21
NIALL SAT ON an overstuffed sofa in the sitting room connected to the kitchen, picking out a new tune on his guitar. Fianna occupied his thoughts and dreams, and he could still smell her perfume that reminded him of sweet morning jasmine. She’d truly inspired him, awakening his creativity.
His thoughts were increasingly shifting from Laila to Fianna. Laila would always occupy a special place in his heart, yet he no longer felt her presence.
The song he was writing today was a personal tribute to the first woman he’d ever loved, the woman who had shown him what true love really was. “Goodbye Laila” was his farewell ode to her. He sang softly, “Slán leat, Laila, au revoir, goodbye. Until we meet again…” Slán leat was Gaelic for goodbye.
He’d finally adjusted to Laila’s absence and was
