SKYFALL, Johnny Kavanagh

Laundry problems

Johnny's Point of View

I knew my mother well enough to recognize that she was not going to let this go.

Sure, she'd stopped laying into me, but the glint in her eye said she was still processing all the ways she was about to make my life hell.

I sighed, shoving another bite of pancake into my mouth and hoping if I kept eating, she'd leave me alone.
I was nearly done with my breakfast when my mother spoke again.

"So, whose clothes are in the dryer?"

I looked up from my plate, frowning. "What?"

She set her teacup down and levelled me with a look. "The clothes, Johnny. They're not yours."

Beside me, Maeve tensed slightly.

I sighed. "They're Maeve's."

Ma's brows lifted in mild surprise as she turned to Maeve. "Oh? And why are your clothes in the dryer, love?"

"It was raining when I got here yesterday. I took the bus, and I got soaked."

Ma's face softened with concern. "Oh, sweetheart, you should've called someone for a lift."

Maeve just shrugged. "It wasn't that bad."

Ma hummed, unconvinced, before turning back to me. "And you gave her your clothes?"

I exhaled through my nose. "Yeah."

Ma nodded approvingly. "Good. At least you didn't let the poor girl freeze."

I rolled my eyes, shoving another bite of pancake into my mouth.

Maeve shifted in her seat, setting down her teacup. "I really should go change."

My Ma, of course, wasn't having that. "Oh, love, use the shower first."

Maeve blinked. "What?"

Ma gestured toward the hallway. "You were out in that storm yesterday, weren't you? Rainwater always leaves that awful damp feeling on your skin. It sticks to you for hours." She wrinkled her nose. "Horrible."

Maeve hesitated. "You really don't have to–"

My Ma waved her off. "Fresh towels are in the bathroom, third cupboard on the left. And if Johnny gave you any of his scratchy old towels, let me know. I'll burn them."

I groaned. "Ma."

She ignored me completely, smiling sweetly at Maeve. "Go on, love. Make yourself comfortable."

Maeve hesitated for a moment longer, like she was debating whether to argue, but then she nodded. "Alright. Thank you."

Ma beamed. "Of course, sweetheart. Bathroom's just down the hall."

Maeve slid her chair back and stood, glancing at me once before heading toward the bathroom.

The second Maeve disappeared down the hall, the bathroom door clicking shut behind her, I knew I was done for.

My mother turned to me, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across her face.

"She's a smashing girl." Ma said, topping off her tea like we weren't about to have the most excruciating conversation of my life. "Very polite. Very sweet."

I snorted. "She's not sweet."

Ma's eyebrows lifted. "No?"

I shook my head, smirking slightly. "No. She just apparently likes you."

Ma hummed, stirring her tea. "And what do you mean by that?"

I exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of my neck. "She didn't like me at first."