Deadly Love

Deadly Love By Karen Ryan

32 Senior Times l May - June 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie Joe sat nursing his pint, his world shattered. Looking around him people were talking, laughing yes laughing – how could they, he thought. Yet life does go on. ‘So sorry for your loss Joe,’ another neighbour said. ‘Thanks’ he replied. His lovely wife Alice gone, their two daughters were laughing and running around, delighted to see some of their cousins. Too young to really understand, that they will never see their mum again. Ann came over ‘it’s getting late Joe, will I take the girls back?’ ‘Oh that would be great, if you don’t mind. I won’t be much longer.’ ‘Ok there’s no rush,’ she replied. When he stumbled home later, much later than he had intended he found that the girls were in bed asleep and Ann asleep in the spare room. Next day when he finally managed to get up, he found the house silent. Going downstairs he found Ann in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee and reading the paper. ‘Where are the girls he asked?’ ‘Oh I dropped them to school.’ ‘School’ Joe said astounded, ‘I had intended to keep them at home for the rest of the week.’ ‘Yes well I just thought it would be better for them to get back into a routine.’ Too tired and weary to argue he just shrugged, and even though he had planned to keep them home, he had to admit the quietness was just what he needed. Ann really was a great help, he didn’t think he could have got through this, without her. They had grown up together, lived on the same street, and gone to the same primary school. But then with different secondary schools/ college, had drifted their own separate ways. It had been through Ann, that he had met Alice. At a club in town he had bumped into Ann and first he could not believe it was her, all grown up and looking lovelier than he remembered. He had been quiet smitten until her friend turned round and he found himself being introduced to Alice. From then on he only had eyes for her, and it was that old saying love at first sight. Alice always said it was the same for her from the moment she met him, she knew he was the one. Two years later they had married and then along came their lovely daughters Claire who is seven and Orla who had just turned four. Joe sat deep in his thoughts and realised Alice would never see them grow up, go to college or get married. He would never be able to speak to her again, there were so many things he wanted to say to her, he would never be able to see her or hold her again. Feeling teary he looked at the time, Ann was still engrossed in the paper.

‘Nearly time to leave and get the girls’ he said. ‘Oh no it’s okay I will get them for you’ said Ann, ‘you rest and take it easy, you have had a lot to deal with and anything I can do to help I will. It will take time after the shock and suddenness, you need time Joe to accept what’s happened and come to terms with it.’ ‘Are you sure?’ asked Joe,

‘Yes no problem officially I am still on holiday, so am free for the rest of the week, you leave the girls to me, I am more than willing to help.’ ‘Thanks Ann, you have been a great help and I’m sorry that you had to cut your holiday short.’ ‘Joe, don’t be silly, Alice was my dearest friend, of course I had to come back, anyway the weather was not that great in the West.’

The following Sunday Ann was bustling about the kitchen, ‘Really Ann I am not that hungry.’ ‘No Joe you have to eat and so do the girls, I don’t mind cooking and to tell the truth, it is ages since I have cooked a roast, living on my own I don’t get the chance much. In fact I have been thinking Joe, your back to work next week, I am still owed some holiday and could take it now, too give you time to get childcare in place if you want?'

‘Really, you would do that?’ ‘Of course anything I can do to help you and the girls.’ ‘Thanks Ann I really appreciate your help and I know they love you being around, in a way it helps them with their mum gone now.’

‘Ok, anymore news from the Gardai, have they traced the car?’ ‘No they just said it is still being investigated, what I can’t figure out is why Alice was out that way, it is remote, maybe we will never know. At least she did not suffer, they said she died on impact, that is the only saving grace.’

‘Yes I suppose that’s something’ she replied.

‘Ann Can you help me do myshoes up, I want to go and play in the garden.’ ‘Of course I can Orla.’ ‘Ann can I ask you something’ she said sadly, ‘why is mummy not here, when is she coming back. I miss her’ Orla whispered. ‘Oh Orla’ Ann said giving her a hug, ‘mummy is up in the clouds helping the angels, but she is still watching over you and of course I am here to help you. Anything you want, just ask me and will I tell you something - I miss her too.’ Orla looked at her with a tear in her eye, ‘yes but she was my mummy and I really miss her, I want her back.’ ‘I know’ replied Ann, ‘but she can never come back. I tell you what, if it helps you can call me mummy and it can just be our little secret’ said Ann. ‘Oh okay’ said Orla, ‘I love secrets’ she smiled as she skipped outside.

Joe had found a childminder Mary and she had been a godsend, recommended by one of his neighbours, and very understanding with the girls. They had played up at first complaining but why can’t Ann stay and look after us, why do we have to have someone else? We only want mummy or Ann, it had taken a few months but eventually they had settled down. Now they liked being with Mary and the stories she told the girls had them spellbound. Gradually life began to return to normality and a routine. Also if he got delayed in work, as Mary had no family of her own she did not mind staying on. After the initial shock had worn off, Joe had felt very angry with the world and it was only now that he had started to accept that his beloved Alice was gone and life carries on. A few months later arriving home late, Ann’s car was parked outside, and he found her sitting with girls reading.

‘Hi Ann,’ ‘Oh hi Joe, sorry I haven’t been round for a while, but I have been busy with one thing and another.’ ‘Oh that’s ok, Mary is great with the girls, so we are managing quiet well. I understand you have your own life to lead Ann.’ ‘Well I managed to finish work early today, so I told Mary she could go home early, I hope that’s ok.’

‘Yes of course, you know you are welcome anytime. What’s that lovely smell?’ ‘It’s Boeuf Bourguignon I know it’s one of your favourites.’ ‘Agh Ann that’s very kind of you, your spoiling me.’ ‘Yes it should be ready in about half hour, so if you want to freshen up go ahead. The girls have already had their tea and I think its bedtime now girls.’

