In Pursuit of Happiness

by Freya Kennedy

  She watched as Clara jumped down off the bed, her ponytail swinging as she left the room singing a song of her own creation about big sisters. Jo couldn’t help but marvel at just how quickly Clara had rallied from her upset of just two days ago. At six, her little sister could pull herself together and focus on the here and now better than Jo could manage. Clara could see the good and positive in almost everything, despite all the upheaval she had endured in her young life.

  Ewan’s email played through her mind again. If she were Clara, she would grab on to that and enjoy it. Approach it with the no-nonsense problem-solving of a six-year-old. Seize the day and just get on with it. Find her readers. Face whatever Ewan would tell her and move on from it.

  Jo vowed then she’d do more of what made her happy and, in that moment, she had a strong feeling that would involve spending more time with Lorcan.

  With flutterings of excitement, she grabbed her phone and typed a quick message to him.

  The world, or at least, the North West of Ireland is our oyster. Let me know when you’re free and if there’s anything you want to see.

  Jo dropped her phone on the bed and headed to the bathroom to take a shower, feeling lighter than she had done in days. As she shampooed her hair, Jo started to plan some of the things they could get up to during Lorcan’s time in Ireland. Hadn’t Harry said he was staying for a few weeks? If so, there was a lot they could do. Admittedly, if she had a car, and could drive, it would be easier, but that was a never a skill she felt the need to learn. She was generally happy to walk wherever she needed to go, or to bus it, or occasionally get on her bike and cycle.

  It struck her that if she could borrow Noah’s bike for Lorcan, they could cycle some of the new bike routes leading out of the city. The roads to Buncrana, just over the border into Donegal, were fairly flat and on a nice day the view was spectacular. They could stop and grab an ice cream in the sleepy seaside town before making their way back to Derry. Or, better still, they could grab a bag of chips in the Four Lanterns, douse them with salt and vinegar and eat them at the shoreline staring out at the water. No chips ever tasted as good as those eaten directly from the paper by the sea.

  Her mind filled with plans as Jo rinsed her hair off and conditioned it. She used her favourite moisturising shower gel and even shaved her legs.

  When she dried off, she took extra time to calm the natural frizz of her hair into something sleek and manageable and she dabbed Jo Malone Red Roses into the nape of her neck and the pulse points on her wrists. She dressed in black leggings, a white T-shirt and wore her red bandana-style hairband to keep her curls from her face.

  Slipping her feet into her red Converse and grabbing her denim jacket, she stopped to appraise herself in the mirror at the front door. Her mother was fond of posting little affirmations around the house, something she and Auntie Mags had picked up at one of their self-improvement classes, and as Jo stood and wondered whether or not her red lipstick was a bit too glam for a Wednesday morning, she read: ‘You’ve got this. Show the world the fabulous real you.’

  Jo slicked on her lipstick and smiled.

  This was the day when it would all change. She could feel it in her waters.

  14

  Pretty Woman

  Jo was on a mission. She was going to spend the following three hours indulging in a mini-makeover. She’d go into town and have a mooch about the shops and treat herself to something new to wear to the meeting with Ewan McLachlan. She might buy a new nail polish, or possibly even indulge in a manicure and gel polish. Appearances were important at these things. She decided she’d call into Boots and buy herself some lovely smellies for the shower, a deep conditioner for her hair, a new body lotion. Maybe a face mask. It was a bit too early in the year weather-wise to switch to sandals and bare legs, but maybe she’d buy some fake tan, just in case.

  Jo even decided she would buy some new eyeliner and declared that she would watch as many YouTube make-up tutorials as necessary to allow her to perfect the art of a winged eyeliner look. It’s a skill that had eluded her throughout all of her twenty-nine years, but she was determined it would elude her no longer. She wanted to look groomed, confident and in control when she met Ewan McLachlan. She wanted to feel comfortable in her own skin so that she could feel as comfortable with him as she already felt with Lorcan.

  Lorcan had already sent her a message to see if she was free for lunch. She, of course, was and arranged to meet him at The Ivy Inn at midday.

