‘Poor old Darren cops it worse than me though, as she contradicts herself by going on about himnothaving a bird.’
‘So, Darren’s not seeing anyone at the moment then?’
‘Well, seeing is a loose term. He’s usually just shagging around, you know that. Now Twisty Knickers has left town and Lady Rachel from the big house sent him packing, I think he’s having something of a dry spell. He’s been a bit miserable lately, to be fair.’
‘Oh, that’s no good.’
‘Yeah, he’s been like that ever since I moved out of the flat and into yours. I don’t think he likes being on his own.’
‘I didn’t even think of that. We must ask him round more. Do you think he’ll be OK taking on some more shifts on the ferry too?’
‘I hope so.’
‘I never thought Dad would slow up,’ Kara said thoughtfully. ‘I couldn’t believe it when he came out with it.’
‘Yeah, but it’s tough work out there in this weather, whatever age you are.’
‘I’m so pleased for them. Pearl finishes working for good at the hospital on Christmas Eve, so they can just be together in retirement looking after the bees and the honey production. Plus, the garden alone at Bee Cottage is a full-time job, especially now Grandad Harry is not here. Billy, guess what Dad told me tonight? He wants to propose to Pearl – and before Christmas too.’
‘He’s not hanging around, is he? They’re a bit like us two: when you know, you know.’
‘Look at that wine making you all gooey, Captain Dillon.’
Billy laughed. ‘You will refer to me as that at all times from now on, Kerry Moon.’
‘You’re mad,’ she tutted.
‘More money too, so that’s a result, but I need to get responsible now. Daz can share tug duty, which is useful, but when he’s off I will need someone else to load the cars and take the money, et cetera.’
‘Shouldn’t be too hard to find someone, should it?’
‘Hmm.’ Billy mused. ‘Out of college holidays I’m not sure.’
Suddenly Kara dragged Billy into an alleyway in the marketplace and put her finger to his lips. Hoping it was some kind of fantasy she’d been hiding from him, Billy sucked her finger into his mouth and put a hand firmly on her left breast. She smacked him away and said, ‘Shh!’
Star and Conor had stopped just by the side alley that led up to the Passion Flowers flat. ‘Listen!’ Kara hissed.
‘I need a piss.’ Billy stepped from foot to foot.
‘Well, thanks a million for such a great night,’ they heard Conor say, and Kara was delighted to hear the sincerity in his voice.
‘I was supposed to be treating you, remember?’ Star replied.
‘That means we will just have to do it again then, won’t we.’ Kara made a little squeaking noise of delight at the Irishman’s smooth reply. ‘Do you not want me to see you right home? I mean, there’s some nasty characters who lurk around these parts.’
‘Get in, lad,’ Billy said out loud, causing Kara to pinch his hand and make him stifle a cry.
‘Ha! I think I can manage the ten metres on my own, butthanks for asking.’ Star was already walking away from the big man.
‘So, do you want to do it again, then?’ Conor called after her.
The slightly drunk Billy, now badly in need of the toilet, had had enough of playing hide and seek. He appeared out of the alleyway, leaving Kara with no option other than to follow.
‘“Do it again, Star, you know you want to”,’ Billy mimicked with a belch.
‘He’s drunk, sorry.’ Kara took in the full gloriousness that was Conor Brady. ‘I’m Kara, your landlady, and this is my slightly over-served boyfriend, Billy. Sorry we haven’t met properly before.’
‘Hey. Good to see you – and that was kind of my fault, I guess.’
