Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 82767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
I picked up some souvenirs – a tea towel for my mother and a corkscrew for my father. I also got three colorful scarves from a tiny shop that was about the size of my bedroom – one in red for Beatrix, one in black for Taylor, and one in purple for myself.
When it was time for Keegan to pick me up, I was sitting on the beach again waiting for him. He pulled in a little late and got out before I could get up, coming over to sit by me. I looked at him, shocked by his expression. He looked worn out. Like he had been crying or had terrible news. His shoulders were hunched up like I had seen them at work, and he looked at the picture of misery.
“God, are you okay?” I asked, not thinking that perhaps he wouldn’t feel like sharing.
“Huh?” he asked, putting on a smile.
“You look…” I struggled for the words. “Really, really, tired.”
“Do I?” he shrugged, then sighed. “I had to visit someone I haven’t seen for a long time, and it wasn’t easy.”
“Do you… want to talk about it?” I asked, not sure what I hoped his answer would be.
“No,” he said. “It’s done now, and it was… good. It was really good.”
“But tough,” I said, nodding.
“Yeah,” he said.
“I had chips,” I said, nudging him with my shoulder as if to cheer him up. “And I do not know why you ever left this country. They should put the chips on the tourist brochures.”
He laughed. “God, I have missed proper chips. None of this fries nonsense.”
We got up and made our way back to the car. The woman from the chip shop called out a goodbye, and Keegan didn’t seem surprised that she knew me. I noticed that he was tense again, like he had some weight on his shoulders. The journey back to Dublin was quiet. He seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts, and I left him to them, gazing out of the car window as we left the countryside behind and suddenly entered the city. We made our way through the streets and he knew every back street, every junction, and some frankly terrifying roundabouts.
“You know the city well, you lived here?” I said, desperate to break the uncomfortable silence.
“Yeah, I grew up here,” he said and his tone was laden with sadness. “This is home.”
“You miss it?” I asked, aware that I might be pushing my luck a little.
“Yes and no,” he said. I realized that he was retreating back into his usual aloofness, and I felt sad to see him go.
Chapter 22
KEEGAN
SARAH HAD BEEN glad to see me. I think. She had been in the garden, hanging out laundry on the clothesline, and she turned at the sound of the engine and then burst into tears the minute she saw me step out of the car. I went to her and put my arms around her.
“I’m so sorry I haven’t been around,” I said. I had wanted to surprise her, as I had been worried about losing my nerve and backing out at the last minute.
“Don’t be mad, you’re across the world. I can hardly expect you to drop in for a cuppa,” she laughed.
“Okay, then I’m sorry I haven’t called you,” I said, and she nodded in agreement, which made me wince.
“I’ll forgive you,” she said as we made our way into the house, “but what I won’t forgive is this.” She reached up to a top shelf and took down a familiar-looking envelope. “I’d rather have had a phone call, Keegan.”
“I know, I know,” I said. “And I’m not trying to buy you off, I just wanted to help you out.”
“And ease your conscience,” she added, before quickly closing her eyes. “I didn’t mean… I meant to ease your conscience about not calling, not about…”
“I know what you meant,” I said, sitting down at the kitchen table while she put the kettle on. “But if you don’t cash the check, I am going to donate it to whichever is the most outrageous political party standing at the next election. Is the All Night Party running in the next election?”
“Don’t be a dick, Keegan, of course I cashed it,” she laughed. “I was slightly offended, but I’m not stupid!”
“Where is Declan?” I asked, finding it hard to even say the name.
“He’s with his granny,” she said, raising her eyebrows and beaming at me.
“Are you serious?” I asked, stunned.
“Yeah, it’s a regular thing these days. They will be back any minute.”
“God, I’ll be the last person she will want to see.”
“No, don’t be so sure, time has moved on. Now tell me everything about your work.”
“It’s boring and repetitive, and I hate it,” I said. “End of story.”
“Okay, message received,” she nodded. “Shall we walk down to meet them? There’s someone I want to show you.”