Later after a lovely meal, Joe and Ann sat finishing a glass of wine, ‘Another?’ Joe said as he went to fill up her glass. ‘I really shouldn’t as I have to drive.’ ‘It is Friday’ said Joe, ‘so no work tomorrow, you can always get a taxi home or the spare room is there.’ ‘Oh go on then, why not.’ She said smiling. ‘It’s the evenings I find the hardest’ said Joe sadly, ‘when the girls are asleep, I have too much time on my hands. That’s when I miss her the most, her laugh and smile and I feel so lonely.’

‘I know Joe how hard it is, but Alice would not want you to go on being miserable, you are still young and in time although you find it hard to believe now, you will move on. Time is a healer, they say.’

They had opened a second bottle of wine and Joe was feeling slightly drunk and relaxed. They had been laughing at something on TV, and as he turned to say something to Ann, she had leaned closer and before he could say anything she kissed him. She pulled away, ‘Oh Joe I’m so sorry - must be the wine.’ ‘Don’t be’ he said as he pulled her towards him and kissed her again. Later lying in bed looking at Joe, Ann smiled. At last she thought, all these years of waiting, having to take second place to dear old Alice.

When Joe first started dating Alice, Ann had been heartbroken but figured it would not last, how wrong she had been. When she had seen Joe that night in the club, her heart had flipped and even though they had known each other, grown up together. She had surprised herself, with how she felt and how attractive she found him. He had become her obsession and it had been hard to stand by and see him and Alice become more united. Even when they married Ann still did not give up hope, after all people split up all the time. But once the children had come along, it had been completely different. Unable to have children herself, Ann had been devastated when Alice told her she was pregnant, and given up all hope then, that they would ever be together.

No one would ever find out that it was her, after all as far as everyone was concerned she was away on holiday at that time. She had asked Alice to meet her in secret and once she had arrived, it had been easy to run the bitch over. The garda had closed the case, all they knew was it was a white car. Her car was blue, but she had hired a car in a different county, wiped the blood off it and explained the scrape, saying she had hit a tree. She would never be traced to the hit and run, and now Joe was hers and she would do whatever it took to make sure it stayed that way.

Her plan had worked out perfectly. Orla had accidently called her mummy, even though it was suppose to be a secret and it would not be long before Claire called her mum to. They would be her perfect little family, her dream come true.

We would love our Senior Times readers to send us their Short Stories so we can select a story to feature in a future issue . Email Short stories to desduggan325@gmail.com

Healthy Eating, Healthy Heart

Did you know that just as many Irish women die from heart disease as men? Yet many of us still think that heart disease is a man’s disease. Although there is a lot we can do to keep our hearts healthy, the sad fact is that heart disease is still the leading cause of death in Ireland for men and women.

What can we do to look after our heart?

Love Your Fish Apart from tasting great, fish is a rich source of protein, B vitamins, minerals and heart-healthy omega-3s. Oil-rich fish like mackerel, sardines and salmon are rich in the omega-3s EPA and DHA. These special omega-3s contribute to the normal function of your heart*. The Irish Heart Foundation and Healthy Ireland recommends that we eat oil-rich fish up to twice a week and this includes salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring and trout. EPA and DHA can also help to maintain normal blood triglyceride levels**. Triglyceride is a type of fat in our blood that is linked to heart disease. Like cholesterol, triglycerides need to be kept at a healthy levels. Try some grilled salmon for dinner or a smoked mackerel salad for lunch. John West offers a convenient way to add fish and John West mackerel, salmon and sardines are all great sources of omega-3s. If all you know how to do is fry fish then check out some new recipes for ideas. From pasta dishes to fish pies, mackerel pate to risotto, there are so many ways to add fish. If you need some help there are some great recipes at www.johnwest.ie as well as www.bordbia.ie.

34 Senior Times l May - June 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie Eat Veg Although we are eating more fruits and vegetables these days, most of us are still not hitting the 5-a-day we need. Don’t worry about counting portions of fruit and veg - just follow the 1/3 rule. One third of every meal should be fruit, salad or vegetables. Try making fruit up to 1/3 of your breakfast by adding chopped banana to your porridge. Add a bowl of vegetable soup or side salad to lunch. When dishing up dinner, start with the vegetables and make sure they are covering at least 1/3 of your plate.

Fibre Up Many high fibre foods are linked with lower risk of developing heart disease. Adding foods like linseeds, beans, lentils, porridge and wholegrain bread can all help to add extra fibre to your meals. Try adding linseeds/ flaxseeds to breakfast cereals; beans or lentils to soups, barley to stews and choosing wholegrain bread and cereals.

Keep Treats as Treats A treat now and again is something to really enjoy but if you are eating them every day (or more!) then it stops being a treat and starts being a problem. You don’t need to cut your favourite bar of chocolate or packet of crisps but do try to keep treat foods to a few days a week rather than every day. If you do have to snack, there are some healthier alternatives that will give you some good nutrition and not just extra calories. Try a small handful of nuts (almonds, walnuts); a piece of fruit (banana, apple, grapes); a yoghurt or add some extra protein by trying one of John West’s Infusions on wholegrain crackers.

Sit Less, Move More Being more active helps to lower blood pressure and increase your healthy (HDL) cholesterol. And being more active can make it easier for you to be a healthy weight. All good for your heart.

If you have been away from exercise for a while, then start small and build up. You might try a few different ways of being active before you find what one works Aim to get 30-40 minutes of exercise most days: walking, swimming, cycling, aqua aerobics, it all helps.

One at a Time When it comes to looking after your heart, even a small change can make a big difference. Whether you choose to move more, treat less or eat more fish, make one small change today to help your heart into the future.