Page 34 of An Angel's Share
Aoife rolls her eyes. Is this man so deluded he really does not get it. Aoife volleys back with gusto. “Patrick, I refuteyourinsinuation that we’re in profit. We’ll not end the year like that if we’re not careful,” she cautions.
Seamus makes a strangled noise in his throat, and all our heads turn. Aoife rushes over to him. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I didn’t mean to upset you. Patrick, can we please keep this sort of chat to the boardroom.” Aoife looks beseechingly up at her cousin as she squats next to her dad. “I don’t want to fight with you, cousin.”
Patrick deflates like a hot air balloon, and with Aoife pleading and his own father glaring at him, he backs down. “I’m sorry everyone. Please, let me get us some drinks.” He turns and goes back into the house, his shoulders slumped, leaving Liam on his own, ally-less.
Everyone ignoring him, Liam looks fucking furious. Leaving his useless ass to sulk, I move a chair next to Seamus and gently manoeuvre Aoife into it. Dragging an umbrella from next to the wall, I put it up so it shades both her and her dad. Marshall and Seamus watch me, although they’re trying not to make it obvious. I see Marshall's smug little smirk, and catch Seamus’s eye.
“Aoife, do you need to eat?” I ask her softly. “We were out for a long time.”
Liam, who has plonked himself down next to Dermot, makes a noise in his throat, almost a laugh. I outwardly ignore him, but I let my face show that I heard him and he is on thin ice. Seamus swings his head towards his soon-to-be-dislodged, never-to-be son-in-law. The glare is obvious andintentional. Liam at least has the sense not to say anything more.
“That would be lovely, Jonno.” I think I see the brimming of tears. “Thank you. Could I have something sweet? Daddy, do you want a piece of cake?” She’s patting his hand and they’re looking adoringly at each other.
“He can’t have cake or anything sweet.” Joy of joys, Mae has joined the party.
Liam looks smug. He’s really going for it, and has clearly made a decision whose side he’s on. And it isn’t Aoife’s. Aoife makes no reaction to her mother’s arrival, pointedly waiting for her dad to answer.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having, Rua. Surprise me.”
Aoife’s smile could light up Dublin. I move to offer her my arm and manoeuvre her chair so she can stand. “Come pick,” I tell her, grinning at both her and Seamus. I then turn my charm offensive on Mae. “Don’t worry, Mae. I’ll make it as healthy as I can.” I wink and bat my eyelashes at her before she can start issuing orders. She giggles at me and pushes me playfully. Aoife rolls her eyes at that.
As we go through the large open patio doors, Aoife prods me. “Stop flirting with my mammy. She’s bad enough as it is without you inflating her ego.” She rolls her eyes and tosses her head towards the still giggling Mae. “We’ll never hear the last of it. I’m sick enough of hearing Maggie waxing lyrically about Marshall.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I bat my lashes at her now, and she laughs. “I’m irresistible. It’s not my fault. It’s a curse I’ve had to endure my whole life,” I say with a mock sigh. She pushes at my chest, and I pull her towards me, laughing.
We walk through the doors to the kitchen to find Patrick glaring at us both from over the top of an array of drinks.Aoife goes straight over to him. She’s not afraid to confront anyone. In a good or bad way. “I’m not criticising you, Patrick.” She stops in front of him. “I’m not getting at you. We need to stop all the arguing. I wantO’Clerysto be great, not struggling. It is not a reflection on you, cousin.”
Well, I think that’s not strictly true, but she’s trying to placate the man, and keep him on her side.
He sighs. “I know, but I feel responsible. And things are not as dire as you think. But we can wait until the meeting to cover everything. I’m sorry, Aoife. I don’t mean to jump down your throat.” At least the man is a bit reasonable when away from Liam.
She nods and pulls him into a hug. His eyes widen in surprise, but he hugs her back, smiling as her stomach gets in the way. “Anything Christy and I can do to help, just let us know.” Patrick walks away to get the drinks tray, leaving us to pick the food.
Aoife divesstraight for the fridge when my phone rings with a FaceTime call from LA.
“Hey, James.” I grin into the phone as the handsome face of my nephew grins back at me.
He doesn’t bother with any pleasantries. “Have you spoken to Dad and Papa? They’re fucking crazy. You need to go home and get my mum out before they cause chaos.” He’s raking his hair through, making him look more like his dad. “I’ve told them to come to me. Dad is having a heart attack on a daily basis. Go fetch Mum, Uncle Jonno, please. She needs to be calm, not dealing with Dad on a rampage.” His face is so stressed, clearly Kell has been calling him daily, probably hourly. “If you can’t go get her, I’m hiring an extraction team from Uncle Jackson.Helicopters, SWAT tactics—the whole nine yards.” He really means business.
I start to laugh. They are maniacs, all of them. “I’ll ring her after I’ve spoken to you. In fact, we’ve just been talking about her.” I look up and see Aoife watching me interact with my nephew. “Aoife, come meet James, Evie’s oldest.”
She walks over, smiling, but her mouth drops open when the incredibly good-looking young man smiles at her. “You look like Marshall. I can see him in your face. But you also look so much like your dad,” she says in awe.
“I know, for my sins. The man is deranged. This pregnancy is driving him mental. Anyone would think he was carrying the twins. Uncle Jonno told me you’re pregnant, Aoife. Are you well?” He’s so polite, a charming young man, and his face softens as he asks her. She’s left speechless again. Our family is certainly well off in the male looks and charm department.
“Ye- yes, thank you.” She can’t get another word out.
“I’m on a TV show here later tonight with the band. It will be early hours your time, so I suspect you’ll see it tomorrow. I’m going to wear anO’ClerysT-shirt and Bucky’s taking a bottle on set.” He grins at her. “I checked in and asked Marshall, so I hope that’s okay?” He waits for her response.
“That would be brilliant. Yes, thank you. But we haven’t got a deal with you.” She sounds worried.
“No need, all free. Bucky and I have drunk enoughO’Clerysover the years, we’re definitely in credit.” He hits her with his version of his papa’s rockstar smile, clearly been learning at the feet of the masters.
He returns his attention to me, his voice retaking a harder edge. “Ring Mum and then ring me back later, Uncle Jonno. I need to go over the plan for them coming out.”
There’s no plan for them going out there, so he obviously wants something else. I know this boy so well, he is as much my son as my sister’s. He even bears our name. I brought him up. Trained him. He’s so fucking smart, he could have made billions in tech with me. But no, he followed his dad’s footsteps into music. Not making billions, but probably not far off. His band is a global brand, killing it around the world.
“I’ll sort them and ring you later.” I nod at him, my eyes telegraphing my understanding.
