“I think you need to buy that girl a ring, Joe,” I announced as I read and then reread the note Aoife had left on my brother’s bedside locker on Sunday morning. “She’s a keeper.”
“Yeah,” Joey muttered, scratching his jaw. “She must really love me.”
“Uh, you think?” I rolled my eyes. “She adores you.”
“But I don’t get why she would do this for me.”
“Me either,” I teased. “Especially when you look so much like Shrek.”
“Cheeky fucker,” he chuckled, play-shoving me. “Give me a look at that note again.”
I held it out for him – the same note he had already read at least a dozen times – and then padded over to the kitchen table with my mug of tea.
Taking a seat, I watched my brother read the note again, brows scrunched in confusion.
“Why did she do this, Shan?” Shaking his head, he walked from cupboard door to cupboard door, opening and closing them. “She must’ve gotten up at the crack of dawn to do this.” He opened the fridge, revealing a heaving stack of groceries slotted inside. “It must’ve cost her a fortune.”
Joey was right.
Aoife had to have gotten up early to do this, considering it was only eleven o clock.
He was also right about it costing her a fortune.
I had found the shopping receipt in the bin for €143.67.
“Says here, she’ll be back around one o clock with the boys,” he added, re-reading the note he’d been brooding over since he woke up. “They’re going to the playground first, and then the pitch for a kick about after that.”
“Did you see this?” I asked as I thumbed through seven neatly stacked envelopes, labeled by day of the week.
Shaking one of the little brown envelope’s in my hand, I smiled when I heard the sound of coins clanging.
“Your girlfriend allotted your money into daily budget packets.”
Joey gaped at me. “What?”
“Yep,” I giggled, placing Tuesday’s envelope back down on the pile.
“No fucking way,” he muttered as he stalked over to where I was and picked up a handful of the tiny, rectangular envelopes.
“And she put little hearts on them for you,” I snickered. “It’s so cute.”
“Is it normal to be mad at a person because they love you?” my brother asked, eyeing the envelopes with confusion. He turned his green eyes on me and asked, “Is this normal?”
“Why are you asking me?” I shrugged uncomfortably. “I have no experience with this sort of thing.”
“Oh, would you look at this,” he said with a sigh, pointing to the €20 note lodged beneath Aoife’s car keys and the sticky note alongside it saying: Joey and Shannon’s breakfast fund.
In capital letters beneath that were the words: Feed your sister, babe. She’s too skinny.
“My girlfriend left me pocket money.” Joey’s tone was laced with sarcasm. “Jesus Christ, Shan.”
“Don’t be mad at her,” I told him. “She’s trying to help us.”
“I know.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled heavily. “And I’m not mad. I just don’t know how to handle it.”
“Maybe just by saying thank you?” I offered. “And I love you, too? Or flowers? Those are good too.”
Joey smirked. “You’re full of ideas, aren’t you?”
I smiled back at him and then sighed, forcing myself to address the elephant in the room – or the lack of. “Do you think Mam will be home soon?”
The light in my brother’s eyes dimmed out.
“I really don’t give a fuck what she does, Shan,” he replied tightly. “So long as that prick stays away from this house.”
He will come back, Joey.
You know this.
Stop lying to yourself.
“Yeah.” I chewed on my nail, contemplating his reply for a moment before saying, “What are we going to do if Mam doesn’t come back, Joe?”
That was where my worries rested.
With my mother.
Because she had never left us overnight like this before.
“We’ll manage, Shan,” Joey replied, Adam’s apple bobbing. “Like we always do.”
“And school?” I whispered.
“Nanny will be home from Beara tonight,” Joey stated in a no-nonsense tone of voice. “She’ll sort the boys the same as she always does with school and all that stuff.” He scrubbed a hand over his face before adding, “All we have to do is keep the house, pay the bills, pack them a lunch in the mornings, and be here at night when Nanny drops them off.”
“I was supposed to go on the school trip after Easter, but if she’s not home I’ll cancel –”
“No,” he barked. “You won’t.”
“Joey.” I sighed. “If Mam isn’t back by then, you can’t take care of the boys on your own.”
“I won’t be,” he countered. “I’ve already told you Nanny will help – Aoife, too. There’s no way you’re missing that trip. You need out of this shithole, Shan. More than any of us.”
