I frowned. “How’s that?” I racked my brain for any time Dad had shown an interest in my dating life, but naturally I drew a blank. It was Mum who was constantly on my case about putting myself out there.
“I’ve been assuming you were on your way out. That moving home was just a pit stop for you. But if you’re putting down roots, I’ve clearly misjudged the situation.”
I felt instantly conflicted. My resolve to correct their misunderstanding dissolved in the face of a rare apology from Dad, especially if there was a chance it would get me what I wanted.
“I’m not planning an escape, I promise.” That was true, at least. I didn’t have anywhere else to go, and I did like the work I was doing for Dad. I liked the idea of working for him, and of carrying on the family business, in a way Jack never had. Was I completely, irrevocably committed to living in my hometown forever? No. I had nothing else holding me here, which I suppose was his point. But what twenty-five-year-old did feel that level of certainty?
“Then let’s try it,” he said with a decisive nod. “Twenty-five hours a week, like you said. For three months.Ifit works, we can discuss something more permanent. Save the big ideas for then. You need to show me you can get stuck in first.”
Despite how it had come about, I couldn’t help but smile. It was what I’d been asking for all along. Just a chance to show that I did want to be here, and I could make a difference at the company.
“Deal,” I said, holding up my right hand. Dad actually cracked a smile as he shook it, and I tried not to wince when he gripped a bit too hard.
“Oh, Amy,” Mum called as she and Jack came through the gate with their next load of rubbish: another massive panel for Jack, and two smaller poles this time for Mum. “You’ve got post. Something fancy.” She reached into her dungaree pocket on her chest and pulled out a white envelope.
I frowned as I looked it over; it didn’t have a stamp, meaning it must have been delivered in person. But once I saw the blue biro addition to the address, I understood. I tore through the custom “N&C” wax seal and pulled out the contents.
Mr & Mrs Declan Kelly
Request the pleasure of your company
At the marriage of their daughter
Niamh Orla Kelly
To
Christopher Henry Arden III
Son of Mr & Mrs Christopher Arden Jnr
on the seventh of September, two thousand twenty-four at two o’clock in the afternoon
The Arden Estate, Manchester
* * *
By the next afternoon,things had escalated. I got a text from Chloe asking me if I’d ever planned on telling her Phil and I had gotten together, and I knew Jack had taken that conversation with Mum as permission to spread the news to the rest of the group. Which was a problem, first of all because it wasn’t true, and second of all because the other person involved was completely unaware of how bad it had gotten. And when I went downstairs to work at the kitchen island to start on the Kenchester job quote, I heard Mum on the phone with Ethel, and I knew we’d reached DEFCON one. I pulled out my phone to text Phil, unable to avoid it anymore.
AMY
I’m so sorry. This wasn’t me, I promise. Jack can’t keep his mouth shut. Can we talk?
I knew Phil might still be at the art centre with Ethel like every Monday– I may have memorised her schedule from the binder over the course of our Saturdays together– but I hoped I’d get to him before the others, and before Ethel said something.
The reply came just a few moments later:
PHIL
Free whenever you are.
“Mum, I’m taking the car for a bit!” I yelled, running so quickly that my socks slipped on the kitchen tiles and I nearly slid into the front hall. I didn’t even listen for a response as I pulled on my trainers and grabbed the car keys off the hall table, doubling back only to grab the discarded wedding invitation aswell.
Chapter8
Phil
Amy didn’t message me on Sunday, and I was determined to let her make the first move, so I didn’t reach out either, instead settling for staring at my phone instead of getting any work done. The only time I managed to focus on anything else was Monday morning, when I made some very lopsided pain au chocolat– I’d always been able to lose myself when cooking and baking.
