Page 73 of The Life Daisy Devlin Designed
“Like what?” Daisy wrapped her hair into a knot and stuck a pencil through it to hold it in place.
“Have it your way.” Laura shook her head. “The latest from Mrs Feng Shui is that my design won’t ‘allow her middle daughter to find love’!’ Other than that, nothing to report.”
She flashed a huge fake smile and Daisy laughed, shaking out some tension.
“Is she readingFeng Shui for Idiotsor something?”
“If that book exists, I should read it. At least we’d be on the same page. I mean, why employ someone like me if you’re going to spend your whole time telling me I’m wrong?”
“Tell her to put some moonstone under her mattress,” Fionn said, looking up from his laptop. “Or her daughter could wear it as jewellery.”
Laura held up a hand. “Stop! The poor girl’s only a teenager! Her mother’s just batshit crazy.”
No wonder Laura was frustrated. Daisy knew from previous experience how difficult clients could be. By contrast, she’d been very lucky in her last few jobs.
Both Freya and Matt had agreed with Daisy’s broad vision for their houses, and she had an amazing house to enter for the award. Her mind wandered back to what Fionn had said.
“Fionn, is moonstone white?”
“Yup.” He typed something quickly on the keyboard, and turned the screen so Daisy could see. “That’s moonstone. It attracts love, and it’s Gemini’s alternative birthstone.”
It was the same stone Kayley had been wearing around her neck the first time Daisy had met her, she realised.
Laura looked amused. “Do you know everyone’s birthstone, Fionn?”
He swept his fringe out of the way. “There’s only twelve traditional, and twelve alternative ones to remember. Plus, I’m a Gemini!”
Daisy’s phone rang and Matt’s name flashed up on the screen.
“Hi.” She glanced over at Laura.
“Hi.” Matt’s voice was warm. “I just wanted to check that you got to work.”
“Um, yep, there’s a bit of damage along the riverbank, but the road was okay.” Daisy walked over to the window and looked out. She could see a tour bus pulling up across the street. “I’m sorry I had to intrude for so long – thanks for putting up with me.”
“You’d never intrude.”
He sounded so sincere. She half-turned, aware that Laura and Fionn were probably listening to every word.
“I messaged Kenny earlier about the flooding, so I’ll make sure he knows the road’s okay now. And you know where I am if you need me.”
“Yes. Thanks.”
Daisy hung up and messaged Kenny with the update. Then she sat back at her desk, carefully avoiding making eye contact with the others.
She’d woken frequently during the night, conscious that Matt was on a mattress downstairs. Each time she’d woken, she’d wondered guiltily about James. Had he missed her? Or had he been too sick to notice? She should be grateful to Alma, she supposed.
Fionn scraped his chair away from his desk. “Coffee? Usual, everyone?”
“Not for me,” Laura said. “I got one on my way.”
“Daisy?”
“Yeah, thanks, Fionn.”
After he left, Laura whipped around to glare at Daisy. “Why didn’t you say that you spent the night at Matt’s place?”
God, she wasn’t ready. “I was there late yesterday evening and the river burst its banks, and flooded the road. I’d no choice, Laura, and nothing happened.”
