Page 81 of The Snag List
‘Maia’s been a really big help.’ Ailbhe desperately wanted to put her arms around him and Tilly, but she couldn’t tell what he would do, and the thought of him pushing her away was too painful. She looked at them both – her family – and they were right there within reach, but she’d no idea how to hold onto them. The threat of Seb, of being found out, always circled even though only she could see it. ‘Maia’s guided me.’
He nodded. ‘When we get to California, she’ll be nearby.’
Ailbhe’s heart surged. ‘So we’re doing it? You still want—?’
Tom wrapped his arms around her and pulled her gently close so both she and her daughter were nestled on his chest. ‘I want you. I want this. Us! I was so happy when Maia told me how seriously you were taking your new direction. I want us to get back on track. The lawyers have smoothed the visa issue. I love you.’
‘I love you too.’ Ailbhe closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Despite the relief flooding her, adrenaline hummed through her as well. She’d come so close to losing it all. She’d never be so cavalier again. They would get away and she would never let things get out of control. She pushed the always-present dread deeper down. She would do whatever she had to do to protect her family: this was too precious. She pulled back to find Tom’s eyes. ‘You’re very sticky.’ She grinned.
‘Hmmm, yes. Breast milk is very sweet.’
‘I am not asking how you know that.’
He laughed.
‘Listen,’ Ailbhe continued quietly. ‘Roe is staying here. Things are not good between her and Eddie.’
Tom looked troubled. ‘Yeah. I had no idea that in confronting you I might kick off something even worse. I didn’t realise the others were all so close to the brink. She hates me, I presume?’
‘Ehhh, well … no. I think she’s mad at herself more than anything. She’s been shout-singing along toSpring Awakeningall day. Which isn’t as cheery as the name suggests.’
‘I should go up.’ Tom started jigging towards the stairs but stopped on the first step. ‘Jesus Christ, Ailbhe. Is that her? When I was downstairs I actually thought the neighbours were having construction work done. She sounds very distressed.’
Ailbhe joined him and listened. ‘I think she’s moved on to Sondheim.’
‘It sounds like she’s speaking in tongues.’ Tom frowned.
‘Yeah, that’ll be the Sondheim.’ Ailbhe nodded sagely. ‘It’s ‘(Not) Getting Married Today’, I think.’
Tom looked stricken. ‘Is Eddie … OK? Are they breaking up?’
‘I have no idea, Tom.’ Ailbhe shuddered. Speaking about Roe and Eddie’s situation gave her the guilts.It is not the same thing!inner-Ailbhe had taken to chanting on repeat.
‘Yeah, it’s worse,’ Lindy had remarked on the drive back the day before.Lindy is not the audience for spousal betrayal right now, Ailbhe reminded herself.
‘Maybe I should do something?’ Tom looked earnest. ‘Broker a meeting, some kind of reconciliation?’
‘I don’t think they’re there yet. Or if they’ll ever get there.’
‘Well, she can stay here as long as she needs – it’s the absolute least I can do.’ He grimaced as, above their heads, Roe started in on a particularly demented take on ‘Everything’s Coming up Roses’. He spun back to Ailbhe. ‘We need to get ourselves organised for flying out. Maia has us on a 10 a.m. on Thursday. No airport hassle this time: everything for your visa is sorted out until Christmas, and in the meantime, I have a guy in legal assigned to working out full citizenship. How does Thursday sound?’
It sounds like a huge fucking relief, Ailbhe thought. Seventy-two hours untilFreedom: The Sequel. She just needed to lay low until then. No goodbye parties this time, no going anywherenearthe Voices of Glory production: just get out and thank the actual Lord for this second chance.
‘Thursday soundssoexciting.’ She reached up to stroke his face. It was all coming up Ailbhe. ‘Dinner will be here soon. I’ll just text Roe – I think she has rehearsal but she might have time for a quick bite.’
28
LINDY STOOD AT AILBHE’S DOOR ON WEDNESDAY morning. She rang the bell and Tom’s voice emitted from the discreet intercom to her right.
‘Two secs, Lindy. You’re looking good!’
Lindy shifted uneasily.Eyes fucking everywhere in this place. Yet I didn’t see what was happening with my own husband.
She steeled herself for Tom. From Ailbhe’s texts, she knew that he was somewhat over himself now and feeling bad about effectively lighting a fuse under everyone’s marriage – not that she could blame him for her own current predicament.
Incredibly, Adam was strong-arming the hell out of her. Apparently her catching him cheating was not inspiring a scrap of guilt in him but rather the reverse: as he knew things were irretrievably wrecked, he was now digging in majorly. He wanted an agreement that they would keep the channel going for eighteen months and, for the duration, keep up a pretence at their relationship to placate the Monteray board.Jesus. In a weird way, it was hardly less dishonest than how they had been living for the last three months. The only thing making her consider it even slightly was the financials. It had now emerged that Adam had been flinging money at tech bros like knickers at a boy band, and they were not in a good place. They had a sit-down with their respective solicitors scheduled for the next day, and every time her mind strayed towards it she felt shaky. Finn had reassured her there was a place for her and Max to stay and a job for Lindy at Skin Love, but the thought of being in debt after everything they’d worked for in the last few years killed her.
She’d handed over years of Max’s life to this beast and now it seemed like it would be for nothing.Fucking Adam. Be careful what you wish for, they tell children.Be careful who you reproduce withis what they should be telling them.
