Page 100 of The Secret We Keep
The cheekiness of Evie never ceases to make me smile. But when the back door that leads straight into the kitchen swings open, it quickly fades, seeing Paddy’s expression.
He looks downbeat.
“Morning,” I say, still watching him.
He holds my gaze before slipping his coat from his shoulders and hanging it on the hook. “You’re up bright and early.”
“So are you,” I counter, wondering why he is.
Since not being allowed back to work as soon as he wanted, Paddy’s been helping Mr O’Keefe in his garage.
“Cars won’t mend themselves,” he tells me, earning a pat on the back from his dad.
They both take a seat at the table. It’s just after eight. It’s chilly, but the sun is beginning to warm the air.
“What are both your plans for today?” Siobhan asks.
Paddy and I exchange a look. “After we’ve taken Kevin out, I’m having my last lesson, then going into town and booking a driving test.”
“Oh, dear, that’s wonderful news,” Siobhan sings happily. “Once you can drive you won’t have to catch that awful bus anymore.”
Paddy grins with his head down.
“Yeah. I can’t wait.”
Truth is, I haven’t caught the bus once since Paddy started giving me lessons. He’s let me drive to and from work every day without fail. Not wanting to cause a stir, we’ve kept it a secret, mainly so that my parents don’t put an end to it.
“And yourself, Patrick. Any plans?” Siobhan places a plate of fresh toast on the table, along with some jam and peanut butter.
I eye it cautiously, glands swelling, nose turning up.
“I dare you to have a spoonful,” Paddy jokes, unscrewing the lid and thrusting his finger in before shoving it in my face.
Idiot.
“I’d rather eat glass,” I grumble in disgust, batting his hand away.
Siobhan swiftly swipes it off him, placing it in the cupboard. “Sorry, dear.”
I sip my coffee, enjoying the way Siobhan takes my side.
Paddy frowns at me playfully, then licks his finger and pours a mug of coffee for himself. “I’m actually going to see Tom around lunch. Then I’ll be back to help Pops.”
“You think he’s going to give you your job back?” Siobhan asks quickfire, and suddenly all eyes are on Paddy.
I feel like an intruder, even though of late, a morning coffee with the O’Keefe’s on my days off has become part of my normal routine.
Paddy remains silent.
A pang of sorrow hits me hard for him. We all know he wanted his job back sooner rather than later.
When his boss called him in the car after my first driving lesson, I couldn’t help but listen. Paddy was made to see a councillor for threeweeks and, based on her assessment, then he would hear whether he could return.
It’s been two weeks since he stopped having to go, and still he’s heard nothing.
“Well, they’d be wrong not to give you it back, son. Everyone can see you’re your old self.”
“Thanks, Pops.” Paddy nods in his father’s direction.
