I stopped by my mailbox on my way out of the building and found several bills and one or two items addressed to Sarita. I was busy sorting through them and sticking them in my bag when a familiar raucous laugh caught my attention.
“I’m telling ya, those nuns are like bloodhounds,” the familiar voice proclaimed. “I took a girl from St. Mary’s to her Debs last week, and this one nun got all up in my face when we were dancing. She told me to leave room for Jesus. I tried to explain to her the ridiculousness of the statement. Jesus is an important man. He has far better things to be doing with his time than making sure I keep a respectable distance from the girl enthusiastically backing her arse up against me on the dancefloor.”
I smiled wide as I turned around, beaming as I took in the sight of my younger brother, Billy. His curly hair was an unruly mop, and his hazel eyes shone bright with mischief. He’d teased that he might come for a visit, but I hadn’t expected him to turn up so soon. The only luggage he had was a backpack slung over his shoulder.
Billy’s eyes caught mine, and he smiled right back, his phone held to his ear.
“Listen, bud, I better go. I’m visiting my sister in London. Yeah, I’ll give you a call as soon as I’m back home.”
He hung up and slid his phone in his pocket before opening his arms wide. I dove right into them, and he swung me around with a chuckle. “You came to visit!” I said in delight when he let me go.
“I told you to keep an eye out for me, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did, and I’m so happy you’re here. How long are you staying for?”
“Not sure yet. I only bought a one-way ticket. You know me, I like to play it fast and loose.”
“And it’s why I love you. I was just heading out to grab something to eat.”
“Perfect timing. I literally stepped off the plane an hour ago, and I’m famished.”
With that, I grinned then gave him a clip round the ear.
“Hey!” Billy exclaimed. “What was that for?”
“That was for giving cheek to a nun. Have a little respect.”
“She was the one who started it. I was only defending myself!”
I shook my head at him. These antics were typical of Billy. “I can’t believe some silly girl was crazy enough to ask you to escort her to a dance in the first place,” I said in mild amusement. “That’s just asking for trouble.”
“It was Anne-Marie O’Dwyer from around the way. Remember her?”
“Yes, I do. I didn’t think she was your type.”
“She’s not really, but I was bored enough to accept the invitation.”
“Maybe you should focus on girls your own age.”
“She’s nineteen, and I’m twenty-three. I’m hardly out snatching cradles.”
“Still, I think you need an older woman. Someone with enough spirit to handle your wildness and keep you on the straight and narrow.”
“The Straight and Narrow is what they’ve started calling the alley at the back of Hennessy’s pub,” Billy countered. “Couples do be riding in that alley like the clappers on a Saturday night, so if that’s the sort of place you think I should be frequenting—"
“Don’t be cute,” I interrupted. “You know what I meant.”
“I do, but it’s far more fun to be wilfully obtuse.”
I shook my head at him, grinning as I replied, “They should’ve called it Pump Alley instead.”
Billy gave a hoot of laughter as we reached the restaurant, pulling open the door before motioning me in. We managed to snag my favourite table by the window, and I realised it was the exact same spot where I shared that first lunch with Neil and Michaela. I thought about our discussion last night. I’d been in high spirits complaining about the lack of a sex scene in North and South when I’d blurted out my dislike of kissing and history of break-ups. It wasn’t something I generally went around telling people, mainly because it was none of their business. But the more I thought about the way Neil had looked at me with a mixture of surprise and sympathy, the more I regretted my confession.
I didn’t want him feeling sorry for me because there was nothing to feel sorry about. It wasn’t that I’d always hated kissing; experiences had simply moulded me in such a way that my stomach now turned at the idea of locking lips with anyone. I wasn’t traumatised, okay? I just didn’t enjoy it. I could still have a full and active sex life minus the kissing.
“So,” I said to Billy after we’d both given our orders to the waiter. “How’s everyone back home? It’s been a while since I last chatted with Mam and Dad on the phone.”