“What is it, now?” he asked, taking a sip from his straw.
“Declan. Y’remember the wee pub we met in, aye?” Ronan nodded. “Well, the feckin’ cunt owner just be givin’ Declan a wee dressin’ down by the sounds o’ it, like. Called him a pikey.”
“Declan don’t strike me as the kinda fella who takes disrespect lightly,” Ronan replied with a smirk.
“Aye, y’bang on there, like.” I sighed and hastily tapped out a reply to Declan.
JOHN-FRANCIS: What’re ya thinkin’?
I didn’t have to wait long for a reply.
DECLAN: Suggest we give the place a wee visit after hours. Give the fucking cunt a reason to be lookin’ over his shoulder, aye?
I ran my hand through my hair. It was completely understandable. If mine and Declan’s positions had been reversed, I’d want to do just the same… and yet my eyes drifted to Ronan again.
“What?” He frowned.
“I know I said I’d not be forgettin’ ta give ya that goin’ over, like, but y’think we could park it f’tonight?”
Ronan’s eyes dipped to the phone in my hand before jumping back up to meet my gaze. “Why? Whatcha got goin’ on?”
I scrubbed a hand down my face with a heavy sigh. “I dunno the details yet but looks like I’d be makin’ a wee trip back ta that pub after it’s locked up.”
Ronan was quiet for a moment, but just as I opened my mouth to tell him I’d drop him home and that he didn’t need to worry himself over any of this, he interrupted me.
“Y’need an extra fella or two?”
I blinked. “Y’up f’it, aye?”
Ronan shrugged with a smile that made my stomach churn. “Aye, well, not like I’d have anythin’ better ta be doin’ if me feck date is cancelled.”
“No’cancelled,” I replied with a grin, turning my attention back to my phone. “Postponed.”
JOHN-FRANCIS: Ya still with Tess, aye?
DECLAN: Aye, just waitin’ for her to finish up her shift. Why?
JOHN-FRANCIS: Enjoy ya night. Leave it with me.
DECLAN: Ya sure?
I glanced across at Ronan, taking a moment to study his handsome profile, features lit up by his phone screen as he furiously tapped his thumbs against it.
JOHN-FRANCIS: Aye, got it in hand. Text ya later.
I finished up my meal, shoving the last, large bite of burger into my mouth before gathering up the wrappers and dusting my hands off on my jeans. I started up the van and popped it into gear.
“C’mon, let’s head back an’ get a plan together.”
By the time we arrived at the halting site, Darragh was already loitering around outside my caravan. I glanced to Ronan with a brow raised quizzically as I pulled the van round to park it up.
“Thought we’d be needin’ a helpin’ hand, like,” he replied, still sipping on his drink.
I turned the ignition off and held his eye contact. “Not that I don’t appreciate it – ‘cause I do, now – but are ya sure y’wanna be gettin’ involved?”
To my surprise Ronan laughed. “Why y’actin’ like I’m a wee blushin’ innocent wain? Darragh an’ I have done this before, like. He’s handy wi’ a crowbar. He’ll be useful, I promise.”
“Sorry, I’d not be meanin’ ta doubt ya. I guess I’ve gotten too used ta just havin’ Declan ta rely on. Seems weird ta be trustin’ other folk with this shite.”
