Page 107 of Just Say Yes
Silence drifted over the table for the first time.
‘Oh my God, please marry him. You’re the best.’ Aoife shattered it, laughing as she spoke.
Lorcan flicked his gaze to her momentarily, which she returned without flinching.
‘Fine. I won’t say anything.’
‘Everything’s going to be fine. This time tomorrow, Patrick and Peyton will be married and partying and that little twit can disappear back from whence he came.’
‘And what will you be doing then?’ Maria asked me.
‘Oh, I’ve got a morning flight back to London the following day. I think I might treat myself to a couple of days with my feet up.’
Lorcan gave a snort of disbelief so I kicked him. His mum hadn’t actually specified booting him was only in particular circumstances, after all.
‘After that it will be back to planning the next weddings on my books.’
‘Are you spending Christmas with your family?’ Maria asked and I felt Lorcan’s hand, still resting on mine, tighten.
‘Umm, no. I just have a quiet one at home. My next-door neighbours are very sweet and I sometimes pop in there for a couple of drinks, but I like it quiet.’
‘That sounds peaceful.’ Maria nodded, apparently sensing there was more to it but tactfully moving things along.
‘Yes, it is.’ I smiled and thankfully drifted into the next conversation.
37
I need to see you xx
Peyton’s text sent my heart plummeting through the floor. This was not a good sign. I’d seen her message as I was just getting out of the shower and was already heading down to the car, calling her as I went.
‘What’s up?’ I asked.
‘I need to see you,’ she repeated.
Oh, crap. ‘Of course, I’m heading out of the door now. Where shall I meet you?’
‘I’m about a mile or two away from the castle. I don’t know where. I just turned right out of the entrance and drove until I found somewhere to pull into.’
‘I’ll find you. Sit tight.’
‘OK. Thanks, Maddie.’
‘Do you want some breakfast, love?’ Maria asked, already at the stove as I hurried into the kitchen.
‘Oh, thank you, Maria. That’d be lovely, but something’s come up so I’ve got to shoot out. I’m really sorry.’
‘That’s OK, I hope everything’s all right. Make sure you get yourself some food. You’ve a long and busy day ahead of you.’
‘What’s up?’ Lorcan asked, his hair still damp and ruffled from the shower, the smell of the citrusy gel he used tickling my nose as he stepped through from the next room.
‘I’m not sure yet. Peyton just messaged and asked to see me. That’s all I know at the moment.’
‘Do you want me to come? Should we tell Patrick?’
‘No, and no. Not until I know what’s going on. It might be nothing.’
‘Your face doesn’t look like you think it’s nothing.’
