Chapter 21 Life is good #2
It’s been two weeks since he stopped having to go, and still he’s heard nothing.
“Well, they’d be wrong not to give you it back, son. Everyone can see you’re your old self.”
“Thanks, Pops.” Paddy nods in his father’s direction.
“Uncle Paddy,” Evie pipes up, wiping her mouth on the back of her sleeve.
“Yeah, kid?”
“You’re going to get your behind whooped today.”
He arches a brow, grinning cheekily. “Is that right? And who thinks they’ve got what it takes to take me on, huh? You?” He points a finger at her, pulling a piece of toast off the plate.
Evie shakes her head mischievously, face brimming with love and affection. She makes my heart melt. “Not me,” she jeers at him, pointing at Siobhan. “Grandma.”
“Why?”
“For telling her that tentacles were going to grow out of Bert’s behind,” Siobhan scolds.
Paddy sniggers under his breath, looking at Evie. “Bert,” he says, and Evie snorts into the hand that cups around her mouth.
Twirling a tea towel around in her hand, Siobhan whips the side of Paddy’s leg, making him cry out.
He drops the toast to the table. “Jesus Christ. What’d you do that for?”
Siobhan bounces on the balls of her feet, beginning to twirl the towel once again. “For being a menace.” She cracks it again like a whip.
Paddy fires out of his seat. “Shitting hell. You’ll leave a permanent mark.”
A chorus of laughs echo around the kitchen, and the noise of the room makes butterflies dance in my stomach. I always feel so at home here. I love enjoying these moments of normality. The simple moments that have been few and far between for me.
“There’s more where that came from if I hear you making up rumours about Bert, or anyone else in this village, Patrick.”
“Uh, guys?” Evie says, looking down to the ground. “Kevin’s crapping on the kitchen floor.”
Siobhan throws down the towel. “Evie,” she yells, before frantically waving her hands at Paddy. “For crying out loud, get that dog outside, Patrick.”
Evie jumps up, snatching a five-pound note that is laying on the table. She drops it in the swear jar before taking out her change at the same time as Paddy limps pathetically to Kevin, grabbing him and holding him at arm’s length all the way to the door.
I’m up and out of my chair, holding the door open for him, desperately trying to contain my laughter amongst the chaos.
“You little bastard,” Paddy exclaims, dropping Kevin—who’s now in full flow—to the grass.
“That’s a pound in the jar,” Evie shouts from inside.
“Oh, God,” I laugh, pulling out some dog bags from my pocket. “Couldn’t wait for me to drink my coffee, little guy?” I look down at him and his ears prick up, even though he’s still straining.
Paddy pinches his nose. “Smells like rotten cabbage.”
I bump his shoulder. “What do you expect? He eats everything in your garden.”
When he’s done, I reach down and pick up the muck. I tie the bag and hold it out for Paddy.
His eyes narrow, giving me a what are you doing? look.
“I picked it, you bin it. That was supposed to be the deal.”
Eyes rolling, he holds out his hand, retching as he chucks it in the outside bin.
“Congratulations, Paddy O’Keefe. You finally touched a poo bag. Wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“No. It was so much worse.”
I pretend to sigh dramatically, shaking my head at how a grown man can be so ridiculous. We’ve walked Kevin together for weeks, and he still tries to get out of picking up poo whenever he can.
“Don’t give me that look,” he declares.
I look up. “What look?”
He waggles his fingers between my eyes. “That look.”
I frown.
“The one where you’re wondering how a man who does my job and works with blood and injury, can struggle to pick up dog shit.”
He reads me so well.
“No,” I fib, licking my lips and turning away from him. “But it is stupid—”
I’m swiftly dragged back to face him, and he steps closer, still holding my hand. “Calling me stupid, curly fries?” Heat radiates off his chest.
Pressing a hand flat to the solid wall of muscle to steady myself, I look up at him from beneath my lashes, taking in his beauty. “I think today’s going to be a good day for you, Paddy. I can feel it.”
Lord knows he deserves it.
Away from listening ears, Paddy lets out a sigh, lowering his head. “I hope so, curly fries. Working with my old man is good fun, but I need to get back to it.”
“I know you do,” I say gently, feeling his heartbeat accelerate under my fingers.
Paddy presses a soft kiss to my head.
I can’t stop myself leaning into it. Closing my eyes, I take in the smell of cars and something unplaceable and wild coming off him. It’s like cold air and clean metal. Precise and untouchable.