  As she made her way into one of the city’s small boutiques, Jo wondered what exactly a young aspiring writer would look like? Should she play the part of impoverished artiste – all goth-black jeans with tears in them and probably a grey oversized jumper that would hang off one shoulder. A pair of DM boots, which she already owned could complete the look quite nicely. It would look amazing with her winged eyeliner and she could get her nails painted black to boot.

  But no, that wasn’t the impression she wanted to give. She wanted to look chic and sophisticated. More elegant than scruffy student.

  When an electric-blue, slim-cut trouser suit which looked as if it had been made just for her caught her eye, she knew immediately it was exactly what she wanted to wear. It would make the colour of her hair seem more vibrant, and bring out the blue in her eyes. Styled right, with a tailored white shirt, the top few buttons undone, a pair of flats and a dark scarf to tie her hair back, she could ooze a certain Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction vibe but with a modern twist, and minus the drug addiction, obviously.

  As she looked at herself in the mirror of the changing room, Jo was so enamoured with the reflection staring back at her she decided she was going to buy the suit without even checking the price first. Whatever the cost, it was worth it.

  As it happened, the cost was more than she normally earned in a week at The Ivy Inn and she had a momentary ‘but did it really make me look that good?’ wobble before she handed her card over, typed in her pin and smiled gratefully when it wasn’t declined.

  So maybe she’d have to paint her nails at home to save some money. She could absolutely do that. And she didn’t really need new make-up. This was an investment, she told herself, in the new, more confident, slightly terrified but doing it anyway Jo Campbell.

  With her purchase in her bag, and a spring in her step she walked over to Little Acorns Book Shop, just to take in all the many titles on the shelves without attracting Libby’s attention. She stood among the bestsellers and indulged in a fantasy that her name adorned one of them. Positive visualisation. Isn’t that what Mags called it? Or cosmic ordering? Something like that. She could do this. She would do this. She’d already taken the first step and tomorrow she’d make the most of meeting Ewan McLachlan.

  On a high, Jo arrived at The Ivy Inn shortly before lunchtime and was greeted by the exuberance of a very happy Paddy making a beeline for her, almost knocking her down as he jumped up, eager to have his fur ruffled.

  ‘Woah there, Paddy! It’s only been a couple of days. Surely you haven’t missed me that much!’

  By the way Paddy looked up at her with the soulful expression only a very loved Border collie possesses, she could see that he had indeed missed her that much.

  ‘I know I’m your favourite,’ she whispered into his ears. ‘If Noah would let you come home and live with me, I know you would. In a flash. Yes, you would!’

  ‘Are you trying to steal my dog again?’ Jo jumped as she heard Noah’s voice behind her.

  ‘Where on earth did you come from?’ she asked him.

  ‘Well, it’s rumoured that I came directly from heaven and that the angels sent me here to make life altogether more pleasant for all those who have the pleasure of knowing me,’ he smiled angelically.

  Jo pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow. ‘Noah…’ she said in a warning tone.

  ‘Okay! You’ve got me. I came from Libby’s. I sneaked over there for a coffee before the lunchtime rush.’

  ‘Is that what you kids are calling
your sneaky snogging sessions in the store cupboard these days?’ she teased.

  Noah put his two hands up in a surrender pose. ‘Okay. So maybe there was a little kissing. What can I say? I’m in love. And sometimes you need a little something to get you through the work day.’

  Jo mimed sticking her fingers down her throat to throw up, but she couldn’t help but smile. Ever since they’d got together, she’d been sure about them in a way she was never ever sure about anything in her own life. Except, she realised as Paddy pawed at her for attention, that Paddy would do anything for tummy rubs and walks along the quay.

  ‘Maybe I’ll introduce you to Lorcan today,’ she told a very happy Paddy, ruffling his ears again.

  ‘Lorcan?’ Noah said. ‘Harry’s grandson? I thought we were officially not fans of his. This sounds very much like it might be gossip.’ He wiggled his eyebrows and moved in closer, and Jo batted at him playfully.

  ‘We might have to reconsider our position. He’s actually fairly dead on. We went for a coffee yesterday,’ she told him, not adding that they had actually spent most of the day together.

  ‘So he’s not an eejit?’ Noah said with a grin.

