10

The hour with this Mandy went by faster than expected, but when I stood outside and lit a cigarette next to the other smokers, I didn't feel much better than before, despite the conversation.

Well, basically I hadn't really told her much that lesson either. It was more about getting to know each other, so I just said I lived in a villa on the beach, was unemployed and had two brothers who didn't take me seriously, which I guess she didn't find very interesting.

She kept glancing nervously at her watch, which she had half hidden under her brown cardigan, while I calmly explained everything to her and then she suddenly said that the lesson was over.

There was something really odd about her. Like she was always in cover, which made me really curious, but I was there for myself and my mental state and trying to put my thoughts of the little one out of my mind now that I was free.

"Senan!" I heard Odran calling me and immediately looked to the right towards the parking lot, where he was leaning against his Porsche and seemed to be waiting for me in the sun. He casually adjusted his dark sunglasses and took his cell phone out of his dark jeans, only to then run away while making a call.

In the meantime, I walked up to the Porsche, opened the passenger door and flicked my fag away before falling onto the warm leather. I just hoped Jake had managed to sneak out. One look at my phone and I didn't see a message from him, only from Padraig, who was keen to do something. But I didn't feel like doing that anymore today. I just wanted to chill home and let my thoughts wander.

"And how was it?" Odran asked curiously, who climbed in and gave me a questioning look.

"Perfect. I'm healed," I replied with a goofy grin, and he laughed, shaking his head and starting the engine.

"You know we only want what's best for you," he told the same nonsense I'd had to endure for years, but I just nodded instead of arguing because it didn't feel like they would anymore really want something good for me.

He turned the car around, drove off at high speed, and while soft music was playing from the speakers, I was playing around on my cell phone, until suddenly a message came in, the number of which I did not know.

It's a shame you left so quickly. Would have loved to get to know you better. Irina

I read the message several times but didn't intend to reply or ask where she got my number in the first place. My nerves were freaking out for no particular reason, so I put the phone away and looked outside until we finally got home.

Odran got out with me and after saying hello to John we entered the house where Keeva was standing in the kitchen and was cooking.

"I still have work to do tonight. I'll lie down for a few hours," said Odran, who then disappeared upstairs while I stood opposite Keeva at the kitchen island.

Her eyes met mine and somehow she looked like she wanted to say something to me, but she quickly lowered her gaze to continue stirring something in a bowl.

"What's going on?" I inquired and she smiled softly while still keeping her eyes down.

"You really should be more careful, Senan. Jake bumped into me and you're lucky it wasn't Rian."

"Didn't you guys go to the golf course?" I asked and she shook her head in the negative.

"I wasn't doing so well," she explained, and that's when I noticed how pale she looked today.

"Can I do you something nice?" I asked, putting on a provocative grin that immediately made her roll her eyes. "I mean, you know where my room is," I threw after her and she immediately grabbed the tea towel to throw it in my face with a smile.

"You're an idiot, do you realize that?"

"But a horny one, isn't it?"

I winked at her and after making her laugh, I also disappeared upstairs and made my way to my room, first to flop down on my bed.

My mind threw in all sorts of thoughts again and although I really only wanted to switch off, it wasn't possible for me at the moment.

I thought about Irina, whose attraction nearly drove me insane last night. Thinking of Rian and Odran treating me more and more like an awkward appendage and Keeva being the only one who felt like family. She was different with her open nature. She was gentle, tolerant and above all she believed that everyone deserved a second chance.

All things Rian and Odran lacked, Rian being worse as he still had the say.

Laying down on my stomach and staring stubbornly at the wall in front of me, I suddenly thought of Mandy again.

I couldn't get the question out of my mind why she had changed so much in contrast to her photo. In addition, I have always had a helper syndrome towards women, which made them more interesting to me than was good for me.

"Senan?", suddenly there was a knock on the door and I shook off my thought carousel to get up exhausted and open the door to Padraig.

"Let me guess. Keeva thought I wasn't well, so she called you?"

He seemed to feel caught, but smiled it away and put his hand on my shoulder.

"I'm here because you're a brother to me and not because someone's forcing me. Padraig can't be forcing anyone," he grinned and I reluctantly smiled too.

"Third person? Are you totally off the hook now?"

"We're taking off together tonight," he said simply, holding up a bag whose contents showed only too well what he meant by taking off...