It's All About Him (41 page)

Lisa nodded. 'Sam is looking forward to his sleepover, he's talked of nothing else.'

Dee rolled her eyes at Martha. 'I hadn't planned on telling him until tomorrow but it kind of slipped out. I'll never get him to sleep tonight.'

'Tell him if he doesn't get a good night's sleep tonight he won't be able to go,' Martha suggested.

'Do you know what they're going to do together?' Lisa asked.

'Not a clue,' Dee laughed, 'and I think I'm probably better off not knowing.'

'Have you given him a long list of do's and don'ts?,' Lisa teased. Anytime Sam went somewhere without Dee she usually packed him off with a list of instructions, contact numbers and anti-histamine cream.

'No, I haven't, but I will be providing some food and a few extra bits and pieces just might find their way into Sam's bag.' Dee was smiling a little too broadly and she could see that Lisa saw right through her.

'He'll be fine, don't worry.'

Dee nodded. 'I know, it's just this is his first night away from home without me so it feels a bit weird.'

Martha stared at her. 'But he's nearly five, Dee. Are you saying you haven't had a break from him in five years?'

Dee nodded. 'But I didn't want one,' she added hurriedly. 'I love my holidays with Sam. I was actually thinking of taking him abroad next month. I'd like him to have a nice holiday before he starts school but I hate the idea of going during the summer months, it's too hot.'

'May would be much nicer,' Lisa agreed, 'and the resorts are quieter too. It's a great idea, Dee, but you should still try and get away for a couple of days, just you and Conor. I could move in here with Sam and then you wouldn't have to worry about different food or sheets or anything.'

'I couldn't ask you to do that,' Dee protested.

'You didn't; I offered,' Lisa pointed out.

'Every couple needs some time alone,' Martha told her.

'You could go to one of those country house spas,' Lisa said dreamily. 'Good food, long walks, turf fires and long, lazy mornings in bed, wonderful.'

Dee laughed. 'You'll have to get Freddy to take you. Are you all set for the big date?'

Lisa rolled her eyes. 'It's really very weird,' she confided. 'I haven't a clue what to wear, there's no time for me to go and get my hair done and my eyebrows and legs badly need attention, but I don't care. It's not that it doesn't matter,' she struggled to explain, 'it's just that I know it won't be important to him. He met me here looking like this,' she gestured down at her baggy jeans and top and her smile lit up her face, 'and he liked me.'

Dee hugged her, feeling tears prick her eyes. 'What's not to like?'

Beside them, baby Patrick woke up with a scream, making them all jump and then laugh.

'Come here, little man,' Martha reached in to pick him up and kissed the soft down on his head. He stopped crying immediately and looked around with interest. 'Are you trying to figure out why you're surrounded by soppy women?' she asked.

Dee stretched out a finger to tickle his toe. 'This soppy woman has got to go. I'm off to Better Books. Lisa, do you need anything from the shops?'

'Get her a razor,' Martha advised. 'I'm thrilled that you're so laid back about your date, Lisa, but honestly, you'll feel much better if you're smooth.'

'You're right.' Lisa laughed. 'Dee, would you?'

'Consider it done.'

Dee hurried out to load up the car and was soon on her way to the supermarket. When she'd picked up a few bits and pieces for Lisa – she'd taken it upon herself to add some expensive shampoo and conditioner to the list – she drove the short distance to Better Books and took the food inside. There was a much bigger crowd than usual, but then she was later than usual, and it took a moment for her to spot Vi in the corner.

'Tea?' Zoe asked her.

'I'd love one.' Dee smiled. 'And whatever Vi is having and a slice of chocolate cheesecake.'

Zoe made the drinks, cut the cake and seconds later, Dee carried the tray over to Vi's table. 'Can I join you?' she asked.

Vi eyed the cake. 'Only if that's for me.'

'It is,' Dee laughed, sliding the coffee and cake in front of her. 'How are you?'

'Fine, my darling, and you?' Vi spooned some cake delicately into her mouth.

'Pretty good. Neil and his mother are coming over to my house tomorrow night to sort a few things out.'

Vi raised an eyebrow. 'I see.'

'I talked to Peggy and we agreed that we would confront him together and I won't agree to him seeing Sam unless he goes to GA meetings on a regular basis.'

'That seems fair. How did he react?'

'He's thrilled that I'm allowing him to meet Sam but he doesn't know all the conditions yet.'

