‘Weird and wonderful.’ Lucy smiled. ‘It’s a brilliant school and gets the best results in the country year on year, but it also feels like justice that they’re ending up there. My abandoned kids will end up in the school their father went to. It’s bizarre, but great too. The best part is that they’ll get a fantastic education for the last two years of their school lives and the facilities are state-of-the-art. We were all blown away by the sports pitches and gym, the pool, science labs and music rooms.’
‘Sounds a lot better than Woodside.’
Lucy put down her wine glass. ‘It isn’t better, it’s just got more to offer. I guess I feel the twins always missed out not having a dad, and now they’re getting the chance to finish their education somewhere special. They deserve it.’
Sarah leant over and squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘They do, and so do you.’
‘I know I’m a bit pushy and probably over-ambitious for them, but I messed up so badly and blew my chance at success. I want so much more for them.’ Lucy grinned at her. ‘Do you want to see something really crazy?’
‘What?’
Lucy pulled the letter of confirmation out of her pocket. ‘Look.’ She pointed to the names of the board of management. There, in black and white, was G. Harrington-Black.
‘No way!’ Sarah gasped. ‘Gabriel’s one of the board members who signed off the scholarship?’
‘Yes!’
‘Do you think he knows?’
‘Are you nuts? He’d never have let them in.’
They burst out laughing.
‘That’s poetic justice,’ Sarah said. ‘I love it. Do you think Gabriel has any idea at all they are his grandchildren?’
‘None. He never knew their Christian names and Murphy, as he so sweetly pointed out, is a common name. So he has no idea that he signed off on allowing the slut’s offspring into his posh alma mater.’
They laughed again and clinked glasses, then sat sipping their wine in companionable silence. Lucy was in such a good mood that Sarah decided to chance asking a question she’d been mulling over for a while.
‘Lucy, do you think the twins might want to look for Tom when they leave school?’
Lucy sat up in her chair and frowned. ‘No, I don’t. They know how much he hurt me and that he wanted nothing to do with them. Why the hell would they look for him? He didn’t want them. He’s dead to them.’
‘Okay.’ Sarah took a large gulp of wine.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap.’
‘It’s fine. I understand.’
‘Dad forgot to mention you in his speech. You’ve been so good to me, Sarah. Really, I couldn’t have done it without your shoulder to cry on and your ear to bash and your kindness and help with babysitting, and taking us on holidays with you and, well, all of it. So, thank you.’
Sarah waved a hand. ‘Stop, you’ll have me bawling. Besides, I love you and your kids. Kelly is like the sister Shannon never had – the sensible sister she never had – and Dylan is so patient with Ollie and his madness. He’s a saint.’
Jenny came out. ‘When you two are finished gossiping, Ollie’s just karate-chopped Dad in the nuts and knocked over Kelly’s cake.’
Sarah groaned. ‘Every time! Every bloody time we leave the house he causes mayhem. Stay there. I’ll see you later.’
‘Thanks for coming, and bringing the cake.’
Lucy sat back and raised her face to the sun. Inside the house she could hear Darren and Sarah giving out to Ollie and the poor boy trying to defend himself.
She heard someone come out and sit beside her. She opened one eye. It was Dylan.
‘Ollie’s a nutter.’
‘I know, but he’s a good kid. He just has a lot of energy.’ Ollie was a handful, but Lucy loved him and would defend him to the end.
‘Thanks for the surprise party,’ Dylan said.
‘You’re welcome. Thanks for making me so proud.’
‘Mum.’
‘Yes?’
‘Granddad’s right. You’re a brilliant mum. Thanks for everything. I love you.’
Lucy closed her eyes and let the warmth of his affection wash over her body and soul. She could feel it – this was the start of something special. The best part of their lives was just about to begin.
15
Lucy hummed as she stirred the scrambled eggs. Beside her, Billy popped four slices of bread into the toaster and set four plates on the kitchen table. Lucy’s stomach was doing little flips of excitement and anticipation.
‘Mum.’
She looked around. There he stood, her pride and joy, dressed in his new school uniform, grey trousers, white shirt and a red and navy striped tie. She tried to control them, but tears sprang into her eyes.
