‘That was great!’ Tommy said, slapping her on the back.
‘It was very great!’ Burim agreed, slapping her slightly too hard.
‘You only need another throw like that and you will win,’ Jacques told her.
‘Really?’ Orla asked.
‘Sebastian doesn’t look happy,’ Erin remarked. ‘And he’s going over to Gerard. Do you want me to go and find out what’s going on in my capacity as queen?’
‘No,’ Orla said. ‘It’s OK. Why don’t you come with me, and we’ll get some more drinks for everyone.’
‘You want me to help?’ Jacques asked.
‘No, no,’ Orla said. ‘It’s fine. We can do it, can’t we, Erin?’
‘I’m the freaking queen. I can do anything today.’
Orla led the way to Gerard’s bar and Erin pulled at her arm before they had even got to the door.
‘OK, what’s going on? Because this isn’t nervousness about the beanbag-throwing final, is it?’
‘No,’ Orla admitted. ‘I just… there’s something I need to tell you before I tell Jacques.’
‘You’re pregnant?’
‘Oh my God, Erin! Shh! We’re in Village Gossip Central here!’
‘So, you are!’
‘No! Are you crazy? Of course I’m not pregnant!’
‘Ohhh, I’m disappointed now.’ Erin laughed. ‘OK, what else boring is it?’
‘Well, I’ve handed in my resignation. I’m not going to be working forTravel in Mindany more.’ It still felt weird to say it.
‘Is that it?’ Erin asked. ‘Well, that’s dull as fuck.’
‘Is it?’
‘And, not gonna lie, I don’t think they appreciated you anyway. You always worked far too hard, all hours of the day, all days of your life, so now you can get a job you enjoy more.’
A job she enjoyed more. Hadn’t she enjoyed what she did? Or was it more a case of starting out enjoying something and then losing that feeling along the way?
‘So, shall we get the drinks now?’ Erin asked, as unperturbed as ever.
‘No, wait, there’s one more thing.’
‘I’m getting baby fever…’
‘No, it’s Burim.’
‘He’snot getting baby fever, is he?’
‘I really hope not. Not yet anyway. And he’s unlikely to be discussing that with me.’
Erin laughed. ‘You like him though, don’t you? I can tell.’
‘I do like him,’ Orla agreed. ‘He’s very polite. He’s very opinionated, particularly when it involves football or anything Tommy has to say.’
