and chips, and I have to say, they’re the best you’ll ever have. I’d hate for you to miss out on such an amazing culinary experience.’
I smiled. ‘That’s quite a claim.’
‘All true.’
I was tempted. I’d been so busy with everyone having last-minute panics before Christmas and arranging bookings for a raft of New Year resolution clients that Janey and I hadn’t had a chance to catch up as much as we usually liked to. It would be lovely to see them all.
‘Go on. You know you want to.’
I did want to. The thought of going back to my tiny flat and working late into the night, accompanied only by a microwave meal for one had so much less appeal than staying a little longer here in this beautiful house sharing a meal with people I cared about. And Michael, of course.
‘Janey will be upset if she finds out you left just before they got here.’
‘Emotional blackmail? That’s a low blow.’
‘Did it work?’
I fiddled with one of the photo frames, moving it a miniscule amount, then moving it the same amount back.
‘Yes.’
‘Then I’m unrepentant.’
I tilted my head back so that I could meet his gaze. ‘Now, why doesn’t that surprise me?’
The doorbell rang and Michael turned.
‘Wait,’ I said, putting a hand out to stop him, ‘let me go. I can try to reassure Janey a little that I’ve been keeping an eye on you this afternoon and you’re OK.’
Michael looked down. My hand was resting on his chest. Suddenly, my brain acknowledged the hard muscle, the warmth, the definition of his pecs through the fabric of his T-shirt. I snatched my hand back.
‘Sorry.’
‘No problem.’
The doorbell rang again and I scooted out the living room door to answer it.
‘Katie! Is he all right? That bloody motorbike! If I’ve told him once, I’ve told him a thousand times. Honest to God, in this weather too. I – ’
‘Janey he’s fine,’ I said, giving her a hug and taking her coat as they all piled through the door.
‘Are you sure?’ she asked quietly.
‘Yes. I’ve been here for most of the afternoon and I kept an eye on him. He’s pretty bruised and bumped but of course being stubborn about it. His ribs are pretty sore, but hopefully they’re just bruised rather than anything else. I gave him some painkillers earlier and eventually got him to rest most of the afternoon. He’s due some more pain relief about now if he wants them. They seem to have helped take the edge off things.’
‘If you’re finished discussing me out there, I’m starving!’ Michael emerged from the living room and although he was smiling, I could see the tightness in his face from the pain.
‘Stop whingeing you big wuss,’ Patrick, Janey’s husband laughed. ‘We’re coming,’ he said as he gave me a hug and unbundled the children from their coats, hats and mittens.
‘Uncle Mikey!’ they cheered as they careered across the hallway, making enough noise to rival a baby hippo.
‘Hiya squirts!’
‘Uncle Mikey pick me up, pick me up!’ the younger one chanted, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, her arms stretching up towards him.
Michael hesitated a moment, clearly unwilling to disappoint his niece, and then began to bend towards her.
‘Michael Francis O’Farrell don’t you dare.’ Janey was marching towards her brother.
He halted mid motion.
‘Lily. Uncle Mikey fell off his motorbike today and hurt himself so he can’t pick you up. Besides, you’re getting too big to be picked up these days.’
‘She’s never too big,’ Michael countered.
Janey ignored him, ushering the children into the dining room. ‘Patrick, could you bring the food in please?’
‘Coming.’
Chatting happily, Patrick and I diverted off into the kitchen.
‘Shall I get some plates?’ I asked.
‘Let’s be reckless and eat out of the paper, shall we?’ Patrick grinned at me.
I returned it. ‘Why not?’
We moved around the kitchen, hunting and gathering the rest of the supplies amongst the still-to-be-sorted chaos of the room. Soon we had everything we needed – Patrick brought the various packets of food and I carried the cutlery, tomato sauce, salt and vinegar. Following the sound of voices, we headed to the dining room. The door was ajar and, hands full, I pushed it open a little more with my hip. At which point I nearly dropped the whole lot. Opposite me, Michael stood shirtless, jogging bottoms riding low on his waist. Without doubt it was one of the most beautiful sights I’d seen in a long time. Maybe any time. The definition and muscle I’d got an idea of from distractedly putting my hand on his chest earlier was now displayed in its full glory. And glorious it most definitely was. In front of me stood a body that would make the Hemsworth boys feel like they’d been slacking at the gym.
‘What about there?’ Janey pressed on her brother’s side gently and Michael shot away from her.
‘Jesus Christ! For f…’ He stopped himself as he caught sight of his niece and nephew watching the proceedings, wide-eyed. ‘Yes. That bit is a little tender.’
‘I can take that,’ Patrick said, attempting to retrieve the vinegar bottle I was now gripping with enough force to make my knuckles go white.
‘Huh?’ I mumbled, pulling my gaze away from Michael’s half-naked body – a feat that was far easier said than done. ‘Oh. Yes. Yes, of course,’ I said, relinquishing it as I surreptitiously checked that the only drooling I had been doing was of the mental kind.
‘Janey please can we just eat now?’ Michael nodded his head at the food his brother-in-law had laid out on the table.
‘In a moment. If you’re going to ride that stupid machine, you’re going to have to put up with being poked about when you come off.’
‘I’ve no aversion to that if it’s a pretty nurse doing the poking.’ He winked at Patrick. Janey prodded her brother a little harder than was probably necessary and he grimaced.
‘Point taken,’ he conceded, his teeth gritted.
‘Keep an eye on those ribs and don’t ride that bike for a while.’
‘Yes Ma.’
Janey threw his T-shirt at him. ‘Get dressed and eat something.’
‘That’s
