Chapter 16 I’m not surprised he left me on read #2
“Walk back?” I gasp. “Holly, it’s easily over an hour.” I picture myself being able to drive and wonder how much simpler life would be.
“We could wait for the next one?” She beams, shrugging all carefree and chirpily. It may have only been a few days, but I’ve missed her.
I can’t help but smile. “The next one that goes through Stoney Grange isn’t for forty-five minutes,” I tell her knowingly, having already missed it yesterday. Evie was right, busses suck.
Holly weighs up our options like we have some. “Why don’t we grab a coffee while we wait? Come on,” she gives me a little tug, pulling me in closer, “I want to hear all about He-man.”
Having made it home later than planned, I say goodbye to Holly and head back to my place. A small part of me was secretly hoping to see Paddy’s car parked up again. But it isn’t. What I find this late in the afternoon, however, is Siobhan walking Kevin.
“Mrs O’Keefe?”
She spins to face me. “What have I told you about calling me Mrs O’Keefe?”
My cheeks blush apologetically before I make my way over. I instinctively bend down and stroke Kevin. “I could have walked him for you today.”
“Oh, I know, dear, but truth be told, I’m out here looking for Paddy.”
I stand up straight. “Paddy?”
Siobhan lets loose a depleted sigh. “He was supposed to be back today, but he hasn’t showed.”
This is news to me. “We were texting yesterday. He didn’t reply. Do you think he’s okay?”
My words have her breath catching. “I’m sure he’s fine. Perhaps he’s just with his friends back in the city. I’m probably being paranoid.”
“Does he usually call?”
She shakes her head. “No, but I thought maybe he would. Look, if you hear from him, will you tell him I’m asking for him?”
“Why would I talk to him before you do?”
The smile that dons her face is sweet and also… sad. “Because I can tell how much you mean to him, dear.”
I laugh, but I immediately stop when I see she’s being serious. “Do you want me to try and call him for you?”
I’m not sure if my offer to help is out of place, but a shocked choking noise escapes her like she’s holding back a sob. “Would you mind?”
Pulling out my phone from my bag, I find Paddy’s number. It rings, but he doesn’t answer. The feeling inside me makes me feel sick.
Me and Siobhan swap a worried glance. “I’ll message him.” Considering he never replied to me last night, I can’t see why he would now.
Paddy, I’m with your mum. She’s worried about you. Are you alright?
Seconds pass, but we see his status change to online. He reads the message, and the dots wiggle.
Paddy: Fine, curly cries
I think your mum was expecting you to come home today
Paddy: Something came up. Be back when I can
“He’s fine.” I show my phone to Siobhan.
“Stupid shit,” she blurts before adding, “Excuse my French.”
I lift my hand, letting her know it’s fine. Paddy is a stupid shit for scaring her like this. I want to call him again and give him a piece of my mind. “Want me to walk you home?” I say instead.
“No, you get inside. I’ll call Frank and have him meet me. Thank you, dear.”
“You’re welcome. And if I hear anything more, I’ll let you know.”
Her eyes dazzle at me. Is she crying? “See you tomorrow around five?”
“See you then.”
I watch her walk away and use my key to get inside the house. After a brief catch up with Mum, I pass Dad in the hallway as I make my way up the stairs.
“How’s it going?”
I turn to look at him, a little taken aback by his question. “With the job?”
He nods.
“It’s fine,” I reassure him, seeing the same old worried look etched into his features. He doesn’t believe me. “Really, Dad.”
When his head drops, a small part of me wants to reach out and hug him. I stay put as though I’m glued to the floor. “I’m pleased to hear it.” He’s stern, but he glances my way, his face softening momentarily.
I don’t say thank you. I don’t even smile back. Instead, I nod his way, returning his usual stoic approach. “I’m going out later. I need to go change.”
He looks up at me. “Who are you going with? Holly?”
“Yeah. We’re going for dinner and maybe a drink after.”
He pauses before he asks, “Where are you going?”
I take a breath. “I don’t know yet. But when I find out, I’ll let you know.”
“Thank you,” he says, like I owe him. I guess I do still live under his roof. But does that really warrant having to constantly let him know where I’m going?
And people wonder why I stopped going out and doing things. Things are so much simpler when Holly and I stay in. The only reason we’re going out is because she wants to know more about Paddy. Apparently, our forty-five minute wait at the bus stop wasn’t long enough.
Come to think of it, this is all on him.
If he hadn’t come back, we wouldn’t have anything to talk about, therefore no need to leave the safety of my house.
Gritting my teeth, I shower and change, trying my best to put Paddy out of my mind. I skip applying make-up and throw on a dress and my denim jacket, slipping my feet into my Converse for comfort.
When I check my phone, I find a text asking me to meet Holly at the pub she’s picked.
It’s unlike her, but I know how busy she is with these final papers she has to hand in.
If I wasn’t so pent up about Paddy and these ridiculous feelings that I have for him, I would probably be more worried about having to go out on my own again.
Luckily for me, I’ve walked some of the route enough lately with Kevin to know where to go.
I should be fine.