Page 56 of The Life Daisy Devlin Designed
She sat down beside him. “Do you have a headache?”
“No.” He let his head flop back against the sofa. “Why did you go around telling everyone I had a migraine on your thirtieth, by the way?”
“I didn’t tell everyone.” She felt herself flush. “Mum asked where you were and I –”
“Why didn’t you just tell her the truth?” He sounded bewildered.
“Because ... who leaves their girlfriend’s thirtieth birthday party to go work, James? You’re not a bloody fireman!”
“Maybe you’d prefer me if I was.” James closed his eyes.
Daisy stared at him. What did that mean? She didn’t even have a thing for firemen! Well, not especially. “Of course I wouldn’t!”
“Ummh.” He turned his head towards her and opened one eye. “You sure?”
What was he on about? “Are you talking about sex?”
“You think I want to dress up as a fireman?” James’ voice was dry. “Why, do you want me to?”
“Um, well, it’s not that Idon’twant you to.” James was looking quite interested, she thought. Or puzzled ... no, definitely more puzzled than anything. “I mean ...”
Daisy lapsed into silence. When had they last had sex? It had been weeks ago, maybe even a month! They were always tired or stressed. Or James was bloody working! Plus, the walls were so thin that Daisy spent most of her time wondering if Alma could hear them, which made it difficult to relax.
Anyway, it shouldn’t be about quantity. It should be about love and commitment, and seeing your girlfriend’s family and staying for her thirtieth bloody birthday party!
Maybe they should talk. Although she felt a bit talked-out after earlier! No, James was her boyfriend – she had to try.
She moved to the only other seat in the room: an antique armchair she’d fallen in love with, but that looked a lot more comfortable than it was.
“James, what’s going on?”
He sighed and swiped the hot drink off the table, grimacing as he took a sip. “I bumped into Brian today.”
Crap!
“He said you were dancing with some guy for ages at the party. He said you did the tango! And then I saw some photos of you and some guy on Rosie’s Insta.”
Frantically, Daisy tried to remember what Rosie had put up on Instagram. Nothing stood out, except for a few blurry pictures of her dancing with Fionn.
“You know what Brian’s like.” Good, she sounded normal. “Where did you see him?”
“He was in the deli in Sandyford, where I was getting my lunch.”
“Right.” God, she was going to sneak into Laura and Brian’s in the middle of the night and smother Brian with a pillow. Only then she’d end up in jail and James would turn to Alma for comfort. Laura probably wouldn’t be too happy either. She took a breath and held it for as long as she could, trying to slow down her pulse.
“So, did Brian say anything else?” She did her best to sound casual. “Did he enjoy the party?”
James rolled his eyes. “I don’t know.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Didyou tango?”
“Yeah! The guy I was dancing with knew how, so I sort of followed him.”
James gave her a strange look. “Who was it?”
“Some friend of Brian’s. I forget his name.” Daisy turned and pretended to be interested in the TV.
“What the fuck were his friends doing at your party? I didn’t invite them.”
“Laura probably did.” Daisy felt herself go hot and cold.
