Page 19 of The Life Daisy Devlin Designed
Laura looked mollified. “What is it then?”
“I’ve been studying your horoscope.”
“Telling you my birthday was a big mistake.”
Fionn tugged on his shirt collar. “If I have a problem I work out a horoscope. It rewires my brain so I can sort out the problem later. Like this double sink!”
Laura folded her arms. “I’ll indulge you for one minute.”
“So, I did a reading for you,” Fionn said, “and you’re approaching a crossroads in your life where you’ll have a big decision to make.”
Laura rolled her eyes. “As if that doesn’t sound like everysinglehoroscope I’ve read in my life.” When Fionn didn’t reply, she added, “Why do you believe this stuff?”
He shrugged. “Why do people go to church? They believe in God though they can’t actually see God. But we can see the stars! We know when our ruling planets align for us. It’s all there if you know what you’re looking for. And it’s way more tangible than anything else I’ve come across.”
“I suppose it doesn’t say what this major decision is, does it?”
“That’s not how it works.”
“Of course it’s not.” Laura looked pointedly at her watch. “Time’s up. Back to work: the bills won’t pay themselves.”
Daisy’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Matt.
Hey, I have to drive up to Dublin this afternoon to pick up a few things. Fancy meeting for a quick coffee? You can show me some early plans if you have any. And I’ve something to tell you.
She studied the message. ‘Something to tell you?’ That couldn’t be about the house, not when they’d already met and discussed everything. He obviously wanted to talk about them. Or maybe he wanted to tell her something else? Something that had nothing to do with them. Maybe he was about to get married. He could have a child! No, she’d have heard, wouldn’t she? Although she hadn’t heard anything at all. Still, it was way more likely that he wanted to talk about the two of them. Oh my God, this was happening! This was what she wanted, right? To find out why he had stayed in the States. To find closure. She could do this! Shehadto do this! She took a deep breath and texted: Meet you at Grey’s Tea House at the end of Merrion Square, say3.30pm?
A moment later Matt sent a thumbs-up.
She put her phone away and tried to calm the nervous fluttering in the pit of her stomach. She wouldn’t say anything to Laura. Laura had made her feelings very clear, and she didn’t want any more angst between them. She just hoped Laura didn’t think she was being rude about her birthday offer. The truth was, she’d gone up two dress sizes in the past few years, and she’d prefer to have freezing cold showers every day for a year than lie half-naked on a bench while somebody kneaded her cellulite. Sometimes she wished she was more like Rosie, who had fit back into her jeans within weeks of having her babies, even the twins.
God, she really hoped James would agree to come down with her to the birthday party this weekend! Although he’d probably hate it. He liked her family, and he’d always been good with Rosie’s kids, but knowing Rosie, half of Galway would be there,including most of the gang they’d both gone to school with. Why couldn’t she have a small family party? Her nieces were only in their first year of primary school!
“I figured out your double sink,” Fionn said.
Laura shot him a look of disbelief. “Already?”
“I’m sending it back to you now.”
Laura said nothing as she peered at her screen. Finally, she nodded. “Well done.”
He shrugged modestly. “It was just a small miscalculation.”
“Maybe I should take up astrology,” Laura grumbled.
Daisy caught Fionn’s eye and sent him a tiny wink.
CHAPTER 9
“It’s really good to see you again so soon. I haven’t met up with too many people since I’ve been back.”
Matt was sitting across from Daisy later that afternoon, stirring half a spoon of sugar into his coffee.
She could actually feel her heart thumping in the back of her throat as she waited, but managed to school her features. “Well, I can stay half an hour, but then I’ll have to get back to work.”
He gave a cheeky smile. “Why, will your boss fire you? Listen, I have some news. I’ve been approached by a music promoter who wants to use Granary House’s grounds for some gigs this summer. Some other outdoor venue fell through, which is why it’s so last-minute.”
Daisy stared at him for a moment. That was it? That was what he’d wanted to tell her? She struggled not to let her disappointment show.
