I was feeling myself getting hot. I was annoyed that those rumours about Ronan and that day were piercing my bubble again. That night was supposed to be a night where I didn’t have to deal with that sort of thing, especially not from adults. I expected it from people in school, but for a man like Mr Beattie to be just as bad as them lit a fire in me.
‘Their number’s in the phone book if you want to phone up and ask?’ I said.
His eyebrows raised.
‘Well, I don’t think that would be an appropriate thing to do, Brendan, do you?’
‘So why is it appropriate to be asking me?’
His head went to one side and he crossed his right knee over his left.
‘Well, if there’s something that Ronan’s said to you …’
‘Hecan’tsay to me!’ I almost shouted and then took a breath, but still spoke with heat. ‘He can’t because he can’t speak yet, Mr Beattie.’
‘I see,’ he said, uncrossing his legs and sitting forward. ‘Look,I know the upset, I deal with clients who’ve been through much worse than what Ronan has been through …’
‘And how would you know what he’s been through?’
‘Well, I think everyone …’
‘No, I thinkno one… ! I’m sorry, Mr Beattie, I don’t mean to be speaking to you like this in your own house but you don’t know what you’re talking about so I really wish you’d stop.’
I took a giant breath to cool myself down and we held each other’s gaze like in one of those old Clint Eastwood films that’s always on on a Sunday afternoon.
‘Well,’ he said, standing up, his face burning red and his forehead prickled with sweat. ‘Better get back and check on the curry, I think I can smell it sticking.’ He made a move as if he was going to come and shake my hand but then reached for the tea towel over his shoulder instead and started backing off to the doorway. ‘Lovely to meet you, Brendan, have a great night.’
I nodded. He didn’t nod back.
As soon as he turned and left I felt like smashing one of his expensive vases on the floor.
I had done so much to shield myself from what everyone had been saying about Ronan, I had made myself watertight against those rumours, but I wouldn’t be able to hide forever. I really hoped Ronan would get his speech back fully soon so that I could put an end to it all, to live without the mystery and share in his truth.
As I stood in front of the fireplace and got my breath back, Jennifer walked into the room and took it away again.
‘Jennifer, you look beautiful.’
She shuffled in her usual self-conscious way when she received a compliment.
‘Thank you – you too,’ she said and frowned. ‘Well, handsome, I mean, you look handsome.’
‘Thanks,’ I said. ‘This is for you.’ I handed her the single red rose. ‘I thought the corsage would be too much.’
She did a sort of giggle that I’d never heard her do before.
Mrs Beattie was standing in the hallway watching us and smiling with her glasses on.
‘Thank you,’ Jennifer said, blushing, seeming like she was trying to say more words but couldn’t until she cleared her throat and put on a voice. ‘Shall we depart?’
‘We shall,’ I said in the same voice.
Outside in the driveway, Dad was waiting with the digital camera.
‘A snap before we embark?’ he said.
‘Oh, photos?’ Jennifer said, looking a bit worried. ‘I really hate my picture being taken.’
‘Don’t worry, me too,’ I said. ‘This is the photos for Ronan and his parents for Sunday, for their eyes only.’
