Page 21 of The Lies
“Everyone says that but I always presume they just say it to make me feel better. I’m sure most of those people never really knew her.”
“Well, it’s true. I knew your mum probably better than anyone. She was practically my sister and you, madam, are the spitting image of her. You’ve got her beauty and her kind nature.”
“Thank you,” she says, a little teary eyed.
“Shit—crap,” I say in panic, trying to cover up my slip of a swear word.
“It’s okay, I’m at secondary school now, I’ve heard worse.”
“Sorry,” I mutter. “I’ve never really had much to do with kids,” I admit.
“You’re doing a great job,” Sinead says, making my heart swell.
“Thank you,” I whisper. Now I’m the one fighting my emotions.
“Sinead, your lift’s here,” Blake shouts up the stairs, reminding me what we’re doing.
“I’m picking you a new outfit,” I announce as I pull open Sinead’s wardrobe and riffle through the contents.
I eventually pull out a pair of black skinny jeans and a silver glittery top that still has the price tag on. When I hold it out for her to see, she screws up her face, showing me her feelings about it.
“Nan bought that, it’s not really me, it’s a bit simple.”
“Sometimes, Sinead, less is more. Now try it on so I can see, at least.” I let myself out of the room so she can change.
“I don’t know,” she complains, letting me know she’s ready.
“It’s stunning, Sinead. Have you looked in the mirror?”
She shakes her head and walks over to her full-length mirror. “Oh my God,” she gasps. “I do look just like my mum.” She turns to me with tears in her eyes. “I love it, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Now go knock ‘em dead. The boys won’t know what’s hit them.” She looks at me with the same face as when I brought up boys before—still not interested then! I laugh to myself as she grabs her packed bags and I follow her downstairs after depositing my make up bag in Blake’s room.
Whoever’s picking her up must have knocked because I can hear voices. When I get halfway down the stairs, I feel something I don’t think I’ve ever really experienced before. Jealousy. There’s a stunning woman stood just inside Blake’s hallway with her hand gently placed on his arm while she laughs at whatever it was he just said.
“Dad?” Sinead says, trying to get his attention and thankfully putting a stop to the touching.
I stand behind Sinead and watch as he turns around. His eyes instantly widen before they start to tear up as he runs them over his daughter. Sinead was right a few minutes ago—she does look like Kayleigh, so I can only imagine what’s going through Blake’s head right now.
“Oh Sinead, you look gorgeous,” he says, his Irish accent gone, after attempting to cough down his emotion.
“Addison helped. Do you really like it?”
“I love it, Lil’ bit,” he reassures, sounding a little more together.
I take the opportunity to walk up to Blake and snuggle into his side. I know it’s childish but the look on the woman’s face is priceless as her eyes flick between the two of us.
“Have you got everything you need?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Did you get the present from the kitchen?”
“Yes,” Sinead responds, sounding bored of her dad’s fussing.”
“Good girl. Have a good night then, and I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says as she starts to make her way to the door, past the annoying woman. When I look over her shoulder I see two other girls already wedged in the back of her tiny car.
“I’ll drop her back before lunch tomorrow,” the woman says. “And if you change your mind about that drink—”
