It's All About Him (6 page)

'Sure you can.'

He looked up at her, his eyes round with excitement. 'Will everyone in the whole wide world see my picture?'

Dee laughed. 'Everyone.'

Martha bent to pick the post off the mat and carried it into the kitchen. Dropping it on the table, she collected the tray of fruit from the fridge and took it back into the crèche. 'Dee gets an awful lot of bills, doesn't she?' Martha remarked as she set the little dishes of fruit in front of the children.

'Shush.' Lisa glared at her and nodded towards Sam.

'Sorry,' Martha mouthed and turned her attention to tying bibs on the younger children.

'Sam, Tom, Natalie,' Lisa called to the three older children who were playing with cards on the floor, 'will you go and wash your hands before snack time, please?'

Sam ran to the door and the other children followed. 'Please don't talk about Dee in front of the children,' Lisa murmured to Martha, aware that even though the two remaining toddlers were only three, they still had big ears.

'I'm sorry,' Martha said again, 'I wasn't gossiping or anything, I just noticed there seem to be a lot of bills lately and Dee does seem to be very preoccupied these days.'

'Well, with the flood and everything it can't be easy,' Lisa reasoned. She didn't want Martha talking about Dee nor did she want her needlessly worrying. 'It's not easy running a business, maintaining this place and looking after a child.'

Martha went to tend to the babies while Lisa settled the two little girls at the table and helped them with their fruit. Martha was right, she realized as she mentally rewound the last few weeks. Dee had seemed a bit glum, but then she'd had a parade of tradesmen through her house at all hours of the day, which was enough to drive anyone mad.

Dee had told her that Sheila was trying to organize a girls' night out and Lisa resolved to follow it up. It had been ages since they'd been out together – largely her fault, she realized guiltily. When she wasn't out with Ger, she was dolling herself up for Ger, cooking for Ger – well, microwaving – or just hanging around waiting for him to call. She smiled wryly. Love had a way of taking over your life but she shouldn't neglect her friends. She'd call Sheila this evening and set something up. Although, Ger was coming over tonight and she needed to wash her hair before he came and she wanted to stop off at the deli on the way home and pick up some of that pâté he loved. She'd call Sheila during her lunch break.

Martha returned and was settling the babies into high chairs when the phone rang.

'You go,' she said, 'I'll take over here.'

Wiping her hands on a cloth, Lisa ran to the hall to get the phone, her face lighting up when she heard her boyfriend's voice. 'Ger, how's it going?'

'Yeah, grand. Listen, I won't be able to get over tonight,' he said without preamble.

'Oh?' Lisa tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice. 'What's up?'

'The lads are meeting up for a pint to watch the match. I said I'd go. I just forgot it was tonight.'

'A match?'

'Liverpool versus Chelsea; it should be great.'

'Right. So, do you want to come over tomorrow night instead?' Lisa knew she wasn't supposed to sound so eager.

'I'll give you a shout, Lisa, okay? Listen, got to go, I have a meeting. Seeya.'

'Seeya.'

'He's cancelled again, hasn't he?' Martha said bluntly when she saw Lisa's face.

Lisa bent to clean mouths and scoop up stray fruit. 'What?'

'It was Ger, wasn't it?'

'Yes, it was,' Lisa retorted, 'and no, he can't come over tonight but it's not his fault, he has to work.'

'Right.'

Lisa glared at her and started to clear the table. 'Why don't you get the kids ready to go outside and I'll clean up.'

'Sorry, Lisa, I know I should mind my own business but—'

'Yes, Martha, you should,' Lisa retorted and, picking up the tray, she marched out to the kitchen. She shouldn't have snapped at the girl, of course, but they were together so much, sometimes they just got on each other's nerves.

For the most part, they made a good team, although they had to work quite hard. With eight children under five to look after, both of them needed to be on hand all of the time and only got a break at nap times or when Dee was able to help out. It meant a long and hard day but a better salary. Still, Lisa mused, if they hired another assistant they could take another couple of children on and make some more money. She resolved to discuss it with Dee as soon as possible and before she throttled Martha. Pasting a smile on her face, she went back into the crèche.

'Now then, who wants to do some exercises?'

