Page 67 of Changing Tides
“It’s about appearances. It doesn’t look good if I turn up late.”
Joey ran a hand through their hair and turned to her. “Well, I’m glad you came to visit.”
Marianne’s face softened. “Me too.” She leaned in for a kiss and straightened the collar of Joey’s shirt before they reluctantly pulled away.
Their brothers had loaded their dad into the front and were crowded into the small back seat of the cab.
“Hi, Michael. How are you?” Marianne leaned into the cab and Joey’s dad gave a curt nod.
“You drive. I’ll squeeze in here with the lowlife.” Joey moved toward the back door, but Marianne pushed them aside.
“Don’t be silly. I take up less room.” She pulled herself into the tight space and the brothers shuffled up, grinning. “No fighting now, boys.”
“You have no idea.” Joey jumped in the front. “When we were kids, I always had to sit in the middle, even though I was the biggest.”
“Not the biggest anymore.” Donal’s singsong taunt reminded them of the relief they’d felt as a teenager when their brothers had finally caught up in height. “Hi, I’m Donal, the middle child and the well-adjusted one.”
Joey watched in the rearview mirror as Donal leaned across to shake Marianne’s hand and elbowed his brother in the face. They pulled out onto the dark lane.
“How are we going to get any dinner if the cook is here, messing about on the beach?” Joey’s dad turned in his seat to glare at Marianne.
Joey clenched their jaw at his rudeness.
“I’m not the only cook, Michael. Connor and the team will have everything ready when we get there.” Marianne’s upbeat response disguised the stress Joey knew she was feeling.
“Marianne’s the head chef, Dad. Her job is more about managing the kitchen than cooking your bacon and cabbage.”
“Sounds like she doesn’t pull her weight.”
Joey was glad when the short journey ended. Marianne tumbled out of the door, shouting her thanks as she crossed the car park at a sprint.
“I like her, Joey. Good work.” Donal squeezed their shoulder.
“Yeah, you’re punching there.” Liam flicked the back of their head as he exited the truck.
“She’s a bit fancy Dublin for my liking,” muttered their dad.
Joey got out of the truck as Liam helped their dad. “Oh, Da, you’re just mad ’cause Joey’s not giving you all their attention.”
“I give him plenty of bloody attention,” Joey said through gritted teeth. Their dad was never a bundle of laughs, but he really had it in for Marianne.
They followed their brothers across the car park, watching as they made him laugh with their jokes. He never laughed at anything Joey said.Feeling sorry for myself will get me nowhere. They straightened their shoulders and followed their family into the restaurant.
When the main meal had been demolished, and they were waiting for desserts, Donal cleared his throat. “We’ve both got a bit of news for you.”
Liam nodded quickly. “You go first.”
Donal elbowed him. “I was planning to. Mine’s more important, anyway.”
“Get on with it, then.” Joey couldn’t think what either of them would want to announce other than maybe they were returning home. But they’d given up on that ever happening years ago.
Donal sat up straight. “So, you know I’ve been seeing Olivia for a while now, when I’m back in port?”
He’s met a girl, and he’s never coming home.Dad will be devastated.
“She’s a Spanish girl, is she?” Their dad frowned.
“Yeah, Dad, she’s Spanish. I live in Spain." Donal scratched his chin. "Anyway. I've asked her to marry me, and she's said yes." The words came out in a rush, as though he was desperate to be rid of them.
