The Life Daisy Devlin Designed

CHAPTER 47

MyStarScope Taurus: Your dynamic quarter moon means it’s time to confront an issue head on. Shoot straight, and people will respect your honesty.

Daisy tried to reassure herself that she was doing the right thing when she drove to Granary House the following day. She’d messaged James a few times, but he hadn’t replied. For the first time since they’d moved in together, she’d been on her own in the house. It had given her time to think. Now she was determined to sort things out properly with Matt.

She’d rung Fionn as she left Dublin. “I’m on my way to Wicklow. Do me a favour: don’t transfer calls today? Just take messages.”

“Sure. Uh , is everything okay, Daisy?” He’d sounded really concerned.

She looked up at the sky ahead. There were dark clouds as far as the eye could see.

“Everything’s fine, Fionn, thanks.”

She heard Matt on the phone to someone as she let herself in, and she hovered for a few moments in the hallway, wishing she’d let him know she was coming.

She walked down to the kitchen and opened the patio doors to let in some air. The weather had been humid in the last few days, as Storm Henry approached.

“Hi.” Matt came into the room. “I wasn’t expecting you today.”

“ Uh , surprise!” Was she imagining it, or did he seem a bit put out that she was there? “ Um , I was just thinking, it’s going to be strange when we finish up here. I’ll miss it.”

Matt gave a brief smile. “I can imagine.”

She was just going to say it. “I’ll miss you.”

In the silence that followed, Daisy wished she could take it back. He’d obviously changed his mind. And she’d just made a complete fool of herself.

Then he sighed. “I missed you too, Daisy. I was pissed off and hurt, but I missed you like hell.”

But he hadn’t trusted her. And he hadn’t said he’d miss her now! She tried to push it out of her mind, as she forced herself to broach the subject she’d been dreading.

“ Um , so, James got a bit of bad news. He’d been trying to buy a new travel app for the company, but somebody else got in first, and he lost the deal.” She watched him carefully, but Matt’s expression was shuttered. “The board fired him.”

“Tough. Are you okay?”

She gave a small shake of her head, waiting for him to say something about the app. He had to know what she was talking about!

Matt nodded. “I’m sorry to hear that, but it’s the nature of the business. I wouldn’t worry about James – he was the Boy Wonder in college.”

For a few moments, Daisy felt totally on the back foot.

They both turned as Kayley called from the hall. It was a pity the poltergeist hadn’t made Kayley disappear, Daisy thought grimly. The woman’s timing was awful.

Kayley glanced coolly at Daisy as she came into the kitchen.

“Hi, Kayley.” Daisy smiled as brightly as she could.

“Daisy just dropped by for a few minutes,” Matt said.

Daisy felt her colour rise. Why did Matt feel the need to explain her presence?

“How about I make us all some coffee?” Matt said.

She should say no. But feck it, she had as much right to be here as Kayley!

Kayley pulled up a barstool and swung herself gracefully up onto it.

“Are you looking forward to your first gig?” Daisy asked politely.

Kayley gave her an appraising look. “I suppose it might be better, now that Todd is gone.”

“Oh.” Daisy wasn’t sure what to say. “Where’s he gone?”

Kayley yawned. “The guy wanted me to postpone my concert this weekend because there’s gonna be a little rain. I fired him.”

“I’m sorry.” Daisy remembered the row she’d overheard, and figured Todd’s departure had nothing to do with the weather. When Kayley didn’t reply, she turned to Matt. “I’ve a few last things to do, and then I’ll go. I’ll email you the design awards form to sign – just scan it and send it back?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

Matt glanced at Kayley, and Daisy suddenly felt in the way.

“Actually, I might skip the coffee. I should really go.” She slid to her feet.

She shouldn’t have come, she couldn’t even talk to Matt with Kayley here. And, after everything, Matt would simply exit her life again. He’d definitely changed his mind about their second chance! And if there was a piece of the jigsaw still missing, it would have to stay missing.

“Oh, Daisy, before I forget … ” Matt followed her out to the hall and closed the kitchen door behind him. “Sorry about that,” he said quietly. “I wasn’t expecting Kayley, and I wanted to talk to you. Do me a favour and come over on Friday night? Have dinner with me, please? You can bring the form along and I’ll sign it then.”

Daisy hesitated. “Yeah, if you like.”

Matt squeezed her hand. “Come around six. Bring Fionn! Didn’t you say he was a big fan? He’ll be able to see the stage, and meet Kayley. She’ll be relaxing that night before the concert on Saturday.”

Maybe she’d finally have that last piece of the jigsaw after all. They wouldn’t see each other again after Saturday, unless Matt wanted to remain friends. Friends would be enough, wouldn’t it?

Matt opened the front door. The wind had picked up and it had started to rain. With a bit of luck, the storm wouldn't be too bad, Daisy thought.

She nodded. “I’ll see you then.”