Dee smiled as she got out of her car, punched in the security code and opened the garden gate. Lisa had the five older children marching around the play area, swinging their arms and warbling in various different tones 'The Grand Old Duke of York'. Sam's face was bright and happy and the cool, fresh air had brought a healthy glow to his cheeks. And that was more important than anything. That was more important than bills and bank managers and a supercilious, unhelpful clerk in the credit union who'd looked at her as if she were a complete imbecile.

'You had no insurance?' she'd said, her eyebrows ascending into her hairline, and Dee had felt like punching her. How dare the smug old bat judge her when she didn't know her circumstances? The bank manager had been almost as bad. He'd sighed heavily, looked grave and given her a lecture on managing her finances and finally, Dee had exploded.

'I really don't have time for this, can you help me or not?'

The man eventually agreed to loan her the money but had set up a very stringent payment plan and made her sign a page of conditions. 'And of course, I strongly suggest that you take out an insurance policy. We can help you with that if you want—'

'No, I have it in hand, thanks,' Dee had lied, just desperate to escape his office.

Waving to her son, she went into the kitchen and filled the kettle. If it wasn't so early in the day she'd have poured herself a glass of restorative wine, not that she could really afford wine any more. Dee realized she'd have to make some changes to her lifestyle and try and cut her costs although her budget was pretty tight as it was. Perhaps she could persuade Ronan to take more food although that would mean more work and there were only so many hours in the day. She made a strong cup of tea and carried it upstairs to the smallest bedroom that served as her office. There were two other bedrooms that she could easily rent out but she baulked at the idea. She had no real privacy during the day and valued it hugely once the clock struck six.

Sitting down at her desk, she turned on her laptop and pulled up the three spreadsheets that detailed her private and business expenses. She scanned the private one first and as she suspected there was little she could do to improve her situation. The main drains on her finances were the basics like heating, phone, electricity, all necessities. She had a minute amount put aside for clothing and she used most of that for Sam; he went through shoes at an alarming rate. She switched to the Dee's Deli Delights accounts and studied the different categories. Ingredients were by far her biggest expense but there wasn't a lot she could do about that without letting the quality suffer.

Flicking to the next screen, she looked at the Happy Days spreadsheet and sighed. It was Lisa's business, but Dee kept records of the rent, the cost of food, the insurance and an estimation of the various services and utilities used by the crèche. She knew she was definitely undercharging Lisa but apart from paying the rent, Lisa had to pay Martha's salary, supply the various materials and toys used on a daily basis, and support herself. Dee dreaded raising the subject with Lisa but she realized she couldn't afford not to. Lisa would understand when Dee showed her the figures; she'd have to.

A shriek from downstairs had Dee on her feet in an instant. 'What is it, what's wrong?' she called as she hurried down to see what the problem was.

Martha held up the
Daily Journal
while Sam danced around her. 'Guess who's in the paper!' she said.

'We're famous, Mum, we're famous!'

Dee laughed. 'I don't know about that, sweetheart.'

'It's a lovely write-up,' Lisa said from the crèche doorway, 'he even gives Happy Days a mention.'

Dee took the paper and read. It was complimentary to both the crèche and her food but Don still made her sound a bit anal in her attitude towards processed food.

'God, listen to this: "she doesn't let her son eat chicken nuggets or sweets, convinced that they are causing his health problems." He makes me sound like a right monster .'

'I don't think so,' Lisa soothed, 'he's just a single guy who doesn't understand the responsibility involved in childrearing. Other mothers will understand.'

Dee tossed the paper down on the hall table and headed for the kitchen. 'Oh well, today's news, tomorrow's fish and chip wrapper! I need to go and make lunch.'

Sheila had finally had her way, tonight was the girls' night out and Dee wondered if there was any way she could get out of it. Sheila had booked them into a fancy restaurant and between drinks and taxi fares and the cost of a babysitter it was going to be an expensive night. Dee had offered to drive but Lisa had vetoed that idea straight away. 'You wouldn't be able to drink which kind of defeats the purpose.'

'I can have fun without alcohol,' Dee had argued.

'You are not driving. Anyway, that rust-bucket of yours wouldn't get us down the road.'