‘Oh, God, you’re not going to cry, are you?’ Dylan asked.
She mopped her eyes and went over to fix his slightly crooked tie.
‘You look so … well, wonderful,’ she said, kissing his cheek before he had time to duck.
‘Enough of the emotional stuff.’ He grinned. ‘I’m starving.’
‘You look the part and, remember, they’re lucky to have you. Don’t ever forget that,’ Billy said.
Lucy piled scrambled eggs on top of the toast and handed it to Dylan. At seventeen he was permanently hungry. It amazed her how much food he could consume. Then again, he did train non-stop.
She sat opposite him and stared at his handsome face. He looked like her mum, his granny Tina – blond hair and big brown eyes that would melt chocolate.
Dylan caught her staring. ‘What?’
‘I’m just so proud of you,’ she gushed. ‘Getting that scholarship for you and Kelly, it’s really amazing.’
‘I’m just good at football, Mum, and the new headmaster wants to win the all-Ireland schools cup.’
She shook her head. ‘No, it’s more than that. This scholarship isn’t just about football, it’s about who you are, too. They chose you because you’re a great kid who has never given any coach or teacher a day’s trouble. You’re smart too.’
Dylan shovelled more food into his mouth and chewed. Lucy wanted to reach out and touch his face, but she resisted. When he was young he’d loved her hugs. He’d throw his arms around her all the time. She’d snuggle her head into his warm neck and kiss him as he giggled. She could still feel the sensation of his sticky fingers on her skin and his hot cheek beside hers. She closed her eyes and savoured the memory.
‘What are you doing, Mum? You look weird.’ Kelly’s voice cut through the moment.
Lucy stood up. ‘I was just remembering when Dylan was small.’
‘Whatever, can you do this stupid tie? I have no idea how it works.’
‘I’ll do it. Come here to me.’ Billy did up Kelly’s tie and kissed her forehead. ‘Now you’re perfect.’
‘Thanks, Granddad.’
Lucy put a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of her.
Kelly frowned. ‘I hate scrambled eggs.’
‘No, you don’t.’
‘Yes, I bloody do.’
‘Language,’ Billy warned.
‘I’m not eating this.’ Kelly pushed her plate away.
Lucy willed herself to be calm and not lose her temper. ‘Eat up, Kelly, or you’ll be hungry in school.’
Kelly handed her plate to Dylan. ‘You can have it, seeing as you actually like it. I’ll pass.’
‘Kelly,’ Lucy snapped. ‘You need a good breakfast.’
‘Well, why didn’t you make me something I actually like?’
‘Stop it, Kelly. You do like scrambled eggs. Don’t be difficult.’
‘No, I don’t. You make them for Saint Dylan because he loves them and occasionally when I’m so hungry I think I’m going to die I eat some just to keep me alive.’
Lucy didn’t want an argument, not today, on their first day at their new school. ‘Fine, have cereal, then.’
Kelly grabbed a box, filled a bowl to the top, poured in some milk and began to eat. She wa
s hunched over it with one arm protectively around the bowl as if she was afraid someone was going to steal it. She was like a cat, always ready to pounce, Lucy thought.
Kelly tugged at her tie, then spilt milk on it.
‘Kelly, love, be careful, you don’t want to look a mess on your first day.’
‘What? It’s just a bit of milk, no big deal.’ She wiped it with a napkin.
Lucy felt her shoulders tense. Why couldn’t Kelly just behave? Why did she have to cause trouble on this special day? ‘It is a big deal,’ Lucy said. ‘It’s your first day at St Jude’s. This is an incredible opportunity for you and you need to make a good impression.’
Kelly slammed her napkin down and spun around to face her mother. ‘Oh, I know, Mum. I have to be the perfect student in this stupid posh school that you’re forcing me to go to.’
‘Forcing you?’ Lucy spluttered. ‘Do you have any idea how lucky you are? Because of your brilliant brother, you are now going to the best school in Dublin for free.’
‘Lucky?’ Kelly shouted. ‘I never wanted to go there. I was happy in my old school. I don’t want to be a charity-case scholarship student just because my twin brother’s brilliant at football.’
