‘I don’t know, maybe it’s a painting thing.’ They gave each other a long look, both wanting the other to speak first, to clear the air. To snog the other ruddy senseless.
Cillian spoke first. ‘Give them a minute.’
‘Shall we go back?’
‘Back?’ Cillian motioned towards the large glass windows of the art gallery. ‘If you go back in there now you’re likely to have a Martha original inserted somewhere. Let’s go grab some lunch, head over after.’ He looked back towards the gallery, where he could just make out the pair of them sitting together, chatting like they couldn’t get their words out fast enough. Funny, how time and distance didn’t dull some things, but shattered others. Perhaps it’s down to the strength of the love in the first place, he thought. We just weren’t strong enough from the beginning.
‘Do you fancy fish and chips?’ April asked, eyeing the little restaurant not too far away and licking her lips. ‘I’m actually really hungry.’
***
Minutes later, they were sitting in a quiet dining area, away from the main hustle and bustle. The Cornish Seafarer Restaurant had a great takeaway counter too, which seemed to be servicing most of the early lunchtime rush. April put her bag off to the side of her seat, which was essentially a circular table deep set in a green leather upholstered booth. The seating bench ran in a circle too, and Cillian and she found themselves slowly moving ever closer to each other. They ordered fish and chips and thick white doorstep slices of white bread, slathered in butter. It wouldn’t do any good for April’s low carb diet, but Cillian always frowned when she didn’t eat. He went quiet when she nibbled on lettuce too, and fiddled with the food on his own plate.
He loved her wobbly bits, it seemed. He’d never once criticised her as Duncan had before him. She felt seen by him, and not in a way that made her cringe. She felt … pretty, for want of a better word. Desirable even, and that gave her a confidence that lasted when he wasn’t around. She socialised like she never had before, and even enjoyed it. All the while longing for the moment when he would text her, telling her the coast was clear. Wanting her to come to him immediately. The sense of urgency was clear. Come now. All clear. Can’t wait.
On my way. Die Hard marathon?
Woman, you are on. Come quick. Lock up. Waiting at the door to see you over.
It was getting harder and harder not to slip deep into lust every night. They would walk to bed, hand in hand, each turning away from the other to undress. He’d watched her, she knew. The turn of his head as she stealthily peeked was confirmation. Not that she could exactly call him on it. He wasn’t being prudish, she knew. It was just savouring the moment.
***
Tucking into their bread, laughing at each other’s butter-covered noses, it was the perfect date. Cillian couldn’t have been happier, but then he should have known better.
‘So fish and chips, twice right?’
The waitress had a name badge, but Cillian didn’t need to look at it. ‘Hi, Tina. Yes, thanks.’
April’s head was already turned to the server, her manners as polite as ever, but Cillian could see her jaw drop from the corner of his eye. He blinked twice, trying to buy time and process just how bad this was going to get.
Tina smiled, a nervous smile. The one that she’d had that day in his solicitor’s office. She placed the plates down in front of them, April moving back to give her room.
‘Thank you,’ she said once her plate was in front of her. ‘Do you need a moment?’ She turned to Cillian as she said this, and he shook his head.
‘No it’s fine. Right, Tina?’
He kept his voice low, not wanting to cause a scene when the ink was barely dry on their agreements. If anything, he was impressed that she was working. Proof she really was trying to make a life for herself. Glancing at April, he was surprised to see that she looked scared. He wondered whether she was expecting a scene.
‘Yep, all fine.’ Tina was looking between the two of them, frowning. ‘Is this your girlfriend?’
‘Tina,’ Cillian warned. ‘That’s none of your business.’
Tina bit her lip, looking behind her to see if her work colleagues were watching. Satisfied, she turned back around. ‘Actually, I am Orla’s mother.’ Lip biting again. ‘Not a great mother, granted, but …’ She looked to April now, and Cillian braced himself for what came next. ‘I just want the next … figure in her life to be a good one.’ She looked down at her hands. ‘One that won’t leave her. Cillian and Orla, they’re a package deal.’
‘This isn’t the time or the place,’ Cillian muttered back.
‘It is, actually,’ April said, picking up her knife and fork and cutting off a slice of battered fish. Leaving it on the fork, she looked at Tina and smiled.
‘I’m April, I own the Shady Pines Chalet Park.’
She paused to take a sip of water, smacking her lips together. Cillian and Orla are very important to me. I can promise you that.’
Tina looked at Cillian, and back to April, and nodded slowly. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I’ll leave you to your meal.’
She was gone, out through some double doors, and they were left to stare at each other, their food cooling on their oversized platters.
‘I’m sorry about that, I didn’t know she was working here.’ He swallowed a quick mouthful of food. ‘Did you mean that?’
April scanned the room before she answered.
