‘I hear ya; the food but not the company. I feel about the same,’ she whispered and winked at him. Her admission, he was sure, was meant to be inclusive, a revelation she figured might be common to them both, but again he only felt awkward. ‘Don’t forget to get the cake out of the boot, Georgie.’
‘What are you lot whispering about?’ His dad stood next to them and placed his hand on his back.
‘We were just saying how much we’re looking forward to celebrating. Forty years!’ Georgie papered over their chat. ‘It’s quite something.’
‘I said to Cass earlier, you’d get less for murder, didn’t I, Cass? You’d get less for murder!’ he repeated.
His nan roared her laughter. ‘Did you hear that, Bernie? Loz said you’d get less for murder, the little devil!’
Everyone roared, although personally he didn’t find it that funny, especially at the third time of telling. This evening, however, was not about him, it was about his nan and grandad having the best time possible. He would make the most of it, smile when needed, chat when required and get through it. He turned to face his mum, ready to walk her in, offer his arm, make sure she was accompanied. The look on her face was serious as she stared at the laughing Kelleways as if she was part of it, but not part of it.
And as they made their way en masse into the Italian restaurant, he understood.
CHAPTER FOUR
DAISYHARROP
Daisy swept the floor, filled the salt and pepper pots on the tables and wiped dust from the neck of some of the wine bottles that were for display only behind the narrow, dark-wood bar. She closed her eyes and tried to control her nerves. She owed Gianna and Carlo more than to be some dithering wreck all evening. And just like that the bell above the door rang and in they walked: the perfect Kelleways.
As if it was a movie clip, they entered in slo-mo, the whole crew: MrBernie Kelleway and his bouquet-receiving wife, Winnie, who had known Daisy since before she was born – as the woman was fond of reminding her. Their son Lawrence and his wife Julie. Lawrence’s younger sister Cleo and her husband Georgie, who was carrying a stunning, ornately decorated cake which Carlo carefully took from him and placed on the bar. Finally, Lawrence and Julie’s children. Their pretty daughter Domino was in the year below her at school and seemed to rarely speak. Daisy had heard whispers in the lunch queue that the girl had a reputation as a bit of a rebel, a party girl, but she very much doubted the accuracy of this information. To her she seemed a little timid, a little unsure, and Daisyhated how the rumour mill, often churning out misinformation, could malign someone in this way. And then came their son ... their son, who happened to be her brother Jake’s best friend as well as the object of her desire.Cassian.
‘Daisy!’ MrsKelleway called loudly, her smile wide as she waved. ‘Hello, lovey! We were hoping you’d be on tonight. I said to Bernie, “I do hope it’s our Daisy’s night,” and here you are!’
‘She’s working, Winnie, don’t distract her.’ MrKelleway tutted and smiled at her. Lovely MrKelleway who she liked to watch in the garden from her bedroom window, taking his time, snipping the dead leaves and heads from his rose bush one cut at a time as he chatted on his phone. His patience and precision fascinated her, as well as his love for his flowers, which she totally understood. Hours were spent ogling the garden next door from her bedroom window, not only in case she caught sight of Cassian, but peering at their flower beds and lawn was the closest she was going to get to having her own lovely garden.
Their own back yard was a little threadbare. The grass was sparse, flowerbeds devoid of flowers and groaning with weeds. The dirt was clotted, crumbly and dry, and the patio littered with broken flowerpots, empty planters, Jake’s old roller-skates, a bucket or two and a long-since dumped basin that she had no recollection of seeing inside the house. Sometimes in dreams she recalled the way the garden used to be – dotted with flowers, never grand, ornate or immaculate, but pretty enough, pleasant to sit in. To open her curtains and face the reality was jarring. Caring for the garden had also come to a halt when her mum stopped caring for herself. Daisy was reluctant to step in and take the task over. It had always been her mum’s space and while she was keen to help, what she really wanted was for her mum to find her spark and get back out there.
‘I can’t help it; I’m pleased to see her!’ MrsKelleway beamed and shrugged her arms from her silk wrap, which she threw on to a chair. She treated it carelessly, obviously it was something she’d just grabbed to ward off the chill, but its plum tone set off her tan and perfectly matched the beads of her necklace. She looked lovely, glamorous.
‘I’ve known her since she was a baby, haven’t I, Daisy? Her gran was my neighbour for years!’
‘That’s right.’ She smiled at Lawrence and Julie, who acknowledged her and took seats at the back of the table. Cleo, with her big round pregnant tummy, sidled on to the bench and Georgie, her husband, plonked down beside her.
‘Look!’ MrsKelleway yelled. ‘Look at us all! This is what we do, we take over! There’s so many of us, always feels like an invasion when the Kelleways turn up; all these kids and grandchildren, and another on the way.’ She tutted, but the woman’s volume, directed towards the back of the restaurant, and expression left Daisy in no doubt that it was a state that delighted her.
‘Can you get in there all right, Georgie?’ Lawrence teased Georgie, as his brother-in-law placed his hand on his tum, which was not far off the dimensions of his wife’s, and took up his seat. ‘Do you want me to pull the table out a bit?’
‘I can manage.’ Georgie shook his head. ‘Do you want me to pull it out on my side so you can get your ego and your big gob in?’
Lawrence laughed loudly, as Julie raised her eyebrows at Cleo. Daisy watched, fascinated, noting the interactions, the abundant love, the affection, the ribbing, and all of it wrapped in the shining beauty that the Kelleway collective possessed.
Domino waved at her. A small, hesitant, closed-fingered wave from a young girl who was yet to understand the power in her beauty. Domino certainly seemed sweet, naïve, and Daisy wavedback, aware of the heartache that growing up would bring to her door. Not that she herself had lived, exactly, but at a full year older, no doubt she had the upper hand when it came to life and experience.
As if to prove the point, Cassian briefly put his hand on Daisy’s arm as he made to take his seat. It was fireworks! It was lava! It was his touch on her skin! She gasped and prayed she had done so silently. She could smell his cologne, which was intoxicating and floral. A little lightheaded, she prayed she wouldn’t fall down right there on the floor. She could only imagine lying there like a goldfish out of water, and worse still, her knees might be exposed ...
‘Jake at home?’
‘Yhaaaarh.’ It wasn’t a word, let alone a response. She could still feel the heat of his hand, which radiated up along her arm and sent a blush of discomfort across her chest. ‘Uh huh.’ She managed to nod.
‘Cool. I’ll see him after this. We’re going back to my nan’s so they can open their presents.’ He thumbed in the direction of his family, not that she could take her eyes from his face.
‘Mmm hmm.’ Again, all that she was able to produce were these sounds. It was that or risk opening her mouth fully and letting long and well-rehearsed lamentations of love and lust spill from her lips.
The evening was passing quickly. Their service was a well-rehearsed dance that saw Gianna dishing up the food, dressing the plates, and she and Carlo delivering it, while serving wine, pouring drinks, offering menu options, and encouraging dessert. The restaurant might have been busy with couples holding hands next to the guttering tea lights with stomachs full of sauce-coated pasta and themellow house red, but Daisy could only hear the burble of conversation that hung in an enticing cloud over the Kelleways. They were for her a fascination.
‘Look at him, he’s so handsome!’ MrsKelleway pointed at Cassian, who slunk down in his chair, closing his eyes as if praying she would be quiet. Daisy thought it was sweet.
‘Leave him alone, Mum.’ She liked how Lawrence stood up for his son.