“Are you sure?” I squeezed out.
He nodded.
Inhaling a steadying breath, I said, “I know I don’t say this often, but I want you to know that I love you and I’m so bloody grateful that you’re my big brother.”
Joey pulled a face. “Are you going soft on me, baby sister?”
“No.” I blushed. “I just want you to know that you’re important to us. And we appreciate everything you do for us.”
Don’t leave us.
Please don’t ever leave me.
“Well, right back atcha, kid,” he replied, looking a little awkward.
“You’ll make a great dad someday,” I decided to tease and make him even more uncomfortable.
Joey snorted. “Yeah, that’s never fucking happening.”
I winked. “Never say never, Joe.”
“Believe me, I’ve had more than enough of playing daddy to another man’s kids to last me a lifetime,” he shot back. “Now, go upstairs and throw some clothes on and we’ll hit up the Deli for a chicken fillet roll.”
“The fridge is full now,” I informed him.
“Yeah.” He grinned. “But my girlfriend left me a direct order and I’m not nearly thick enough to ignore that.”
I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday and my stomach growled in anticipation.
“Hash browns,” I practically purred as I thought about what I was going to have. “And some jellies and a can of coke.”
Springing off the chair, I hurried for the staircase with food on my mind.
“Hold on, Shan. I almost forgot–” Breaking off mid-sentence, Joey padded into kitchen, returning a few moments later with a small, gift wrapped parcel in his hands.
Joey handed me the gift and then ruffled my hair. “Happy sweet sixteenth, Shan.”
“Thanks Joey.” I beamed, clutching what I already knew was a CD beneath the pink wrapping paper.
“I’d get you more if I could,” he told me with an embarrassed shrug. “And I forgot to get a card –”
“Stop,” I told him as I sank down on the step of the stairs and ripped at the paper only to sequel with excitement. “McFly’s album!” Eyes wide with excitement, I stared down at the CD in my hand and smiled. “I really wanted this.”
“I know,” he snorted. “You’re such a girl.” Slipping his hand into his jeans pocket, he tossed another box on my lap. “This one’s from Aoife,” he explained.
Thrilled at the prospect of getting two presents, I tore at the polka dot wrapping paper and gasped when I saw what was inside.
“Whoa,” I breathed, gaping at the designer bottle of perfume in my hands. “This must have cost her a fortune.”
“She must love you, too,” Joey teased.
I rolled my eyes. “Uh-huh.”
“Hurry up and get changed,” he ordered, moving for the front door. “I’ll be in the car.”
Bolting into my room with my presents in tow, I placed them carefully on my dresser before tearing off my pajamas.
Pulling on a jumper and tracksuit pants, I ripped open the box that contained my new bottle of perfume, squirted myself all over, and then raced after Joey.
Shoving my feet into my runners in the hall, I grabbed my coat off the banister and hurried outside to the car.
The minute I climbed into the passenger seat, the smell of alcohol assaulted my senses.
“Jesus, Joey,” I coughed as I rolled down the window. “It smells like a brewery in here.”
“I know,” Joey replied as he started the engine and pulled away from the curb. “You can blame your friends from Tommen for that.”
“My friends?” I shook my head and stared at his side profile. “What are you talking about?”
“Johnny Kava
“Oh.”
Wait.
What?
“You dropped Johnny home?” I hated the way my voice was all loud and pitchy. “When… How… Why?”
“Last night when we were picking up our takeaway,” Joey explained as he pulled out of the estate and onto the main road. “He was thrown down against a wall outside the chipper in town. He was in a bad way.”
“He was?”
Oh god.
Concern filled my chest.
“What was wrong with him?”
“He was drunk off his tits,” Joey grumbled. “His friend was worse.”
“His friend?” I asked, careful to mask the emotion in my voice. “His…girlfriend?”
“Nah, some big, blond fucker,” Joey corrected and I mentally sagged in relief. “I think his name was Gussie or Gillie or something like that.”
“Gibsie,” I confirmed quietly, thinking about how those two were joined at the hip at school.
“That’s the one.” Joey nodded, then released a low chuckle. “Bloody eejit threw himself on top of the car, demanding I give him back his center.” Laughing, he added, “He looked serious, too. Like he genuinely thought I was kidnapping Kavanagh.”
