Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Sure, there were certain aspects of life that were difficult for him, but he was a positive lad and had embraced the challenges that came his way. I wasn’t sure I’d have such a good attitude if I were in his position.
Shay sat by his desk drawing when we came into the room. He turned, clearly surprised to see me there so late.
“Your cousin’s staying the night,” Eugene said. “Come help me set up the futon for him.”
Shay rose, and the two of them made quick work of setting up the futon for me. When Eugene left, Shay sat down on his bed, studying me curiously as I kicked off my shoes.
Why are you staying over? He signed, and I blew out a breath.
That’s a long story. Can I tell you in the morning? I signed back.
Sure, he replied and left me to it; though he must’ve seen some hint of my inner turmoil because he continued watching me for a minute before he finally turned away and got into bed. Shay was two years younger than me. His older brother, Ross, was away at college, so his room would be empty. I expected that was where Mam was going to be sleeping for the next few nights. Remembering I had a shift at the hotel in the morning, I set my alarm to make sure I woke up with enough time to drive back to Malahide.
I worked part-time as a kitchen porter in Derek and Tristan’s family hotel. They also owned another hotel in the city, but I hadn’t been to that one yet. Their dad, Padraig, knew I was looking for part-time work and had offered me a job at the hotel. Derek hadn’t been too keen on it. Being a rich kid, he didn’t understand I needed the money. We might’ve lived in the same town, but that was only because Mam had inherited our small house. We’d never have been able to afford to live there otherwise, not on Mam’s legal secretary salary and Dad’s occasional wages as a bricklayer.
It took a long while to fall asleep, and when I did, I strangely found myself dreaming of thick, dark hair and bright, hazel eyes. I needed to get a handle on my attraction to Derek’s cousin because, as he said, she was off limits. She was here to spend the summer with Nuala. She didn’t need me creepily lusting after her.
The next morning, my alarm went off, and I silenced it quickly so as not to disturb Shay. It was too late, though, because he was already awake. I worried he was going to ask me again why Mam and me stayed over last night, and I was still in no mood to talk about it. To my relief, he didn’t bring it up.
Instead, he signed, You can borrow some of my clothes if you want. You didn’t bring anything with you.
In my hurry to get Mam out of the house last night, I’d completely forgotten to pack anything for myself.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m not going to fit into any of your stuff,” I replied, running a hand through my sleep mussed hair.
Shay frowned, looking worried he’d offended me. We might’ve been a similar height, but we definitely didn’t wear the same size. I could do with losing a stone (or three), not for aesthetic reasons but more for health. I was supposed to be starting college at the end of the summer, but I was in two minds about it. I had a secret ambition to join the French Foreign Legion instead. I wanted to get away from my life, away from Dad, but I couldn’t do that until Mam was safely squared away. I also wouldn’t be accepted into the legion unless I was in peak physical health, so …
Sorry, Shay signed. I didn’t mean—
It’s fine. No offence taken. I can survive wearing yesterday’s clothes, I signed in response.
Leaving his bedroom, I went to use the bathroom, washing my face and gargling some mouthwash in lieu of using a toothbrush. When I went downstairs, I found Aunt Claire and Uncle Eugene in the kitchen drinking coffee.
“Is Mam still asleep?” I asked, and my aunt nodded, her eyes gentle as they ran over me.
“Yes, and why don’t you go back to bed, hon? You look exhausted.”
“I can’t. I have work,” I replied, and she stood from the table.
“Well, at least let me make you some breakfast before you go.”
I nodded and sat, feeling like a fish in a bowl as they both eyed me, concern and worry etched into their faces.
“Your mother can stay here with us for a few weeks until we sort out a better situation,” Eugene said. “It’s not safe for her to go home with your father there.”
“Okay,” I said, feeling relieved. “That’s good. Thank you both. I don’t know where we would’ve gone last night if …” I trailed off, emotion catching in my throat. Claire came and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.