We stay like this until he’s pulling back like he always does. Not looking at me, he clears his throat. “I forgot to say, tonight I’d like you to come to the game.”
I manage to smile like nothing cracked inside me, but it definitely did. “I’m finally allowed to come watch you play?” I keep my tone breezy, a skill I’ve learned when talking to Paddy.
He nods, tucking his hands in his pockets.
“That’s another big step for you. Don’t run before you can walk, big shot.”
He tilts his head. “Big shot? The only big thing around here are your nipples.” His eyes flick down. “What a day to choose not to wear a bra.”
I look down and sure enough, you can see my nipples pushing through my jumper. “Stop looking at my boobs.” I swat his arm, biting my lip, cursing myself under my breath. I keep flirting with him, and him with me, but I feel like I’m setting myself up to get hurt.
He laughs, having to work hard not to look at my chest again. “It’s a semi-final match. Would be good to have some real fans cheering me on. Jake’s coming too.”
I like seeing his face light up the way it does. “You make it sound like you’re about to enter the Premier League.”
His shoulders raise. “We both know the Stoney Grange Gladiators have got what it takes.”
I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing. Who on earth came up with that name? “I don’t, actually. I’ve never seen them play.”
“Well then, tonight’s your lucky night, curly fries.”
He winks just as Evie appears at the door. “Let’s go on the long route through the graveyard,” she declares.
Paddy gives her a nod before smiling down at me. “I’ll just grab my coat.”
Paddy: All booked?
Yep. Two weeks from today. Any chance we can squeeze in a few more lessons? I want to make sure my reverse parking is perfect
Paddy: You are perfect at it already
Why do the only words I read have to be you, are and perfect? “Urgh,” I grumble out loud to myself. I tuck my phone away and walk towards the bus stop, needing to get back home. I haven’t missed having to use public transport.
This morning was different, and I can’t place why.
Everything was normal, so far as me showing up at the O’Keefe’s place and walking Kevin the long way through the graveyard like Evie always insists.
What wasn’t normal, however, was the way Paddy and his dad were talking before they came into the house.
I know enough to know that a car doesn’t need fixing before working hours, not unless it’s urgent. But they haven’t had anything come in that’s urgent the entire time I’ve been hanging out there.
So what was it? What had them outside and talking about Paddy having to be careful?
When the bus pulls up, I step on and pay the three-eighty it costs. I can’t wait to drive. I don’t have a car, but once I save up for one, being on my own time is going to be a game changer.
I also won’t have to make small talk with strangers on the bus. It’s one thing getting to know people you actually like, but when it’s people you’re unlikely to see again, it seems rather pointless.
Maybe I’m just letting my emotions run away from me.
And who can blame me?
I’ve fallen for a man who’s trying to piece his life back together, and for better or worse, he’s taken me along with him. He’s taught me how to drive. Made me more confident to write. I feel more like myself, and when I really dig deep, I know I want to spend more time with him.
Sure, it would be nice not to have to sneak around and hide my feelings from my parents, but if I keep going the way I am, I can see myself being brave enough to tell them that one way or another, Paddy O’Keefe will be in my life.
One way.
Of course, he could get his job back and decide he wants to move back to London.
He hasn’t let me get too close to him. Perhaps part of him getting things back together means he’ll go back to his ex.
Not that we’ve really spoken about her, but Paddy and I have been together when she’s called wanting to know more about the flat they once shared.
It all sounds very complicated. Judging by the way Paddy tenses every time he has to deal with his past, I know it’s unlikely he’ll go back. Still, the thought has crossed my mind more than once.
Like, what would I do if he left again? Would I keep walking Kevin and hanging out with his parents?
Because that would be too weird, even for me.
But I can’t go back to the way things were.
I won’t. I’ve still got a way to go, but I like where I am now.
People don’t talk under their breath when I’m close.
They ask me how I am rather than shy away from all contact. It’s different, and I like it.
Stewing on my feelings, I watch as the final few passengers get on the bus.
I notice Sarah, so I lift a hand, gesturing for her to take the empty seat next to me.
Not only do we have stuff to catch up on, but the old man, who smells distinctly like he hasn’t washed for a fortnight, is not far behind her.
I don’t think I can endure the long bus journey next to him.
“Hi.” Sarah takes the seat next to me, dumping her bag on her lap. She takes the deepest breath, letting her head rest against the back of the seat. “Today was long.”
“That bad?”