'Have you told Sam anything yet?'

Dee shook her head. 'No, I didn't want to do that until everything's agreed with Neil. I hope he's going to be sensible.'

'I'm sure it will work out fine. He's been completely reasonable up till now, hasn't he?'

'Yes,' Dee admitted, 'he has.'

'So where will Sam be while this meeting takes place, not in the house, surely? I could take him if you want.'

'No, that's okay. He's staying at Conor's for the night.'

'I see.'

Dee grinned. 'What does that mean?'

'Nothing,' Vi said innocently. 'He hasn't stayed with Conor before though, has he?'

Dee shook her head. 'I was always terrified he'd get sick if he stayed in the house, what with the dog and everything. Don't get me wrong, Conor's very careful, but still . . .'

'So what's changed?'

'Oh, Vi, you wouldn't believe it. He's been secretly decorating the house over the last few weeks. He's thrown out his old scruffy sofa, and torn up the lino in the kitchen, and he's created the most wonderful little bedroom for Sam. Tomorrow will be Sam's first time to see it.'

'Conor's a good man.' Vi's eyes followed Ronan as he picked his way through the tables and went behind the counter to talk to Zoe. 'He's a lot like his father.'

'Yes.' Dee nodded. 'So, tell me, have you any finished paintings to show me?'

'I've just sent one off to be framed, it should be ready on Monday. I'll bring it over as soon as I get it and then maybe I could do some sketches of Sam.'

'You don't have to, you know.'

'I'd like to,' Vi assured her. 'As long as I won't get in the way; you must be very busy with all these new business plans,'

'I am,' Dee agreed, 'but I must admit, I'm enjoying every minute. The bank has agreed to give me a loan so it's full steam ahead.'

'Well, I wish you luck with it, my darling, you deserve it.'

Dee leaned across to kiss her cheek. 'Thanks, Vi. I'd better get going.'

'Okay, darling.' Vi smiled. 'Take care and good luck tomorrow.'

Dee waved at Zoe and Ronan and went back out to her car. She was about to drive off when she realized that she'd left her phone behind her. Quickly retracing her steps, Dee threaded her way back to Vi's table, pausing when she saw Ronan at the older woman's side, his hand on her shoulder. She watched them as they talked quietly, Vi's eyes smiling up into his. Ronan turned suddenly and saw her.

'Dee, you're back.' He smiled. 'Did you forget something?'

'My phone.' She reached across him and pulled it from behind her cup and saucer. 'I'll forget my head one of these days.'

'Join the club,' he told her and they all laughed.

'Well.' Dee stood awkwardly for a moment. 'Must go. Bye.'

Vi held her gaze. 'Goodbye, darling.'

Dee pushed her way back through the café, went out to her car and got in. 'Bloody hell,' she muttered as she sat trying to understand what she had just witnessed. 'Bloody hell.'

It was three o'clock on Friday afternoon before Dee and Sam finally set off for the farm. Sam had spent nearly an hour trying to decide what to bring with him until Dee finally threw a few toys into his bag and dragged him out to the car. 'You're only going for one evening, Sam, and you probably won't have time to play with everything. You're going to the farm to spend time with Conor, remember?'

'Yeah, okay, Mum,' he'd agreed, grinning happily as he hopped into the back seat. 'What do you think we'll be doing?'

She smiled as she closed his door and slid into the driver's seat. 'I've no idea.'

'I'll probably have to do some farm work,' he said importantly.

You'd better not, Dee thought to herself, wondering if she should say something to Conor. But he knew her and he knew Sam and he knew what was possible and what wasn't. She also realized that it was important for their relationship for her to show some faith in Conor.

'We're here!' Sam yelped, squirming impatiently in his seat as Dee turned the car through the front gates and into the yard beside the house. Immediately, Boxer started to bark and she looked around her to see where he was. She smiled when saw him charging up and down in a run that spanned the length of the yard and sported a large kennel at the end. 'Look, Sam, Boxer has a new home!'

As she got out of the car, Conor came around the side of the house to greet them.

'Well, hello, there, this is a nice surprise.' He opened the back door and helped Sam open his seat belt. 'I wasn't expecting a visit from you today.'

Sam's face fell. 'But Conor, I've come to stay.'

'Really?' Conor frowned. 'I thought we were doing that tomorrow.'

'But, but,' Sam stammered, his lip trembling.

