City Lives by Patricia Scanlan

Author:Patricia Scanlan [Scanlan, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781471141164
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Twenty-five

Maggie was tired when they got home from Blanchardstown, but she was happier. She’d taken the children to the pictures, much to their delight. As they sank back into the plush chairs of the big cinema with their popcorn, M&Ms and Coke, the anticipation on their faces and their pleasure at the unexpected treat went a long way towards restoring her equilibrium. Afterwards they’d gone to Clark’s to buy shoes, and to Paco for Mimi’s much desired sweatshirt, then finally to Dunnes for Michael’s jeans. After that, as another little treat, she’d taken them to HMV to buy a CD each. They’d spent ages flicking through the racks, although Shona knew straight away that she wanted the Spice Girls. Mimi dithered between Robbie Williams and Celine Dion.

Michael couldn’t make up his mind until he saw the Venga Boys and then he was happy. They sat in MacDonald’s munching their burgers, all thoughts of the earlier upset forgotten as they discussed the film, their new CDs and what they were going to get for Christmas.

‘You’re very late. Where were you? I thought you were going shopping for shoes,’ Terry growled when they walked into the sitting-room at nine thirty.

‘We went late-night shopping, Daddy, an’ Mammy took us to the pictures. An’ then we went to HMV an’ got CDs an’ then we went to MacDonald’s an’ had a Big Mac an’ now here we are,’ Shona kindly explained.

‘What’s all this in aid of?’ He glanced at Maggie.

She shrugged. ‘Shona needed new shoes. Michael needed new jeans and Mimi needed a new sweatshirt so we went shopping and decided to treat ourselves as well.’

‘I hope all the homework is done,’ Terry said sternly.

Maggie felt fury rise. The nerve of him to say that. Who was it that did homework with the kids day in day out? Her. He was never there for homework. He was just saying that for spite, to get back at her for slamming the phone down earlier. With difficulty she kept her temper.

‘The homework was done as soon as everyone came in from school, as usual,’ she said pointedly.

‘Yeah an’ Michael could do sums that Sean Noonan couldn’t an’ they’re in the same class, Daddy,’ Shona piped up proudly.

‘Were the Noonans here this afternoon? Billy Noonan called over. He wanted a word with you. I said you were out,’ Terry remarked casually as he flicked channels from the settee where he was sprawled.

‘Oh!’ Maggie was surprised. What on earth did Billy Noonan want with her? she thought, puzzled. Then she remembered. Her heart sank. Surely Orla hadn’t sent him up because of the row. Wasn’t she well able to fight her own battles? The pair of them could get lost. She had enough on her plate, Maggie thought irritably.

‘Come on, gang. It’s late and there’s school tomorrow. Go up and get ready for bed. Michael, you go into our en suite and let Mimi and Shona have the bathroom,’ she instructed. ‘Say good night to Daddy.’

They launched themselves on Terry with hugs and kisses.

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