His flattery is sincere, but it doesn’t have even a fraction of the effect of Ronan’s basic praise.
‘I’d have to agree.’ Ronan steps forwards and extends his right hand to Lucas. ‘Ronan Rivers.’
‘Lucas Beechwood. Founder of Coral. It’s a pleasure to meet you.’ Lucas’s eyes dart between us several times before he focuses on me. ‘Perhaps we might get to have that drink after all?’
A definite growl rumbles in Ronan’s throat, but he masks it with a cough.
My phone rings in my clutch handbag. My immediate thought is that it must be Shona and the girls. ‘Sorry, I need to get this.’
It’s not the babysitter. It’s the woman I employ to clean one of my rental properties, a luxury villa in Ballybowen.
‘Liz, is everything okay?’ Stupid question. She wouldn’t be calling me on a Saturday night if it were.
‘No Savannah, sorry, it’s not. I went to clean up the villa tonight and get ready for Monday’s guests, but there’s been a leak. The main bathroom is flooded. I don’t know what to do. Water is pumping out from one of the pipes. I’m frightened it’ll go through the ceiling and into the kitchen.’
Fuck. My. Life.
Why do these things always happen when my dads are away?
‘Is it bad?’ I exhale heavily, watching as Lucas turns his attention to Ashley, while Ronan stares expectantly at me.
‘Bad enough. I called the plumber, but he can’t come out until Monday. He said as long as no one uses the upstairs bathroom it won’t get any worse, but it’s not rentable until it’s fixed.’
The rental income isn’t the issue. Monday’s guest is a British soccer player who is planning to propose to his girlfriend. ‘Okay. I’m on my way.’
I hang up with a sigh. I’m not sure what I’ll be able to do when I get there, but I have to at least try.
‘What’s up?’ Ronan catches my elbow, drawing me closer.
‘It’s the villa I rent out in Ballybowen. There’s been a leak. I need to go.’ I toss my phone into my purse and reluctantly eye my half-empty champagne glass. It’s my third drink, so I’m not fit to drive for at least a couple of hours.
What will I do with the twins?
This single parent craic is fine until there’s a crisis.
‘What’s up?’ Ashley shifts towards us.
‘I need to go and sort out my new swimming pool in Ballybowen. The one that’s currently filling up in my bathroom.’ I roll my eyes.
‘You can’t drive. You’ve been drinking. And what about the girls?’ Ashley is, as ever, the sensible friend.
‘Can’t someone else go instead?’ Lucas steps forwards.
‘There is no one else.’ I shrug. Part and parcel of being single.
‘I’ll drive you,’ Ronan offers, dumping his champagne flute on the nearest table. ‘I barely touched that, and it was my first.’
‘It’s on the west coast.’ I eye him dubiously. ‘It’s almost a three-hour drive.’
‘I know where Ballybowen is. My best friend lives in the neighbouring village, Ballyshanway. Jake Nolan, you might have heard of him?’
I feel my eyebrows arch upwards. ‘I heard he lived in the area, but I’ve never come across him.’
‘He’s a recluse. Doesn’t drink. Doesn’t party. All he does is swim in the Atlantic every day and spend time with his wife. We all handle our retirement differently.’ Ronan shrugs.
‘Well, if you’re sure…’ The prospect of a night in Ballybowen with Ronan is too tempting to pass up, whatever the excuse.
‘I’m sure.’ Ronan’s thick, fair eyebrows knit together in concern. ‘But what are we going to do about the girls?’
