Page 8 of The Secret We Keep
“Everything alright?” I ask my friend, noting the sad look on her face.
She gives me the once over. “Fine. How are you?”
I lift my drink in a toast. “Getting drunk in a church hall against my will, so you know, same old.” Her face remains blank. “You’re sure everything’s alright?”
Fi pulls out the chair opposite me, sitting herself down as she removes her red cardigan and hangs it on the back. She runs her fingersthrough her long, brown waves, looking around at a few people before looking at me. “Things are great, really. Tell me how the new job’s going,” she asks.
Fi and I see each other whenever she’s not working. Unlike her brother, who I can feel keeps looking over at us, she still lives here in Stoney Grange.
“Uh,” I shake my head, “yeah, it didn’t work out.”
Her face falls. “That’s a shame.”
I try to raise a smile. “It’s okay.” I shrug my shoulders, feeling like a massive failure because I couldn’t hold down my job at the local shop.
I kept putting the wrong labels on things, and after I accidentally left the front doors unlocked one night, June Rogan spoke with my mother, and that was that.
I look over at June sitting at a table, and she smiles my way. There’s no love lost, which is good. I wish I could figure out why I struggle with simple things and just get on with life like everybody else has.
“I’m sure something else will come up.”
Twisting the glass on the table, I half smile. “I’m sure it will.”
Even I don’t believe myself, but when Fi’s lips pull into a straight line just like Paddy’s did, I can tell she’s thinking the same thing. I mean, what girl in their twenties can’t hold down a job in a local shop? It’s pathetic.
“You thought anymore about taking your driving test? That might make things a little easier? You know, you could look for something outside of this place.”
My fingers still. “I passed my theory—finally—but I can’t afford the test.”
“Your parents won’t help?”
I laugh under my breath. “You know them, Fi. Got to work for what you want in life, unless it’s not whattheywant.”
Her smile falls a little. “My parents are the same… apart from the last part.”
I look over her shoulder, seeing Mr and Mrs O’Keefe.
Mrs O'Keefe is now looking for somewhere to put the plate of food she’s carrying. Mr O'Keefe makes some room for the plate before she sets it on the table, then he gives her a wink when she’s done.
“Yes, that’s the difference. Your parentsactuallywant to see you succeed.” Mine are too overprotective. If I could tear off the cotton wool I feel like I’m wrapped in and step out of my comfort zone, I would.
I just don’t know how to do that.
Fiona smiles. “Yeah, they do.” Placing her hand over mine, she adds, “But your parents love you, Morg. In case you think otherwise. It’s like my dad always says, ‘tough love is the best form’. Makes us learn valuable life lessons while knowing that we’re cared for.”
Giving her my most appeasing smile, I pointlessly readjust my hair to give my hands something to do. “So, Paddy’s back?” I try to say casually.
Her head immediately spikes, and the smile on her face is the first genuine one I’ve seen during our conversation. She sits back a little, crossing her arms over her chest. “Yeah. City Boy is backuntil Monday.”
“You don’t want him back?” Because seeing him looking as good as he does, certainly has made my entire year.
She shakes her head. “No, quite the opposite. Iwanthim to stay this time. Something’s going on with him.” She taps her fingers on the table a few times. “I think it will do him some good to be back here.”
The relationship they have, I love it. Yes, they bickered like mad, but they were always there for each other. Even when we were kids, I was always envious of how much they got on. My brother and me used tobe close, but now we’re the complete opposite. If it wasn’t for public holidays, I wouldn’t know he existed.
“Make sure you go say hi to him, okay?” Fi encourages me gently.
My breath catches in my throat and my eyes jump to her. “Me? Oh, no. I’m sure I’ll be leaving soon.”
