Page 30 of Hard
‘Why? What does it mean?’
‘Never you mind,’ Agnes butts in, sliding me a look that says she’ll reserve her opinions on this topic for later. ‘All you need to know is that it’s no’ very nice to say and that I’ll be giving Uncle Will a piece of my mind when I see him next.’ Her narrowed gaze slides back to me. And then Mac.
Tarring us with the same brush is probably sensible even if Mac isn’t guilty this time. Just me, the fella who pays her wages, and Will, a peer of the realm.Lord Travers, you’re a very naughty boy.But then he knows that well enough.
Once upon a time, I’d have instinctively known that in discussingeffing someone in the a, he’d be recounting a night with a girl. But now that he’s settled down and in love, he no longer shares those kinds of tales. Which is just as well as I doubt I’d be able to look Sadie in the eye if he told me he’d been bumming her last night.
There are some things you just don’t share.
‘Do you want me to stay, darlin’?’ I ask softly, causing Agnes’s frown to deepen.
‘Yes,’ Sorcha answers immediately. ‘And... no.’ Her expression and tone conflicting. ‘I’m not supposed to say I want you to stay. Even if I do.’
‘Why’s that, then?’
‘Because I’m just jealous. And I don’t want to be.’
‘That’s better now,’ Agnes chastises kindly, stroking her hair. ‘You’re a good girl, and you’ll quit your greetin’,’ she says, referring to the appearance of Sorcha’s sudden tears. You don’t want to make your daddy feel any worse than he already does.’
‘Why should he feel bad?’ she complains, pulling her slender legs back under the blanket. ‘I’m the one with the spots.’
‘Because he’s your dad, and your pain is his pain.’
‘Well, he can have my chickenpox then.’ Swiping the tears away, Sorcha scowls, folding her arms across her Disney nightdress. ‘Anyway, I’m too big for Build-A-Bear now.’
‘Be that as it may,’ Agnes says, straightening the throw over her legs. ‘But remember you’re not too big for a skelped arse.’
I struggle to hide my smile. Agnes would no more smack her backside than she would mine. But the threat seems just as effective as it was all those years ago when she caught me trying to steal a packet of cigarettes from her corner shop.
She’s been looking after me since then. Feeding me. Making sure I’m well.
‘But I’m bored,’ Sorcha complains.
‘Of course, you are, darling,’ Ella placates, perching herself on the edge of the sofa and pressing a pink cup into her hand. She brushes Sorcha’s golden, though lank, hair from her head. ‘As well as sweeties, I’ve brought a picnic, and Louis has some movies to stream. Do you think you might like to spend the afternoon with us?’
Sorcha nods, all doleful eyes. ‘Yes please, Auntie Ella. Daddy can go to rugby, I suppose.’
Jesus Christ, you could sit on that pouty lip.
‘Weddings are boring anyway,’ asserts Louis, pressing a spouted cup into his little sister’s grabby hands. ‘It’s all stand up, sit down. No talking in the church. Then they take hundreds and hundreds of photographs. Then they talk and talkand talk!So boring.’
‘How many weddings have you been to?’ Sorcha asks suspiciously.
Louis considers for a moment before answering. ‘Three. And none of them were fun. Unless you like dancing.’
‘Oh, well. I’m glad I didn’t go then. Sorry, Daddy,’ she adds without an ounce of contrition. ‘You can play rugby. But please bring us all ice creams home.’
‘Giving out your orders now?’ Agnes says.
‘Sorry, Auntie Agnes.’ For Agnes, at least, she has the sense to look downcast.
‘Off you go, then.’ Ella masterfully suppresses a chuckle at my expression. ‘We’ll be here most of the afternoon. Harvesting germs,’ she adds in an undertone.
‘Aye, away you go,’ Agnes says, almost shooing me out of the room. Ella and Mac follow us into the hallway.
‘I haven’t said I’m going yet. I haven’t got my things.’
‘We all know you keep your kit in the car,’ Mac says, calling me out.