‘Ah, now, come on. We’re all a bit uptight because it’s a big day. Let’s calm down,’ Billy suggested. ‘Kelly, finish up your breakfast and, Lucy, you have some coffee.’ Billy poured her a cup.
‘Relax, Kelly,’ Dylan said, looking at her with concern. ‘It’s all good.’
Kelly bent her head low and finished her cereal. She said nothing, but Lucy could feel her daughter’s rage. She prayed Kelly would try her best and not let herself or Dylan down. She had to behave and do well. She had to show everyone how great she was and how smart. Lucy wanted everyone in that stuck-up school to see how wonderful her kids were and what a bloody great job she’d done bringing them up on her own. She wanted Gabriel to hear about the Murphy twins and what a credit they were to St Jude’s, and she wanted to be there when he realized they were his grandchildren and that Lucy, the gold-digging whore, had done it – she’d raised two incredible children.
Lucy went up to her bedroom and took her best navy jacket from the hanger. She put it on over her navy shift dress, the one she wore to celebrate a lot of her humanist ceremonies. She looked in the mirror on the back of the door. The outfit was a bit boring and conservative, but she wanted to blend into the background.
She was a bit nervous about meeting the other parents. What if one of them recognized her? What if she bumped into one of Tom’s old friends, like Andy or Olivia? She’d changed her hair – it was honey-coloured and short now, ‘gamine style’, Sarah had said when she’d cut it. It had been seventeen years but, still, they might recognize her and she wasn’t sure how she’d handle it.
Dylan knocked gently on the door and came in. He had his navy school blazer on and looked so handsome. He was born to go to a school like St Jude’s. He’d fit in, no problem. Billy was right: they were lucky to have him.
‘Ready, Mum?’ he asked.
‘Yes. You okay?’
He smiled. ‘Keen to get in there and meet the other football players and classmates and all that.’
‘Right, well, let’s go, then.’
‘You look lovely, Mum,’ he said. ‘A bit square, but nice.’
Lucy beamed at him. ‘Where’s your sister?’
‘Here.’ Kelly slouched outside the door, her school skirt rolled up and her tie askew. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, the way she liked it. Lucy wanted to pull down her daughter’s skirt and brush her hair, but she resisted. They didn’t have time for an argument now.
In the twenty-five minutes it took to drive to school, Lucy and Kelly had two arguments. They never stopped sniping at each other.
Dylan felt bad for Kelly. He knew she loved her old school and her friends and that she wasn’t thrilled about going to St Jude’s. But it was the best school in the country and it was making their mum so happy. He wished she’d go with it. He wanted his twin to settle in and enjoy St Jude’s. She was so smart, he knew that even in this posh school Kelly would be top of the class. Dylan was always amazed at how hard she studied. He was middle of the class. He did enough to keep his mother off his case but never exactly killed himself. Besides, his mother didn’t seem to expect too much of him in terms of study and books – that was Kelly’s role. He was sport, Kelly was law: that was how it had always been.
Dylan was psyched about the new coach at St Jude’s, Jordan Green, who was top class. They’d poached him from Plymouth Argyle – an actual professional club. All right, it was a second-division club and he’d been the assistant coach but, still, he was the real deal. Dylan couldn’t wait to train under him.
It was Jordan who had come to see Dylan play for his old club and approached his mum about a scholarship. The best part about winning it was that Dylan could see he was making his mum happy. She was obsessed with education and getting a degree. She kept telling him and Kelly, ‘Don’t end up like me. Finish your degree and get a proper profession.’
Dylan knew she’d had to give it all up for him and Kelly, then to nurse Granny when she was sick and afterwards to look after Granddad and the shop. His mum had never really been able to do what she wanted. Dylan had always felt he had to succeed. With his dad legging it before they were even born, he felt the pressure to make up for that somehow. He wanted to prove to his mum that she had raised a decent son, not someone who would run away from his responsibilities. He had always wanted to make her happy and proud and make up for his deadbeat dad.
His mum barely mentioned his dad, and Jenny had given him and Kelly the tiny amount of info they had. Jenny had said Lucy had been really smart in school and top of her law class in Trinity. But then she’d met their dad, got pregnant, and her dreams were shattered.
