Page 46 of A Second Chance Summer in Dublin
I clear my throat again. Pray for words. They finally come. ‘Ah. Um. Yeah, great. That’s really great. Was it from the Beyond Looks app?’ I feign casualness.
‘Yeah, actually, but it was a lunch date. She just wanted coffee and we took a walk around St Stephen’s Green, enjoyed the sunshine, sat on a bench, ate cherry scones. She’s a botanist.’
‘Great.’ What is going on? Am I actually jealous? I need to snap out of this.
He makes his claw, pulls his hair back. ‘She was incredibly nice, smart, good conversation, she was interesting, ya know? Plus, I think she liked me, too.’
If disappointment has a look, I now personify it. Donal’s expression changes, his half-smile slides away. Again, it’s like he can read my mind.
‘I’m really happy for you .?.?. I’m just .?.?.’
Jealous.
There she is. That voice in my head. I’m aware the silent couple beside us are now staring at us and it’s a little uncomfortable having this very private conversation in the open. I feel my face redden. But once again Donal protects me.
‘You’re just a nervous wreck about seeing Logan, I get it. Okay, I’ll tell you more about Emmanuela, later?’ Donal tilts his head very discreetly towards the couple next to us.
‘If that’s all right?’ I’m relieved, because to be honest, I don’t know what I’m feeling right now.
‘Of course. We’ll walk up Baggot Street to the House bar from here. It’s such a beautiful evening.’ His long fingers link the chain around his neck and he shifts it, he’s fidgety. Is he uneasy now?
‘If you’re sure that’s okay to tell me all about her later?’ I offer in appreciation.
‘’Course,’ he repeats, releases the chain, scratches his beard and picks up his pint.
‘That’d be better.’ I’m soothed inside as I lean across. ‘Listen, I’m really happy if you’re happy, and to be honest, I don’t know what’s going to happen with Logan tonight. I’m more confusedthan ever.’
‘That’s perfectly normal.’ And then there seems to be an unexpected release of all tension as he sits back and smiles at me.
‘Let’s have some fun with this pair?’ I nod to the couple beside us. My eyes widen and he immediately sniggers.
‘You start.’ His eyes sparkle with the devilment. We really are in tune.
‘So are we still aiming for midnight?’ I ask in a raised, anxious whisper.
‘That’s when the coast will be clear,’ Donal hisses back, tying his hair back now into a low ponytail with an elastic band that’s left a deep indent on his wrist.
‘Do you think they will call the Guards?’ I ask, my words in breathy gasps.
Donal raises his eyebrows high. ‘Not if we’re really careful. We don’t want a repeat of last time!’
‘You had blood on your hands,’ I deliver in a dramatic whimper.
‘And no soap left in the bathroom.’ Donal holds his palms in front of him, curls them up as though traumatised. Still, the silent couple listen to our every word.
I’m starting to crack.
‘But the money is safe?’ I manage. I’m biting the sides of my cheeks.
‘With the drugs. For now.’ Donal jerks his head over his left shoulder and then his right as though terrified someone was coming up behind him.
And that’s when I see the man raise his hands to sign to the woman, and she smiles at him lovingly, leans across and kisses him tenderly on the lips. They begin a conversation in sign language as he signals for the bill.
‘Oh no,’ I mouth to Donal. I can feel my face flushing red.
‘Oh no,’ Donal says back to me. ‘Like we think we’re that interesting.’ He drops his head.
‘They were texting each other. Theyweretalking,’ I say, as I catch the girl’s eye and smile warmly at her. She smiles back.
