It all started with Freshers.....

Part Thirteen - Moving in

A cheap toaster sat in one corner, a kettle next to it. The cooker was built in next then the microwave above the fridge. It was a poky enough kitchen but the added on dining are was big enough. I waited on the kettle to boil so I could wipe down the insides of the cupboards before unpacking.

A knock on the door disturbed me. With the boys away for more stuff and Mammy and Vera at the other end getting loads sorted and Stephen's Daddy Scott on his way with the rest of Stephens stuff, it was Cathleen, Cora and me in the house. Who the hell was that?

I pottered to the door and opened it, ready to pass out with shock.

"Hello Anna?" I asked as I stared at the petite woman before me. She'd aged a little since I'd last saw her.

"Ciara, I'm here to apologise and ask if you needed more hands for moving?"

I bit my lip. I could do with more hands especially since I could see Laura and Peter in the car. Peter looking more eager than Laura.

"How did you know I was moving?" I asked suddenly. Unless my Mammy told her or Laura heard at uni I was moving I couldn't be sure.

"I rang your Mammy to ask about you and she mentioned you were moving. I thought it was a good way to make it up to you," she explained sheepishly.

"Forgive and forget," I said slowly, my words tainted with care. "Come on in."

She waved her kids and husband from the car. They climbed out slowly and wiped their feet before entering my home.

"Where do you need us?" Anna asked.

"I'm cleaning the kitchen if you could help me please?" I asked.

They followed me to the kitchen. Peter made himself useful by tuning the to we'd bought. His Father, John, was handy and got a tv hook to the wall to hang the tv up. Anna busied herself with cleaning out the cupboards and I got down on the floor and scrubbed it properly to bring the colour up on the tiles. They were actually a beautiful cream. Laura was made by her Mother clean out the fridge. There was little chatter as I was too nervous to say much.

When Cormac landed back I got an earful from him and Stephen.

"Down on the floor!" Cormac scolded. "Onto your feet!"

"Ciara, you'll hurt yourself!" Stephen actually snatched the scrubbing brush off me.

"Stephen, I'm so most done. Please. I'll not do it again," I lied. A floor needed to be cleaned properly every now and then.

He narrowed his eyes jokingly as though knowing better than to trust me. I finished up as he watched then he helped me to my feet.

"Take it easier baby. You're gonna hurt yourself," he murmured. He rested his forehead against mines and my stomach rumbled. "You're exhausted and hungry. You need a break. Sit for twenty minutes."

"I'm gonna ring a chippy when yous go again then yous can get it on your way back," I promised.

Cormac smiled approvingly. "Most sensible thing you have ever said."

I chuckled. Cormac was a well built man, he enjoyed his fast food and his drink. As payment for helping us move I was buying him a Chinese and pint and taking Cora overnight next weekend. He was easy pleased. A heavy set man of twenty seven he had dark red hair and piercing green eyes. He could have passed for my brother but the twang of a southern Irish accent gave him away. He'd worked down south for years due to work lacking up North but he laid down his life for Cathleen and that baby girl of his and he'd be lost without them. He worked so hard to provide, I always thought it was a sin there was not more in his line of work, he did something with horses, closer to home. He was often away for weeks at a time but I'd never ever met anyone more dedicated to his girlfriend and his daughter than he was. He was a family man, a protector and one of my best friends in the world.