Twisted River Read Free Page B

Kate. I’m going round to Spike’s flat. See you later,” he said, sounding resigned. He ushered Izzy out the door and slammed it a little too forcefully behind him. Kate sighed. She should have bitten her tongue.
    Just before heading up to the study on the third floor, she looked in on Fergus’s bedroom and was alarmed not to see him there. Not on the bed with his Nintendo. Not making models with his K’NEX. As she stood in the twilight she heard a heavy panting sound coming from the other side of the bed.
    â€œFergus?” she said tentatively, walking around the bed.
    More huffing and puffing.
    â€œWhat on earth are you doing?” Although it was perfectly obvious what he was doing.
    He stopped then and propped himself up on one arm.
    â€œPush-ups. Thirty tonight. And more tomorrow. I’m going to get up to a hundred a night.”
    â€œIsn’t that a bit much?” He’d never shown any particular interest in gym work before. Still, she smiled, glad to encourage any new endeavor.
    â€œIt’s not too much . . .” he huffed. “I’m going to be a beast!”
    â€œA beast?” Kate laughed.
    â€œYeah. I’m going to become an absolute beast. And then I’m going to kick the living crap out of Frankie Flynn.”
    The smile froze on Kate’s lips.
    â€œOh, but Fergus, that’s not . . .”
    He glanced up briefly, and then without answering he went back to his push-ups. Kate shut the door softly. She definitely had to talk to Mannix about this.
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    With a slew of papers spread out on the desk in the study, Kate tried to concentrate. She stared at the letter she’d received last week from Oberstown House, the young offenders’ facility. They’d invited her to make a presentation to their further education students. Again, she was conflicted. The logistics were difficult. That was a trip the whole way to North County Dublin, a longer day at each end, and more upheaval for Fergus. As much as she relished the idea of broadening their student base and making their courses more accessible, she knew where her priorities lay.
    Next, Kate attempted to jot down some advice on the portfolio proposals her second-years had handed in. But the words swam around in a slurry of language. What advice could she offer her own child? She looked around the book-lined room and at the woven tapestries hanging on either side of the long sash window. Darkness had now fallen and the lights from City Hall shimmered on the river.
    And then it came to her. She spent so much time worrying about the future. Their future. Fergus’s future. But the time was now. She needed to do something now. Putting the sheaf of papers to one side, she turned on the desktop and settled herself into the office chair. An hour must have slid by easily before she found what she was looking for.
    â€œOooooowwww!!!”
came an agonized howl from down the stairs.
    Good Lord—what had Fergus done now? Tearing down the stairs, she nearly went over on her ankle. There, in the gloom, was Fergus, doubled over, holding on to a foot.
    â€œWhat happened?” She rushed to comfort him.
    â€œMy toe is all messed up,” he said, sobbing.
    â€œHow did that happen?” His big toenail had split and blood was seeping out from underneath. On closer inspection, she saw that the edge of the toolbox was poking out from the cupboard door underneath the stairs. He had stubbed his big toe on the corner. She didn’t doubt the pain and he was in full throttle now. The injury was the final straw in his day of humiliation.
    â€œDad . . . I want Dad . . . Get Dad!”
he howled.
    â€œLet’s put a plaster on first. He’ll be home soon, Soldier,” she said, trying to placate him.
    No go.
    â€œGet Dad now! I want my dad now!”
    The bleating descended into a pitiful moaning. Her heart went out to