Page 104 of Just Say Yes
‘I don’t disagree but I can look after myself.’
His gaze lifted to mine. ‘That, I have no doubt of. But he’d already insulted Patrick and the men of Ireland in general. I’m afraid it was one step too far when he started the name-calling on you.’ He gave a shrug. ‘And I’d do it again. He’s a cocky little eejit.’
It was hard to disagree with that so I sat back, lifted my feet towards the fire and wiggled my toes, warming them through and drawing a sense of comfort from the mellow setting.
* * *
Ballalee castle looked stunning. The twin stone staircases that greeted visitors as the main doors opened now had their carved balustrades swathed in deep green seasonal foliage, interspersed with white roses, lilies and froths of gypsophilia. Large silver lanterns lined each side of the path, ready to be lit as the light faded, with more floristry swathing the steps of the main entrance.
‘It’s definitely not subtle, is it?’ Lorcan asked as Fiadh adjusted the two enormous, highly fragranced displays each side of the table where Peyton and Patrick would sign the register, one of the many photo ops.
‘Subtle wasn’t the brief,’ I said, moving him out of Fiadh’s way. ‘Don’t you have something to be doing?’
‘Not really,’ he replied, lifting a piece of ivy and studying it.
‘Well, perhaps you could find something,’ I suggested, removing the ivy from his hand and replacing it where Fiadh had initially, and carefully, trailed it.
‘Like what?’
‘Doesn’t your mum need some help? She’s got enough people coming to dinner for Christmas by the sound of it.’
‘Why do you think I’m here? I already got ejected from there for getting under her feet.’
‘Well, now you’re under ours. Don’t you have work to do or something?’
‘Nope. I give all my employees and me a proper break at Christmas.’
‘A cuppa would be grand, Lorcan,’ Fiadh piped up from where she was pinning a beautifully woven garland that encompassed both the season and all of Peyton’s choices for white, scented flowers along the front of the signature table.
‘Oh, yes, perfect.’
‘I can do that,’ he said, shoving his hands in his pockets and strolling out, Bod toddling along behind him.
‘Nicely done,’ I said, grinning at her once he’d closed the door.
Fiadh looked across at me, winked and we both continued on our respective tasks.
* * *
‘How’d it go, love?’ Maria asked when we walked through the door later that evening. I’d told Lorcan he could go off and do his own thing – I had a hire car, after all – but he’d just shrugged and said he was happy to ferry me about. I had too much else on my mind to argue so just went with it.
‘Good, thanks, Maria. Manic but good. I think everything is pretty much in place now for tomorrow.’
‘Hi, Mammy, nice to see you too,’ Lorcan said, walking up to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek, which she accepted, laughing, before turning back to me. ‘Now take a seat. Aoife and her boyfriend are coming by for dinner too. It will be ready in a minute if you want to go and get ready.’
‘Thanks, I’ll just change quickly. My feet are killing me!’
‘Why didn’t you take them off earlier?’ Lorcan said, watching as I gently massaged my toes.
‘Because I was working. What am I supposed to do? Run around a castle’s stone floors in December in bare feet?’ Maria and I shared a ‘men’ look.
‘Oh, ha ha, and I saw that, by the way. No ganging up. I meant take other shoes. Obviously.’
‘It’s not really my look, though, is it?’
‘Whereas bunions are?’
‘I’d make yourself scarce while you still can, my lad,’ Maria said over her shoulder as she opened the oven, fogging the glasses she’d popped on to read the timer.
