31. Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-One
‘Oh, hi,’ said Kitty. ‘I wasn’t expecting you back so soon, Cillian. Oh – and you’ve brought a friend.’
Cillian held the door open for Kia to walk through. ‘This is Kia,’ he said. ‘Kia, my sister Kitty.’
Kia held out a manicured hand and offered Kitty a dazzling smile. ‘How lovely to meet you, Kitty,’ she gushed.
Cillian winced and carried on. ‘I thought it was about time the pair of you met – unless you’re busy with something?’
‘No, no, now’s fine,’ said Kitty, leading them into the kitchen. ‘I’ve just been having a bit of a tidy-up.’
Cillian leaned against the counter, gesturing for Kia to take a chair. ‘Maz’s mess again?’
Kitty rolled her eyes. ‘How did you guess?’
‘What was it this time?’
‘The usual. Cups, plates, bowls left lying around the lounge. I found a pair of knickers shoved down the side of the sofa, makeup stains over the mantelpiece …’ She sighed.
‘I offered to have her here to help Alice, but honestly, I’m really not sure how much more of this I can take.
’ She pulled in her lips, let them out with a puff.
‘In fact, I’m going to see Alice tomorrow and tell her Maz will need to make other arrangements.
I feel awful about it, but it’s like having a small child in the house, and I deal with enough of those at work. ’
‘Who’s Maz?’ asked Kia.
‘Alice and May’s mum,’ said Cillian. ‘It’s a complicated relationship, so she’s been staying with us.’
‘In this tiny cottage?’ Kia peered around the cosy kitchen, clearly unimpressed. ‘I’m surprised two of you can fit in here, let alone three.’
‘There’s plenty of room,’ said Cillian, more shortly than he liked.
Kitty eyed her visitor. ‘Sounds like you’re used to a bit more luxury,’ she said.
Cillian could have hugged his ever-generous sister for her quietly apologetic tone.
‘Yes, well, you know what it’s like.’ Kia shrugged. ‘Although I’m a little fed up with luxury hotel rooms.’
‘I’m sure,’ said Kitty, oblivious to the sarcasm in Kia’s voice. ‘So, what can I get you? Tea? Coffee?’
‘Water for me,’ said Kia. ‘I’m trying to cut down on my caffeine intake.’
‘I’d love a tea, if there’s one going,’ said Cillian.
‘Sure.’ Kitty filled the kettle. ‘How do you two know each other?’
‘Well, that’s what I’m here to talk to you about,’ said Cillian. ‘Kia and I met about six months ago. She was in New York for fashion week, and I was there doing a gig. We ended up at the same party and hit it off.’
‘Oh.’ Kitty’s eyebrows shot to her hairline. ‘Are you … are you a couple?’
‘Yes,’ Cillian shifted uncomfortably in the chair he’d just sat in. He avoided Kia’s smug smile.
‘You kept that quiet,’ said Kitty. ‘Does Mam know?’
‘No,’ Cillian said quickly, then added, ‘She’ll have to find out soon.’
‘Right … you’re planning on coming to the wedding?’ Kitty asked Kia.
Kia’s eyes widened momentarily. ‘I’ll have to check my calendar,’ she hedged. ‘I’m pretty certain I need to be in New York for a shoot around that date.’
‘OK … so how will Mam find out if she and Kia aren’t going to cross paths?’
‘The thing is,’ said Cillian, avoiding his sister’s gaze, ‘she’ll read about it soon enough in the papers.’
‘In the papers?’ Kitty crossed her arms over her chest.
‘We’re engaged.’ Kia held out her elegant hand, where a lump of diamond sparkled on her ring finger.
Kitty turned to look at her properly. ‘You’re engaged?’
‘Yes,’ said Cillian.
‘And you haven’t told Mam?’
‘Not yet.’ Cillian’s insides curled up.
‘She’s going to be furious.’
Cillian let out something between a groan and a whimper.
‘Why would she be furious?’ asked Kia. ‘Don’t you think I’m a catch?’
‘Oh, it’s nothing to do with you,’ said Kitty amenably.
