Page 84 of The Last Saturday In July
‘Well done.’ Declan gave a nod of approval. ‘Been around farms much?’
Anna tutted. ‘Stop quizzing the poor woman, Declan, and let her eat. Adam, how’s Frank? Have you seen much of him recently?’
‘Yes, he was asking for you both.’ He turned to his father. ‘How are you feeling, Dad?’
‘Nothing wrong with me that a bit of work won’t cure,’ Declan said firmly. ‘In fact, I’ve been giving more thought to what you said about the dairy herd …’
‘Er, Dad, can we talk about this another time?’
‘Good a time as any, son.’ Declan helped himself to more shepherd’s pie. ‘And while I’m at it, that parcel of land is free and clear for you to build your own house. Get out of Dublin and back to your roots.’
Anna put a hand on her husband’s arm. ‘I don’t think this is the right time, Declan.’
Declan frowned. ‘It never seems to be the right time.’ He waved his fork at Adam. ‘What are you going to do, Adam? Head back to Switzerland? Work at something your heart isn’t in? How’s this fellah’s time-keeping these days, Jess? We used to have to drag him out of bed when he was a teenager.’
Adam’s jaw tightened. ‘Please, Dad, we have a guest.’
Anna shot her husband a stern look, before turning to Jess with a smile. ‘Has Adam told you about his two younger brothers?’
‘Yes, he’s mentioned them.’ Jess injected a note of interest into her voice, to hide the fact that she was dying to know what Declan meant. Was Adam annoyed about the reference to his job? It was hardly the quip about his teenage years.
‘Shay’s the engineer, he’s married with two little boys under two.’ Anna smiled over at her husband. ‘We see a lot of them and they’re wonderful. And our youngest, Neil, lives with his girlfriend in the next town. They’re both primary school teachers.’
Declan’s expression softened for a moment. ‘They’re great lads, both of them. We love having them all so close, don’t we, Anna?’ Before Anna could reply, he turned back to Adam. ‘Have you not told Jess anything about your plans for the farm?’
Jess took pity on Adam. ‘Mainly we talk about work.’
Adam cleared his throat. ‘Dad, Jess and I are just colleagues.’
‘Oh.’ He stared at them in confusion. ‘Well now, Jess, I hope I didn’t embarrass you.’
Jess smiled brightly. ‘No, of course not. Adam was being kind, he thought I could do with some fresh air and relaxation.’
Declan’s sudden, deep laughter sounded exactly like Adam’s. ‘Being kind? Give the man a bit of credit, love!’
‘Dad!’ Adam shot her a quick look of apology as heat flashed to Jess’s cheeks.
This was all her fault. She should have had the guts to come clean with Adam. She was being incredibly selfish.
But for a while longer, she wanted to pretend it was just her and Adam and his lovely, normal, down-to-earth parents. Real life could wait.
Chapter 32
‘THANKS again for a lovely evening, Adam.’ Jess unsnapped her seat belt as Adam pulled up outside her parents’ house in Dunlaoghaire, later that night. It had just got dark, and the road was quiet. They’d talked during the drive up from his family home, the atmosphere between them warm and relaxed. Now, in the stillness, the mood had started to shift to something more intimate.
Jess reached for the door. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Hang on, please?’ Adam’s voice was low.
Jess’s hand stayed on the door, but she turned back to face him. Adam ran a hand through his hair. ‘Nice house.’
She swallowed. ‘It’s my parents’ house. I’ve moved back for a while.’
He nodded. ‘Can I just say something?’
‘Sure.’ Jess was amazed at how steady her voice sounded.
‘I’m a bit confused.’ Adam spread his hands. ‘The whole Isle of Man thing aside, you definitely didn’t seem to like me when we first met.’
