The Life Daisy Devlin Designed

CHAPTER 10

“The problem is, the twins have had too much sugar.” Rosie poured herself a second glass of white wine and propped her hip against the huge island unit in her Galway kitchen that Saturday afternoon.

Daisy drank some more of her own wine as she stared out through the wall of glass that wrapped around Rosie’s sprawling house, and overlooked her equally sprawling garden – most of which was currently covered by two enormous bouncy castles.

As usual, Rosie had not only invited every single child in the twins’ class, along with their parents, but their neighbours, friends and casual acquaintances and all of their kids. Daisy had a hard time trying to find her own parents when she’d arrived.

“I think all kids eat too much sugar at a birthday party, Rosie. It’s kind of the point.”

Rosie gave a little sniff. “I’ve told Séan he can take our gang to the park later to run off that energy.” She folded her arms. “So, how’s work going?”

Daisy brightened. “Great, actually. I’m coming to the end of one big project, and I’m just starting another one.”

Rosie clicked her tongue. “I can never understand how people don’t know how to decorate their own houses. It’s basic: don’t mix patterns and remember the Rule of Three.”

Daisy made herself count to five. She wouldn’t rise to the bait. Rosie knew well that she wasn’t an interior designer. Even if she were, there was a lot more to it than that.

“Well, you must be finding yourself stuck in the office a lot these days.” Rosie placed a hand on Daisy’s arm. “You don’t look like you’re getting much time for you.”

Daisy finished her wine. “How do you mean?”

Rosie pulled back her shoulder-length hair, a paler version of Daisy’s, and secured it with a small, brown bobbin.

“Well, no, nothing. Only, are you getting any exercise?”

“I cycle to work a lot.” Daisy stared at her.

“Oh, class.” Rosie frowned.

Was her sister body-shaming her? It was a pity she’d finished her wine – she could have thrown the rest of it over her! Except she wouldn’t. She and Rosie didn’t actually fight. Not since Rosie had hit her teenage years, learned the art of passive-aggression, and had spent the whole of her adult life perfecting it. The easiest thing was to listen and nod along, never disagree. There was no point: Rosie was always right.

Penny burst in from the garden. “Mummy, when can we have the birthday cakes? Everybody wants to see me blowing out my candles, Mummy. Annie wants her birthday cake too. Please, Mummy?”

Rosie’s face gentled. “In a few minutes, loveen, I promise. Did you say hello to Daisy and thank her for your present?”

Penny turned to her. “Hello, Daisy, thank you for my present.”

“Hope you like it, Penny.”

Penny looked solemn. “I don’t know what it is.” Before either adult could say anything else, she turned and ran back outside.

Rosie met Daisy’s eyes. “Sorry, you know what they’re like. I’ll help her sort through her stuff later.”

“Ah, no worries.” Daisy shrugged.

Rosie’s tone softened a bit. “Look, about what I was saying before. You and I have different metabolisms, so I know it’s hard for you to shift the weight, but –”

“James likes me exactly the way I am.” Which was probably an absolute lie. These days, James was more interested in spending time with their waif-like lodger than with her. But she couldn’t admit that to Rosie. She didn’t want her to feel sorry for her or launch into another lecture about how to keep her man!

“Well, don’t take him for granted, Daisy. You want to hang on to James.”

“Jesus, Rosie, what do you – ?”

Before Daisy could finish, Séan came in from the garden. “You girls having a go at each other?” He winked at Daisy, who grinned back.

“Rosie thinks I’m taking James for granted because I’m getting too fat.”

Séan rolled his eyes. “Fuck sake, Ro!” He turned to Daisy. “You’re gorgeous – I still fancy the knickers off you.”

“ Séan! ” Rosie flushed hotly.

Daisy felt a bit sorry for her. She had a habit of walking herself into situations. Rosie and Séan were so different – Daisy still couldn’t understand how they’d ever got together. But Séan was good for her sister. He stood up to her, and he kept her grounded.

“We brought some beer. I put it in the fridge,” Daisy said.

He flung open the large fridge freezer. “That’s why you’re my favourite sister-in-law.” Taking out a can of Heineken, he snapped it open and took a long drink, before putting it on the counter. “The kids are having a great time altogether, although Ben threw up into one of the rosemary bushes.”

Rosie gave a gasp, and Séan pulled a face.

“Ah, don’t be stressing, I hosed it all down, and sure it’ll be good fertiliser. Anyway, have you seen that sky? There’s a storm coming.”

“It might hold off a bit,” Daisy said quickly as she spotted Rosie’s expression.

“Why didn’t you tell me Ben was sick?” Rosie demanded.

Séan took another slug of beer and wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. “I just did!”

“You’re supposed to be watching the kids, Séan! I told you I wanted a glass of wine and a quick chat with Daisy.”

Séan shook his head. “Aren’t they all alive and having a great time?” He picked up his beer again. “Have you seen James?”

Daisy peered out into the garden. “He’s not outside?”

“He disappeared a while ago. I thought he came in here.”

“Maybe he did.” Daisy sighed. “I might go look for him.”

“Don’t be long,” warned Rosie. “We’re nearly ready for the cake.”

Daisy left Rosie and Séan in the kitchen and slipped out to the hall. Eventually, she found James, hunched over his laptop in a corner of the big living room at the front of the house.

“James?” She came in and closed the door behind her. “What are you doing?”

He looked up. “Getting some work done. Nobody will miss me for a few minutes.”

Daisy stared at him. “I’m missing you, and so was Séan. But that’s not even the point. You’re missing this! I can’t believe you brought your laptop to a kids’ birthday!”

“I’m sorry!” He sighed heavily. “And I wish this stuff would wait! To be honest, I really should have stayed at home.”

And after he’d finished, Alma could have cooked for him, before they snuggled up together with their Nintendo Switches. Her brain froze at the thought. Was that what had happened last weekend when she’d been down to visit her parents? She dug her nails into her hand and took a deep breath.

She tried to see things from his point of view. Her family wasn’t James’ family. And after five years together, James still referred to her as his girlfriend, rather than his partner. He wasn’t that close to his family either, although his parents only lived in Howth. They were both lovely people, Daisy thought, but James had a stupid chip on his shoulder and couldn’t seem to get past the notion that he wasn’t living up to their expectations. He also seemed uncomfortable with the fact that his parents were wealthy, and had offered them help on more than one occasion.

All the more reason why he should embrace her family, Daisy thought. None of them were well-off. And, with the exception of Rosie, none of them were the least bit judgey.

“Just come and hang out with us for a while. Everyone needs time off!”

He shot her an apologetic look. “Just give me another minute?”

“Fine!” Daisy slipped out of the room.

Maybe she was asking too much of him. He’d told her he’d have to work this weekend, but she’d told him he needed a break and pretty much insisted he come with her. Maybe she’d become one of those needy, demanding girlfriends. And if she’d been the same with Matt, that could be the reason he’d left! Feeling a bit dizzy, she leaned back against the pale, cool wall, closing her eyes to breathe deeply.

As she walked back into the kitchen, she noticed it had started to rain.