Page 128 of The Rebound
He looks so confused that I laugh, kissing him on the other cheek for good measure.
“You better go say hello,” I say, pushing him toward them as Ned corrals me into the water to get some pictures. I put a T-shirt on over my dress and wade into the ocean, holding up one end of a banner that says in large stern letters,our waters belong to everyone.They’ve just taken the first few pictures when the first trucks arrive.
The students start to boo as the builders get out, but they don’t seem too bothered, probably not caring what happens so long as they’re getting paid to be there. I rejoin Louise on the shore as a sleeker car pulls up to the dunes, the reporters gathering around us. To my surprise, only one suit man is there, and he’s not even in a suit, but beige chinos and a blue-and-pink-striped shirt. His face is red, his hair is white, and he has the air of a middle-class man used to getting his way.
“Louise,” he greets as she stomps over to him. “You want to tell me who tipped you off this time?”
“Not a chance.”
“You can’t stay here forever you know. This is a perfectly legal transaction and one that will hugely benefit our community.”
“By restricting access to natural resources?”
“By bringing jobs to the surrounding area. By bringing tourists and visitors in to experience the beauty that you and I both love so much.”
“And by kicking out locals to do so. I’ve been coming to this beach every year since I was a child, Mr. Agnew.” Her voice rises to be heard by all. “And as an expectantmother, I intend to bring my own children here as well.”
Agnew smiles at her, his voice dropping so no one could hear it but us. “You’re pregnant?”
“And not afraid to use it.”
His eyes flick to the side, taking in the crowd. “Is that a City FM reporter?”
“RTÉ have already come and gone,” she says, matching his volume. “TheIrish Independentwill be out here this afternoon.”
“A slow news day.”
“Not anymore.”
He hesitates, pursing his lips before his expression smooths once again. “Fine. No handcuffing this time, you hear me?”
“I’ll make sure to run the list of demonstrations by your office.”
He goes to retort when his eyes flick to her stomach and back again, frustration flashing across his face. “You can have today,” he says, speaking louder again. “But we’ll be back tomorrow.”
“And we’ll be here,” Louise calls as he heads back to the car. The crowd behind us starts to cheer, the photographers snapping away.
“That’show you wanted to reveal your pregnancy?” I ask.
“It worked didn’t it?”
“I guess,” I say, as Agnew drives off. “Is that it?”
“Yes, Abby. They’ve given up and the beach is ours.”
“I really can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or—”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Oh.” I watch as Tomasz offers a pack of biscuits to the builders. “So you’re just going to do the same tomorrow.”
“Yep.”
“And you really think you’ll be able to stop it?”
“No.”
“No?” I stare at her. “Then what are we all doing here?”
