Page 103 of Experiments in Offline Dating

Chapter 29 An Experiment in Being the Messenger Standing in Front of a Man with an Itchy Trigger Finger . . . While Wearing Pajamas

A call woke me the next morning. But it wasn’t some old horndog asking me if I thought I was pretty. It was Jackie, and when I heard his voice, I found that I didn’t mind the wake-up call.

“Maya. So good to hear your beautiful self.”

“Hey, Jackie. How are you?”

“Well, I’ll tell you the truth of it. I’ve been missing you ’round the house something terrible. Nobody’s here to say good morning to me in their pajamas or chat with me over breakfast when I come in from feeding the chickens.”

“I miss you too. I wish we could swing down and see you. How’s the festival going?”

“Oh, just as busy and bustling as ever. There was big palava in the streets yesterday. Two fellas got in a scuffle after liking the same girl in the speed dating.”

I laughed. New favorite thing—dating gossip with Jackie. “Sounds like a reality TV show! I’m so sorry I’m missing it.”

“No, no, what you’re doing is far more exciting. How has the trip been going? Has Tadhg been behaving himself?”

Something in his voice made my smile fade as I realized I was on shaky ground. “The trip has been great!” My voice came out too high, too chipper. “We drove the Dingle Peninsula yesterday and had such a great interview with Maedhbh and Gear’oid.”

But my little attempt at a subject change was deftly sidestepped.

“So, would you say that you and Tadhg are learning to get along? Are you finally warming to each other, then?”

“I mean. Yeah. Sure. I guess. It’s fine. I mean. It’s professional. Everything’s fine, if that’s what you’re asking. Is that what you’re asking?”

“Hmm. Glad to hear that, Maya. Glad to hear that.” He sounded . . . smug? I was suddenly desperate to get off the phone.

“Okay, Jackie. Thanks so much for calling! I’ve got to run. And do stuff. Do stuff by myself.” Oh my God!

“Now, hold on just a minute. Would you do me a tiny favor there? I need you to go tell Tadhg that there’s been a change of plans today. Tell him instead of Cork, you’ll be going to Malin Head, and then Cork’s been moved to Thursday.”

“Oh. All right. Marlin Head? I’ll try to remember. You don’t want to just give him a call and tell him yourself?”

“No, no. Much too busy. All right, thanks for that, Maya! I’ll email him over the details. Have a safe journey. Speak soon, love!”

Before I could say anything, he hung up. I realized that he hadn’t asked me how my dates were going. That seemed odd.

I padded across the hall to Tadhg’s room in my pajamas, and of course, when he answered, he was already dressed and probably had been up since two a.m. for the sole reason of being superior when he answered the door.

“Morning.”

“Good morning. Do you ever sleep? Or do you always sleep in your clothes and shoes, ready to spring into action should someone have any sheep-related emergencies?”

He crossed his arms. “Is this little attempt at hilarity the reason why you rushed over here before dressing yourself or looking in the mirror?” He smirked. My knees buckled.

“Mostly, yes. But also, your dad called and said to tell you there’s been a change of plans. Apparently, Cork has been moved to Thursday, and today we’re supposed to go somewhere else.”

“Where?”

“Umm . . .”

“You’re terrible at this.”

“Something about a fish?”

“A fish, Maya? The whole damn country is surrounded by water, and she tells me to look for fish.”

“Marlin Bay?”