Page 31 of Destroy (Deadly Hearts 2)

“And you, dear girl. Declan tells me you’ve had a car accident, and are a bit banged up.” She tuts and shakes her head. “Maniacs over there, absolute maniacs.”

I stifle my laugh. I’m sure there are also bad Irish drivers, but she wouldn’t admit it in a million years, I bet.

“Sure are,” I agree, knowing how to keep her on my good side.

She beams and places a platter of bacon, sausages and eggs in front of me to serve myself. I eye it all and wonder if she’d bother if I took it all, but when Declan bites his lip to stop his own laugh, I decide against it.

“Famished,” I declare and get another big beam from Mama Gannon.

“I love a woman with a good appetite,” she declares, pouring a cup of tea for me. “Remember that girl you used to bring round here, Declan? What was her name again? Anyway, she was as thin as a rail and would only drink boiled water and I never saw her eat more than an apple! What was her name again? She didn’t last long.”

I give Declan a half smile and ask, “Yes, Declan… what was her name?”

He grimaced at me and replies, “Siobhan.”

“Oh, a model, was she?” I ask, my smirk deepening.

“She was,” he says, his grimace turning to a glower.

“Yes, well, I hope she stopped all that nonsense and eats like Ruby here now.”

I don’t take offense in the slightest. The remains of a full Irish breakfast have been presented to me and I waste no time in stabbing a piece of soda bread into my egg yolk and gobbling it.

Mrs. Gannon sits down and pours herself a cup of tea as she continues to talk. Now about someone called Queever, I think she said, who is coming for tea tonight so could Declan please watch the stew because Cillian is dropping her off at Bridge this afternoon. I’m excluded from this conversation, luckily, because I’m too busy stuffing my face with glorious home cooked food which, not only lifts my energy levels but my spirit as well. I take another piece of soda bread and wipe it around the plate, soaking up the last of the egg and beans and munch on it before I gulp down the rest of my tea.

“Perfect,” Mrs. Gannon says, turning her attention back to me.

“Thank you, Mrs. Gannon,” I say politely but she brushes me off.

“Call me Mary, child,” she says. “And you’re quite welcome. There is nothing more pleasing than someone enjoying the food you’ve cooked.”

“It was delicious, but please don’t go to any more trouble for me.”

“It’s no trouble for you, dear,” she says, patting my hand. “Declan, take Ruby into the front room and I’ll bring you some tea.”

“Any chance of coffee?” I ask, hoping she won’t take offense.

“Tea,” she says firmly and shoos us out of the kitchen.

“Wait, I’ll help clean up,” I say, but Declan shakes his head.

“Don’t waste your breath. Right now you can do no wrong and she will treat you like the Queen,” he says with a laugh.

“Right now?” I ask with a raised eyebrow. “That sounds like you think I’m going to fuck this up.”

“Not on your own,” he replies. “We still have to tell her about the rest of our relationship.”

I give him a look of horror.

“The other men, Ruby, not that,” he chides me.

I snort and forget for a moment, everything that happened.

But it all rushes back in the next instant and it drains the strength that good food and company gave me.

"Are you okay?” Declan asks straight away, seeing my face fall.

I nod. “Just tired,” I lie. “Would your mom mind if I went back upstairs?”

“Of course not, dear,” Mary says, bustling into the front room, which is actually a sitting room situated at the front of the house. “Don’t mind me. You are here to recuperate. I’ve left clean towels in your room. Here. Take your tea with you.” She tries to hand me the mug, but Declan takes it from her, and with a hand under my elbow, he steers me towards the stairs.

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