Love and Shenanigans (Ballybeg, Book 1) (The Ballybeg Series) by Zara Keane Page A

to cover me while I drive you to his place.”
    “Thanks, mate. Appreciate it.”
    “By the way, your food’s ready,” Ruairí said to Fiona. “Janine’s brought it to the snug.”
    Food. Her tummy was in knots. The absolute last thing she wanted right now was to eat. “Thanks,” she said in a shaky voice. “Sorry for making a scene.”
    He nodded curtly and went to help Jonas drag Gavin out of the pub.
    Back in the snug, two plates laden with fish and chips were on their table. They smelled heavenly. Shame she’d lost her appetite.
    “Are you okay?” Olivia asked when she took the seat across from her. “Did someone say something?”
    “I bumped into Gavin. Literally.”
    “Oh, feck. How is he?”
    “Inebriated and loose-tongued. Apparently, I’ve wrecked his life, and it’s my fault we’re legally married.”
    “Screw him.”
    “I would, but he’s an arsehole.”
    Olivia opened her mouth wide and laughed. “I’ve missed you, Fee. I wish you lived nearer.”
    “Or visited more often. I know, I know. I’ve heard it all from Bridie.” She toyed with her fish and chips before putting her cutlery back on the table with shaky hands. “It’s as if I step into a time warp every time I visit. Some things change, some things stay the same. I revert to my teenage self, complete with the old body issues and insecurities. I sense it happening the moment I pass the sign for Ballybeg, yet it’s like I’m powerless to stop it.”
    Olivia speared a chip. “It could be worse. I’m stuck in a trap of my own making and I can’t figure a way out.”
    “Are things that bad at home?”
    Olivia shrugged. “Ah, no. You know me. I tend to exaggerate. It can get a bit suffocating at times. Aidan’s busy with work, and now his political career. I spend my whole life being Mrs. Aidan Gant, and I have neither the time nor the energy left to be Olivia.”
    “What about your little brothers? Do you still babysit them a couple of times a week?”
    “I collect them from school, yes. Now that they’re teenagers, they can look after themselves—allegedly.”
    Fiona sprinkled malted vinegar on her chips. “If there’s an upside to delaying my trip, it’s the opportunity to spend more time with you.”
    “Not to mention the opportunity to set your divorce proceedings in motion,” Olivia said wisely. “Aidan might be a pain at times, but he’s a damn good lawyer. And I happen to be his personal assistant. Why don’t you come by the practice at eleven on Monday morning? Bring Gavin with you. Maybe there’s a way to get an annulment.”
    “I certainly hope so. The sooner we can sort this out, the better for all of us.”
    Feeling more cheerful than she had all day—which wasn’t saying much—Fiona smiled and ate a vinegar-soaked chip.
Bliss.

Chapter Thirteen
    GAVIN WOKE TO HAMMERING in his head and a dog licking his feet.
    “Ugh. Don’t wanna get up.”
    “Rise and shine,” said a female voice before yanking the duvet off his bed. “Time to kick the booze and face reality.”
    He sat up, blinking. Fiona stood at the foot of his bed, Wiggly Poo at her side. She wore black from head to toe, offset by crimson lipstick. The lip ring was back in place, as was the attitude. If she was going for the avenging angel look, it was working. “How did you get in?”
    She raised an ebony eyebrow. “Through the front door.”
    “Smart arse. Did I leave it unlocked?”
    “No, Jonas let me in. But it would’ve made no difference. Bridie has your spare key, remember?”
    “What are you doing here?” He rubbed his sleepy eyes. “Where’s Jonas?”
    “Waking you up. We have an appointment with Aidan Gant in half an hour.” She opened his wardrobe and rifled through his clothes. “As for Jonas, he’s gone to Cork City with his mother and Luca to shop for school supplies.”
    When he threw his legs over the side of the bed, Wiggly Poo went into ecstasies of delight, tail wagging, tongue lolling. Gavin scooped him