‘Why wouldn’t I?’
‘I don’t know where you’ve been, but in my world, people aren’t out there helping each other. They’re all just doing whatever it takes to get ahead, and if that means stepping on someone else regardless of gender, that’s just the price of entry.’
‘Well, then you need to get out of that world,’ Hannah had advised her, ‘and spend a bitta time in mine.’
That had been the beginning of a wonderful friendship, and it was the only regret Hannah had about leaving LA. Zoe was currently visiting her parents in Canada, and while Hannah secretly hoped she might stop over for a visit on her way back, Zoe’s hatred of New York was legendary.
‘It was … good,’ she said, answering her friend’s query about her first day. ‘Though they’re already pawning me off with the lost causes.’
Hannah had no illusions that she’d waltz straight into the NewYork office and get handed prime accounts. Instead, she’d have to earn her chops by handling some of the company’s newer or lower-priority clients.
‘That won’t last once they figure out what a prize you are. For example, there aren’t many people I know who could charm a millionairess into letting you crash at her brand-new pad.’
‘It wasn’t like that and you know it. But it’s been such a godsend all the same. I don’t know how I can ever repay her.’
‘So what’s the place like? I hope Courtney hasn’t turned it into a grown-up Barbie Funhouse.’
‘Dreamhouse, you mean. And nope, very tasteful – incredible actually, like something from a movie. And if you come and visit you can see for yourself.’
‘If I ever make it out of here alive, you mean. Honestly, I love my folks, but being back in this town is like being in a different century.’
Hannah could relate to that big-time. She hadn’t been back to Limerick in almost a year and whenever she did return home for visits, the insular village somehow always served to regress her to that same insecure young woman she’d worked so hard to leave behind.
Since the pandemic, her parents, both now pushing their seventies, were reluctant to travel, which meant visits across the Atlantic to see her were sadly a thing of the past.
‘Ha, speaking of a different century … ’ She went on to tell Zoe about the old guy next door, the only snag in her newfound dream setup.
‘Well, there you go then.’
Hannah frowned. ‘What do you mean?’
‘PR is quite literally your job. If you want to find a way topay Courtney back, there’s your chance. Hit him with a charm offensive and pave the way for some positive neighbourly relations?’
‘I don’t know … with a lawsuit in the offing, the last thing I want is to step on any toes.’
‘Oh, come on, getting people on side is your speciality, so you’d be doing Courtney a huge favour. Think of it as a side hustle, something to get your teeth into until you’re off probation and assigned more interesting talent than the dregs. Honey, I’ve seen you in action. There isn’t a man alive who can resist your legendary Irish charm. So why not work it on Grandpa next door?’
Chapter 4
WARD
The ice rink was alive with energy, from the booming cheers of the crowd to the echoing clangs of sticks colliding with the puck; the tension electric as opposing players skated around the ice, both determined to get the upper hand. A thrilling matchup, Panthers against Falcons, two of the biggest ice hockey teams in the league.
The Falcons were inching ahead, their team working together as a cohesive unit to advance the play. The Panthers were putting up a good fight, but their energy was starting to flag as the third period unfolded.
Ward McKenzie’s heart raced as he skated on the ice, feeling the full weight of a thousand pairs of eyes on him. He had one shot, a chance to bring glory and redemption to the Panthers if he could put the puck in the net in time.
The frigid air engulfed his face like a blanket of icy needles as he dashed towards the goal, determined not to miss this shot.
The roar of the crowd seemed to peel away at his confidence but he pushed forward, visualising every next move in his head. The blades of his skates cut through the heavy layer of frosted ice as he raced towards his destiny, nothing standing between himself and victory but this one defining moment.
He had to make it count.
Then suddenly it all went wrong. Just as Ward shifted position to take the shot, he felt a sudden jolt of pain as his knee gave way beneath him. He stumbled and crashed inelegantly to the ice, the puck sliding harmlessly away from him.
The crowd gasped, a hush falling over the rink as he clutched at his knee in pain.
He’d blown it. In more ways than one.
