Ian
“You’re all wound up.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Riley…”
“Okay, maybe a bit.”
“But you’ve already been here.”
“I know, it’s stupid of me, but Christmas always puts me in a bad mood.”
I squeeze her hand and kiss her forehead.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
She rests her head on my chest and I inhale deeply through her hair. “It’ll go well, you’ll see.”
The door opens behind us.
“You’re here,” Ryan greets us.
From the look on his face, I can tell he must be in a really bad mood. I break away from her and go inside. Ryan grabs my arm at the door.
“It’s not a good day today.”
I nod, clenching my jaw, and go in the house, taking off my jacket and helping Riley with her coat. We head to the kitchen where my mum is fiddling with the oven.
“Hey guys, it’s great to see you,” she says, hugging Riley. “Both of you.”
“Where’s Dad?” I ask right away, worried about what Ryan said.
Mum looks at me with sad eyes that make me want to put my fist through a wall.
“He’s in the living room.”
I leave Riley to chat with my mum and go through to the living room. Dad is sitting in an armchair, reading the sports pages of the newspaper. When he notices me, he lifts his eyes in confusion. I sit in front of him in silence, waiting to see what kind of turn today’s going to take. He goes back to looking at the newspaper and after a few seconds says: “Do you follow rugby?”
I clench my fists.
“Every now and again.”
“Leinster is doing well this year.”
“Yeah,” I say, smiling bitterly.
“Both in the Pro12 and in the Champions Cup. I think they’ve qualified for—”
“The quarter finals,” I say, helping him.
“Sunday they’re going to play against Zebre. Ha, those poor Italians – they have no idea what they’re up against.”
I smile.
“They’ve got this player, the one that just got called up to the national team. Number…er, 11, yes, number 11. What’s his name?”
