“What?”
“He’s never had a real one – even though he wanted one – but I was against it, so he’s made his peace with a BB gun instead. He’s made the most of it, though: a lot of people fall for it.”
“Are you taking the piss?”
“If I wanted to do that, I’d have let you keep believing it was real.”
“True,” I agree, trying to regain control.
“It’s probably best if you leave now. Those BB pellets hurt, especially if he gets you on the arse. And I’m sure yours is worth…quite a lot,” she says, torn between being embarrassed and amused.
She hasn’t changed one bit; and not just physically.
“What would you know about my arse?”
“I don’t think there’s anyone on the planet whodoesn’tknow about your arse, O’Connor.”
Well, at least that means she’s been looking at it. And judging by her expression, she liked what she saw.
“I’m not scared of being shot in the arse.”
“That wasn’t what it looked like a few minutes ago.” Another challenge.
Oh, Casey. Don’t do it. Don’t challenge me. I’m better at this game than you.
“I’ll take the risk.”
“Why would you?”
I smile at her, but don’t respond. Better to leave her questioning.
“Have a good evening, Casey,” I say, before turning and heading back to my car. That strange tingling is still running through my veins, and it’s starting to make me euphoric, motivated; like I haven’t felt for a really long time.
The whole drive home, I can’t stop smiling like an idiot. Even when I get in bed, that smile’s still there: and it’s plastered across my face all night long. When I wake up the next day, I wash my face and look in the mirror, and that damn smile is still there, showing me that, even though so much time has passed, and life has taken us our separate ways, some things stay the same.
And there’s nothing that could ever erase them.
17
Casey
“So, how’s it going with the O’Connors?” Martin asks, stirring his coffee.
“We’re making good progress. It’s slow, but I’m hopeful.”
“That’s great.”
“James is cooperating well.”
“That’s so good. The family thought he’d never get better after the accident. It really brought them down.”
“I can imagine.”
“It’s not easy to accept when someone’s ill. He’s the foundations of that family, a strong presence that they always counted on; so to realise now that he’s the one who needs looking after? That was tough on them. Then when he had his fall, it really hit home for them all – they only then started to realise how bad the situation was.”
I sigh, dejected. “I remember him from when I was little, and knowing that now he’s…” I shake my head. “It’s not fair.”
Martin takes my hand and squeezes it affectionately. “Did you know him well?”
