Life after Veronica

VERONICA is twenty-three, her degree course in Speech Therapy at Trinity College, Dublin just finished. The North Eastern Health Board has offered her a job in Navan. I have my old Toyota Carina serviced and give it to her.
Today is Wednesday, Sept 4, two days before she begins work. She has to go for a medical. It is one o’clock. I am planting bulbs for spring near our gate. Veronica stops the car for a moment as she drives out. She smiles at me.