Page 123 of The Life Daisy Devlin Designed
“Yes, but we decided in the end that it wouldn’t suit.”
“I like your discretion, Daisy.” Freya gave a wry smile. “Actually, there’s a lot about you that I admire.”
Daisy wondered where the conversation was going.
After all this time, it appeared Freya was gearing up for a heart-to-heart.
“You know the thing about being a solicitor?” Freya crossed her ankles carefully on the rung of the stool.
It pays well, Daisy thought.
“You have to be discreet. I am! I don’t gossip at the school gates or in the supermarket.” Freya shrugged. “Actually, I’m rarely at the damned supermarket. There’s nothing as satisfying as having a week’s worth of shopping delivered to your door.” She looked at Daisy expectantly.
Feck it, Daisy thought. “Matt Deveraux’s my ex. We were together for five years. Things just got a bit ... complicated. And it didn’t feel right to use Granary House.”
Freya nodded. “I caught you on the nine o’clock news last night, getting out of that helicopter.”
“My fifteen seconds of fame.” Daisy grimaced. “Matt and Kayley and her bodyguard were all hurt, but they’ll be fine.”
Frey looked thoughtful. “I saw that place in the property pages when it was up for sale. I’d say you did an amazing job.”
“Yeah, it’s a special house.”
“So is this one,” Freya said.
“This is a real home.” Daisy smiled. “I loved working on it.”
“I know.” Freya clasped her hands around her knees. “And I wanted to thank you properly for asking your sister to see Holly. We’re following her advice, and it’s already started to make a difference.”
“Oh, I’m glad.” Daisy spoke quickly. “Actually, Rosie volunteered to do it. I didn’t ask her because of her career break. And, I have no idea what she said, Freya. Rosie is completely professional.”
“I know.” Freya waved her hand dismissively. “But if it hadn’t been for you, it would have been months before Holly was assessed. So if you’d still like to use our home as an award entry, you’d be more than welcome.”
Daisy blinked. “Seriously?”
“Just one thing.” Freya gestured around at the walls, one of which she’d turned into a family photo gallery. “No photos, nothing that would identify us. Feel free to replace them with whatever you want. You know, do your magic!”
“It’ll be my pleasure.” Daisy felt a rush of elation. “Thank you.” She slipped down off the stool. “I have a permission form in my bag. Give me a few minutes to fill it out, and you can sign it now.” She owed Rosie a huge thanks.
“Sure. Oh, while I think of it, Niamh must have dropped this yesterday when she was here. I was hoping you could give it back to her.” Freya opened a small drawer in the island unit, and placed a piece of jewellery on the countertop.
Daisy recognised it immediately: it was the moonstone pendant Kayley had been wearing the first time she’d met her. The one that had gone missing from Granary House.
CHAPTER 56
Fionn was playing Matt’s proposal video on his phone when Daisy arrived in the following day. He jumped when she came in, stabbing frantically at the screen as he tried to stop it.
“Shit, crap, sorry!”
Daisy sighed. “It’s fine. No feelings were hurt in the making of that video!”
“Right.” Fionn looked a bit doubtful. “Can I just say that the guy’s a total tosser and you’re way too cool for him?”
“Ha, hard agree. Thanks, Fionn.” Her mobile buzzed, and she quickly checked the caller ID before answering. “Hi, Kenny, did you get my message?” She walked over to the window.
“I did, yeah.” Kenny cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Daisy, I really am. I spoke to Niamh and she confessed to taking those pictures of Kayley, and talking to the papers. She took that stuff that went missing, too. She was going to give it all back, you know – she doesn’t want Kayley’s bloody jewellery, but the woman treated her so badly.” He paused. “She had a bit of a crush on that bastard! And he was messing with her head, Daisy – evenIcould see it!”
No wonder Kenny hadn’t liked Matt – he’d probably guessed that Niamh would get hurt.
