‘Naturally. Preferably with flair. And perhaps, as fate would have it, there’s someone out there who could help fill the cracks. Properly, like Polyfilla applied by a professional.’
Beth peeked out from under the covers. Silly, as he wasn’t actually in the room. ‘You’re not matchmaking, are you?’
‘Heaven forbid. I’m a genie, not Tinder in a tuxedo. But someoneishovering on your horizon. He listens, which is more than most mortals manage. Fate’s been giving him a nudge.’
‘Fate can wait,’ she muttered, half-asleep.
‘Fine, fine,’ said Gigi, his voice softening to a soothing cadence. ‘Rest, darling. But wash your face next time. Romance favours the freshly cleansed and moisturised.’
Beth’s laughter dissolved into sleep, a faint warmth blooming in her chest. Fragile, uncertain, but unmistakably hopeful.
Chapter Thirty
‘Really? Wow, that’s … that’s fantastic. Honestly, thank you so much. I’ll be in touch.’ Kieran hung up, punched the air, and shouted, ‘Get in!’
Prom hissed, flicked his tail in disgust, and stalked out.
‘Fine! No one likes a sore winner,’ Kieran called after him. ‘We could be dining on caviar soon, you ungrateful squatter.’
He dropped onto the sofa, grinning like an idiot. Three potential investors. Three! It wasn’t a done deal, but ClosetAura was finally getting noticed, and with Alison recommending him for boutique website builds, there could even be cash flow again. The kind that might pay for plastering, not just tinned beans.
Strolling past the pub earlier, after picking up milk and bread at Janette’s, Kieran had spotted a poster for an Open Mic Night.
All welcome! Join in the fun, whether you sing like an angel or crack jokes like Billy Connolly. Tickets £10. All proceeds go to Alzheimer’s Research.
‘Jeez, not another crazy night in store.’ Kieran wondered if Ed and Angela were being a bit OTT with events at the pub. From what he could gather, they wanted to attract more people to dine at The Jekyll and Hyde. He’d dodged the tombola, which,according to Janette, had been ‘as successful as a vegan night out at a steakhouse’. Still, he couldn’t help wondering what Beth made of it all.
Why don’t you ask her?
Kieran froze. The voice was as clear as if someone had spoken beside him.
He glanced around. No one was there. Just Prom, glaring from the doorway.
‘Great,’ he muttered. ‘Now I’m hearing things. Or the cat’s psychic.’
Prom blinked, unimpressed.
‘You’re not fooling me,’ Kieran told him. ‘I’ve seen your breakdancing. Well, I did in some weird dream. That’s not normal cat behaviour.’
The beginning of another headache crept behind his eyes. He rubbed his temples. Maybe hedidneed to see a doctor. Or a priest.
He distracted himself by checking his phone. A message from Charlie, sent earlier, which he'd somehow missed.
Mate, I am exhausted! Twenty-two hours of labour, contractions you wouldn’t believe, and that gas and air is bloody useless. Kidding. I’m a daddy again, ten days later than expected, and Heather is a complete legend. Even when she squeezed my hand so tight I felt bones crack. And I’m sure she didn’t mean it when she said we were never, ever having sex again. Anyhoo, baby Ellie is a beauty. Jacob said she looked like a squished pink frog, but he’ll grow to love her. Or bung her in the microwave. Sorry for long message. Hyper dad here Lol
Kieran grinned, typed a quickCongrats!then opened his laptop.Right. Baby gift shopping. How hard can it be?
Very hard, apparently. The internet offered everything from the cute to the unhinged: sleepsuits embroidered withFuturePrime Minister, mugs readingI Survived My Parents’ Sleepless Nights, and a crocheted “first moustache”.
He finally settled on a buttercup-yellow outfit and paid extra for gift wrap. Then his fingers hovered above the keyboard. He could ask Beth for advice…
‘Bad idea,’ he muttered. He remembered how she’d frozen when Jinnie had offered her baby Dahlia. Maybe she wasn’t a baby person. Or maybe there was a story there. Something darker.
He pushed the thought away. Enough overthinking. He needed lunch, and the cupboard was bare.
‘Cost be damned,’ he said, grabbing his jacket. He ignored the traitorous flicker of excitement in his chest. Seeing Beth wasn’t thereasonhe was going to the pub. Not exactly.
Entering the pub, Kieran spotted a few familiar faces. Wilma and Jinnie, with baby Dahlia sitting on Jinnie’s lap. Jo and her husband Harvey, chuckling in a corner as they looked at something on a phone.
