Mindsight by Chris Curran Page B

the table with our drinks and a couple of muffins.
    ‘If you don’t want it I’ll eat yours, but you look starved to me.’
    I took off my mac, very aware of my damp T-shirt and the heat that throbbed in my cheeks. He smiled. His eyes were an unusual shade, greenish brown, under very dark brows and his chin was grey with the shadow of stubble. He stood to take off his jacket, hanging it over the back of his chair. I concentrated on the muffin.
    ‘So you werehungry after all. Sure you don’t want mine?’ he said.
    I shook my head with a laugh.
    ‘And you look tired. Didn’t sleep well?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Join the club.’
    He was smiling, waiting for me to say something. ‘It’s the light mornings, I suppose.’ That’s good, keep going. ‘It’ll be better later on.’
    ‘Hey, don’t wish the good weather away. I’d rather not sleep than go back to winter.’
    His laugh was infectious and the man behind the counter joined in.
    ‘Too right, mate, our summers are short enough as it is.’
    Kieran looked at me, his face serious. ‘You will tell me if I make too much noise over your head, won’t you. I sometimes forget that other people are asleep. And I do love to listen to Billie Holliday and Peggy Lee when I’m awake in the night.’
    ‘I’ve heard your jazz playing now and then, but it doesn’t bother me. I like it.’ I finished my coffee and began struggling back into my wet raincoat. He stood to help me, and I found myself staring at the slightly frayed denim cuff of his shirt and his very brown hand. ‘I’ve got to be at work in an hour. Better get going,’ I said.
    He was slipping his jacket on, too: I wasn’t getting away that easily.
    The rain had stopped and the promenade was beginning to get busy with joggers, walkers, and cyclists. We walked for a while in silence, then he laughed as he took my arm to help me avoid a boy cycling on the pavement. ‘Nicola’s a great girl isn’t she? I’d say she’s one of the nicest, most genuine, people I’ve ever met.’ Another little laugh. ‘Mind you, I was annoyed she got to meet you first, because I felt as if I already knew you.’

    They talk about your blood freezing, and I knew at that moment what it meant. The world shuddered as I remembered the photographers outside court, the grainy snapshots in the tabloids. What Price Three Lives? was one of the headlines.
    Two gulls landed on the path to tear at a discarded doughnut. A small dog skittered past and somehow my legs continued to carry me onwards. I couldn’t have spoken even if I wanted to and I very much didn’t want to. Finally, what he was saying began to penetrate, to take on a different meaning and the world began turning once more.
    ‘The landlord’s a friend of mine. He asked me to look after the keys to your place and show people round, and I may say I recommended you over one or two others. Of course, the blonde girl, your sister, was pretty convincing about what a great tenant you’d be.’
    I breathed again. No doubt he’d been looking forward to a glamorous Alice lookalike moving in. The scruffy brunette must have been a real let-down.
    We got back just as Nicola was pushing Molly’s buggy through the gate. She raised her eyebrows. ‘Hey, you two, you’re not getting together behind my back, are you?’
    Kieran grinned and ruffled Molly’s hair, then planted a kiss on Nicola’s cheek. ‘Hello, Molly, morning Nic.’ Then he held the gate wide for me. I scuttled through, pulling out my key as quickly as I could.
    As she walked away Nicola was laughing. She called back, ‘Watch him, Clare, he’s dangerous.’

Chapter Eight
    Work was difficult. The rain had brought no real break in the heat. If anything it was hotter than ever and the shop felt like a greenhouse: the windows misty with steam, air heavy with the composty smells of greenery and earth. I was so exhausted it took all my efforts to concentrate on serving customers and I was very aware of Stella shooting