Page 127 of The Irish Cottage By the Sea
‘Because we’re staying here.’
‘What? But that’s?—’
‘It’s on us,’ Sheena said, leaning across the table, ‘me and Liam. Our treat.’
‘Oh, wow! Thank you so much.’
‘You’ve been through a lot of stress in the last few weeks. We thought you deserved a bit of pampering. Besides, it’s the least we can do after what you did for Bo.’
‘Well, what should we drink to?’ Aidan said, raising his glass.
‘What about that judge?’ Karen suggested.
‘She got the measure of Rob quick enough, didn’t she?’ Rita said admiringly.
‘Well, I’d like to drink to all of you,’ Lou said. ‘I can’t thank you all enough for today.’
‘Ah, it’s no bother,’ Rita said. ‘Sure, it was a day out for us.’
‘And it was interesting to see the inside of a courtroom without having to be up on charges,’ Karen said and everyone laughed.
Lou didn’t think she’d ever felt so cosseted as she did right now, wrapped in the cosy cocoon of the restaurant with her friends around her and Aidan by her side. Lunch was a jubilant affair. The food was sublime, the wine delicious and she was delighted that everyone got on so well together, Aidan and Sheena chatting and laughing with Karen and Rita as easily as if they’d known them their whole lives.
She was almost sorry when it was over, but she was also exhausted, even though it was only five thirty as they said their goodbyes.
‘I’m so ready for bed,’ she said, yawning as she and Aidan made their way up the stairs.
‘Tired?’ Aidan asked, opening the door to their room.
‘Wiped out,’ she said a little sheepishly, not sure if he was teasing. ‘I’m practically asleep on my feet.’ He’d probably envisaged using the bed in a more fun way.
‘I know.’ He put an arm around her and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. ‘It’s been a draining day for you – not to mention the last few weeks. You must be exhausted.’
She smiled gratefully. ‘It does seem a waste of this lovely room, though.’ Even as she spoke, she kicked off her shoes and made for the bed.
Aidan shrugged. ‘We don’t have to tell anyone we only used it for sleeping. It can be our guilty secret.’
She fell onto the mattress with a groan and Aidan lay down beside her.
‘Besides, you might get a second wind later.’
‘I’m counting on it.’ She sat up and grabbed her phone. ‘I’m just going to give your dad a quick call and say goodnight to Jack before he goes to bed.’
Aidan nodded and stretched out on the bed beside her. Lou chatted briefly to Liam. He was already aware of how the day in court had gone. Then he put Jack on the phone.
‘Hey, kiddo.’ Lou smiled at the sound of his voice. ‘Are you having a nice time?’
Jack was his usual bubbly self, babbling away innocently about the games they’d played with Liam and Cara, and what they’d eaten for dinner. She was so grateful that he had no idea what had been happening today.
‘Well, night night,’ she said, lying down, her eyes drooping closed as they ended the call. ‘I’ll be home soon.’
As she turned into Aidan’s arms, she felt she was already there.
