‘Honestly, it’s fine, please don’t worry.’ Sabrina wishing she had at least put a comb through her hair, began to push her hands through it wildly. ‘Conor can stay. I can commute from Penrigan and I’m sure something else will come up around here for me.’
‘Ah, you work in Hartmouth too, do you?’
Sabrina could feel Conor studying her.
‘Yeah. Just took a market stall. I’m there from Monday, unofficially.’
‘Grand, grand.’ Conor put his hand to his head. ‘Ouch. That uncle of mine and his hospitality, nearly always damn hospitalises me the next day, so it does. I didn’t arrive there ’til late either.’ Both women laughed. ‘Look, I’m a fair man. If you can bare to share your space with a big, hairy Irishman, then I’m game. I promise to pick up wet towels and I’m an amazing cook.’ He burped loudly. ‘Shit, pardon me.’
He smiled at Sabrina, who felt the same feeling of calm she had felt the night before. However, the thought of sharing this tiny space with this big man, who would no doubt leave hairs in the bath and clearly had few social graces, was not an option, especially when the alternative was having the complete peace and quiet of a remote cottage.
Kara’s face screwed up. ‘Jilly. I know I mentioned it to you first, but Conor will be such a help to the both of us being here and—’
‘I said it’s fine, and it’s a no brainer for Conor to be here, especially as his workplace is literally a stone’s throw away. Honestly.’
‘Are you sure? I’m so sorry.’ Kara looked pained.
‘I can sleep on a rusty nail if I have to.’ He pointed to a holdall on the floor. ‘And that’s the extent of my wardrobe, so I’ll take the little room if that works for you?’
‘Reduced rents of course, as I wasn’t expecting two for the price of one.’ Kara added, and Sabrina noticed Conor’s look of relief at the comment.
‘Blimey, you two should be in sales.’ Sabrina smiled. ‘So…OK, OK. There are going to be house rules: no wet towels on the floor and toilet seat down after you’ve used it. And categorically, no hairs to be left in the bath.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’ Conor saluted. ‘Can’t promise I won’t snore though.’
‘Don’t make me want to change my mind, now.’ Sabrina laughed, catching Conor’s eye. What kind of look was he giving her now? One of amusement maybe?
Kara looked relieved. ‘And I guess you’re only here for three months, Jilly, so if you can’t live together at least there’s an end in sight– or you could always make him sleep on the balcony if he gets too annoying.’
The ladies laughed.
‘Oi! Ganging up on me, the pair of you, but it sounds like you’ve got a deal, Mrs Dillon.’ Conor took a sip of his black coffee and grimaced.
‘Yes, I’m so happy that’s sorted. Poor old Billy got a right earful this morning, and I was so worried about letting you down, Jilly.’
Conor pointed to Kara’s tummy. ‘You’re clearly getting good at this two-for-the-price-of-one lark.’
They all laughed.
‘Anyway. There’s a solution to everything except death, so I don’t know what everyone gets in such a flap about.’ Conor said nonchalantly whilst checking his phone for the third time. ‘And when those three months are up, Dickens here will be begging to stay longer, you mark my words.’ He winked at Sabrina.
‘You behave yourself, Conor Brady.’ Kara made her way to the front door.
‘You know, I’m just kidding with you both. I’m on a break from wine, women and song. OK, maybe just the women. And I’ll be working six days a week, including weekends, so it’s just a place to rest my head. And I’ve got Frank’s place and the Ferryboat to go to on my day off. So, it’s all good.’
Kara reached for her van keys. ‘Are you wanting to head back to Penrigan this morning, Jilly?’
‘Yes. I need to get out of these clothes and chat to Belle and Isaac about me moving out of the cottage.’
‘Dirty stop out.’ Conor smirked.
‘There were no bloody taxis.’ Sabrina cocked her head to the side with a face of faux annoyance.
‘OK, good.’ Kara put her hand to her bump. ‘Skye, who works for me, is delivering flowers to Penrigan View– you know, the hotel near Kevrinek. If you’d like a lift, come with me in the van to the shop now and she’ll take you from there, no problem. You’ll need to forfeit your shower though.’
‘That’s our Star’s girl, isn’t it?’ Conor enquired. ‘She’s not so little now, I guess. Driving too! And how is the lovely Star doing?’
‘She’s a happily married woman with two babies herself now. So don’t you be getting ideas.’ Kara tutted.
