Kennelly’s in reception.”

Mrs Kennelly? Ah yes, Bernadette, she thought. “I’ll come down.”

Bernadette was sitting by the entrance when Cara greeted her. “I heard you’re heading home tomorrow… I wondered if you’ve time to come to ours. Ronan isn’t working. Rain always puts off tourists. And Martin’s keen to meet ye.”

“I’d love to.”

Bernadette smiled as they left Bay View. Dodging the rain, they jumped in the car. Leaving Dingle, they soon arrived at a white bungalow surrounded by a stone wall. Hurrying inside they stepped into a tiled hallway where Ronan met them.

“Good day,” he said, holding out his hand. “If that’s the way to greet a sister.”

“I’m not sure, I’ve never been one before,” she smiled – and then he pulled her into a hug!

They entered a lounge with large windows that on a clear day must look over the bay. A thin man with greying hair sat on the sofa. He tried to stand.

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apply for an Irish passport as I’m the daughter of an Irishman…”

Finn smiled at her. “We’ll find a way.”

When Cara and Finn arrived at Bay View the receptionist said she’d missed a call. “From Jackson, Byrne and Co.”

While Finn went to buy them coffee, Cara used her mobile to return the call. “Can I speak to Rhys Jackson, please?”

She told him everything. By the time she hung up, Finn had brought their drinks.

“Ye look happy,” he smiled.

“I am. That was Rhys – my Dad’s old partner. I should’ve thought of it sooner. I’ve told him about Compass’ plans. He’s horrified and wants to put forward a new idea – one that’s sympathetic to the environment and wildlife but will still boost the local economy. Rhys said he’s had a promising conversation with planning. Seems they’re searching for a new developer after the bad publicity.”

Finn punched the air. “I can’t wait to tell Ronan! Thank ye.”

“If it works, it’ll be another positive way Dad will live on in Dingle.”

Later Finn told Cara he’d a surprise. After dropping Sammy at Ronan’s, he took her to the promenade, where his launch was moored. Sunshine had replaced the rain.

“Welcome aboard,” he smiled, helping her climb onto the ferry.

Once clear of the harbour, Finn dropped anchor where the boat gently rocked on the waves as he laid the table in the small cabin and lit a candle. Then he opened a hamper, taking out plates, chilled white wine, smoked salmon, salad and some delicious soda bread.

“This is romantic,” she said.

“I wanted your last night in Dingle to be memorable,” he said, kissing her.

“Everything has been memorable,” she said, her kisses punctuating her words.

After eating, they went on deck where she lay in his arms, watching dusk fall.

Suddenly Cara said, “Look – there’s Funghie again!”

“It is,” he smiled, pushing the hair from her eyes. “Ye know what they say?” She shook her head. “They say if ye see Funghie, you’ll return to Dingle one day.” “I’d say they’re absolutely right.”

They kissed as the sun set on the day.

BY TESS NILAND KIMBER

COMING SOON: Don’t miss the exciting hunt for treasure in our new serial FindersKeepers, out October 3.