My Mother's Secret by Sheila O'Flanagan

while, you should come and eat there. I guarantee you’ll like it.’
    ‘Unfortunately I’m going back to Dublin first thing,’ Steffie told him.
    ‘That’s a shame. We do a superb Sunday lunch at Cody’s.’
    ‘Sadly, I have to pass,’ she replied. ‘Another time, maybe.’
    ‘I look forward to welcoming you.’ He smiled at her. ‘What are you doing with yourself these days, Steffie?’
    ‘I’m a graphic designer,’ she said. ‘I have my own company.’ She added the last with a touch of pride.
    ‘Good for you,’ said Liam. ‘I always thought you’d end up in something arty. I remember you trailing around the place with notebooks and pencils, drawing stuff. Just like your mum.’
    ‘Oh.’ Steffie was taken aback. She hadn’t thought he would’ve noticed her at all. Older brothers generally didn’t have time for their younger sisters’ friends. ‘Well, I suppose you’ve found your right choice of career too.’ Even as the words were out of her mouth she felt her cheeks flame, and regretted her lack of sensitivity.
    ‘I always loved my food,’ he said, unperturbed. ‘Now I love cooking it for other people. So do please drop in if you change your mind and stay longer. Or indeed any time you come down.’
    ‘Thank you. I will.’
    ‘Meantime it looks as though you’re all set up for a great party,’ Liam said.
    ‘I think we’ve gone a bit overboard on the red.’ Steffie wrinkled her nose as she looked around her. ‘But it’s their ruby wedding so we’ve kind of embraced the theme.’
    ‘They’ll love it,’ he assured her.
    ‘Hope so.’ She hesitated. ‘We didn’t invite you or Michelle, did we?’
    Liam shook his head. ‘But I wouldn’t have expected you to.’
    ‘All the same … if either of you want to drop by, you’re very welcome.’ She shrugged. ‘It’s a case of the more the merrier.’
    ‘I’m working tonight, and Michelle is away on holidays, but thank you anyway,’ said Liam.
    She nodded. ‘Of course. Saturday night must be your busiest.’
    ‘Thankfully,’ said Liam. ‘I’ll be off. I hope you have a wonderful time and that the weather holds.’
    ‘Fingers crossed,’ said Steffie. ‘Thanks again for bringing the flowers, and tell your mum we’ll see her later.’
    ‘Will do.’ Liam gave her a cheerful smile and turned back towards his car at the front of the house. ‘Lovely seeing you again, Steffie. You look fantastic.’
    When he was gone, Steffie went back upstairs to the bathroom. She picked up her cracked phone and checked the weather forecast. The icon had changed from a smiley sun to white clouds, although the temperature was still high. So was the humidity.
    She closed the app, then looked at herself in the full-length mirror and squeaked in horror. Thanks to her damp skin, the dress was practically see-through. Liam Kinsella had probably been laughing at her, if not leering at her, the whole time. She went into her room, peeled it over her head and put on the light robe hanging from the door instead. Then she opened her overnight bag and took out the summer dress, white with a purple floral print, that she’d chosen to wear to the party. She was fastening the tiny mother-of-pearl buttons when she heard the sound of the front door opening.
    She waited, immobile, until she heard Roisin call her name. Then she stepped on to the landing and peered over the banister.
    ‘That was quick,’ she said. ‘You must’ve driven like a maniac.’
    ‘Not a bit,’ said Roisin. ‘I was in Bunclody when I rang you.’
    ‘Oh.’
    ‘Anyway, Paul texted a while back. He managed to delay them some more because Dougie insisted Dad help him shower.’
    ‘Good old Dougie,’ said Steffie.
    ‘They won their match,’ Roisin said in satisfaction. ‘And I bet Dad enjoyed it anyway.’
    ‘Are Mum and Dad on their way now?’
    ‘I guess so. There were getting ready to leave when Paul texted me.’
    ‘You still think he’ll manage to get here ahead of