“Good. Small but tidy. My friends who don’t have children come here after work.” The days of Vanessa and Claire hanging out here had ended and although I missed them, I enjoyed their happiness.
“How come you don’t have children?”
I slowed my pace. I’d had this question before, heard other people talk about women of an age who weren’t mothers. The fact it was a question at all managed to irritate me.
“Being a mother takes sacrifice. You give part of your identity to give someone else their’s. Your lifestyle changes and your goals alter. I’ve no doubt that it’s worth it and I love seeing how happy having children has made my friends, but it isn’t for me. I intend on being a really good aunt instead.” It was my standard, rehearsed answer. And it was true. I didn’t know if I could have children or not; I’d been too careful for any pregnancy scares and even though it wasn’t too late to change my mind, I didn’t see it happening and I didn’t have that urge that I knew Vic had. “How about you?”
Amber looked uncomfortable.
“I’d rather not talk about my personal life.”
I smiled, trying not to force it too much and be sympathetic instead. I knew I could come across as a bitch. I had to – any business where men were involved meant you had to have a bigger pair of balls than them and a thicker skin than any of the women. When it came to money, friendships were like crepe paper.
I was also old enough to save my people-analysis for those I cared about. Like Lainey, who was standing at the bar next to a man in a suit.
Men in suits were kind of part of the wallpaper round here.
Lainey’s hand moved to the man’s lower back, then there was a sudden movement from him, pretty much jerking her hand off him. I watched as she took a step back, her head going down.
“You might need to find some restraints and I’m not trying to be kinky.” Seph had moved behind me as if he was an MI5 agent. His voice suggested he was about to murder someone and he was probably planning in enlisting me with hiding the body.
“Is that Lainey’s boyfriend?”
“Oh yes.”
I hadn’t heard this from Seph before. He was the easiest going and gentlest of the Callaghan boys. This side had been mentioned by his sisters a couple of times but I’d figured they were exaggerating.
“You’re not fighting here.”
“Give me one good reason.”
“You’re wearing Armani, this is your favourite bar and I’ll make sure Lainey’s okay as long as you can sweet talk journalist Jane so she leaves me the fuck alone.” I dug him in the waist and smiled as he squirmed.
“I’m going to call Max.”
There was a huffing noise from behind us. I recognised it even though I’d only spent an hour or so with her.
“What drink would you like?”
Seph spun round and I caught Amber’s expression change as soon as she saw him. He tended to have that effect on most women and he knew it.
“I’ll get these. I’m going to the bar anyway. What’s your poison?” For the first time, Seph was oblivious to a pretty lady.
“Negroni. Thank you.” Amber’s stare turned to me and it was pointed. “Who’s your friend?”
“Joseph Callaghan. His family is kind of how Liam and I met.” I heard the alarm bells ringing.
Then they were muted as Lainey looked around and saw me.
Her face was pale and her eyes looked a little too glassy, as if she was desperately holding back tears.
“Could you help Seph with the drinks?” I murmured to Amber.
“Who’s Seph?”
I found time to frown at her. “Jo-seph. Nickname, sorry.”
“Does he know what you want?” She looked puzzled and slightly pissed off.
