Chapter51
Billy was just securing some solar lights around theHappy Hartto make it look Christmassy when he spotted Darren walking along the quay. ‘It’s your day off today, isn’t it, bro? What are you doing down here so early?’
‘I wanted to see you before you started work.’
‘You OK?’
‘Mum told me this morning that the old man doesn’t want me at their place for Christmas dinner.’
‘For fuck’s sake! What is wrong with him?’ Billy was furious. ‘Well, if he’s going to be like that I won’t be there either. We can all go to Joe and Pearl’s for the day, instead of me having lunch there then coming to Mum and Dad’s in the evening with Kara.’
‘You can’t do that to Mum. She’s upset enough about it all as it is.’
‘So, I’ll have to sit there without you whilst he’s being a miserable sod and see Mum in tears. Great! One happy fucking Christmas this is going to be.’
‘I should have just kept my gob shut.’ Darren sighed. ‘Can you imagine what he’ll be like when I tell him I am seeing someone?’
‘Are you? Seeing someone, I mean.’
‘Um … it’s early days.’
‘Do I know him?’
‘Nah. Nah.’
Billy knew it wasn’t the right time to push it. ‘I’m pleased for you, bro, and as for keeping quiet, no way. You did the right thing. We’ll get through it and I know that Joe and Pearl will welcome you with open arms.’
‘Have you seen Star lately?’ Daz asked. ‘I just wondered how her mum was. I can’t believe the baby’s not Conor’s. He took it well though, considering.’
‘I think he was slightly relieved, to be honest. And Estelle is due home this week, I think.’
‘She was lucky.’
‘She bloody was. Ah, here’s my girl, wonder what she wants?’ Billy said as Kara pulled up in her Passion Flowers van.
‘Just thought I’d say hi/bye in case I’m going to prison, now a solicitor’s asked to see me,’ she said.
Billy laughed. ‘Let’s hope you’ve been left millions in someone’s will.’ He leaned in and gave her a kiss. ‘Call me as soon as you’re done, OK? And don’t worry, sweet cheeks, I’m sure it’s nothing serious.’
Kara waved and tooted at the pair as she headed off up the hill.
‘What’s all that about?’ Darren was now helping to fix up the lights around the float.
‘Oh, it’s just she got some random letter from a solicitor in Penrigan, saying she was to meet one of the partners there this morning and he would explain why on arrival.’
‘Hmm. Curious. You’ve got me wondering why now too.’
‘Gentlemen!’ Conor appeared looking slightly the worse for wear.
‘You look like shit, mate.’
Conor grinned. ‘Just a bit tired, that’s all. You didn’t warnme about Natalia from the dry cleaners. H – O – T,’ he spelled out.
‘You didn’t waste your time.’ Darren looked slightly shocked.
Billy said wittily, ‘Not like Daz, who used to shag Kara’s fifty-year-old boss, and she was H – R – T!’
‘Filth, the pair of you.’ Darren couldn’t help but smile. ‘And there was me thinking you were really hanging out for me.’
