Page 25 of Beneath the Quiet

Chapter Eight

Aidan

Iwatch Maeve from a distance, her head bent to the phone in her right hand, shoulders up towards her ears at first, but then she lets them fall as if she’s forcing herself to relax. The frown marring her straight brow makes me wonder what she’s thinking. Could it be that my last text annoyed her? Or perhaps unsettled her as much as I was when I sent it?

Fuck, I shouldn’t have texted her, but when Katie told me what she said to her, the words kept nagging at me, and I was practically pushed to give her some kind of reassurance.

But have I done the opposite instead?

I raise my hand and swipe the screen again, my thumb hovering on the text panel. I feel awkward and out of my depth for the first time in ages, and the unease captures me, taking hold of my throat. Instead of texting Maeve again, I stare intently until the phone screen turns black. I’m lost in thought. I can’t work out what the delectable detective meant about her brain being silly, and it irks me not knowing.

But why do I want to know?

I wish Maeve didn’t make me so bloody curious all the time.

I wish that every time I see her, I won’t want time to slow down or stop altogether so we can prolong our conversations.

To draw her out of her shell.

Watch her guarded eyes soften and relax with me.

Such a thrilling and terrifying thought. One that I can’t dwell on for too long.

“Dad?”

I blink and raise my eyes to Katie. “Yes?”

She wrinkles her nose, eyes both stern and suspicious at the same time. “I’m going to be late if you don’t start the car soon.”

I jerk in my seat. “Right. You’re right.”

I turn the ignition and frown. It’s been ages since I’ve been so lost inside my own head that I’ve forgotten who I’m with, and a wave of apprehension settles in my gut. I put the car in gear and pull away from the kerb next to the village church. Guilt settles in my heart at forgetting the most wonderful being in my world right next to me, and I put in an effort to pay my daughter the attention she deserves.

“So, what’s on the agenda for today?” I ask.

“Hmm, not much. English literature is first, then maths…oh, and science this afternoon.”

I give her a cursory glance. “And then riding after school, yeah?”

“Yes, definitely.” Katie claps her hands and sighs. “Can’t wait to see Crystal again.”

I chuckle as she mentions her favourite pony at the club.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying your lessons, love.”

She gasps, her hands flapping in the air.

“Settle down,” I warn her.

“Oh, but you’ve got to hear what I found out last time I went, Dad.”

I listen to her animated story, giving the occasional grunt or chuckle in the right places. Or at least, I think so. It’s sometimes hard to tell with her stories as they tend to lean towards the dramatic. Even so, I enjoy listening to the vibrancy of life that fills the air as she gives me as many details as possible. I enjoy the drive to the school in Kinsale with Katie, and I drive her when my calendar allows it.

My eyes land on the long, sandy-coloured braid hanging over her shoulder. I learned how to do it for her by watching videos online. Never had I thought that task would fall on me, but here we are. I probably wouldn’t have learned a lot of different things if Tierney hadn’t died when Katie was born.

“Dad, are you listening to me?”

I turn on the indicator and nod during my turn into the school car park.