SKYFALL, Johnny Kavanagh

Hardcovers and paper trails

Maeve's Point of View

I pulled my boots on and tucked the hem of my skirt properly under my coat.
My tights were slightly twisted, but I didn't have the energy to care.
Johnny was already by the door, waiting with that relaxed kind of patience that made it really hard to be annoyed with him.

Sookie nudged her nose against my leg as I passed her.

"Sorry, girl." I muttered, giving her a quick scratch behind the ears. "You're not coming on this adventure."

"She'll sulk all day now." Johnny said, pulling the door open. "Last time I left her home, she cried and then stole a whole roast chicken off the counter."

I blinked. "She sounds like a woman after my own heart."

The cold hit me as soon as we stepped out.
I tucked my chin down into the collar of my coat and followed him down the driveway, my fingers already twitching from the need for a cigarette.

But I didn't light one.

Now, my hands just itched.
But I shoved it down and didn't reach for the lighter I knew was still in my coat pocket.
Instead, I shoved both hands in deep and kept walking.

"I didn't peg you for the walk-around-town kind." I said, glancing sideways at him.

"I'm not."

"So why are we walking?"

He shrugged. "Thought it might be good for you."

I rolled my eyes. "Wow. Therapeutic exercise. Should I start journaling too?"

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

I made a face. "It is."

Johnny chuckled under his breath and shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. "You always this grumpy before noon?"

"Only when I haven't had tea."

"Fair." He said, nodding. "We'll stop somewhere, then."

The first café we passed had a queue nearly out the door.

"I'm not queuing for overpriced tea." I said flatly.

Johnny raised a brow. "Are you always this difficult?"

"Yes."

"There's a quieter place two blocks down. No queue, decent tea, and chairs."

"Oh, now you're speaking my language."

Ten minutes later, I was sitting with a warm mug of Earl Grey cupped between my hands.
Johnny had gone for a juice and a ham toastie, looking far too pleased with himself as he took a bite.

"You're very smug about this walk." I said.

"That's because I was right."

"You've been insufferable for less."

"I take pride in consistency."

When we were both done Johnny got up and opened the door for me. "Come on. I'm taking you somewhere."

I narrowed my eyes. "If this ends with me in a charity fun run, I'm leaving."

"Relax." He said. "You'll like this one."

I followed, reluctantly.

We took a few turns through quieter streets, past a few shops and an older pub where I'd once had to hide from a boy I'd drunkenly insulted at a party.
I snorted at the memory.

Johnny glanced back. "What's funny?"

"Nothing."

"That's a lie."