Page 43 of Plot Twist

Riley dropped Ivy at nursery and returned, whistling away as he came through the front door.

‘Whistling while you work there, Doc?’ I teased.

‘You better believe it,’ he replied. ‘Are you ready for the big event?’

‘Can’t wait,’ I said.

‘Let’s leave in the next hour or so. We can wander around and go for lunch before it starts,’ he said.

I’d never been to Dublin before. It had always been on my wish list so I couldn’t wait to get there. I packed a bag with my writing notebook and laptop, as well as some snacks I’d bought for our road trip. As I took my seat in Riley’s car, I set my bag at my feet and waited for him to lock up.

He climbed into the car and closed the door behind him, turning on the engine.

‘Ready?’ he asked.

‘Yup.’

Despite having lived in the same house as Riley for the last couple of weeks, the smaller space of his car seemed more intimate. My arm tingled as it sat close to Riley’s and I scolded myself. It was no different to being in the house, really. I rolled down my window to let some air in as Riley navigated the roads to the motorway like an expert. The greenery flashed by in a haze of beauty and I sighed contentedly. Everything felt so much more relaxed in amongst all the beauty. And I wasn’t just talking about Riley.

‘So what exactly happens at these author events?’ I asked. ‘What will you do?’

‘There’s a host at the event who introduces the authors and then hands over to me. I’ll read an extract or two fromThe Fall Outand then the host asks questions and then invites the audience to ask stuff too,’ he explained.

‘Is there anything you want me to ask you?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I can be your mole in the audience. I’ll ask anything you want so you can make the most of it. We could make you sound really good. I mean, you are really good, obviously, but we can say something to really impress your agent and the audience.’

He looked ahead thoughtfully for a minute and grimaced. ‘You could ask what happens if I don’t finish my book on time.’

I turned to look at him. He frowned as he indicated to move into the faster lane.

‘Do you really think it will come to that?’

‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘I’ve been writing more with you here, but I just can’t seem to get in the way of things again. I know it’s amazing thatThe Fall Outwas so successful, but it also heaps the pressure on for book two, you know?’

‘Try not to worry,’ I said. ‘Although being told not to worry doesn’t exactly help, does it? Is there anything else we could do to get the juices flowing?’

I wished I could take the words back. It sounded like I was propositioning him. My hand flew back down to my lap. Luckily, Riley barely seemed to notice.

‘You’re helping. Seriously, it does help having you with me talking about timetables and structure.’

‘I’m a natural bossy boots, is that what you’re saying?’

‘Yup,’ he agreed, grinning. ‘A born teacher.’

‘What did you do before you were a famous romance writer?’ I asked, realising I’d never even thought of Riley as anything but a novelist.

‘Guess,’ he said.

I sat back in my seat and tried to think. He’d mentioned helping Bridget and Ellie with renovation work, I wondered if he’d been some sort of tradesman.

‘Nope.’ He shook his head. ‘I worked in finance for the public sector in Belfast.’

I burst out laughing. ‘You did not.’

‘I did. Part of the nine-to-five commuter crew. Went to work suited and booted for years.’