Page 127 of The Life Daisy Devlin Designed
Daisy grinned. “I won’t say a word.”
CHAPTER 58
“Daisy, you look stunning!” Miriam crossed her large, old-fashioned kitchen that Saturday evening and took one of Daisy’s hands in hers. “Twirl!”
Daisy twirled, the deep blue of her full, knee-skimming dress catching the light. When she came to a stop, she hugged her mother.
“You look amazing, too, Mum.”
Miriam, who was wearing a long, sage-green dress with sequins around the hem and sleeves, gave a half-bow, her lavender perfume filling the warm air.
“Thank you. Now.” She clapped her hands. “Our guests aren’t due for another hour, but knowing your sister she can’t wait to get here to boss around the catering staff. They’ll be setting up in the marquee.”
“Ooh, I’m dying to see it!” Daisy smiled brightly, determined that neither of her parents would worry about her this weekend.
It wasn’t the first time that she’d come down to Galway without James, so when he’d told her that he was meeting someone on Saturday morning about a job, and could do witha couple of days by himself, she’d pretended to understand. Although all the signs pointed in one direction, Daisy had decided to give things one last try. But right now, she owed it to her parents to enjoy their anniversary party and not think about James until she got back home.
When she’d arrived earlier in the day, she and Rosie had taken their parents aside and presented them with Miriam’s self-portrait. Daisy had been a bit nervous that their mother might be a bit offended by what they’d done. But Miriam had burst out laughing, and hugged them both hard.
“Wasn’t that fierce thoughtful of you both,” she’d said. “I’d no idea it was the two of you who bought it!”
Eric had draped his arm across his wife’s shoulder. “Great idea altogether, girls.” He’d winked at them both. “How about we put it in our bedroom, Mim?”
Daisy and Rosie had both held their breath.
“Whatever you like!” Miriam had said, beaming.
Relieved that their gift had gone down so well, Daisy had allowed herself to get excited at the surprise she’d arranged for them. After she’d told Kayley about her parents’ anniversary party, she’d asked if she would record herself wishing her parents a happy anniversary, and singing her dad’s favourite song. To her astonishment, Kayley had offered to come in person instead.
“I thought the doctor said total rest and no performances until your shoulder heals,” Daisy had said. “Also, they’re in Galway – it’s the other side of the country!”
Kayley had burst out laughing. “Ya’ll are so cute! You know that Texas is ten times bigger than the whole of Ireland?”
Daisyhadheard that before, but she’d pretended complete ignorance. In her experience, anyone she’d ever met from Texas loved telling people just how vast it was!
“It’ll be just fine, Daisy,” Kayley had said. “I’ll fly down, and you just book me a good hotel nearby. Two rooms. I’ll pay!”
“Two rooms?” Daisy had said, worried that Matt would be coming too, and wondering about the separate room.
“I’m bringing Tim,” Kayley had assured her. “So?”
Did stuff like this actually happen in real life, Daisy had wondered happily.
“Thank you, Kayley. I’ll give you my sister’s number; she’s organising everything.”
Rosie had messaged Daisy after lunch, to say that Kayley and Tim had checked into Oranmore House, and Séan would slip out from the party at around nine to collect them.
Now Miriam adjusted one of the sparkly, jewel-green clips that held her hair back from her face. “Has Rosie told you about her plans for September?”
“No?”
“She’s going back to work part-time.” Miriam beamed. “I’m delighted. It’s the first time that girl has listened to me since she was ten!”
Daisy knew it was more likely that helping Holly had been the catalyst for Rosie’s about-face, but she just murmured her agreement.
Miriam gave her an appraising look. “Everything all right, loveen?”
“Absolutely, Mum.Er, how many people did you invite tonight, by the way?”
