Page 112 of The Life Daisy Devlin Designed
“Of course people knew.” Matt spoke with savage civility. “The public didn’t know, that’s all. We kept it private, because that’s what we wanted. Look, we’re wasting time.” He waded on.
Niamh waded after him.
“That’s such horse shit!”
Daisy followed. “Niamh! It’s actually none of our business!” She did her best to inject a note of warning into her voice.
Niamh didn’t reply, and Daisy wasn’t sure if she could hear her. The rain seemed to have got heavier. Now it was hitting them sideways, the strong winds and the water rushing around their legs threatening to unbalance them with every step.
Itwasher business, though, she thought, suddenly. Matt hadmadeit her business!
“Why didn’t you tell me, Matt?” Daisy shouted to be heard. “You could have just said something!”
Daisy saw a flash of understanding in Niamh’s expression, but forced herself to focus on Matt.
He swung around. “We only got back together this week. That’s what I wanted to tell you earlier tonight.”
Daisy stared at him for a moment. How could she have misread so many signs?
“And that I’m her new manager.”
“What?” Daisy laughed now. “That’s a bit outside your expertise, isn’t it?”
He shook his head. “Whatever. We’re wasting time.”
He turned and waded further down the road, the water hitting his knees.
Resisting the sudden urge to leave, Daisy waded after him, mentally relaying every conversation they’d had since he’d come back, every stupid coffee and pancake he’d made her. The night she’d stayed at the house could have gone so differently if she’d allowed it. Would Matt and Kayley still have got back together if it had? It didn’t matter anymore – she had to stop wondering about ‘what ifs’.
“I knew there was something going on!” Niamh shouted. “She was always hanging around, flirting with you. That’s why she moved in. I didn’t think she’d stick it out when things started going wrong! She’s such a spoiled cow!”
Matt either hadn’t heard or was ignoring her.
Niamh was right, thought Daisy. Kayley’s move from a five-star hotel in Dublin to an old house in the countryside, in the middle of a major redesign, had nothing to do with the paparazzi!
And despite everything that had gone wrong after she’d moved in ... after she’d moved in ... Daisy turned to look at Niamh. Through the dark and the rain, she could just make out the expression on her face, as Niamh met her eyes.
It had been Niamh who’d decided to overhaul all the electrics. And Daisy had trusted her, or at least she’d trusted Kenny. She remembered the day the house lost power. None of Kenny’s team had been able to figure it. Could Niamh have done something? And then all that stuff about Kayley – including the photos – had been leaked online. She’d blamed Alec, but Alec had no reason to mess things up. Maybe Niamh had hoped that if she made things uncomfortable, Kayley would move back to her luxurious hotel suite?
She had no evidence. But if Niamhhadbeen behind even some of what had happened ... she needed to steer the conversation in a safer direction …
“When did you become Kayley’s manager?” she asked Matt.
“What?” He glared at her. “Why does it matter?”
It didn’t matter – she already knew.
“Why did you lead me on like that?” Niamh yelled.
Daisy and Matt both turned to look at her.
Tears seemed to be streaming down her face, although it was hard to tell with the rain. Things had officially reached peak weirdness, Daisy thought.
“What are you talking about?” Matt glared at her.
“Niamh, I don’t think this is the time.” Daisy wished she’d just stayed at home and emailed Matt the stupid form.
Niamh waded up to Matt and poked him in the chest. “I’m talking about you dicking around. Tonight, you even asked for my number!”