Dylan was sorry things hadn’t worked out for his mum. He thought his dad was a total prick. Life had been hard for Lucy. But since he’d got the scholarship, she had been really happy, which made him feel good too. Now his mother and sister were bickering about how short Kelly’s skirt was. Dylan was ready and raring to go. He just wanted to get out of the car and not have to listen to them arguing. He was keen to meet his teammates and, most of all, to impress Jordan. He’d been working on his fitness all summer, when he wasn’t helping out in the shop, and he felt really good.
Lucy pulled up at the back of the car park and got out. She gave Dylan a hug. ‘Good luck today, you’ll be great.’
Dylan put his school bag and kit bag over his shoulder. Lucy tried to hug Kelly but she squirmed. ‘Stop, you’re embarrassing me.’
‘Bye, Kelly, try smiling. It might help not to scare the other kids off. You have a beautiful smile.’
‘Bye, Mum. Thanks for ruining my life.’ Kelly spun on her heels and walked up to her twin.
Dylan put his arm around her. ‘Give her a break, Kelly. You might actually like it here.’
Kelly shrugged him off. ‘I liked my old school. This is all your fault. You and your stupid bloody football.’
‘I’m not going to apologize for being a legend on the soccer pitch.’ Dylan grinned.
‘Oh, sod off, Ronaldo.’ Kelly half smiled.
‘Hi, it’s Dylan, right?’
They turned, and a boy of Dylan’s age was standing behind them.
‘I’m Conor, the goalie. We’re stoked to have you on the team, dude.’
‘Thanks.’ Dylan shook his hand. ‘This is my sister, Kelly.’
‘Hi,’ Conor said, looking Kelly up and down admiringly. ‘Great to meet you.’
Kelly muttered, ‘Hello.’
Dylan had noticed that recently guys were looking at his sister in a very you-are-so-hot kind of way and it made him uncomfortable. He didn’t want them ogling her.
‘So, are you twins?’
‘Yeah, the least identical ones in the world,’ Kelly said.
‘It worked out pretty well for you, though.’ Conor grinned and Ke
lly blushed.
A girl came up to say hello to Conor. ‘Guys, this is Chloë. Chloë, this is Dylan and Kelly Murphy.’
‘Oh, right, you’re the scholarship kids. I think you’re in my house, Kelly – I’m vice-captain. All the students are divided into one of four houses – Knights, Spartans, Samurai and Trojans. We’re Trojans. Two of my best friends, Melissa and Alicia, are in it too. Give me your number and I’ll add you to the WhatsApp group. If you’re not on it you’ll be, like, a total outcast.’
Kelly gave Chloë her number. Her phone pinged instantly. The Trojans group. Messages began flashing up, her classmates saying, ‘Hi,’ which was nice.
‘Where do we go?’ Dylan asked.
‘Fifth-year corridor is through that door and it’s the first on your right, but why don’t you come with me, Dylan? I’m heading to the locker room first to dump my goalie gear. I’ll introduce you to the rest of the team.’
Dylan followed Conor and glanced back over his shoulder. Kelly was talking to Chloë. He hoped she’d be all right.
At lunchtime, Conor walked Dylan down to the canteen. They sat with the other football players. Dylan said little and observed them. They seemed like a tight bunch. There was lots of slagging and talk about previous games.
‘So, Dylan, what was your goal-scoring average last year?’ Conor asked.
‘It worked out two point four goals per game,’ he said.
‘Not bad.’
‘I hope you’re as good as everyone says you are,’ a guy called Jackson said, glaring at Dylan. ‘Because my best mate, Nathan, got dropped for you and he’s not happy. Nor am I. He’s played with us all the way until now and then he just got dumped.’
The rest of the team looked at Dylan. He chewed his pasta slowly. It was sticking to the roof of his mouth. He tried to swallow it. He needed to get this guy onside. He didn’t want any aggro. He just wanted to play football, but he had to tread carefully. The guy was angry.
He raised his hands. ‘Look, mate, I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes here. Jordan came to see me play and he liked what he saw. He’s a class coach. I came here because of him. I want to improve and hopefully help St Jude’s win the cup. I’m sorry about your mate, but football is all about moving forward and making the team stronger.’
Our Secrets and Lies Page 9