And Dee had reluctantly agreed. At least Conor had offered to drop them into Dublin so they would only need to pay for a taxi home and she would be careful what she ate and drank. She still hadn't had a chance to talk to Lisa. No, that wasn't strictly true. She'd been finding reasons
not
to talk to Lisa. Maybe she didn't need to. If she tightened her belt just a little bit more . . . no, that was ridiculous. All she needed was one more problem – like, for example, her car giving up the ghost, and she would be in a right pickle. She had all the facts and figures to show Lisa and her friend would understand. Dee resolved to talk to her on Monday. Tonight, however, she might as well enjoy herself.

Lauren had insisted that they were going dancing after dinner. Her mother had offered to take the twins overnight and she was determined to make the most of her freedom.

'I haven't been dancing since I was pregnant and that was a very weird experience,' she'd told Dee. 'I can't wait to strut my stuff on the dance floor.'

Dee could just imagine it. Lauren was a wild woman when she got going and the prospect of not having the babies to look after when she got home meant she'd really let her hair down.

'Take care of her for me, Dee,' her husband, Phil, had joked. 'No stripping, no snogging and nothing illegal.'

Lauren had made a face. 'I may as well stay at home then!'

Dee had sometimes envied Lauren and Phil's relationship, especially when the twins had come along. Phil was a hands-on father who helped out every chance he could, despite putting in long hours as a taxi driver. Dee didn't think Lauren appreciated how lucky she was. Phil was handsome, fun and devoted to his wife and when she got annoyed or irritated or just plain moody, he'd ignore it and keep out of her way until she calmed down.

Conor wasn't quite as good at reading Dee's moods, in fact, he was lousy at it. Usually, when she was annoyed she just sulked but he never seemed to notice. Occasionally she'd lose her temper and tell him to get lost and he did – it was very annoying. He never shouted back, he just disappeared from her life until she finally gave in and called him. And she always called. Sam's constant whine of 'Where's Conor?' would finally wear her down and she'd pick up the phone. Sometimes, Conor would play it cool for a couple of days but then things would be back to normal until the next time.

'Mummy?' Sam's high-pitched, excited squeal came from downstairs. 'Conor's here.'

'Coming.' Dee put on her gold chain, hoop earrings and bangle, eyed herself up in the mirror and added a last touch of lip gloss. 'You'll have to do,' she told her reflection.

'Very nice.' Conor whistled appreciatively as she walked into the room. 'You should wear dresses more often.'

Dee twirled, and the silky burgundy material swirled out showing off her long, slim legs clad in opaque tights. 'I hope I don't break my neck in these shoes.'

'Are they new?' Conor eyed up the black stilettos.

'God, no, Lisa lent them to me.'

'Where are you off to?' Paula asked from the floor where she was doing a jigsaw puzzle with Sam.

'Dinner in Chapter One and then we're going to either Zanzibar or Traffic – Lauren and Sheila are still arguing about that one – and then we'll probably finish up in Barcode.'

'Cool!' Paula's eyes widened and Dee could see her trying to figure out what three 'oul wans' pushing thirty were doing going to such trendy nightspots.

'Never heard of any of them,' Conor said cheerfully. 'Give me a nice pub and a bit of live music any day.'

Dee rolled her eyes. 'I think I should have bought you a cardy and slippers for your birthday.'

Conor raised his eyebrows. 'Are you still looking for a lift?'

'Yes! Yes, please, sorry.' She kissed his cheek and then went over and gathered Sam into her arms.

'Mum, you're stepping on the jigsaw puzzle.'

'Sor-ry! Excuse me for trying to say goodnight.'

He grinned and hugged her. 'G'night, Mum, have fun.'

'I will, sweetheart, thank you. Now be good for Paula.'

'He always is,' Paula said, tousling the little boy's hair.

'Right, let's go.' Conor picked up his keys and handed Dee her jacket. 'You really do look gorgeous,' he murmured as they went out to his jeep and he opened the passenger door for her.

'You could come too,' Dee said, reaching up to kiss him. 'It's ages since we had a smooch on the dance floor.'

'I can just imagine what Lauren would say if I tagged along.' He laughed. 'Anyway, there's a match on telly.'

'Oh, well, that's that then.' Dee slid into the seat.