“Good thing she didn’t see what you worebefore,” he says in my ear.
Cavin’s deep, masculine laugh fills the room, followed quickly by Bridget’s tinkling one.
“That was bloody brilliant,” Bridget says. “Well done, you.”
She leans back on the pillow. There’s a bloodstain from her last nosebleed.
“Let me get you fresh sheets and a pillowcase, Bridget.”
“Thank you,” she says with a grimace. “This is the bloody pits, isn’t it?”
“Ugh, it is,” I tell her. “But I have news. I wanted to tell you when Mam wasn’t in the room.”
“What’s that?” she asks.
“There’s a doctor, Dr. Rosenberg. He does experimental procedures for aplastic anemia. Do you remember we spoke to Mam about it?”
“Aye,” she says. “This is the one who knows the McCarthys, right?”
I share a look with Cavin and nod.
“I’ve been in touch with him,” he says quietly. “And he says he’s going to see you in six more days.”
My heart feels like it’s soaring. “Six days, Bridget. You have to hold out. Can you?”
She laughs, brushing at the air. “Hold out? What are you on about? I’ve got years left. Thank you, Cavin,” she says quietly. “I do very much appreciate it.”
“Aye, of course,” he says, reaching for my fingertips and kissing each one.
“Oh, you two lovebirds are the cutest. Who said that you’d want to spend your newlywed dayshere?” She shakes her head. “That isn’t right, I tell you.”
“We haven’t just spent it here,” I tell her with a shrug. “We’ve gone to Cavin’s club a few times.” Her eyes dance. “He’s taken me to D’Agostino’s for dinner. You know, I do like a good Italian dinner. And you know I don’t want totravel.”
Bridget grins. “I do.”
“And you have to see the room he had fashioned for me.”
I pull up the picture on my phone to show her. “Look how cute that little electric kettle is.”
Bridget smiles. “You’ve got backup jumpers in the closet. Ilovethat.” She sighs. “I haven’t seen you this relaxed in god knows how long. What spell have you cast on her?” she asks Cavin.
“The better question is, what spell has she cast on me?” He takes my hand. “Do you know I love her?” He pulls me onto his lap and kisses the apple of my cheek.
“Look at you two,” she says. “You should at least have a proper honeymoon.”
“Dunno, I’d say we’ve gotten a proper honeymoon,” Cavin says.
Bridget rolls her eyes heavenward. “Oh, just like a man, isn’t it?” she says, but she’s giggling.
And I’m rolling mine too. Cavin smiles and gets a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Just got a text from your mam. She’s asking for permission to come back in the room.”
Bridget giggles. “Oh my, is she then?”
“Aye,” he says.
“Well, did you give her permission to enter?” Bridget says, grinning at Cavin.
“Should I?” he asks my baby sister.
