Page 109 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

“You were less than twenty-four hours away from death.”

“I’ve been much closer to death than that, trust me.” I smile.

He rolls his eyes at me. “I’ll be close to death myself if we don’t see a marked improvement soon. Your ex-husband will be baying for my blood.”

He’s right. Eoin will be interrogating him several times a day. It’s unfair of me to put him in such a compromising position. I decide honesty is the best policy.

“I got out of bed for an hour because I wanted to spend some time with JJ. He’s been feeling unwell. We didn’t do anything strenuous. We just cuddled on the sofa and watched a TV show. I did eat and drink everything I was asked to.”

“I’m glad to hear it. It’s all for your own good.”

“Yes, Mom.”

He chuckles as he checks my blood pressure and glucose.

“How is he?” I ask the same question I always do so he knows exactly who I’m referring to.

“Padraig is doing exactly what’s been asked of him and so is recovering far more quickly.” Tim’s stock answer.

“Goody, two shoes,” I mumble as I roll my eyes. I then stare at him.

“Go on.” He stops what he’s doing and looks back at me.

“Has he asked about me?”

“He asks about you as often as you ask about him, so every time I visit. I’m going there next. Do you want me to pass on a message?”

I shake my head.

“Then maybe you should give him a call, Jaine.”

“Maybe.” But we both know I won’t. I’ll just continue to ask after him.

Apparently, we were found unconscious with our arms wrapped around each other as we faced death head-on. I just remember going to sleep as usual then waking up here. As soon as I woke, I missed his arms around me. I missed lying side by side, talking like we always used to.

That was two days ago now.

Everyone has visited since, and the children have been enjoying all the attention. They especially liked meeting their new little cousin, Caireann, Sarah, and Cillian’s new baby girl, who was born the same day we were found.

Even Eoin’s dropped in a couple of times. He doesn’t say much. He just stands there looking brooding in that dark, menacing way of his. Dylan said he’d never seen him so distraught as he was when he found us. That they both thought we were dead.

Tim and I make small talk as I let him finish poking and prodding me in order to do what he has to satisfy Eoin’s demands.

“I’ll be off then, Jaine.”

I nod at him.

“You sure you don’t want me to pass on a message to Padraig?” He raises an eyebrow at me.

I shake my head.

“I’ve left a list of dos and don’ts on the side.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” I salute with a grin.

With a chuckle, he leaves the room and closes the door behind him.

I rest my head against the pillow, taking in the almost clinical surroundings. Like everywhere else in the safe space, the main bedroom is finished in white and cream and is spatially furnished.

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