‘Yeah, weirdly.’
He laughs. ‘Me too. Can’t believe my da let me switch back to doing drama. The arty cousins, that’s what they’ll call us.’
‘Sounds good to me.’
‘Read the blog by the way.’
‘Yeah?’
Cormac nods. ‘It was class. Mummy cried, which is really what it’s all about.’
Sheila plants a kiss on my cheek that I know will leave the biggest lipstick mark known to mankind. ‘Ah, Michael, love, it was gorgeous.’
Nanny Bet taps her spoon against her coffee cup. ‘I think we’ll get started.’
The family lift their teas and settle in the collection of garden chairs we’ve borrowed from various neighbours.
‘Right then,’ Nanny Bet says, ‘I want to… We, Jack and I, want to thank you for coming today.’ She reaches down and pats Dad’s hand. ‘We’re here to talk about two of the most important people in our lives: Frank and Brigid Kenny.’
Here we go.
The memorial is short. Nanny Bet talks about her husband and daughter. How they died and how much she loves them. She reads a newly written poem and it’s beautiful. Mum speaks about how cool Brigid was. Sheila feigns shock when Tommy says he had a crush on her and his voice cracks as he praises Granda Frank’s football skills. Dad says he loves and misses them every day.
And that’s it.
Well, that’s nearly it. As Sheila starts asking for tea requests, I find myself on my feet. ‘Excuse me, can I say something?’
They turn and I know my face is beetroot. My brain is trying to constrict my throat to stop me from speaking. But I have to say it, because if my family can tell the truth then—
‘What is it?’ says Dad.
Just say it.
‘I’m gay.’
His mouth falls open and my brain gets ready for full panic mode until it settles into a smile.
I sneak a look at the rest of them.
‘About time,’ says Fiona, and runs up to give me a hug.
Mum kisses me on the cheek. ‘I love you very much, Michael. I’m so proud of you.’
I don’t care that I’m crying. ‘You knew, didn’t you?’
She nods.
‘Well, thanks for letting me—’
‘You’re welcome.’ She kisses me again and then Dad is hugging me. They all are. Sheila says I’m still going to break hearts and Tommy gives me an awkward thumbs up, and you know what, I’ll take it.
‘I’m going to get you so laid,’ says Cormac.
‘Cormac!’ shout Mum, Tommy and Sheila together.
I give him a hug and whisper, ‘I’m doing pretty well, actually.’
He barks a laugh.
