Whoa. How did he take it.
He says I’m unappreciative and he’s suing me for everything that I have. Anyway, I don’t care what Tony says he’s going to do. It doesn’t matter, the fact is I’ve made the changes and I can have a fresh beginning. And I’ve you to thank for that. Seeing you with your mother last week—
Was enough to put anyone off ever beginning new relationships, I interrupt, starting to slow down now as my anger loses steam.
Yes – but you were trying. I needed to be as brave as you.
I glimpse at him quickly to see if he’s being serious. No sarcasm. He looks embarrassed. I’m embarrassed for him. For me. He must be.
Okay. That’s it. That’s everything I wanted to say. Where are you going anyway in such a rush.
Nowhere really, I admit. Just away from you. I stop outside the bakery, then push the door open.
He follows.
Hi, Spanner.
Howya, Freckles. Where have you been, I thought I’d scared you off. He looks Tristan up and down without a word.
This is Tristan.
Hi, Tristan says politely.
Spanner just nods, sussing him out. Your fella, he asks.
No way, I say, insulted.
Well, I’m a boy and I’m your friend, Tristan says, offended by my tone.
You’re not even my friend, I say. Spanner snorts.
Are yis going to order something.
I’ll have a cappuccino with almond milk, Tristan says and adds please as Spanner glares at him.
Are ye allergic to dairy are ye, he asks in a teasing way, changing his voice to sound more feminine.
More of an intolerance actually, Tristan says, it bloats me. Allegra, you’ll have …
The usual, Spanner and I say in unison.
So I took your advice and got meself a solicitor, he says.
Spanner that’s great news. His ex won’t let him see his little girl, I explain to Tristan.
Tristan sucks in air. Tough.
Spanner looks like he wants to headloaf him. Tristan shrinks back.
All of a sudden Spanner punches the air violently and Tristan jumps, startled. He raises his two fists in the air as though he’s Katie Taylor and he’s the undisputed ultimate champion. I’ll have my day in court, he says, I’ll tell them that I lived with Chloe for three years before she got up the duff, thank you very much, and I lived with Ariana until she was four years old. I’ve paid for everything, I have my own business, I brought her to Montessori every morning while Chloe was still in bed, thank you very much, and then I’ll wait until they apologise: we’re very sorry, Mr Spanner, for the in-con-fucking-venience, you’re excused, here’s your daughter back.
Or you could just ask Allegra’s friend the Minister for Justice to help you out, maybe she could have a chat with the judge, Tristan says, barely able to keep the grin off his face.
Spanner looks at me, surprised. Freckles, you never said.
No … I … I mean, she might be coming to Malahide in a few weeks. I’m just waiting to hear back from her. She might not be free, though. I feel my face burning.
Three weeks. I can’t wait that long, he says, bounding out from behind the counter to the door. Legs spread, wide stance. Spanner lights a smoke and stares down the traffic.
Tristan laughs. I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it. He’s intense, isn’t he.
He’ll do anything for his daughter, I say, and I’m surprised when the words catch in my throat. I have one like him at home, and I’m here. I’m briefly shaken by that negative thought, after the excitement of the morning. I’ll just have to make it all worthwhile. This time spent away from him will all have to be worthwhile.
My phone buzzes in my hand to signal an email and I check it quickly.
Everything okay, Tristan asks, sprinkling sugar into his coffee and watching my face.
Yeah.
Was it her, the minister, he asks in a teasing tone, is she coming then.
Yeah, she is actually, I straighten up. And she’ll be the guest speaker. I grab my coffee cup, leaving Tristan to pay. When he’s out of sight I read the email again. And again, hoping for a different response.
Thank you for your email. Your message is important to us and we will respond as soon as possible.
Twenty-Eight
Hi Pops, I answer the phone, walking back through Malahide Castle gardens in the sunshine, coffee still in hand.
Did you hear.
Hear what.
About Cork.
No, what happened in Cork.
An Post are closing their mail centre in Little Island.
Oh. He hears my indifference.
Two hundred jobs will be lost, Allegra.
I know, that’s terrible. I’m sorry to hear that. Do we know anyone who works there.