Page 126 of Beneath the Quiet

“I know, but the fact that he stayed with you when you were sick? I just assumed…”

“Never assume.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Fine, I hoped that things had changed between you.”

I purse my lips and pick up the coffee pot with one hand and my new favourite ceramics mug with strawberries scattered all over it that I bought from Niamh at the festival. I choose a cup with lemons and small dots for Roísin and set everything down on the kitchen island. I let the silence settle between us, not in a hurry to share that I don’t think my friend is entirely wrong.

But I can’t tell her that as long as I don’t even know what’s going on yet.

“Well?”

“He was very sweet.” I smile at her, pour us both coffee, and put the pot down between us. I drag my eyes up to meet hers, worried she won’t believe me. “But we’re still the same. We use each other for sex, and we’re still friends. Nothing’s changed.”

“Hmm.” She jumps up on one of the barstools and makes a grab for the coffee. I raise my eyebrows as she gulps it down.

“Not that I’m not glad to see you, but what made you stop by today?”

She thrums her yellow fingernails on the mug.

“Oh, I had some time on my hands before meeting up with the knitting club and thought I’d stop by, see how you’re doing. Have you had time to check the dates I sent you for our girl time?”

I reach for my calendar and pick up the pen next to it. “Yes, I did, and I have next Saturday off, so that works.”

“Great!” She wiggles in her seat. “Because I wanted to ask how you feel about making a weekend out of it. We can rent a room at one of the hotels near the spa, go to a club, or order room service if that’s what you prefer.”

Excitement bubbles to the surface, and I scribble down our date on the right page as I think her idea through.

“It has been ages since I treated myself.” I sigh wistfully. “Okay, why not? Let’s do it.”

Roísin raises her hand, and I give it a light high five. “Fantastic.” She pulls out her phone and swipes like a madwoman. “I’ll make sure to book us something cosy but comfortable with just a little bit of luxury thrown in.”

I lean a hip on the counter, and we chat for a while longer until she has to leave for her meeting.

“Oh, before I forget,” I muse as I walk her to the door, “how’s your club coming along?”

“I’m just waiting for some brochures to arrive, and then I’m ready to start spreading the word about our first meeting.”

I grin down at her. “I can’t wait to see how many women turn up.”

“Hopefully, a great many think the same as you.” She reaches up to hug me. “By the way, the rhubarb mini cake can easily hold itself over until you meet up with Aidan again tomorrow.”

I shake my head at her exaggerated wink and swat at her arm. “Bye, sweetie.”

She gives me one last grin, and then she’s off.

My eyes automatically fall on the spot on my pathway where the beheaded chicken was laid out in the open, as it so often does, but then I shake my head and shut the door.

Nothing’s turned up in the investigation. Not even the smallest hint. I might not be running the case, but the station’s so small that it’s been easy for me to pick up my colleagues talking about it when I pass them in the corridors. At least it hasn’t ruined how I feel about living here.

I won’t let it do that to me. I can’t let one act ruin how I feel about my temporary home, so I push the thought out of my mind and lock the door, then I head down to the basement.

Even though I hate it with every fibre of my being, I have a date with the home gym.

“Mae?”

I puff, forcing my already trembling abs to lift me to a sitting position on the mat.

“In the basement!”