The Girl Who Lied(49)

‘Didn’t stop you going out on the bike with him, though, did it?’

‘I am allowed some time off,’ I say, disentangling myself completely from his grip. ‘You’ve been to Ralph and Melissa’s, and I don’t suppose that’s the only thing you’ve done in your free time.’ I know full well Ed has a wide circle of friends and as long as I’ve known him he’s never been short of an invite to go somewhere with someone.

‘That’s different,’ says Ed.

‘How is it?’

‘I’ve been out with my friends.’

‘Likewise.’ I sigh at our argument. ‘Look, why don’t I make us a coffee?’

‘If you like.’

I make the coffee in silence as Ed sulks and then carry the two cups through to the living room. Ed sits down on the sofa and I feel obliged to sit next to him. ‘So what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?’ I ask, aware there is little gratitude in my voice.

‘Spur-of-the-moment decision,’ says Ed. He leans forward, his arms resting on his legs. ‘Actually, that’s not quite true. There is a reason.’

‘Which is?’

‘I need to know when you’re coming back to work.’

‘In all honestly, I don’t know,’ I say. ‘Dad’s not recovering as quickly as they had hoped. They put off waking him but he is breathing on his own now, which is a good sign. They are having another meeting about it next week to decide on the way forward. I can’t possibly come back until I know a more certain prognosis.’ I sip my coffee. My life in London seems a million miles away, whereas my life here in Rossway, working in the café, seems more like the norm. ‘And even then, I might have to stay to help Mum.’

‘Anyone would think you like being here.’

‘It’s not as bad as I thought, to be honest.’

Ed gives me an old-fashioned look. ‘Are you serious? You are, aren’t you? For God’s sake, Erin.’ He picks up the teaspoon and taps the palm of his hand with it. ‘I need to have a firm date for when you’re coming back to work.’

‘I wish I could give you it.’

‘You can’t expect me to treat you any differently to the other girls.’ Ed has a slightly belligerent tone to his voice and then more softly. ‘I’ve barely seen you for weeks, let alone had any real close contact.’

I roll my eyes. ‘We’re back to that again, are we?’

‘It’s only natural.’ He puts the spoon down and turns on the sofa to face me. ‘I don’t want to argue and I don’t want to put you under any more pressure, but I have no choice.’ He takes my hand. ‘If you’re not back at work in two weeks, I’ll have to let you go.’

‘Let me go? What do you mean? Finish with me?’

‘That’s up to you,’ says Ed. ‘What’s the point staying together if you’re living on the opposite side of the Irish Sea to me?

‘When do you need to know?’ I ask, whilst acknowledging I’m not as heartbroken at the prospect as perhaps I should be.

‘I’ll be over next weekend for the naming ceremony, you know, the one I absolutely can’t wait to attend,’ he says, making his fingers into the barrel of a gun and pretending the shoot himself in the temple. Then, looking seriously at me, ‘You can let me know what your decision is then.’





Chapter 16


‘Say bye to everyone,’ said Kerry, standing at the door of Apple Tree Cottage.

‘Bye Mammy. Bye Daddy. Bye-bye baby Breeze,’ said Storm, waving solemnly in turn at each of them.

‘Now you be good for Kerry,’ said Joe. ‘And be nice to those Keane girls too, I don’t want Sean Keane coming round here after me. He might put your daddy in jail.’

‘And that will be a blessing to us all,’ said Bex.

‘Ah sure, you’d miss me, so you would,’ said Joe.

‘What, your smelly socks lying around, t-shirts covered in grease and oil, your snoring,’ said Bex. ‘Yeah, sure, I’d miss those, all right.’

‘Well, you’re the child’s mother,’ retorted Joe, winking at Kerry. ‘If he does anything wrong, that’s down to you, I’d say. You’re the one at home with him all day.’

‘Jody Wright, you’re walking a fine line,’ said Bex.

Kerry grinned at the easy banter between husband and wife. ‘We promise to be on our best behaviour, don’t we, Storm? You’ll be nice to Sophie and Molly and I’ll be nice to Erin.’

‘Yeah and that’s what I’m worried about,’ said Joe. He gave Kerry a punch on the arm. ‘You and Erin playing happy families. Although, I like your thinking, the two of you. Taking out the little ones. It’s a trial run, so it is. To see how you like it.’