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His final words sound offhanded, but they see me he’d said them for a reason Her body deflates a little "Poor old Martin A lovely man, he was He even tried to kiss me once"

Faith nose wrinkles "What?"

"It’s not what you think He didn’t have his glasses on" She stares off into the distance, looking very draht I was his wife, Lorraine, come to collect hiin to rue in her pockets "Has someone called over to tell Lorraine her Martin is dead?"

"I suspect she has an inkling, since she woke up next to him," Shane deadpans

Kitty pulls a piece of toast from her apron and offers it to oing to ht it in fresh from Beshoffs in Howth Beautiful, it was"

"Not to worry," Faith assures her with a brisk nod "I’ll figure it out, Ma There’s a fish market not far from here--"

"No" Kitty shakes her head "It has to be Beshoffs Our custoe the fish What will people say?"

"Beshoffs is twice the distance" Shane stands "Neither one of us has time to take you I have to set up the pub It’s still a wreck fro to run the kitchen today, I need to start prepping"

"I don’t need to be taken anywhere," Kitty scoffs, but I notice her hand is shaking When she begins to untie her apron, Shane and Faith exchange an uneasy glance So under the surface here More than the obvious I can’t put a finger on what it o out into the city by herself, using public transportation no less Two, she’s deter Shane is right Bottle caps, dirty napkins, and--is that a blond hair extension?--litter the barroolasses and bottles are stacked in bus trays on the bar All the liquor bottles behind the bar are practically eet the bar ready by eleven when the doors open

This is when I should say, "sorry for your loss," and beat feet to the Laundro out behind the bar last night, I’ve already becolimpse a little more of their behind-the-scenes issues, my resolve to stay away slips a little ht have been vastly different, but I still get the reckless The stress on Faith’s face--and okay, Shane’s-- of laundry wistfully Apparently basic hygiene is taking a backseat to my conscience

"I’ll take her," I say Shane’s eyebrows shoot up and I shrug "I’ve been ood picture spot"

Kitty claps her hands together "Grand" Again, I get the feeling she’s putting on a brave face It seems like the trip to Beshoffs has coiven her so new to focus on

"Are you sure?" Faith appears to be trying to co What do these people want fro, and this heap of bricks doesn’t even have a coffeemaker "You don’t have to do this, Willa"

"I’ht of the situation Honestly, you’d think soy to Martin for never trying his cod and chips" Wanting to escape Shane and Faith’s scrutiny, I hook e in Martin’s memory, shall we?"

Her face falls "Martin is dead?"