Page 108 of The Life Daisy Devlin Designed
“Niamh?”
It wasn’t just the clothes that made her look completely different. Her make-up was different – less goth and more subtle. And she’d straightened her hair!
Niamh crossed her arms. “I didn’t know you’d be here, Daisy.”
“I’ve a last bit of business with Matt,” Daisy said pleasantly. “I assume you were helping the crew with the repairs.”
“Niamh agreed to help the crew repair all the electrics for the concert,” Matt said. “I insisted she stay for dinner. Kenny’s not long gone. He and Kayley’s crew worked all day fixing the stage.”
“Are you going to the concert tomorrow night, Niamh?” Daisy asked.
“I wasn’t able to get tickets,” Niamh deadpanned.
“Come, anyway!” Matt waved an airy hand. “I’ll let you in from this side.”
Niamh smiled at Matt and shot Fionn a pointed look.
“I’m Fionn, I work for Daisy.”
“Cool.” Niamh turned to Matt. “Can I help you serve up?”
“So, like I know all redesigns are pretty exciting and, hey, no job too big or too small,” Fionn said a while later, as they sat around the table, “but this place must stand out, right? I mean, look at it!”
Daisy started to say something, but Niamh cut across her. “Totally, yeah. It’s been a real labour of love for me.” She flicked back her hair and smiled warmly at Matt.
Daisy coughed as some rice caught in her throat and she reached for her glass of water. She’d have taken bets that Niamh would never want to see the house again. Maybe she was just good at separating her personal feelings from the job.
Matt returned Niamh’s smile. “It was a real pleasure to have you here. Could I take your number?”
Colour flashed to Niamh’s face, but before she could reply, there was a drumming sound above their heads and they looked up to see large, heavy raindrops falling on the old conservatory roof.
Matt turned to peer out the door. “When did it start to rain?”
“Just now, I think,” Daisy said. “It wasn’t raining when we arrived.” She glanced over at Fionn. “Probably just a shower.”
Niamh looked at Matt. “If those winds pick up again, all the electrics will be destroyed.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Daisy said, noticing Matt’s expression.
Matt turned to Fionn. “So, tell us about your internship? Have you been able to get out on site a lot?”
The conversation drifted to more general topics, and Daisy let her attention wander back to Niamh. How had she not noticed that she’d developed a crush on Matt? Judging by her reaction a few minutes ago, she’d misunderstood him – she hadn’t realised that he’d just wanted to have the number of an electrician.
She wondered if Matt knew. But, watching him as he chatted to Fionn, she was willing to bet he hadn’t a clue. For Niamh’s sake, she hoped she’d forget about him now the job was over.
As they lingered over tea and coffee, Daisy met Matt’s eyes across the table, and knew he was thinking the same thing as her: It was time they talked.
“Um, Niamh, Matt and I have a few things to discuss, so I was hoping you could show Fionn around?”
Niamh frowned. “The house?”
“And the gardens, if it’s not too wet. I’m sure you’d love to see the stage design, Fionn?”
Fionn’s eyes lit up. “Do you think we could knock at the guest wing? Kayley should be back now, right?”
Niamh looked at Fionn as if he was an annoying little brother, before sighing and pushing her chair back from the table. “We won’t be long.”
Matt shot her a bemused look. “Take your time.”