  ‘You’re the only eejit around here!’ Jo retorted.

  ‘Who’s an eejit?’ An English accent came from behind her, making her jump for the second time and swear for the first.

  ‘Jesus!’ she exclaimed in fright and she could hear Noah laugh.

  Paddy, sensing a new person to win over barked and wagged his tail furiously.

  ‘I’m pretty sure Jesus wasn’t an eejit,’ Lorcan said. ‘Not that I’m particularly religious.’

  ‘We were just talking about a customer,’ Jo said, not wanting Lorcan to know they’d been discussing him, especially as he’d only heard the eejit part.

  ‘And we meant eejit in a nice way. Like, he’s a bit of a clown. Likes to make people laugh,’ Jo mumbled and she could sense Noah smirking behind her.

  ‘You’ll have to introduce me some time,’ Lorcan said. ‘But, first, I assume this is Paddy?’ He crouched down so that he could ruffle the fur of Paddy’s neck, which, of course, Paddy was only too happy about. He may have been particularly loyal to Jo, but he wasn’t above sharing himself around for more attention.

  ‘It is, indeed. I’m going to take him for a walk after we’ve eaten. You’re free to come along, if you’ve no other plans?’ She was surprised to realise she felt very relaxed asking Lorcan if he wanted to come along and that she didn’t care that Noah was watching their interaction. She was even more surprised to realise she really hoped that Lorcan would say yes.

  ‘Well, Grandad has told me to get out of his sight and do something fun because I’m on my holidays. He even gave me a tenner and said I was to treat myself, so maybe I’ll buy you an ice cream. Is that old ice cream place on the Strand Road still open?’

  ‘Fiorintini’s? It sure is. Best home-made ice cream in the world. But they wouldn’t be a big fan of Paddy here coming in,’ Jo said.

  ‘We can get some to take away,’ Lorcan replied. ‘What is it you guys call an ice cream cone?’

  ‘A poke,’ Noah said and Jo realised she hadn’t had the manners to introduce the pair of them yet.

  ‘Yeah. That’s it, a poke!’ Lorcan laughed. ‘You wouldn’t want to ask for one of those in England.’

  ‘Lorcan, you have probably sussed this out by now, but this is Noah. He’s my big brother, and co-owner of this place. Noah, this is Lorcan. Harry’s grandson.’

  The two men sized each other up. If there was one thing Noah Simpson was, it was fiercely protective of his friends and family – and especially of Jo. He would have heard the same stories from Harry that Jo had – of a grandson who was clearly very loved but who seemed to be more than a little pampered.

  ‘Nice to meet you, mate,’ Lorcan said, extending his hand.

  Jo watched as Noah gave Lorcan’s hand a firm handshake. ‘You too, Lorcan. I hear you and my sister here have been having coffee.’ The way he said ‘having coffee’ made Jo blush. She cringed and hoped Noah wouldn’t go full overprotective brother on her. She loved that he cared, but she was old enough to make her own judgements on people. And to admit when those judgements were wrong.

  ‘We did and then she showed me some of the sights. It was a good craic, you know,’ Lorcan replied to Noah.

  ‘You don’t have to say “a” good craic,’ Jo said. ‘Just good craic does the job.’

  ‘Lesson learned,’ Lorcan smiled.

  ‘A lot of visitors to Ireland get it wrong. You’re not the first and you won’t be the last,’ Noah said. ‘As offences go, we’ll let you get away with it. You get special dispensation for being related to Harry.’

  Lorcan laughed.

  ‘So, are you guys here for food or just to fetch the dog?’ Noah said, clapping his hands.

  ‘Oh food,’ Jo replied, pleased that the awkward first meeting was out of the way, even though she sensed Noah hadn’t quite made his mind up about this interloper.

  ‘A bit of lunch please. I’ve been telling Lorcan here about how good our food is,’ she added, doing her best to keep any conversation on safe ground.

  Noah nodded his head towards one of the tables by the window. ‘Three is free. Take a seat there and I’m sure you can recommend a dish or two. Or should I send the chef out to talk through today’s specials?’ he teased.

