Chapter 4
Stella popped her head from behind the door. But Nicky wasn’t about to give
up. ‘Well, are you busy?’
‘No, why? Just flicking through the channels, all boring.’
‘Can I come in cos I need to talk to you?’
Stella opened the door fully to let Nicky in. Nicky came in and saw the same
old gorgeous house he once saw before. Pictures of the Lynsaght family were
still on the wall. He missed them all, he missed Mr. Lynsaght and he missed
all those games. ‘Guess you’ve been here before huh?’
‘Yeah. Long time ago. Couple of years ago I suppose.’
He looked around again and saw a lot of trophies. Football trophies and, as
he looked closer, singing competition trophies with Emily’s name carved on it.
‘That was a long time ago. Too long I can’t even remember how her voice
sounded.’ Nicky looked up and scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. ‘Meaning?’
Stella walked away and sat on one of those big comfy sofas everybody loved.
She sighed a deep and long sigh.
‘Meaning she hasn’t talked for years now and the only time she opens her
mouth is when she eats or drinks or brushes her teeth.’ ‘Why? What happened?’
‘I don’t think it’s my right to tell you. But the thing is I still remember
when she was still talking like a sewing machine, she never stopped talking
about you. You’re Nicky Byrne aren’t you? Nicholas Byrne, Mr. Lynsaght’s
favourite goalie. Everybody loves you.’
Nicky smiled politely in return but thoughts were racing through his mind as
he digested what Stella said about Emily never stopped talking about him.
‘Where’s Mr. Lynsaght?’ ‘Don’t you know?’ ‘Know what?’
She sighed again while Nicky held his breath.
‘You’ve missed a lot haven’t you? Mr. Lynsaght died couple of years ago.’
Nicky replied in silence, buried in his own shock. Memories of Mr. Lynsaght
flooded his mind uncontrollable and without him knowing it, tears flowed
down his pale cheeks.
He looked around only to find everything that reminded him of Mr. Lynsaght.
‘It can’t be. No one has ever told me.’
He barely whispered, sadness so visible in his eyes. He sat himself down.
Stella sat next to him and patted his back to share some comfort. ‘Emily?’
Stella looked up, followed by Nicky who was suddenly embarrassed.
Emily was standing on the stairs under the shadows, her face was still
blank. Stella got up and walked towards Emily. She then hugged Emily who was
still standing there motionless.
Nicky couldn't hear what Stella was saying to Emily but she managed to get
Emily to walk down and sat on the other sofa.
'Umm, sorry to be disturbing you.'
Nicky wiped away the last portion of his tears and sniffed quietly. For a
moment they were left alone in the sitting room while Stella was gone to the
kitchen. An eerie silence followed and somehow Nicky got scared. He knew who
Emily was, or at least before this happened, and he wanted to see at least a
sign of emotion from her.
He turned his head to look at Emily who was starring at the empty fireplace.
He looked carefully at her, still the same jet black hair although it was
messy now, like she didn't care about it anymore. Still the same small
chocolate eyes that never failed to amaze him and he couldn't believe
himself when he didn't recognise Emily earlier on the plane and in the airport.
'Sweetheart, here it is.'
Stella walked back in with a mug and a couple of big tablets which Emily
gulped down immediately. After that she left the living room and went back
upstairs, leaving Nicky to wonder what was really wrong with her.
'I think you better leave now, Nicky. I can't bear seeing her like that.'
'Like what?' 'That's the only emotion she could show. She's really upset.'
'I'm really sorry. I guess I just..never mind. I'll leave now. Thanks for
telling me and please tell her I'm really sorry too, about Mr. Lynsaght
especially..' He trailed off as he felt a lump coming to his throat.
'I'll tell her. Thanks for coming, thanks for bringing back the only emotion
she is able to show.'
Stella replied, whispering with a voice that was barely there, as Nicky left
the now cold house.