Page 29

Part Two

2016

14

Billy was worried. He knew this was a great opportunity for the twins, but he thought Lucy was too invested in it. He was also worried the kids might not fit in. They were happy in their current schools. Of course he was proud of Dylan. What an amazing kid he was! To think of what he’d achieved – Billy couldn’t believe a grandson of his was so gifted.

Also, Billy had to admit, it was lovelyto see Lucy so excited about something. She was so happy, like a young girl again. Billy was glad of that. She deserved to be happy – she’d had a lot of heartache and disappointment.

‘Dad?’ Lucy asked. ‘Should we get another pizza? I think we might need one more.’

‘Lucy.’ Billy took his daughter by the shoulders. ‘We have enough food for the feckin’ cast ofGandhiandTitaniccombined. Willyou stop fussing?’

Lucy smiled. ‘You’re right. I’m just so happy, Dad.’

‘You don’t say!’ Billy smiled back at her.

‘I’m so proud of them. Can you imagine? My twins going to the best school in Ireland! Dylan is incredible, isn’t he?’

‘Did I hear my godson’s name?’ Sarah came into the kitchen holding a big chocolate cake.Congratulationswas written across the middle.

Lucy hugged her. ‘It’sgorgeous, thank you.’

‘I suppose it’ll have to be battle of the godmothers,’ Jenny said, as she strolled in holding up an equally large cake. ‘They can have one each. Mine’s for Kelly, though, because it’s got white icing, which is her favourite.’

Lucy took it from her sister. ‘Thanks, Jenny. She’ll be thrilled.’

‘Nice to see you out of the shed, Dad,’ Jenny said. ‘The last two times I’ve calledin you’ve been hiding in there.’

‘Sure I see you all the time, these days. You’re never out of the place since you bought that apartment down the road. It’s like you never left. Besides, every man needs a room of his own,’ Billy said, ‘away from all the women’s talk.’

‘You could learn a lot from women’s talk, old man,’ Jenny teased. ‘I like living nearby – it’s nice to be able to drop in anytimeI fancy and keep an eye on you.’ She picked up an olive and popped it into her mouth. ‘I hope the twins don’t become all stuck-up and annoying in St Jude’s. I like them just the way they are.’

Lucy bristled. ‘Of course they won’t. They’re very grounded, but it’s an incredible opportunity. A scholarship for the final two years of their education at the best school in Dublin will set them up forlife.’

‘None of us went to St Jude’s and we all turned out okay,’ Jenny pointed out. ‘Sarah and I run our own businesses, and you help Dad with the shop and do all our accounts.’

Lucy muttered, ‘Not exactly my career goal. I was supposed to be a top lawyer, remember?’

‘Hey.’ Sarah leant over. ‘You have succeeded at the most important job of all, bringing up two amazing kids.’

Lucy smiled.Yes, they were amazing and they had saved her when times were tough. When she looked at them, the disappointment of her life not turning out as she had hoped faded away. Dylan and Kelly were her life. ‘They’re good kids, but they’re by no means perfect.’

‘Compared to my two, yours are angels,’ Sarah said.

‘Come on, Shannon and Ollie are great,’ Lucy said.

Jenny coughed as she poured them alla glass of wine.‘They’re lively anyway,’ she said, handing Sarah and Lucy a glass each.

‘I’m grand here, don’t mind me,’ Billy grumbled.

‘Sorry, Dad. Do you want a beer?’ Lucy asked, opening the fridge door.

‘Don’t mind if I do. I’ve been slaving away here all afternoon and, in case you’ve forgotten, I’m sixty-four, not seventeen.’

‘You’ve moved a bit of furniture around. It’s not exactlyslave labour,’ Jenny noted.

Lucy handed her father his beer. ‘Darren, would you like one?’