5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
‘Ijust don’t understand why all the secrecy,’ said May. She and Alice were walking towards the Ship Inn, where the big surprise was going to be revealed. ‘Do I know the person we’re going to meet?’
‘I’d be surprised if you didn’t,’ said Alice enigmatically.
‘Oh my gosh, Alice, I really can’t be bothered with this. Please, is it someone I like?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Alice, shrugging.
‘Alice, I’m really—’
‘Oh, you stop it,’ said Alice. ‘You’re being such a spoilsport. You’ll know in five minutes. Can’t you just stop moaning until then?’
‘Don’t turn all Bridezilla on me,’ said May, ‘or I’ll quit the role of chief bridesmaid.’
‘God forbid,’ said Alice. ‘You deserting would leave me in the not-so-capable hands of Sylvie. Did you hear she wants to book a stripper for the hen do?’
Despite May’s earlier annoyance, she couldn’t help but splutter with laughter. ‘Sylvie wants to hire a stripper?’
Alice rolled her eyes. ‘It’s her first ever hen do, and she says she wants the full experience.’
‘Oh my goodness, we’re going to have to watch her like a hawk. Do you think I should get some willy straws?’
‘Please, no.’ Alice snorted. ‘All I want is a nice evening at a fancy restaurant, or even better, a few drinks at the Ship. I don’t want any fuss. No dressing up, no L-plates, no willy straws, just an evening out with the women I love.’
‘Sounds straightforward enough.’ May made a mental note to pay Sylvie a visit and plan a few surprises.
The Ship Inn was quiet. A few local men were propping up the bar, and a group of old friends dined at one of the tables. Rita, the landlady, was polishing glasses with a tea towel. She smiled as they walked to the bar. ‘I’ve got the back room all ready for you,’ she said with a wink to Alice.
‘The back room?’ May’s confusion grew. ‘Honestly, what is all this?’
‘It’s not for you,’ said Alice quickly. ‘One of the people we’re meeting requires a bit of privacy.’
May’s mind was spinning. Were they about to meet royalty?
‘What can I get you ladies to drink?’ asked Rita.
‘I’ll have a large white wine,’ said Alice.
‘And I’ll have a pint of cider, please,’ said May, ‘and, whether you like it or not, a tequila shot on the side.’
‘A tequila shot?’ asked Alice, horrified. ‘We’re not on the hen do yet, May.’
‘No, but you’re being so bloody weird about this meeting, I need something to calm my nerves.’
‘Just stick to the cider, please, Rita,’ said Alice, throwing a glare at May.
Rita poured their drinks, and they carried them through to the snug in the back of the pub.
They were the only two people there. And although it should have been a nice opportunity to catch up, May found herself on edge.
She didn’t want any awkward questions asked.
She tried to turn the focus onto Alice and talk about the wedding, but Alice was jittery, her knee bouncing up and down, her eyes flicking to the door.
May sighed and leaned back in her seat. They sipped their drinks in silence.
By the time the door finally opened, May had almost finished her pint and was dying for something stronger.
‘Oh, they’re here.’ Alice visibly relaxed.
May wanted to relax too, but couldn’t. Instead, she sat up straight in her seat, eyes bright, fiddling with her hair. First impressions and all that.
‘Hi,’ said Kitty, walking into the snug.
It was unfortunate May had just taken a sip of her drink when she clapped eyes on the man a few steps behind Kitty. No. Surely not. Mr Gorgeous himself. How on earth? As she choked on her mouthful of cider, Kitty and Alice both laughed, as if it was just the reaction they were expecting.
‘See,’ said Alice. ‘I told you it would be a surprise.’
May went cold. How did they know about that night in Plymouth? Alice shouldn’t even know she’d been to Plymouth. As far as Alice knew, she should have been sitting her finals in Cambridge.
Kitty and the man took seats at the table. ‘I take it my brother doesn’t need an introduction?’ asked Kitty, giving him a playful tap on the arm.
May recovered some composure. ‘It might be helpful to at least know his name,’ she said tartly.
Kitty and Alice frowned at each other.
‘His name?’ asked Alice. ‘Surely you know his name?’
‘How would I know his name?’ May shrugged. ‘This is the first time we’ve met.’
She hoped her explanation was believable. Until she was certain Alice knew about her debauched night in Plymouth, she was assuming nothing.
The man sat back in his chair, eyes twinkling. He raised an eyebrow, the smirk on his face partly hidden beneath a few days of designer stubble.
‘You’re joking, aren’t you?’ Kitty frowned.
‘Joking?’ May was far from being in a joking mood.
‘What’s going on here? I really don’t understand.
Hi,’ she added, holding out her hand to the man, doing her best impression of a stranger meeting a friend’s brother.
He’d shown no signs of recognising her, so perhaps she could get away with this. ‘May Tyler. A pleasure to meet you.’
‘Cillian McDonaugh,’ he said, taking her outstretched hand.
Ah, so not Ewan, Ian or William. Cillian. What a bizarre name! No wonder she hadn’t remembered it. ‘Nice to meet you, Cillian,’ said May. ‘What is it?’ she added, catching Alice and Kitty staring at each other again.
‘You really don’t recognise Cillian?’ asked Alice.
‘Why should I?’ May tried to ignore the heat flooding her cheeks.
‘Cillian McDonaugh.’ Alice said the name slowly, as though talking to a small child.
‘Yes,’ said May, equally slowly, wondering if Alice had gone mad. ‘He just told me his name. You don’t need to repeat it.’
‘And that name means nothing to you?’ Kitty seemed genuinely shocked.
‘Should it?’ asked May. ‘As far as I’m aware, we haven’t met before.’ She avoided Cillian’s eyes as she told her blatant lie.
‘Ah, stop teasing the poor woman,’ said Cillian. ‘I believe my sister and yours are referring to the fact I’m quite well known in some circles.’
‘Oh,’ said May. ‘And what circles would those be?’ None May spent any time in, that was certain.
Alice spat a mouthful of drink across the table, wiped her chin with a tissue, and turned to her sister. Her eyes were wide. ‘May, are you trying to play this cool? Are you honestly telling us you don’t recognise a famous pop star when you see one?’
‘Famous pop star?’ May pointed to Cillian. ‘You’re a famous pop star?’
Cillian held his hands up in an act of surrender. ‘Guilty as charged, although it’s not as impressive as it sounds. I was a penniless musician for years until I won Pop Superstars.’
‘He’s being modest,’ said Kitty. ‘His star was already well in the ascendant, the competition was just the icing on the cake. These days my little brother is a fully fledged pop idol.’
‘But you can’t be…’ May trailed off. Was she imagining the smirk playing on his lips?
Her mouth abruptly closed as a memory slotted into place.
The guitar in the hotel room. The hordes of screaming fans outside.
Being led out through the staff entrance.
The need for a private room at the pub. Oh my God. What had she done?
‘I need another drink.’ May stood and looked at everyone except Cillian. ‘What do people want?’
‘Another white wine for me, please.’ Alice held out her empty glass.
‘I’ll have the same,’ said Kitty.
‘Without wanting to be too much of a cliché,’ said Cillian, ‘I’d love a pint of Guinness, if there’s one going.’
May inwardly sighed. ‘No problem.’ Anything the man asked. She was desperate to leave the table and try to get her thoughts in order.