“Is it a secret?”
“The restaurant? No, but Dex doesn’t like people talking about him.”
“Why? Is he a gangster or something?”
I was joking, but Joe didn’t smile. Just shook his head and tapped his finger to his lips. I shrugged. “Is it a gypsy thing? A code of silence?”
“Dex is a Traveller.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Between the Roma and the Irish?” Joe shook his head again like I was the world’s biggest idiot, and for once I agreed with him.
“Sorry,” I said. “I’m so fucking tired. I do know the difference between the two... I think. Ask me again when I’ve had some sleep.”
Joe grinned, though his exhaustion was obvious too. “I did tell you to go to bed.”
“Yeah, well. I forgot about my bright idea to stack the tack room in there, so I might have to kip in with the donkeys.”
“Fuck that. We’ll figure something out... after breakfast. I’m so hungry my brain hurts.”
Joe took my arm and tugged me inside. Sal was waiting with bacon sandwiches and more builder’s tea, but she hustled us out of the kitchen and into the living room. “Get comfortable,” she said. “No more work for either of you today.”
“Nice try, Ma,” Joe protested. “But the vet’s coming at ten.”
“No, he ain’t. He called and said he can’t be here until midday. George is setting up in the foaling stable, so I don’t want you tramping about that yard until this lunchtime, got it?”
“Thought you were going to Cardiff today?”
“I am, but that doesn’t mean I won’t find out if you don’t do as you’re bloody told, boy.”
Sal’s words were firm, but her gaze soft. And she was apparently the only person that Joe didn’t argue with. Or maybe he was simply too tired. He flopped down on the couch and waved her away. She kissed me on her way out. “Thank you for being here, luv. We couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Sal—”
But she was already gone.
“She’s right, you know,” Joe said from behind his hands. “George could’ve helped me get through the night, but then there would’ve been no one to watch the foaling stable today.”
“You’d have done it.”
“Aye, but it would’ve killed me. As it is, I don’t know what I’m going to do when the girls go off to uni.”
“Don’t worry about that right now.” At his subtle nod, I claimed the space on the sofa beside him. “One problem at a time. Get through the next few days first.”
“Is that your professional advice?”
“No. My professional advice would be to quit smoking, eat your greens, and let me work on your back and neck before you spend the next twenty-four hours asleep, but we both know none of those things are going to happen.”
Joe laughed softly and leaned into me, bumping our shoulders. “You can stick the first two up your arse, but the only reason I’m not letting you put your hands on me is because you’re as tired as I am.”
I couldn’t deny it, though I’d have stayed up for days if it meant getting to touch Joe again. His flawless skin was hypnotising—addicting, and however many times I got to lay my hands on him, it would never be enough.
We ate our breakfast in silence. For once, Joe didn’t shoot surreptitious stares at me while I ate, and I was glad of it. The bacon sandwich was amazingand I was doing pretty well at ignoring my carb phobia. Or perhapsIwas the one too tired to argue, even if it was with myself.
Either way, I didn’t much care.
And I cared even less when Joe took my empty plate and tossed it on the table. “Ma can probably make you a bed up at the bungalow... or, you could kip on here with me. Top and tail? I don’t snore.”