'Just kidding, Sam.' Conor grinned and swung the child up on to his shoulders.

Sam pulled his hair. 'That was mean.'

'Ouch! You're right, I'm sorry. Will you forgive me if I bring you on a tour of my house? It's changed a bit since you were here last.'

'I suppose,' Sam said doubtfully.

'But it's a long tour, so we'd better stop off in the kitchen and get you a biscuit to keep you going.'

Dee watched as a wide grin spread across Sam's face.

'Okay,' he told Conor.

Conor winked at Dee. 'Right, then, let's go.'

They went into the kitchen and Conor crouched down so that Sam could help himself from the plate of biscuits on the counter top.

'Mummy made these,' he giggled.

'She sure did; we only have the best in this house. Now, what do you think of my new chairs?' He swivelled around so Sam could see the new leather suite.

'Nice,' Sam said, showing more interest in his biscuit.

'Oh, right, not impressed, eh? What about this, then?' He moved further into the room and turned to face the wall opposite the sofa where a new flat-screen TV hung.

Sam's jaw dropped. 'Wow! It's huge!'

Conor grinned at Dee. 'Okay, that was one change that was for me,' he admitted.

She laughed.

'Can we put it on?' Sam asked.

'No, we have to do the rest of the tour,' Conor told him.

'Are there more TVs?' Sam asked hopefully.

"Fraid not, champ,' Conor laughed. 'Now, this is my office.'

He threw open the door of the back room and Dee gasped. 'Conor, it's fantastic.'

'You've got a new computer, Conor!' Sam said excitedly.

'Yes, and a colour printer and I'm connected to the Internet. We might go online later, Sam, and see if we can find any
Pokémon
games.'

'Cool!' Sam patted Conor's head affectionately.

As they talked, Dee looked around her. The room was a warm green which looked well against the oak desk and filing cabinet and Conor had bought himself a black swivel chair. Again, he'd stripped the floorboards and thrown down another rug.

'I love your rug,' Dee said, admiring the modern design in a variety of pale greens and browns.

'I got that for thirty-five euros in that new place that just opened on Market Square. You should drop in, they have some great bargains.'

Dee grinned.

'What?'

'It's just that you sound so domesticated.'

'That's me, wait till you see my frilly apron.'

Sam nearly fell off trying to bend down to see into Conor's face. 'You don't really have a frilly apron, do you, Conor?'

'No, champ, I promise. Now, are you ready to go upstairs?'

Sam kicked his heels against Conor's ribs. 'Yeah, giddy-up, horsey.'

Conor coughed. 'Right.'

'Go easy, Sam,' Dee warned, following them upstairs. 'That horse isn't as young as he used to be.'

Conor pulled a face. 'Charming. Right, Sam, that's my room in there.'

Sam barely looked but Dee's eyes widened when she saw the bed.

'Good, eh?' Conor grinned at her expression.

'Plenty of room for you to stretch,' she agreed.

'Where do I sleep?' Sam demanded.

'Down in this room, Sam. It's where I keep all my stuff but I've cleared a corner for you to sleep in so you should be okay.'

Dee could have cried at the look of doubt and fear that crossed her little boy's face.

'Conor, open the door and stop messing,' she mumbled crossly.

'Sorry,' he said and carefully lowered Sam down to the ground. 'Go on in, Sam, see what you think.'

With a cautious look at his mother who nodded her encouragement, Sam slowly turned the handle and pushed open the door. He stood there for a moment just looking and Dee and Conor exchanged worried looks.

'Who's room is this?' Sam asked, looking around.

'It's yours, Sam,' Conor said gently.

Sam looked up into his face, his eyes wide. 'It's just for me?'

'Yes, if you want it. I thought that if I set up somewhere nice for you to stay, your mum might let you visit more often.'

'Cool,' Sam said, going over and sitting on the side of the bed and running his hand over the cover. He smiled up at Dee. 'Isn't it great, Mum?'

'I think it's amazing,' she agreed.

'So can I come to stay any time I want?' he asked.

She laughed. 'That depends on Conor. He might not want you once he knows what you're like. Did I tell you he snores, Conor?'

'I don't!' Sam giggled. 'Mum does sometimes.'

'Don't I know it,' Conor murmured and received a sharp dig in the ribs from Dee.

'You're a very violent family,' he complained. 'So what do you think, Sam? Will it do?'

'It's ace!'