My brows furrowed. “Why did Gibsie call Johnny his center?”
“Johnny’s position is outside center in rugby,” he explained. “He’s number 13.”
Oh, yeah, I knew that.
I remembered his jersey.
“So, you dropped them both home?” I asked, feeling warm. “To Johnny’s house?”
“Yep,” my brother confirmed. “Had to help Kavanagh carry that Gibsie fella into the house. He was legless, Shan. A right bloody mess. We left him in the living room.”
“You were inside Johnny’s house?”
My brain was reeling, trying to digest everything my brother was telling me.
He was with Johnny last night.
He was at his house.
He was inside his house.
I wanted to ask him if he asked about me, but I managed to keep that question from spilling from my lips.
“Yeah, Shan, and Jesus Christ, by the looks of their property, his family must be minted.” Joey blew out a breath. “Never seen anything so fancy in my life –”
The sound of a phone ringing cut through the air, distracting us both.
We both patted our pockets.
“Not mine,” Joey stated.
“Mine either,” I muttered, looking on the dashboard and then on the floor at my feet.
The ringing cut out and then restarted a few seconds later, vibrating loudly.
“Check the backseat,” Joey instructed as he pulled over on the side of the road and threw on his hazard lights.
Unclipping my belt, I crawled between the seats and dropped into the backseat, my eyes searching the seats for the noise.
“Anything?” Joey asked, pulling back into traffic.
“No.”
Dropping down between the seats I peeked under the driver’s seat.
“Oh, wait, it’s here!” I exclaimed, eyes locking on the sleek looking phone lighting up and vibrating against the floor. “I see it.”
The ringing cut out again and I snaked a hand out, retrieving the phone.
Shuffling back onto the seat, I quickly fastened my seatbelt, eyes glued to the phone.
“Is this Aoife’s?” I gazed down at the expensive looking device. “Did she get a new phone for Christmas?”
“No,” Joey replied. “Her folks got her hair straighteners for Christmas.”
The phone began to ring again, screen lighting up with the name King Clit flashing across it
“Ew, Joe,” I groaned. “That’s disgusting.”
“What?”
“Whoever’s calling this number is listed as King Clit.”
My brother threw his head back and laughed.
“That’s not funny,” I admonished, watching the screen go blank again as the call ended. “That’s pretty disturbing.”
“It’s yer man – the Gibsie fella. I heard Johnny ranting at him over changing his contacts around last night,” Joey chuckled. “He’s King Clit.”
The phone lit up again, vibrating in my hands and ringing loudly.
“Well, answer it,” my brother instructed, tone impatient. “He’s probably looking for it.”
“I don’t want to.” Shoving my hand between the seats, I tried to thrust the phone at my brother. “You answer it.”
“How the fuck am I supposed to answer it?” Joey hissed, batting my hand away. “I’m driving, Shannon. Just answer the phone.”
“No,” I refused, shaking my head. “They’ll think we stole it.”
“No, they won’t think we stole it,” Joey shot back tetchily. The ringing stopped and Joey let out a growl. “When it rings again, answer the fucking thing!”
Like clockwork, the phone rang five seconds later.
Trembling, I pressed the accept button and put the phone to my ear.
“Uh, hello?”
“Well, shit, I wasn’t expecting anyone to pick up,” the voice at the other end replied. “You have my buddy’s phone.”
“Yeah, I know.” Closing my eyes, I pressed the heel of my hand to my forehead and exhaled heavily. “He left it in my brother’s car last night.”
“Last night’s a bit hazy,” Gibsie drawled down the line. “So, you might need to refresh my memory by letting me know who your brother is?”
“Joey Lynch?” I squeezed out, trying not to hyperventilate in front of my brother. “He and his girlfriend Aoife dropped you guys home from town last night. The phone was under his seat.” Squirming uncomfortably, I threw in a quick disclaimer by saying, “I just found it like two minutes ago.”
“Nope,” Gibsie replied after a long pause. “I have no recollection of that happening.”
“Well, it clearly did,” I shot back, flustered. “Considering your friend’s phone is in my brother’s car.”
“Little Shannon?” Gibsie sounded amused. “Is that you?”