  Oh Erin would absolutely love to come out of the kitchen and size up Lorcan for herself, but Jo couldn’t bring herself to put him through that. He was already under the watchful gaze of Noah and Paddy and that was enough pressure for anyone in a single day.

  Having directed Lorcan to his seat, Jo decided to leave her shopping bags in the back office for safekeeping. She’d pick them up when she dropped Paddy off after his walk. No sooner was she through the door of the office than Noah was giving her the third degree.

  ‘You’re glowing, Miss Campbell. Don’t try and tell me there is no gossip here, it has gossip written all over it.’

  ‘Stop reading something that isn’t there,’ she said, well aware that she suspected there was something there to be read. Or there could be. They’d only met a couple of days ago and had only progressed from deep suspicion and dislike to friendly twenty-four hours ago. ‘Is Libby coming over for lunch today?’ she asked, swerving the conversation away from Lorcan.

  ‘I’m not sure. I don’t think so. Why?’

  ‘Because, brother dear, I have news. Ewan McLachlan news. I was going to text her but thought it would be best to tell her face to face. I was kind of hoping she’d be here.’

  ‘I can get her here,’ Noah said. ‘If I told her you had Ewan McLachlan news, I’m pretty sure she’d be here in lightning-quick time. I’m guessing by your glow that it’s good news?’

  ‘To be honest, I’m not entirely sure if it’s good or bad news yet, but he has offered to have a chat with me tomorrow night at the reading.’

  ‘I’d call that bloody amazing news! Well done, Jo.’ Noah grinned and pulled her into a hug. ‘Libby will definitely want to know that. She’ll be delighted for you.’

  ‘Hmmm, maybe not if he slates the book,’ Jo said, as she chewed her lip. She absolutely didn’t want to pre-empt whatever it was Ewan was going to say or start popping champagne corks too early.

  ‘He won’t. I know it,’ Noah said. ‘I’ll call her, get her to come over.’

  Jo thought of Lorcan waiting outside and considered whether or not she wanted Libby to join in the Spanish Inquisition trying to get a measure of him. ‘Actually, maybe you could just tell her for me. And tell her I’ll chat to her later?’

  Noah eyed her suspiciously. ‘You just want to get back to your wee English fellah?’ he said, using the nickname given to the character of James in Derry Girl.

  ‘It’s not really fair to leave him sitting out there on his own. Or to put him under the microscope when he only came in here for one of Erin’s sourdough toasties.’

  ‘I get you
r point,’ Noah nodded. ‘But you know we’re all just watching out for you because we love you and because up until now we’ve always thought this Lorcan fellah sounded like an arse.’

  ‘I just think we might’ve misjudged him,’ Jo said. ‘I mean I’m still raging that he didn’t come and see Harry when he was sick, but I’m not sure he’s as bad as we thought.’

  ‘And it doesn’t hurt that he hasn’t exactly been battered by the ugly stick,’ Noah smirked.

  ‘No. It doesn’t,’ Jo said and couldn’t help but smile. Lorcan Gallagher was indeed a very handsome man. Chiselled, but a little rugged, as if he didn’t realise how good-looking he was.

  ‘You have a crush,’ Noah teased, before turning serious. ‘Just be careful, okay?’

  She hugged him and thought in that moment she didn’t want to be careful. She had been careful and sensible for too long – ever since her return from Spain, as it happened – and it wasn’t serving her well. It had been a very long time since she had been kissed, and she didn’t even like to think about how long it had been since she had sex.

  ‘I’ll be careful,’ she told her brother, knowing it was most likely a lie.

  As she walked across the bar to where Lorcan was studying the menu, she watched him. As if he sensed she had been looking at him, he looked up and smiled at her. Her breath caught for just a moment in her throat.

  No. Her chances of being careful were dropping with every passing moment.

  15

  Beethoven

  ‘Your brother seems like a nice guy,’ Lorcan said, after they’d ordered grilled pepper jack sourdough toasties with chunky twice-cooked chips for lunch.

  ‘He is a nice guy. The best in fact. I’m probably closer to him than I am to my biological brothers. They’re both older than me and moved away after college. For a long time, it was just Noah and I at home and I consider him one of my best friends.’