Page 91 of The Rebound
“That’s great,” he echoes, concentrating on the gutter.
“Trains are down,” Louise continues. “We’re going to butter him up for a lift.”
“I didn’t even think of that,” Susan says, her brow furrowing. “When is it?”
“This afternoon,” I say, already walking away and gesturing not so subtly for Louise to do the same. “I’ll need to get going now in case the roads are bad.”
“Maybe Luke could drive you.”
“That’s okay,” I say as Luke glances at me. I am suddenly very aware of my braless, tank top state. “I’m sure Paudie will help us out.”
“But Luke’s—”
“I can’t, Mam,” he interrupts.
“What do you mean you can’t?”
I cast one wistful look toward Paudie’s house as I rejoin Louise by the hedge.
Susan is not impressed. “You heard her just now. She’s got an interview and you’ve got nothing else to do today but help me clean up. You said so yourself.”
“I—”
“Andyou can pick up some things in the city for me while you’re there. I’ve got a shirt I want to return. You can do that while you’re waiting and save me the stamp.”
Luke looks like he’s having an aneurism. I can almost see the vein popping out of his forehead. And I have to concur. Right now, the last thing I need is to spend three hours in a car with him.
“Well?” Susan asks sharply. “Did I raise you to be helpful or did I raise you to be sullen?”
They have a stare-off for about five seconds before he starts to climb down the ladder.
Susan whirls back to us with a wide smile. Louise gives me a nudge like I’m six years old thanking someone for a birthday present.
“That would be great,” I say stiffly. “I really appreciate it.”
He nods, jumping the last two rungs.
“There now,” Susan says, throwing her hands in the air. “Finally. Like drawing water from a stone. Abby, dear, you go back inside and get ready and don’t think about it a second more. You’ll want to get on the road straight away in case there’s diversions. He’ll have you in Dublin in no time.”
“Great,” I say. Great.
But with no other option, there’s no choice but to rush back inside and grab what I need. I had envisioned waking up and taking my time with my makeup and my hair but it’s fine. If this is my curveball for today, then I’ll deal with it. I didn’t make it this far in my life without being able to adapt.
Twenty minutes later I bound back down the stairs to find Louise waiting for me in the hall.
“Luke’s outside,” she says, handing me a thermal flask with her charity’s logo on the side. “I made you coffee. Mind the lid. It’s a little wonky. And I put a bit of milk in it, so if you don’t like—”
“A little bit of milk is perfect,” I say.
“Great. Good.” She nods. “Good luck, Abby.”
“Thanks.”
We stare at each other and for a moment I think she’s going to hug me but instead she just nods again and disappears into the kitchen.
Luke’s lounging against the side of his car when I emerge, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
“Best of luck, Abby,” Susan calls from her porch, and I turn with a wave as I follow him inside, tossing my travel bag in the back and my purse by my feet.