“Uh, yeah.” I flamed red. “It’s me.”
“Is your brother with you now?” he asked.
“Yeah, but he’s driving, so he won’t use the phone.”
“Does he remember where he dropped us last night?”
“Hold on, I’ll ask –” Pausing, I covered the handset and looked to Joey. “They want to know if you remember where the house is.”
Joey nodded and I returned to the call.
“Yeah, he remembers.”
“Can you put me on loud speaker?”
“I’ll try.” Clicking a few buttons, I held the phone up to Joey’s ear. “Okay, you’re on loudspeaker now.”
“Hey man, how’s it going?” Gibsie’s voice came out much louder now, though he was noticeably hoarse.
“Better than you by the sound of it,” my brother quipped. “What do you need?”
“Could you drop Kav’s phone over?” he asked. “I’m sorry to put you out, man, but he’s losing his shit here. He’s weird as fuck when it comes to his personal information.”
“What’s in it for me?” Joey shot back, not missing a beat.
“Joey,” I whisper-hissed.
He shot a cheeky smirk back at me.
“Shit, man, I don’t know,” Gibsie mumbled. “A rasher sandwich and a pot of tea? I don’t have much in the lines of barter.”
Horrified, I shook my head and mouthed no, but Joey said, “Yeah, grand. We’ll be over in thirty.”
“Joey!” I cried.
“Thanks a million,” Gibsie replied, sounding relieved. “You’re as sound as a pound.”
“No bother,” Joey replied, taking the phone out of my hand. “And I like my rashers crispy,” he added before cutting the call and dropping the phone down on the seat beside him. “Detour.”
“What are you doing?” I spluttered, wide-eyed. “We are not going over there!”
“What’s the problem?” he quizzed. “I thought you were friends?”
“I know him from school, Joey,” I choked out. “That doesn’t mean I’m his friend!”
“Relax, we’re only dropping over the guy’s phone.”
“And you’re having breakfast!”
“Well, I’m hardly driving that far out of my way for nothing.” Joey laughed. “Besides, I’m hungry.”
“Yeah, for a chicken-fillet roll,” I reminded him.
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“What about Aoife?” I demanded. “And the boys?”
“Aoife and the kids won’t be back until one,” he replied. “She said so herself.”
“Joey, we can’t go over there,” I pleaded. “Please.”
“Shannon Lynch,” Joey said in a teasing tone. “Are you blushing?”
“No,” I grumbled.
“You know it’s okay by me if you like him, don’t you?” Joey chuckled. “I’m not that kind of brother. All I want you to do is be careful. I’ve told you what he’s about. He’ll be gone in the summer so it’s up to you if you want to get hung up on something temporary.”
“I don’t,” I lied, mortified. “So drop it.”
“Fair enough,” Joey mused. “Then you should have no problem stopping over for some grub.”
“You can do what you like.” Sulking, I folded my arms across my chest and huffed. “I am not getting out of this car.”
Half an hour of tense silence later, we pulled up outside a gigantic pair of black-painted, iron gates, and Joey rolled down his window, stretched his arm out, and keyed something into the pad.
A few moments later the gates swung inwards.
My mouth fell open. “You have the password to his gate?”
My brother laughed in response.
A few moments later, the huge gates swung inwards and we continued up a long, winding laneway that was lined on either side with huge trees.
A house came into view a few minutes later and I sucked in a sharp breath.
Oh god.
This was where he lived?
Of course it was.
“Wow,” I whispered to myself, taking in the sight of the huge, Victorian-style mansion with a bazillion windows and the biggest front door I’d ever seen.
“I know,” Joey agreed with an impressed sigh.
Pressing my cheek to the window, I stared out at the sprawling lawns and gardens as the sound of gravel crunching beneath the tires filled my ears.
It was stone grey in color, but it was draped in so much ivy that it looked almost majestic.
“It looks like six of our house side by side,” I whispered, gazing up at the property. “There’s like, twelve windows on the top level alone.”
Joey pulled up outside the front door and killed the engine before climbing out.
“You should see it from the inside,” he said as he reached over and grabbed the
My gaze followed Joey as he strolled over to the front door, knocked once, and then sauntered inside.
Holy crap.
My brother just walked into Johnny Kavanagh’s house.