‘Mam likes to be kept informed about our lives, that’s all.
The fact she didn’t know Cillian was dating is one thing.
Not to know he’s in a relationship serious enough to result in marriage is quite another.
’ She glanced at the whistling kettle, turned off the gas, and went back to her questions.
‘When is this wedding happening? Hopefully, you’re not going to beat me down the aisle? ’
‘Oh no,’ said Kia. ‘Our wedding will take years to perfect. There are so many details to sort out, and it’s important not to rush these things.’
‘Like I am, you mean.’ Despite the light tone, the usual twinkle was absent from Kitty’s eyes.
‘Oh, no offence, darling,’ said Kia airily.
‘There’s no comparison.’ She bestowed a condescending smile on Kitty.
‘Our wedding will be a celeb-packed event. It has to be thought through. We’ll have a wedding planner, a highly experienced one, of course.
First, there’ll be a formal engagement party to prepare for.
I’m sure, Hello! magazine will want to do a spread. ’ She sighed. ‘So much to organise.’
Kitty threw Cillian a scathing look. ‘I guess there is,’ she said, and Cillian’s stomach curled even more tightly.
Kia missed the exchange. She had glanced at her phone, and now she stood. ‘Speaking of which, I’m sorry to be rude, darlings, but I really should get back to Brian.’
‘Of course,’ said Cillian. ‘Please do. Are you all right to make your own way there? I’ll follow you in a bit.’
‘If I must.’ With an air of tolerance, Kia walked to Kitty, towering over her as she placed her two perfectly manicured hands on Kitty’s shoulders. ‘It really has been such a pleasure to meet you.’
She leaned in and air-kissed Kitty’s cheeks, then, with a wave of her fingers, swept out the door.
Through the window, Cillian caught sight of her on her phone, probably trying to call an Uber.
He stomped on the disloyal pleasure he got from thinking what she’d do when she realised there were none to be found in Saffron Bay.
‘So,’ he said, turning his attention back to his sister. ‘What do you think?’
‘Of what?’ Kitty had set the kettle to boil again and was pulling mugs from a shelf.
‘Of Kia, obviously.’
‘Right. I wondered if you were asking what I think about you getting engaged to a woman we didn’t even know you were dating.’ Despite her smile, Cillian could hear the hurt in her voice.
‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.’
Kitty shrugged. ‘It’s fine. It’s not like we’re as close as we used to be.’
Her words were like a punch in the gut, and he lowered his eyes to the table. ‘I’m sorry about that,’ he said. ‘If it’s any consolation, I really miss you.’
Kitty smiled, and this time it went as far as her eyes.
‘You’ve got nothing to feel bad about, Cillian.
Your life has been a whirlwind for the past few years.
Inevitably, with all you’ve got going on, you weren’t going to have much time for family.
’ She dropped teabags into the mugs and poured boiling water over them.
‘And it’s not like I haven’t been distracted either.
Anyway, you were asking for my opinion about Kia.
’ Kitty paused and chewed her lip. ‘I think … I think she’s very beautiful, and if she makes you happy, that’s all that matters. ’
Despite the gloom settling over him, Cillian laughed. ‘My sister, ever the diplomat. You hated her, didn’t you?’
Kitty shook her head. ‘I didn’t spend enough time with her to hate her. And really, given she was only in my home for all of five minutes, I’m not qualified to make any sort of judgement.’ She set the two mugs on the table and joined Cillian, cradling her mug.
Cillian wanted more. It was important to him. ‘You must have a gut feeling.’
Kitty sighed. ‘Fine, my gut feeling is that she’s very different from the kind of woman I would have pictured you with. That doesn’t mean you can’t be happy together.’ Kitty took a sip of her tea and looked him in the eye. ‘Are you happy, Cillian?’
Cillian wished she would look away. He couldn’t lie under Kitty’s scrutiny. A lifetime of experience told him she’d see right through it. ‘No,’ he said when he couldn’t hold her gaze any longer. ‘No, I don’t think I’m happy at all. And what’s more, I don’t think I have been for a long time.’