Orla was as argumentative as any King around here. But she was good at sensing the tone. Picking her battles. And she knew full well that if she wanted me to stay in bed with her man, she needed to do as she was damn told.
She fetched my phone and disappeared. I heard her moving around in the bathroom, then Rubi’s rumbling voice and boots on the stairs. A minute later, true to her word, I saw her cross the yard to the chapel with a brother who’d die for her any day of the week.
Anotherbrother. Man, she was so fuckin’ loved.
Orla and Rubi entered the chapel. The door shut behind them, but if I squinted hard enough, I could just about make them out through the window of the tiny kitchen.
I watched them until Cam appeared too. Only then did I relax and swipe my phone screen. I had four texts. One each from my brother and ex-wife. Two from Willow.
Kara:The head teacher called. Nicky can go back on Wednesday, but he has to stay in isolation and leave the school grounds by 3. Can you pick him up?
Twin1:Willow called me about her test. That’s amazing. I can help you out if you want to get her a car.
Willow:Mum said I can drive her car later!!!!
Willow:Can I come and see you??? XXXXXX
Jesus Christ. I scrubbed a hand down my face and drained the rest of the tea Orla had brought me before I set about tapping out replies to messages that gave me fuckin’ hives.
Locke:i don’t know if I can pick Nicky up. i might have work. and i don’t have a car.
Kara:When can you let me know?
I glanced at Nash. He wasn’t a morning person, and he’d had a night of it, but he was a man in demand. It was only a matter of time before his phone buzzed him awake.
Locke:give me an hour
Kara:ok
Locke:Willow said she’s gonna drive your car.
Kara:So?
Locke:it’s a 1.8 turbo. it’ll cost a bomb to insure
Kara:I’m not asking you to pay for it
Locke:that’s not my point. it’s too fast for a new driver
Kara:She can drive Bob’s car then
Locke:it’s a smart car with no roof
Kara:What do you want me to do? They’re the only cars we have and I don’t have the money to buy another one, let alone tax and insure it.
Locke:i can do that.
Kara:With what?
Locke:i’ll figure it out. i’m not fuckin’ destitute.
Anymore. But I’d let Kara down enough that I deserved her leaving that message onread. At this point, the only thing she took seriously was cash on the table.
Or a car on the driveway.
I messaged Logan next.
Twin2:i don’t need ur money. save it for your own kids.
