The Life Daisy Devlin Designed

CHAPTER 40

By the time Daisy got home on Friday evening, she felt like she’d come through the longest week ever. Hanging her jacket and bike helmet in the hall, she slipped off her runners, already fantasising about takeout pizza and a cold beer.

As she got to the kitchen door she stopped at the sound of Alma’s voice.

“... really love it, honestly.”

She heard James murmur something and, ignoring the warning voice in her head, she opened the door.

James and Alma were standing close together near the window and, as they spun to look at her, Alma hurriedly slipped something into her pocket.

Daisy stared at James. “Sorry for interrupting.” She was amazed at how steady her voice sounded.

“You’re not – don’t be silly,” James said quickly.

Daisy didn’t miss the brief look he gave Alma.

“I was just on my way out, excuse me.” Alma stepped neatly past her.

A moment later, the front door closed, and Daisy spun back to James.

“What’s going on?”

He pushed his hand through his hair. “Nothing! Why would you think there’s something going on?”

Daisy sucked in a breath. Was she overreacting? She didn’t think so. “Don’t gaslight me, James. I just walked in on you and Alma –”

“Doing what?” James shoved his hands into his pockets. “Jesus, Daisy, if anything was going on, do you think we’d be doing it in the kitchen where you could walk in? Like you just did?” His jaw tightened. “Why would you even assume something like that?”

Because you’re ridiculously close to Alma. Because I’m projecting. Because I’m just not sure about us anymore.

She folded her arms. “So what were you doing?”

James went over to the fridge and took out a beer. “Want one?”

“Maybe you shouldn’t be drinking while you’re on an antibiotic.”

He sighed. “I’m celebrating.”

“What?”

Instead of answering her, he opened the beer and necked some back.

Daisy took a steadying breath. “What did Alma put in her pocket?”

“What?”

Let it go, Daisy, ignore it. But it was a scab she couldn’t stop picking.

“When I came in, Alma had something in her hand. A box.”

He hesitated. “Oh, that. It was one of those Funko Pops she collects. I’d had it for ages and I’d forgotten to give it to her.”

He was lying, she thought, feeling sick. But how could she challenge him when she was lying too? This was her moment: she just needed the courage to say something.

“James?”

“Aren’t you going to ask me why I’m celebrating?”

“What are you celebrating?”

“We’re making an offer for a new app.” James sounded relieved. “It’s exactly what the company has been looking for.”

Daisy nodded. “Great.”

“Yeah.” James rubbed a hand over his face. “We’re buying from a couple of college graduates. But I won’t relax until it’s a done deal.”

Daisy forced herself to focus on what James was saying. “You’d think they’d want to develop it themselves, wouldn’t you?”

His eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

She shrugged. “I mean, if I’d come up with a cool idea, I think I’d want to get funding for it myself.”

“Fuck sake, Daisy, whose side are you on? We’re making them an offer they can’t refuse. We need this!” He pushed a hand through his hair. “This is more than us just having a bad year. Ethical travel is the next big thing, and we’ll be expanding it to include hotels, restaurants, shops, holiday experiences. It’s next level stuff!”

“Why are you shouting at me, James?”

“I’m not shouting!” James took a deep breath. “I’m not shouting,” he said more quietly.

“Fine.” Daisy folded her arms. “Maybe you’ll make so much money, we won’t need to rent out our spare room anymore.”

It was meant flippantly but, judging by James’ expression, she’d made things worse.

He gave a tiny shake of his head. “Look, do you want me to order a pizza or something?”

This is important for him, Daisy, don’t ruin it. “Sure. Why don’t I message Alma? Ask if she wants some too.”

“Probably be better if I message her.” He didn’t meet her eye as he took out his phone.

Of course it would be, Daisy thought. Silly me. To her relief, her phone rang, and she fished it out of her pocket. “It’s Rosie. I’ll leave Alma to you.”