She’d been surprised by how… respectful Conor and Finn had been. She’d sent a message on Monday to Finn, letting him know that she’d be too busy for any kind of extra-curricular activities. When she’d been a youngster, the Healys wouldn’t have listened to a request like that for even a second. They’d have been round her place no matter what. Seems like they’d grown up a little since then.
Tammy found herself missing them. Half-expecting them to show up at her place after work, demanding entry.
And I know exactly what kind of ‘entry’ they would have been demanding.
‘You guys had a busy week?’ she had asked Finn as she wrapped a blood pressure monitor around his toned right arm.
‘You could say that. We’ve been given a crash course in electrical wiring by the boss-man, Haze. He’s having a generator issue that’s a little tricky. I’d been hoping to get back to writing this week, but no such luck.’
She resisted the urge to ask him about this, and got back to checking his vitals.
Haze also hadn’t shown up for his checkup. Trying to pin that guy down was like trying to grab water — he kept slipping through her fingers.
‘I’m not gonna worry about that now, though, Goldie,’ Tammy said. She’d finally finished for the week and was relaxing in her living room with a cup of hot cocoa and a copy ofHarry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban. She’d actually gotten pretty good at lighting the wood-burner. Turns out, when you rely on something for heat, you get pretty darn good at using it.
It had been so lovely last week – after the awkwardness between her and Conor and Finn – to come home to a warm house, with a log pile and some essentials. Haze had even thought to put a coolbox full of food in her kitchen. Really flipping delicious food too.
‘Right,’ said Tammy to Goldie, ‘I’m gonna relax now, and not think about work or those dang Healy brothers until at least tomorrow.’
‘Bet you think about them tonight,’ she made Goldie say.
‘Bet I don’t.’
‘OK. Don’t think about themright now.’
Tammy did her best, but it was impossible. As if she couldnotthink about them. She’d been thinking about them all week, in the background, while she dideverything. She wondered what they were up to at this exact moment. Probably still working on the generator issue.
Was it so wrong that she found it hard to be angry with them? She was too excited. Was it so bad that when Finn had said that they weren’t asking her tomarrythem, she’d instantly pictured what a wedding might look like? What it might feel like? What thewedding nightwould be like?
Sure, the way things had ended ten years ago hadn’t been ideal — but they’d been kids, all of them. And they seemed so different now. So… big.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of something being pushed under her door. She glanced over and saw an envelope with her name written on it. When she opened it, there was a glitter explosion.
You are invited to June’s treetop tea party! Tomorrow at June’s place, 11 a.m. BYOS (Bring Your Own Stuffie)!
Tammy’s stomach did a backflip. Finally, a chance to be Little!
*
Five miserable days. Five scummy, shitty days, being so close to Tammy, and unable to spend any time with her at all.
Conor’s hands ached. He was used to serving drinks and tending the bar – not ripping up old, rusty wiring and replacing it with brand new, insulated cables.
‘I know I complain a lot about work,’ he said, rubbing his palm, ‘but give me bar work over an electrician’s job any day o’ the feckin’ week.’
‘Lucky for you, I don’t think anyone will be wanting to hire you as an electrician any time soon,’ Finn replied, smugly.
They were on their way to a tea party at June’s place. Shay had decided he wanted to sit this one out. He’d barely had a chance to chat to his brother all week. Ever since Tammy had dropped back into their lives like an atom bomb, Shay had been even more distant than normal.
‘Shame Shay didn’t fancy coming along today,’ Conor remarked.
‘I’m worried about him. I know he doesn’t like Tammy, but I never thought he’d act like this. Avoiding being in the same room as her.’
‘You gotta admit, it’s pretty feckin’ nuts that she’s in Liberty.’
‘Course it is. But… you know, it’s fate.’
He nodded and they walked in silence for a minute. Stupid as it sounded, itdidfeel like fate.