Lorcan hauled himself to standing and they started to make their way out of the park, along the river and back towards Peace Bridge.

‘So, tell me more about you,’ Jo said. ‘I’m not prying. You don’t have to tell me the personal stuff. Not unless you need to talk about it.’

He shook his head. ‘Well, I probably do need to talk about it, but for the moment I don’t feel able. I’m still processing everything.’ He pointed his index finger at his temple and tapped it against his head.

‘Fair enough,’ she said. ‘But you should know I’m a good listener if you ever want to.’

‘Noted,’ he said.

‘But for now, will we stick with the non-contentious stuff? You still haven’t told me what you do for a living?’

Lorcan laughed. ‘Well, if you remember Friends and Chandler Bing?’

‘I love that show!’ Jo grinned.

‘Yeah, well I’m a bit of Chandler Bing. I work in IT. I’d give you the full rundown, but, honestly, your eyes would glaze over and you wouldn’t take it in at all. I don’t think even Sophie ever truly understood what I did and she was with me from the day I got the job.’

‘Okay. I shall forever think of you as Chandler Bing.’

‘I’m sorry. I wish it could be something cooler. Maybe a Ross Geller? But I’m a nerdy guy, and I do enjoy the work. I’m not sure I’ll do it forever, but it suits me for now. I have learned, however, that most people really don’t find the intricacies of IT interesting. I think it would seriously make you run screaming, or fall asleep, or generally just decide that you don’t want to spend more time with me. And I think,’ he said, as he looked ahead, ‘that you’re a pretty cool person to spend time with.’ Jo felt something tug at her heartstrings, and this time she was pretty sure it wasn’t just Paddy reminding her to keep walking.

17

My Fair Lady

Clara sat, cross-legged, on top of Jo’s bed, with a curious expression on her face. Her little button nose wrinkled, her eyes squinting and her lips in a pensive pout as she watched Jo slather a creamy green goo all over her face.