The Life Daisy Devlin Designed

CHAPTER 58

“Daisy, you look stunning!” Miriam crossed her large, old-fashioned kitchen that Saturday evening and took one of Daisy’s hands in hers. “Twirl!”

Daisy twirled, the deep blue of her full, knee-skimming dress catching the light. When she came to a stop, she hugged her mother.

“You look amazing, too, Mum.”

Miriam, who was wearing a long, sage-green dress with sequins around the hem and sleeves, gave a half-bow, her lavender perfume filling the warm air.

“Thank you. Now.” She clapped her hands. “Our guests aren’t due for another hour, but knowing your sister she can’t wait to get here to boss around the catering staff. They’ll be setting up in the marquee.”

“ Ooh , I’m dying to see it!” Daisy smiled brightly, determined that neither of her parents would worry about her this weekend.

It wasn’t the first time that she’d come down to Galway without James, so when he’d told her that he was meeting someone on Saturday morning about a job, and could do with a couple of days by himself, she’d pretended to understand. Although all the signs pointed in one direction, Daisy had decided to give things one last try. But right now, she owed it to her parents to enjoy their anniversary party and not think about James until she got back home.

When she’d arrived earlier in the day, she and Rosie had taken their parents aside and presented them with Miriam’s self-portrait. Daisy had been a bit nervous that their mother might be a bit offended by what they’d done. But Miriam had burst out laughing, and hugged them both hard.

“Wasn’t that fierce thoughtful of you both,” she’d said. “I’d no idea it was the two of you who bought it!”

Eric had draped his arm across his wife’s shoulder. “Great idea altogether, girls.” He’d winked at them both. “How about we put it in our bedroom, Mim?”

Daisy and Rosie had both held their breath.

“Whatever you like!” Miriam had said, beaming.

Relieved that their gift had gone down so well, Daisy had allowed herself to get excited at the surprise she’d arranged for them. After she’d told Kayley about her parents’ anniversary party, she’d asked if she would record herself wishing her parents a happy anniversary, and singing her dad’s favourite song. To her astonishment, Kayley had offered to come in person instead.

“I thought the doctor said total rest and no performances until your shoulder heals,” Daisy had said. “Also, they’re in Galway – it’s the other side of the country!”

Kayley had burst out laughing. “Ya’ll are so cute! You know that Texas is ten times bigger than the whole of Ireland?”

Daisy had heard that before, but she’d pretended complete ignorance. In her experience, anyone she’d ever met from Texas loved telling people just how vast it was!

“It’ll be just fine, Daisy,” Kayley had said. “I’ll fly down, and you just book me a good hotel nearby. Two rooms. I’ll pay!”

“Two rooms?” Daisy had said, worried that Matt would be coming too, and wondering about the separate room.

“I’m bringing Tim,” Kayley had assured her. “So?”

Did stuff like this actually happen in real life, Daisy had wondered happily.

“Thank you, Kayley. I’ll give you my sister’s number; she’s organising everything.”

Rosie had messaged Daisy after lunch, to say that Kayley and Tim had checked into Oranmore House, and Séan would slip out from the party at around nine to collect them.

Now Miriam adjusted one of the sparkly, jewel-green clips that held her hair back from her face. “Has Rosie told you about her plans for September?”

“No?”

“She’s going back to work part-time.” Miriam beamed. “I’m delighted. It’s the first time that girl has listened to me since she was ten!”

Daisy knew it was more likely that helping Holly had been the catalyst for Rosie’s about-face, but she just murmured her agreement.

Miriam gave her an appraising look. “Everything all right, loveen?”

“Absolutely, Mum. Er , how many people did you invite tonight, by the way?”

“Ah, sure, what’s the point in leaving anyone out?” Miriam slipped her hands into her pockets, and seemed to think for a few moments. “Did I ever tell you how much I missed you when you went off to college at seventeen? Rosie was here, of course. She’s such a home bird, really. But I feel I got to know the adult Rosie, and I’m not sure I ever really got to know the adult you.”

Daisy wondered about the abrupt change of topic. “You were the one who encouraged me to go to Dublin, Mum!”

“Of course!” Miriam looked surprised. “It was what you wanted. But I missed you like mad.”

“Right.” Daisy felt a fresh onslaught of guilt. All those times she’d promised she’d come home for the weekend, only to cancel at the last moment because of Matt. “Dublin was just where I wanted to stay, I suppose.” She knew it wasn’t what her mother meant.

“We never got to know Matt either, did we?”

Miriam Devlin: mind-reader. “He was always a bit weird about meeting you guys.” Daisy flushed. “I should have seen it as a major red flag. To be honest, Mum, there’s been red flags with James too.” Shit, she couldn’t believe she’d let that slip! “Well, not really red flags, not at all, in fact,” she added hurriedly. “And it’s not the right time.”

Miriam arched her eyebrows. “Actually, it’s the perfect time, Daisy. Now, I’m glad you’ve managed to put Matt behind you. When someone hurts you like that, it leaves its mark. But I don’t think James is like him at all. You need to stop letting your experiences with Matt colour your decisions.”

Oh God, why had her mother picked tonight to start psychoanalysing her?

“Matt’s definitely in the past, Mum. I’ve finished his job and I’ve finished with him. Forever! I’m not even using his house as my award entry.”

Miriam nodded approvingly. “He’s not important! You and he were never meant to be together.”

Despite everything, Daisy started to laugh. “You obviously saw the signs before I did.”

Miriam shrugged. “He left you – that was the only sign I needed. Anyway, I wonder if you take those signs a bit too literally. They’re meant as a guide, not a rule book. At the end of the day, Daisy flower, your life is how you design it.”

Her mother was right. She’d wasted so much time wondering what she’d done wrong, and tried to find so many excuses for Matt when he’d deserved none.

“Now, I have a few of my own touches for this evening.” Miriam went over to the kitchen table and lifted two large, carved wooden bowls, filled with sweets. “Put these on the side tables, will you? I’ve told everyone that children are very welcome, not that you have to be a child to enjoy a few sweets.” She smiled. “Go on. Have a good look at the marquee before everyone arrives.”

Daisy took the sweets from her mother, grateful to have something to do, and relieved that Miram hadn’t pushed too hard to get her to talk about James. There’d be plenty of time to figure things out later.