Page 9 of The Life Daisy Devlin Designed
“You’re not that late.” Daisy checked the time. “It’s not even half past nine. Are you okay?”
“Me? Fine. I had a thing – it ran over.”
“I’ll get you a coffee.” Fionn stood and popped his Air Pods back in.
“You don’t have to.” Laura sighed. “Actually, yeah, decaf?” She gestured to the Air Pods. “What are you listening to?”
“Shania Twain.”
“Oh.” Laura looked surprised. “I didn’t think you’d be into her stuff.”
“I’ve eclectic taste,” Fionn said solemnly.
Daisy cleared her throat. “Have you heard of Kayley Lynch?”
“Of course!” Fionn nodded. “She had that big hit ‘From My Heart’.”
“A modern classic,” Laura deadpanned.
Fionn beamed. “So you’ve heard her stuff?”
“No.” She turned to Daisy. “Are you a fan?”
“No, but Alma is always playing her.”
“She’s massively popular – or she was,” said Fionn. “You know, she’s just out of rehab. Someone leaked a video of herranting at a member of her band and it went viral, and her American record sales crashed. Then she had to cancel all her US concerts because she was getting sober. I’d say it’s the only reason she decided to tour Europe right now.” He flicked his fringe out of the way. “She’ll be in Ireland at the start of June. I’ve tickets to see her in the 3 Arena.” He seemed to remember what he’d been about to do. “Daisy, another coffee?”
“Uh, no thanks.”
“One decaf Americano, so.” He paused. “They do those little wrapped Italian chocolates?” Laura glared at him and he added hurriedly, “Right, no chocolate, back in a few.”
Daisy looked over at Laura after he left. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” Laura rooted through her bag and pulled out a small folder, shaking out a lipstick and another small wrapped item that had become trapped inside it. Hurriedly, she dropped the latter back into her bag, but not before she caught Daisy’s eye.
“You’re probably wondering,” Laura began.
Daisy felt herself colour. “Hey, it’s none of my business.”
“It’s a disposable needle.” Laura sighed. “Self-injection contraceptive. I had to pick it up from the clinic on my way in, and they needed to check something. That was the delay.”
“Oh.” Daisy couldn’t imagine having to inject herself. “Would it not be easier to take the pill?”
Laura smoothed a hand over her hair. “It doesn’t suit everyone.”
“I suppose.” It struck Daisy that, despite their closeness, Laura had gradually stopped sharing personal stuff after she’d married Brian. She wondered if it was some sort of married-people-loyalty thing.
“It didn’t suit me, anyway.” Laura sat down. “I was a complete bitch on it. I mean, worse than I normally am.”
Had Brian told her that, Daisy wondered. “Sounds like the kind of thing a man would say,” she said lightly.
“James?” Laura looked at her closely. “Or are you talking about Matt?”
God, she couldn’t tell her she meant Brian. And she couldn’t say Matt. The last thing she wanted was to get Laura started on him.
“Uh, James, yeah, but not as bluntly as that – I mean, he wouldn’t call me a bitch.”
It was ironic about Laura and Matt! Daisy had met him through the college film society, and it had been Matt who’d introduced Laura to Brian. Now, Laura hated Matt with a passion that Daisy couldn’t seem to manage. She wondered sometimes whether it’d be better if shecouldhate him, and worried that she was stuck in some sort of holding pattern. It was exhausting just thinking about it.
