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Cuckoos in the Nest
GIBSIE
When I strolled into the Biggses’ kitchen later that night, I was aghast I tell you, a-fucking-ghast, to see Jamie Kelleher sitting on my chair at the table.
Christ, karma moved quickly.
“Gibs,” Sinead acknowledged, intercepting me before I had a chance to toss the intrusive bastard of a cuckoo out of my nest. “I know,” she said quietly, brown eyes locked on mine as she patted my cheek affectionately. “Best behavior now, you hear?” She grabbed a plate off the counter and handed it to me. “That’s a good boy.”
Nodding stiffly, I took my plate and walked over to the table, not stopping until I was standing in front of Fuck-Face himself. “You’re in my seat.”
“I didn’t see your name on it, lad,” Jamie joked, looking slick in his fancy black coat and gelled hair.
“It’s right there,” Hugh offered, using his fork to point out the word Gibsie engraved on the chair. “Move.”
“Don’t families usually eat dinner together?” he muttered under his breath as he begrudgingly took the seat at the end of the table.
“They do,” Hugh replied with a sharp edge to his tone. “He is family.”
“Is he here yet?” Claire asked, hurrying into the kitchen, looking better than anything Sinead could serve up. Seriously, this girl was the best thing that woman had ever cooked. “Because I’m running seriously late,” she added, holding one high-heeled boot in her hand. “You’re here?” Her eyes widened when they landed on Jamie. “Hugh, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I’m not your messenger,” he tossed back sarcastically, while he tucked into his plate of food, not bothering to look up at his little sister.
“Hi, Claire,” Jamie said, immediately standing up and moving to her side. “You look lovely.”
“Thanks,” she replied, cheeks flushed. The smile she was sporting quicky faded when her gaze landed on me. “Gerard,” she gasped, breath hitching in her throat.
I twiddled my fingers at her. “Claire-Bear.”
Her face flushed bright red.
Good.
“Okay, boys, I’m off to work,” Sinead cut the tension by announcing. “Hugh, load the dishwasher and switch it on before you go to Katie’s… Oh, and Gerard, run the hoover around under the table after you eat, please, pet.”
“Will do.”
“Best behavior, boys.”
“Always.”
“And back home before eleven o’clock, Claire.”
“Okay, Mam.”
“Jamie, it was nice to meet you, love.”
“You too, Mrs. Biggs.”
“Oh, oh, oh, I almost forgot to ask.” Quickly backpedaling into the kitchen in her green scrubs, Sinead asked, “A little birdie told me that you agreed to swimming lessons. Is that true, lad?”
Fuck no! I agreed to take a bath. I made no such commitments to stepping foot inside a swimming pool, but I refused to lose face in front of an asshole like Jamie Kelleher, so I nodded instead.
“You went back in the water, lad?” Hugh’s interest was instantly piqued.
I nodded stiffly.
“I’m so proud of you, pet,” Sinead stated, and then she blew all three of us kisses before dashing off for her shift at the hospital.
