Page 76 of An Irish Hope

“Then of course I’ll be there. That’s exciting.”

They swapped notes about school, and what she shared tallied with what the other Humanities teachers had said. That Aisling had settled far more naturally into her role, unlike Miles, who seemed to think his natural prowess on the football field made him an expert at all aspects of physical education. Andy had needed to chip him a few times for how he spoke to some of the weaker kids, and he was pretty sure he’d copied some of the lesson plans straight from the internet. The other PE staff agreed that Miles wasn’t an excellent candidate, but it was early days yet. He hoped Bryan would come back from sick leave soon. It had already been longer than expected, but the initial chicken pox had turned into pneumonia which meant Miles was his to supervise a little longer.

“So you’re enjoying teaching?”

She nodded. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s so rewarding when you see someone finally understand a concept, isn’t it?”

“Absolutely.” What a different perspective to that of Greta’s, who had often looked down upon teaching and encouraged him into a more high-profile career. But he wouldn’t think about her anymore. He had no need, not when he was holding Aisling’s hand, and dreaming of—

“Well, if this isn’t a sight for sore eyes.” Grady’s voice stole his attention. Sure enough, his face held the same smirk as his voice did. “I’m not quite sure why you needed me when it seems you’ve done very well by yourself.”

Aisling drew her hand away, and Andy instantly mourned the loss.

“Hello, dear Aisling.” Grady bent and kissed her cheek.

“Hello,” She eyed Andy, as if unsure of what to expect.

He gave a smile he hoped reassured, then asked if he could sit beside her, which she agreed. He liked having her near, smelling her sweet scent. But right now was about Grady and his very necessary explanations. “So, as I mentioned before, Grady wanted to come to apologise for last weekend.”

“I don’t know if I remember it quite the same way,” Grady protested.

“But you needed to say something, yes?” Aisling pressed.

So Grady explained about last weekend, about the blind date with “Drew” who yes, was originally supposed to be him but he’d swapped so it was Andy instead, “Except he didn’t seem to get the memo.”

Aisling sighed, and he hoped it was about Grady. “That was pretty embarrassing,” she said to Grady.

Okay, phew. That sigh wasn’t aimed at his own behaviour.

“I am right sorry for that,” Grady said. “And right sorry for any confusion caused by my plan before.”

“What plan?” she asked.

Grady sighed. “Back in Derryloughlin. He was just supposed to kiss you. He needed to get over Greta, so I dared him to kiss you.”

“He kissed me because of a dare?”

“I’m afraid so.”

He could see how she was teetering on the edge of insecurity. Then she turned to Andy. “Was that just one kiss?”

He nodded.

She moved closer, draped her arms around his neck. “Then the second time?”

“Was because I wanted to.”

She angled her head, and murmured, “Is that so?”

“Very so.”

“And did it help you get over Greta?” she whispered, his mouth a touch away from hers.

“Who?”

She laughed and nestled in, claiming his mouth with hers.

And he sank into a sense of wholeness, rightness, a sense of coming home.